「I want to save those guys… If I can.」
He gripped his spear with a determined look on his face.
「You might think that helping those who are powerless is pathetic and a sign of weakness. But everyone is born as a baby, and babies are weak, aren't they? Without someone else's help, you can't grow stronger…!」
Alvar spoke, trying hard to hold back the intensity in his voice.
「…Honestly, those who are weak because of laziness and neglecting training are getting what they deserve. But some want to become stronger, but are struggling because they haven't had the opportunity. I… I want to give those kinds of people a chance. But right now, I'm just a viscount with no significant connections, and not enough strength. That's why――」
「――I want to become big. That's the reason I volunteered to serve you, Your Highness. I want to achieve more military merits, become greater, and… be able to help those kinds of people――」
Your aspirations were admirable, but, Alvar Auril…
You were relying on the wrong person…
「Why… do you wish to help the less fortunate ones, even at the cost of your own well-being?」
When I asked out of curiosity, Alvar flinched as if he was about to be scolded. …Ah, maybe he thought I was criticizing him.
「Ah, don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying your principles are weak. On the contrary, I admire them. When it comes to the demon race, I always thought they are selfish, arrogant, and cared nothing for those beneath them as long as they were strong―― Until now, that's it.」
I heard a muffled voice as if someone was trying to hold back a laugh behind me. It was probably Vigne, almost bursting out laughing at the way I phrased things. The sound of footsteps continued with a thud, maybe she got an elbow to the ribs from her colleagues.
「People like you are called philanthropists, Alvar.」
「Philanthropist… Philanthropist, is it?」
Alvar cocked his head, as if that title didn't sit well with him.
「I just… feel frustrated, it annoys me that they get just taken for granted…」
Alvar hesitated for a moment.
「I… Have a big sister.」
「Oh, I see. I thought you were the only child.」
「To put it kindly… My sister can't see.」
… Even though she's a member of the Reiju clan?
「She was born, without eyes.」
Alvar spoke to me, who was at a loss for words. He told me about his big sister, who would have normally been ignored, and about the decision their parents made to protect her――
「Probably, that's a big part of it. I can't imagine life without my big sister anymore… When I think about it, I just can't say 『Weak ones should die』 just because they're weak. I can't just leave them be――」
「Well, it's all just my own selfishness! But that's just who I am, so sorry about that.」
Alvar lowered his head lightly with a joking tone. Although he was grinning, there was a strong resolve in his eyes, as if he was unwilling to budge on his beliefs.
I see… In a way, he was a selfish demon, too.
I felt an indescribable sense of emptiness. Why are you… A demon, yet so compassionate?
I was impressed, but my heart remained cold. …As I listened to the conversation, I was constantly thinking.
Then, what does he think of the human race?
If I replace the humans in Alvar's story with demons, there were many points I could empathize with. In fact, I could only empathise. However, what Alvar is concerned about were the demons, and that was only natural.
Between us, there stands an unyielding wall. A wall of racial difference.
Moreover, even if they were poor demons, they should at least have the pay of a squire, so they shouldn't starve. On the other hand, do you have any idea how many humans were struggling in the Alliance? How many families were suffering from hunger after losing their fathers or husbands in battle?
You couldn't achieve any merit because you weren't taken to the battlefield? Don't screw with me. Have you ever thought about how the human soldiers feel, who are conscripted against their will and forced to fight on the battlefield for a nation pushed to the brink?
――The emptiness in me started to heat up.
This won't do. If I keep going , I won’t be able to hide it anymore.
I shifted my mindset and nodded casually, as if nothing had happened.
「That's the spirit. ——That said, I'm still just a viscount. The most I can do is take you to the battlefield.」
Let's take him to the battlefield.
However, whether he could get military merit on the battlefield or not was――
「No, no! That’s exactly what I’m most grateful for! I barely have any connections, so this really helps me out!」
Alver’s innocent excitement only fueled my growing irritation and emptiness. My forced smile was starting to feel more like a mask.
「…By the way, there's something I'd like to ask for reference.」
「I understand very well the feeling of not being able to ignore the unfortunate, the weak, and the poor. …However, we demons are not the only ones living in this world.」
I stared into Alvar's confused eyes.
「―― What about the other races? Beastfolk, Elves, Dwarves, and even our bitter enemy―― The humans. There are surely many who are less fortunate, many who wish to be saved. Perhaps there are those who have lost their fathers or husbands in war and are now in distress. What do you think about that?」
If you’re saying that it’s only natural for humans to die, then――
Then you’re no different from the other demons who believe that 『the weak can die for all I care』.
Alvar instinctively covered his mouth with his hand.
「…I’ve never thought about it. Well, I’ve heard quite a bit about the Beastfolk and the Night Elves, you know, like the whole thing with the healing roles and such…」
Alvar seemed uneasy, glancing nervously at Vigne and the others behind me.
「But… yeah, now that I think about it, unlike the ones we raise in the ranch, the humans in the alliance also have families, don’t they…」
Alvar looked up to the sky while touching his head――
「――It's a tough question… No, my apologies. That's weak of me.」
He was laughing―― With a troubled look on his face.