Mockery.
Right now, Eri Eri's eyes were full of mockery. Looking at Claire before her, her expression under the hood was quite contemptuous. "You don't dare oppose the gods, but only dare to oppress your own citizens and other races. Your Divine Martial Majesty is really impressive, huh."
"That is simply not true!" Claire's expression was somewhat annoyed, her brows furrowed as she said, "His Majesty has never oppressed our citizens. He has always deeply loved his country."
"Oh?" Eri Eri chuckled and said, "Well then, can every single person in your country eat their fill? Do they all have proper housing to live in? Do children have the right to an education?"
"Th-this…" Claire was taken aback, the scenes from her previous visit to the slums of the lower city suddenly flashing in her mind.
Filthy water flowing everywhere. A frail mother holding her daughter, searching for food in the garbage heap. Wild dogs nearby watched them covetously, waiting for the feast they would leave behind after they died.
"If he truly loves his country so deeply, why can't those people even get enough to eat?" Eri Eri asked calmly.
Claire thought for a moment and gave her own answer. "That's because they are poor, they have no money… Every city-state has a distinction between the rich and the poor, but that doesn't mean His Majesty doesn't care about them!"
"Pfft, are you trying to kill me with laughter?" Eri Eri nearly laughed out loud. "The poor having no money is the *result*, not the *cause*. Have you ever considered *why* they have no money? Have you considered *why* they are poor? Is it maybe because they didn't work hard enough?"
Not working hard enough, so they have no money. That's the common answer many people give.
But they never stop to think: if working hard could bring wealth, then the world's richest person should be a donkey. Because donkeys work the hardest and are the most diligent.
"No, it's because all that money is in the hands of the nobility." Claire shook her head, giving a negative answer. "They hold vast sums of money and squander it recklessly, yet turn a blind eye to the suffering of the poor."
"Hmm, looks like you have some sense after all." Eri Eri gave a slight nod. "Then have you considered why the nobility can control most of the wealth? Where does their power and authority come from? Who granted them such power?"
Claire was stunned again, falling deep into thought.
"Let's stop here for today. You think it over carefully." Eri Eri stood up and said coolly, "Come tell me your answer once you've figured it out."
"Wait!" Before she could take a step, Claire hurriedly spoke up. "What exactly is your goal in locking me up here? If you want a ransom, you can name your price!"
"Ransom?" Eri Eri turned and walked towards her, reaching out a hand to pinch Claire's chin. "So sorry. I have no need for something like that. What I want... is you." Having said this, she strode away under Claire's gaze of shame and anger.
Exiting the room, Eri Eri removed her hood, revealing her delicate, pretty face. She opened the group chat and sent her conversation with Claire into it: *What do you think, can the ideological reformation I'm starting from here succeed?*
Red Lotus Fairy: *Feels a bit rushed.*
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: *I also think it's a bit rushed. You straight up denied the majesty she holds in her heart; it'll trigger rebelliousness.*
Soul Society's Villain: *We all said to first show her your world and proceed step-by-step. How come you came out with the strong medicine right away?*
Doujin Artist: *I just felt really不爽 (annoyed)! Her singing praises of her majesty right in front of me—what's so great to praise about a cowardly feudal emperor!*
Machete Girl: *Pfft! 'Cowardly' is a fitting metaphor, really apt. Sounds a bit insulting at first, but when you think about it, he really is a coward!*
Doujin Artist: *Right?! Doesn't even dare to oppose the beings controlling him, yet still sings his praises. What the hell else is that if not cowardly? And this is the guy she tells me is wise and mighty!*
Amegakure Village's Angel: *In that kind of theocratic world, not daring to rebel is understandable. But bragging about wisdom and might is indeed a bit too much.*
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: *At times like this, you should bring out Anzen-san for comparison! Make that girl understand what *real* wisdom and might look like! Just spoiling her!*
Doujin Artist: *I originally wanted to do that, but after thinking about it, I decided not to. Using Anzen-san to compare with this kind of person is degrading!*
Curly-haired Guy: *Is it really that you think it's degrading, or are you afraid the elf girl might become interested in Anzen-san?*
Here we go with the awkward praise again.
Jellal sighed, feeling a headache coming on. He himself didn't feel there was anything particularly wise or mighty about him. Everything was just proceeding according to the script he had prepared. What kind of wisdom and might was that?
If they really had to praise him, he wished the group members would praise his acting skills; that would satisfy him. And he also felt that being praised for great acting should be the highest honor for any actor.
Just like the young girl Hermione before him now, completely captivated by his performance. She had no idea he was actually a great demon king hidden behind the scenes, instead seeing him as a caring big brother.
Well, even when she wasn't feeling well physically, she wanted him to stay and care for her. Because in Hermione's eyes, only Professor Zickrein could truly help her. Jellal was quite pleased with this; it meant his acting had received great affirmation.
"Professor Zickrein, will I really be better in half a month?" Hermione asked glumly, wrapped in a bedsheet.
"Trust me." Jellal nodded. "The potion I prepared is specifically for treating the symptoms you have now. You might not even need half a month before you can go on missions with your team again."
"Really?" Hermione, somewhat delighted, threw off the covers and exclaimed, "Not even half a month?"
At this moment, Hermione's face was covered in fuzzy fur. Two pointed little ears were also standing upright. The whole person looked like an oversized tabby cat.
She had ended up like this because she drank Polyjuice Potion containing cat hair. Harry and Ron were fine; only she got hit.
"Yes. Don't forget, you are my assistant." Jellal gave a definitive answer. "Our magic circle still needs your participation to continue being constructed."
"Yes! I will work hard!" Hermione clearly liked the feeling of being needed, but then she thought of something and wrapped the bedsheet around herself again. "Professor Zickrein, could you please not tell others about what happened to me?"
"Ah, don't worry." Jellal nodded, casually forwarding the photos he had just taken into the group chat.
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