The Extra Can't be A Hero

Chapter 105: Alverton (3)

The Iron Count.

Or as he is more popularly known today as Governor Valen Wrenleigh. Once a lauded mercenary with decades of experience, he settled in his hometown of Alverton many years back. He was voted into office due to his popularity and renowned sense of justice. It was rare to see a regular mercenary take the role of Governor, which was always reserved for the town’s elites. Still, due to society’s overwhelming corruption and decay, someone fresh was needed to overhaul the entire system.

And Governor Valen Wrenleigh did just that.

First, he cleaned up the upper echelons, rooting out corruption and decimating the old order. Next, he opened up trade and commerce, inviting many merchants to enter Alverton to take over.

But the one accomplishment the Governor was most renowned and venerated for... was how he cleaned up the streets.

Alverton was once a lawless area, with gangs and hooligans roaming the town as if they owned it. No, in the past, the gangs did own Alverton. They kept the populace poor, creating slums that were just as dangerous as they were wretched. No sane person would walk out alone at night as crime was rampant.

Theft and murder were commonplace, and it wasn’t rare to see a dead body or two in the morning.

Alverton was indeed once a god-forsaken zone. This was why people gave the Governor his roses when he made the turnaround, bringing Alverton to heights it would have never seen before him.

So even the high and lofty Knights of the Solaris House respected the man who stood as a beacon of righteousness and justice. Horus was particularly impressed by Valen’s accomplishments and had acquainted himself with the Governor, which was why the Governor was given an audience with Leon and Amon, even though there wasn’t a need to do such a thing.

Speaking of which, after receiving the congregation from the Solaris House, the Governor led them through the modern streets of Alverton, guiding them through the scenic and tourist spots. Eventually, he led them to his quarters, a luxurious mansion in the centre of the aristocratic district of Alverton.

The mansion was huge and could easily accommodate a party of a hundred. Although it was nowhere near as grand as the Solaris House, it was still an abode that only the top one percent could afford. And since it was late, the Governor invited the group to dinner before they went to their lodgings.

Throughout the dinner, there was one standout star from the show.

"So, Sir Leon, I heard you hunted a Demon recently! At such a tender age, too!"

"It was nothing... I had help and..."

"Still! At such a young age, you managed to hunt a formidable Demon. When I was your age, I didn’t dare to face any sort of Demonic Beast! What an accomplishment!"

"..."

Seated at the head of the table, the Governor lavished Leon with praise, treating him as though he were a messiah. Leon, unsure how to handle the overwhelming compliments, could only lower his gaze in embarrassment as the Iron Count carried on with his admiration.

Fortunately, the Governor was about to move onto a wholly new topic.

"Sir Horus, if I may be so bold to ask. How long will you be staying in our humble town?"

"Hmmm, not too long. A little over one or two weeks. At least until our accommodations in the Capital is ready to receive us, would it prove to be an issue?"

"Ah, of course not! Alverton is delighted to host the Solaris House! It’s just that your current line-up may intimidate our guards."

"Please, do tell."

"You see, I have stumbled across a philosophical dilemma. And I’m curious to hear your thoughts." Governor Valen took a sip of his wine to calm himself before asking:

"What would you do if you had to choose between saving one life or a thousand?"

"I’m sorry?"

Leon blinked, unable to comprehend what was being asked of him. He stared at the Governor, particularly his silver streaks of hair before the man finally added a clarification.

"It’s purely theoretical, so please speak your honest thoughts about this." The Governor swirled the wine in his silver goblet before continuing: "I have always subscribed to the needs of the many, outweigh the needs of a few. So, for the majority to thrive, some must be sacrificed. That was the philosophy of the Solaris Founder, and I resonate deeply with that thinking."

Without waiting for Leon’s answer, the distinguished gentleman continued his monologue.

"In the past, there were situations where I was placed in that position. To decide how to run Alverton, I had to sacrifice the needs of the few, for instance, the old aristocrats who corrupted my town into disarray or even the gang leaders who made my streets unsafe. But those were the extremes. There were even instances when I was forced to relocate some residents to make way for future developments."

"..."

"I’d always felt bad for them, particularly the innocent ones who were victims of my circumstance. But without their sacrifices, Alverton wouldn’t be where it is today. So, maybe indulge this old man rambling, but what is your opinion?"

"I see..."

Leon thought, profoundly contemplating the problem the Iron Count had just posed him. Little did he know that his answer was widely anticipated by the Governor and everyone else seated at the dining table. Particularly, the man who idolised Leon the most as the hero.

Amon watched in earnest as Leon continued his train of thought. Like a hawk watching its prey, he waited patiently for Leon to arrive at an answer, and sure enough, the man didn’t disappoint.

"I believe that I won’t sacrifice anyone."

"... what?"

Not getting the answer he was expecting, the Governor paused and looked at Leon as if he were an anomaly. Unperturbed by the shocked look, Leon elaborated:

"The problem you posed to me is that you make it seem like only two options exist. However, the world is varied and unpredictable. If I look hard enough, I will find a third option that will save a thousand and one lives. That is my belief."

"..."

That answer stumped the Governor. With a dropped jaw, he looked straight at Leon blankly. But if one looked closely, they would observe a slight trepidation in the Iron Count’s pupils—as if an earthquake had gone off in the man’s heart.

As for Amon, a proud smile crept up the edge of his lips.

’Leon, you never disappoint.’@@@@