‘Did he think I wouldn't refuse?’
Deliphiros carefully asked again.
"I think I misheard, could you please repeat that?"
"I said I won't accept your proposal. In essence, I'm rejecting it."
"That's quite unexpected. Is there something in my proposal that you dislike? Ah, if you want better terms, I'm willing to accommodate."
"Even with better conditions, I have no intention of accepting."
"Why is that?"
"Because the world you envision is never what I desire."
Deliphiros realized that Osian wasn't joking.
With his smile gone and a more serious expression, he asked again."Are you saying you don't like the world of humans?"
"Yes."
"Osian, you are human. And humans are the greatest beings in the world. Is it a problem to live with pride as one of them?"
"Even if it means oppressing and discriminating against other races?"
Osian's voice grew cold.
"Then let me ask. Why do you, as a human supposedly greater than anyone else in the world, guard against other races like that?"
"Being 'great' is not about racial superiority. It's about potential. However, most people fail to cultivate their potential. They need guidance."
"And other races aren't included? Then let me ask another question. Do mutants fall under what you consider human?"
"They are..."
For the first time, Deliphiros hesitated to answer.
Mutants are a new race that can use superpowers through genetic disorders.
They call themselves the new human race, appearing not only among humans but also orcs, elves, and beastfolk.
Are mutants with superpowers still human?
When Deliphiros failed to give a definitive answer, it became clear what he was thinking.
"Mutants possess mysterious powers that ordinary people don't have. Then let me ask the reverse. Are mana users human?"
"They are people."
"Why? They also wield powerful forces unlike ordinary people. What about more powerful mages?"
"That's because it's not something innate but achieved through effort and training."
"Then do you believe that if other ordinary people work hard, they can surpass mana users and become mages?"
Whether mana or superpowers, in the end, they were powers that ordinary people could never handle.
One requires being born a mutant, and the other requires sensitivity to mana, or talent.
Judging by the criteria used to discriminate against mutants, mages and mana users should be similarly discriminated against because they possess powers stronger than ordinary people.
"But conversely, they maintain the awareness that they are human. That's different from mutants who claim they differ from existing humans."
"Right. They would think of themselves as human. Superior humans, that is."
Of course, not all mages would think that way. But the fact that some people thought that way was enough to create the roots of division.
"You think people should unite and build their own kingdom. But honestly, I don't find that attractive at all."
Above all, Osian could speak with such conviction because he had seen a world without any other races or subspecies.
The world he lived in before coming here was a world where only humans lived.
Was it truly peaceful?
Though they speak of peace, humans always take sides and continue fighting.
Age, race, region, gender, religion, ideology.
They always divide, fight, and eventually commit terrible acts.
It was madness.
The history he had witnessed proved it.
'If there are humans and other races, humans might unite for now.'
But what would happen if, as Deliphiros suggested, they drove out all others and only humans remained?
'Humans possess strong desires, but that intense flame affects other humans too. In fact, that's what happens most frequently.'
The fuel for the flame consists of sacrificing others.
Working in this industry, Osian had seen many such scenes.
Those who trampled the socially vulnerable were mostly humans.
People could think themselves superior and trample others without hesitation.
Giving them full authority? That would be like giving a knife to a murderer.
"Do you view humans negatively, Osian?"
"Of course not. How could I, being human myself, view humans so negatively? I just want to say that there aren't always only positive aspects."
Osian is not a misanthrope. When someone does something wrong, it's that individual's issue, not a problem with all humans.
Everyone has two sides.
Even the laborers who just passed by are the same. At first glance, they might look like victims struggling at the bottom of society.
But when they return home, they might direct violence toward their weaker spouses or children. In fact, there were many such people in this city.
Even the weak can be harsh to those weaker than themselves. That's what humans are.
"Everyone has two sides. Humans have negative aspects too. Conversely, the other races you hate also have positive aspects."
The Aspirex that Osian met never hated humans or boasted of his superiority.
He was the founding mayor of this city and genuinely loved the city he created.
At least from Osian's perspective, he could be confident that Aspirex had contributed far more to society than many others.
"So I have no intention of joining your plan to create a city just for humans. I rather like this diverse city."
"Even though they might drive out humans someday?"
"Are we discussing a hypothetical? If we're going there, the probability of even worse things happening is higher."
Right now, humans make up most of the population in Tirna.
Elves are few in number and live in isolation.
Dwarves and beastfolk exist but aren't very numerous. Especially beastfolk, as they face discrimination.
Orcs are prolific breeders, but they don't unite enough to cause revolution within the city.
If something were to happen, it would likely be 90 percent human.
So it's absurd to say we should eliminate potential dangers for the sake of humans.
Osian strongly expressed his will.
I won't join hands with those who hold such extreme ideologies.
"Hahaha. I can't stand this. I understand why that sly Aspirex sought you out. Or perhaps I saw that aspect of you first."
"Is it surprising?"
"Usually when I make such emotional appeals, most people are moved by them."
Osian nodded.
Deliphiros certainly possessed remarkable persuasive abilities.
An appealing mask, a gentle voice, a relaxed attitude, sincere eyes, and persuasive language.
'Even a top student from a speech academy couldn't match that.'
Even making such a joke was a kind of defense mechanism to avoid being swept away by his excellent verbal skills.
Now I understand why he has fanatical supporters.
And for Deliphiros, having such proposals rejected might not be impossible but certainly rare.
"Ordinary people like to make rational proposals. They want reasonable compensation. For most, it's material assets - money. What materialistic people want doesn't deviate from that. I'll just provide it."
It's easier to understand if you think of it as a transaction through contract but relationships based on material compensation were inevitably shallow.
Either being lured by greater compensation, or developing bad intentions after receiving part of the compensation.
'Otherwise, they'd just do exactly what they're told. Doing more than what you're paid for is a loss for anyone.'
And the fixer industry where Osian worked was a small society built on such compensation.
"But you were different. Looking at the missions you've completed, you haven't received much compensation compared to the tasks. Usually, you could have demanded more."
"So you judged that I'm not someone obsessed with money."
"That's right. To persuade such a person, I need a different approach. Namely, appealing to emotions. In fact, this is my favorite method."
Appealing to emotions.
Surprisingly, it works better on more people.
Those not bound by material things basically don't lack much in life.
Even if you try to fill what they lack, it's just a small puzzle piece. They won't feel much gratitude.
But the emotional aspect is different.
Something that touches the heart has a tremendous resonance that they cannot buy with money.
The feeling of fire igniting inside the chest and the illusion that you've become a more exceptional, greater being.
People entranced by this believe they can leave their mark on history by participating in some great cause.
'It sounds good, but when taken to extremes, even ruthless incitement falls into this category.'
And what Deliphiros did best was touching these emotions.
"But you weren't swayed by that either. It's because you have firm principles inside you. Then what should I do to persuade people like you?"
"If you've gone that far, wouldn't it be better to give up persuading?"
"Haha. You'd like that, but I actually enjoy situations like this. To continue, what should I do for someone who responds to neither reason nor emotion?"
As Osian waited for the answer, Deliphiros smiled slyly and snapped his fingers.
"Let's save that for next time."
"..."
It was a somewhat anticlimactic result, but Osian didn't bother pressing the issue.
Rather, the situation outside seemed strange.
He felt a peculiar tingling sensation.
Though the vehicle itself was soundproofed, it couldn't completely mask the explosions happening beyond.
A fight had broken out somewhere. The distance wasn't far, and if they continued, there was a high chance it would intersect with this vehicle's route.
'No. Could it be an accidental explosion?'
Osian looked at Deliphiros.
The vehicle that had been moving continuously stopped.
"It seems I can only escort you this far. I've been outside for too long, it appears."
"You're popular."
"Sadly so. Isn't that the charm of a young mayor?"
The limousine door opened automatically.
Osian glanced briefly at Deliphiros before exiting the car.
"I'll look forward to that answer next time."
As soon as Osian got out, the door closed automatically.
The limousine quietly departed again through the faint fog.
"Sir, is it alright to leave him like that?"
The secretary sitting in the passenger seat asked.
The question was whether it was dangerous to have shown such an unfiltered side to Osian.
"It's fine. He's not the type to exploit that. What's the situation outside?"
"We've already lost three of the dolls positioned nearby."
"That's unusual. And I can't even sense who it is. Who could it be?"
"It seems to be 'The Half.'"
"They've sniffed us out well."
"What will you do?"
"It would be better to deal with them since they've stuck their nose in here. But it won't be easy, right?"
"...No. I'll try."
Though the secretary said that, Deliphiros didn't seem to have high expectations.
The secretary bit his lip slightly at that look and concentrated.
Right now, dealing with the attackers trying to harm the mayor was the priority.
*
Osian trudged along the foggy path.
The explosions heard from afar had stopped. It seemed the fight was over.
Whether it ended in someone's victory and defeat, or just a meaningless draw, he didn't know.
'Is this a movement targeting the mayor? It's not particularly strange. For a mayor showing such extreme behavior, he'd have many enemies just as he has many allies.'
They probably thought this was an opportunity when Deliphiros came outside and launched an attack.
But as Osian had already sensed, there were guards around the vehicle along with Deliphiros.
The commotion was likely noise from fighting with the outer guards.
Osian stopped in his tracks.
"I thought the target was just the mayor."
In front of Osian stood a large man in a well-pressed suit who exuded a familiar aura. It was a sensation in Osian's memory.
"What business does the Blood Brotherhood have?"