April 20th, Doomsday Rules Countermeasures Research Office.
The statistical meeting concerning the Tenth Rule was convened, and the Data Officer reported the casualty figures from this rule.
"The current estimated death toll is approximately 2,329,012. Additionally, after the conclusion of this rule, many people have exhibited varying degrees of mental health issues, with severe cases reaching the point of being unable to care for themselves."
Everyone present had already formed some psychological expectation, knowing the casualties would inevitably be severe.
This was evident from the continuous stream of countries announcing their dissolution and disintegration during the rule period. Even though Beixing's administrative capabilities far surpass those of other nations, it was certain to suffer heavy losses this time.
But now, hearing the death toll of over two million three hundred thousand plunged everyone into silence.
"We cannot abandon those with mental problems; we must strive to cure them," Gao Liangwei spoke up.
As someone who personally experienced the Five Senses Elimination, he deeply understood that only those who were originally psychologically healthy and resilient could persevere. Anyone psychologically fragile, with depressive tendencies or nihilistic inclinations, would suffer multiplied torment in that state, easily leading to a mental breakdown.
"Also, the statistics for personnel entering the country from abroad have been completed, totaling approximately three hundred thousand people," the Data Officer said. "Among them, some individuals have rather special identities and may require special arrangements."
"Special identity personnel?" someone asked, puzzled.
The Data Officer explained, "They are the children of royal families from some countries, and others are former high-ranking officials."
Someone snorted lightly upon hearing this, their attitude somewhat disdainful. "Their countries are gone. What's so special about these royal children and officials? Are we supposed to give them preferential treatment?"
Beixing Country is not a monarchy, and its citizens do not hold much reverence for royal families.
Especially now, most of those entering the country are people whose homelands have already collapsed and disintegrated. Regardless of their former status, they are all the same to Beixing Country.
Gao Liangwei said, "What they were before is not important; now they are all refugees. There's no need for special arrangements. Let these people apply for shelters and queue up to wait, that's all. However, they must be dispersed. Since they've come to Beixing, they must integrate. Forming cliques is not permitted."
The Data Officer nodded. "Understood."
"Speaking of foreign entries, there's another matter," a personnel from the foreign affairs department stationed at the research office spoke up. "We just received news last night. Prince Lado of Andai State's two sons, along with their entourage, were killed in an explosion attack. Lado himself is missing, suspected to have been kidnapped."
"We had already reached an agreement to accept their entry; yesterday was the scheduled entry date. His two sons, in fact, died in Guanyu County, already within our Beixing territory."
Everyone's expressions turned serious upon hearing this.
Even if Andai State is finished, since Prince Lado had reached an entry agreement with Beixing's authorities, and his two sons were blown up within Beixing's territory, Beixing's authorities certainly have the responsibility and obligation to investigate.
"Any leads on who did it?" Gao Liangwei asked.
"One of Lado's subordinates, a general named 'Chikan,' contacted us. He said the convoy was attacked by Shadow, and he managed to escape amidst the chaos."
"It was Shadow?!"
"Shadow does indeed have a grudge against Lado; didn't he blow up the palace earlier?"
"This is extermination to the last..."
Everyone discussed animatedly. Gao Liangwei frowned and asked, "Is there any evidence to prove it was Shadow's doing?"
The foreign affairs personnel shook their head. "Currently, only the verbal testimony provided by that Chikan. But the higher-ups have already ordered the research office to send someone to investigate."
Gao Liangwei looked at Zhang Minglu. "Dr. Zhang, do you think it could be Shadow?"
"It doesn't feel much like Shadow's style to me," Zhang Minglu said. "If he really wanted to eliminate these people, would he really let that Chikan escape amidst the chaos?"
"Moreover, I think we can directly try to send a private message and inquire via the Ascendant Home website. Let's not jump to conclusions before the investigation is clear."
"Mmm, then the task of inquiring is entrusted to you," Gao Liangwei finished. "Let's set the refugee matter aside for now. Next, let's discuss the delivery of the new batch of shelters and the preparations for the Eleventh Rule, among other issues."
...
"That's how things are."
On Eden Island, Amanda held a tablet with both hands, placing it in front of Adam. On the screen was the face of the Suroma Empire's king.
After listening to Adam's words, he asked, "You don't want to compete for those three fragments anymore?"
Adam shook his head. "I already know the complete story. Whether the fragments are pieced together or not isn't that important to me anymore. Besides, snatching three pieces from Shadow? Seems troublesome... However, to obtain these two fragments, we sacrificed the lives of many soldiers. So, how to handle them is up to you."
The Suroma King pondered for a moment. "Since you have no desire to compete, the fragments can be given to Shadow. But as an exchange, he needs to do one thing for the Empire."
Adam asked curiously, "What thing?"
"This matter, I will tell him later."
Adam was somewhat speechless. "Saying it like that, Shadow definitely won't agree, right? If you told someone to go die, would they just do it?"
"I won't do something that meaningless," the Suroma King snorted coldly. "This transaction must be completed through the Commission method. I want users on that website to witness it, so he has no room to renege."
"Uh, I think if Shadow is willing to agree, he probably wouldn't renege."
"Do as I say."
"Alright, you're the boss."
The video call ended. Amanda was somewhat unwilling. "Adam, are you really going to hand over the fragments? Those were hard-earned, especially the one from Larkan. How dangerous it was facing that giant-footed monster!"
Adam smiled. "Amanda, don't be so petty. If we can use two fragments to make friends with Shadow, the benefits will outweigh the drawbacks. Moreover, whether Shadow will agree to the King's condition is still uncertain."
"That's true..."
"Alright, give me the tablet. I need to log into the website and send a message to make contact."
...
Guan Tong was currently sitting in front of his computer, looking at a post.
Shadow the Great's Bloody Revenge, Prince Lado's Convoy Wiped Out!
There were several pictures in the post: multiple burning cars, and a shot of the border monument between Antu City and Guanyu County.
"Truly Shadow the Great! Awesome!"
"Although Andai State has already dissolved, the Prince just got blown up like that? Feels a bit tragic."
"Looking at this route and the border monument, were they trying to enter Beixing?"
"Shadow the Great did well! This kind of scum absolutely cannot be allowed into Beixing!"
"If Lado had negotiated entry matters with the higher-ups, the authorities are probably going crazy right now..."
The comments all believed it to be true, thinking it was Shadow's doing.
Guan Tong frowned. "Are they deliberately using me as a scapegoat?"
He did have a grudge against Lado, that was true, and he planned to settle the score later. But that didn't mean he could accept being deliberately framed by someone with an agenda.
He checked the poster's username: a string of numbers and letters. Clicking into the details page confirmed it was an account newly registered today.
This indicated the poster was likely deliberately trying to steer the narrative. Did that mean they were related to the real attackers?
Just as Guan Tong was pondering this, several private message notifications popped up upon refresh.
He looked at them. There was a message from "Primordial One," and also a message from the official account that had previously attempted to communicate with him.
After checking them separately, he confirmed two things.
First, Lado did indeed reach an entry agreement with the authorities, only to be attacked midway. The attackers, afraid of being held accountable by the authorities, also dumped the dirty water on him.
Second, the Suroma King demanded "helping with one thing" as the price for giving up the two fragments, and it must be conducted through a public Commission method...
Compared to what the help entailed, Guan Tong was more concerned about the form of the public Commission.
"Using a public Commission means making this transaction noticed by all users of the website," he speculated about that King's purpose. "Does he want the website users to act as supervisors, or does he want everyone to know that 'Shadow' has made a deal with the Suroma Empire..."
Reviews
All reviews (0)