"So that is why, despite being significantly fewer than humans, there are still many of us Plasmas who do not have a vessel yet," Lycoris said, her tone steady and almost instructional.
"And that’s also why there exists the other faction, a group of Plasmas who openly oppose this practice.
They believe that the Harbingers never mentioned such limitations because they already knew we would eventually figure it out. And when we did, they’d see that this so-called restraint was nothing but an excuse to keep us divided."
Her voice carried that faint trace of disdain, not toward the opposing faction, but toward the hypocrisy lingering in their reasoning.
"They claim that the Harbingers wouldn’t want to see some Plasmas living peacefully while others writhe in pain.
Their main motive is to enforce mass abductions as much as possible, to treat everyone equally, even if that means destroying the entire fragile economic system along with it."
She paused, exhaling softly, as if she had just summarized something she had explained far too many times before.
"That’s why, under their constant demands, a mass abduction was planned. But unfortunately for them, it didn’t turn out well.
Now, they’re facing backlash from the rest of the Plasmas for their foolishness, being blamed that an anomaly occurred because they went against the sacred texts."
Lycoris finished her explanation with the faint composure of a scholar, a tone Aziel was sure she had developed from spending far too much time around Alkroz.
Aziel leaned back, the faintest smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"So basically, one side prays too much and the other side thinks they’re liberators. Sounds familiar. Guess every world has its own unique brand of moral extremism."
Lycoris didn’t respond immediately.
"You could say that. The difference here is that belief itself shapes existence. When enough Plasmas align in thought, the environment responds. Some believe that Farland’s nature too is determined through it."
"Sounds like living inside someone’s hallucination," Aziel said quietly.
"Not far from the truth," Lycoris interjected, shifting slightly in her place.
"Belief defines reality in our realm."
Aziel exhaled through his nose, his tone half teasing.
"So if I start believing that I’m the one meant to fix this world, would it reshape for me too?"
She leaned in slightly, eyes meeting Aziel’s with quiet steadiness.
"It might, though it’s a belief without power. At most noise. Just a single thought won’t reshape it, at least not as fast as you expect it to."
Aziel thought for a moment, probably wondering if delayed flickering was considered manly here or not, then asked,
"Since the other group of Plasmas is facing backlash, it’s natural to assume their structure should have started to fracture by now, given that some would’ve withdrawn and switched ideologies. So, does that mean the realm would start shaping more in favor of the conservatives?"
"Not exactly," Lycoris replied. "Not if only a few hundred have done that. It needs to be vast. And besides, there’s always the option of joining other ideologies opposing the conservatives as well."
"Hmm... one can definitely attempt to emerge as a new figure, then reshape their thinking gradually," Aziel said thoughtfully. Newest update provıded by novel[f]ire.net
"Though convincing an already convinced mind isn’t exactly my strongest suit. The most I can do is gain and show empathy."
A small chuckle escaped her lips before she continued.
"Though not just anyone can emerge as a leader figure. You need at least some level of influence or power, something people can truly believe in. That’s dumb of you to even thin—"
"And what about you?" Aziel interjected, his tone sharp but curious.
"Which side are you on?"
Before Lycoris could respond, Alkroz’s voice cut through the air, calm yet deliberate.
"She doesn’t owe you that answer, Aziel," he said, not even looking up from the notes he’d been idly scribbling.
"If you’re going to work together, best not to start by prying into things that keep her alive."
Aziel leaned back slightly, eyes narrowing.
"So you do know which side she’s on."
Alkroz finally looked up, meeting his gaze with the faintest smile.
"Knowing doesn’t mean agreeing. And sometimes it’s better to not agree."
Lycoris didn’t move or speak, but her faint, unreadable smile made it clear that Alkroz had said exactly what she wanted him to.
’She’s not yet comfortable to share all the info she has, I need to spend some more time with her,’ Aziel thought to himself, as his mind wandered briefly to the idea of forcefully asking Alkroz about it.
But he soon dismissed it, though it wasn’t that bad of a thought.
Lycoris’s voice broke the silence, low and even.
Aziel’s eyes flickered toward her.
"You earlier mentioned Frickon telling you something," she said, her tone measured but faintly curious. "How do you know him?"
"Frickon? I chose him as my assistant when the captain of the investigation team asked me to select one," Aziel replied casually. "Though, why do you ask?"
Lycoris tilted her head slightly before answering, her tone calm as ever.
She dropped it so casually that for a moment, Aziel wasn’t sure he’d heard right.
That... that meatball is her brother? he thought, bewildered. I admit looks can vary, but this much?
"Really! He’s your brother?" Aziel said, disbelief coloring his tone.
"Never expected that. You’re kinda smart and cunning, and he— he’s such a bullhead, dumb, profoundly so—"
He stopped mid-sentence, sneezing unexpectedly.
Lycoris blinked, confusion flickering across her face.
"Oh, sorry. Did I go too far?" he asked quickly, noticing her look.
"N-no, that’s not the issue," she said slowly. "I just didn’t get why you’d call him dumb?"
Aziel hesitated, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Let’s just say... he once tried to interrogate a wall for thirty minutes because it ’looked suspicious.’"
Lycoris stared blankly for a moment, then pressed her fingers to her temple.
"That... actually sounds like something he’d do, but still to call him dumb...I don’t get it."