The sunset incessantly fell westward, dusk gradually slipping away, as night crept in from all sides.
Richard followed Long i’er all the way to a small mound halfway up the Vesuvius Dake volcano outside Pompeii Town and stopped.
Long i’er glanced at the fading sunlight in the west and turned back, saying, "Wizard Richard, actually what Cheka said earlier is correct, isn’t it?"
"Hmm?" Richard was slightly taken aback, not expecting Long i’er to say such a thing.
Long i’er seed indifferent, speaking lightly, "Even if not everything Cheka said was correct, at least part of it is—like I thought, you indeed once acted against the organization’s interests.
The things you said to Cheka earlier might have so validity. But the performance of the Eye of Truth is unchangeable; when it turns black, it shows that you were indeed lying, proving you’re guilty."
Richard’s breath slightly hitched, showing no facial change, yet the muscles under his clothes swiftly tightened. His hand briefly clenched then relaxed, as sweat seeped from his palm, ready to draw a weapon for combat at any mont.
Honestly, he didn’t expect Long i’er to reveal the truth so bluntly, didn’t foresee that Long i’er, who had just defended him, would now mirror Cheka’s attitude.
Was this a plan to handle him privately?
If so, he could only resist.
Using the newly made nuclear weapon was out of the question; at this close range, he would die faster than Long i’er if he dared to use it.
It might be more reasonable to use nurous "Destructive Gloves" to restrain Long i’er as before, creating so distance before activating it. However, whether he could accurately hit Long i’er remained a significant issue.
If Long i’er sensed the threat and escaped from the center of the nuclear explosion in advance, relying solely on the periphery’s power might not kill him.
So then...
While Richard was rapidly thinking, he heard Long i’er speak, saying, "Hmm, there’s no need to be tense. Perhaps you did harm the organization’s interests earlier, but it’s not unforgivable, at least not in my eyes."
"As I said before, I think highly of you, and you have indeed contributed a lot to the organization. Even if you did oppose the organization, you can make ands for your faults. Frankly, I’ve been suspicious of your identity since Cheka’s death, doubting the purity of your motives for joining the organization—this point is similar to Cheka’s.
Where I differ from Cheka is in believing you can be changed. I trust you joined the organization with so level of purpose, though there’s no direct proof, but traces can be seen from the process of your joining.
In this regard, I am not worried; firstly, because so far, you have not done anything further to harm the organization’s interests, secondly, because by joining the organization, you surely gained more understanding of it.
Many rash actions stem from ignorance, so the lower the civilian, the more easily they are swayed. A smart person does not behave this way, instead choosing the wisest path based on the situation.
Therefore, the more you understand the organization, the clearer you should be on the difficulty of opposing it. I don’t know exactly what you experienced before, but I dare to say the organization is undeniably the most powerful one you’ve seen. Its strength lies not just in its power but in its structure, personnel utilization, pursuit of truth, resource distribution, and goal achievent.
Additionally, within the entire organization, there is no despotic oppression, corruption, or embezzlent; no one thinks of personal gain—everyone considers the organization’s interests. While conflicts may arise, they result purely from differences in opinions—the motives remain aligned.
Take Cheka Inspector, his actions irritate , but they were indeed intended to protect the organization’s interests. Looked at from an opposing perspective, he seems evil; yet align with the organization, and he’s a passionate companion. Thus, I debate, refute, and criticize him face-to-face, but never seek vengeance privately. In fact, every organization mber behaves this way.
The Truth Society is such an organization, one surpassing all forces in this world. We are stronger than all other forces by a considerable margin, and our goals dwarf theirs in multiple dinsions—not for laughable rule over the lower people, but for the entire world.
Everything in Pompeii is just a microcosm; should the ti be right, the world will be full of Pompeii—it’s the advent of a new era, unstoppable, trampling over all who stand in its way.
After such a long speech, Long i’er paused slightly, his gaze gaining a fiery intensity, passionately murmuring, "The Truth Society is a great organization, the greatest in this world, and what you know as greatness is only a part—more astounding parts await your discovery.
I believe, as long as you are wise, once clearly perceiving the greatness of the Truth Society and the difference between other forces and the Truth Society, you’ll know which side to stand on. Perhaps you served so unknown force earlier, offering you money, beauty, power, or sothing else, but none of this compares to what the Truth Society offers—it’s not worth ntioning. What the Truth Society offers is the future, it’s salvation.
I do not believe, once you understand it, you would still be willing to serve so laughable force. I believe you will know how to decide. So, whoever you were before, I am now willing to consider you a mber of the Truth Society. What about you?"
Under Long i’er’s gaze, Richard felt a certain weight.
Trust? Sincerity? Importance?
Undoubtedly, if anyone else were in his place, they would be sure to have their psychological defenses breached. This isn’t rely because of the persuasive power of Long i’er’s words, but because Long i’er is right.
From an objective standpoint, the Truth Society is indeed a great organization, greater than any forces he has encountered.
For instance, the White Stone Tower, the Jungle Hut—those wizard organizations he stayed in, were by so definition, rely loose networks of wizards.
If they had any purpose, beyond maintaining their rule, perhaps it was expanding their sphere of influence.
And the Truth Society?
It doesn’t focus on governance, doesn’t hoard wealth, doesn’t expand influence, but uses all its strength to subtly guide the world’s direction. It eliminates potential dangers—according to so internal materials, this includes but is not limited to growing Strange Species, potential plagues, organizations affecting social stability—ultimately making the world better.
In so sense, maintaining world peace is precisely what the Truth Society does.
Such an organization is indeed nowhere else to be found.
However, Richard did not imdiately give Long i’er a reply.
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