The Possibilities of an If-Route / SilverAsh Tries to Poach Someone...

Even the critical review of the god Yelagand in Sierakow was outrageous enough, not to mention the other actions of the Players.

For example, from the Players' perspective, they can go anywhere in this world; as long as there are no invisible walls, they can go to any place that is not enclosed. They don't care about so-called sacred mountains or forbidden areas at all.

Secretly climbing a snow-capped mountain and taking photos is perfectly normal.

As for Manchu Temple?

They only see this place as a place to trigger side quests, completely unaware of its importance to Sierakow.

It's perfectly normal for Players to do things that infuriate the Snowfield due to their differing viewpoints and perspectives. Moreover, some Players exhibit the common flaws often found in "single-player game protagonists."

Sneaking around, ransacking houses, freely entering and leaving residences...

All of these factors exacerbated the conflict between the two sides.

Chapter 74 The Possibilities of an "If" Line

"I have a general understanding of the specifics."

Bai Ye clapped his hands.

SilverAsh nodded, then looked at Bai Ye and asked, "Mr. Bai Ye, you are an expert in this field. I came here today to seek your advice."

In fact, the presence of Players has already disrupted the peace of the Snowfield, which was already in chaos due to its recent opening.

The local devout believers are becoming increasingly hostile towards the Players, and are also starting to dislike the foreign natives who enter the Snowfield from the outside.

Some have suggested expelling all these people and closing down Karlan Trade, returning to the previous closed-off lifestyle.

There are many people who support this view.

SilverAsh was indeed troubled. His strength was built on the Karlan Trade, which was his foundation and the culmination of his efforts. If, as his opponents suggested, the borders were closed and the undead and foreigners were expelled, then all his ideas and plans would become worthless.

At this very moment, Bai Ye's papers and academic works suddenly appeared.

Countless Terra natives, including leaders of various political entities, gained a clearer and deeper understanding of these "undead" who suddenly appeared around the world because of the Bai Ye.

SilverAsh was no exception. After reading Bai Ye's work, he was amazed. He realized that there were experts who knew so much about this special race.

Therefore, he learned about Bai Ye's company through various channels—a little-known pharmaceutical company that had been registered for less than three years, and also a neutral infected organization, Rhodes Island.

After learning that Rhodes Island was actually a special organization that dealt with and treated infected individuals, SilverAsh made up his mind. He could kill two birds with one stone: he could use Rhodes Island to treat his sister, who had contracted Oripathy due to a mountaineering accident, and he could also find Bai Ye.

SilverAsh was actually quite lucky. If he had arrived earlier or later, he probably would have missed Bai Ye. After all, as the head of Rhodes Island's External Operations, Bai Ye always personally leaves Rhodes Island for field missions, spending most of the year traveling around, making him very difficult to find.

It was just a coincidence that Bai Ye happened to be on the Rhodes Island main ship recently, which is why SilverAsh was able to meet Bai Ye.

"First of all, I can say clearly that simply closing the country's borders and expelling all outsiders, including the immortals, is not realistic. Or rather, it's a form of slow suicide," Bai Ye said slowly, taking a sip of water.

SilverAsh wholeheartedly agreed, nodding. "Those people are unaware of the crisis facing the Snowfield. I studied in Victoria, so I know how powerful nations outside the Snowfield have risen and grown."

"In earlier history, before the invention of Mobile City and when Catastrophe drove people away from the continent, different civilizations scattered across the continent knew very little about each other. Modern nations had not yet been established, and communication and exchange were virtually nonexistent."

"Two hundred years ago, even in that era of pioneering, it was a period in which we only focused on our own development and did not engage with other countries. But a few decades ago, friction and connections began to gradually emerge between different countries."

"With the support of Gaul, Columbia gained independence from Victoria. Just over a decade later, the Fourth Great War led to the fall of Gaul. Columbia and Laterano have been engaged in a war over Bolívar that continues to this day."

"Moreover, wars between nations accelerated mutual exchange, trade agreements were signed between countries, and multinational trading companies were established. All of this happened without Sierakow's knowledge."

As he spoke, SilverAsh stood up and paced back and forth in the room. "The crisis is already upon us, and we are still oblivious. I will not agree to the decision to close the trading company. There are actually only three of us left in our family, and my eldest sister has become Holy Maiden. I don't care about the profits the company brings; I'm worried about Snowfield itself."

"So, after learning about the conflict between the Undead and the Sierakow, I couldn't sleep at night, and my worst fears came true. Because of the Undead, a wave of xenophobia is rising, and the Karlan Trade is in the eye of the storm."

Bai Ye shook his head. "No, actually, I'm not concerned about the crisis in Sierakow. My research isn't about geopolitics and national conflicts. Thank you for the history lesson, but my field is the immortals."

"I know that the undead are a group with a strong rebellious mentality. If your Snowfield really expels them and restricts their entry, it will only further arouse their rebellious consciousness."

Players' psychology is very interesting. You tell them not to do it, but they won't. For example, some people already know that touching the "Disheartened Guy" will cause them to become enemies, but some people still do it anyway.

They knew the outcome perfectly well, and some of the Players were even newbies who couldn't possibly win, yet they still acted impulsively, ultimately ending up as adversaries.

Well, a newbie might really be no match for Disheartened Bro.

For example, if a place is listed as a forbidden area in the game, there will always be Players who try to find a way to enter, forcibly break in, smuggle in, or even exploit bugs. They do this without any real purpose; they simply want to fight against the game developers.

Now, if the entire Snowfield is truly locked down, Players will only see it as a provocation from the game developers, and they will become even more interested, wanting to go there to have some fun and see the scenery.

Of course, some content creators and streamers deliberately want to go there to film videos, create some hype, and attract traffic.

"You can't stop them. The undead have a wide range of methods. They will try every means to enter the Snowfield, and even the Holy Land. At that time, the conflict will intensify, and hostility between the two sides will be inevitable."

Bai Ye spoke, he leaned back in his chair, watching SilverAsh pace back and forth in the visitor reception room. "I think you also hope that Sierakow will make enemies who can't die, right?"

"The immortals are very vengeful, and since they cannot die, once the two sides become enemies, it is a fight to the death."

"Sir, save me." SilverAsh's face was very pale. He solemnly pleaded with Bai Ye, "I am willing to pay any price, but as a member of the Three Clans Council and one of the rulers of Snowfield, I have a responsibility to prevent this future from happening."

Bai Ye looked at the man in front of her without saying a word.

But in her heart, Bai Ye had already made a decision.

In fact, even if SilverAsh hadn't brought it up, Bai Ye would have done it anyway.

In his eyes, both the Players and Terra's own civilization are equally important, and if a conflict breaks out between them, it would be a devastating blow to his own industry.

Bai Ye doesn't want current MMORPGs to degenerate into Players vs. Terra civilization's Fourth Catastrophe invasion, a purely PvE total war.

It may seem insignificant, but the Snowfield crisis could very well become the fuse that leads the timeline to another ending, a key juncture in the "what if" scenario.

Of course, it could be an exaggeration, after all, the Snowfield can't replace other countries. But who knows what the future holds? Bai Ye doesn't want to gamble.

This world is already bad enough, with the deep-sea insectoids eyeing it covetously. If a Fourth Catastrophe were to occur, things would get really interesting.

Chapter 75 SilverAsh's Attempt to Poach Talent

Although Bai Ye had already made up her mind.

However, he did not immediately give SilverAsh his answer.

The decision is one thing, but that doesn't prevent Bai Ye from gaining some benefits from it. Snowfield possesses abundant mineral resources, which have been preserved into the resource-scarce modern era due to Snowfield's isolation and lack of mining technology.

In addition, the Bai Ye are associated with the Karlan Holy Mountain and the deity Yelagand in the Snowfield.

I'm equally interested.

Therefore, when faced with SilverAsh's request, Bai Ye hesitated.

He looked at the large silver cat before him and slowly said, "I really want to help you, my friend. However, without knowing the true situation, I cannot offer a solution out of thin air."

"If you want my advice, perhaps I need to conduct an on-site investigation."

SilverAsh nodded after hearing this.

Bai Ye continued, "However, as the head of the External Operations, I may need Dr. Kal'tsit's approval to go out."

Lie.

SilverAsh might not know this and think that what Bai Ye said is true, but this guy runs around everywhere and rarely asks Dr. Kal'tsit for permission.

Only when Rhodes Island's support is needed or when resources from Rhodes Island's various overseas offices are required will Bai Ye consult with the old woman.

"Nothing's wrong, she's an old woman; when something's wrong, she's Lady Kal'tsit." That's Bai Ye for you.

However, SilverAsh took Bai Ye's words seriously. He looked around and suddenly asked, "Mr. Bai Ye, would you like to change to a new work environment?"

Bai Ye shifted his posture in the chair, opened a bottle of sparkling water, took a sip, and squinted his eyes contentedly.

"This stuff used to be forbidden, which is why I especially love drinking it... Hmm, based on what you just said, you want to poach me?"

SilverAsh didn't know where Bai Ye had gotten the bottle of sparkling water with water droplets still hanging on the walls, but he didn't care about this little thing.

He nodded, opened his arms and said, "Sierakow is a beautiful place, which will definitely be convenient for your research. Moreover, as you know, Snowfield will only get better and better with our development. It is a new industrial and technological country where you can put your talents to use in your research without worrying about your results being plagiarized, misused or buried."

"I will do my best to support your research, with ample resources and rights, and for legitimate reasons, so that I will not feel guilty."

Bai Ye nodded. He had to admit that if he were an ordinary person, or had just transmigrated into the Terra, SilverAsh's suggestion would definitely be a tempting option.

However, he really doesn't think much of what SilverAsh offered him now.

To be honest, this guy is really brave, openly saying he wants to poach talent from Rhodes Island on its own turf.

Rhodes Island has always been the one poaching talent from others, recruiting talented individuals and extraordinary people everywhere, including nobles and wealthy young ladies.

Now SilverAsh is the opposite; it's obvious he won't succeed.

Bai Ye downed his sparkling water in one gulp and gently shook his head. "Thank you for your generosity, but I don't have any plans to switch jobs for the time being."

After a pause, Bai Ye continued, "However, as long as Dr. Kal'tsit agrees, I am still happy to help Snowfield resolve this crisis."

SilverAsh did not show any frustration despite Bai Ye's rejection.

He nodded and smiled, "No matter the outcome, I am grateful for your kindness. I have also learned a lot from your previous words."

SilverAsh will devise various plans on his own, and he won't put all his eggs in one basket with Bai Ye.

Perhaps, seeking an expert is simply to improve the feasibility of the plan, or to find the insurance and security that authority brings.

SilverAsh glanced at his watch and said, "I need to check on my sister's medical plan, so I'll have to excuse myself for now."

SilverAsh is quite concerned about his sister's condition.

Both the eldest daughter of the Silverash Family, who had become like-minded with SilverAsh, and SilverAsh himself were very concerned about this youngest sister.

Unfortunately, as Holy Maiden, Enya SilverAsh cannot leave Karlan Holy Mountain without permission, at least not now. Therefore, she can only send her blessings to her sister from afar.

"She must be very happy to have such a brother and sister..."

Bai Ye watched SilverAsh walk towards the Medical Department accompanied by his guards and Amiya, and sighed softly.

"How did the chat go?" Dr. Kal'tsit walked into the meeting room, then saw the empty soda bottle that Bai Ye had placed on the table, and shook her head. "I rarely see warriors willingly drinking this stuff. Sometimes I really wonder how you developed this skill."

Kal'tsit rarely complains, but it has to be said that even in the eyes of this frighteningly knowledgeable old woman, Bai Ye is an anomaly.

"I'm not some ascetic cultivator from the Yan... Hmm, I might have to go on a business trip soon."

Bai Ye put away the soda bottle and then told Dr. Kal'tsit what SilverAsh had told him earlier.

"Of course you can go. Rhodes Island also plans to take this opportunity to establish an office in Sierakow to treat the increasing number of infected people there. Use this opportunity to solve the problem you care about most."

Dr. Kal'tsit did not stop Bai Ye, and even helped Bai Ye choose a reason for going on a business trip abroad.

Perhaps it was only when faced with a special issue like "Players" that could potentially affect the entire land that Dr. Kal'tsit was so readily agreeable.

"Then..." Bai Ye was just about to leave.

Dr. Kal'tsit stopped him.

The young-looking elder stared at Bai Ye with her emerald green eyes and said softly, "I know you mean well, but in any case, please don't drag Rhodes Island into the political struggles of other countries."

"Furthermore, please keep the matter of the Demon King's successor a secret. The enemy is constantly searching for Amiya's whereabouts, and it would not be pleasant for them to target us. We have already shed enough blood; we cannot afford any more losses."

As she spoke, Dr. Kal'tsit took a step closer to Bai Ye, almost touching his face.

Under that oppressive gaze, Bai Ye nodded.

Then, Bai Ye asked with some curiosity, "What is Dr. Kal'tsit's view on the undead race?"

"I don't know. But perhaps this is an opportunity. Originium, Demons, Catastrophe, Seaborn... this land is already chaotic and dangerous enough. Perhaps in the final moments when existing civilizations are heading towards their end, we can get their help."

After a pause, Kal'tsit continued, "Of course, it cannot be ruled out that they are also the source of our destruction, and are more dangerous than other beings."

Chapter Seventy-Six: Just Falling from the Sky

Bai Ye had long suspected that Dr. Kal'tsit might be more aware of the significance of the Players' existence than anyone else on this land.

They could be angels, or they could be demons.

It all comes down to how you guide them.

Bai Ye walked back to his dormitory with a heavy heart and dialed Swire's number, intending to discuss business matters related to the cooperation with Sierakow.

However, after the call was connected, Bai Ye heard a lot of noise coming from the other end of the line.

"Officer Shi, are you alright over there?!" Bai Ye frowned and pulled away the personal terminal that was originally to his ear.

"* Lungmen profanity!* I don't believe in poetry, are you just deliberately picking a fight?!"

Swire was furious, but her voice was quickly interrupted by the sound of an explosion nearby.

"Sir! The fire on the other side is too intense! We need backup!"

The voices of other police officers could be heard from the side.