Just How Good-Looking Could They Be? (Continued)

But at this moment, what the man wanted to do was truly plunder the power of the Great Beast... and even add Oripathy?

This plan is absolutely insane!

"I know many people are unwilling to agree with this idea... This isn't just a view you hold; even within Yan, many still think this plan is insane."

The man spoke, but there was no sign of yielding in his eyes.

"I know that many unexpected things may happen, and many loyal soldiers may sacrifice their lives..."

"But all of this will eventually come to an end..."

That's just what you think the outcome will be... They'll never see it.

As Maria spoke, she took a small step forward.

"Maria?"

Sui, standing to the side, spoke with some concern.

She suddenly realized that Maria couldn't always remain so calm and collected.

There are things she can't accept either.

"... I'm fine, age."

Taking a deep breath, Maria tried her best to calm herself down.

After a moment of silence, the man looked at Maria in front of him again.

"To be honest, I'm starting to doubt whether my previous ideas were wrong."

"..."

"Many people close to me have said that my thoughts are somewhat extreme and biased... I know that, and I would understand if others questioned me like that, but... it sounds very strange coming from you."

The man was also somewhat curious.

His previous conversation had convinced him that Maria before him was Great Beast.

But... at this moment, what Maria uttered was clearly a statement made from a human perspective.

She cares about the fallen soldiers...

But, no matter what.

You cannot sway my will.

The man took a deep breath and silently raised his head.

"Every member of the Imperial Guard who participated did so voluntarily, and we specifically selected those who had no relatives left."

"I don't know what this plan looks like in your eyes, but I can tell you that before each Imperial Guard participates, we tell them that participating in this plan means certain death, that is, suicide. If they do not accept this, we will send them back to their original unit."

"We will give every willing Imperial Guard a sum of money, allowing them to squander it for a week and enjoy their life to the fullest. Even if they suddenly quit halfway through, we will not hold them accountable, but we will reduce their future salary to compensate for the squandering during this period..."

"I dare not say that I remember every single one of their names or their faces, but... I know for certain that these things happened, that historians recorded their names, and that painters depicted their appearances."

"They are the victims, the sacrificers, the brave... They were never guinea pigs!"

The man spoke, uttering the most insane words in the calmest of statements.

Even Maria remained silent...

"No matter how beautifully you package these things, you're still using human lives to fill an endless abyss..."

"Perhaps... but that's what moving forward is all about."

The man took a deep breath and silently raised his head.

Although the world considers him a wise and benevolent ruler, he knew very well that he was not as good as they said.

This single plan alone is enough to show just how evil he really is.

Perhaps in future generations, the plan will be revealed, and he will become a bastard, a despicable creature, despised by the very civilization that gave him birth and nurtured him.

But...

So what?

"I don't know what you've been through to make you so resistant. Perhaps you've seen people with similar thoughts as me commit terrible acts."

"But... for me, this is the most likely way for humanity to destroy the shadow cast by the Great Beast!"

"I am just one person, they are just one person, we are all just one person... but we all carry the burden of the civilization called Great Yan..."

"I took this mission from my father, and my only task is to ensure the continuation of this civilization and to make life better for my people... For this, I am willing to pay any price, as long as my people can live better lives!"

The man gritted his teeth slightly as he faced the terrifying aura emanating from Maria.

He could feel the murderous intent surging in the other party becoming more and more obvious as he spoke.

But... he can't hide it.

Some things need to be made clear.

If these issues are not clarified, the same disputes will continue to arise in the future.

At that time, they might be facing a truly serious Great Beast.

Even if the opponent makes a move here, they can still gain the advantage of striking first!

They blasted the ground, then buried everyone alive!

"What you say is well, but what you've done is sit high in a safe position, sacrificing other lives that have nothing to do with you with what you consider decisiveness."

Maria continued to target the man, her calm words carrying a sharp edge.

The man did not deny Maria's words.

"I know that until I truly pay the price with my life, everything I've said is from an outsider's perspective, and I can never compare to those brave warriors."

"I know everything I've said sounds like a self-righteous person ordering others to their deaths."

"I don't want to argue about this..."

"If you truly cannot agree with this plan, then act now... because you cannot persuade me."

"The Great Yan will surely continue to move forward firmly towards all possibilities!"

Even if it means the sacrifice of tens of thousands of people...

The man took a deep breath.

His vertical pupils even seemed to radiate a dazzling light.

The golden light seemed to echo the voices of those long-dead warriors, standing steadfastly beside the man.

They were all... sheltered by civilization, yet sacrificed for it...

They are both the fruit of this civilization and its nourishment.

This is another kind of Great Beast, not Great Beast!

"..."

Maria remained silent.

She simply tried to calm her thoughts by taking repeated deep breaths.

In contrast, another idea took root in her mind.

Deep Sea Hunters...

Those things mixed with his own blood, Seaborn's blood...

Does their appearance mean that I, too, will be carrying out a similar plan to men in the future?

Even Maria felt a deep chill when she thought about it.

Will I... also become one of those monsters I despise the most?

Thinking of this, Maria silently raised her head.

"I do not accept your plan..."

"Maria ..."

As Maria spoke, the man and the woman beside her couldn't help but tense up.

Especially at that age.

She had spent some time with Maria, so she naturally knew what kind of personality Maria had.

It can be said that Maria was a very gentle and easy-going person.

She had never seen Maria so resistant, and she naturally understood what kind of emotions Maria was experiencing.

But she was indeed interested in the plan the man was talking about.

If things continue like this... does it mean I'll have to go to war with Maria?

Although I've always wanted to have a proper fight with Maria, but... if it really starts like this...

She didn't want to...

She cherishes the concept of 'friendship' and doesn't want only one person to survive after a fight.

She hoped that after they finished fighting, they could chat together and she could listen to Maria tell more stories...

She liked to play with her little toys by the campfire at night, with Maria watching her.

She... didn't want to fight Maria at this time...

"But I won't stop you."

Exhaling, Maria finally took a step back.

This relieved both of them; the 18-year-old even showed obvious joy on his face, smiling as he hugged Maria.

She didn't know why she did it, but... she just wanted to!

She's happy!

Maria watched as the girl with the flawless smile hugged her, then silently looked at the man in front of her.

"I still don't think your plan has any chance of succeeding, but I won't stop you."

"I'll only be watching you."

"The day your plans completely spiral out of control... I will personally clean up this mistake that I should be cleaning up today!"

With that, Maria turned and left.

And Sui followed him away in small steps.

Only *** remained, watching all of this unfold.

After a moment, he sighed, turned his head, and looked at the tightly sealed cage beside him, where not even a wisp of air could circulate...

Originium remains Originium, faintly glowing in its place...

"Completely out of control...?"

Hopefully, that day will never come.

He shook his head, silently picked up the lamp, and left...

The days passed quickly.

Soon, the people of Hundred Stoves discovered that the blockade of the Hundred Refining Bureau within the Great Yan had become much tighter.

Originally, not many people were willing to go to this place. Although there were guards on weekdays, they were not very strict.

But this time is different.

They could clearly sense that the defenses surrounding the Hundred Refining Bureau had increased by several levels.

The surrounding territories also began to expand continuously, and more and more people were transferred to them, with strict information about each individual being kept secret.

Warrior, blacksmith, Daoist priest, general...

Wait, wait, wait...

Such tight security suddenly aroused everyone's curiosity: what exactly had happened at the Hundred Refining Bureau?

Many daring individuals also attempted to find an opportunity to investigate.