Chapter 303: Coral’s Plan
Hearing Elara’s question, Aegon was once again reminded of how funny humans were. They had empathy, but still hurt each other. Granted, no two humans were the same, one could have more empathy while another had none.
He sighed and replied to her, "El, tell me something, do you know who chose to call my Ancestors the Valerians?"
Elara shook her head, "I thought it’s something they chose themselves."
"Not quite," Aegon smiled. "My ancestors had no interest in those things, so it was other people who began calling them that. Do you know why?"
Elara thought for a second before saying, "Because they were different."
"Bingo!" Aegon nodded. "My Ancestors looked no different from humans, yet they possessed the ability to control dragons. People felt inferior to them, so they decided to give us a different identity. With us being the Great Valerians, they didn’t have to feel inferior. After all, we belonged to two different races. They felt better knowing humans just can’t do that."
"A collective whole..." Elara muttered.
Aegon could see that Elara was finally understanding everything. He asked, "Did you realise that they’re humans, yet they’re called Vayrins?"
Upon the mention of their race name, Kaelis and the others straightened their backs, their eyes gaining a strange kind of resolve.
"It’s a term given to them by the Corals, who also named themselves that," Aegon sighed and continued. "Psychological distancing. It’s easier to mistreat others when they’re framed as "other" or less human. This isn’t unique to slavery actually, it shows up in many forms of conflict and oppression."
That was the answer to why everyone from the Corals treated Vayrins as slaves without any consideration, even those who didn’t have any direct relationship with them.
After all, humans used animals without feeling any remorse because they weren’t human. Corals understood that point and made the Vayrins seem less than human, then brainwashed others to believe the same thing.
"It was to such a degree that even Vayrins began to believe in it," Aegon sighed. "That is what ruling without violence means. They couldn’t conquer them directly, so they used psychological means that lasted even after they were defeated."
...
Kaelis couldn’t interrupt Aegon and Elara, not that he wanted to. He was genuinely surprised to see both of them being so young and yet so mature and knowledgeable about worldly matters.
More so, he didn’t expect Aegon to know so much about his nation and its history. And not just superficial knowledge, but he understood everything properly.
For a moment, he forgot that they were actually kids, not even twenty years old. He felt like he was talking to someone his age.
’No wonder they are heirs to the strongest factions. With such mentality and view of the world, they deserve it.’
When he saw their conversation coming to an end, he said, "It’s as Lord Aegon said. They tormented us for a long time, even after we gained independence. Through the guise of being traders, they gradually took over the Chainbound Sky...again."
He clenched his fists and added, trying to keep his voice calm yet failing miserably. He couldn’t help it. "Those bastards wanted to make sure no rebellion ever rose again, so they publicly tortured everyone. Thousands died in the first few weeks and then nobody dared to stand against them."
A hint of respect shone in his eyes, as he continued, "Then, Prince Samuel won the war and ascended as the Sun Emperor of the Grand Solar Empire. Technically, that should have had nothing to do with us, but he actually led a small army here in Skyships."
"That day, the whole Chainbound Sky witnessed the true prowess of the Emperor," Orien said, his voice filled with excitement. "He crushed the Corals as if they were mere ants. They stood no chance against the army that crushed the other Princes."
"However, we weren’t happy with it, or rather we were indifferent," Kaelis said, gazing out of the distant window where other Islands were visible. "After all, why would anyone fight for us?"
"For our ownership," Orien scoffed.
"Indeed, we expected a change of ownership, nothing different." Kaelis nodded. "But that didn’t happen. The Emperor crushed the surrounding nations too as a warning and then left, leaving some of his trusted men behind. They helped us become a proper nation."
Aegon listened to everything silently, thinking, ’I guess Grandpa Sam was a macho man in his prime. Winning a civil war while the demons knocked on your doors and then proceeding to liberate an entire nation. What a chad.’
"So, what happened now?" Elara asked. "Are the Corals attacking again? Surely, you prepared for it in advance."
"We did," Kaelis nodded, clenching his fist. "But I didn’t expect my own people to betray me. Corals bought some of the Aerial Council members and spread their influence. This time, they’ve come prepared."
His head dropped, looking down as if his gaze could penetrate the thick layers of the Aerial Council and see the other Islands.
"They’ve planted explosives filled with poison gas. If I refuse to become their puppet, they’ll release it and wipe out everyone below. You’ve seen Chainbound Sky yourself, most people here are mundane. It wouldn’t just be slaughter, it would be extinction."
His voice went cold, seething with pure hatred. "Their exact words were: if they can’t have the Chainbound Sky, then they’ll make sure no one does."
Silence hung in the room, as Aegon processed everything. He glanced to his side and found Elara’s expression neutral and her eyes calm. But as someone who knew her better than anyone, he knew very well what that calm represented.
He didn’t blame her, as he himself couldn’t control his emotions after hearing everything.
"God..."
Before Elara could say anything further, Aegon raised his hand and leaned back, "Let me handle it. It’ll be faster."
He looked at his shadow and muttered, "Find all the explosives first, anything that can harm the Vayrins, and bring it to me."
[Others are already on it. I don’t know how we missed it, and I’m deeply sorry about that. It won’t happen again.]
"That’s also why I’m curious about those explosives. How could you miss it?"
[...Want me to bring those bastards too?]
"Not now," Aegon’s lips curled up chillingly. "We will make sure they have no way out."