Volume 4 Chapter 13: The Painful Conqueror

  The Painful Conqueror

  Although the gendarmes were still patrolling the streets, looking for "deserters" and "thought criminals" who spread dangerous ideas, they all turned a blind eye to the military affairs department's blatant dereliction of duty, with some even running in to drink a couple of cups - it was simply impossible to expect the gendarmerie, which was also under the complete control of the Xiefulasi Church, to supervise the moths in the military affairs department.

  The coarse, off-key singing suddenly stopped, followed by the sound of a girl crying and wailing, as well as the sound of clothes being torn. It was the military officer who had been enjoying the "comfort women". These poor spirit girls, in order to struggle through poverty for their families, had no choice but to put on a fake smile, accompany the rough and greedy military officers, and even let them desecrate their delicate bodies, all just to get a little more of the meager rations. And yet, this tiny request was often welched on by the shameless military officers.

  It is rich in irony that, in the war mobilization propaganda of the Great Hall, humanity's second most heinous crime is the capture and sale of elven maidens, only surpassed by the occupation of the elves' ancestral forests. But what difference does it make whether an elven woman is ravished by a human or by one of her own kind?

  At least for now, the Foreign Minister, who is jealous of the military officer to the point of having red eyes, cannot see any difference between the two. If there must be a difference, then at least in human society, beautiful elf slave girls can sell for a surprisingly high price and generally live a life of luxury in their master's house. However, when they fall into the hands of their compatriots, their chastity is worth only a few bags of flour, a few baskets of fruit, or even a few bars of soap. It's really not as good as volunteering to find a slave trader to report to.

  Daniel made an effort to ignore the sobbing of the girl in the building across from him, and instead sipped his glass of water as he read the newspaper. After browsing through a series of alarming headlines such as "Reduced Rations", "Extended Working Hours", "Cancellation of Rest Days" and "Expansion of Conscription Range", he finally found a small notice tucked away in an inconspicuous corner: Our expeditionary force to New Elyria suffered a defeat, and the Kingdom's Marshal Sophia-Lydia was unfortunately killed. A memorial service will be held on the 28th of this month at the Lydia family's old mansion.

  "The most loyal and strongest fang of the Xuefo Church was killed by their own people! Daniel sighed, although he is now just a minister of an empty department, but he still has some channels for information within the government. He knew that this notorious "Ghost Rose" had suffered unfair treatment in her base camp over the years, and what kind of trash troops she was given to command this time."

  Poor Sophia-Liard! She spent centuries campaigning for her faith in the detestable god Xaphira, only to be kicked into the dustbin of history by her incompetent juniors back at headquarters. Even the clandestine support of some high-ranking clergy couldn't save her.

  "'Ghost Rose' was indeed cruel and violent, but after all, she had brought tangible benefits to the country and its people. But now the Xuefengras Church..." Daniel didn't want to think about it anymore, putting down the newspaper while feeling a bit hungry."

  He took out his pocket watch and saw that it was almost noon, so he pulled out the flatbread he had prepared in the morning, then cut a small piece of smoked meat he had just received. He slightly heated it with magic flames, then rolled it into the flatbread, which would be today's lunch.

  The pancake was dry and hard, and the smoked meat obviously didn't have enough seasoning. When he bit into it, there was a strong fishy smell. Daniel scrunched up his face, forcing himself to chew on the unappetizing food. On the other hand, the aroma of chicken soup wafted over from across the way, and looking out the window, there were carts and carts of fresh fruit and pastries being transported into the military supplies department. The military police also ended their morning patrol, rushing into the military supplies department to treat themselves to a meal. Faintly, the sweet singing voices of the "comfort squad" girls could be heard. Listening to it made Daniel want to cry.

  It shouldn't be like this, having conquered the vast lands spanning across two oceans and ravaging countless countries. After plundering enormous wealth from all over the world, the Elf tribe shouldn't have to live such a miserable life. Daniel silently screamed in his heart, with tears of sorrow welling up in his eyes, he suddenly remembered the helpless roar of the former Foreign Minister.

  "We conquered the world but couldn't protect our own family."

  This was what he said when his daughter was forced to join the "comfort team". Afterwards, this poor father was invited by the military police for a cup of tea and then disappeared without a trace. Daniel also got promoted from deputy minister to full minister, although he wasn't happy about it at all.

  Of course, the Xuefo Church was not like this from the beginning. Otherwise, it would not have been possible for them to grasp the country's major policies. When the overseas war had just begun, the pastors and believers of the Xuefo Church were all crazy patriots and fearless daredevils, who did not hesitate to sacrifice everything for the country's prosperity, always charging forward on the battlefield without regard for personal gain or loss. To foreigners, they were terrifying butchers and plunderers, but to the spirits of Yongju Island, they were the most admirable leaders and benefactors in their hearts. "Ghost Rose" Sofia-Liard was one of the symbols of that era.

  As the overseas wars continued to win, the spoils of war and tributes from all over the world poured into every spiritual city on Yongju Island. The grand banquets and celebrations hosted by the state did not stop for a day, and all residents enjoyed the huge benefits brought by the external wars. They were not only satisfied with the glory of restoring their racial dominance, but also lived a wonderful life like a holiday every day. And all this beauty was attributed to the heroic sacrifice and selfless dedication of the Xuefola Church.

  With the fanatical worship and following of the masses, the Xuefengras Church gradually took hold of its stronghold, emptied the royal family, and ultimately completely seized the country's power. Next, a

  Subtle changes have begun.

  It is unknown since when the food, money and luxury goods that the government distributed to its citizens for free gradually decreased until they disappeared. The grand banquets and celebrations continued, but the requirements for participants' identities became increasingly strict. The spoils of war and tributes pouring into Elyria Island became the exclusive privilege of the Xylara Church organization and its followers, and converting to the Xylara Church became extremely unpopular because it meant that there would be more people sharing things and each member's share would decrease. The followers of Xylara became a small group of privileged classes detached from the masses, hereditary and irreplaceable, superior to the royal family, government and army, and no longer the good people who were willing to sacrifice themselves.

  When the Church of Xeridia, in order to exclude the influence of the goddess of trade and wealth, Wogin, disregarded the fundamental interests of the state. Suddenly, all trade activities were banned, and the citizens of the Elven Kingdom finally discovered with horror that they could no longer satisfy even their basic needs for food and clothing. However, the power of the Church of Xeridia was strengthened to an unprecedented degree, reaching a level that no king or government dared to imagine.

  The thriving ocean trade has disappeared, the bustling commercial markets have disappeared. All shops and stalls have disappeared, even the most basic currency has disappeared from Yongju Island, replaced by the dead faces of supply officers and dwindling material allocations. Countless wealth poured into the treasury from colonies and occupied areas, and then flowed out to millions of nationals, but most of it was intercepted in between. Almost all the spirit ships that shuttled back and forth on the ocean were also under government control.

  Through the so-called "economic plan", tentacles stretched into every corner of ordinary people's daily lives. Yongju Island became a closed box, with only one huge shadow moving inside.

  Xue Fula's church swallowed the Elf Kingdom.

  Logically, Yongju Island is the kingdom of elves and also the place where the Xuefengras Church has the strictest control, which is also the foundation of this colonial regime. It should be treated with preference. However, since ancient times, there has been a rule: the tighter the ruler controls the ruled, the more they can't help but bully them mercilessly. Seeing a group of people who can be bullied at will and holding back from bullying them is really too high a moral requirement for leaders.

  The current leader of the Spirit Kingdom was never a morally upright person to begin with. Leniently constraining oneself, while strictly demanding others, and hating when wishes cannot be fulfilled - this is the true purpose hidden beneath the elegant words of the Xuefengras Church. When this purpose is realized on foreigners, the people of the Spirit Kingdom cheer and rejoice, enjoying the benefits that come with it. By the time the strict demands finally fall upon themselves, regret comes too late.

  The current Xuefala Church still advocates revenge and aggression every day. They use their headquarters to empty the royal family, hold state power, and send batches of soldiers to the battlefield. But they themselves hide in the safe rear, on the one hand, making unrealistic plans to let generals die, and on the other hand, enjoying all the benefits brought by war with a clear conscience.

  Soldiers on the front lines are fighting and bleeding in distant lands, but the spoils of war do not reach their families. Their wives and children work day and night like cattle in factories and farms, still living in poverty, and even have to offer their bodies for the pleasure of corrupt officials and charlatans, just to receive a little livelihood from the hands of the powerful.

  The wealth that those aristocrats enjoy was exchanged for by their husbands and fathers with their lives on the battlefield, but it has to be obtained in such a humiliating way by the people who should truly have it.

  The spirits of Elyria still seethe with hatred, but the object of their hatred has shifted from distant foreigners to the God of Hatred itself. However, the great Xefrath and his earthly servants show no signs of introspection. Xefrath's divine role is to hate, just as the Storm God Talos' power comes from people's fear, Xefrath's power also comes from the hatred of the masses, regardless of the number of believers.

  As long as the entire race is filled with hatred, it can become the source of power for the god of hatred, Xefras. As for who the object of hatred is, the noble gods don't care at all!

  But someone does care!

  P.S.: The following is not included in the word count.

  In recent days, I read some articles about Japan's domestic situation during World War II. Under the militaristic regime, Japan's social distribution was extremely unfair, even surpassing that of the Nationalist government at the same time. The enormous wealth brought by the war of aggression hardly flowed into the pockets of ordinary citizens. The spoils of war plundered by soldiers also rarely reached their families' hands. The financial oligarchs and military elders took everything, leaving only a dwindling ration and an empty samurai spirit for the people. No wonder the Japanese Communist Party was more active back then than it is now.

  When Japanese soldiers were fighting to the death on the front lines, the Tokko and Kempeitai were tyrannizing people at home, using their control of daily necessities to coerce military families into doing their bidding. Later comfort women were basically conscripted, with even orphans of war heroes "volunteering" after being persuaded by the Kempeitai. When Yamashita Tomoyuki was fighting a desperate battle in the Philippines against MacArthur, the Army Ministry was embezzling fuel and food that should have been given to him.

  When Chinese civilians were selling their sons and daughters due to war, poor people in Japan were also doing the same. The price was even cheaper than what Chinese people sold for. In 1943, high-class geishas in Tokyo could be supported with just a few bags of rice, but if taken to China's occupied territories, such geishas' monthly selling price could exchange for several carts of rice.

  At the time when city residents were starving to death, a large amount of grain looted from Northeast China, Korea and Taiwan was still piled up in ports in western Japan, but due to chaotic management and human embezzlement, it had not been distributed until it rotted. What is the significance of continuing such an aggressive war?