Chapter 3413: Toris in Action

————Currently rushing~~

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That trace of dissatisfaction might not change anything under normal circumstances, but in the face of the current crisis, it is enough for Ilfaran and Xinnaliya to abandon each other and turn completely toward the Alliance.

This is not a betrayal of former friends, trade partners, or even allies, but the correct choice that any collective would make in a time of crisis and in the face of matters of great principle.

Furthermore, Ilfaran is already a member of the Alliance, and its relationship with Beilunuo is almost purely one of trade, so it will naturally prioritize the interests of the Alliance.

As for Xinnaliya, although its relationship with Beilunuo is deeper, it would not go so far as to make an enemy of the whole world for their sake.

At present, the Illuminati holds the advantage and is continuously converting this advantage into the possibility of world destruction, while the Alliance stands on the front line of opposing the Illuminati.

If one were completely unaware, that would be one thing, but if one is clearly aware and still stands on the opposite side of the Alliance, is that not an accomplice to the Illuminati?

And is an accomplice to the Illuminati not making an enemy of the whole world!

……

Inside the Jiliu.

Xia Duo, Tailun, and Meila further clarified the distinction between right and wrong, friend and foe during their conversation; their trip to Beilunuo is ostensibly for an investigation, but the actual task is not nearly as subtle as it appears on the surface.

They are actually there as representatives of the Alliance, Ilfaran, and Xinnaliya to issue an ultimatum to Beilunuo; if Beilunuo does not cooperate, then they can only take coercive measures, and there will be a reckoning after the war.

There is simply no time to haggle with them right now; the War Spell System of Yongle City has been fully activated and has begun to provide long-range support to the Alliance battlefields.

But no one knows how many local battlefield victories the Illuminati needs to lock in the final victory—that is, to make the overall ritual a success.

Therefore, before coming, Xia Duo drew a bottom line for himself: at the very latest, he must find the Sea Elf in Beilunuo who is colluding with the Illuminati within today; if conditions permit, it would be best to capture the other party and then search for further clues regarding the Illuminati from the other party's memories.

"Ms. Meila, among the Tide Queen's Consultants, besides Suolintasi, who do you think is most likely to be an accomplice of the Illuminati?"

"It should only be Suolintasi. In past exchanges with Beilunuo, the Tide Queen and other Consultants have all expressed to varying degrees a desire to return to the Surface, but the incarnation spells from the ancient era have been lost, so they are temporarily powerless."

What Meila did not say is that Yongju Island likely preserves relevant data, and may even already be conducting research in this area; the Tide Queen's tide power might be an ancient legacy.

"If they have Magic, it shouldn't be difficult for them to return to the Surface, right?" Xia Duo asked again.

"It is not difficult, but considering the costs in all aspects, it might not be easier than it is now. Of course, this is just my guess. Additionally, there has always been a portion of Sea Elves who can adapt well to the Surface environment; this portion is called 【Land Walker】 by them. As far as I know, Beilunuo is very likely researching a method to allow the entire population to become Land Walkers, so that they could truly adapt to both the Surface and the ocean environments simultaneously, rather than just one-sidedly."

Once Meila said this, Xia Duo immediately realized that it is very possible that Beilunuo is indeed pinning all its hopes on the entire population becoming Land Walkers, so that they could possess a dual home field of both the ocean and the Surface.

Taking it a step further, it is actually possessing the potential to rule both the ocean and the Surface simultaneously; such a prospect is likely something every Sea Elf looks forward to!

Looking at it from another angle, if land creatures were given an extra option to adapt to the ocean, would land creatures choose not to just because they were originally land creatures?

This is obviously impossible; it is like giving money to others without any conditions—I am afraid that except for a fool, no one would refuse!

It is just that if this were the case, severing ties with the Surface might not be the idea of just a few individual Sea Elves; it is very likely that many Sea Elves would believe they should first become Land Walkers before making contact with the Surface, rather than now.

Without the ability to adapt to the Surface, having more contact with the Surface not only exposes their own secrets but also makes land creatures wary of the Sea Elves "coming ashore."

Thinking of this, Xia Duo could not help but ask again: "What is the perception of the Surface among the ordinary citizens of Beilunuo? Are they hostile toward land races?"

The implication in this question was obvious, but Meila did not want her own opinions to dominate Xia Duo's judgment, because she was not confident in her own judgment. After thinking carefully for a while, she still said truthfully:

"Actually, our exchanges and contact with Beilunuo are very superficial. Apart from trade, there is almost only communication between the upper echelons. We know very little about the attitude of the ordinary citizens of Beilunuo."

"Just that?"

Xia Duo was not satisfied with Meila's answer, so he continued to press: "Then from your own perspective, what do you think the ordinary citizens of Beilunuo think of the Surface?"

"Then I will state my own opinion, which does not mean that the real Beilunuo citizens think that way."

"Speak!"

"I think the ordinary citizens of Beilunuo might not have any special thoughts about the Surface. Whether it is longing or hatred, it might not occupy the main part; perhaps there is even more anticipation." Meila said this conclusion after careful consideration.

"Why?" Xia Duo asked.

"Because Beilunuo's control over ordinary citizens is in every aspect. Besides the food rationing system, even reproduction is planned. I think their thoughts might not be their own; what they have is only a projection or regulation of the upper echelons' thoughts. And as for the Beilunuo upper echelons, as I just said, in my contact with them, apart from Suolintasi, I have not felt much hatred for the Surface from anyone else. Of course, to say there is no negative emotion at all is also impossible; even the Tide Queen herself has mentioned the betrayal of their ancient cousins several times."

"I see! I understand!" Xia Duo nodded to show he understood.

From Meila's description, although anti-Surface thought is not mainstream within Beilunuo, it is by no means non-existent; even the Tide Queen herself has resentment toward the Surface, let alone other Sea Elves.

And such resentment, although not directed at the land races of the current era, can be completely transformed into hatred for land races and even the entire current world under the instigation of someone with ulterior motives.

In other words, Suolintasi might not be the only Sea Elf with suspicion; other Sea Elves, or even all Sea Elves, could potentially be colluding with the Illuminati.

Of course, what exactly is the case will have to wait until he meets with the Beilunuo high-level officials, but Xia Duo has already prepared himself for the possibility that Beilunuo has turned completely toward the Illuminati.