Chapter 446.2: Where Everything Started

"This place feels like one of those sci-fi movies about space colonies."

The surrounding players were stunned.

"What?"

"Don't you guys get that vibe?" Construction Boy scratched his head, a bit embarrassed. "The architecture down there in the Great Rift Valley and the technology here are not on the same level, but the quality of life is decent. And structurally, I always have this feeling... Those buildings are like eggs under this space capsule."

"

Pfft

... Your analogy... Haha." Eye Owe Money couldn't help but burst into laughter.

But Sideline Slacking showed a thoughtful expression. "Hmm... That might actually be possible."

Drumhead Washing Machine nodded. "I think there's some truth to that."

Eye Owe Money’s eyes widened in shock. "...?"

Regardless of what the facility was all about, some people eventually reached the lounge’s entrance.

The spacious room was furnished with many tables and sofas, surrounded by bookshelves filled with seemingly old books.

According to the how the game normally worked... High-value intelligence was either hidden in books or NPCs, requiring players to collect it themselves.

However...

"Let's take photos first, syncing them to the official website when there's a signal is also an option." Picking a book from the shelf, Sideline Slacking flipped through it before turning back to the cover.

Upon seeing the emblem printed on it, he paused, a strange expression crossing his face. "Is this... The insignia of the Enterprise?”

"There are those of the Army and the Academy too.” Standing next to another bookshelf, Eye Owe Money flipped through two books. "I didn't see any from the Torch Church, though."

Drumhead Washing Machine snorted. "Maybe the Torch Church doesn't have the same clout? After all, it was only established about 20 years ago."

Eye Owe Money frowned. "But why are there insignias from the Army and the Enterprise? The Academy is understandable, but the Army and the Enterprise have fought against the Great Rift Valley, right?"

Construction Boy scratched the back of his head. "I saw on the official setting collection that the Army, Enterprise, and Academy were all part of the Post-War Reconstruction Committee, and the headquarters of the reconstruction committee was in the River Valley Province..."

He suddenly paused mid-sentence.

Origin City... Where everything began.

Gulping, Construction Boy said with uncertainty, "... Could it be here?"

Pairs of eyes looked over, making him a bit nervous.

"I'm just guessing, haha... Don't laugh at me if I'm wrong."

But no one laughed at him. Not even Eye Owe Money.

Staring at the books in their hands, Sideline Slacking's brow furrowed. "It might really be possible."

As the players were gathering clues in the lounge, they failed to notice that the New Alliance's envoy had already been led to the next room.

Although they had followed him all the way, they still missed the main plotline.

Sitting on the sofa, Wu Huaide watched the man opposite him with a restrained expression. From their earlier small talk, he had learned that the old man's name was Ge Yan, the Chairman of the Great Rift Valley, holding a position similar to the New Alliance's administrator.

Unlike the tall, mighty, spirited, and feisty administrator, his eyes were cloudy, his face covered in wrinkles, and he looked as if he were suffering from dementia.

Though thinking it felt somewhat impolite, Wu Huaide couldn't help but feel a bit of pride arising within him for being led by someone more impressive.

The old man sat quietly, his eyes constantly on the young man across from him. However, his gaze seemed to pass right through him, looking towards someone not present.

After a long silence, he seemed to find the answer he wanted, and his dry lips finally moved. "I've already heard about your issues. I've sent an investigative team to Bugra Free State, and I assure you that I will give you a response within three days."

The Bugra Free State was a vassal of the Great Rift Valley. With the Chairman of the Great Rift Valley speaking out, those merchants and the Army's deals were surely doomed.

Wu Huaide didn't expect things to go so smoothly. His brow slightly relaxed, and a pleased smile appeared on his face. "Thank you very much."

The old man smiled faintly and said, "I can't accept your thanks for this. It was our mistake to begin with. I should have apologized to you earlier for causing you such trouble."

Wu Huaide was moved by the old man's sincere attitude.

If he could convince the Great Rift Valley to deploy troops against the Army, it would undoubtedly hasten the end of the war.

Although that was not the task given to him by the administrator, he decided to give it a try. "Speaking of which, there's something I don't quite understand."

Seizing the good atmosphere of the conversation, Wu Huaide found an appropriate moment to speak.

The old man looked at him and replied pleasantly, "What is it?"

"The Army's deployment in the Sunset Province is clearly aimed here, why... Why did you let them do so?" Wu Huaide continued, "Once they complete this supply line, more soldiers will be sent to the frontlines, and you will inevitably have to fight another battle. Why not join us now and eradicate the problem once and for all?"

After listening to him, the old man fell silent for a while before speaking, "The idea that the Army is targeting us and that we have allowed their actions... Both of these statements are inaccurate."

Seeing that indifferent expression, Wu Huaide couldn't help but clench the fists resting on his knees. "Isn't that the truth?"

The old man looked at him calmly. "That's the part you see, but it's not the whole picture."

Before the young man could speak, the old man continued, "Let's change the subject. What do you think is necessary to end the Wasteland Era? Is it building a lot of houses? Establishing schools to pass on knowledge? Producing many weapons? Or allowing the residents to live the lives of a prosperous era?"

Wu Huaide opened his mouth, looking blankly at the old man. He was momentarily stunned, not understanding why he suddenly brought this up.

Seeing that the young man didn't answer, the old man continued in a calm tone, "All these things are important, but which should be done first and which later... There has to be a corresponding plan.

"We need to remove the Slime Mold and radioactive material from the surface, revive the deteriorating atmospheric environment... This is fundamental for our civilization to continue, and it's also the general direction of the Post-War Reconstruction Committee."

"To accomplish these tasks, we need a strong military, technicians responsible for salvaging and preserving cultural heritage, and production personnel for industrial and living supplies."

"But people are not machines. Everyone will have different ideas. Even if we are all working towards the same goal, there will still be disagreements on many issues." Ge Yan sighed.

"Does this relate to our previous topic?" Wu Huaide couldn't help but ask.

"Of course, it does." The old man nodded. “Whether it’s the Army, the Academy, or the Enterprise... They were all once part of the Post-War Reconstruction Committee. Even if contradictions and divergences have led us to part ways, we still haven't forgotten our tasks. Those tasks are like a precise machine, still operating orderly, just in a different form."

Wu Huaide frowned. "Including setting off nuclear bombs? Is that also part of the job?!"

The old man coughed lightly. "That was indeed excessive."

Wu Huaide couldn't help but continue to inquire, "Even if the Army tries to conquer you?"

Yet faced with that pressing tone, the old man just smiled faintly. "If the Army planned to conquer us, they wouldn't have sent just an expedition force. Besides, those people have already been dealt with."

Wu Huaide stared blankly at the old man.

Unlike those young soldiers outside, the old man seemed completely devoid of any hatred. He didn't even seem to take the war seriously.

It was as if war was just the side effects caused by the antibiotics used to save the land, completely unrelated to the outcome.

"I don't understand..."

Looking at his confused face, the old man replied in a soft voice, "That's not important, your administrator will understand if he comes from a shelter. He will surely understand what I mean."

A surge of anger welled up in Wu Huaide's chest, although he knew that such emotions should not appear in a diplomat, especially since he was a survivor of the River Valley Province, and had been displaced by the retreating troops of the expedition force.

His hatred for the Army was no less than his hatred for the Bonechewer Clan, and his anger finally arrived.

That nonchalant expression, as if that war was just a trivial matter, a cost that was entirely acceptable as part of a long-term plan...

What did he mean that everything was proceeding in an orderly manner? What did it mean that it was just in a different form?

Everything was in the plans of the Post-War Reconstruction Committee...

But he had never heard about his part in those plans!

Where was he in it?!

What about those survivors who lived neither in the Great Rift Valley nor in Boulder Town?

If the old man hadn't mentioned their administrator...

Taking a deep breath, Wu Huaide controlled the anger, knowing it was not the time for emotions.

He represented not himself, but the New Alliance!

Even though he knew he was speaking to someone who either couldn't understand him or was pretending not to hear, he couldn't help but raise his voice in one last effort to wake up the old man who was either sleeping or feigning sleep. "The Army isn't just planning to eliminate the mutants! They even intend to eradicate everyone outside their command! Is that also part of your salvation plan? When they rule the world, where will we be? Getting nose jobs to look more like them?"

The old man shook his head. "That's the thinking of some of those. They are like a tumor in muscle, an individual case. That’s not what all of them thinks. Besides, their Marshal isn’t a Wislander. He doesn’t have a big nose. As the leader of the Army, how could he possibly agree with such a mad idea?"

"Of course, I don't agree with many of his actions. Ending chaos requires violence, but his indulgence in violence is indeed too much."

Wu Huaide gasped in shock.

It wasn’t because of what the old man said about his disagreement, but...

"The Marshal of the Army... He’s not a Wislander? He doesn’t have a big nose?"

"Yes.”

“How did you know?"

The old man revealed a look of nostalgia, though it soon turned into a gentle sigh. "Of course. I know because I watched that child grow up."

"And... Those Wislanders only appeared later."

Wu Huaide looked at him, bewildered. "...?"