Chapter 234: Mob Mentality

As I approach the city, I could see fires blazing even from afar.

The people were not evacuating. They were taking refuge in the mansion Melty was using as her residence on the outskirts of the village.

The Justice Zombies were attacking while shouting out negative propaganda about me and the country.

These brainwashed people would usually be difficult to distinguish at a glance.

However, if they took a sufficient amount of damage, and the host’s consciousness faded, then the bodies would continue to walk around like typical zombies without wills.

Their behavior is also a problem.

The situation has devolved as such: The zombies would attempt to climb the stone walls surrounding the mansion, while the people inside would knock them down with wind magic or physical force.

And within the fire, Ren and Firo were taking the initiative, going around and knocking out the insurgents.

The others would then use rope to tie them up.

“Are you alright!?” (Naofumi)

“Ah, Master~! Well, you see…” (Firo)

“Naofumi, how did your side go? Did you find Itsuki?” (Ren)

“No.” (Naofumi)

I summarize the events of the village while I step in front to act as the shield I am.

These brainwashed people should have a sense of priority instilled within them.

They should be prioritizing killing me or Melty.

“For the sake of Justice, Perish!” (Merchant)

A merchant who had been laughing and conversing with me just yesterday thrusts a dagger at me.

And without a word, I activated Erst Strike Shield and Change Shield, creating a combo that inflicted Paralysis.

“What about the people you’re supposed to be protecting?” (Naofumi)

“Ah, this kid says that matter is fine.” (Ren)

“Well, you see. I somehow know.” (Firo)

I see, so Firo can sense it with her feral instincts.

She can sense the actions of the other Filo Rials and their support.

“And this is that dagger?” (Ren)

“Yeah.” (Naofumi)

I take out the dagger and present it to Ren.

Of course, in order for him to analyze it.

Trying to insert it into my shield seems dangerous, so I’ll have Ren make a Copy of it.

It’s a dangerous item, but if he makes it his own… It might be fine.

“Try holding it for a second.” (Naofumi)

“Okay.” (Ren)

Ren grasps the hilt of the dagger, and his sword shines for a moment.

“Curse Series… The Dagger of Mob Mentality?” (Ren)

So it comes down to that.

And wait, it’s a Curse Series?

There’s more than the 7 Deadly Sins?

I see, so this dagger makes one’s mind a single part of a whole and prevents an individual from making decisions on their own.

“Wait a second… Let me check it for more details.” (Ren)

Ren opens his status screen and reads through it.

“I apologize, I don’t really know what this is supposed to mean.” (Ren)

He answers as he knocks down several zombies with his sword.

“Does it have any strange effects?”

“Equipment Bonus… Release by Brainwashing; Mutual Understanding; Don’t worry, I understand you.”

… That’s seriously suspicious.

Ren probably thinks so as well. He has a complicated expression.

“This is Release? Mutual Understanding? Can you even call that understanding?” (Ren)

“Does it mean your troubles will fade away?” (Naofumi)

So it stains you with the ideology of another…

Anyone who objects to that psychology is an enemy, and if you infect them, they’ll be comrades once more.

This isn’t a game…

This is quite a disgusting dagger.

“Where is Eclaire-san?”

Rishia looks around and asks Ren.

Eclaire… Is that Female Knight?

She’s probably being useful around now.

I mean, the girl knows nothing but how to fight.

“Ah, she is…” (Ren)

Ren’s face darkens.

And he points to the mansion.

“Is she defending from the mansion?” (Rishia)

“It seems that she received quite a shock upon seeing the strange actions and speech of the enemy.” (Ren)

“What?” (Naofumi)

“How can I get them to understand me? The Justice I seek is nothing like this. She couldn’t raise her hands against her former comrades.” (Ren)

Ah, Female Knight had a strong sense of justice.

If the enemy takes on the name of Justice and spouts incomprehensible nonsense, I guess she would get mad.

The citizens she vowed to protect were fighting her.

Though they were being controlled by others, they still maintained some of their selves. It would be impossible to attack at full power.

They may even pretend to be allies.

This possibility could lead to suspicion and infighting.

This really is an annoying ability.

“’A world without Slavery or Discrimination. An equal world,’ she said as the amount of turned allies around her increased. It must have been tough.” (Ren)

Well, she does have a point.

In this country’s eyes, it is impossible for humans and Demi-Humans to live side by side. If a Demi-Human is officially treated as an equal, then people accuse the government of giving them preferential treatment.

One side says that I’m doing the brainwashing, while they spread their argument through brainwashing. There’s no end to it.

This village had no one who could undo the brainwashing, so there’s no helping it.

Equal? No Discrimination? Those are some expressions that make me sick to my stomach.

Even in my ‘equal’ world, there’s been no one who’s been able to practice true equality.

Superiority exists in all worlds.

When someone is born, he’s already being judged. Equality is a laughable concept.

(TL Note: Yoraikun does not endorse any views offered by our protagonist. )

The quest to make an impartial, equal world without war is merely a trigger to unleash more war.

It’s like when she beat up and performed minorly tortured Ren in order to teach him a lesson.

Anyways, what does the word Equality even mean?

The meaning I know has all humans treated equally without discrimination or favorable treatment.

It’s unattainable and merely something to be strived for.

But in a world with Slavery as a set system, if such things are preached, no one will lend their ears.

My world only got rid of slavery recently.

If anyone actually supported such a cause, they would have ulterior motives.

And the reason slavery became extinct in my world was largely due to the changing times; slaves were no longer needed. (TL: He’s talking about Japan here)

This world is still in need of some form of labor.

To try and preach such a concept that’s realistically impossible, I can only see her as a child.

That’s a concept that the Three Heroes Church and the Revolutionary faction would simply use to their advantage.

“I’ll put lecturing Female Knight off to a later date. Do you think we’ll be able to manage here?” (Naofumi)

“The enemy numbers are too great. At this rate, we can tie all of them up, but it will take too long.” (Ren)

“I see…” (Naofumi)

Even if the people I brought along also fight, it will still take a long time.

“Naofumi-cha~n.” (Sadina)

… Ah, right. Sadina was with us.

“Hey… Sadina. Do you have a way to take out the overflowing mass of brainwashed children and put out the fire all at once?” (Naofumi)

“Leave it to me! Everyone!” (Sadina)

Sadina began swinging her harpoon like a conductor’s baton.

Perhaps because she brought along more people this time, I can feel the magic in the air condensing to greater levels than before. It’s already a large scale magic formation.

Ah, this person is comparable to Firo in useful abilities.

Hm? Firo?

“Firo, mobilize the other Filo Rials to cast Choral Magic as well!” (Naofumi)

“Got it~! N… Nn…” (Firo)

Firo cleared her throat and began singing.

And in response to that, the other Filo Rials in the area began chirping.

“Naofumi-chan, go evacuate the children who aren’t brainwashed.” (Sadina)

“Understood.” (Naofumi)

By my orders, I evacuated everyone who was still sane.

I won’t let the situation devolve to the level it was before.

“Wait!”

“Submit to the will of justice!”

“Devil of the Shield!”

All the brainwashed people say the same things.

“Ren!” (Naofumi)

“Leave it to me! 「Hundred Sword!」” (Ren)

The pursuing slaves are blocked by countless strikes from Ren’s area of effect skill.

Heroes with offensive capabilities sure are useful.

「「「Tidal Wave!」」」

「「「Sweet Song!」」」

Upon Sadina’s magic, a large wave washes away the Justice Zombies in front of the mansion, and upon hearing Firo’s song, other Zombies turn white-eyed and fall down on the spot.

It’s probably a magic with a sleep effect.

It seems that Firo’s singing ability has reached magical levels.

“I guess that we succeeded in the surpression for now.” (Naofumi)

“No, not yet.” (Ren)

Ren points deeper into the city.

And from that direction, Brainwashed Zombies continue to pour in, one after the other.

Where the hell did these people come from anyways!?

They must have grown in number from the inhabitants of this village.

“… The person leading all of them probably isn’t here.” (Naofumi)

In a situation like this, the person leading the charge, like the Magic User in my village, probably retreated already.

“No, there’s one suspicious place.” (Ren)

Ren signals towards the village plaza.

Hm? For some reason, I see a Gaelion-like object breathing fire all over the place.

On its back is someone who looks like Taniko.

“Naofumi, there was a church built behind there, right?” (Ren)

“Yeah.” (Naofumi)

“The Brainwashed army’s built up their defenses there. We can almost break through. Won’t you come with us?” (Ren)

“I see.” (Naofumi)

Itsuki may be there. Maybe…

“We’re going over to the church. You guys should continue to bind the defeated enemies. Find a way to contain them all.” (Naofumi)

“Understood, Naofumi-chan.” (Sadina)

Yeah, it’s best to leave the defenses to her.

It would be bad if we thinned our forces enough for them to break through.

And the constant battle has fatigued both sides.

Just raising one’s level doesn’t change sustained injury, fatigue, or hunger.

“Then Firo and the Filo Rials will go over to where Gaelion is fighting!” (Naofumi)

“Eh?… I have to go to Gaelion?” (Firo)

Firo states her opinion.

It seems the other Filo Rials agree.

“Just shut up and go.” (Naofumi)

“Oka~y…” (Firo)

“Is Melty alright?” (Naofumi)

“Yeah. Melty-chan is strong, so she’s fine.” (Firo)

“I see. Well, she was strong enough to blow away my house.” (Naofumi)

A militaristic princess… It’s a common theme in literature, but it makes me see just how much Melty has changed.

Even though I’m the cause.

But that doesn’t matter for now. I just need to find a way into the church.

I get on Firo’s back and gallantly rush onto the battlefield.

Ren is with us.

On the way, we encounter attacks from brainwashed people, but they are no match for Firo’s speed.

My place’s Filo Rials sure are high class.

Though, besides Firo’s first disciple, Motoyasu raised them all.

Is he going to become the Filo Rial Master?

What would I do if he actually becomes one…