"Another one."
The Vice President sat behind the screen, watching Lilith on it as he spoke in a sighing tone. He looked toward Balz at the same time. "There are far more of them than we imagined. There must be some method behind possessing such power. It might even be better than directly injecting Original Fluid."
"Looks like we should make contact with them."
Balz asked, "In what capacity?"
The Vice President thought for a moment. "As generous employers."
"Find out their identities, then take targeted measures."
"Those who want money—give them money."
"Those who want pleasure—give them pleasure."
"Do you know the most accurate assessment of intelligent life?"
Balz shook his head. "There are too many. I don't know which one you mean."
"The more they know, the stronger their desires become!"
That was a line published by a scholar in his universe-class journal. It soon became a consensus among intelligent life.
During the age of ignorance, the only desire intelligent life had was to fill their stomachs.
Then they began considering how to keep themselves safe and how to have clothes to wear.
As society developed from its earliest beginnings to its current perfection, humanity's desires grew stronger and more numerous alongside their increasing understanding of the world.
They were no longer satisfied with simply having enough food to eat, clothes to wear, and a place to live. They developed all kinds of powerful desires.
In the Vice President's eyes, even Lucia had a "price." It was just that in this game of guessing prices, the black cloth covering her price tag had yet to be removed.
As long as someone guessed the price hidden on her tag, she could be bought and sold just the same.
Whether it was her life, her ideals, or her power!
The