The Philosophy of Flipping a Coin

In an instant, the entire capital was plunged into unprecedented chaos and panic, with cries of agony rising and falling.

Amidst this apocalyptic scene, a thunderous shout, powerful enough to shake the very soul, suddenly rang out!

"Calm down, all of you!"

Jiang Bai Warren slowly descended from the sky, his booming voice like a stabilizing force, instantly drowning out all the noise and wails.

He surveyed the faces below, faces etched with fear and despair, his gaze sharp as a knife.

"So what if we lose our magic? Does that mean we can't survive?!"

His question, delivered with resounding force, gradually calmed the panicked crowd.

"Think about this carefully! For this limited amount of magic, for that so-called plan that can bring Infinity magic, what have we become?!"

Warren's voice grew increasingly impassioned.

"We plunder the lives of another world, turning living people into cold, Magic Crystals! How many more innocent lives will our hands be stained with?!"

"Without magic, we may go through a difficult period! But we have hands and feet, we have wisdom and sweat!"

"We will survive! We will use our own hands to create a new future where there is no more plunder, no more war!"

Warren's words, like the morning bell and evening drum, struck the hearts of everyone, dispelling their fear and igniting a flame called "hope."

Yes, the magic may be gone, but the sky won't fall.

They are still themselves; as long as they are willing to work hard, they can always survive.

Moreover, as the general said, this might actually be a good thing.

Erza Knightwalker stared blankly at Warren's resolute back, at his towering figure pointing the way for the entire kingdom amidst despair. The despair and confusion of the original story were gone from her eyes; in their place was an unprecedented trust and... admiration.

She knew that as long as this man was there, there was still hope.

Jiang Bai, with his legs crossed, watched this scene and nodded in satisfaction.

As expected of my counterpart, I'm quite reliable in crucial moments.

He turned his head, looked at Mystogan beside him, and asked:

"Alright, the crisis is over. What are you planning to do next? Are you just going to be a hands-off prince?"

Mystogan gave a wry smile upon hearing this.

He didn't look at his father, who had collapsed to the ground, completely devoid of energy, nor did he look at the supreme throne.

His gaze swept over everyone else and finally landed on the man who looked exactly like Jiang Bai, yet shouldered the responsibility of the entire kingdom.

Mystogan bowed deeply to Warren.

"This kingdom is corrupt; the people need hope, and it needs a new leader who can lead them out of the darkness."

He raised his head and looked at Warren with an incredibly sincere, pleading gaze.

"So, I hope that person can be you, General Warren!"

Mystogan's request was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake.

"What?"

Warren was stunned; he had never expected the prince to make such a suggestion.

Make him king? Are you kidding me?

"No!" Warren refused without hesitation.

"I'm just a general, I never thought about this..."

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by a series of "thump-thump" sounds.

The soldiers behind him, who had just been filled with righteous indignation, were now all kneeling on one knee, looking at him with almost pleading eyes.

"General! Please grant my request!"

"Yes, General! We've run out of magic; we can't live without you!"

"We don't recognize anyone but you!"

The soldiers' voices were sincere and fervent. They didn't care who the prince or the king was; they only knew that this man had stood up for them in their most desperate moment and shown them the way.

Even Panther Lily, who had just submitted, fell silent.

Logically, he should be the one to support his prince in inheriting the throne.

But... looking at the kneeling soldiers, at Warren's complicated expression, he couldn't bring himself to say anything in protest.

Because he knew in his heart that Mystogan's choice might be the best choice for the country.

Seeing this massive "coup" scene unfolding before him, Jiang Bai, reclining on the chair, chuckled.

He crossed his legs and lazily remarked, "Looks like I'm just as charming no matter which world I'm in."

"Narcissism."

Erza was in his arms, rolled her eyes at him. Although she said that, the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up.

She certainly thought so too.

The scene before him plunged Warren into complete hesitation.

He looked at his subordinate kneeling before him, then glanced at Erza Knightwalker's encouraging and expectant eyes beside him.

To be king?

He had never even dreamed of such a thing.

Feeling lost and confused, he instinctively turned his gaze to the man who looked exactly like him, but who now seemed completely unconcerned and relaxed.

What do you think I should do?

He asked, his voice carrying a hint of confusion that he himself didn't realize.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Bai finally sat up from the recliner.

"No one can make this decision for you." He stretched.

"However, I can teach you a way."

"What method?" A hint of curiosity flashed in Warren's eyes.

Jiang Bai smiled mysteriously, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a coin.

"Flip a coin!"

"Ha ha!"

Natsu burst into unrestrained laughter from the side.

"What kind of method is this? It's so unreliable! We might as well just fight, and whoever wins gets to decide!"

"Bang!"

Erza punched him in the back of the head without hesitation.

"Shut up, Natsu! Jiang Bai hasn't finished speaking yet, listen carefully!"

"Ugh..." Natsu covered his head and immediately quieted down.

Warren looked at Jiang Bai with a skeptical gaze. "Are you serious?"

"Certainly."

Jiang Bai tossed the coin, a mysterious smile spreading across his face.

"A very indecisive person once said that flipping a coin isn't about helping you determine the answer..."

His gaze sharpened, looking directly into Warren's heart.

"In fact, the moment you throw it out, you already have the answer you're looking for in your heart."

These words were like a wake-up call, sending a jolt through Warren.

Yes... what am I hesitating about?

Is it fear of taking responsibility? Or a feeling that one is not qualified?

He nodded silently and took the coin from Jiang Bai's hand.

The cold, metallic touch gradually calmed his chaotic thoughts.

He stared at the coin in his hand, pausing for a full three seconds.

Then, he closed his eyes, pushed hard with his thumb, and tossed the coin high into the air.

All eyes were on the coin that was spinning in the air.

Front or back?

However, just as the coin passed its highest point and began to fall, Warren suddenly opened his eyes.

He reached out and caught the coin just as it was about to hit the ground, then covered it with his other hand.

He didn't go to see the final result.

Because it's no longer necessary.

Warren raised his head, meeting the expectant, curious, and worried gazes of everyone present, and spoke in an unprecedentedly firm and steady voice:

"I want to be the king of this country."

He looked around at his soldiers, around at his comrades, and made his first oath as the new king.

"I want to ensure that every resident of this country can live happily and peacefully, no longer blindly pursuing and plundering for some illusory magic!"