Chapter 219: Future Markets 『 Part Eight 』
「 Stelle and March arrived at the encampment of the Silvermane Guards. Upon finding Dunn and briefing him on the entire sequence of events, his reaction proved to be a stark departure from the previous two.
He was a soldier. He knew with absolute certainty that when facing the Corporation, compromise was death. Combat was the only path forward. With the IPC's agents acting so brazenly within Belobog, who could guarantee they wouldn't renege on their contract?
"In the face of coercion, there is only ceaseless battle and resistance. To submit is to place oneself on the dinner table, waiting obediently to be devoured."
Grasping Dunn's stance, Stelle didn't stop for breath before rushing to the Underworld. As the leader of Wildfire, Natasha cast a vote of opposition, just like Dunn. Her reasoning was singular, rooted in a line she had read during her school days: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
"Everything the Underworld has endured has given me a visceral understanding of those words. As for me… I would rather trek through the Snow Plains carrying a boulder on my back than live a false life, locked away in a gilded cage."
Having heard Natasha's thoughts, Stelle sought out Oleg. Though he, too, was a man of Wildfire, his answer was an affirmative.
"If the IPC possesses the godlike power to restore this world to its state from a millennium ago overnight—then in my eyes, there is absolutely no room for hesitation."
"Consider the flip side. If we refuse, what happens next? The reconstruction plan already has no end in sight, and now a massive debt has materialized out of thin air. Can we really hold the line on our own?"
If he harbored a single worry, it was for Bronya herself. Could she withstand the criticism of the people? Was she prepared to shoulder a legacy of infamy that might last a thousand years? 」
「 .....」
〜Marvel Cinematic Universe〜
"Criticism?"
Tony chuckled softly, rising to pour himself a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid swirling in the tumbler.
"Maybe there's criticism at the start, sure. But once they taste high-grade food from another world and realize they no longer have to stress over their livelihood or expenses, all that criticism will vanish into smoke."
"If I were Bronya's consultant, I'd say this contract is gorgeous—far more lenient than the missile deals I used to cut in the Middle East. Waiving current debts, solving the hunger crisis, revitalizing planetary infrastructure… those Architects stressing over construction would probably die for a contract like this."
Strange's brow furrowed into a knot.
"Not necessarily. A contract like this is akin to bargaining with Dormammu—it begins with sweet promises, but the ending is eternal servitude."
"You're comparing the Corporation to Dormammu? If those IPC executives who worship Qlipoth the 『 Preservation 』 heard that, they'd probably faint from crying."
Tony set down his glass, his fingers drumming against the metal armrest of his chair.
"You know, when I shut down Stark Industries' weapons division, they all said I was crazy. But somewhere in a village in the Middle East, a child survived because there was one less missile."
He paused.
"Belobog's problem was never 'should we sign with the Corporation?' It's whether the price of signing is worth it… If it is, sign it. If not, then fight Topaz for better rights."
"Freedom shouldn't be weighed on a scale, Tony."
Strange shook his head.
"Every soul has the right to decide its own fate."
"Hey, Strange… spare me the high-society or Wall Street speechifying. You can use those lines to bamboozle politicians, but I'm sick of hearing them. Before you say that, you need to understand the living conditions and environment of Belobog's residents. After all, starving people don't have time for philosophy."
"The Eternal Freeze in Belobog is receding, but total recovery will take centuries. If they're crushed by massive debt on top of that, talking about 'free choice' now is like telling a drowning man, 'You have the right to refuse the lifebuoy.'"
Tony suddenly raised his voice.
"Sometimes reality doesn't offer a perfect option, only the one that sucks the least!"
—
「 Stelle then inquired about Clara's wishes. Clara's stance wasn't aggressive; she simply hoped that the path to the future could be decided by themselves.
After all, signing the contract was equivalent to buying out the dreams of Hook, the Moles, and all the other children. Their life's direction would be set in stone.
The vote count hit a three-to-three tie. This put March 7th in a bind… after all, it seemed everyone made a valid point.
Finally, they found Seele. Just looking at the grave expressions on their faces as they approached, Seele had a premonition that things were grim, but she had already steeled herself.
After being told the full story, Seele remained silent for a long time. Eventually, she made her choice—to abstain.
"Eh?!" March 7th's eyes went wide with surprise.
"I've thought it through—making the choice is Bronya's responsibility, not mine." Seele's tone was filled with trust. "Agree or refuse, whichever way she's leaning now… she definitely sees further than I do. The things she considers are definitely more comprehensive, more complete than what I can see."
She didn't want her own thoughts to tip the balance of the tie or sway Bronya's judgment. She didn't want to do that. No matter which path Bronya chose, she would follow… but the one thing she could not do was make the decision for her.
March 7th had an epiphany. Indeed, the current vote count showed that the people had not formed a unified stance. This was exactly the moment for a leader to step forward. 」
「 .....」
〜Genshin Impact World〜
Inside the Stadium of the Sacred Flame—
"Doesn't this just go in circles right back to Bronya?"
Chasca spread her hands, wearing a helpless expression.
"In the end, it's up to that little girl to decide."
"I understand her well. This kind of multiple-choice question is truly hard to answer. If I were in her position, I might not necessarily do any better."
Mavuika took a sip of beer from her cup.
"You can tell Bronya is still a bit afraid… after all, she's young. This is the first time she's making a choice that concerns the fate of the entire population of Belobog."
"So, how would you choose?"
"Me?"
Mavuika paused for a moment.
"I am the leader of Natlan, not the leader of Belobog. I'll leave Belobog's troubles for that girl to worry over. I can't put myself in her shoes, so I can't reach a reasonable judgment."
"But if the Interastral Peace Corporation ever came to Natlan… and if I, Mavuika, dared to agree to a contract that is no different from a deed of slavery, I fear the council of tribal chiefs would never agree to it."
"Natlan has fought the Abyss for a thousand years. Now that the threat of the Abyss has vanished, I doubt we'd mind swapping that hostile target for the Corporation and continuing the fight for another thousand years."
—
「 The two returned to Qlipoth Fort. The Supreme Guardian's office was now as chaotic as a marketplace, with the 'agree' and 'oppose' factions each holding their ground, arguing incessantly. As the volume from both sides swelled, Bronya grew agitated and slammed her hand onto the desk.
"Enough! Everyone, stop!" Having just endured an internal war between heaven and man, Bronya took a deep breath. She moved her trembling finger toward the 'agree' option.
"…I know what I must do."
But just as she was about to press it, a familiar, bright voice suddenly rang out through the hall.
"—Please, wait a moment!"
In the distance, Himeko walked toward Bronya with unhurried grace. She tilted her head slightly, her gaze fixed firmly on the young woman upon the dais.
"I have words to convey to the Supreme Guardian." 」
「 .....」
( Translator-kun: Himeko being Former IPC Stonehearts.... )