Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 501 - 494: Set Sail

Chapter 501: Chapter 494: Set Sail

Having resolved all those matters, the Advance Team spent a day preparing for their departure while Li Si obtained open-source magic crystal energy ore from the queen to provide energy supplies for the airboat.

Indeed, as expected, Luoya joined them on the day of departure. Embarking onto the airboat as a squad member assigned to the Advance Team, her appearance and her discreet companion, Cheng Ziang, deepened Luo’er’s suspicion further regarding the latter’s intentions.

According to Luo’er’s plan, he did not intend to use Luoya as a combat force but to learn about Theron through her. If necessary, she would be utilized to infiltrate the base of the Creating God Plan in the Ancient States.

Luoya spoke Tasta with a southern accent, which was a valuable resource. The Advance Team could infiltrate the Ancient States, but speaking might expose their northern identities; with Luoya’s assistance, they could accomplish this task more smoothly.

This was a special operation. Its primary combat force was the Advance Team, with the Judgement Legion and hired mercenaries serving mainly as support.

Ever since the Church Court’s stance was known, the headquarters decided to take charge of this operation directly, both to earn the Church’s favor and out of fear of the Ancient States.

As explained before, before Earthlings gain complete control of Otherworld, they would ruthlessly exterminate any progressive forces in Otherworld. Despite their usual hostilities, both headquarters and the Central Intelligence Agency were surprisingly aligned on such an issue.

Although Luoya is, in name, a member of the Advance Team, she essentially still possessed the status of a free person and hence showed little respect for Li Si. She was also nonchalant about Luo’er’s commands, which much infuriated him.

With the team fully assembled, Li Si checked the resources before announcing their departure. Once more, the airboat’s anti-gravity furnace roared into life. The massive airboat slowly floated up from the river surface before gradually ascending. There were still many curious elves who came to spectate, cheering with amazement at the sight of the giant airboat.

Back on the airboat, Tangmo and Baiyue discarded their usual laxity, throwing themselves entirely into the study of runes. Having accustomed to solitude, Nightingale did not mind working with them due to their serious attitude.

Whenever research was required, the trio felt their own inadequacy. Knowing only combat, they could not hope to match the knowledge of the two girls. As Hu Daoke played cards with the Olavia Sisters, Luo’er and Cheng Ziang could only look on as the girls busied themselves.

The airboat’s navigation was maintained by the High-peak race, so there was no need for them to worry about it. At that time, Li Si was also in the office assisting Nightingale in organizing materials. Given his seemingly subservient behavior, anyone would suspect he had feelings for Nightingale.

Shortly, the wandering Luoya curiously sauntered into the office. She continued to wear a black eyepatch, hiding her emerald green pupil. Upon seeing Cheng Ziang there, she instinctively sidled up to him.

Luo’er looked at her and she looked back at Luo’er. Their eye contact lasted less than a second before they each averted their gazes, trying to ignore each other. Watching the awkwardness between the siblings, Cheng Ziang shook his head in resignation.

"I have a question." Unable to hold back, Luo’er said, addressing Li Si who was busy organizing the materials.

"What’s the question?" Li Si asked, looking up at him.

"Why can’t this matter be resolved through diplomatic channels? Why do we have to resort to military means?" Luo’er asked, puzzled. "Since every country on Earth unanimously agrees on this matter, why not urge the Ancient States to abandon the plan in the name of the United Nations?"

"You make a valid point, however, the reality is not that simple." Li Si shrugged and replied, "The main reason is that we lack the influence to compel the Ancient States to accept our conditions. Yazhi City where the Otherworld Gate is located has strong defenses imposed by the Aud people; the members of the Ancient States have very little contact with us, let alone being subject to our influence. Though they seem a little more liberal than the north, they hardly interact with the nations of Earth. This results in Earth’s influence hardly reaching them. Without any influence, we cannot diplomatically persuade them to abandon their plan, so we have no choice but to resort to military means."

What he meant was clear: the people of the Ancient States didn’t have much to lose. Since they have little contact with Earth, they were not concerned about economic sanctions from Earth. The most purchased goods from Earth were actually weapons, which has a high profit, that’s not manageable to control and regulate.

Dealing with Ilanadale could be achieved through economic coercion, but handling the Ancient States was not as straightforward. Even if the purchase of weapons were restricted, it would bring them little harm because they didn’t need to wage wars constantly. Apart from battling the Judgement Legion, they spent the majority of their time not in desperate need of weapons.

"But, is it not a case of the ends justifying the means - killing the magic science researchers just to force them to abandon their plans?" After hesitating for a moment, Luo’er questioned headquarters’ orders.

"Luo’er is right, killing those researchers just to thwart the plan is beyond foolish." Before Li Si could speak, Nightingale, holding a book, spoke without lifting her head.

"If we don’t kill them, leaving them alive would mean they could restart the plan." Li Si said while looking at her.

"Are you stupid? Why not just capture them and use them for our gains instead. The headquarters are yearning for researchers who study Otherworld magic, yet they are planning to kill the very people they have been desperately seeking just to dismantle a plan." Nightingale replied casually.

"But, taking researchers from the Ancient States to work for us, isn’t it a bit extreme? After all, they are citizens of the Ancient States. Science may know no borders, but scientists have nationalities..." Li Si said hesitantly.

"You are such a fool," Nightingale lifted her head and looked at him with a face full of disdain, "The concept of a state does not exist in feudal times. Besides, Ancient States is a city federation with an early democratic system, and it doesn’t align with the concept of a state."

"Who says there isn’t? I am a citizen of the Ancient States!" Luoya who was at the side could not hold back and spoke after hearing Nightingale’s words.

"Luoya, I didn’t tell you to speak!" Luo’er reproved.

But, Luoya did not take his words to heart. She turned her head, glared at Luo’er and ignored him.

"You are Captain Luo’er’s sister?" Nightingale didn’t seem to be angered by the rebuttal, instead she looked at her intrigued.

"Of course not!" Luoya muttered, lowering her head.

"You don’t understand politics, do you?" Nightingale looked at her and asked.

"Politics... what?" Luoya stuttered. Just as Nightingale put it, she didn’t understand it at all.

"What are your feelings towards the Ancient States?" Nightingale asked while looking at her.

"Ancient States is a wonderful place that values freedom and equality. Everyone who comes here fights for its beauty." Luoya said enthusiastically.

"You used the word ’place’." Nightingale said with a smile.

"Are you just picking at my words?" Luoya said, looking at her discontentedly.

"No, ’place’ and ’state’ are two different concepts. A citizen of a state should first and foremost protect its integrity, not these lofty, abstract concepts like freedom and equality." Nightingale said lightly.

"So, according to what you’re saying, freedom and equality are just hollow concepts, not worth pursuing?" Luoya asked, not buying it.

"If you are a citizen of a state, then you should first protect its integrity, the dignity of the state, not pursuing freedom or equality. Freedom and equality are indeed wonderful, but compared to the integrity of a state, it’s a question of priorities." Nightingale analyzed calmly.

Luoya was so mad that she couldn’t speak for a while. She and Nightingale were not on the same intellectual level, so she easily ended up speechless after Nightingale’s remarks.

According to Nightingale, if Luoya really was a citizen of the Ancient States, she should put the integrity of the state first. When faced with an invasion of their territory by the headquarters, she should show anger. However, there seems to be a gap between her understanding of a citizen and the actual meaning of a citizen, so she wouldn’t be angry about the Advance Team’s joint operation.

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