In this crossover anime, many ruthless and powerful figures reside in my territory.

"Ask yourselves honestly, does everything you're going through right now really make life better?!"

"Ask yourselves honestly, have you truly pursued what you want?!"

Many people lowered their heads, but more and more people, like Cole, raised their heads.

"Stop deceiving yourself! The best time to awaken is now!"

"Ask yourselves carefully, what do you truly desire?!"

"Is this really atonement? Are you really guilty?"

Is it a crime to pursue a better life through labor and effort without harming others?!

"No! No one can deny that!"

"You are innocent!!!"

Haytham braced his hands against the wall, his eyes wide as he watched the crowd around him gradually straighten up.

Pauline placed her hands on her chest, her eyes filled with longing, while Prie's face was full of admiration and love;

Morag nodded repeatedly, Melf smiled proudly, and Doyane Aura quietly sensed the atmosphere.

The soldiers all straightened their chests, and the orc refugees who had arrived earlier, having heard Lister's shout, raised their heads, their gazes fixed on Lister over the city walls...

What is he doing?! What on earth is he doing?!

Duke Laca looked around.

He had never seen anything like it before; everyone ignored him, and all eyes were on one person.

Why? !

He should be the duke! How can a baron possess all this?!

Beauty! Talent! Popularity! These should all belong to him!

"I tell you again with absolute certainty—"

"You are innocent!"

"Having blood from another race is not a sin; it's just a characteristic."

"Only criminals should be despised. Whether human or beastman, anyone who earns a good life through their own labor deserves praise!"

"That's absolutely right!"

"Just tell yourselves, you don't need to atone for the foreign blood in your veins!"

I'll say it a third time: You are innocent!

This was the first time that someone of unparalleled nobility had told them directly that they were innocent.

The orc felt a surge of joy at being recognized, while the other humans, who were also at the bottom of society, did not find anything wrong with it. Many of the orcs they encountered were honest and law-abiding, not the sinners who had actually committed crimes.

“Stop him!!!”

At this moment, Duke Laca pushed the men in front of him forward and ordered them to attack Lister.

However, several young orcs suddenly rushed out from the crowd, dragging their tired bodies and blocking Lister's way. Among them was a young man named Coul.

He couldn't explain why he rushed out, but he had an impulse in his heart, an impulse not to see that noble person attacked.

Seeing this, Liszt smiled.

He casually placed his hand on the shoulder of the young man in front of him, Cole.

"Don't be confused, we all yearn for a better life."

"What you are doing is what you believe is right."

"Forget the Code of Laws and the Code of Ceremonies of the United States, and ask your own hearts."

With a determined effort, Cole kicked the man in front of him, sending him flying right in front of Duke Raka.

"I've had enough!"

Why don't you treat us like human beings?!

“We did nothing wrong. Uncle Mocheko didn’t complain even when his shoes were worn out.”

"Why should you scold him! And even deprive him of his right to eat!"

"It's because of you that Uncle Mocheko..."

After saying that, Cole rushed towards Duke Raka to everyone's astonishment.

Duke Laca spat and gripped his sword tightly.

How dare a mere servant oppose him?

capital offense!

However, a hand grabbed Cole.

"Killing requires awareness."

"In my Red Maple Territory, only soldiers who have passed the test and been approved are allowed to charge into battle and kill the enemy."

My initial anger miraculously subsided and I calmed down.

Then, Cole saw the noble man stand in front of him.

"Duke Raka, as an enemy of Red Maple Territory, you only have one path—"

That is death.

Duke Laca laughed in his anger.

"It's just you..."

Suddenly, a bright blue light shone from the tip of Lister's outstretched index finger.

Small Sacred Arrow.

A dazzling light shattered Duke Laka's head in an instant, and a headless corpse fell to the ground with a thud.

Just as blood spurted out, many people closed their eyes and turned their heads away, while Cole stared blankly at Lister's back.

"Duke Laka has been executed."

"Please enter in an orderly manner according to the rules."

"Everyone will have enough food and warm clothes."

"We, Red Maple, welcome you!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the gates of the outpost opened, and a row of orc soldiers and a row of human soldiers walked out in unison, forming two lines at the gate.

Lister walked over, but the rest of the people remained motionless, seemingly not yet having reacted.

"Don't you want to become citizens of Red Maple Territory?"

The next second, the crowd surged forward and lined up.

They want to become this great man's subjects!

Just then, someone poked their head out from the battlements; it was Mocheko.

"Coul!!!"

???

"Uncle?!"

Cole was so shocked he was speechless.

"We were rescued by Lord Lister's men!"

Lister ignored the restless crowd behind him and simply instructed the soldiers to maintain order.

Just as he entered the fortress, Haytham, Morag, Melf, Pauline, Prie, Doyle, Aura, and others came over.

"Ah, just in time."

"Morag, I've already sent Carol over with the medical team."

"Next, you will arrange for the soldiers to assist the administrative staff in registering these people. Carol will bring the medical team to treat everyone."

"They harbor a very hidden, plague-like virus within their bodies."

Morag's expression hardened, indicating that he would handle the matter here seriously.

Lister nodded and then looked at Hayessen.

"Mr. Haytham, could you please help me out here?"

Haytham's expression was somewhat complicated. He nodded and asked.

"What do you want me to teach them?"

"It's nothing, it's just that..."

Lister thought for two seconds.

"Ideal, I guess."

"I hope they can find their ideals."

Liszt suddenly broke into a hearty smile.

“I believe the world needs not only realists to think about ‘what we can do,’ but also idealists to think about ‘what we should become.’”

"Reality is controlled by us managers, while ideals are for the people to imagine."

"Mr. Haytham, what do you think?"

Helsen suddenly paused, thinking of Liszt's unfinished "New Era Reverie".

It turns out that "to imagine" also has this meaning.

He thought for a moment, then looked up at the sky.

"I think it's good. Although there are always people who have unrealistic dreams, the world needs these dreams too."

Connor, you think so too, don't you?

Lister smiled slightly, then walked towards Red Maple Town.