13 Chapter 13 — Anti-demihumanism

In his office, Konrad was writing orders on a letter. The door opened and an officer walked in and saluted him. Konrad's secretary took the stack of documents he was carrying.

[Sir! Here's the intelligence report!]

Konrad slightly waved his hand as the officer saluted again and left. The room was plunged into silence as the grand doors closed.

[Read the report]

The secretary immediately started reading out all the important information.

[Our reforms are all progressing as planned, some are even ahead of schedule. Public opinion is on our side, national unity is growing, and propaganda is running at full force with no resistance. Over 95% of the population believes that steam energy is the future. The indoctrination of the next generation has shown great potential, and the Magic Academy is being filled with talented civilians. Most importantly, our plan to create a localised enemy has started showing success]

Apart from the reforms, Konrad had also secretly pushed a plan to vilify and blame demi-humans for the problems of society. He knew that the people of the country would obediently follow his rule as progress was booming and the economy was growing. However, if any one of those stopped, the people would be likely to turn against him. After all, he did not have the accumulation of generations to cultivate loyalty amongst the people. He had only just recently taken control of the country and the people had no loyalty to him. When times are good, the people would be obedient, but when times get hard, there would be trouble.

Konrad knew that the war against the Elsass Empire was likely to completely drain the country of its resources and population. Therefore, the people needed a scapegoat to blame and vent on for their problems. Konrad had been spreading the stigma that demi-humans were the root of all their problems. The reason that they were losing the war was because the demi-humans stabbed them in the back. Demi-humans spread plagues and created epidemics. Greedy demi-humans were hoarding wealth and money that would otherwise be used to improve the conditions of the people.

There were even rumours that they were blood-sucking monsters that would prey on the innocent. The best thing was these claims were not completely unfounded as there were some demi-human countries who were more in touch with their animal side. In fact, anti-demi-human prejudices had already existed for many generations in the Canary Kingdom, and Konrad was just intensifying these feelings.

[Currently, the primary thing keeping the country together is the common enemy; the Elsass Empire. However, once we defeat them, there will be no more enemies. The people must always have an enemy to fight with]

Konrad could predict that the real anti-demi-human hate would break out once he mobilised the country and started taking losses, when the quality of life declined.

[This demi-human hate can also be used as an excuse to invade demi-human empires and nations that shelter demi-humans. We can call these wars a holy crusade for humanity]

Konrad knew what fighting for a cause did to a soldier. If a soldier believed that he was fighting for the right cause, they would break out with 200% of their potential and not even fear death.

But Konrad also had a secret agenda to be gained with all of this. This world had two main paths to grow stronger. One was the magic path, and the other was the warrior. Konrad had been tested to have absolutely zero talent for either one, which he believed to be a side effect of having source points.

The most important thing to a ruler was to have a long life, and Konrad intended to live forever. However, he had no talent for the only paths that would increase his lifespan, and nano-technology advanced enough to prolong his life was incredibly expensive. That left only the option of using magical items. Konrad had drunk all the treasured elixirs of the Canary Kingdom, and they did indeed increase his lifespan. However, their effect was limited, so he was eyeing the eternal spring of the elves.

The elves were an incredibly strong country that was suspected of being the strongest in the continent. However, they were secluded and had remained inside of the massive territory that mostly consisted of forests for thousands of years, with only a few small groups living in forests outside of their country. They were incredibly arrogant and protective, leading to nobody daring to provoke them. While they were known as the most beautiful race, elf slaves were only secretly traded between the leaderships of the strongest countries in fear of the retaliation of the elves and each one of them was worth a fortune.

The most prized possession and the lifeblood of the elves was the eternal spring, a legendary spring whose water was rumoured to grant eternal life. It was believed that the long lifespan of the elves was due to this spring. And this was Konrad's target.

[This will be a plan for the far future, but once I become strong enough to challenge the elves, I will. I'll tell the people that the elves are greedily using the enteral spring and demand that they share it with the whole world. And if they refuse, the whole world shall start a righteous crusade! After all, who doesn't want eternal life!]

[But we are living in the present. Secretary, continue the report]

[Sir! The Elsass Empire has reacted to the failure of their splinter force, so they have sent over a field army of 1000 ships and 5 floating fortresses!]

[Good, we will show them the cost of their carelessness. We will send the native army to the frontlines. We will use this chance to train troops and increase their confidence]

[Yes Sir!]

The secretary immediately went to work, typing messages to be sent.

Shortly after, a broadcast was held throughout the whole city and every citizen was required to listen.

[Citizens of the Third Reich, I come bearing bad news. The Elsass Empire is determined to wipe us out and have sent an imperial field army!]

The whole country despaired like they did the last time they heard the news of an incoming army. But this time, there were many people who didn't lower their heads and waited in anticipation for the next line.

[But we will not sit idly by! We will resist! Resist down to the last soldier!]

[The newly trained People's Army will be on the frontlines, bravely resisting the enemy. Supreme General Konrad has promised victory! We cannot let the Elsass Empire come and slaughter our people! Fight for your families! Fight for the Third Reich!]

The entire country burst out into cheers. It was a scary sight, seeing entire cities break out in celebration. National unity was at an all-time high. The native soldiers were full of motivation and thankful for the brutal training they were put under by their devilish instructors. The efficiency of the country soared, as people were motivated to provide resources for the frontlines. Weapons and munitions factories were churning out record numbers.

Little did they know that this day would be written in history textbooks to come, serving as a pivotal moment in the history of the Third Reich and an inspiration for generations to come.