Long Live Money in Anime Crossover

After all, what Tilberu said was true. Now that he himself has refused, who can force him to?

"So you're refusing?"

Heathcliff turned to the nearly three hundred players present and said, "If that's the case, then who else can be the leader? If not me, who else can you trust?"

You have no other choice!

Heathcliff's voice was completely devoid of humility, a stark contrast to his usual mature and composed demeanor; he now exuded an air of intimidation.

Everyone stared at Heathcliff in disbelief, seemingly unable to comprehend his words. This was a time of low morale, a time when encouragement was most needed; why would Heathcliff say something so demoralizing?

Heathcliff quickly provided the answer.

"Right now, we're standing here not to discuss or negotiate, but to make a decision. What we're about to do isn't hunting or strategizing, but fighting for our lives!"

"This is not child's play, it's war! If anyone here is still thinking like a personal player, then I advise you to go back to your hotel and wait to die!"

Heathcliff's smile deepened, a blatant mockery, though it was unclear who he was mocking.

"Therefore, I will not say anything inspiring."

"Those who want to live, those who want to leave this game, those who don't want to see those red-named bastards bullying us, those who want revenge, those who want to get back at them, pick up your swords and fight!"

"You're all going to die anyway, so what's the difference between dying sooner or later? Where's your ferocity? Where's your bestiality? Humans and bears are both omnivores, and you're all hanging your heads like lambs. Why can't you just slap this clown in front of you to death like a grizzly bear!"

Heathcliff's cold gaze swept over everyone present, and he said, "Any man with courage who wants revenge, step forward! Put your despair and hatred into your swords, and then strike down the red-named players!"

"Did you understand, you cowards!"

"You're the coward! What a piece of trash! So what if I die? I'll drag someone down with me even if I die! I'll be a hero!"

"Yes, that's right. It's better to be brave for five minutes than to suffocate like a maggot!"

Heathcliff said he wouldn't inspire anyone, but his words had a similar effect. He stirred up the hatred in the players' hearts, and their eyes turned red.

Why are they now in this game where the truth is unknown? Why are they being treated like prisoners and lab rats? Why are they facing such a desperate and dangerous situation?

Are they guilty? Are they bad people? Should they be punished?

The answer is no.

Therefore, they all harbor hatred, anger, and resentment, and they all need to vent their anger!

Heathcliff brought all of this to light, and that's what he's going to do now.

Does the lack of courage and will mean the absence of fighting power?

This is true for humans.

However, it can also lead to the abandonment of morality and reason, allowing anger and ferocity to dominate everything, turning people into beasts.

Courage and will are only shackles to wild beasts.

A beast is good enough to kill!

A frenzied atmosphere gradually intensified at the scene. Many players had already drawn their swords, looking at them with tears streaming down their faces, and then cut their wrists with the swords, letting their blood soak the blades.

They want to use this method to say goodbye to their cowardice and become powerful warriors.

"Heathcliff, have you gone mad? Have you forgotten there's still one person? By stirring up all the players' hatred like this, are you trying to lead them to destruction?"

A clear, cold female voice rang out, making the enthusiastic players on the scene tremble. They looked at Asuna, whose chestnut hair danced in the wind, and her icy gaze made them slightly clear-headed.

Heathcliff's face darkened.

"Are you referring to yourself, Miss Asuna? I understand now. So, Miss Asuna, you're planning to personally lead your twenty fake female knights to kill dozens or even hundreds of red-named players this time?"

"Or perhaps you're planning to do something as Mo Mojun's girlfriend to pour cold water on all of us again?"

Asuna's expression changed drastically, and the twenty female knights below the stage shouted in unison, "What do you mean!"

Heathcliff sneered, "I have no intention of doing anything. What use would you be if you went there, making us divert our troops to protect you women? Or, Asuna, do you and the unidentified Momo still have some scheme in mind, and want to do something?"

Asuna stared at Heathcliff in astonishment, somewhat at a loss. She hadn't expected Heathcliff to so readily abandon his pretense and turn against her.

Meanwhile, what Asuna didn't know was that Heathcliff had already made up his mind to resolve everything this time.

Any possible interference must be eliminated. Asuna, just stay here!

Asuna, you can't go!

Author's Note:

PS: Thank you to the "Tucao Dadi" (吐槽大帝) for the 100*3 donation, and thank you to "miku100*3" (爱咪ku100*3) for the donation! (* ￣3)(ε￣ *) I was thinking of thanking them, but I always forget because I post chapters so quickly. Is this a problem? (/TДT)/

109 It's all about to end.

Heathcliff launched a direct attack on Asuna in front of everyone, which surprised no one.

Everyone initially thought Heathcliff was only taking such a hard line to stabilize the situation, but his earlier incitement of hatred and his attack on Asuna made a few astute individuals realize that Heathcliff's current actions were not in line with expectations.

His words and actions, or rather his thoughts, had at this point deviated from a certain range and crossed a certain boundary.

"Heathcliff, what do you mean by this!"

Enraged, Asuna naturally refused to back down. Instead, she chose to confront Heathcliff head-on, saying, "Are you questioning our strength? Are you questioning my strength? If you want to test it out, I will show you just how sharp my sword is!"

Asuna drew her longsword halfway, indicating her stance but not necessarily her intention to fight. However, the female knights below were far less polite; all twenty of them simultaneously drew their weapons, glaring angrily at Heathcliff.

The scene became somewhat turbulent, with many people casting unfriendly glances at the female knights, harboring resentment.

Don't forget, what are they all meeting here for? It's to sweep away red-named players, and why do red-named players need to be swept away?

Isn't it because they killed people, and as players they attacked other players, that they were ostracized by the other players?

So what are all these female knights planning to do with their swords drawn? Are they going to turn their blades against the players?

Even if Heathcliff is detestable, he is still a player. How are the female knights any different from red-named players when they do this?

Asuna's gaze swept over the players present, and a sudden realization struck her—she knew she'd been tricked. Turning her head, she saw Heathcliff still wearing that insincere smile, which made Asuna feel a pang of irony.

"What exactly do you want, Heathcliff? You've gone mad and are reckless in your fight for leadership. Now, you're going to attack me, a girl?"

Asuna put her sword back, and the twenty female knights also withdrew their weapons at Lier's signal. The atmosphere eased slightly, and Asuna began to wield her weapon.

She is a girl.

"Why are you forcing me? Why are you mocking me? Just because you're a man and we're helpless girls? Heathcliff, you need to understand, we're no weaker than anyone else!"

Asuna's words made everyone's gaze towards Heathcliff even more hostile. Asuna withdrew her weapon and softened her stance, Heathcliff's aggressive and coercive attitude towards women was once again brought back to everyone's attention.

We live in a civilized society now, and this kind of attitude will only make most people feel disgusted, but will not gain much recognition.

Asuna wanted to cause Heathcliff some trouble, which was the best thing she could think of right now, but she saw Heathcliff's smile grow even wider.

We've fallen for their trap!

Asuna pursed her lips; she suddenly realized that she had fallen into Heathcliff's trap.

By feigning weakness, aren't they simply showing that they are weak? Even if Asuna doesn't admit it, and the twenty female knights don't admit it, everyone present, all the male players, will subconsciously believe that they need protection.

It's just a man's nature.

"That's why I'm asking all the female players not to go this time. This isn't a strategy guide; the mortality rate is extremely high. Miss Asuna, you're very important. You need to protect hundreds of female players. These twenty knights are also your backbone; you can't afford to lose any of them."

Heathcliff faced the crowd, chest out, with an upright and honest demeanor, and said, "Gentlemen, I don't think we're cowards enough to force our female players to actually fight against red-named players. Do you agree? Are you willing to charge forward behind the girls?"

Asuna glared angrily at Heathcliff. She finally understood that the reason Heathcliff had been so defeated before was not because he was too weak, but because Momo was too strong.

Asuna.

Seeing this from a distance, Kirito spoke first, saying, "Heathcliff has a point. Momo... we've already wronged Momo, so as your friend, we hope you won't go this time."

"Leave these kinds of things, things like going to the battlefield, to me, Agil, to us."

"Yes, Asuna."

Akiel thought of his girlfriend, wondering if she was still waiting for him these past few months.

"If you were to encounter any danger, Momo wouldn't be at ease either. Momo is still alive now; if you were to leave first, how do you think Momo would feel?"

Asuna was both annoyed and amused by her two incompetent teammates' words, but they had stirred things up. A group of male players surrounding the twenty female knights began to pat their chests and practically beg them not to go into battle.

The twenty female knights looked at each other. Almost all of them had feminist ideas to varying degrees and could not stand anyone bullying women. However, when the male players made concessions and even considered their feelings, it made them feel somewhat overwhelmed.

"at last!"

Heathcliff's expression turned serious, as if he intended to put an end to the argument, and he said, "Momo is still alive, and we cannot guarantee that this is not a trap. We need to consider the worst-case scenario. Therefore, Miss Asuna, because of your relationship with Momo, you also have a responsibility to avoid suspicion."

Asuna's face turned bright red. In the end, Heathcliff still didn't forget to smear her.

"What do you mean by this, Heathcliff? Are you still going to slander Momo? Isn't it enough that you've slandered Momo? Do you have to slander me too?"

Heathcliff smiled and shook his head, saying, "Absolutely not. However, whether what Mo Mojun said that day was true or false remains to be seen. Even if Mo Mojun didn't lie, five days have passed and he is still alive, so it's hard to guarantee that he won't reveal some secrets."

"More importantly, if the Smiling Coffin uses Momo as a hostage, Miss Asuna, can you guarantee that your decision will still be correct and fair?"

Asuna was stunned. Although Heathcliff still harbored the intention to smear her, he outwardly appeared to be thinking of her and everyone else.

Such a high-sounding reason is irrefutable; at least for now, Asuna can't think of a reason to refute it.

"But……"

"No buts. This is war, and we must win. We must abandon any variables that could lead to chaos."

"For everyone's sake, for your sake and for Momo's sake, Miss Asuna, please stay here."

Having said all this, Heathcliff confidently stepped down from the platform and led the group away. In his view, unless Asuna went mad, she would not be able to overcome the obstacles he had set up.

"Asuna, leave it to us! If we find any trace of Momo, we will do everything in our power to rescue him. We are his friends... perhaps we are no longer worthy to be his friends. We sinners owe him this."

Kirito reassured Asuna that his words always had a convincing power, then turned and followed Heathcliff, leading the dozens of people behind him to act together.

With a total of nearly three hundred people, all of whom are undoubtedly skilled combat practitioners, this number even exceeded the expectations of any player participating in this battle, thus giving each player a bit more confidence.

At least... they have the numerical advantage!

The large group of players quickly left, leaving behind only a few players who had watched the excitement but ultimately chose not to follow, along with Asuna, Yuriel, and the female knights.

The female knights didn't look too happy, but since Asuna ultimately acquiesced to Heathcliff's words, they didn't object. After all, what the male players said made sense.

If they really die in battle, what will happen next when the Rose Garden loses the protection of its strongest fighting force?

Their companions still need their strength.

"President!"