Chapter 225

Xinghe and Sanyue came to the Silvermane Iron Guard's camp, found Deng En, and after informing him of the situation, Deng En's attitude was completely opposite to that of the previous two.

He is a soldier, fully aware that in the face of the company there can be no compromise; only fighting is a way out. The company's employees are so arrogant in Beiluoboge—who can guarantee they won't break the contract?

In the face of threats, only constant struggle and resistance exist; if you yield, you'll only end up on the dinner table, meekly eaten.

Having learned Deng En's thoughts, Xinghe rushed nonstop to the Lower City. As the leader of Earth Fire, Na Ta Sha, like Deng En, cast a vote against it, for no other reason than recalling a line she had read in school: "Those who are willing to give up freedom in search of security will end up with neither."

"Everything the Lower District has gone through has given me a deep understanding of this saying. For me… I would rather carry a huge stone and trek across the snowy plains than be locked in a beautiful cage, living a false life."

After learning Na Ta Sha's thoughts, Xinghe found O Lie Ge, who, like Na Ta Sha, is also a member of Earth Fire, but his answer was agreement.

"If the company could wield such vast power as to turn the world back to a thousand years ago overnight—in my view, there's really nothing to hesitate about."

"Why not consider the flip side? If we refuse, what will happen next? The reconstruction plan already has no end in sight, and now a huge debt has appeared out of nowhere—can we really rely on ourselves alone to bear it?"

"The only thing he worries about is Bronya herself. Can she withstand the people's criticism? Is she prepared to bear a stigma that might be passed down for a thousand years?"

——

Marvel Universe.

"Criticism?"

Tuo Ni gave a light smile, rose, and poured himself a glass of whiskey; the amber liquid swirled in the cup.

"Perhaps there will be criticism at first? But once they taste the high-end food from another world and realize they no longer need to worry about livelihood and expenses, all criticism will vanish like smoke."

"If I were Bronya's advisor, this contract would be fantastic—far looser than the missile deal I once made in the Middle East, clearing current debt, securing the people's food and shelter, revitalizing planetary construction; those builders worried about infrastructure would surely love this contract."

Si Te Lan Qi's brows knotted: "Not necessarily—this kind of contract is like making a deal with Duo Ma Mu: sweet promises at the start, eternal servitude at the end."

"You're comparing the company to Duo Ma Mu? The executives of the company who believe in the 【Preservation】 Krippen will probably burst into tears."

Tuo Ni set down his glass, his fingers tapping the metal armrest of the chair: "You know? When I shut down Stark Industries' weapons division, they said I was crazy, but a child in a Middle Eastern village lived because one fewer missile was fired."

He paused, then said: "The problem in Beiluoboge has never been 'whether to sign a contract with the company,' but whether the price is worth it… If it is, sign it; if not, we must strive for more benefits from Tuo Pa."

"Freedom shouldn't be weighed on a scale, Tuo Ni." Si Te Lan Qi shook his head. "Every soul has the right to decide its own fate."

"Hey, Si Te Lan Qi… don't use that upper‑class or Wall‑street speechifying; you could feed that to politicians, but I'm sick of it. Before you say such things, you need to understand the living conditions and environment of Beiluoboge's residents—after all, hungry people have no time for philosophy."

"The cold wave in Beiluoboge is receding, but full recovery will still take over a century; if a huge debt still weighs on you, talking about 'freedom of choice' now is like telling a drowning person, 'You have the right to refuse a life‑ring.'"

Tuo Ni suddenly raised his voice: "Sometimes reality offers no perfect option, only one that's less bad!"

——

"Xinghe again asked Clara's opinion; Clara's stance wasn't firm, she simply hoped the future path could be decided by herself."

"After all, signing the contract would amount to buying out the dreams of Hu Ke, the Mole Rat Party, and other kids, fixing the direction of their lives."

"The vote is tied three‑to‑three, which makes things tricky for San Yue Qi… after all, everyone's arguments sound quite reasonable."

"Finally they found Xi Er; just seeing the two of them arrive with grave expressions, Xi Er sensed something was amiss, though she had already braced herself mentally."

"After being fully informed of the circumstances, Xi Er remained silent for a long time; eventually she made her choice—abstaining."

'"Eh?!" San Yue Qi widened her eyes in surprise.'

"I've thought it through—making the choice is Bronya's responsibility, not mine." Xi Er's voice was full of trust: "Whether she agrees or refuses, no matter which way she leans now, she surely sees farther than I do, considering far more and more completely."

"She didn't want her own opinion to tilt the tied result and sway his judgment. She didn't want to do that; no matter which path Bronya chooses, she will follow… but the one thing she cannot do is make the decision for her."

"San Yue Qi suddenly understood: indeed, the current vote shows that people have not formed a unified stance—this is exactly the moment a leader needs to step forward."

——

Teyvat.

Inside the Holy Fire Arena.

"Hasn't this all come back to Bronya again?" Qia Si Ka spread his hands, a helpless expression on his face: "In the end, we still have to let this little girl make the decision."

"I really understand her; this kind of multiple‑choice question is indeed tough, and even if I were in her position I might not do any better."

Ma Wei Ka took a sip of the beer in her cup, saying: "It's clear that Bronya is still somewhat afraid… after all, she's young, and this is her first decision that affects the fate of all the people of Beiluoboge."

"Then what would you choose?"

"Me?" Ma Wei Ka blinked, then said: "I'm the leader of Natlan, not of Beiluoboge—let that little girl worry about Beiluoboge's affairs herself; I can't put myself in her shoes, so I can't come up with a reasonable judgment."

"But if one day the Interstellar Peace Company comes to Natlan… if I, Ma Wei Ka, dared to agree to a contract tantamount to a deed of sale, I'm afraid the chiefs of the major tribes would not approve either."

"Natlan has fought the Abyss for over a thousand years; now that the Abyss's threat has faded, they might not mind swapping that enemy for the company and continuing the struggle for another thousand years."

——

"The two returned to Krippen Fort, and the Grand Guardian's office was now as noisy as a market, with supporters and opponents each shouting their views, the clamor becoming unbearable. As both sides grew louder, Bronya too felt vexed and slammed her hand on the table."

'"Enough, stop!" After just enduring a heavenly‑human inner struggle, Bu Lo Ni Ya drew a deep breath, moved her trembling finger to the agree option, and said, "... I know what to do now."'

"But just as she was about to press it, a familiar, bright voice suddenly rang out from the hall."

'"——Please wait!"'

"In the distance, Ji Zi walked calmly toward Bu Lo Ni Ya, slightly raising her chin, gazing firmly at the girl on the stage."

'"I have something to report to the Grand Guardian."'