BXBX NOVEL Chapter 381: Then let them. [2/2]
Unsurprised by this bastard\'s lack of manners, it was probably because those in there with us were slaves that he stopped pretending. Phillip knew when to act professional, so I never had a problem with his behavior. Personally, I found it annoying when people fawned over me.
As he lit his cigarette, he offered me the pack. Even though I was depressed and stressed, I usually used computer gaming as a vice. So I drank occasionally, but hardly ever smoked.
"No, thank you," I said.
Surprisingly, he offered the box to the slaves as well. Of course, none of them said anything as they were too nervous.
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It would have been as if my slaves were illegals and Phillip was an immigration officer.
The monocled bastard said nothing and continued to smoke in silence. Since we were all dead, the smoke did not bother any of us. Since he needed a minute, I checked my phone for any messages from Vincent.
I had sent him a message this morning about some supplies I needed.
After a good five minutes, Phillip pulled out another cigarette as he continued to smoke. Maybe a little more relaxed now, he looked a lot like a fed up gangster in his sloppy suit.
"Mr. Smith. May I ask why?" he finally questioned.
"Because I can."
My answer included no explanation. Nor did it contain lies. Hellsgate lacked reapers, yet we were killing the rogues indiscriminately. It made no sense to me. If others, like the Formless or the Saints, had the will to fight, why waste it?
"Huff. They often said that news only had the lifespan of a week. Mr. Smith, do you have any idea how many headlines have been written about you in the last two days alone?"
Not really interested, I shrugged my shoulders.
"Are you sure? You act stupid, but you are quite a manipulative bastard. Do you understand what you are doing?" He asked in a stern voice.
"Do I look like I care?" I replied in a cold voice.
The monocled bastard made a surprised face before smiling.
"Right, you never really cared about such things. Not when it didn\'t involve killing the undead. I see. Maybe that is why people are attracted to you?"
Pixie raised her hand innocently and tried to ask in a low voice.
"Um, mister. I don\'t want to cause trouble for my lord. Could you please tell me why you don\'t like me?"
It was heartbreaking to hear a child utter such words. Her insecurities automatically assumed there was something wrong with "her," not because she was a slave, nor because she was a rogue. But because of Pixie Richards.
Perhaps feeling the same, Phillip put out his cigarette before approaching Pixie. Delroy flinched the moment he drew near, but Phillip waved his hand as he calmed the bouncer.
"Stand down, rogue. I am from Administration, if I wanted you gone, you would have died upon entering the building. Besides, the man behind you is a lot scarier than you think. As long as he vouches for you. None may harm you here."
The Jamaican\'s jaw dropped at my clerk\'s words. Pixie also brightened at his statement. Innocently, she turned to me and praised me with a smile.
"My lord! You are so great! Amazing!"
Phillip then approached her and placed a hand on her head.
He stroked it like a cat.
"My child, the problem is not with you. But it does lie in the fact that you are a rogue and a slave. Slavery is a touchy subject both on Earth and here. Of the seven battlefronts, only Asia, Africa, and the North condone slavery."
Phillip then faced me as he continued.
"Rogues, on the other hand, are equally hated. Mr. Smith, you should know the gravity of your situation, right?"
"I do."
As the Formless who broke the armistice, I knew that I had caused the beginning of a massive arms race. It might seem that the other continents were only now beginning to support their Reapers, but that was not the case.
The Formless were being armed to be used as a weapon. One that could do more damage to the battle fronts than the manifested ever could.
"Good. The controls used on official Reapers do not apply to rogues. This is why they are feared by all. And why they are not tolerated."
I see, since they were trying to make sure that no Formless would take the stage, that meant that if the rogues were not terminated, a powerful Formless might emerge from their ranks.
\'But if I already broke that rule, was there still a reason to continue exterminating the rogues?\'
"If the news spread that you, a person with a powerful backer along with a large army, started buying slaves and accepting rogues. What do you think would be the conclusion most people would come to?"
"If I, who had David\'s backing, and Hellsend started buying slaves and accepting rogues...Oh..."
"They would think you were preparing for war. The news of you accepting rogues and slaves would be the least of it. The fact would be that Limitless is assembling an army."
"..."
"It\'s different if people come under your banner because of your beliefs. But if the others came to the conclusion that you were actively building up your forces. They would think it was for revolution or invasion."
Pixie stood up. "But that is not true! I was the one who asked for my lord\'s help! He never meant to attack other people!"
"I know little one, but that is how others will see it. Besides, you are the first person to accept both rogues and slaves, just like the Formless and the Saints. These people will flock to you from every conceivable hole in the ground."
Phillip then walked back to his chair as he lit another cigarette.
"And once they do, if you do not turn them away, Hellsend will only become more powerful. The other continents will never believe that you formed the group for the undead. Not after they see you go to war with Savior tomorrow."
I see, like a wave, these people would come to me, waiting for direction. And as easily as I could send them to fight the undead, I could send them to fight the reapers instead.
They would also form armies to fight the reapers, like an arms race, so that they would not be caught unawares. Unlike the Manifested that fought Hellsgate, these armies would be trained to fight reapers from other continents.
\'This is bullshit, if they could spare the effort, why not just send these armies to push the front lines in Hellsgate? Humans, even reapers, really are fucking stupid.\'
This sounded scary and all, but it was not set in stone. Besides, my goals have never been about fighting the reapers. It was and always will be to defeat the undead and Hellsgate.
"Then let them be," I replied curtly.
"Excuse me?"
"Let them. Let them make up all the stories they want. I do not care. Especially not about the opinions of sheep. Hellsend is and always will be a force to end hell. No more and no less."
Surprised by my comment, the three people with me just stared at me in silence.
"And if they want to fuck with me. They are welcome to try."
I went to the door and ordered Phillip.
"Register them as official reapers Phillip, I will deal with the consequences. Pixie, Delroy, follow this man and report to Cynthia afterwards. I will be leaving now, I have a war to win."