After hearing Raphael's words, Audrey took a deep breath before saying, "You seem to be prejudiced against nobles, but what I want to tell you is that
nobles don't hurt people lightly, either."
She knew that most of what Raphael had said was true, but she hoped he would understand that most nobles were honorable, kind people.
Raphael smiled and shook his head. "I'm not prejudiced. In my eyes, nobles, merchants, and officials are simply rather harsh rulers."
He spread his hands. "As I said, I hold no prejudice against any group, because every group has a reason to exist.
"But you know perfectly well that the ruling classes of Loen... of the entire Northern and Southern Continents are utterly vicious, yet you keep whitewashing them.
"That makes this conversation pointless."
Before Audrey could argue, Raphael raised a hand and continued, "Nobles certainly don't hurt people lightly, because you don't see those people as human in the first place.
"Have you ever heard of 'sheep eating people'?"
Audrey froze, clearly unfamiliar with the expression.
Of course she had never heard of it. It was Raphael's summary of a similar era from before he transmigrated.
He explained, "As the textile industry grew, wool became increasingly valuable, so many nobles bought up farmland and used it to raise sheep.
"As a result, grain production plummeted, and many people starved to death.
"Those who lost their land could only go to the cities to find work. That intensified competition in the cities, bankrupted more people, and turned them into vagrants. Many more died.
"Throughout the entire process, the nobles never directly harmed a single person, yet so many died because of them. Then, having made their money, they expressed sympathy for ordinary people and donated a little to the poorhouses, becoming great philanthropists."