NOVPUBWe can't even say that defeating one Bug nest means we can defeat every Bug nest.
Defeating every Bug nest doesn't mean those creatures with immense vitality will completely disappear.
What the Imperial Capital mentioned about eliminating all threats in the wilderness... just take it as a joke.
Such an idealistic situation, in an ideal world, will absolutely, absolutely not happen!
"In this grand chess game of alliance, we... are just pawns!"
"If that's what you're saying, then we simply won't participate," someone retorted.
"Not participate?" The opposing member sneered again, "Do you think you can just not participate if you don't want to? Cities that don't participate aren't allies of theirs, and when the Imperial Capital Alliance can't kill those disasters, what's to stop them from steering them our way? Will Blackwater City still have a way to survive? Can we just enter or not enter such a hegemonic alliance at will?"
"So what are you saying, we might as well all slit our throats and kill ourselves, there's no point in discussing further!" another member shouted.
"That's why this is a 'blatant scheme'!" The speaker's eyes turned bloodshot, and he pounded the table in front of him with his fist, causing a muffled "bang," "But... there is still a chance!"
"A chance?"
"Yes! A chance," the speaker nodded vigorously, "If we can see through the Imperial Capital's blatant scheme, other cities can certainly see it too. Those cities that benefit from it will of course approve wholeheartedly, but those cities whose interests are harmed will definitely feel dissatisfied. This, this is our opportunity! If we can unite, then perhaps we will no longer fear pressure from the Imperial Capital."
A few old members of the Elder Council exchanged glances, satisfaction in their eyes.
Although the views of this opposition speaker were somewhat radical, and even directly opposite to their internal plans.
The direction he was leading them in was correct.
Hence, the leading elder waited for a moment of silence before voicing out, "Does anyone else have any opinions?"
After thinking it over carefully, another woman with glasses stood up and said in a serious tone, "But I believe this is an opportunity that could change mankind, and also change the future of our city!"
The woman glanced around the room, her voice soft, "Ladies and gentlemen, we are no longer afraid of the Bug nests, are we? The last time our military district launched an operation against the Bug nest, the results showed that with more thorough preparation, there is hope to eliminate the source of this natural disaster closest to our city. Besides this Bug nest, in fact, there are no fatal threats within a large area around Blackwater City. Even if there are, under the leadership of Bai E, we are capable of fighting back."
The woman pushed the frame of her glasses up her nose, her eyes burning with zeal, "For us, the situation can't get any worse. We are not like those cities that are on the verge of collapse. We have the confidence. Even if the Imperial Capital regards Blackwater City as a disposable piece, we... aren't afraid! However, if we join this alliance, we will be able to enjoy shared production capabilities. As long as we have the capacity to maintain the safety of this shared line, it is actually beneficial to our city's development."
The more the woman spoke, the more excited she became, her glasses reflecting a dazzling glare, "Wasn't our city's development plan to gradually expand the city's scale outward after clearing the Black Rock District Hive? This strategy aligns with the Imperial Capital's development plans. Accepting the Union of the Imperial Capital, I think, may not be a bad thing after all."
As the pro-union faction spoke up, the tone of the entire meeting gradually heated up.
In the eyes of the fence-sitters, "Absolute opposition and absolute support are irrational choices, only stage-by-stage adjustments made during observation and development are truly suitable for our city situation!"
"The envoys of the Imperial Capital want an immediate solution, not a decision made through a lengthy process of observation and development. Icing on the cake is far worse than sending charcoal in snowy weather!"
"Icing on the cake is still better than a desperate gamble!"
Seeing the situation becoming more chaotic, an elder from the Elder Council coughed a few times to interrupt everyone's arguments, "As for the response to the messenger from the Imperial Capital, there is no need to rush. Everyone can consider it carefully in private, and for today, let's conclude the meeting. When the time is right, we will invite everyone to make the final deliberation."
After the meeting dispersed, in a corner of the city, a few gathered figures spoke intensely with rebellious words.
"Interests?! Interests?! It's all about interests! Whose city is this after all, the high officials' or humanity's?" Caesar narrowed his eyes, looking at some like-minded companions before him, "Those people talk so much, but it's all because they're afraid that after Blackwater City rejoins the Imperial system, their own interests will be harmed. Are they afraid of the city being abandoned? No! They're only afraid of being abandoned themselves!"
"Yes..." The man to the right of Caesar said with a bleak expression, "Even Miss Furilian doesn't dare to speak so clearly."
The only woman present pushed up her glasses and smiled bitterly, "This is our last chance for humanity to turn things around! I don't care whether Blackwater City becomes the core of the new empire or not, I just want to see humanity be great once again!"
Even if such greatness comes at the sacrifice of countless cities like Blackwater City... they are willing to die a thousand deaths!
To most people in the city, a "loss of control" like General Bai E's, willing to violate military discipline for the sake of humanity, is unacceptable, but for them... it is the ultimate righteousness!
However, they couldn't speak out in the beginning.
... 𝖓𝔬𝖛𝔭𝔲𝖇.𝔠𝔬𝖒
In another corner of the city, members of the opposition also wore scornful smiles, "Those people only think about humanity's greatness all day long, but they never consider if the city becomes a sacrificial pawn, where will the tens of millions of residents go?!"
"Exactly! They gladly face death alone, claiming it's a noble sacrifice for their ideals. But they never consider whether those ordinary people they sacrifice are willing to give up their lives for the so-called future of all humanity!"
"They're just a bunch of selfish brats, completely disregarding the feelings of so many ordinary people. These people, managed by us and placing full trust in us, they are the true responsibility we must bear! We are the ones who are right!"
...
When Bai E returned to the barracks, he had already heard the lively commotion being discussed by every reputable officer in the military district.
The messenger from the capital had already visited.
As soon as Carlos saw Bai E, he pulled him into a corner, "The elders from the Elder Council have asked us to notify you to see them in the city as soon as you return. You are ordered to enter the city, and the guards will not stop you, so go ahead with confidence."
"...," Knowing roughly what the city's mainstream opinion was from the officers' conversations, Bai E nodded in response, "Understood, I'll head there now."
Mostly opponents, a few supporters, and even fewer fence-sitters...
It seems that regardless of the time or issue, the parties can always be broadly divided into these three factions.
But up to the moment of his return, the Elder Council still hadn't consolidated a final answer.
He wondered what their intentions were.
Could it be that they wanted to explain something to him about this matter and ask for his opinion as soon as he returned?
With these thoughts in mind, Bai E hurried into the city. The informed guards allowed him through, and in a short while, Bai E arrived at the true center of power in the city—The Elder Council!
