Miss Witch doesn't want to be a diva!.

Chapter 574: The Emergence of Flames

Good movies, fun games, delicious snacks, these are the things that Blanche thought she would always enjoy and never get tired of, but now they are no longer attractive.

What kind of movie or game could be more shocking than what happened in reality? The scene she was currently seeing made her heart silent.

This is a city in the Gravel Star Region, a city with a population of about 500 million, but it looks gray.

The broken cracks on the road surface seemed to be older than her grandmother, and deposits of coal ash powder could be vaguely seen in them. There were towering billboards on the side of the road, and under the upright billboards there were old cart sheds that looked out of place, with local workers sitting inside eating noodles.

Most of them are covered in dust and have numb expressions, while the billboards not far away are still showing the extremely glamorous and beautiful other side of the world.

There is nothing noteworthy in the Gravel Star Region. The only thing worth mentioning is probably a rare type of black flint that is found in the local coal mines. This type of black flint can be used to make top-notch weapons and is sold at a high price.

However, the local workers may never have seen these high-priced top-notch weapons in their entire lives. The only thing they know is that every month, a superluminal aircraft with a high security level will land and take away a suitcase of refined black flint, which is the biggest source of income to support the entire city.

Waste coal and soil produced during the excavation process are everywhere. These things used to be good fuel and industrial raw materials, but they are worthless here.

There are no large-scale industries in the local area that require coal mines. The cost of transporting these cheap minerals is several times the selling price, so no one is willing to do this.

"Mr. Mo Xun, did you bring me here just to let me see these scenes?" Blanche asked a young man with short silver-gray hair who was standing next to her. He looked a few years older than Blanche.

"Yes, I admit that my purpose was not pure, but I did not lie." He pushed his glasses and came to Blanche.

Before he opened his mouth, the ripples of sound that had been isolated by special means spread out, and their trip today was very sudden. Even the plainclothes accompanying the Tribunal could not be deployed in such a remote area in advance, which gave him and Blanche the opportunity to communicate alone.

"Time is limited, and the court personnel will catch up anytime, so I will try to be brief."

"We need you, Lady Blanche. People in many northwestern star regions regard you as their hope for the future. You also need to see the true and cruel side of the northwestern region."

Because of Blanche's previous proposal, the Federal Central Parliament gave some benefits in order to appease the people. This gave many people in the Northwest Star Region hope, and Blanche's reputation also spread rapidly in these star regions.

"You are walking in extremely dangerous territory." Blanche is not the naive girl who just entered college three years ago. During the three years at the Golden Flame Flower, even though she was influenced by everything she saw and heard, she has slowly grown a lot.

"I won't agree to this easily. Not only do I have to be responsible for my own actions, but as you said, I also carry the expectations of many people."

"Thank you for not refusing directly." The young man was not a fool. He could see that although Blanche was angry, she still did not say anything definite.

It seems that your plan was successful, Yade. This singer still retains some innocence and kindness, unlike those older singers who are completely unfeeling.

"I will explain to you in detail why we do this and the sources of many tragedies." He bowed to Blanche, but unfortunately Blanche turned her back at this time, leaving him with only her back.

……

About a month later, Blanche, at the suggestion of the young man named Mo Xun, continued to visit many cities in the Northwest Star Region and witnessed with her own eyes the decline of one place after another. Most of these star regions were poor, and many infrastructures were built hundreds of years ago. The local education and medical care were far below the federal average, not to mention compared with the central star region.

"I remember that in some large hospitals, severed arms can be regenerated." Blanche looked at the man who was eating with one hand at a roadside stall.

"Yes, but you should also know that this kind of medical plan is very expensive and they cannot afford it. Maybe the money they earn from working for a lifetime with a healthy body is not enough to buy back the arm, so even if they know there is such a medical plan, what's the point?"

"Where did the money go?" Blanche looked up.

"The money was taken away by the parent company. Did you see the letter logo on the building opposite? Wells Enterprises."

“Most of the profits from the goods produced here are taken away and none are left for the local area.”

"Normally, if a company makes money and its employees get paid well, they can spend the money locally, or if the company continues to invest locally, the local economy can be revitalized over time, but that's not the case here."

"Even the employees in the company's branches receive very low salaries, which are barely enough to make ends meet and cannot support the expansion of the market."

"Why do you do this?" Blanche continued to ask.

"Because they can do that. Local human resources are not valuable. They can recruit good people with such salary. Why spend more money?"

"So?" Blanche knew he must have something else to say.

"As for why we don't continue to invest in construction, it's because these industries don't have high technological content. Once production is expanded, the number of similar products will increase, and prices won't go up, leading to higher costs and lower profits."

"So they will not invest the money they earn in this place where there is no future. They will definitely look for more suitable business opportunities in the Central Star Region."

"Doesn't the local government agency care? After all, a huge profit was generated, but the money ran away." Blanche was puzzled.

"It's difficult. The company's headquarters are not here. If high taxes are imposed, they will leave. In addition, the tax rate cannot be easily changed by the local government."

"To put it simply, the whole situation is like the source of a river. It all depends on workers to pump water into it so that the water can flow downstream and feed all kinds of animals."

"But at present, the workers who fetch water are getting more and more tired, but they earn less and less money. The amount of water fetched by the workers remains the same, but more and more people are fetching water, and many animals downstream are dying of thirst."

"Workers can't make money, so they naturally stop fetching water. The water in the river is getting less and less, and life is becoming more and more difficult for everyone."

"Then can we give the workers more money?" Blanche asked.

"No one will give it." Mo Xun looked at the silent workers on the street and answered softly.

"There are so many people fetching water, and everyone thinks they don't have to pay the workers."

"Everyone has done it, so why should I pay more? This is what many people think."

"Even if one or two people are kind-hearted, it won't change the general trend."

"You ask, if this is the case, then the people who fetch water in the middle will have nothing to drink. They won't worry about this because they don't live by this river." The young man pushed his glasses and told the truth.

After hearing this, Blanche was silent for a long time. To be honest, she was not good at analyzing such complex economic issues, but she could see that there must be a problem.

"I'm in a bad mood right now. Let me be quiet for a while." After saying that, Blanche turned around and left.

In the following months, she began to slowly investigate the economic data and local living conditions of the Northwest Star Region. The increasing amount of real data and images made her even more silent and uncomfortable. "Why?" Even though she became a singer, it had only been 3-4 years, and her life was still relatively simple. Her experience of studying in the Central Star Region in the past few years also made her have a certain good impression and expectation of the federal officials, but the reality now revealed to her was so cruel.

In order to escape from this depressing environment, Blanche returned to the Central Star Region again. She wanted to find other friends to talk to alone, but unfortunately, among the singers of similar age, only Orlais was there, and the other was the "Blue Bubble" Melulu who had just entered school.

Facing Orlais, who was born in an elf family and might be the main reason behind the current situation in the northwest star field, what Blanche wanted to say became difficult to say. Should she question Orlais? She felt that she might not have the courage, after all, she was a famous singer who was confident and powerful.

After spending a few days aimlessly in Academy City, she found the bodyguard 'Rin' who once protected her.

The two met in a private restaurant, and Blanche communicated directly through her mind, telling her about her recent troubles.

"Lin is also from the Hemu Star Region, right? You have been in the Central Star Region for so long, can you tell me, has the truth always been like this?"

The cold-hearted woman opposite did not answer, but simply glanced at the environment, then shook her head and looked out the window.

Afterwards, Rin took Blanche to an underground shooting range to practice shooting.

"Adjust your gun-holding posture like this, then align the three points and pull the trigger." Rin replaced Blanche with a heavy rifle.

Afterwards, Blanche felt a shock on her shoulder, which caused her extreme pain, and the target in the distance also missed.

"Such firearms are very powerful, and they are enough to tear apart enemies with more and more defensive means. I received training and started using them when I was 16 years old. After the first training, I felt like my entire arm was not my own."

"But that wasn't a painful thing. During the next mission, I was hit by the enemy and my whole body flew out. One side of my body lost consciousness, my vision went black, and my consciousness could barely hold on. At that time, I thought I was going to die and was extremely terrified."

"Afterwards, my teammates dragged me to a safe area and sent me to the hospital. My life was saved. I am very grateful to my teammates and said that they kept me alive."

"But that teammate told me that he was extremely traumatized when he saw that half of my body was gone. The bloody scene kept him awake for a long time, so he quit the industry and did other ordinary jobs."

"Look, I was the one who was going to die, but I scared others."

"Everyone has to face different situations. Whether you accept or refuse, there is nothing wrong. The only difference is that you are willing to do it and you want to do it, instead of relying on various reasons given by the outside world to convince yourself to hypnotize yourself."

"I am still doing a dangerous job, and my friend is living a life that makes him feel at ease. Neither of us regrets that choice." After Rin answered, he handed his hand to Blanche.

"Miss Blanche, are you willing to continue to employ me?" This action made Blanche's heart ripple.

"Of course." This answer made Rin smile under his sunglasses.

What a simple and easy-to-talk child. But it was also because of this that she dared to take the risk and say what she just said.

If Blanche refused at this time, Rin would definitely be investigated by the Inquisition because of what she had just said, because her words were suspected of leading the singer to deviate from her image.

Blanche was not like Tilan, who had been instructed by military intelligence personnel. Her usual actions and conversations were all under the surveillance of the court, and she did not realize how dangerous her abrupt behavior during the day was. Fortunately, Rin reacted at that time and did not answer immediately. Instead, he found another opportunity to answer Blanche's question in an obscure way with metaphors.

In the following time, under Rin's guidance, Blanche gradually became cautious and careful, and gradually learned to conceal the motives of her actions.

……

On the other side, Tilan also arrived at the southern Pron star field, which is a star field with many military-industrial enterprises.

"Welcome Miss Tilan to visit us." A famous local military industrial enterprise sent people to greet her.

"Hello." The girl nodded and looked at the row of people behind the representative. Each of these people wore a different badge and they seemed to be representatives of several local companies.

Is it so grand? The girl thought, maybe it was because of the previous contact that the military company made an internal notification, otherwise, with her current status, she would not be so welcomed and enthusiastic by these big companies.

"Please follow me." The reason Tilan came this time was to help the Four-Leaf Crystal Star Region find some cooperation projects and restore the local economy. After all, the Four-Leaf Crystal has a military industry foundation, and some industries can also be connected with the military industry.

In the next three days, Tilan visited several large local military manufacturers, including a high-end mecha manufacturing factory.

"What is being produced here is the 'Fire Phoenix-A1' mecha, which is known for its excellent thermal energy output capability and long endurance." The accompanying staff introduced to Tilan.

The mecha placed in the assembly rack is very majestic, about 60 meters high, which is equivalent to nearly 15 stories high. The entire mecha is made of 'fire-colored steel' with a gradient of fiery red. This kind of extraordinary material has a strong tolerance to high temperatures and a strong ability to absorb heat energy, allowing it to shuttle across the surface of the sun.

"The main means of attack for the mecha are the double-barreled Vulcan cannons mounted on the shoulders, the two 'Rolling Flame Slashers' built into the leg armor, and the 'Fire Phoenix Jet' that is activated from the core of the chest after accumulating heat and magic power."

"After testing, it was found that if a Sequence 6 Beyonder piloted the system, after the heat and mana were fully accumulated, the Fire Phoenix Jet could form a fire basin with a diameter of five kilometers, melting all the steel within the range."

A group of people walked on the high platform corridor, looking up at the huge war machine in front of them. The fighter planes that Tilan had seen in the past seemed like children's toys in front of this mecha.

"Can it only be driven by a Sequence 6 transcendent?" She heard the staff's description just now.

"Yes. Even if the mecha has conduction and cooling methods inside, the heat will still penetrate and spread. Especially when it is running at full power, the scorching magic power is transmitted throughout the entire body. If you are not a Sequence 6 Beyonder, you will not be able to survive in the cockpit at all."

"According to our experiments and calculations, the most suitable ones should be the Dragon Sequence or the Light Feather Sequence Transcendents. These two have much stronger tolerance to high temperatures."

"There are also some optional auxiliary equipment here, such as the 'Phoenix Wing' aircraft that can be installed on the back, which can convert the mecha's own heat flow into high-speed jet airflow, giving the mecha a stronger propulsion force."

"In addition, there is compressed thermal energy to create ion spears with stronger penetrating power." The staff member took Tilan to look at the other side, where there stood a rifle made of the same color material fastened to a steel column. It was about 40 meters high and probably had to be carried on the shoulder of a mecha for use.

"In addition, there are 'shield pedals' that can adapt to multiple terrains." An octagonal fiery red shield stands with jet nozzles on its sides and outer edges. It can fly on its own and be placed under the mecha to facilitate the mecha to obtain frontal defense when entering the atmosphere. It can also spin on its own during battle and become a blocking shield.

Afterwards, Tilan continued to visit many local military products. The display of these war machines made her feel more deeply the powerful force of the military that was hidden in peacetime.

If a powerful Dragon Sequence 6 pilot were to operate the recently released 'Fire Phoenix-A1' mecha, I'm afraid that only one unit would be enough to destroy the former Arpeggio City. After all, it is difficult for heat to dissipate underground, and the hell caused by the burning can easily kill the residents hiding underground.

Alas, success is due to strength, and failure is also due to strength. It is precisely because the Federation possesses such a powerful military force that it takes a dismissive attitude towards many issues. After all, this is not ancient times, and an uprising can be won with just numbers.

The huge generation gap between weapons makes the resistance of many ordinary people a joke.

It's not necessarily that the top leaders can't see the flames of resistance and dissatisfaction, but that even if they do, they don't care. After all, who cares about what a little bug thinks, unless you have the power to talk to him on an equal footing.

(End of this chapter)