Chapter 3414: Greedy Thoughts

————It will be later~~

————

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

This is not a betrayal of former friends, trade partners, or even allies; it is the correct choice that any collective would make in a time of crisis, when faced with matters of great principle.

Furthermore, Ilfarun 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 entire world for their sake.

At present, the Illuminati holds the advantage and is continuously transforming 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 entire 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 acting as representatives for the three parties—the Alliance, Ilfarun, and Xinnaliya—to deliver an ultimatum to Beilunuo. If Beilunuo does not cooperate, they will have no choice but to take coercive measures, and there will be a reckoning after the war.

There is simply no time to haggle with the other side right now; the War Spell System of Yongle City has been fully activated and has begun providing remote support to the Alliance battlefields.

But no one knows how many local battlefield victories the Illuminati needs to lock in the final outcome—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 individual and then search their memories for further clues regarding the Illuminati.

"Ms. Meila, among the Tide Queen's Consultants, besides Suolintasi, who do you think is most likely to be an accomplice to 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 transformation spells from the ancient era have been lost, and they are powerless for the time being."

What Meila did not say was that Yongju Island likely preserved relevant information and might even 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 any easier than it is now. Of course, this is just my speculation. Additionally, there has always been a portion of Sea Elves who can adapt well to the Surface environment; this group is called 'Land Walker' by them. As far as I know, Beilunuo is likely researching a way to make the entire population become Land Walkers, so they could truly adapt to both land and ocean environments simultaneously, rather than just one-sidedly."

Once Meila said this, Xia Duo immediately realized that Beilunuo might truly be pinning all its hopes on the entire population becoming Land Walkers, which would allow them to possess a dual home-field advantage in both the ocean and on land.

Taking it a step further, this is essentially possessing the potential to rule both the ocean and the land 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 take it just because they were originally land creatures?

This is clearly 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 happens, cutting off contact with the land might not just be the idea of individual Sea Elves; many Sea Elves might believe they should first become Land Walkers before making contact with the land, rather than doing so now.

Without the ability to adapt to the land, having more contact with the land 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 land 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 opinion to dominate Xia Duo's judgment, as she was not confident in her own assessment. 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 Beilunuo's ordinary citizens."

"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 land?"

"Then I will state my own opinion; it does not represent that the real Beilunuo citizens think that way."

"Speak!"

"I think the ordinary citizens of Beilunuo might not have any special thoughts about the land. Whether it is longing or hatred, it might not be the main sentiment; 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 all-encompassing. Besides the food rationing system, even reproduction is planned. I think their thoughts might not be their own; what they have is merely 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 did not feel much hatred toward the land 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-land sentiment is not mainstream in Beilunuo, it is by no means non-existent. Even the Tide Queen herself harbors resentment toward the land, let alone the other Sea Elves.

And such resentment, while not directed at the land races of the current era, could absolutely be transformed into hatred toward land races and even the entire present world under the instigation of someone with ulterior motives.

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

Of course, what the situation actually is 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 completely turned toward the Illuminati.