Chapter 1985 - 18: You May Come This Far, But Not Make Deals Beyond

Chapter 1985: Chapter 18: You May Come This Far, But Not Make Deals Beyond

"Brother, brother? Isn’t this bad?"

Seeing his brother’s smile, Elan felt an unusual chill—not because of Ian’s expression; Ian always looked good with any expression.

Elan’s concern was the attitude behind Ace’s statement.

Even though he was only fourteen, having spent years among some of the most genius and high-ranking people in this world, Elan understood the significance of ’politics’ and ’negotiation’... Whatever Ace said or did, the nations would assume it represented ’Ian’s’ will.

Elan originally thought Ace’s words were personal and feared his brother would take the blame. But now... was this all Ian’s indication?

But why?

Elan turned his head to look at the screen.

Ace’s accusation against the Sovereign of Radiant Light actually reflected the silent reproach that the vast majority of people had against the Fourth and Fifth Energy Levels.

The better life seemed, the more past sufferings appeared meaningless. If it truly were due to insufficient productivity or other reasons causing people to live this way, it would be a reflection of the era, and they couldn’t argue or be unwilling.

But now...

Even now, people wouldn’t truly question this because they knew their current peace and happiness were built upon the Fifth Energy Level; if they angered them, would they still enjoy such days?

They underestimated the Fifth Energy Level.

Past was ability; now is mindset.

The Fifth Energy Level wouldn’t care about these matters.

"Elan, I’m teaching you now."

Ian, sitting beside, signaled Elan to watch closely: "Can you refute Ace’s words?"

"... I remember Yisen said that the Empire’s taxes were all handed over to the Empire, and the royal family didn’t take any."

Elan, silent for a while, then hesitated: "In many countries, the Fifth Energy Level didn’t actually use the wealth for themselves. On the contrary, they even collected the country’s most important strategic resources for themselves."

"Just like... you, brother. It’s the Fifth Energy Level that supports the human nations, not the other way around. Humans don’t sustain the Fifth Energy Level."

Lowering his head slightly, Elan’s voice dropped: "If it’s accusing others, I think there’s no issue, because I don’t understand other countries. But I’m thinking, if people from the Silverpeak Domain accused you like this, I’d be angry."

"Brother, wouldn’t Ace’s doubts backfire?" he asked: "If the Fifth Energy Level in some countries is as good to the civilians as you are, wouldn’t it backfire? Just like Azure Star... Far Shore Islanders admire her."

"Indeed." Ian nodded slightly: "You remember well—indeed, the Fifth Energy Level in this world doesn’t actually need the populace. Their families alone are enough to sustain themselves; they’re individuals and small groups independent of human society."

"Ace’s accusations are precisely the doubts only ’ordinary people who don’t realize this’ would voice."

"Hence they hold weight."

"Weight?" Seeing Elan’s genuinely puzzled expression, listening to his inquiry, Ian smilingly replied: "You feel dissatisfied because you know."

"I know these issues are superficial because I know."

"The Fifth Energy Level finds it laughable because they know."

"But here’s the problem: who else doesn’t know?"

"The vast majority of ordinary people..."

Elan slowly added, his eyes lighting up: "The majority who vote... they don’t know!"

"That’s right."

Turning his head back to look at the confrontation between father and son on the light screen, Ian said blandly: "So now, they should also know the logic behind it all, the thoughts of the Fifth Energy Level, and the ’real truth’ behind it."

"Elan, my goal is the Perpetual Motion Machine, not reasonable accusations."

"I don’t need to argue past them; I only need votes."

"As long as they still want the Perpetual Motion Machine, the Fifth Energy Level needs to explain. This doesn’t allow them to be arrogant or disdainful because their hearts desire, they must request help."

"So, they must explain, explain why the Fifth Energy Level doesn’t need ordinary people, and then demonstrate that even though they don’t need ordinary people, they’ll still protect all lives—this is the source of Fifth Energy Level’s rule, their inherent ’love.’"

"Brother, from this standpoint." Elan couldn’t help but say: "The Fifth Energy Level seems to be, all good people?"

"They’re not people at all, so how can they be called good people?" Ian shook his head slightly, mocking: "Clearly, they consider themselves advanced beings, so why force ordinary people to see them through human eyes?"

"Elan, your thinking is still confined to ’reasonable.’"

"However, this world doesn’t need reasonable."

"My aim is not to belittle the Fifth Energy Level’s morality; that’s meaningless."

"My goal is to obtain ’righteousness.’"

"I, Ian Silverpeak, am unique in this world, possessing a righteousness distinct from, and nobler than, other Fifth Energy Levels."

Gazing at Ace on the light screen, his own ’missionary,’ Ian chuckled lightly: "Regardless of whether the Fifth Energy Level needs ordinary people or shelters them—regardless of how reasonable or normal their past actions were."