The villain's way to tame the protagonist

"Why? Is it hard to understand?"

Ming Fuluo frowned slightly: "Because the significance of the Tower of Babel's existence is greater than the deaths caused by that war, that's all."

Her tone was obviously not deliberately cold, but the way of thinking that put millions of lives on the scale to measure against the abstract "ideal" and did not think there was anything wrong with it made everyone feel deeply chilled.

There are many differences between the Tower of Babel and the Ether Academy. One of them is that most of them are warlocks who have no family or master's inheritance, come from extremely poor backgrounds, and suffer from a shortage of resources.

Although most extraordinary people are unlikely to care too much about ordinary people, they, who come from humble backgrounds, can better understand that kind of suffering, and are even more unwilling to accept that they will bring disaster to countless lives.

What's more, under the emperor's rule, although the empire often experienced periods of chaos, there were no large-scale wars.

This strange "peace" will make most people hate this huge Shura field.

But Ming Fuluo...she doesn't care.

In other words, it’s not that she doesn’t care, but she doesn’t focus her emotions and thoughts on feeling guilty about those lives that died because of her.

She would feel guilty, but she would... erase it as long as this guilt prevented her from moving forward.

When exactly did it start? When exactly did it start?

This woman who impressed everyone with her talent has turned into such a... monster?

Hendrick felt extremely sad in his heart. He even wondered, if Ming Furo had not invented firearms at that time, if the Tower of Babel had collapsed early, would the granddaughter of his most respected mentor, the girl whom he treated as his own daughter,... not have become so cruel and ruthless?

"...Ming Fuluo."

He spoke bitterly, making a weak, final question: "Even so, even if you have been so cruel, how can you be sure that you can win? Do you want to die? Just to protect the ideals and glory of Babel?"

And then… Hendrick received an indifferent look.

There was indifference, alienation, and even a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

Not only him, but all the senior executives of the Tower of Babel felt this look.

——This is the look Ming Fuluo uses to look down on mediocre people.

She looked around and found that no one objected to this, and suddenly she felt an indescribable loneliness.

A kind of loneliness where it seems that there are people traveling with you all the way, but in fact... you are always separated from your companions.

"you."

The woman whispered.

"Even you guys are the same."

"It's...too far away from him."

Ming Fuluo didn't say anything else. She pushed aside the others and left the meeting room alone.

The closer she followed Ansher, the more she couldn't stand everything around her.

Ming Fuluo's reason told her that this might be another conspiracy of Anser and another plan of Anser.

The cold facts also told her——

If you go further, the only one who can accompany you is the devil.

So, will Mingflora Zeger choose to stop moving forward?

Chapter 18: The Devil's Companion ②

The southern border is the richest region in the empire.

Lush forests, tranquil lakes, fertile land... It can be said that the territory located in the southern border has almost no problem of resource scarcity. The imperial citizens living here are the lucky ones that the civilians in other parts of the empire envy.

Although those old problems still exist, at least most people here can live a relatively peaceful and comfortable life.

But today, among this group of lucky ones... there will be some poor and unfortunate people.

Inside the palace hall, Effisandre, who was holding the throne high, was tilting her head and gazing with interest at the huge light screen that could display a three-dimensional scene in front of her and her ministers.

A meaningless war, which had no reason to happen just to defeat Ivora, was about to begin.

At this time, the tyrannical emperor seemed to have some interest. She had been sleeping in the source flame for many years and had not pleased herself for a long time, so she temporarily shifted her attention away from her daughter and focused on the war.

"Anser."

The old woman on the throne chuckled. "Tell me, what is so special about these two territories that they deserve to be chosen by you and have the honor of presenting this performance for me?"

Ansor, who was sitting under the throne, smiled and nodded. He waved his hand gently, and the light curtain moved to the left. A huge army of black armor appeared before everyone.

"This is Linghu Territory, which is supported by the Ether Academy."

As Anser spoke, he zoomed in the light screen to the military camp at the rear of the legion. Soon, a middle-aged man with a handsome face but a solemn and weathered expression appeared in the screen.

"Robier Linghu. He has been the Earl of Linghu for twenty-three years. Most nobles in the entire southern region have a good opinion of him. He is an excellent lord who cares deeply about his people."

"And on the other side..."

The image on the screen moved and changed rapidly, and soon another young man with the same excellent appearance, but much younger and looking quite nervous, appeared.

"Katomoto Watson. Earl Watson just took office after his father's sudden death. He is young, capable, ambitious, and skilled. He also hopes to make a difference and benefit his people. He has a bright future."

After briefly introducing the two lords, Anser turned to look at Efesandre and bowed slightly: "Since Your Majesty wants a hearty war, then I think it is far from enough to just select two territories that meet your requirements."

Anser snapped his fingers lightly, and the image on the huge light screen changed again, showing an area filled with a strange light blue mist.

"This is the core area of ​​Linghu Territory, where the etheric veins are the richest."

The young Hydra turned his gaze to an old man at the front of the noble team: "About a month ago, Grand Duke Yuanshu conducted a small experiment in Linghu Territory, but this experiment was a little, um... out of control."

“It failed.”

The old man, who was leaning on a cane and slightly hunched over, smiled. But when the smile appeared on his wrinkled old face, it looked more frightening than if he didn't smile at all: "Anser, you don't have to give me face like this... As soon as you mentioned Linghu Territory, I remembered that incident."

He stroked his chin and said thoughtfully, "That experiment polluted the etheric veins of Linghu Territory, which may easily cause various abnormal life forms or monsters to appear in Linghu Territory, and there is currently no way to eradicate them. However, I promised Robbie that I would send people to garrison in Linghu Territory to help him deal with the monster problem."

Anser nodded: "This is the current predicament of Linghu Territory, but things are much simpler on Earl Watson's side."

A magnificent castle appeared on the screen, and Anser's voice sounded at the same time:

"His father died in a conspiracy that is not worth mentioning here. Our Earl Watson was naturally under great pressure when he came to power. His enemies tried every means to create difficulties for him. Watson County is also in turmoil. He is suffering from this and needs an opportunity to solve all the problems at the same time, so... I gave it to him on your behalf."

Young Hydra turned around and saluted the emperor on the throne, whose eyes were becoming brighter and brighter, with a gentle smile:

"A war that is purely forced is full of boring confusion. If I want you to be satisfied, then at least... both sides of the war should have a clear reason to drive them to fight each other."

"And it just so happens that... both sides of this war have reasons to fight to the death. I think you will enjoy watching it, Your Majesty."

If we ignore the performance, everything he did and said was clearly what a jester would do to please the emperor.

But except for the emperor on the throne who was becoming increasingly foolish and whose sanity was eroded by chaos and madness, none of the nobles and ministers who could stand here regarded the young man under the throne as a ridiculous jester or clown.

They have an extremely sharp sense of smell, which tells them that Ansir Hydra must not be a person who is forced to accept the emperor's orders in this game.

——He definitely did not make such a strict and outrageous arrangement just to please the emperor.

These two territories and these two lords seem to perfectly meet the emperor's viewing needs, but the old monsters who can mingle in the highest political circles of the empire will never think that Anser's arrangement is just that... He must have his own considerations and purposes.

What was he secretly planning, and what was he pursuing? Everyone wanted to understand, but of course they couldn't use this as a threat, but hoped to use this understanding to get along with the young Hydra as much as possible, or at least not stand against him.

Of course, this was just the consideration of the ministers and nobles. The emperor, who just wanted to extinguish his daughter's arrogance and enjoy a good show, did not think so much, nor did he need to think so much. She just laughed happily:

"Okay, very good! Anser, I know you will never let me down. Indeed... this war will only be interesting if both sides have a genuine desire to fight."

Effisand waved his hand with a smile on his face: "Then let them start. Let me see..."

She glanced at Ivola, who looked gloomy, and smiled with undisguised contempt:

"My daughter, what have you done?"

*

A day ago, Watson led.

Inside the magnificent castle, Kaitomoto Watson warmly received the members of the Tower of Babel. Although their faces were generally ugly, he still tried to liven up the atmosphere.

"I have used many of Babel Tower's inventions. I have to say that you all do have extraordinary knowledge and insights in the supernatural field, especially in the application of basic ether... You have broadened too many levels and aspects, and I think many of them can change-"

"Your Excellency," Ming Fuluo interrupted him, "May I ask how many extraordinary people you can send to participate in this war?"

"There are probably more than 200 people who can really play a role in this war."

Seeing that the other party had no intention of appreciating his kindness, Kaitomoto could only smile bitterly and said, "Including the mercenaries, these are all the extraordinary people I can provide."

"To be honest, I, and the extraordinary people in Watson Territory, have never experienced something so... incomprehensible."

War, this word is too far away for the people of the empire.

Even though order collapsed and chaos reigned, there were rarely conflicts within the empire that could be described as "wars."

Naturally, the extraordinary people could not understand and figure out what they should do in this war.

All that can be done...is probably pure killing.

"The only good news is."

Earl Watson sighed softly and said, "Earl Linghu is willing to decide the outcome in a head-on confrontation. This...absurd war should not threaten my people."

"……what?"

While the other members of Babel Tower were all delighted, only Ming Fuluo frowned slightly and asked, "Are you sure the other party said that?"

Kaitomoto was also puzzled by Yu Mingfu's attitude. After a moment of hesitation, he nodded subconsciously: "Yes, this is the agreement reached between Earl Linghu and me. Both of us will decide the outcome in a head-on confrontation to prevent the war from spreading to the entire territory and harming the innocent people of each other."

Ming Fuluo stood up suddenly, her eyes and tone were extremely cold: "You promised him, when?"

Count Watson looked at Ming Fuluo's expression, and his expression began to become a little strange: "What's wrong, Miss Zeger, is there any problem with this?"

"Don't you know what the Ether Court gave them?"

Kaitomoto smiled bitterly and said, "You think too highly of me."

Ming Fuluo turned her head and looked at Hendrick who came with her: "Didn't anyone inform him about the mechanical equipment?"

Hendrick remained silent.

When everyone has already accepted that they are doomed to fail, how can a group of scholars have the mood to care about other things that could influence the situation?

"..."

Ming Fuluo closed her eyes, took a deep breath, stared into Kaitomoto's eyes, and said word by word: "You have been fooled, Your Excellency the Count."

"……what?"

"The Black Knight is the weapon that the Ether Academy provides to Linghu Territory. It is most effective on the front battlefield. Its armor and weapons are designed to bring destruction on the front."

"...And Nidhogg is least suited to direct combat. Time is running out, and we haven't yet discovered more of its functions. It is too fragile now, and even the aftermath of the battle can destroy it."

She placed her hands on the table and looked at Earl Watson, who had an extremely solemn expression: "This is the worst case scenario."

"But at least..." Hendrick couldn't help but say, "At least the people in the territory won't suffer any disaster, right, Earl's Court——"

"Do not."

Earl Watson, who was just feeling grateful that his people were saved, looked gloomy and said, "If we lose this war, then everything will be meaningless."

Ming Fuluo glanced at Hendrick, who had a stiff expression: "He is much more rational than you, Hendrick."

Ming Furo knew very well why this man pretended to care about his subjects at the beginning.

Because he didn't care about his subjects, he just didn't want to gain two devastated territories after his victory.

Earl Watson, who had no idea what kind of help the Ether Court could provide to Linghu Territory and was unaware that this war was completely unfair from the beginning, once thought he had a chance of winning.

Because no one would think that the emperor would be so bad as to provoke a one-sided crushing war.

Therefore, Earl Watson, who believed that he had a chance of winning, agreed to the other party's request, in order to preserve his own interests to a certain extent.

But when this possibility suddenly drops, he has to make a choice and start giving up.

Obviously, Earl Watson is the kind of person who can give up his original interests for the sake of victory. As he himself said, if he loses, there is no point.

In the final analysis, it is just a choice of values, Ming Fuluo thought.

"Ms. Zeger."

The young lord no longer pretended to be gentle and hospitable. His face was gloomy: "Is there any way to remedy this?"

"No, I can't go back on my word."

Ming Fuluo said expressionlessly: "If you choose to escape, then you have already lost in the eyes of the emperor, because that is 'not good to look at'."

This cold "ugly" made Earl Watson feel a slight chill down his spine.