The Laughing Swordsman

Maya had her jaw dropped the entire time the two had their conversation.

"You can speak?"

Serosh looked over to Maya.

"What? You can do it, why can't I?"

Maya stuttered over herself, unable to form any words.

Lucifer rolled his eyes.

"Anyways, back on topic. You actually put your faith in other people being somewhat rational?"

The corner of Serosh's lip twitched.

"...They are intelligent beings, no?"

Lucifer raised an eyebrow.

"They can be defined as intelligent beings, yes. But in the end, they are unbelievably weak to manipulation. If they are not taught anything, then they won't be able to do anything."

He smirked.

"And if they are taught to bend to your will, then they will naturally do so. Otherwise, what is referred to as intelligent beings is no different from mindless animals. When it comes down to it, most are frankly incapable of thinking logically."

Lucifer's eyes widened slightly as a strange smile formed on his face.

"The only thing they can do is think with their emotions. Just use that next time."

Serosh furrowed his brows.

"...But I have single-handedly taken care of their entire livelihood by myself. The place they live, the food they eat. I even protect this city from those that try to invade it."

Lucifer laughed.

"And how many times have you told them about it?"

Serosh narrowed his eyes.

"A few, but how is that related?"

Lucifer shook his head with a smug smile.

"If you don't drill that fact into their heads, they will not know. You have given them their housing and food for free. It may seem like you should receive gratitude, but when people are met with the expectation that they are supposed to gain a house and food for free, they do not treasure it."

He narrowed his eyes.

"You must make them pay."

The corner of Lucifer's lip turned up.

"If they want a house, they must cut their arm off and offer it to you. Otherwise, they must sleep on the streets. Either way, the person will see the value of the house either by the payment they gave up, or by the impracticality of not having one."

Serosh looked at Lucifer solemnly.

"How can that method foster gratitude? And why must I collect their arms? It presents no value to me!"

Lucifer tilted his head to the side.

"My friend, this fosters fear. Not to mention, it is not the value that it presents to you that matters, but what it means to them."

Serosh scoffed.

"As if a prosperous city could be created that way."

Lucifer used his hand to gesture towards the devastation around him.

"And the city you took care of is so much better? Isn't it?"

Serosh shut his mouth and frowned.

Lucifer sighed.

"Sorry, sorry, didn't mean to rub it in. Gratitude is honestly overrated, but if you have to go with it, then you have to make sure they understand to be grateful."

He pointed to the farms.

"Set up some sort of tradition where they thank you each time they wish to harvest. Every time they are outside their house, make them thank you for creating it. Each time they eat, make them thank you for providing the food."

Serosh sighed.

"But I do not give for the sake of receiving recognition."

Lucifer shrugged.

"Well too bad. Even if people do not say it without really meaning it, they will still remember who it was that gave them everything. It will seep into their brains whether they like it or not. With that, you gain control over them."

Serosh furrowed his brows.

"That does not sound like someone who is worthy of gratitude. The only kindness imparted was for the sake of controlling them."

Lucifer got up close to Serosh, almost like he was trying to closely inspect him. A strange smile appeared on his face.

"Do you really not understand what I'm trying to say?"

Serosh's eyebrow twitched.

"...What is it?"

Lucifer sighed with disappointment.

"Truly good people will not be tolerated by the public."

Serosh narrowed his eyes.

"And how does that make any sense? They will condemn their leaders if they have done anything wrong."

Lucifer raised a finger.

"Correction. What they perceive to be wrong. If a person is openly blasphemous, sure. However, whether or not they actually did something does not depend on fact, but what they want to believe."

He stood back up.

"If you wish to maintain a good public image, you must not only appear proper, but be black-hearted enough to manipulate people into thinking that you are proper."

Serosh fell silent for a moment.

"...But then it will never be a true relationship between the rulers and the people."

Lucifer shrugged his shoulders.

"There never was an opportunity for a true relationship in the first place."

Serosh clenched his bloody fists.

"Then what's the point?"

Lucifer smiled.

"It may be a fake relationship, but you can still lead them to success. The results of trying to be transparent and generous are laid bare before you."

Serosh took a deep breath.

"Lead who to success? All the people I have once protected are dead by my own hand."

Lucifer chuckled.

"What's to say you can't lead others?"

Serosh closed his eyes tightly, almost like he was in pain.

"I do not deserve to."

Lucifer clicked his tongue.

"Since when did it matter if you deserved to or not? Let me be honest with you. I planned on killing every single person in this city except for you before taking you with me whether you like it or not. So there's no reason for you to be upset over their deaths."

Serosh blinked a few times.

"You came here... with the intention of massacring the city?"

Lucifer opened his mouth, then shut it.

"Oh, that wasn't actually the main goal. It was a side thing I was planning on doing since I was already here."

He scratched the back of his head.

"I actually wanted you to take a look at her."