Conflict

Ari charged forward in fury and kicked over the black-armored corpse collector from the Logistics Department.

Seeing a conflict break out, the Logistics Department's armed squad immediately rushed forward, their gun barrels trained on Ari.

To ensure the smooth collection of valuable corpses, the Logistics Department maintained a well-equipped Armed Forces unit to keep order.

In terms of status, they ranked far above the Defense Force and firmly controlled resource distribution for the Defense Force and every area of the territory.

To the administrative officials of the Palatine District, these Defense Force soldiers from Lower Hive refugees were all expendable and not worth investing too many resources in.

Once they died, they could simply be replaced.

"Warning! No one may interfere with the Logistics Department's collection work. Step back!"

The Logistics Department's black armor troopers closed in, warning Ari and ordering him to retreat.

"They're alive! They're alive!"

Facing the gun barrels, Ari was furious. "You scum from the Palatine District, can't you see they aren't dead yet?!"

Bang!

A black armor trooper fired a warning shot. "Step back!"

"One-Eye!"

Kais grabbed Ari. "Calm down. We can't fight them. Let me handle this!"

Seeing Kais arrive, Ari suppressed his temper, though his eyes remained fixed on the Logistics Department personnel.

Kais looked calm, but the faintly bulging veins on his forehead still betrayed his emotions.

Suppressing his anger, he walked over to the Logistics Department personnel.

"The Logistics Department's Protein Collection Protocol clearly states that collecting protein from living people is forbidden. Those soldiers are still alive. You're violating the rules!"

Devere Lapp, a Logistics Department administrative official clad in a black coat and wearing a Golden Lion Armband, stepped forward.

He adjusted his glasses. "Those were the old rules. Resources are scarce now, and the regulations have been revised...

According to the new Protein Collection Protocol, as long as a protein source is deemed beyond treatment, we may collect it!"

Kais took a deep breath. "They are the most loyal soldiers. They gave everything to protect the Home District. They should not be treated like this. You're murdering them!"

Devere put on a helpless look. "We're terribly sorry, but there's nothing we can do. If we cannot collect protein, even more people will starve to death..."

"But you haven't treated them at all. How can you declare them beyond treatment?"

When he saw reason would not work, Devere's tone hardened. "The Logistics Department's affairs are none of your concern. We are acting according to regulations, and everyone must cooperate!"

"I'll never let you take our people away!"

Ari drew his gun and pointed it at Devere. "Try taking them, and I'll blast your head apart!"

The black armor troopers raised their guns at Ari and Kais. "Disarm immediately, or you will face execution!"

Seeing their leader surrounded, the soldiers from the company angrily gathered around them.

"You Palatine District bastards, we'll fight you to the death!"

"That's right! We fight for the Palatine District, and it's bad enough we don't get enough to eat. Now you want our lives too!"

"Whoever touches our leader, we'll fight them to the death!"

The two sides faced off, and the situation was on the verge of spiraling out of control!

Devere sneered as he looked at the crowd. "Are you trying to betray the Palatine District?

Don't forget that it was the Governor who gave you Lower Hive trash everything, allowing you to survive in the Upper Hive!

If you dare rebel, do you think you can stand against the Custodes?

Is this how you repay the Governor's grace?!

Once you become rebels, there will be only one ending for all of you: death!

And your families will all be executed as traitors!

Drop your weapons immediately. This is your last chance!"

Kais stared hard at Devere and forced out a sentence. "Ari, if you don't want everyone to be buried with you, you must calm down!"

This was the Palatine District's confidence. They possessed the most elite troops and military force, as well as control over the distribution of supplies.

→

The soldiers' families were also managed collectively.

This minimized the possibility of rebellion.

Ari gritted his teeth. His mechanical eye emitted a terrifying red glow, but reason still forced him to suppress his urge to kill.

He had to take responsibility for the soldiers.

His face flushed crimson, and after a long while, he managed only one sentence. "I want to see the Governor! I don't believe he would treat loyal soldiers like this!"

"You want to see the Governor?

Devere burst out laughing, faint anger hidden in his words. Even having a gun pointed at him earlier had not angered him this much.

He felt humiliated.

This Lower Hive trash dared to request an audience with the Governor?

Devere sneered. "The Governor is the noblest ruler of Earth Planet. He gave us everything!

Let me tell you, I have worked for the Palatine District for a full eighty years!

My father, grandfather, and great-grandfather—several generations of my family served the Palatine District.

They worked themselves to death at their posts, yet not a single one was granted the chance to meet the Governor!

For generations, my family's wish has been to receive a formal audience with the Governor.

When that day comes, I will report my family name and our contributions.

I will receive the Golden Lion Badge, representing Loyalty, from the Governor's own hand!"

The Grant House had long subjected its subordinates to strict Loyalty education.

Especially after the Great Purge, the Palatine District's administrative personnel had generally maintained their Loyalty to the Governor.

Some had even reached the point of worship and fanaticism.

Videl was one such person.

For generations, his family had served the Palatine District and the Governor. From childhood, he had received the most orthodox Loyalty education.

His family, himself included, maintained absolute Loyalty to the Governor.

Every day before he left home, Devere's elderly mother carefully straightened his collar.

She reminded him to work diligently, to serve the Governor well, and never to bring shame upon the family!

Devere was willing to give everything for the Governor.

Though the Governor had never known his name, or even known what his family had done.

There were simply too many families like his in the Palatine District—so many that even the Governor could not remember them all.

Only by making outstanding contributions could one have a chance to be noticed!

And now was that chance. The harder the times, the harder he had to work, offering up the finest Loyalty!

Devere stared at Ari and demanded, "Tell me, what right does Lower Hive trash like you have to meet the Governor?"

Faced with Devere's questioning, Ari had no answer.

The enormous gap in their statuses filled him with despair.

That was right. How could the noble Governor possibly meet an insignificant nobody like him?

If not for the unrest in Hive City, filthy vermin like him would never have had the chance to enter the Upper Hive.

Like his ancestors, he would have scraped out a living amid the pollutants of the Underhive, never seeing sunlight for his entire life.

To meet the Governor—what outrageous delusion!

Ari despondently lowered his gun.

Devere sneered and gestured for the black armor troopers to restrain Ari and Kais and confiscate their weapons.

He looked toward the uneasy soldiers around him and reassured them. "Don't worry. None of you, including those two, will be harmed.

As long as you do not interfere with the Logistics Department's recovery work, I have no authority to punish you.

Besides, the Governor needs lowly creatures like you. He needs your lives to maintain the Palatine District's safety!

So I retain a trace of respect for you, and no more than that."

Devere ordered the Logistics Department's corpse collectors, "Continue the recovery work!"