81 Must Not Take Things Out of Context, Excerpted from "Do Not Take Things Out of Context"

The Vanlenkov Autonomous State is not a region, but an autonomous nation, an artificial planet three-quarters the size of the Azure Planet, which makes it easy for different regions to separate and for people to gather.

Later, as a large number of players flocked to the area, there was no way to control it. Instead, they were assimilated by the locals and became rich by scavenging for scrap and collecting Nakis Blood.

Ironically, this situation eventually became an ecosystem. Members of higher civilizations would come here to fight and mine, leaving behind trash that was scrambled for and fought over. The wealth that these battles brought to the lower civilizations was even more effective than direct aid.

The constant fighting damaged the Valenkov Fortress, reduced its power output, and gradually worsened Valenkov fragile ecosystem. In order to compete for the market for Nakis Blood, warlords and mercenaries even paid for maintenance, keeping the Vanlenkov Autonomous State in a state between autumn and winter for a long time.

Yesterday of autumn was summer, and yesterday of summer was spring.

Valenkov People walked forward, and what awaited them was neither winter nor spring.

When they find themselves in the winterless nights of the Valenkov war zone, lying in ruined bunkers, munching on protein and vitamin C energy bars, and clutching Laser Rifle without dust covers, they will recall Kalmetz's order to provide relief to the elderly and families of the dead.

Who would have thought that would be their last spring?

For players, no matter what choices they make, this is the final outcome.

In some ways, this can even be considered a good ending.

At least under the intervention of the Interstellar Alliance and the constraints of the three-way game between Narrative-level Civilization, Valenkov was not directly bombed and blockaded, allowing the Narrative-level to monopolize resources, and Valenkov did not even become extinct as a result.

But is that how it should be? Who knows?

All I can say is that the magical Worldview of "Star Abyss" deserves a magical realism storyline.

Li Ao went through the plot once and also planned out his own route.

He stood up, stepped into the Space-time Ripple, and went straight into the office. Even though it was late at night, Valenkov's supreme leader, Kalmetz Shield Emblem, was still working overtime.

To save money, he even moved his security detail elsewhere, making it very easy for Li Aoz to infiltrate.

Li Aoz glanced around the room and could tell that Kalmetz's finances had completely collapsed. He couldn't even afford to repair his office. The ceiling was covered in cracks, and apart from an Old Laser Pistol casually placed on the floor for self-defense, the leader's office was utterly shabby and devoid of any decorations.

This environment actually gave Li Aoz room to perform.

He stood quietly to the side, sizing up Kalmetz.

This towering alien looks like a half-dragon with gorilla arms, crimson scales and handsome coral horns, its muscles bulging and exploding like a mountain.

However, his pale hair and wrinkled face were quite noticeable, and even his aura had declined to a level not much stronger than that of a mortal at the Gamma-rank. But his vigorous eyes told the newcomer that although his strength had declined with age, his body and spirit were still quite robust.

However, this massive man, nearly three meters tall, was now huddled behind his office chair, groveling and pleading with a Head of State on the other end of the communication line. "... This loan is truly crucial; we cannot do without it. Countless children will starve to death because of it—what? You mean debt? Don't worry, our debt situation is not hopeless. Narrative-level Civilization all say so, as long as there is scientific guidance. Please, for the sake of our past relationship..."

Kalmetz's worried expression was palpable even to people of different races. A bitter and sorrowful atmosphere permeated the office.

Li Aoz didn't rush to make a move. He turned on the forum's recording function and began adjusting the camera angles.

The communicator lit up with a projection, showing a purple-skinned fungal creature looking helplessly at Kalmetz. It advised, "Leader Kalmetz, for the sake of our friendship, I'll be frank: you are a skilled and courageous warrior, but you know nothing about economics and politics. Your country is on the verge of collapse. With such a massive debt crisis, we can only ask the Interstellar Alliance to help you with bankruptcy liquidation and restructure the credit system."

"Your King Gorlett, you are right. But you don't know that Verrazzi will definitely take advantage of the situation, and my people will be treated like slaves, at the beck and call of companies and conglomerates!"

"Slaves are well-fed," King Gorlett earnestly advised. "What you should do is quickly apply for intervention from Narrative-level Civilization, declare bankruptcy, and revitalize the economy."

"You know perfectly well," Kalmetz said gravely, "That our only assets are military service and soldiers."

"Yes," Goller said. "You can mortgage soldiers to foreign countries for their use, as a form of debt settlement through labor; that's a service. If necessary, I suggest you allow their personal rights and rights to life and health to be mortgaged as well..."

"But isn't that tantamount to the slave trade?"

Kalmetz said angrily:

"The Vanlenkov Autonomous State is a group of slave warriors who broke free from the Nakis aliens. Our warriors will never lose their freedom again, never!"

[Video recorded]

"Freedom is not as important as survival, Kalmetz. I may be a bit crude, but you have to understand that you do not have the strength or ability to manage a large free city-state. Slavery is the most suitable system for your social culture and level of production. Your pursuit of equality will only make your people unable to even become slaves."

King Gorlett was a fungal creature; he didn't lie and was straightforward, leaving Kalmetz speechless, his already red skin turning even redder.

"You're a good person, Kalmetz. I can find a way to get you out of Valenkov and to be with your family—"

"I will not borrow from you again, thank you for your kindness!" Kalmetz's tone was angry and cold. "No one can separate me from my people, I will always stand with them."

"Not everyone is as proud as you, a saint who can fill his stomach with only willpower and faith."

Goller sighed. "You think you're with them, but are they really with you? The power and wealth you enjoy won't disappear just because you're frugal; it will only make those around you feel that 'you can't enjoy this even if you work hard.' You're not a good ruler. Take a break, think it over, and retire now; you'll at least have a good reputation."

"Speak," Goreth said, and then exited the communication.

Kalmetz slumped in his chair, covering his face, overwhelmed by a profound sense of frustration that brought him to the ground.

Was I really wrong?

"All I want is for everyone to live a free life. Our ancestors paid such a high price to escape slavery. Are we going to go back to that now?"

"Although life is tough right now, as long as the new ship returns with the seven million Ammonium Gold, and I import some cheap food from Goller, I can stabilize prices."

"Selling slaves? Such a choice is too difficult; I cannot accept it."

Recording complete

Li Aoz recorded enough footage, adjusted his posture, and retrieved Jannia from the time-space fault.