Chapter 135: The Sheepdog and the Sheepfold

Inside the institute's cafe.

Andrei's furious roar still lingered in the air.

The patrons wore subtle, complicated expressions as they swirled the wine in their glasses. Behind the counter, Boss Snake went about washing glasses like usual, seemingly indifferent to the torrent of accusations unfolding in the Blood Moon Tribunal.

A human Blood Saint spoke in a low, lingering voice. "What an outrageous accusation. Sure, go ahead and curse the church dogs for chasing their own tails. But our institute has always minded its own business. We conduct research and nothing more. We do not meddle in politics, nor do we interfere with public opinion.

"Look around. All the technological products in modern society came from the institute. From the machine tools that manufacture screws to the source compilers used for Curtain applications, which one was not developed by our researchers after years, even decades, of work?

"We have harmed no one. We have worked diligently to support the Blood Moon Kingdom. Our lifespans are more than three times that of ordinary races, so naturally our working years and contributions are also far greater. And now they dare pin the failures of those in power on us?

"Do they think we are easy targets just because we do not speak up?"

Others murmured their agreement. Another patron cursed, "Exactly! There are only two Blood Saint representatives in the council. Our numbers cannot compete with those of other races. Our voices carry little weight. We are nothing more than background decoration. That is why people think they can push us around!"

"It's time to increase the number of Blood Saint seats!"

"How dare Andrei accuse us after forming his own faction, fighting for power, and abusing public authority?"

"These politicians have no sense of right and wrong. They are utterly shameless!"

"But Fernandez's proposal for a Combat League actually sounds pretty good."

The bar fell briefly silent. The red glow in the pupils of those present brightened. "It would make an excellent spectator industry."

"Unlimited combat would be best. I also agree with the idea of mechanical modifications and biological augmentations. Otherwise, it would be boring."

"We could even have multiple fighters on the same stage, fighting until only one survives."

"There should be interspecies matches. Let the Battle Zone capture some Abyss Monsters and see if ordinary people can fight them."

"A sorcerer league should exist, too. Two-Winged sorcerers might be too much, but two One-Winged sorcerers fighting to the death would be manageable."

"Besides prize money, the institute could provide free treatment for all participants. As long as they survive, we guarantee full recovery on the spot. That way, they would have no worries. I would even volunteer as a league healer."

"

Tsk.

You just want a second Blood Embrace Ritual, don't you? Look at your age. Your bloodline potential is gone. Even if healers are needed, they would prioritize new bloodlines."

While the patrons excitedly debated the finer details of the Combat League, Lawrence focused on the voting results of the Blood Moon Tribunal. Fernandez, whose votes had been evenly matched with Andrei's moments ago, was now surging far ahead.

Lawrence frowned. He acknowledged that Andrei's argument contained a hint of truth, but that was all. The rest was sophistry.

Yes, the Dragon's Lair directors sought lifespan procedures from the institute, but how is that the institute's fault? Fernandez's mishandling of the 422 Incident? The institute had no role in forcing his hand.

As for the Combat League Fernandez intended to promote, it hasn't even happened. Did the institute really need to bear responsibility for every negative consequence it might produce? Just because the Blood Saint Clan lives longer and possesses greater strength, does that justify moral coercion from lesser races? What kind of logic is that?

Lawrence turned to Boss Snake. "Do you think Andrei's words make sense?"

"

Hiss, hiss...

" Boss Snake set down a clean glass and spoke unhurriedly. "Councilor Andrei's argument makes sense. From his standpoint, Fernandez is indeed currying favor with the two Blood Moon races."

Lawrence looked surprised. "Then—"

Boss Snake continued, "But what you said also makes sense. From the perspective of the two Blood Moon races, Andrei's accusations are nothing more than displaced anger. You clearly did nothing wrong, yet they push the blame onto you."

Lawrence laughed. "If we are not in the wrong, and they have their reasons, then who is the problem?"

"No one is the problem. The problem is..." Boss Snake's gaze turned to the light screen. "Perhaps the mayor will give us the answer."

***

"Male ogre, twenty-four years old, with a general education background. He works in the oil painting industry, has a habit of eating Moon Sugar before bed, and often stays up through the night. His favorite food is Sour Cabbage Lala Fat, and he masturbates twice a day. He is secretly in love with another female ogre and hopes to live with her, but after more than a year of trying, he has made little progress. Three months ago, he saw her enter a hotel with someone else, yet it did not extinguish his feelings. Instead, it made him believe he still had a chance..."

At first, Andrei listened in confusion, but the longer he heard, the more shocked he became. Before Fernandez could finish, he interrupted, "You... wait. You've undergone memory inspection. How can you still retain these memories? Weren't they supposed to have been deleted?"

The ogre smiled faintly. "I do not trust memory specialists. I erase my own memories. Once I pass inspection, I immediately restore the ones most important to me. Information about my son is the most important of all."

With that, even the previously confused audience understood that Fernandez had just recited his son's profile.

Kenmen said flatly, "Mayor... have you given up? The Bloodline Prohibition Act is a supreme law, second only to the Blood Moon Constitution. You violated the clause strictly forbidding the investigation of offspring. The maximum penalty is life imprisonment, or even death. Even if you survive the Blood Moon Tribunal, Shattered Lake awaits you for the rest of your life."

To everyone present, Fernandez's actions looked suicidal. Most had investigated their descendants at some point, but upon realizing the truth, nearly all immediately sought memory specialists to erase every trace. This was a capital crime, graver than trafficking tons of Moon Sugar or serial murder. Investigating one's offspring was a direct affront to the authority of the Blood Moon Lord and a desecration of the very foundation of the Blood Moon Kingdom.

"Yes, I violated the Bloodline Prohibition Act," Fernandez said with a faint smile. "Kenmen, after all these years since law school, do you still remember the Act's meaning? Recite it."

Perhaps shaken by Fernandez's audacity, or still bound by lingering loyalty, Kenmen answered without hesitation, "The Bloodline Prohibition Act regulates reproductive practices across all races, adjusts and protects broad social relationships, improves resource allocation, raises per capita resource levels, and enhances population quality. It dismantles the outdated family unit, breaks down class barriers, abolishes inheritance customs, and ensures every newborn enjoys equal access to society's resources. It is the legal foundation of racial and universal equality."

Fernandez nodded thoughtfully, as if enlightened. "Yes. Racial and universal equality. Can someone explain what those words truly mean?"

Andrei spoke, "No one should be discriminated against based on appearance, race, gender, education, or occupation. Anyone encountering behavioral or verbal discrimination may report it to the Heresy Court and has the right to defend their personal dignity. These principles are written in the Racial Human Rights Act. Fernandez, what are you trying to say?"

Fernandez's calm gaze burned with a trace of hysterical madness. "I will return your words to you exactly as you gave them. Andrei, you are not unaware of my thoughts. You may have foreseen them, yet you still dared not speak them aloud.

"At most, you dare criticize the two Blood Moon races. Your capacity is pitifully small."

The audience froze. Criticizing the Blood Moon races was audacious beyond belief. They were the true rulers of the Blood Moon Kingdom and the favored children of the Blood Moon Lord.

The redeemed cursed inwardly.

Do you intend to criticize the Blood Moon Lord himself?

Thoughts of jumping straight into Shattered Lake crossed their minds. If Fernandez continued, what awaited them could be worse than death.

***

Inside the director's office of the Heresy Court.

The director impatiently swiped away incoming call notifications on the light screen.

"They are blocking my view of the broadcast. How annoying," she muttered.

Beneath her haggard exterior was unmistakable excitement. "Can these old fossils not appreciate a farce?

Heh

. You shoved me into this position, and now you see the consequences. Enjoy being trapped between the church and the institute. Fernandez, show me the breadth of your resolve."

***

Fernandez explained calmly, his voice carrying across Shattered Lake.

"The Bloodline Prohibition Act severs all bonds of kinship. We grow up in state orphanages and die in hospitals. Whether our lives are long or short, we are never allowed a bond we can truly trust. It turns every one of us into a solitary individual.

"The Racial Human Rights Act claims to eliminate discrimination, but it provokes it instead. It demands harmony between races, genders, education levels, and even age groups. It forces fundamentally different lives to respect one another. How could that not breed resentment? Because the law exists, everyone hides prejudice deep in their hearts, fermenting it into something more refined, natural, and cruel. It traps us in endless internal conflict, preventing us from ever uniting as a whole.

"Andrei, you said the Blood Moon Lord confined the Blood Saints to the institute and restrained the Moonshadows within the church to protect us. I would say otherwise.

"He silences the Blood Saints and restrains the Moonshadows to keep us lonely, to ensure no one can unite. Do you know what this reminds me of? Obedient sheepdogs and a self-regulating sheepfold.

"The Blood Moon Kingdom is a breeding ground, meticulously constructed by the Blood Moon Lord."