165 Oh God (2/2)
It was the Age of Chaos. Personal memories of each member of the Dreaming Council made manifest in front of Reed. Each member who was part of the Dreaming Council had survived that forsaken age of violent turmoil.
”This is the reality that awaits Mulia without our guidance. In the end, the people at the bottom will suffer the most again -- the Mortals. Chosen will once again fight for meaningless concepts such as wealth, honor, and glory. They will tear the continent to pieces long before the Infestation will ever have the chance.
Only we, who have devoted our entire beings to Mulia, have the clarity of mind to see past ourselves and the differences between the races. Our eyes are solely focused upon our one true foe -- the Infestation.”
Reed couldn't refute its points, despite how much he despised its methods. He hatefully said, ”A mental death is no different from an actual one. What is even left the original victim after that? Is that person even themselves anymore?
This is not even mentioning the atrocities involved with you infringing their rights as living beings. You can't tamper with other people's minds and justify it as a necessary evil. The fucking Infestation does the exact same thing! Can't you see what you're doing is wrong, no matter how you try to spin it?!”
”If we killed the usurpers, we would be perceived as tyrants. If we imprisoned them for the rest of their natural lives, we would be perceived as tyrants.
If we can neither kill nor remove harmful individuals that threaten the peace or the continent, then what are we to do?
We have followed your own logical premise to its conclusion. What do you think is the answer?”
Reed suddenly realized what had happened. He had been led around like a dog in the argument. No, rather he had led himself to the Dreaming Council's conclusion without even realizing it.
He had come to the same conclusion.
That if they could not kill or imprison their enemies, they would have to convince them that they were, in fact, wrong. To re-educate them and make them understand why they were wrong.
The Dreaming Council detected abnormal fluctuations in Reed's life signs and determined that they had succeeded in their task.
”Have you finally realized the truth? We are correct. Rehabilitation is the only course of action left for us to implement given the restrictions imposed upon our actions.
It is here where we re-educate the worst offenders, those who have actively plotted to either overthrow the Four Empires or incite the flames of war across the continent. We make the very specific distinction of only taking those who have put their malicious thoughts into action. We do not abduct people who simply have grudges against us in their minds, for we are not Mulia's. thought police.
One's thoughts are not enough to be made a criminal in our eyes. But a physical action, a willing initiative to make their twisted thoughts into reality? That is a crime we can punish. There is tangible evidence -- proof that can be presented in a court of law -- to prove the criminal's guilt.
Every criminal you see behind us is being reconditioned in their sleep, slowly being taught why they were wrong in their actions against us and the Four Empires. We interface with their subconscious as they sleep and discuss with them as we are doing with you.
We do not force, oppression, or violence to make our points, for we are above such primitive and highly ineffective methods.
In the end, ninety-nine percent of our subjects come to see that they were wrong. After their rehabilitation is complete, they are returned to their homes without harm and are allowed to resume their lives in peace.
Only the most heinous, repeated offenders and subjects outside of abilities are mind-wiped. This is something we do with great consideration after much internal discussion.
Of the forty-three thousand eight hundred and sixty-three subjects we have rehabilitated only fifty-seven have required a mind wipe.
We are fair. We are generous. We are just.”
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