“This city may be full of racists, but I've been to cities where racism against demihumans is seen as the ugliest trait for humans to have. In most larger cities actually, there are always pockets of young to middle aged humans who explicitly despise the racist history of this nation, even arguing for reparations to be given for the atrocities."

This is one of the reasons why his faith, the Church of Panaphon and Savitarius, has a strong organization and hierarchy. Though Barden is only a priest, there are even archbishops who spread the faith in more populous regions of the country.

Angelidis doesn't know anything about this though, her life has been limited to Tritol. She's honestly shocked she didn't know even this much about her nation, she certainly would like to.

"Really? I never knew such places could even exist in this nation…"

Maybe those could be good places to relocate to… for both me and my family, even my friends. Wouldn’t the need to join the military seem less important to Varin and Rand if there’s an actual way out of this city?

Angelidis grimaces at these thoughts. Running away from your problems just ensures they keep existing.

It does create a bad taste to have to leave the place that I grew up in for somewhere else, somewhere ‘better’ if that place even exists. It’s not like every demihuman in the city even has that option.

Barden continues speaking about those places of warmth and dignity that he enjoys visiting when he gets the chance to.

"I hope places like that last forever, that the young humans and demihumans maintain their radical nature… but the call of prejudice and hatred is quite soothing, there’s a reason it’s so popular with humans. It makes them forget who their true enemies are while painting reality in a different light."

"True enemies. You mean…" Angelidis is certain that he means the nobles.

However, neither of them say this out loud. Too many ears might be listening in, trying to find evidence of lése majéste. Barden continues, being more subtle with his following words.

"When we grew up, human lives were truly prosperous. It wasn’t because things were better then, but because the church was better, the nobility fairer, more calculating and focused on stability. But, good things never last in this nation, they move through cycles. There were good and bad periods for humans over the past ten thousand years.”

And for demihumans, only bad periods. Angelidis thinks to herself. Barden reads her mind in that moment and laughs.

“However, now, in your generation, even the humans are suffering from poverty, in larger numbers than we've ever seen! The resources are growing scarce, the myth of prosperity vanishing.”

That does sound more familiar to her. Poor unemployment rates for demihumans were moving towards human commoners as well. Over the last couple decades, social services provided by the city were being hollowed out. What little the impoverished humans and demihumans were getting was being taken back. Barden continues.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“Yet, the ‘ones in charge’ aren't trying to fix the problem, they're gathering all the wealth they can towards themselves, to continue ruling over the current hell. But… this country won't fall anytime soon. As much as I would like to believe I can help, this country is far from doomed. It’ll just be a period of stagnation and slow whimpering decline."

Barden is certain of this. A society that has extracted all that it can will start to eat itself. However, the Federation has not extracted all that it can. There's still a land of treasure across the seas.

Though Barden would like to believe the Empire wouldn't fall immediately, without their demonic god and without the dragon knights, the Federation only needs to send waves of nobles to clear the land of the unnecessary races. But, one day even that land will run dry. Then where will this nation be? Perhaps back to considering demihuman slavery as a necessity.

"Then… why? Why do you risk it?" Angelidis sounds almost pleading.

If this is the near future, Barden wants at least his beliefs to continue. He wants the people who are willing to fight to continue their fight. Instead of choosing war, choose freedom for your descendants. One day, the extraction engine will run dry. When that happens, his successors could, no, they will take their place as leaders and liberators.

His mission is merely to continue teaching those willing to believe in themselves. To help those who wish to help themselves.

As well as to ensure that in the off chance that the Federation's conquest of the Empire fails miserably, there will be a movement to grow that doesn't fall under the power and direction of the church or Lord Osva. It was precisely through a movement of this nature that slavery was abolished to begin with.

"I want demihumans to teach their children right from wrong. And to wait for their promised… judgment day."

"Judgment day?" Angelidis asks.

It is a phrase that has become obscure, but is based on a doctrine of the church of Panaphon.

"A day when sins will be punished, when parents will go against their children, when siblings will fight siblings, when the red moon will open and the monsters of hell can walk the world in their quest to purge the wicked. I suppose those metaphors sound nonsensical to you. Think of it as the day when everyone gets what's coming to them!"

"Haha, I can only hope that it's a good day that comes by quickly… waiting is the hardest part." Angelidis turns to watch clouds turning orange in preparation for sunset.

"Patience is my most loved virtue. Ah, about my choice to be out here in the danger, well… if I don't at least hand my life over to this cause, who would follow me into the future? If I die today, that's just where I was meant to end things."

The old man sighs wistfully. He examines his claws.

Some can't even end up where they were meant to end up, how can I complain?

"Though, if I can ask one thing, remember my death not as a failure, but as our new world struggling to be born. That said, what is your name?"

"...Angelidis. My friends call me Jelli. You can call me whatever."

"Then, Jelli, my name is Barden. Pleased to meet you."

Angelidis shakes the warm rough hand of Barden, finding a bit of peace mixed with a well of sadness.

Shaula had overheard that conversation. She had seen Angelidis cry tears when Barden had finished speaking. Unbeknownst to Shaula, she had weeped for her father's life. He had given his life for his family, just as this man wishes to give his life for a better world for everyone, humans and demihumans alike.

Shaula can only remember Angelidis' tears… her voice catching as she tried desperately to hide her sobs. Shaula doesn't know why Angelidis’ weeping stirred such a response in her. Only one thing is clear.

Shaula doesn't want that man to die. She doesn't want Angelidis to cry again either.