The blatant kidnapping at the Liberation Front’s signing ceremony shocked the entire world.
The Britannian Empire naturally reacted imdiately, placing Area 11 under complete martial law. The military began searching for remaining Liberation Front mbers and resistance fighters throughout Area 11, executing them. Yet, this ti, neither public opinion nor the public voiced any concerns about Britannia’s actions.
Even the Eurasian Federation and the Chinese Federation, who usually would seize the opportunity to deride, remained silent. After all, there are still rules in this world — political rules, military rules, various rules ant to maintain order. Furthermore, they originally hoped to use the Japan Autonomous Region to curb the Britannian Empire’s expansion in East Asia. The Liberation Front, however, ruined it all. No matter how much they wanted to suppress Britannia, they had to do it according to the rules.
But the blatant kidnapping and extortion at the signing ceremony had already crossed their bottom line.
Now Britannia stood on moral high ground, and apart from cursing "like pig-headed allies," the Eurasian Federation and the Chinese Federation had nothing to say.
In the sweeping purge like the autumn wind scattering fallen leaves by the Britannian Army, most of the resistance groups in Area 11 had been removed, making it hard for them to pose a threat anymore.
In fact, this was also Fang Zheng’s objective.
When contacting the resistance groups, Fang Zheng had already realized that many hardliners still existed within Area 11, perpetually unwilling to yield to Britannia, ever vigilant for the mont to reclaim their holand.
However, Fang Zheng’s goal wasn’t to help them regain independence; rather, his goal was to integrate Area 11 into the Chinese Federation. Therefore, Fang Zheng’s stance on these resistance groups aligned with Britannia’s.
This was why Fang Zheng invaded global broadcast channels to expose the Britannian atrocities in Shinjuku. He knew well that the Britannian resistance groups would surely take so action.
In essence, it was bait for fishing, and Fang Zheng was rely responsible for creating this bait for Britannia.
And now... progress was smooth.
Britannia played the villain, clearing the resistance groups in Area 11, paving the way for Fang Zheng to subsequently let the Chinese Federation take over. Next, what Fang Zheng had to do was to handle the situation on the Chinese Federation’s side.
"I’m going to take a tour around the Chinese Federation, how about you all?"
After staying in the hotel for a few days, feeling the situation was settled, Fang Zheng began planning the next step — to the Chinese Federation, tasting all the delicacies along the way first.
"I... want to stay here."
Asuna and others exchanged glances, then voiced their opinions.
"I want to see if I can help sohow. Though those resistance groups are indeed hateful, the ordinary people are innocent..."
Indeed, leveraging the kidnapping incident, Britannia launched a massive purge against the residents of Area 11, with Admiral Clovis even appearing on television to rally everyone... Of course, outwardly claiming that Admiral Clovis had recovered after rescue efforts, but Fang Zheng knew that the one shot at the venue was just a double.
Nonetheless, through Clovis’s previous performance at the signing ceremony, he had successfully established a grand and radiant image in the hearts of Britannian citizens — a great governor unafraid of coercion, willing to sacrifice for the Empire!
Now the Britannian Army comnced a massive purge of the residents of Area 11, inevitably leading to so misguided killings. Asuna and her group couldn’t turn a blind eye to this; while the Liberation Front and resistance groups might be at fault, the ordinary people remain innocent. Hence, they wanted to stay here to help those people.
"You all think so? Well, there’s no problem with that."
Facing Asuna’s reply, Fang Zheng shrugged, not finding it too surprising.
"Then... Kurumi, Belfast, you’ll be responsible for looking after them."
Fang Zheng didn’t intend to stop Asuna from her decision. To him, Area 11 was originally an "experintal field," just right for these girls to experience the various problems facing Heavenly Dao Palace when intervening in other powers’ conflicts. As for whether these girls might be traumatized or the like, Fang Zheng was quite at ease; Natsuse and Midori lived in a much darker Black World compared to here, yet in a world turning humans to demons, they could maintain their innocent hearts, so they’d naturally have no problem in this world.
As for Asuna, Black Cat, Eiriri, and Yuki... let’s just say, since they chose this path, Fang Zheng would be waiting for them to grow.
"Of course, Mr. Fang Zheng, leave it to ."
Hearing Fang Zheng’s words, Kurumi lifted her skirt and curtsied with a smile, while Belfast also nodded.
"And you? Green hair?"
Having finished his instructions in a few words, Fang Zheng turned around to look at C.C standing in the corner. Faced with Fang Zheng’s call, C.C rolled her eyes without complaint and then spoke.
"If possible, I’d like to stay here to see if I can help sohow."
"Hm? Weren’t you thinking of dying?"
"Well..."
Hearing Fang Zheng’s question, C.C appeared slightly embarrassed.
"Let reconsider..."
"Alright then, you can stay here and help."
Fang Zheng didn’t care what sche C.C was up to; since she didn’t plan on dying anyti soon, she could stay. Anyway, if she ever felt like dying, he had ten thousand ways to send her to the afterlife.
However, before leaving, Fang Zheng suddenly stopped, turning his head to look at the girls in the room.
"Right, before leaving, let tell you a story."
"A story?"
Hearing Fang Zheng’s unexpected start, the girls were all rather surprised, while Natsuse, Midori, and Nobiru quickly gathered around eagerly.
"What story? Big brother?"
"A story about a traveler..."
Saying this, Fang Zheng smiled slightly and began narrating.
"On a snowy night, a traveler encountered a truck. As she got out to check, she encountered three emaciated n inside. Trapped by a blizzard for days, they had exhausted all their food, on the brink of starvation. Pleading for help, the traveler answered their prayers; she hunted rabbits, provided food for the n, rescuing them from near death..."
Listening to Fang Zheng’s story, everyone watched him curiously while he continued.
"With the traveler’s help, the three n gradually recovered. To express their gratitude, they gave the traveler a ring, and soone played a unique tune from their country. From them, the traveler learned about a festival called the Survival Ritual. Every year at this ti, rchants returning from trade trips celebrate their safe return in their country..."
"For three days, the traveler hunted rabbits for them, helping them regain health. The blizzard stopped, and the traveler helped them pull the stuck truck out of the snow. However, just when the traveler was about to leave, they suddenly revealed their fangs, raising weapons against the traveler."
"Eh? Why?"
Listening to this, Yuki asked in surprise, and Fang Zheng glanced at her, then continued.
"Because they were traffickers. Their rchandise was girls. While grateful for the traveler’s help, they still needed to take rchandise back. The traveler was the rchandise they were eyeing."
"..."
Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent, and Fang Zheng continued on solemnly.
"They fought with the traveler, and all three n were killed by the traveler. Returning to the truck, the traveler discovered the skeletal remains — the ’rchandise’ the three n killed and cannibalized."
"What happened in the end? What happened to the traveler?"
Surprisingly, the one inquiring wasn’t any of the younger girls but C.C. holding a stuffed doll nearby, looking at Fang Zheng as if seeking an answer.
"The traveler left, continuing on her journey. The story ends."
Fang Zheng spread his hands, shrugging his shoulders.
"That’s how the story goes... and it’s also my gift to you... Moving forward, rely on your own efforts."
Having said this, Fang Zheng waved his hand, then turned and left the hotel.
Leaving only the silent girls behind in the room.
"Whew... Ti for another round in the city, then off to the Chinese Federation."
Walking down the street, Fang Zheng stretched lazily. Now, with the Britannian Army’s central purges nearly complete, the city began regaining orderly form. But for those in Area 11, their situation obviously looked bleak.
However, this didn’t concern Fang Zheng.
"Please make way——!"
While strolling down the street, suddenly, a voice ca from above, and Fang Zheng looked up to see a pink-haired girl descending from the sky, landing toward him!
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