"So, have you finally made up your mind?"
Looking at the figure before her, Kal'tsit sat in the room organizing materials, asking calmly. And the youth opposite took a deep breath, then, as if remembering something, shook his head and sighed.
"…I know your hardships, your endurance, and I also know you cannot tolerate those wrong things, helping those suffering people to fight against the various injustices in this world. Distinguishing those false people, and criticizing them. But I still want to say, if you want me to go, I won't go. I refuse this activity. I will not directly join your ranks."
"Why? At least please give us a reason."
Looking at the white-haired youth before her, wearing a white uniform, Kal'tsit raised her eyebrows somewhat surprisedly.
This didn't match her information. The information provided by Lungmen indicated this youth possessed an unimaginable saintly character; he loved peace and could not tolerate the appearance of such evil deeds. Wanting to transfer his presence away was, to some extent, also Lungmen's wish. Because in just a few short months, the White Tower (白塔 - Bái Tǎ) had already become a behemoth. What kind of transformation an industry capable of reshaping an ecosystem would bring, even a fool knew.
And Li Lin personally was also a turning point for Kazimierz, a guest of honor for various knightly classes. This basis of strength, coupled with related benefits, was already enough for Lungmen to accept a certain degree of exchange, to provide Li Lin's information to these curious people. Because now, no one dared to disturb his life anymore.
The whole world knew, a physically disabled person could destroy an entire army; now that he was well, who knew what he could do?
What's more, he had a good personality, improved the world's technological level; he was a good person.
But now Li Lin's performance made Kal'tsit feel whether Lungmen had given her false information. However, Li Lin's subsequent words made Kal'tsit's expression become even more silent.
"Your ideals are very good, and the environment of Oripathy patients is indeed very bad. Your thoughts are good. How should I put it, I know this is a very great ideal, a very great dream, even reminding me of a group of people who were also like this. But it's not enough, far from enough. Some things aren't just about talking, doing a little is not enough."
"A group of people? Not enough? What do you mean?"
"Suffering, is not enough."
Li Lin, sitting on the chair holding a teacup, his crimson pupils seemed to reflect a brilliant hell.
"When this world still has even a sliver of hope, one cannot say the idea is accomplished. You still haven't integrated, have you? Now a group of people futilely crash against an iron wall, committing suicide, using the splashed blood to tell others this will lead to death, and you actually call this a revolution; no. This is not. In my view, what is more valuable is not the Reunion Movement, but Rhodes Island. Because you gave them the hope of life; with life, there is everything, with life, there is a future. Those who dare to die are few; more people will retreat because of death, but you Rhodes Island offered another path. And the task you undertake is much heavier."
"Precisely because I once knew of that group of people's existence, and also knew how a true cause should be pursued, I decided not to participate in these matters. The machines you need, I will sell normally; the supplies you need, I will also sell normally, but I will not participate in your activities. I still have my family, friends. I also have my cause, ideals. I agree with your ideals, and offer assistance, but I will not give up my hope of living. Because many among you fundamentally don't want to live, just want to be a final spark. You have already forgotten your original intention, forgotten your mission, and instead take death as the result. But a glorious cause will not end with death; it should be a great cause that makes any noble person shed tears for it. Not something that makes people shake their heads and sigh."
"I cannot say this is wrong; after all, someone always has to fire the first shot, someone always has to wake up the slaves sleeping in dreams. But if the direction is wrong, the ideology is wrong, then this path cannot be said to be right. Tragic sacrifice brings shock, but what is harmed is yourselves. A cause without life, who will participate? The Reunion Movement walks on the wrong path; it met an undeserved war without being prepared, this is regrettable. But you are different."
"You are the true backup plan, right? Rather than going to Chernobog, I look forward more to how Rhodes Island will perform after Chernobog."
"…May I say, Mr. Li Lin, that everything you've said is not what Rhodes Island wants? We are just an Oripathy hospital, and what we want is merely to be able to cure Oripathy. The things you describe are not what we intend to do. You are truly thinking too much."
Kal'tsit's pupils constricted slightly, then she maintained her indifferent expression, speaking calmly:
"If there are no problems, I will relay all this to others as an answer. I can only express great regret about this; your judgments are all wrong."
"Is that so? That's hard to say."
Li Lin looked at Kal'tsit, whose expression seemed somewhat dissatisfied, and smiled.
"What I read in the crystals is tragedy, is dying for life. And this is far inferior to living for death. What you speak of is self-sacrifice, self-redemption, but I believe only wanting to live is the most fundamental desire. Not some great righteousness, not some awe-inspiring determination, but purely living. A person who cannot even live, his righteousness is inevitably flawed. Only by wanting to live, desiring to live, will one throw oneself into a cause without reservation."
"Living, there is strength. And those who wish for death will not become strength. Dead people are just dead, but living people must carry burdens forward. Everyone says their sacrifice can awaken others, but if everyone has to sacrifice, who will do the most basic work?"
"Not living to sacrifice, but sacrificing to live. When suicidal actions become the foundation, that is the beginning of madness."
"Do you want me to relay these words?"
"Of course."
Li Lin, dressed in white, shrugged, a calm smile on his face.
"If you all figure it out, or if some of you figure it out, I can provide you with other places to establish cities. Rem Billiton. That fellow Mayer spent a large sum of money to buy an oversized mountain range; there are many Originium creatures and Originium ores on it. But due to environmental and distance problems, it's basically equivalent to wasteland. Plus, the company that owned the land deed was in financial trouble, so quite coincidentally, that place became my property."
"Initially, it was intended for mechanical modification and the establishment of a new company. But if you need it, I will accept all of you under the name of employment and operator contracts. You can live normally in that artificial area, accumulate strength, until everything you desire arrives."
"…I will relay it."
Looking at the sincere-faced Li Lin, Kal'tsit fell silent for a long while, finally nodding.
"Then, out of respect for you, let me give you a piece of news too."
"Hm?"
"The Aegir cultists have begun searching worldwide for a 'Fallen One'; you seem to be considered one of the targets. Those people's actions are very crude; it might not be a problem for you, but please be careful."
"Is that so? Thank you for your advice."
Li Lin said calmly.
_________________________________________________
We did it! 100 Powerstones reached! 🎉Thank you so much for your amazing support! 💖
As promised, I've just unlocked 4 extra chapters for free on Patreon!Go check them out now — and don't forget to head to the Collection section to find them easily!