We're City Dwellers Too
"Or perhaps we could find a way to contact them and tell them that this so-called Divine Scion is nothing more than a cannibalistic monster?"
Suggestions were made, but they were quickly rejected.
"They won't believe it. After all, that's their source of energy for survival. Even if they've guessed that those Divine Scion are actually monsters that can threaten them, they won't let go easily."
"Besides, it probably won't be easy for our people to get close to them. We can't approach them from the air, so why don't we approach them from the ground?"
"The high temperatures in that world are a problem; we need to prepare some heat protection devices."
"Wait, have you forgotten that the other side shot down one of our fighter jets?"
"This was done in full view of everyone; if we don't give an answer, the taxpayers won't be satisfied."
Opinions diverged among the higher-ups.
Some people believe that cooperation can be reached with those cities in a friendly manner, given their powerful technological capabilities.
Even setting aside those strange aspects, just considering their technological prowess, if they could acquire some of their technologies, United States technology could advance even further.
Some people believe that a counterattack is necessary. Although they had trespassed into someone else's airspace, the other side shot down their fighter jets without warning, which was too domineering and unreasonable.
If we don't retaliate, and other countries on Blue Star find out, they'll probably laugh at the United States for its declining power and perceived weakness.
Both sides stuck to their own versions of events and argued endlessly.
They argued until their faces turned red and their necks bulged, neither willing to give in.
"Enough!"
The United States leader rubbed his forehead, looking exasperated. "If you keep arguing like this, all those strange creatures will be contained by the Contract Anomalist, and you still won't have reached a conclusion."
He was well aware of how inefficient their meetings were.
But this time, the "Dungeon" won't wait for them to slowly make a decision before it begins.
The others reluctantly stopped arguing.
The decision is to implement Plan One first: find the person in charge and explain the species of the Divine Scion. If they refuse, then cooperate; they will provide food and other support, while the other side will provide advanced technology.
Regardless of which aspect of the cooperation is achieved, the United States ' strength will be further enhanced on the international stage, allowing it to regain its status as the world's leading superpower.
This opportunity must not be missed.
They immediately dispatched a small team, traveling by transport plane, to that "Dungeon".
Time moves faster in the Realm of Freedom than in the outside world.
After taking in the first anomaly, Skywing A did not proceed to the next city.
He stayed in City No. 3 for a period of time.
Whoosh!
A white piece of paper floated down from the sky.
A child curiously picked up a piece of paper from the ground. It had vivid pictures printed on it, and even someone who couldn't read could understand what it meant.
"What is this? It's so beautiful."
"Is the painting telling us to go to Plaza No. 11, which is only for the elite?"
The children were very curious and wanted to go there to see it, but their parents' years of teachings had warned them not to go near that place, as it was a place only the elite could enter.
Ordinary people like them are not qualified to enter.
Moreover, the goods in those places are very expensive, and they can't afford any of them. If they accidentally damage something, they don't have the money to compensate for it.
Therefore, all ordinary people would warn their children not to go near those areas.
Although they lived in the same city, a clear boundary was drawn between them.
They consciously abided by this rule and dared not overstep it.
The child looked at the colorful drawing paper in his hand.
Curious, he ran to the edge of the square, not daring to actually step inside, only daring to stand outside and look in.
A group of people had already gathered in the square. Among them were some familiar faces to the children—ordinary people living in apartment buildings in the corners of the city.
Without further hesitation, he stepped into the square.
It was as if some kind of shackle had been broken, allowing them to tread upon territory they would never have dared to set foot on before.
They were all looking up at a giant screen in the square, where a video was playing.
The screen was playing an animated film that was all too familiar to the people of Blue Star, a film only children would watch.
A youthful face, a chibi-style body, and an animalistic appearance.
These little animals frolic and play on the screen, slowly uttering the concept of freedom.
Do these ordinary people even understand freedom?
They knew that, after all, they hadn't been in this city long enough to forget the outside world, and they often received missions to go out and move minerals.
They had to endure the high temperatures to transport various resources from the city back to the urban area.
They also wanted to end this kind of life as soon as possible, but they pinned their hopes on the elite among humanity.
If the elites can develop technology to mitigate the high temperatures outside, then they will be able to move out of the city.
They simply don't realize that their current lack of freedom and the oppression they suffer are caused by certain individuals.
A simple animated short film.
It ignited their yearning for freedom deep within their hearts.
"We have been contributing to this city all along. Although we are uneducated, illiterate, and unable to develop technologies to alleviate the high temperatures, we have been doing what we can."
"We should enjoy our due rights; we are city dwellers too."
"We need cooling equipment. We've been working in such high temperatures all day, why can't we have that?"
"Are our children destined to live the same lives we do forever?"
"If the environment hadn't been damaged, things wouldn't be like this, but it's not entirely our fault that all of this happened, so why should we bear the burden?"
Someone shouted from the crowd.
These people's voices stood out louder and more indignantly among the crowd.
Aside from these shouts hidden in the crowd, it's unclear who uttered them.
After watching the short film, the ordinary people looked somewhat bewildered.
They seemed to understand something, yet also seemed to understand nothing at all.
However, as some people in the crowd shouted, the expressions on their faces changed; the confusion slowly disappeared, replaced by a determined look.
"Yes, what are we doing all this for? Isn't it just to survive?"
"For a better future for our children."
"But if things continue like this, will they really have a better future?"
"We repeat repetitive, physically demanding work, sacrificing our lives to earn meager rent. We're just renters in the city, without a home of our own."
"Living like a slave."
"Is all the effort we've put in really worth this much money?"
They began to think.