The Outer God Needs Warmth-Chapter 218: Lost Dream (13)

As winter approached, the number of unemployed people roaming the streets increased.

Not only did the unemployed rise in number, but shops also closed down. If you think about the cause-and-effect relationship, the shops closed, and the people they employed became unemployed.

The days grew colder, and both food and warmth became scarcer.

The students at the Royal Academy didn’t know much about this.

It wasn’t until mid-winter, when it was time to prepare for finals, that they started to realize.

But an event occurred that made it unavoidable for them to know.

A protest group showed up in front of the Royal Academy.

Of course, the protestors were quickly dispersed by the army stationed around the palace.

But it was enough of an event for them to realize what was happening.

Because of that, more and more people started reacting sensitively. Fights, which normally wouldn’t happen, started breaking out, and it became common for people to end up bleeding.

I’m just living there without much thought.

I really don’t have to do anything at all.

Even if things get worse and people start killing each other, it’s to my benefit.

Most of the Harvesters are already on their way to a certain degree of success. They weren’t bad to begin with. It’s not just that their strength and intelligence have increased.

They endure environmental pressure well, rarely get sick, and even if a finger gets cut off, it regenerates.

Yes.

It’s not just about getting stronger. Even without magic, they’ve been improved to a level of "Human 2.0." Though I’m not entirely sure, they probably have much stronger resistance to diseases as well.

Even the Harvesters who chose the path of being trapped in their situation are healthier compared to the work they do and the lives they live.

A crisis doesn’t necessarily mean it’s all bad.

Even if the situation continues to worsen and this country faces a hellish future, in the long run, it benefits me.

Because I know the Harvesters will gain the upper hand in that scenario.

Harvesters are advantaged in surviving.

If there’s a deadly threat to Harvesters, it’s racism. That’s truly dangerous. Until the Harvesters become the majority, they are constantly threatened.

There was a time in the first world, too, when Harvesters were just starting to spread.

It’s easy to trample them, branding them with a bad image, and the purple hair and pure white skin are hard to miss.

That’s what led to the worst situation in the second world.

In that world, the Harvester was a symbol of evil.

They had to be eliminated. There’s a saying, "A needle in a sack always sticks out." It means that someone with great ability will always stand out.

So, it’s easy for them to accumulate a bad image. Even if it comes from jealousy, because this world is inhabited by humans, it’s unavoidable.

But this world is different.

The royal family has done a lot of promotion.

They’ve painted them as good people, and that image has really permeated society. So, even if they’re not someone to trust, people still think they are just based on their appearance.

In other words, the most dangerous weakness has been erased.

In fact, this dangerous situation is an opportunity.

After the horrific period when many people died, a good era came. Positions that couldn’t be reached before now become vacant.

When that happens, opportunities arise. Those who couldn’t climb before can now rise.

While it’s not said that a great amount of blood must be spilled for a better world to come, social mobility is most certain when this happens.

A bloodied path.

Those who step on the mountain of corpses are the ones who rise with abilities.

Yes.

Harvesters.

Just by being easier to survive in these extreme conditions, that’s enough of an exceptional ability.

In fact, that’s what makes it good.

In this world, it’s not that the strong survive, it’s that those who survive become strong. Life has developed this way so far.

Human history may have contradicted this, but in extreme situations, primitive laws prevail.

After the brief gap left by that reduction, the Harvesters will fill it, and a bright era will come. They will prosper further and spread further.

The hair of humanity will turn purple, and their skin will turn white. Because all of Tisshara’s descendants inherit that shape.

I thought the theory of "uselessness" might apply, but the memories of Daegon and the Ancient Heavenly Sovereign shine, suggesting that not everything is determined purely by genetics.

It’s simply that among the countless copies, the mutations best suited to the environment survive.

While this is the basic structure, it’s not that simple. Surprisingly, living organisms also pass on information they’ve learned to the next generation.

In other words, it’s not strange that the children of my Harvesters continue after the contract is over.

There’s a doubt if it’s such a strong mutation, but there’s no way to know.

Anyway.

I don’t plan to take action on this incident.

If a Harvester comes to me, unable to bear their suffering, then I’ll make a Harvester.

But that’s all.

I won’t do more than that.

I can’t.

Because I don’t have the intelligence to solve the worsening situation.

If I were smart, I’d step forward and solve this issue, gaining trust, and set up a religion or a company to continue growing the Harvesters.

Just because I gained someone’s memory doesn’t mean I become as smart as they were.

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If that were possible, everyone who completes their education would become a better person than the one they learned from.

But many people can’t do that.

No matter how much they learn, there are still many ignorant people. Beyond just acquiring knowledge, there are people who act foolishly.

I’m one of those people.

So, even if the benefits I can gain are small, I’ll act in a way that doesn’t cause harm.

I live carefully because, unlike those who die after a short life, I can’t die. I must pay the debts of failure forever.

So, by hiding only the most critical parts, I’ll live decently. I don’t need to be too evil or too good.

I don’t stand out much, but I’m the type of person who would be chosen to live with others, someone who shares benefits with others.

That’s my goal. The person people call a fool.

I can look like a fool. As long as I can get warmth.

Thinking this way, after class today, instead of heading home, I looked at the students gathered in the classroom.

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Normally, it’d be time for students to head home. But because the protestors had occupied the front gate, the students who don’t live in the dormitory are still in the classroom.

“Another protest? Can’t we just catch them all and kill them?”

“Yeah, why should we be locked up because of commoners?”

“If only they’d give us weapons, I’d clear them all out.”

Usually, those who go outside are from strong families.

Since they come from such backgrounds, there are students who want to sweep the protestors away. In fact, the majority feel this way.

Of course, they’re not actually serious about killing anyone.

It’s more ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ like a complaint.

It’s like when the subway stops during rush hour and you can’t get home.

At least the purpose of the protest is to give people a chance to think about what’s happening, but it rarely ends up that way.

“Bell, even though your dorm is just around the corner, you can’t leave?”

Polaris spoke to me.

“I don’t mind waiting. How about you, Polaris?”

“Me? I hate it. But since there’s nothing we can do, we just wait.”

“Aren’t you meeting with your faction people?”

At my question, Polaris sighed softly.

“If I had to work as a firepower agent for the prince, I’d rather be here.”

Ah, that’s right.

There’s only one entrance to the Royal Academy. So, even Solindigus has to leave through the main gate.

Since the academy is close to the royal palace, there must be secret passages. But using them in this situation wouldn’t be very secret.

So, Solindigus is still at the Royal Academy.

The future king being here also means there’s work to be done to make connections.

That’s why a small gathering was held.

It might seem like only women who believe they’ll get along with Solindigus are there, but actually, there are more men.

Because he’s the next potential superior, it’s best to get a foot in the door, right?

It’s an opportunity to introduce themselves and show their capabilities.

And when meeting at such gatherings, it’s not an individual who goes to Solindigus directly. It’s a group that brings the individuals and introduces them.

It’s a kind of etiquette.

Why do I know this?

Kanna’s there. She’s smiling, but if you look at the involuntary muscle movements, she’s clearly in a lot of pain.

She’s watching the moves of other factions, figuring out what to say or sending people to manage the order. She’s quite busy.

“If you have no work, isn’t it dangerous?”

“Work? Ah, no. Bell. Only the urgent ones go to these sudden gatherings. If you go without reason, you might seem liked in words, but you’ll be shunned behind your back. If you don’t go, they’ll say you’re aware of your place.”

Polaris explained with a nonchalant expression.

It’s a cutthroat environment.

I glance around. Among the students who were quietly sitting, some nod in acknowledgment, as though they understand this well.

By the way, the class is really quiet.

There aren’t many students, and with the schedule mostly canceled, they’re just waiting.

Those who live in the dorm, like Victoria, have already left. Plus, many students have moved to the dorm recently, so there aren’t many left who live outside.

Even if they live inside the dorm, they don’t necessarily rest in their rooms.

Freesia, a classmate, went straight to find Kanna after class and is now diligently working under Kanna’s orders.

Even with just Solindigus here, it’s this much of a hassle.

When Aurora joins next year, things will probably get even worse.

Will men also go seeking her, perhaps? It might be interesting to watch.

Ah. Right.

I stood up from my seat.

“Bell?”

“I’m going to see Victoria.”

“Hmm? Why all of a sudden?”

“Today, Victoria has a night class at the Clockwork Knight Academy.”

I have some attachment to the Harvester who brings in warmth.

“I’ll go with you.”

“Oh, right. Victoria sure has it tough. How does she manage two schools? Hmm. Alright. See you tomorrow then.”

I waved goodbye to Polaris, who waved her hand, and stepped out to head toward Victoria’s dormitory.

Today is going to be a tough day for Victoria.