Chapter 125
Yeti, Shieldguards... the people of Ursus once openly opposed the local government's practice of treating the Infected as a burden, but in the end, all they got was cold-blooded suppression.
The Reunion Movement's various brutal methods of fighting Ursus are ultimately just a violent backlash. Talulah's repeated attempts to absolve herself and the Reunion Movement are understandable to Medic.
Yes, it was as if she would understand no matter how Talulah explained her behavior... This always made Talulah feel uneasy when she looked at Medic.
Soft, black-haired Feline sat on the edge of the bed. As Talulah lamented and sobbed, Medic's expression remained unchanged, and her voice remained steady. The doctor seemed to have become a monster devoid of empathy, never showing any instinctive weakness.
"Yes," "I understand," "I get it"...
These were the words the other person used most often throughout the night.
But the more these statements were repeated, the more uneasy Talulah became... The other party's 'understanding' and 'agreement' encompassed too many positions, as if she could empathize fairly with both Ursus and the Reunion Movement.
She understood Ursus's predicament, she understood the helplessness of the Reunion Movement, and she herself was forced to make the most painful choice by Koschei's magic, which she described as "something that couldn't be helped" in a nonchalant way.
Even regarding the 'Ticarondo Incident,' which sounded more like a picture book than a real event... Medic's reaction was quite indifferent.
If Talulah herself was a 'flame' that burned along with herself, then the cat-eared girl before them could only be described as 'empty'.
It is precisely this lack of scruples on the other party's part that makes cooperation with Talulah so difficult...
The person on the other end is someone even the Old Nobility of Ursus can empathize with, but what is such a person's own stance?
Just imagining it made Talulah's whole body tremble with nervousness... The Dragon Lady cadre of the Reunion Movement then mustered all her attention and almost meticulously explained her expectations to Medic.
"Miss Medic, that's roughly what happened... Those soldiers chasing us were most likely the work of my monster 'foster father'..."
"It's the clandestine force called 'Snake Scales,' right? They communicate with each other using some kind of invisible, Originium Arts. They want you to abandon that 'naive' idea and become a supporter of truth..."
Seeing Medic once again launch into his boundless 'understanding', Talulah slapped her thigh in annoyance:
"What kind of fact-based approach is that?! He's nothing but a despicable person..."
Seemingly overwhelmed with excitement, Talulah was immediately grabbed by Alina, who gently patted FrostNova's arm, which she instinctively used to protect herself. Medic continued:
"Let me summarize what you said earlier... Koschei... Black Snake taught you a lesson, saying that everything he did was for the prosperity of Ursus."
"Let's start from this point. To state my conclusion first, regarding his goal, Black Snake is likely correct."
Seeing Talulah about to unleash another surge of heat, Medic quickly pressed his palms together in the air and leaned back slightly.
"He spent over a decade instilling in you the reasons why Ursus ended up in this state... In order to continue the luxurious lifestyle maintained by the profits of war, the old military aristocracy became too powerful to control, and under the temptation of the Snake Scales, they began to target the Infected... Meanwhile, the emperor's decrees could not leave Saint Petersburg, and the rule between the upper and lower classes was even completely cut off by the middle class... The whole society was disconnected and full of contradictions, and the Black Snake's plan began from there."
"Leaving aside why, in your memory, Black Snake said that you would experience everything he had gone through... Let's get straight to his thoughts. Black Snake believes that for a stable ruling structure, the ruler needs to demonstrate absolute power."
"That wasn't the 'former emperor' who would suddenly die, nor was it the current young emperor whose power was usurped by the Old Nobility... His requirement was to completely 'oppress' the lower classes and be so powerful that everyone else would remain silent about this 'oppression'... that is, to achieve complete submission. Only in this way could a stable and powerful regime be established, capable of withstanding external shocks."
"That's a great idea, very idealistic... If it could actually come true, then the theory itself would be flawless..."
"What He seeks is to end the current frigid, internal strife in Ursus. I can understand Him because the current Emperor thinks the same way; Rhodes Island was even hired here specifically to exacerbate social conflict."
"However, unlike the Black Snake's blatant survival of the fittest, the current emperor wants us to actually tear apart the practices of others who comfortably 'oppress' the Infected... A large part of our public education aims to tell ordinary people that the Infected are also their fellow human beings, not something that can be discarded and forgotten."
Looking at Medic, who sighed as she finished speaking, Talu frowned and said::)
"Don't tell me you think Koschei's plan is feasible?!" the neighbor exclaimed.
"... As an ally, I need to correct some of your misconceptions Talulah... Black Snake's plan is not only feasible, but I even think that your current situation is entirely within his plan."
Seemingly observing Talulah, or perhaps having learned of what slumbered within her heart, Medic was looking through Talulah at the 'evil god' who, in the silver-haired Dragon Lady's memories Talulah, had not wavered even in death.
"Talulah, ultimately, as people who both want to correct this country, you and Black Snake actually share the same stance; the only difference lies in your methods... He resorts to direct rule... while you seek to build a classical city-state, akin to an ideal paradise, through the moral development of the people."
"And that so-called curse probably refers to your 'assimilation' after you accepted him... I'll leave the details of the magic aspect aside here since I don't know the specific model... And you said he calls himself the immortal Black Snake, which is quite fitting."
"After all, no one can kill an idea."
"You mean... thoughts?"
"... to change Ursus's... or rather, to make it 'powerful'..."
Medic nodded to Alina, who suddenly realized what was happening. Although this was the first time Medic and Xiaolu had met, the two, both with gentle personalities, seemed like old friends who had been separated for a long time...
But with Talulah, who was always saying "I'm not happy," cutting in line, Medic didn't get to talk to Alina much.
"Yes, 'Change Ursus'... That's what Talulah wants to do, and that's Black Snake's goal."
Medic's words left Talulah speechless for a long time, but as Alina took her hand, the silver-haired Dragon Lady, having calmed down, pursed her lips and said:
"... I told Alina... I won't become him..."
"There's nothing wrong with your wish; having ideals is a good thing. But you should also realize that... people change... What you uphold is the highest level of self-discipline, a noble morality belonging to universal values... fairness, courage, compassion, leading by example... As a requirement for yourself, I deeply admire your perseverance over the years."
"But... why does human society operate based on law, rather than social morality...? You should know that, Talulah."
Because expecting everyone to adhere to the highest standards of moral self-discipline is itself a pipe dream.
As Medic meticulously recounted Talulah's earlier words, counting on his fingers, the silver-haired Dragon Lady's face gradually paled.
"... reporting the Guerrillas who had become bandits to the city's Military Police, leading the Infected teams that knew their intelligence but were unwilling to join them down a side road guarded by the army, and proactively laying booby traps on the wreckage of the Landship... this was something they did knowingly did despite knowing that other the Infected teams, their competitors, would come to loot..."
"Talulah, what you once held dear is being discarded bit by bit... Your ideals and morals are being replaced by new standards, and you are becoming... someone who holds no principles at all."
"That's because--!"
The battle with the Military Police is intensifying, because the Infected themselves may become enemies or be captured, giving the enemy the power to defeat them...
There is no absolute distinction between strong and weak in the world, so Talulah is constantly changing... She used to convince herself that rigid thinking would make the team vulnerable.
But where exactly is the part of myself that I'm so 'stubborn' about, that I should insist on?
Seeing Talulah remain silent, Medic continued:
"Actually, the method... when we were telling the story before, you and Ms. Alina already explained how it was done..."
Don't hate.
Talulah's eyes widened in astonishment upon hearing this.
"Don't hate anyone... Alina said so, and I advise you to do the same... Talulah, the way you look at me is still wary. During the battle, your flames were still filled with anger and resentment... You still don't understand why the world doesn't work the way you want it to. You hate those who made you change."
"I..."
Seeing that the other party was completely unable to refute him, Medic secretly summoned Cole and Kate. While monitoring the 'evil god' of unknown form through Mind Link, Medic began his primary duty as a doctor. "My... elders once taught me to see through appearances to the essence. Your wariness of me clearly shows that you haven't figured out why Rhodes Island is here, just like you haven't understood why I said Koschei's method might be effective... because Reunion Movement is doing now is undoubtedly using the 'strength of power' to exert irresistible oppression on the weak outside, thereby achieving 'rule'."
"Don't rush to deny it or say it's different... There are Reunion Movement sentinels and informants in the surrounding villages. You need to obtain manpower, supplies, and even sell spoils through their channels..."
Did you notice?
"The material disparity between the strong and the weak leads to a relationship of domination and subjugation, and the domination relationship further legitimizes the disparity in terms of spiritual strength and weakness, making it even more difficult for the weak to resist. And when the weak cannot resist, the strong's bullying of them goes unpunished... This is the dark theory of domination, and what the Reunion Movement is doing and demonstrating now is the micro-level implementation of this idea."
"And among them, the power of Talulah, FrostNova, and Patriot, among other leaders, is the key to 'reversing the balance of power'... Just as the village will not take any concrete action against the Reunion Movement... The weak cannot resist the strong; this is an ironclad law, like one plus one equals two."
"Now that you understand what the Black Snake is after Ursus, we can talk about Talulah herself... In terms of both results and motivations, the Black Snake's theory is correct."
"But Talulah... these things have nothing to do with you personally. What you need to understand is what you want... what do you want happening around you, the people who follow you, and your friends?"
"Just like when I first met the Patriot, I asked them... What are your demands? What are your short-term goals? Who are your enemies? How will you achieve your goals?..."
"Talulah, you need a clear 'method,' and without it, you've only been barely surviving in the shadow of the Black Snake all these years."
Talulah instinctively clutched her chest at the indifferent gaze of the black-haired girl before her.
The look in Feline's dark eyes suddenly reminded her of Koschei, whom she had just killed, and of the curse her 'adoptive father' had cast upon her.
That person... the person who looked at me before dying had a similar expression, completely indifferent, with an empty gaze.
The Ursus Empire is in a period of constant affliction. Crops will not grow on barren land, and only rotten flowers can bloom in gloomy soil.
You will be betrayed by the person you love, you will witness your friend die because of you, and you will find that your expectations for the future have lost their meaning. Because everything you've done, in the eyes of others, cannot compensate for the pressure that your status brings you.
You'll find that everything can be sacrificed, that everyone loves themselves more than their neighbor, and that your proud symbols of struggle mean nothing at all.
You will see that the land to which you have given everything does not want you.
[You will see your thoughts and actions vanish into nothingness; you will see them scorn everything you respect; life, dignity, and ideals will all be meaningless.]
[Because these people, these so-called noble people, are nothing but a group of walking corpses.]
What I have experienced, you will also experience.
At first, she thought it was just the ramblings of an old man, but now, when she thinks about it, Talulah feels that these words are truly resounding.
Is this feeling of being 'eroded'?
No, not at all.
Don't agree with that person, and don't hate anyone.
You need to figure out what you should do!
If you can't figure it out, just ask someone else... That's how I got to where I am today—I relied on Alina.
And now, Alina isn't the only one here.
As Talulah bit her lip and looked at Medic, the black cat from Rhodes Island nodded in agreement.
"It seems you've recognized the difference between yourself and Koschei... That man, in your description, loves no one, and his only goal is to achieve what he loves as the symbol of 'Ursus'... But you are different, Talulah."
"Your love is 'sacrifice'... This is 'the self-restraint of the strong,' the very thing that breaks the Black Snake Theory and allows you to create the world you desire."
At this point, Medic glanced once more at Alina, who had previously told Talulah not to hate anyone.
Medic would know that he had merely pointed out a point that Talulah hadn't fully considered. And Talulah the other hand, had long since begun to put this theory of rebellion into practice.
Alina, she had already made Talulah do that.
"Theory, methodology... Talulah, you have everything you need. Now... let's discuss some practical matters concerning 'strength and weakness'..."
P. S.: I played a game for a little over an hour to calm myself down, and then a discussion broke out in the group chat that made me feel really down all evening...
It's fair to say that our social environment is like a dull knife cutting our flesh; even if we manage to endure it, it will be incredibly painful...
So why hasn't a nuclear war broken out yet...? I want to see hot, windy, and sunny weather...
Tired. Let's destroy it... quickly.
PS2: Meow Meow Cat
Today's image is quite complete, how come Little Peach (Aili) Little Green (Xia) were banned...↑
PSS: I woke up to find I'd remembered Black Snake's name backwards... I need to fix it QAQ
4th Crimson Warm Winter: 131 The Convergence Plan
Although it's still very general, and only based on Talulah's one-sided account... the so-called "immortal" Black Snake, if Medic is not mistaken, is probably a rule based on the strong bullying the weak, built on systemic oppression and exploitation.
Such a bizarre and indescribable ability is even more troublesome than the Emperor's Blades.
Yes, although Talulah was always concerned about her actions and their underlying meaning because of that curse, for Medic, aside from feeling sorry for the person's painful experience, she still believed in the killer's principle that as long as something exists, it can be killed.
However, relying on magic to separate consciousness from the body, Medic's first thought was of 'Dead Soul' like Cole, and then of the Demons Collapse within the body by the Inner Guards... As two intangible yet still capable of interfering with reality, Medic felt that he had found something similar in nature to that 'evil god'.
In summary, the most important thing Talulah talked about all night boils down to just one thing...
Those Ursus soldiers were followers of a group called 'Snake Scales'. They practiced the Black Snake's theory of 'absolute domination' and attempted to use 'power' to oppress the Reunion Movement, causing it to disintegrate and separate, giving rise to a new 'strong and weak' class and oppression, ultimately leading Talulah to accept the Black Snake's influence.
Knowing who the enemy is makes things easier. Medic, as agreed, explained to Talulah and the Reunion Movement members where the Ghouls created by the suddenly appearing 'Carrion Eaters' spell came from.
To explain why the victors of the Kazdel Civil War were so relentlessly pursuing their group, Medic spent considerable time recounting the origins of the Sarkaz on the train from Rhodes Island's perspective.
... Qi Qiqun...
"... Supporters of the losing side in the civil war... political persecution?"
"You call direct persecution 'political persecution'?"
"... Otherwise what?"
Medic's words also confused Talulah:
"Using military force, power, and financial resources... to smear, to assassinate, to intercept... to eliminate one's own opponents, so that one's own faction's ideas can take root in the hearts of the people... aren't all political struggles similar?"
"... Ursus politics... it really is a bloody affair, seemingly devoid of self-interest..."
Seeing that the conversation between the two was gradually going off-topic, FrostNova, who was leaning against the cat because she was greedy for the magical fluctuations that could weaken the activity of Originium, yawned:
"The key point is what happened next... Talulah's wounded Inner Guards seems to have adjusted his strategy; his outpost and the Pollution were smashed to pieces by Rhodes Island... Also, the spell cast by the Sarkaz officer chasing Rhodes Island has appeared on 'Snake Scales'... Talulah, don't you think this is terrible? That evil god... Could Black Snake possibly cooperate with Kazdel's the Court? After all, according to his theories, that Military Commission is probably one of the most violent organizations on the entire land."