A Person's Value Surpasses All

"Because I am not one of those foolish rulers who drain the pond dry just to indulge in pleasure."

Ross looked at Shanks, his gaze like a farmer looking at sheep in a pen.

"Everyone in this world is my wealth. As one of Those in Power, possessing an endless lifespan, what I need to do is maximize my wealth, not allow it to depreciate meaninglessly amid chaos."

"I issue laws, I provide food and medical care, and I grow the population. In a short span of time, this world's population has tripled!"

A smile appeared on Ross's face.

"The more people there are, the more people there are to farm for me and mine resources for me, aren't there? The more people there are to provide me with technology and amusement, aren't there? And women raised in peace and prosperity—aren't they more beautiful?"

Ross's logic was simple and brutal.

He was like a ruthless player in a business simulation game.

The better and more prosperous he made this world, the more comfortable his own stay would be.

The more people there were, the cheaper labor became, and the richer the top-tier services they could provide him.

"How nakedly disgusting!"

Shanks's stomach churned violently.

He had thought Ross possessed some twisted grand vision, but after all that, this lofty god's sole motive for turning the world into a utopia was merely to make all of humanity into his own high-end livestock farm, solely for his own greater enjoyment.

"Shouldn't a brutal ruler act like the Celestial Dragons of old, living only for today's pleasures and doing whatever they wanted?" Shanks demanded through gritted teeth.

He did not accept Ross's philosophy, and after hearing it, he felt even more unwilling to accept it.

Someone who could so easily make this world