After bidding farewell to Russell, the two left the National Assembly together, with no intention of continuing their visit.
Gregor remained silent, not because of Russell's words, but because...
[Vane: What nonsense! What do you mean the knights overthrew the Pegasus royal family? They were clearly defeated by a passing Khan.]
Looking at Vane, who had been bothering the group since the beginning of the conversation, Gregor felt an itch to touch him.
[Gregor: I asked you to sit in on the meeting so you could offer suggestions, not to complain.]
[Vane: My advice is not to overthink it. Russell's words are half true and half false, but the part about the Infected is indeed true.]
[Vane: Anyway, boss, your goal is to improve the living conditions of the Infected. After treating Cyril Nearl, Russell won't refuse this condition.]
[Vane: As for giving Infected normal citizenship, forget about it. Infected living with normal people... the riots Russell mentioned really will happen.]
[Gregor:... I know, I'm just a little annoyed.]
[Vera: It's really frustrating. It's less about being powerless to help those Infected, and more about them not wanting to accept this mess.]
[Gorth: It's a contagious, fatal disease; it's normal to be rejected.]
[Vera: That's true... But the number of Infected is just too large. Isn't there any way to isolate the source of infection?]
[Vane: That's impossible. Originium is to this world what electricity is to us, unless a new energy source is found to replace it.]
[Gregor: Can't electricity replace it?]
[Vane: Look at the Mobile City beneath your feet, how much electricity do you think it would take to power it?]
[Gorth: Speaking of energy... I remember that the Magic Stone can create a special kind of ore.]
[Vane: Is that so?]
[Vera: I vaguely remember... the monsters from the fourth village, right? I think they're also called Originium.]
[Vane: Oh, I remember now... that thing stuck on the refrigerator in the hall? It seems to be able to bring inanimate objects to life.]
[Gregor: If we use Magic Originium as an energy source...]
[Vane: Stop, stop, stop! Even if there are new energy sources, the leaders of various countries won't abandon the Infected, this cesspool.]
[Vane: In places like Kjerag, the Infected are treated no differently than ordinary people. Ultimately... the current situation of the Infected is driven by the high-level officials of various countries.]
[Vane: Because of that bit of chivalry, the Infected in Kazimierz are treated slightly better than elsewhere, but it's just a different way of killing.]
[Vane: If you really want to change the situation, rather than researching a cure... I'd suggest wiping out all those god-like leaders.]
[Gregor: You're going a bit too far.]
[Gorth: That was a bit too harsh... Managing a large territory is quite troublesome.]
[Vera: Is that the problem? Isn't there a more peaceful way?]
[Vane: Some brothers, some.]
[Vane: I highly recommend the We Many networks; so far, there haven't been any negative reviews.]
[Gregor: Change it.]
[Vane: Tsk... Then I recommend the Laterano Mainframe, so everyone can wear the halo and feel the same way.]
[Gregor: Empathy?]
[Vane: It's like sharing a secret. For example, if you, boss, were to unleash a berserk aura, it might cause all the Laterano to die of pain.]
[Gorth: Remove that weird part, and it sounds pretty good... So, what's the price?]
[Vane: Although it seems wonderful... Laterano is essentially a heavily armed war machine.]
[Vane: The Angel's transformation has only worked on the Sarkaz so far, and the Laterano Mainframe is focused on crippling lumberjacks; using it could militarize the entire world, turning humans into inanimate machines if necessary.]
[Vera: What kind of rubbish are you recommending!?]
[Vane: This Daichi is in such a mess that gentle methods are no longer feasible. How about we try infecting everyone?]
[Gorth: How about we look at it another way? If we drastically increase productivity, everyone will be prosperous, and naturally there will be no oppression.]
[Vane: Utopia? Productivity might be able to keep up, but the moral standards of the Terra natives are far too low.]
[Vera: Then we should start with education...]
Seeing the increasingly heated discussion in the group, Gregor wanted to join in but didn't know where to begin.
Why is it so difficult to implement just some aid to the Infected in Block Zero?
"Eh..."
"Don't worry about it, Ms. Russell meant no harm. That kind of thinking is a common problem for most leaders."
"Um?"
Gregor turned his head in confusion, then realized that Saria was talking to him.
"I didn't pay attention, it's just a little... nothing."
This doesn't look like anything's wrong...
Saria was somewhat worried, and in order to ensure that the tragedy in Trimounts would not happen again, this strict director, who was always silent in the eyes of others, took the initiative to bring up the topic.
"It's still early, let's go get some breakfast together."
Imagining himself sitting idly in the restaurant, Gregor decisively refused.
"I don't need to eat, you just go."
Where is Ifrit?
Saria calmly added,
"She's at a crucial stage of growth and needs regular, ample food."
Gregor: "..."
Saria, you're really "despicable" these days.
... beep beep beep...
A bustling commercial street with lively fast food restaurants.
"Three more hot dogs, please!"
"In production, please wait!"
The toddler, having received a reply, yawned and slumped back onto the table.
The surrounding diners looked on in awe, for no other reason than... this child had already eaten 47 hot dogs and was about to break the store's "big eater" record.
"Can't you be a little more low-key?"
He exhaled a perfect smoke ring, Tin Man dejectedly calculated his cash flow.
The guy on the other end had no intention of saving him any money, yet he couldn't shake him off.
He tried to pressure them by emphasizing their seniority, but the other party happened to be an "elderly" person as well.
How dare you talk to us like that?
The Shapeshifter collapsed into a pool of liquid, its squinting eyes scanning its surroundings.
"Quite a few people must be looking at your strange outfit."
"Strange? This outfit passed the test of Columbia Fashion Magazine."
The Tin Man's eyes gleamed, and he spread his arms to show his body.
"As for those looks, they probably think that the Columbia fairy tale has come true."
That's certainly true; most of the people casting glances were men, their eyes gleaming with barely concealed curiosity.
The smoke rings he exhaled were inhaled again through the metal gaps in his body. Watching the Tin Man's leisurely movements, the Shapeshifter said weakly.
"Is it possible... that it's because you smoked in public?"
"This is processed, high-grade tobacco, naturally harmless!"
The Tin Man emphasized that he was an elegant gentleman and that he couldn't be misunderstood.
"... Will becoming Dead Souls change one's personality?"
The Shapeshifter looked at the other curiously, vaguely remembering that the other's personality used to be more intense.
"Ha, it's been thousands of years. If we're not optimistic, we can't keep this body active."
The Tin Man took another drag of his cigarette, this time storing it inside his body without exhaling.
"That's truly enviable..."
The Shapeshifter sighed. Although they could understand other people's emotions by transforming into them, those emotions ultimately belonged to others.
"Stop sighing and complaining. Although you have your presence all over the continent, I remember you wouldn't break your principles, would you?"
The hot dog was brought over, Tin Man handed over the money, while simultaneously reinforcing the soundproofing barrier once more.
Shapeshifter can take on the appearance of the person they kill, but at the same time, they will inherit that person's life until their death.
"Even though you've been following me around, freeloading off me, you don't look like you're on vacation... Is this some kind of mission for the Military Commission?"
The Shapeshifter looked at the Tin Man strangely, then nodded.
"You just admit it like that? I thought you'd argue back."
The Tin Man was somewhat puzzled; what was it about Kazimierz that warranted the Military Commission's attention?
Does the regent intend to attack this place?
That doesn't make sense... Even if we capture it, we can't hold it.
The Shapeshifter stuffed the hot dog into its mouth and swallowed it without chewing.
The Tin Man slammed his hand on the table in annoyance.
"Show some respect for food; at least savor the taste."
"Who cares? We're just here to break the record."
The Shapeshifter rolled its eyes and shoved the other two in as well.
The awe-inspiring gazes around them turned to terror, and some people were already calling the mounted police.
Feeling a moment of exhaustion from the potential negotiations ahead, the Tin Man leaned back in his chair.
"Alright... considering how generous I've been these past few days, could you reveal the purpose of your trip? At least let me be mentally prepared."
"Okay."
"Um?"
The Shapeshifter's exhilaration made the Tin Man uneasy, but before he could stop him, the other had already spoken.
"The Flame Demon has come to this city; I have come to investigate Him."
Tin Man: "..."
The Flame Demon? Is it the Flame Demon I'm thinking of?
As if sensing the other party's confusion, the Shapeshifter nodded with a smug look on its face.
"Yes, the one in Trimounts."
"Damn it..."
The Tin Man's good manners prevented him from swearing, but his metal skull still throbbed with pain.
"Wasn't He heading towards Sami? Why is He here?"
"Are the Kazimierz authorities blind? They just let the Flame Demon swagger in?"
"And you! Why didn't you say something so important sooner?"
The Tin Man's speech quickened noticeably, and the Shapeshifter looked at him like he was an idiot.
"You didn't ask, so you're blaming me?"
"Tsk..."
Tin Man took a deep drag on his cigarette. He was still influenced by his identity as a secret agent; he should have asked the question directly earlier...
"Is there any other information about Him? I mean all of it!"
"No."
The Shapeshifter lay back down on the table, Tin Man stroked his cane, pondering which direction to strike someone from to cause the most pain.
"However, I have a replay of the Royal Court Council. Would you like to watch it?"
"Look!"
Having accepted the memories provided by the Shapeshifter, the Tin Man quickly browsed through their contents.
"How about it?"
"Not good at all, your discussion is completely worthless!"
The Tin Man replied irritably, then sighed and composed himself.
"So that's why we're here to investigate..."
The Shapeshifter shook its head, trying to extract information from the other party.
Do you think He is punishing the orphans of a clan, or an unrecorded clan?
"Or perhaps even older?"
The Tin Man proposed an even bolder hypothesis.
"Perhaps the other party comes from a much more distant era, a time when the Sarkaz were still called the Teekaz."
"How come that old man has remained so well-behaved all this time?"
The Shapeshifter clearly disagreed with this statement, Tin Man shrugged.
"Otherwise what? Do you really think they're some unknown clan?"
"That's Flame Demon, not Originium Slug from the wilderness."
"If there really is a group of Flame Demon, how could they not have been discovered by now?"
While the Tin Man was speaking, the Shapeshifter secretly reached across to steal the sandwich from the other side.
"What if it really is true? Don't you want to see your former tribe reappear?"
The Tin Man tapped the restless hand with his cane and began to enjoy his breakfast.
"Unless the other side is truly a new clan, no one wants those lunatics to reappear."
"What if it's true?"
The Shapeshifter withdrew its hand, glanced idly out the window, and froze upon noticing a certain target.
"Ha, I won't believe such a fantasy unless I see a bunch of Flame Demon standing in front of me."
After chewing his food carefully and pouring a glass of milk into his mouth, the Tin Man sighed contentedly.
"Alright, it's about time we... Where are the others?"