Chapter 2047 - 549: Another Use for the Soul_3

Then you would have to ask the little writers of Thunder City. They must have pieced together the Imperial nobles from those around them.

Luo Yan adjusted his cuff and followed Erin into the refugee camp, while Sarah, Theresa, and others followed behind them.

What met their eyes was sheer devastation, not the watered-down version from a minstrel, but actual visible misery.

Erin looked at those curled up in corners, covered in bandages, with her emerald green eyes flashing with undisguised compassion and anger.

Some were missing legs, others arms; some had backs mutilated to the point they couldn't even lie down and could only lay face-down...

"This is... too much."

Erin's voice trembled slightly.

Luo Yan noticed her fist clenched tightly at her side, the leather glove creaking from excessive force.

He stepped forward, offering gentle comfort.

"At least they've survived."

Erin was silent for a long time and sighed softly.

"...Just how many didn't survive, we will never know."

"This sounds cruel, but it was unavoidable."

Luo Yan looked at the injured and spoke softly.

"Even omniscient Divine beings can't save everyone. All we can do is lend a hand wherever our eyes can see."

Just like what they've already been doing.

Erin felt slightly relieved, casting him a grateful glance, then continued walking deeper into the camp.

Soon, officials in the camp noticed these two prominent figures.

A manager from the Royal Railway Company, dressed in uniform, hurried over and offered them a humble chest salute.

"Your Highness, Prince."

Erin wasn't in the mood for pleasantries and got straight to the point.

"What is the situation here? Are they okay?"

The staff quickly collected their smile and respectfully answered.

"The Priests from Cold Crow City are doing their utmost to treat the survivors' wounds. Though they were tortured cruelly by those beasts, those who managed to escape here have tough lives, and are out of life-threatening conditions."

Evidently, it was a correct but useless statement.

Luo Yan cleared his throat lightly, interrupting his formal tone and cutting straight to the point.

"Did they mention anything valuable? Like... what exactly are those Ratmen doing in the mountains?"

The staff paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts.

"They... said many things, but it was all chaotic, even deranged. Some said the Ratmen were going to cook them and eat, while others said they were being used as experimental subjects, sacrifices to the Demon God. Some mentioned being forced to write letters home—"

Luo Yan furrowed his brow.

"Focus on the main point."

"Yes!" The staff wiped sweat from his forehead. "Many survivors repeatedly mentioned words like... Black Mages' laboratory, Evil God's altar, giant millstones, oh, and also... a screaming pond."

"We suspect those Ratmen must be using some form of evil technology from Hell."

"These demons!" Theresa behind them couldn't bear hearing anymore and cursed furiously.

Erin similarly clenched her lips, her eyes burning with anger.

Theresa articulated what was in her heart—besides the demons from Hell, who could devise such cruel methods?

However, Luo Yan's expression turned somewhat nuanced.

Though Hell's wickedness was true, it contrasted sharply with the situation here, making Hell seem like child's play.

For instance, the Maze core that harvests Fear Energy is essentially Faith Power collection, often leaving the souls of adventurers thrown into dungeons intact—preferring sustainable harvesting rather than complete destruction, sometimes even rewarding them with a carrot... like training dogs.

Once humans submit to the Demon God due to extreme fear or Stockholm Syndrome, demons would often transition them into Acolytes, and the exploitation ends there.

Objectively speaking, humans in Hell live more comfortably than goblins, as humans are part of Bayele's public image project.

As for war casualties, that's a separate matter; both sides are prepared to kill and be killed.

This scenario of treating non-combatants as materials for unsustainable extraction left the Demon King astonished and perplexed.

Especially considering Academic State's involvement, he felt there might be some unknown technology that even Hell isn't aware of.

What's certain is this isn't driven by faith.

But rather focused on soul-level plunder...

At that moment, the staff seemed to remember something and added.

"Right! Your Highness, a few survivors also mentioned something. They said... some Ratmen called it Holy Water."

The air was silent for a moment, and confusion flowed among them.

"Holy Water?"

Erin was stunned, her eyebrows furrowing in puzzlement.

"Is it the Holy Water used in Church to appease the Undead?"

"Your Highness, are you joking? There aren't Ratmen worshiping Holy Light; they'd prefer the sky to be as dark as the caves, ideally with no sun overhead."

The staff chuckled briefly and then shook his head, displaying evident disdain as if seeing something dirty.

"If that thing were 'Holy Water', there's no poison in the world anymore. I lean towards thinking it's a trick demons use to deceive."