Chapter One Hundred and Nineteen: Public Statement 2
“Did I do something that deserves thanks from you? I have no recollection of such a thing.”
His tone, tinged with confusion, made it clear that he truly had no recollection.
Eugene, who had seemed like an unfathomably massive presence, now appeared quite human, and remembering that he was Marian’s father after all, Karen couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
“I read the statement that was published. While it wasn’t the apology I had hoped for, I would like to express my gratitude for publishing my opinion exactly as it was, without any exaggeration or unfair alterations.”
“Why? Though it wasn’t my intention, it appears that our publishing of the facts has put you, Ms. Karen, in a difficult position.”
Eugene had probably aimed for Karen to come crying to him in distress after publishing this statement. Seeing how flustered Natalia was, Karen could sense that the situation wasn’t good. However, when Karen read the statement published by the Gubert Trading Company, what she felt was joy.
“I’m grateful that the Gubert Trading Company, which has now become involved in the national project, used its power to widely publicize that I hold such opinions, since I lack the power to make my views known to those around me. I’ve always wanted to spread the idea that all lives are equal, so this helped with that.”
“…I oppose that strange way of thinking, and it seems many others besides myself are also opposed to it, but what do you think about that?”
“That such a reaction would naturally occur.”
“Do you not understand the situation? Adventurers are national treasures. And for them, the dungeon anomalies are a threat to their lives, and we at our company have promised to dedicate ourselves to their cause. If you find yourself in conflict with us, the backlash from the adventurers could become a threat that endangers you personally.”
“Well, there are many rough people among them.”
Karen frowned, recalling Tim’s appearance that morning. When she asked if the soaking-wet Tim had been caught in a sudden shower, he hadn’t denied her words, but something had seemed off about him. And he had recommended that Karen travel by carriage. If that hadn’t been the work of rain, then this might be the reason Tim hadn’t wanted Karen to travel on foot.
Since the attack, Karen had negotiated with the Ehlertt family to have her alchemy workshop—her “property”—protected as well. While it wasn’t protection for Tim and Harald specifically, they were being protected collectively as part of Karen’s property. So as long as they stayed inside the alchemy workshop, their safety would likely be secured.
Thinking she would need to apologize to Tim when she returned, Karen said:
“In any case, it’s a fact that I found the Gubert Trading Company’s statement helpful and felt gratitude toward it. You could have made a casual apology, saying that even though it was an insignificant life, I was angry about a child’s life, and obscured the focus of the matter…”
“Such an apology would have no meaning. What you seek is an apology for failing to respect a life, however worthless it may have seemed, correct?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“It would be meaningless to you, and I wouldn’t want to give those around us the mistaken impression that we believe any life should be respected. It is true that we sometimes take valuable items or ideas found by incompetent people and present them as our own. But I do not see that as evil.”
“The soap was like that, too.”
“You were a miscalculation on that front—but there’s no shame in moving quickly for the defense of the nation. It’s a sin not to know what benefits the nation and to waste technology that could save many people. If there are lives that could have been saved using that technology but were lost, it’s as if that incompetent person killed them.”
This was a painful topic for Karen.
Eugene was saying that if Karen had created soap and continued to waste it—then the lives that could have been saved with soap but were lost during that time were as good as killed by Karen.
“On our path to accomplishing great deeds for the nation and for the world, even if we crush the insects crawling at our feet, I see no reason to be blamed or to apologize for it.”
To Karen’s eyes, Isaac’s schemes hardly seemed like the pursuit of any great achievement.
But for Eugene, the one pulling the strings behind the scenes, the outcome had been acceptable either way, and the fact that Tim and Harald were nearly trampled was probably no more than a trivial matter on the road to greater deeds.
“…You do feel that it’s pitiful to kill children and people, right?”
“Yes. I do have pity for children and even adults who aren’t blessed with the goddess’s favor. But I don’t think the Gubert Trading Company needs to apologize.”
“I see.”
As a human being, he surely did feel guilt about harming people. Karen didn’t think the people of this world were quite like aliens. But taking priority over that, in this world, people were desperately fighting to protect humanity’s territory. Probably, if people like this disappeared, human society in this world would perish.
Karen understood the logic of not hindering those who fight. But was Karen the only one who felt that this logic was being abused and that too many unforgivable things were being forgiven?
Taking a deep breath, she said:
“…While I’m disappointed that you won’t apologize in this situation, I believe you will reconsider eventually.”
“Reconsider? Do you think such a thing is possible?”
“When I eventually become an S-rank alchemist, this statement will be reconsidered. At that time, I’m sure there will be a change in your feelings as well, President.”
“…S-rank, is it?”
“As for me, I hope that change comes before I become an S-rank alchemist. Please understand that with each rise in my rank, the value of that apology will diminish.”
Apologizing simply because the other party was important and you couldn’t oppose them, without understanding or accepting it. Such an apology would be meaningless to Karen. Eugene probably understood that much without it being said.
“I thought I had cornered you by publishing this statement—but when you become an S-rank alchemist, it will be us who are cornered.”
“That’s right. You would become known as the company that once refused the demands of an S-rank alchemist.”
No matter how unreasonable an S-rank alchemist’s demands might be, the party that didn’t comply would be considered in the wrong. That was a bad custom of this world where the strong were absolute, but since it was a card anyone could use, there was no reason not to use it herself when her opponents used it against her.
She already had a clear path to becoming a D-rank alchemist. If necessary, she intended to climb to S-rank even if it meant revealing her memories from her previous life.
“An alchemist who remained F-rank for seven years and only just became E-rank is speaking rather boldly.”
Eugene sighed.
Yet neither his tone nor his expression held any sharpness.
“A young person with such backbone is admirable—even if they stand on the opposite side of my interests.”
The way Eugene looked at Karen had changed.
No longer was it the gaze that once saw her as the soft-hearted girl who had her soap snatched away and let it slide without retaliation—it was now a keen, unwavering stare that met her directly. It was the look of someone who recognized Karen’s existence.
“So you still have no plans to publish an apology statement, President?”
“That’s correct. And you didn’t come here to reconcile with us either, did you? I had assumed that was your reason for visiting.”
“You’re absolutely right. I simply came to express my thanks. And to press for an apology.”
“It’s unfortunate that our interests don’t align, but I’m also pleased.”
“Pleased?”
When Karen tilted her head slightly, Eugene smiled.
“Part of me looks forward to you overcoming the trial that is me and ascending to greater heights.”
Just like overcoming the goddess’s trials and ascending the steps.
“I’m rooting for you, Ms. Karen. I’ll likely get in your way for my own benefit, but I also expect a future where you truly become S-rank. When you achieve victory, the Earthfill Kingdom will have gained an excellent alchemist.”
“I’ll do my best to meet your expectations.”
“Hahaha! Though our trading company would be in trouble if that happened!”
Karen couldn’t help but feel some fondness for the cheerfully laughing Eugene, and she gave a wry smile.
Their interests simply didn’t align—they didn’t hate each other.
In fact, part of Karen was pleased to have been acknowledged.
Even though Eugene’s values hadn’t moved a single millimeter from considering the lives of insignificant humans worthless.
At that moment, there was a knock at the door, and someone slipped into the room.
“What is it?”
“Well—”
The man who entered came up to Eugene’s side and whispered in his ear. After hearing the whispered message, Eugene’s eyes widened, and he looked at Karen with lowered eyebrows.
“Ms. Karen, I have bad news.”
Karen was trying to go against the current of the times.
She understood that she was doing things that would earn the resentment of many people. If she were the only one to face the consequences, she was prepared for it. Even so, Karen swallowed hard.
No comments:
Post a Comment