This Game Is Too Real
Chapter 682: What does this have to do with us?

Chapter 682: Chapter 682: What does this have to do with us?

Alliance Building, the office area of the Diplomatic Office, was bustling at the moment.

Recently, it had been like this all the time.

As representatives from corporations, academies, and armies gathered in City of Dawn, more and more medium and small survivor settlements sent messengers to the Alliance, sensing opportunities to fleece the sheep.

Among these were certainly those who came with sincerity, but there were no small number of imposters—in some cases, Looters brazenly posing as legitimate settlements to scoop up the benefits.

Not long before, there had been such an incident.

A survivor settlement registered in an abandoned city area two hundred kilometers away was actually a Looter farm involved in human trafficking and organ harvesting.

A Merchant from the Free State, seizing the business opportunities brought by the numerous messengers of City of Dawn, bribed the person in charge of that Looter farm. They set up a fake radio station to send and receive signals, packaging the settlement as an innocent little white rabbit, and with this, they fooled the Diplomatic Office’s signal position check and call back verification procedures, among others, securing agency authorization for that base.

That Merchant was betting that the Alliance would not have the resources to personally verify each survivor settlement application on the spot.

In this way, he would be able to obtain a "diplomatic immunity" in the Alliance as a diplomatic official and reap benefits from various powers on behalf of a survivor community with a population of a thousand.

It had to be said; he had accurately assessed the capability of the Alliance’s foreign affairs department.

The Alliance’s Diplomatic Office indeed lacked the capacity to conduct offline inspections of settlements, but within the Alliance still existed the special group known as "players."

Clearly, he had underestimated the players’ enthusiasm for exploring new maps and settlements.

That very day, several players parachuted into the area and, upon discovering the local situation was different from the mission description, they immediately submitted a report through the official website offline.

Although the area was well beyond the Alliance’s law enforcement jurisdiction, and the Guard would not be dispatched there, the semi-official Home of the Refugees would issue a mission to clear out the Raider Camp based on the intelligence provided by the players, and offer a reward for rescuing hostages.

Up to this point, the work of the Diplomatic Office was done, and then it was time for the various armies of the Alliance to take over.

It was said that the Silver Corps picked up the follow-up mission. The battle lasted only half an hour before it concluded.

Players who overtook the Raider Camp found the radio that had been used to verify with the Alliance’s Diplomatic Office among the base and brought it back to City of Dawn, along with captured prisoners of war.

With both the human and material evidence at hand, the Merchant from the Free State who had committed fraud was caught and became the second Merchant from the Free State to be arrested by the Alliance after Sindison.

Faced with irrefutable evidence, even Norleg, Free State’s Minister of Foreign Affairs who participated in the Sticky Community meetings, could not say much. He could only reluctantly accept this frustration.

Since that incident, the Alliance’s Diplomatic Office had strengthened the vetting process for survivor settlements from areas outside River Valley Province, and the workload of various departments had more than doubled.

As usual, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Alliance, Cheng Yan, was sitting in his office reviewing documents.

At that moment, his deputy walked in with a letter, placing the envelope on his desk.

Cheng Yan paused his writing and glanced up, raising an eyebrow in an inquiring look.

"What is this?"

"A protest from the West Winds Empire."

Watching Cheng Yan express surprise, the Deputy Minister made a helpless face and removed a crumpled newspaper from the document bag, placing it beside the letter.

"...It’s about this newspaper."

Without looking at the letter, Cheng Yan immediately picked up the newspaper. The headline’s photo was the one that had recently caused a stir.

"...Goblin Observation Report?"

The Deputy Minister nodded.

"Yes... It’s not related to the headline but to an article on page 2. You’ll understand once you look at it."

"Let me see."

Leaving that remark, Cheng Yan immediately flipped to the second page.

Unlike Survivor’s Daily, the Goblin Observation Report was an unofficial, privately run "entertainment newspaper" operated by residents of the refuge.

After the Sindison case, the Alliance Representative Conference voted through a media accreditation act and had the trade commission set detailed regulatory rules. However, they only required that current affairs news must not be fabricated or biased and that opinion pieces must quote from credible sources.

Although some suggested to the Manager that the Alliance authorities should review media qualifications, the Manager did not agree to do so. Instead, as usual, the principle of "expert management, public supervision" was followed, leaving management to the trade commission composed of industry experts, and the supervision power was given to the council representing the public opinion and voice of Alliance citizens.

In other words, the Alliance’s foreign affairs department, procedurally, could not do much about the newspaper, and if it intended to, it would have to go through the council or the Manager...

Pressing his index finger to his eyebrow center, Cheng Yan looked towards his standing deputy and asked with uncertainty.

"Are they protesting our granting of refugee status to the Moon people?"

The Deputy Minister sighed and said,

"Not exactly... It is the use of the term ’refugee’ for the Moon people they are protesting, followed by some fable about the Tuo Ri Shen Niu. To be honest, I didn’t quite understand it; in short, they demand that we use derogatory terms like ’sinners’ or ’criminals’ to refer to those people, and then, on account of the Empire, expel them."

A hint of mirth tugged at the corners of Cheng Yan’s mouth.

"Okay, another Great Antler God."

The Deputy Minister gave him a resigned look.

"I told that fellow that we respect their beliefs, but asked them, please respect that we are atheists... However, the person was very adamant, even threatening us to oppose us at the Mucor Research Community meetings."

Cheng Yan stared at him in astonishment.

"This... What does this have to do with the slime fungus?"

The Deputy Minister shrugged his shoulders and murmured a complaint.

"Who knows... Dammit, I feel like the Vellante People are stirring things up behind the scenes. I knew those big-nosed freaks had no good intentions pulling these brain-deads into the Sticky Community!"

"That’s not something you can say; Poluo Province is also part of this land, and any progressive voice is worth encouraging... even if the progress of some survivor forces is not so clear."

Cheng Yan coughed slightly, looking at his deputy to continue asking.

"The most important thing right now is to solve the problem... Are these all their demands?"

The deputy foreign minister hesitated for a moment, but still stated truthfully.

"They also want to summon the Manager."

Chu Guang was stunned, thinking he had heard wrong, so he uncertainly asked again.

"Summon??"

Are these guys not fully awake yet?

The deputy foreign minister spoke with a displeased expression.

"Yes... they believe we are at fault first."

Chu Guang’s expression gradually became more serious.

"Is this proposed by Duke Garava?"

The deputy foreign minister: "I’m not sure, it was one of his attendants who relayed their written demands, a guy named Niyan."

Chu Guang pondered for a moment before speaking.

"If anyone could see the Manager for such a trivial reason, our Manager wouldn’t need to do anything else... I happen to have time tomorrow afternoon. It’s better for me to meet with the envoy from the West Winds Empire."

The West Winds Empire could no longer be considered a medium or small-sized survivor force; it occupied an entire administrative division from the era before the war.

Even if the other party’s demands sounded outrageous—perhaps even unreasonable—Chu Guang felt it was still necessary to listen.

Perhaps there was some misunderstanding.

As the Manager always said, misunderstandings stem from a lack of communication, and many problems can be solved through dialogue.

The Mucor Research Community was established based on this principle.

If the various survivor forces on the Wasteland could set aside their long-standing disputes and cooperate on issues concerning the common destiny of humanity, at least cooperate on some problems, this land might welcome a new era.

For the sake of the future of human civilization, he felt it was necessary to talk face-to-face with this envoy who had come from afar...

The next day, Chu Guang summoned Duke Garava and set the meeting place in the Alliance Building’s conference room No.2.

With a long face, Duke Garava walked into the conference room.

He did not immediately take his seat but instead glanced at the circular table and saw only a foreign minister sitting there. An expression of arrogance and indolence instantly crossed his face.

At the Sticky Community meeting, he had been seated together with the Manager of the Alliance.

What was a mere foreign minister good for?

Did he deserve to sit at the same table?

However, considering diplomatic etiquette, Duke Garava still patiently sat down at the table, tapping his index finger on it.

"Where is your Manager? Have him come and talk to me."

Facing Duke Garava, who came in with an aggressive attitude, Chu Guang just stared at him steadfastly and spoke firmly.

"Our Manager’s schedule is very tight recently, and it’s difficult to arrange a private meeting with you shortly. However, he has instructed me to fulfill the host’s courtesy to the fullest and to take good care of our foreign guests’ emotions. Listening to your concerns through me is the same—"

"This isn’t a concern," Duke Garava interrupted him rudely, squinting his eyes with a slightly threatening tone, "I’ll say it again, you’re trying to provoke the anger of the Empire."

Suppressing the urge to roll his eyes, Chu Guang, with the intention of solving the problem, decided to temporarily disregard his rudeness and continued patiently.

"I’m here to solve the problem... so first, I would like to know, what is the conflict between you and the Moon people?"

As he spoke, he flipped open the notebook on the table and picked up a pen to take notes.

However, as soon as he finished speaking, an angry protest from Duke Garava filled the conference room.

"They are Sinners!"

"Reason?"

"The Tuo Ri Shen Niu—"

"That’s enough, Mr. Garava, you know we don’t want to hear that!"

Unable to tolerate it any longer, Chu Guang finally interrupted the man’s nonsense.

Seeing the surprised expression on Duke Garava’s face, he raised his voice, continuing to say.

"We want to understand where your grievances stem from, such as... if they have killed someone from your faction, or previously committed crimes like theft, robbery, human trafficking. You can consider this as a hearing; we will listen to both sides’ opinions and strive to promote a result satisfactory to both of you. If we can help reconcile the situation, that would be best... what do you think?"

Duke Garava looked at him as if he were staring at a strange and rare beast.

...Reconciliation?

He doubted he had heard correctly.

Why should he, with noble blood coursing through his veins, reconcile with those lowly beings who were only fit to kiss his toes?

The Empire was already merciful enough by not beheading them but penning them in hovels.

Yet, those ungrateful wretches had the audacity to escape shamelessly from Poluo Province and eloquently make excuses for their dirty lineage, posing as pitiful innocents.

What would other survivors think of the Empire!

Seeing him motionless, Chu Guang sternly reminded him.

"Duke Garava?"

Duke Garava suddenly became calm and leaned back in his chair.

Just as Cheng Yan thought he was finally ready to communicate properly, he crossed his right leg over his knee, and coldly dropped a sentence.

"That doesn’t matter."

Cheng Yan looked at him in astonishment and was stunned for a good while.

It doesn’t matter?

"Then... what does matter?"

"His Majesty says they are sinners, and so they are. Since it’s His Majesty’s will as well as Tuo Ri Shen Niu’s will, what do I need to explain to you?"

Duke Garava slightly raised his head, raised his chin, and looked at the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Alliance sitting across the conference table through his nostrils, unapologetically continuing.

"This is our own business, it’s none of your business!"

Confirming that this guy wasn’t joking but actually thought this way.

Cheng Yan composed himself, glanced at the secretary making the meeting record, then put down the steel pen in his hand, and casually closed the notebook.

There was no need to continue with this.

Seeing his action, other staff members making the meeting record did the same, one after another closing the notebooks on the table.

It seemed not only they felt, even the minister himself thought this was a waste of time.

Duke Garava slightly frowned, indecisive about what these people meant, only feeling the situation was somewhat different from what he had imagined.

Before rising from the conference table, Cheng Yan cleared his throat, sitting up straight and looking at him solemnly, asking again.

"So... Duke Garava, I want to hear your demands one more time."

Duke Garava furrowed his brows.

"... What demands."

Cheng Yan: "Regarding what exactly you want us to do."

Duke Garava replied without hesitation.

"Immediately expel those sinners! And apologize to the West Winds Empire in the newspapers!"

He had made some concessions.

Apologizing to their own emperor seemed somewhat unrealistic, but it should be possible to do so in the newspapers.

In his view, he had already given enough face.

Cheng Yan nodded to show he had heard.

Seeing this guy nod, a pleased smile appeared on Duke Garava’s face, and he leisurely leaned back in his chair.

"This makes communication much smoother, we should have done this from the start."

Unexpectedly, the Alliance was more agreeable than imagined.

He just applied a bit of tough pressure, and these people caved in.

It seemed he had overestimated them, perhaps next time he could be even tougher.

"I think so too, from the start we should have used this kind of straightforward communication," Cheng Yan looked expressionless at the proud Duke Garava, speaking expressionlessly, "So... What does this have to do with us?"

The smile gradually solidified on his face, and Duke Garava stared at him, dumbfounded.

"What did you say?"

Looking at the bewildered Duke Garava, Cheng Yan did not hesitate any longer, stood up from the conference table, and casually tucked the untouched notebook under his arm.

"As you said, this is your own affair, advising us to mind our own business."

"So how is this related to us?"

Duke Garava: "???"

What kind of talk is that?

How is it related to you?

He opened his mouth, wanting to burst out in anger but couldn’t come up with a retort momentarily.

Paying no heed to his astonished expression, Cheng Yan walked out of the meeting room without looking back.

"Wait, wait—"

Duke Garava stood up, reaching out to stop him, but no one paid any attention to him.

As the Minister left, those seated around the conference table also got up and left the room one after another.

In the blink of an eye, the large room was left with only Duke Garava standing there, frozen in front of the conference table.

Staring at the half-open, swaying door, Duke Garava pulled back his trembling fist and roared angrily at the empty conference room.

"You... will regret this!"

The roar echoed in the conference room but no one responded, not even hearing it.

Unable to find anything on the table to throw, Duke Garava punched the table hard, and, still frustrated, kicked the leg of the table with the tip of his shoe.

Bearing the pain in his toes, he crushed his rage and swallowed it.

Just wait.

This humiliation—

He would pay it back a hundredfold!

...

After the meeting ended, a calmer Cheng Yan went to the Manager’s Office and proactively reported to Chu Guang about his meeting with the envoy from the West Winds Empire, also reviewing his own mistakes at work.

"... I’m sorry, Mr. Manager, I botched this."

After reading the meeting notes in his hand, Chu Guang, having listened to his report, didn’t say much but simply gave a brief comment.

"There’s no need for self-reproach; you were just doing your job. At least in my eyes, you didn’t bungle anything."

If anything had to be said, it would be that we shouldn’t have dealt with that guy in the first place.

Like himself, at the discussion meetings for the "Mutated slime fungus" agenda, he hardly ever paid any mind to that nutrient-lacking waste of space.

Expecting to be criticized by the Manager, Cheng Yan was stunned for a moment, then hesitantly said,

"But... You have said that we should resolve issues through communication as much as possible."

Chu Guang patiently explained,

"I did say that, so we will communicate with all life forms that can understand human speech, even mucor, but if they truly cannot understand us, there’s nothing to be done; we must find another way to communicate. You must understand, not everyone is capable of communication. And it was they who refused to engage with us, not you."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yan pondered for a long time and respectfully replied,

"I understand now!"

Seeing that he seemed to truly understand, Chu Guang nodded in appreciation.

He was aware of the situation in the West Winds Empire but didn’t take it to heart much.

Essentially, those people were nothing but the sycophants of the Weilante People; like most Survivor Settlements, they weren’t particularly keen on addressing the threat of the "Mutated slime fungus" and only wanted to negotiate benefits in other areas from the Alliance and other ancient Survivor Forces interested in the mucor.

That was actually all right since the Mucor Research Community was established for this purpose.

Clearly, the Army had promised the West Winds Empire certain benefits, whether military support or economic interests.

So, regardless of whether the Alliance offended them, they would stand with the Army.

Such vassals, already aligned, were not worth wooing, and even if negotiations failed, it was no significant concern.

In terms of their so-called threats, Chu Guang cared even less.

Even the Army hadn’t dared to bring up military threats; much less these hangers-on. He didn’t believe for a second that these folks had the guts to execute any form of retribution.

Regardless of what form that retribution might take.

Setting the meeting notes aside, Chu Guang looked at Cheng Yan and continued asking,

"Is there anything else?"

Cheng Yan nodded and promptly said,

"There’s another matter that requires your decision; the Camel Hump Kingdom has requested we establish an embassy at Silver Moon Bay."

Chu Guang asked, puzzled,

"Haven’t we already established an embassy there a long time ago?"

Within the Alliance’s borders, embassies served as channels for dialogue and exchange with other factions and as respawn points for players.

Particularly for factions without military bases, embassies were the only official respawn points outside of players’ personal checkpoints.

"That’s true, but the envoy from the Camel Hump Kingdom said... there are far more people active in Silver Moon Bay than in Camel City, and he hopes that considering those Alliance citizens, we at least establish an office there to handle their disputes. However, I suspect... the real reason behind their request might be related to the recent military activities by the West Winds Empire around Silver Moon Bay."

Hearing this, Chu Guang’s brows furrowed, and he turned his gaze toward the map on the office wall.

After pondering for a moment, he said,

"That can be arranged."

Ignoring the Haiya Province, which was under the control of the Torch Church, Silver Moon Bay was the closest seaport to the Alliance, critically important both strategically and economically.

Though the Alliance did not directly control this port, its economic interests in the region were by no means less significant than those in the Lion Kingdom or Honey Badger Kingdom.

To prevent some short-sighted fools from causing trouble, it seemed best to make a suitable gesture.

"Yes." Anticipating Chu Guang’s intent, Cheng Yan nodded in understanding, accepted the task, and left.

Watching the Foreign Minister leave, Chu Guang turned his attention back to the map on the wall.

A railway line stretched along the edge of the Zobar Mountain range, past the Battlefield where the Skeleton Corps had once fought, straight to the throat of the mountain, Petra Fortress.

Soon, this railway would cross into the fertile Oasis No.4 and the port of Silver Moon Bay, connecting with the maritime route to the Baiyue Strait.

Initially, the Camel Hump Kingdom was wary of the Alliance’s railway, fearing a repeat of what happened in Giant Stone City at Oasis No.4.

However, military pressure from the southwest forced the nobles and merchants of the Camel Hump Kingdom to draw closer to the Alliance, seeking tighter cooperation in exchange for security and protection.

Chu Guang didn’t particularly dislike this stick that poked in from the southwest.

Though annoying, this stick, rather than causing substantial harm, added a touch of absurd comedy to his annoyance, even less worrisome than the old rats to the north.

Moreover, these folks had sent some gifts to the Alliance.

Visible gifts...