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#322. Side story 1. Collapse (6)
Joshua's death was reported in the news the next day.
"Joshua, a promising young talent from the Stone School. Lost his life in an attack by a vicious beast."
"Chief Mehel: "Joshua came from outside the walls, but he was a boy with a talent that shined brighter than anyone else."
"The funeral will be held within the Stone School in three days, and no outside visitors will be allowed."
There was no direct indication as to who the villain was.
But everyone had a gut feeling.
That it must be the work of a pure-blooded person.
And that intuition was confirmed by another murder that occurred the next day.
On a deserted street, a servant from an upper-class family was found dead, bleeding, on his way back from an errand.
A note written in scribbled handwriting remained at the site of the fall.
"This city is not a place for you. Those with dirty blood will not be able to escape judgment under our noble flames."
According to the employee's testimony, the employee also came from outside the walls.
The hatred the criminals spewed out could be clearly felt in the sight of blood splattered everywhere after being stabbed.
After that, incidents continued to occur.
The association organized a vigilante group and patrolled, but they were unable to completely stop the crime.
The purists carried out their actions simultaneously and meticulously, as if they had been waiting for this moment.
Every time a casualty occurred, a hateful note was left at the scene.
“You who have dirty blood. If you wish to live, leave this city.”
"The Imaginary School must immediately stop demolishing the wall."
Public opinion was once again in uproar.
“I knew this would happen. The Imaginary School needlessly awakened the discontent that had been dormant within the city.”
“Well, to my eyes, purebloods just look like old-fashioned people who can’t adapt to the times.”
Opinions were sharply divided.
Some people defended the actions of the purists, while others, on the other hand, expressed their antipathy towards them.
Palak─
One of the newspapers scattered on the street was blown high in the wind.
Flying like a free bird to the eastern outskirts of the city, I lost momentum with the reduced wind.
Below is the wilderness.
Demolition camp in front of the city wall.
“… … .”
Puyol, who was resting at an outdoor table, caught a newspaper falling from the sky and unfolded it.
“… No one can doubt that the responsibility for the current turmoil in the city lies with Chief Ray, who initiated the demolition project. And…”
Puol, who was reading the article, frowned and crumpled the newspaper.
“This is a malicious editorial. Why is it the fault of the purebloods that there are murders in the city, and not Director Ray’s fault?”
Puyol exploded with anger.
Ray in the front seat read the work report and answered calmly.
“You can’t say there is no causal relationship at all. It’s true that the purists were upset because of the wall being demolished.”
“But isn’t that just a causal relationship? It’s clear that the purebloods are committing crimes of their own free will.”
Puyol sighed, beating his chest as if he was frustrated.
Then he looked at Ray and asked.
“Shouldn’t we do something about it? Maybe put more effort into weeding out the purists…?”
“I just got a call from the Gustak Association Chairman. He said that several of the attackers were arrested at the scene.
Puyol's eyes widened.
There was a surge of interest and curiosity in the bowl.
“Oh…! Finally…! Did something come out of their mouths?”
“No. He said he had no income at all.”
Those captured displayed intense hatred towards those from outside the walls, as if they had been brainwashed.
But I didn't know anything.
It was a terminal unit that moved only according to orders.
“Ah… I see.”
Puyol's emotions change into strange colors.
Ray opened his mouth to look at it.
“In the end, the story is that the only way to end the fight is to capture the enemy’s leaders.”
The leader of the pure-blood group.
Ray was looking at the ten office managers who had the greatest ill feelings toward him at the conference as suspects.
However, I couldn't pursue the issue right away.
If you apply pressure without solid evidence, public opinion will only worsen.
Because of this, they had currently requested Nilla to tail them and monitor their every move.
“There are people who are being pointed out as leaders. They are still investigating, but there haven’t been any major results.”
“I see. If there’s anything I can help you with, please feel free to let me know.”
“Thank you for your kind words.”
Ray's gaze, which had been fixed on Puyol's bowl, turned to the castle wall.
People were busy working.
“I have no intention of complying with the purists’ demand to stop the demolition.”
It's the fourth day since the demolition work began.
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The dismantling of the magic circle that started from the eastern wall was quickly accomplished by the hands of technicians and extended to other directions.
And the construction workers are installing explosives along the spot where the magic circle disappeared.
A few days later, when all the work was finished, the detonator switch would be pressed, and the walls that separated the city from the outside world would collapse all at once.
Puyol nodded.
“I also think that it is the right choice. They are the ones who commit violence against the weak. I can’t let them do whatever they want.”
“We have to take action. We can’t just stand by and watch as casualties occur.”
“Do you have any plan in mind?”
Ray shared with Puol the plan he had shared with his collaborators, including Gustav.
“To create a temporary shelter.”
“A shelter?”
“A refuge for all those from outside the walls until the demolition of the wall is complete and the atmosphere in the city stabilizes.”
All those from outside the walls will gather together.
At that moment, Puol lifted his palm and touched the corner of his mouth, and the lower part of his face became invisible.
“… It certainly seems like one of the best options available at the moment.”
but.
“If we don’t leave the city, won’t the danger still remain? Even if we have an escort force, the persistence and viciousness of the purebloods will somehow find a gap to exploit.”
That made sense.
That was something Ray had thought about too.
“I plan to place shelter outside the city, not inside it.”
“Yes? Is there a suitable place outside for shelter…?”
“This is it.”
“Here? Ah…!”
Puyol soon understood what was meant.
And he let out a small exclamation of admiration.
“Indeed, since this is a place where high-ranking magicians always roam, even purebloods won’t be able to attack recklessly.”
“That’s right. You can ask Ren to add the necessary facilities for your living. Oh, and I have a favor to ask.”
Ray took something out of his bosom.
It was a small glass vial containing blood.
“This is a sample of the blood scattered at the scene of the attack. Can it be analyzed?”
“Oh, is it the victim’s?”
“No. It’s one of the escaped raiders. It’s where the battle took place. If we know who it belongs to, it could help us track down the purebloods.”
Tracking targets with blood was a specialty of Puol, who dealt with blood magic.
but.
“The amount of blood in the vial is small, so the analysis may fail. However, I will try my best.”
Puyol, who took the bottle and put it in his bosom, asked cautiously.
“I don’t know if this is rude, but can I ask you a question?”
"yes."
“I’m curious about Manager Ray’s current status.”
Puell has been asking many other questions while helping out at the camp.
What kind of training method are you using?
What was life like outside the walls?
And do you have a lot of combat experience?
Seeing Puol wanting to know everything about Ray, Gustav assessed that it was an expression of admiration.
“… … .”
Ray looked at Puell.
The eyes were shining.
It wouldn't have been difficult to tell.
It was his choice whether to believe it or not.
“It’s the 7th circle.”
“Oh, I see! Uh… yes?”
Puyol's face was filled with absurdity.
*
The next day, refugee camps were immediately set up, with a major announcement from the Imagination School.
“Over here! Everyone, please line up here!”
“We will assign you your accommodations in order!”
There are about 300 refugees.
They did not express any complaints about the sudden change of residence.
Because they were part of the city's lower class.
Because I was used to suffering losses, no matter when or what the situation was.
They couldn't even express proper anger at the actions of the purists.
I just trembled in fear and hoped the storm would pass quickly.
“… … .”
Ray looked at the sight and a flock of sheep came to mind.
These are sheep that have been accustomed to fear and will quietly accept whatever you do.
Perhaps it is because of the discrimination and contempt that is deeply ingrained in me while living in the city.
The voices of criticism pouring down on the school of imagination quickly died down.
The supporters were satisfied that Director Ray had put measures in place to prevent further innocent victims.
The opposing side seemed satisfied that the people from outside the walls, who had been a thorn in their side, were leaving the city like the tide.
Of course, there were still complaints about the demolition work that was continuing without stopping.
Anyway, the attacks by the purebloods did not continue any longer.
A few more days passed like that.
The sky where the black clouds disappeared.
A starry night, when everyone is asleep.
Knock knock knock knock
Ray was sitting at an outdoor table at the camp entrance, staring into the campfire.
“Why aren’t you sleeping?”
A voice was heard.
When I turned my head, it was Puol.
It was early spring, and the night air was still chilly, so I was wearing a thin coat.
“I can’t sleep.”
“Is it because of the wall dismantling ceremony scheduled for tomorrow?”
Puyol, who was naturally sitting next to me, continued speaking with a faint smile.
“I understand that you are nervous about such things, Mr. Ray. It is natural to have trouble sleeping before a big event.”
“… … .”
It wasn't because of the wall's dismantling.
The tension was something I had never really felt in my life, except when Veronica threw me a fastball and told me that something was different today.
A reason to stay awake in the middle of the night.
It was all because of one piece of intelligence.
Ten office workers who were chosen as the leaders of the pure-blood group.
There is intelligence that they are secretly gathering at some place tonight.
“I can’t believe it.”
Puell raised his head.
In the distance, the silhouette of a huge castle wall was dimly visible.
“The fact is that all those walls that have surrounded the city for ages will come crashing down tomorrow with the trigger switch.”
Puyol asked, still looking at the castle walls with a sentimental face.
“Ray, how do you think the city will change in the future?”
“With the influx of outside population, there will be a lot of conflict and clashes.”
Ray's answer was unhindered.
There will be many problems at first, but they will be gradually resolved, and eventually the future of the city, no, the world, will turn in a positive direction.
Puyol nodded.
“I think so too. There will be many conflicts at first, but that will be the growing pains of growth. The world will definitely develop. The level of magical development will definitely be higher inside the walls, but through exchanges, the balance will quickly be reached. Human blood is all the same, and the only difference is the environment, so innate magical talent will be similar both inside and outside the walls.”
“Do you really think so?”
"yes?"
Puyol turned his head and was able to face Ray's cold face.
For a moment, I got goosebumps.
Instinct sounded a red flag.
Oh, this is very dangerous.
Puol changed the drops of blood he had scattered around him into bullets and fired them at Ray.
“Die!”
Wedge──!
Dozens of bullets rained down on a single target.
If it were a normal person, he would have been shot through the entire body and died instantly.
But that didn't happen.
“I was curious.”
Ray, who had disappeared from his seat, appeared next to the campfire, looking somewhere other than Puol.
The gaze is directed towards the city.
“When will you guys show your true colors?”
A cold voice fell.
Towards the ten shadows that were approaching, swaying and stretching in the light of the campfire.