Life Game In Other World
Chapter 372: Rock City Mayor’s Speech (Double-Length - Please Subscribe, Bookmark, and Vote for Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 372: Chapter 372: Rock City Mayor’s Speech (Double-Length Chapter Please Subscribe, Bookmark, and Vote for Monthly Tickets)

"Come on, let big brother have a look."

No sooner had He Ao stepped out of the small chapel than a figure rushed over.

He Ao’s first instinct was to kick him out.

He held back.

Yvo, excited, rubbed his brother’s face and then patted his shoulder, "Haven’t seen you in so long, you’ve really bulked up eh?"

He Ao’s gaze swept over Yvo’s body.

He was wrapped all over in bandages, but he seemed to be in much better shape, the bloodstains on the bandages had dried, and no new ones had appeared. His large movements didn’t cause the wounds to tear open, proving that the healing was going well.

The bandages on his body were also loose, and fell to the ground as he moved.

Just one night had passed, and that pharmacist’s skills were truly impressive, managing to pull him back from such serious injuries so quickly.

Speaking of which, Yvo suddenly cupped He Ao’s face at that moment and began to tug at the corners of He Ao’s mouth with his thumbs, forcing a smile,

"Don’t look so down, constantly having such a bitter and vengeful expression isn’t good for your health. Come on, smile, give your brother a smile."

He Ao could distinctly feel his eyebrows furrowing into the character ’川’.

Stay calm, stay calm, I am Nell right now, and this is my fourth brother, after all, my fourth brother.

Can’t lash out.

"Why aren’t you saying anything, is something wrong with your body?"

Yvo looked at He Ao, somewhat puzzled.

He Ao’s gaze dropped down, glancing at the hand that was pulling up his mouth.

There was a brief silence.

He took a deep breath.

Stay calm, stay calm.

"Hey, you, not talking or smiling, come on, smile. Smile first thing in the morning, and you’ll feel happy all day long."

Yvo strove to pull the corners of He Ao’s mouth, trying to make his brother smile.

Endure···

Can’t take it anymore!

He Ao directly grabbed the hapless guy and lifted him up as if picking up a chick, carrying him to a pillar in the nearby chapel. He picked up the bandage that had fallen on the floor and bound him to the pillar.

"Nell, are you murdering your own brother?! My wounds haven’t even healed, you can’t do this to me!"

Yvo was effortlessly bound to the pillar by his brother, without the strength to resist.

Looking at Yvo, He Ao finally understood, God gives you one thing and always takes another away.

In two years, from knowing nothing to being able to perfectly pilot a C-level Mecha, Yvo’s talent for Mecha was undeniably powerful.

And while God gave Yvo perfect talent for piloting Mecha, he seemingly also took his brains away with it.

Only yesterday, He Ao had thought this fourth brother had become smarter.

Turns out, it was just a temporary flash of brilliance.

Yvo’s brains, even zombies would shake their heads and walk away from.

Sigh—

After tying Yvo to the pillar, He Ao felt his mood lift a bit; he let out a sigh of relief and started walking towards the chapel’s main doors.

Actually, Nell had long wanted to mess with his fourth brother, who sometimes didn’t use his brain at all. He was just never able to beat him, and every time he tried, he would end up being thrashed by his brother instead.

He Ao felt as if a long-suppressed frustration had dissipated, and his steps felt lighter.

Tied to the pillar, Yvo watched his younger brother’s somewhat cheerful back and revealed a smile.

At that moment, a light laugh came from nearby, as a plainly dressed woman, covering her face, walked past.

Yvo suddenly realized a serious problem: this corridor was quite busy in the morning, and many of the people who came and went were acquaintances.

During his time at the Federal Military Academy, Yvo had heard a saying.

A person dies three times in their life.

The first time is when your heartbeat stops, and your physical body dies.

The second is at your funeral when you die in society.

The third is when the last person who remembers you dies, and you perish from history.

Yvo felt that his physical body hadn’t died yet, and he didn’t want to die socially just yet either,

"Nell! Good brother! Nell!! I was wrong, I was wrong, please untie me!!!"

······

He Ao didn’t hear Yvo’s cry for help, and even if he had, he would have pretended not to.

He returned to the main hall of the church and found the pharmacist who was checking the bodies one by one. He asked if being tied to the pillar would affect Yvo’s injuries.

After getting a response from the pharmacist that it would have ’no significant impact,’ He Ao walked straight to the right side door, remembering that the Old Foreman had entered through this door the night before.

At the moment, the side door was tightly closed, with a scrawny young man standing in front of it, pausing as though hesitating about something.

Just then, He Ao walked over; the young man glanced at him and then walked away.

He Ao looked at the young man quizzically; being new to the Miners’ Mutual Aid Association, he didn’t know what the man’s role was.

He approached the side door.

Inside, there was a gentle rustling sound, as if an elderly person was leisurely getting dressed.

He Ao waited a moment, waiting until the sound completely stopped and slow footsteps were heard from within, before he knocked on the door.

"Wait a moment," a hoarse voice said from inside.

After a while, the door opened, revealing an elderly person dressed in plain gray and white clothing to He Ao’s view.

"Nell?" The elderly seemed somewhat surprised by He Ao’s appearance. "What brings you here?"

He Ao pointed inside with his hand, "I encountered something last night at the church, and I would like to talk to you about it."

···Ten minutes later···

He Ao briefly described discovering the underground library at dawn and encountering Elijah there.

However, he omitted the clandestine knowledge, providing only a simple summary of the events.

The Old Foreman was advanced in age, and inherently weaker against pollution; knowing too much could lead to problems.

"Miss Elijah was the chairperson of the council two terms ago," the Old Foreman said slowly. "After the turnover of the last council, with the new Mayor in power, her party became the minority. She then gave up her council member status and retired from politics, seeking seclusion in this church."

He Ao: "Her relationship with the Miners’ Mutual Aid Association is...?"

"She is a major supporter of the Miners’ Mutual Aid Association,"

The Old Foreman looked at He Ao, smiling, "When I decided to expand the Miners’ Mutual Aid Association, she contacted me and expressed her willingness to provide us with financial and some resource support. Much of the Association’s funding comes from her."

So that’s how it is; the Miners’ Mutual Aid Association wasn’t small in scale and had been around for nearly ten years, involving mostly miners who had nothing to lose.

He Ao had been wondering where the Old Foreman’s funds and channels had originated from, considering that any organization needing continuity must have a stable source of income.

Hatred could only fuel the will to fight, but couldn’t fill bellies.

The council chairperson is an official presiding over the council. In the event of an accident or resignation of the Mayor, the chairperson is the second in line to succeed, after the deputy mayor, and is one of the highest-ranking officials in the Fortress City.

Moreover, since the chairperson is elected by the council vote, the majority party often elects one of their members as the chairperson, making them essentially the leader of the council’s majority party. They can influence council actions, and thereby affect the establishment or abolition of laws.

The primary funding for the Miners’ Mutual Aid Association came from the former Chairman of the City Council, which in itself is a matter worth pondering.

The Miners’ Mutual Aid Association and the Mining Consortium are sworn enemies, and judging from the movements of the City Defense Army last night, the current Mayor is likely a power player within the Mining Consortium.

Was Elijah’s covert support of the Miners’ Mutual Aid Association intended to target her political adversaries?

Had she turned the Miners’ Mutual Aid Association into a sharp and pointed dagger?

He Ao did not dislike such manipulation. In the face of a common enemy, relationships built on mutual use were sometimes more stable than those built on emotions, and they were easier to predict,

as long as one did not let the other dominate their will.

"Nell," as He Ao was deep in thought, the Old Foreman turned around, looked at the small mining pick hanging on the wall, and suddenly asked, "This is your first time here, what do you think of the Miners’ Mutual Aid Association as an organization?"

Caught off guard by the question, He Ao paused briefly before replying softly, "A small group united by hatred."

Upon hearing this answer, the Old Foreman was momentarily stunned. He looked at He Ao, nodded gently, then asked slowly, "Do you think the Miners’ Mutual Aid Association can achieve its goals? Can they take down the Mining Consortium?"

After serious consideration, He Ao shook his head,

"It’s almost impossible for the Miners’ Mutual Aid Association to take down the Mining Consortium.

The Mining Consortium is not just one person, or a small group, but a community of interests rallying around the mines, depending on mining and related industries for their livelihood.

Merely relying on a few people fueled by hatred, attempting assassinations or violent attacks, it’s almost impossible to overthrow the Mining Consortium. If the board of directors were to be wiped out, a new one would be elected; if the Ice Wolf Gang were to be destroyed, a new Fire Wolf Gang would emerge.

As long as the foundation of the Mining Consortium remains unchanged, the attacks by the Miners’ Mutual Aid Association would be like nail clippers clipping nails, they grow back after being cut, endlessly, until the nail clippers themselves shatter."

The Old Foreman turned his back and reached out to take the small mining pick off the wall.

Nowadays in the Federation’s mining industry, mining machines are used, and there’s little need for mining picks.

The small mining pick the Old Foreman removed looked more like a keepsake; it was entirely made of metal, with the pick-head painted black and the handle imitating a wooden texture.

The words of He Ao were harsh; he all but negated the existence and meaning of the Miners’ Mutual Aid Association, denying the goal that its members had strived for nearly a decade.

But this was indeed the reality; over these ten years, far from harming the Mining Consortium, the Association had watched its power grow and grow.

The actions of the Mining Consortium became progressively more ruthless.

The Old Foreman, staring at the mining pick in his hand, suddenly asked hoarsely, "Kid, where do you think the Associtation is lacking?"

In truth, He Ao didn’t have much sentiment towards the Miners’ Mutual Aid Association, but after all, the old miners had saved his Fourth Brother and even sent him to the Federal Military Academy to study.

From Nell’s perspective, this was a significant favor.

Moreover, to complete the main quest, He Ao might need to leverage the Association’s strength.

After some thought, he shared his own opinion,

"The Miners’ Mutual Aid Association is built upon the hatred that miners who have lost family members harbour towards the Mining Consortium. The collective hatred and the common enemy give the Association a very high cohesion and combat capability.

But hatred guides destruction and ruin, and most people are not prepared to die; they simply want to live and hope for a better tomorrow.

Hatred forged the Association but also shackled it, making it difficult for the Association to grow and gain recognition among ordinary miners whose lives are not so desperate."

The Old Foreman looked up in surprise at He Ao.

He knew Nell’s identity and was aware of the fact that nearly his entire family was driven to their deaths by the Mining Consortium.

In theory, Nell’s hatred for the Mining Consortium should rank at the very top within the Association, yet the Old Foreman heard a reasoned analysis.

He could feel that as He Ao spoke, it was as if he were suppressing a volcano within.

But in the end, the child had not let hatred overwhelm his rationality.

"We have fought with hatred for many years," the Old Foreman sat on a chair, looking at He Ao, "The Mining Consortium is so powerful that if we give up our hatred, we lose the strength to fight against them."

"The flames that destroy a palace often ignite within its own walls, and majestic edifices frequently crumble over fragile foundations."

He Ao looked back at the Old Foreman, feeling that the Elderly was prompting him to express some opinions,

"Hatred cannot be relinquished, and although the Mining Consortium and the community of interests surrounding it are powerful, this solid Fortress City is not without its vulnerabilities. The rulers of the fortress are constantly stripping away the foundation to adorn their ornate palaces at the top.

The shareholders of the Mining Consortium and those who profit from it are brutally squeezing the lowest level miners, constantly reducing ’costs,’ inflating stock prices, and reaping excessive profits."

"The Mutual Aid Association was actually born from the oppressed miners as well, but the people in the association were the most desperate of the oppressed miners."

At this point, he paused, "If the Mutual Aid Association really wants to overthrow the Mining Consortium, it’s best to go back among the miners, seek the help of the oppressed miners, and build a consensus among the majority.

They are the cornerstone of the entire Mining Consortium. Only by uniting their strength is there a chance to destroy the Mining Consortium."

The Old Foreman looked at He Ao, his eyes flickering, "The Mining Consortium controls most of the City Defense Army and has its own Mercenary Corps. The miners’ marches and strikes are suppressed every time, each more severe than the last."

He Ao almost immediately realized the problem, "The more forcefully a powder keg is suppressed, the more terrible the destruction when it explodes."

Then he caught the key phrase in the Old Foreman’s words, "Most of the City Defense Army is controlled? Does that mean there’s still a part of the City Defense Army not under the control of the Mining Consortium?"

The Old Foreman’s eyes nearly glowed as he looked at He Ao. He opened his mouth, about to answer He Ao’s question, when suddenly the door was thrust open, and a young man looked at the Old Foreman anxiously,

"Old Foreman, quick, look, watch the Mayor’s speech."

"Don’t rush, speak slowly."

The Old Foreman stretched out his hand to calm the young man, then raised his bracelet.

At the same time, He Ao also raised his bracelet.

At this moment, the Mayor’s speech was being broadcast live to the whole of Rock City.

As He Ao initiated the live stream, a middle-aged man with a gentle face and wearing a neat suit appeared in He Ao’s view.

"... Rock City has stood on this ice field for over seven hundred years. In these seven hundred years, never has there been such a terrifying event as that of yesterday."

"I have met Mr. Vinc. He was a humble, polite, and compassionate entrepreneur, generously donating over five million to the Rock City Charity Foundation each year. This money became the source of free food distributed to the homeless on the streets, and also the pillar of education for children from impoverished families."

"Yet such a virtuous gentleman was attacked by a group of crazed, violent criminals last night and died tragically at their hands."

"These ferocious criminals not only brutally killed Mr. Vinc but also brazenly attacked Mr. Ruolanke, the Chief of Staff of the City Defense Army who came to persuade them to surrender."

"A hero who diligently protected our city from the claws of the exotic beasts, and who protected our lives, lost his young life just like that."

"As the Mayor of Rock City, I couldn’t sleep last night. The presence of such terrifying and crazy criminals during my tenure is my responsibility, the City Hall’s responsibility."

"Here, I stand before you, the people of Rock City, and before every Mayor of Rock City over the past seven hundred years, I swear on my life that I will catch these dirty and vicious criminals and return the people of Rock City to a safe heaven."

The Mayor passionately delivered his speech in the video, surrounded by loud applause, but no people were to be seen.

"Vinc was the only one who could prevent the Mayor from taking power within the Mining Consortium. Now that Vinc is dead, the Mayor has complete control over the Mining Consortium."

The Old Foreman watched the bracelet intently and said softly.

"He must have found out about the plans of the Mutual Aid Association through some channel," someone at the doorway continued the conversation, "so he manipulated the situation, guiding the Mutual Aid Association to kill Vinc or eliminate his power, and then pinning the blame on the Association. Two birds with one stone, eliminating his own enemy while having a legitimate excuse to wipe out the Mutual Aid Association."

He Ao looked up to see that it was indeed Yvo standing at the door, his body wrapped in some torn bandages. It seemed he had forcefully torn them off and rushed over.

But He Ao hadn’t been wrapped that tightly himself, he could have torn them off with some effort.

However, the fact that Yvo could analyze all this made He Ao look at him in a new light, as if he sensed a clever intellect once again taking the high ground.

But it was still within reasonable limits, the Old Foreman had served as a catalyst, and Yvo himself had guessed yesterday that he was being used. It wasn’t difficult to combine these insights.

"The situation is probably worse," the Old Foreman shook his head, "He’s likely to use this as a pretext to mobilize the City Defense Army to conduct a massive purge of all the miners, removing those with a history of resistance, or those currently resisting."

"Has he gone mad?"

Yvo was somewhat stunned.

"He’s not mad."

He Ao said calmly.

He watched the Mayor in the video.

Despite the temperament, makeup, and gestures being completely different, the face of the Mayor overlapped with another from He Ao’s memory.

The ’supervisor’ who had talked with Locke in the video retrieved with the life of his fifth sister, the one who had ordered the slaughter of the miners.

In that instant, He Ao understood why the video was named ’M’, as ’M’ is the initial letter of the word Mayor in the Federation language.