第１８０８堀：捕虜たちの心情 (Part2)
"Well, it's hardly reasonable to expect someone to abandon their faith overnight. They have families left behind, and if they’re still alive, they’re surely hoping to return to them. They wouldn't want to do anything that might lead to their kin being stoned in the streets."
"Ah, I see. Indeed, when you consider their families, simple conversion isn't so easily managed. Not that it matters to us which god they worship. After all, I am Hairen of the Hairen faith, and Fiora is Lilishe of the Litea faith."
"Exactly. It’s not that they’re fighting because they truly want to; it’s more accurate to say they are paralyzed by the authority of the Church, isn't it?"
"Hmm..."
That was a perspective I hadn't considered. I had been viewing their behavior solely as an assertion of superiority—a way of emphasizing that they held the higher ground.
And while that was certainly true, as Fiora suggested, to openly embrace a different ideology is to risk being cast out from one's own environment. Whether you are at the bottom of the hierarchy or the very top, social isolation is a devastating prospect. It is not a choice one makes lightly.
In other words...
"Let's ask the two of them directly."
"That would be for the best."
And so, we decided to summon them to hear the details firsthand.
"Heeey! You called for us?"
"What’s up? Something happen?"
Fortunately, the two were performing missionary work in the northern town and responded to our summons immediately. As they serve as the priestess and sister for Weed, they frequently travel between our city and the New Continent—a feat that would be impossible under normal circumstances, were it not for the use of the Gate.
"I have a question regarding the prisoners of war."
"Prisoners? Oh, you mean those rowdy little ones?"
"Did those idiots do something? Should I go give them a piece of my mind?"
It seems that, from their perspective, the prisoners are nothing more than troublesome children.
"No, it’s just... I have some concerns. Do you believe it’s possible to persuade those who follow the teachings of the Clearstream Church?"
I asked plainly, without wrapping it in unnecessary nuance.
"Hmm? That’s perfectly possible."
"Of course it is. It’s not like we’re forcing them to adopt our faith."
They dismissed our worries with an airy nonchalance that left us stunned.
"But... I’ve heard reports that we haven't been able to secure their cooperation."
While I was still reeling, Fiora spoke up, equally surprised.
"Well, obviously. Asking them to cooperate is essentially asking them to defect to an enemy nation. You two wouldn't do that either, would you?"
"“That goes without saying.”"
We would never betray Yuki and the others. We would sooner take our own lives, or flee long before it came to that.
"Exactly. They have their own ties and obligations, so they feel compelled to resist. Once you knock some sense into them and sit down to talk, they’ll understand. Besides, isn't that just how war works? They don't believe their country will lose, so they can't just surrender on a whim."
Surprisingly, Hairen offered a very pragmatic view. I suppose I had forgotten that she had survived countless wars alongside our ancestors.
"It’s not like they’re all eager to harm others just because the teachings differ. Most of them are just following orders because they fear ending up in the same position themselves."
"The higher-ups are the ones who have become twisted. I mean, it’s clear they’re intentionally ostracizing the demi-humans."
"Intentionally?"
"Of course. By designating a clear enemy, they strengthen their own unity and the persuasiveness of their rhetoric."
"Hairen-chan is right. I suspect that monsters alone weren't generating enough of a reaction anymore. That’s why they conjured up something as vague as a 'Demon Lord.' And what was most convenient for them to use as a scapegoat..."
"Was the demi-humans, you mean?"
"That’s my guess. And isn't that exactly why Yuki sent Baron Siana and the others to investigate?"
"Yes, that’s correct. Still, I’m glad I asked. Based on what you’ve said, if the leadership can be brought to heel, the prisoners will likely fall into line as well."
"Precisely. Once the nations reconcile, there will be no reason for them to be punished."
With that settled, we decided to leave the prisoners in their capable hands for the time being and turned our focus to preparing for the next conflict. It might be a stretch to say they were simply "disobedient"—their lack of cooperation was born of loyalty to their homeland and their families.
The idea that one simply surrenders the moment they lose is a notion that sounds far more common than it actually is.