I Became a Ruined Character in a Dark Fantasy

Lucia, Valten, and even Diana all turned to Ian.

They then heard Yog whisper.

—My friend, I think you just said something you shouldn't have.

Yeah. Looks like I poked the hornet's nest, Ian mused to himself, snapping out of his thoughts. He met their gazes without a hint of unease.

"There were scholars who held such views," Lucia hurriedly blurted out.

After sneaking a glance at Valten, she continued, "Some writings suggest that if the Empire had expanded its territory more gradually—while also pursuing a policy of peaceful assimilation—the war against the demons might not have been so vast or drawn out.

She exhaled before finishing, "Perhaps the so-called archdemons never would have come into existence at all."

"A scholar had the guts to put that in writing?" Diana asked, sounding as surprised as she had been by Ian's words.

Lucia nodded. "There were documents like that around the time the Black Wall first rose. They never became mainstream or lasted long, though."

Diana scoffed. "Yeah. I can guess what happened to those who made such claims."

Lucia glanced at Ian. "Like that, Sir Ian merely shared an uncommon perspective. He wasn't trying to criticize the Empire or the Order."