148: Aftermath

"To test the waters, of course." Lilith's voice came from the side as she said matter-of-factly, "Although supernatural powers were divided into six major factions according to their power systems in order to carve up the world's interests, once they were linked by the Void, the increasingly complex power systems were bound to break that arrangement. As those systems grew more chaotic, conflicts and contradictions of interest would inevitably arise within the major factions..."

"Don't forget, supernatural beings have nationalities too."

"And if we're talking about making supernatural beings public worldwide, opening supernatural academies, and making every race supernaturalized... what does that make you think of?"

"Expanding into the Void?"

"That's external. What about internally?"

"...United against outsiders, then federation?"

Gasp. The other chess piece sucked in a cold breath. "No way, right?"

"Of course not. Federation is merely most people's idealized vision of an interstellar civilization. It's completely impossible to eliminate conflicts of interest, but... no matter what, internal conflicts must be compromised and resolved as much as possible."

"One side raises an objection, while the other declares its stance. That's the purpose of these useless proposals." Lilith said softly, "Whether it passes or not isn't important. What matters is that I proposed it and made my voice heard by this world."

"Once you make your stance clear, those who belong to your side will naturally come looking for you."

"And something like veto power... isn't something you can use just because you have it." Lilith gave a light, disdainful laugh. "Have you ever seen France use its veto power?"

"..." Rimuru was speechless—he suspected Lilith was taking a jab at France, but he seemed to have no grounds to refute her.

After all, as England's current decision-maker, it would almost be strange if she did not smear France.