Meteor Fall Master in the 'Starry Abyss'
Chapter 442 - 81. Take things out of context - Excerpt from ’Don’t Take Things Out of Context

Chapter 442: 81. Take things out of context - Excerpt from ’Don’t Take Things Out of Context

The Valenkov Autonomy was not just a region, but an autonomous nation, an artificial planet three-quarters the size of Azure Star, leading to regional segmentation and population clustering.

Later, when a large number of players flooded in, it became impossible to govern, and the locals assimilated them instead, accumulating wealth by scavenging scrap and collecting the Blood of Nakis.

Ironically, this situation eventually formed an ecosystem. Members of high-level civilizations came here for duels and mining, leaving behind garbage like a whale fall, which the locals fought over; these battles brought more wealth to the lower civilizations than direct aid.

Continuous crossfire damaged the Valenkov Fortress, decreasing its output power while Valenkov’s fragile ecosystem gradually deteriorated. To compete in the Blood of Nakis market, warlords and mercenaries even paid to maintain Valenkov Autonomy, keeping it in a perennial fall-to-winter transition.

Yesterday’s autumn was summer, and summer’s yesterday was spring.

People of Valenkov moved forward, neither into winter nor spring.

When they found themselves in Valenkov’s war zone on a perpetual winter night, lying in ruins, gnawing on protein-Vitamin C energy bars, clutching dust-cover-free laser rifles, they recalled Kalmetz’s relief payment orders for the elderly and bereaved families.

Who would have thought that was their last spring?

For players, no matter how they chose, it always led to this outcome.

In a sense, this could be considered a good ending.

At least with the interference of the Interstellar Alliance and the checks and balances of narrative-level civilizations, Valenkov wasn’t bombarded and blockaded directly, letting narrative-level monopolize resources, nor did Valenkov become extinct.

But was it supposed to be this way? Who knows.

One can only say Starry Abyss’s magical worldview deserved a magical realism plot.

Li Aozi reviewed the plot and planned his route.

He stood up, walked into the spacetime ripple, and went straight through the office door. Despite the late hour, Valenkov’s supreme leader, Kalmetz Shield, was still working overtime.

To save costs, he even relocated his security elsewhere, making it very easy for Li Aozi to slip in.

Li Aozi glanced around the room. It was evident that Kalmetz’s finances had completely collapsed; he couldn’t even afford to repair the office. Cracks covered the ceiling, and besides an old-fashioned laser pistol on the desk for self-defense, there were no decorations—a pitiful sight.

Such an environment gave Li Aozi a chance to act.

He stood quietly, observing Kalmetz.

This tall alien looked like a half-Dragonite with gorilla arms, red scales, and handsome coral horns. His muscles were exceptionally swollen and explosive, like a mountain.

However, his pale hair and wrinkled face stood out starkly; even his aura had diminished, barely stronger than a mortal of Gamma Rank. But his sharp eyes told visitors his strength, though waning with age, meant his body and spirit were still robust.

Yet this nearly three-meter-tall giant was crouched behind his desk, humbly and obsequiously pleading to a head of state on the other end of the communication:

"... This loan is really important. We can’t live without it. Many children will starve to death—what? Debt, you say? Don’t worry, our debt situation is not irredeemable. Even the narrative-level civilizations say so, as long as there’s scientific guidance. Please consider our past friendship..."

Kalmetz’s pained expression could be felt even by different species. The office’s air was thick with bitterness and sorrow.

Li Aozi didn’t rush to act. He opened the forum’s recording function and adjusted the camera.

The communicator projected an image of a purple-skinned fungal creature, looking helplessly at Kalmetz. He advised:

"Leader Kalmetz, out of our friendship, let me be frank: you’re a good warrior, but you know nothing about economics and politics. Your country is on the verge of collapse. Such a large debt crisis can only be managed by the Interstellar Alliance, through bankruptcy and credit restructuring."

"King Gretto, you’re right. But you don’t understand; Velazquez will surely take advantage. My citizens will be enslaved by corporations and tycoons!"

"Slaves have full bellies." King Gretto earnestly said: "What you should do is quickly apply for narrative-level civilization intervention, declare bankruptcy, and revitalize the economy."

"You know well," Kalmetz said heavily, "our assets are only military services and warriors."

"Yes," Gretto said, "you can mortgage soldiers to foreign countries for their use, to work off debt. This counts as a service. If necessary, I suggest allowing them to mortgage their personal rights and health rights..."

"But wouldn’t that be equivalent to selling slaves?"

Kalmetz angrily said:

"The Valenkov Autonomy consists of slave warriors freed from Nakis aliens. Our warriors will never lose their freedom again, no matter what!"

[Video recorded]

"Freedom isn’t more important than survival, Kalmetz. My words may be coarse, but you must understand; you lack the strength and capability to manage a large free city-state. Slavery is best for your society’s culture and production level. Pursuing equality will only prevent your citizens from even becoming slaves."

King Gretto, as a fungal being, couldn’t lie, speaking straightforwardly, leaving Kalmetz speechless. His already red skin turned even more flushed with shame.

"You’re a good person, Kalmetz. I can arrange to move you and your family out of Valenkov—"

"I won’t borrow from you. Thank you for your kindness!" Kalmetz’s tone was angry and cold. "No one can separate me from my people. I forever stand with them."

"Not everyone is as proud as you, saints who can fill their bellies with will and faith alone."

Gretto sighed,

"You think you’re with them, but are they with you? The power and wealth you enjoy won’t vanish due to thrift; it will only make those around you feel ’even striving can’t bring enjoyment’. You’re not a good ruler. Get some rest, think it over. Retreating now will preserve a good reputation."

With that, Gretto ended the communication.

Kalmetz slumped in his chair, covering his face, the intense frustration knocking him down.

"Was I truly wrong?"

"I only wanted everyone to live freely. Our ancestors paid a great price to escape slavery. Must we regress?"

"Although life is tough now, once the new ship returns with those seven million ammonium gold, I can stabilize prices by importing cheap food from Gretto."

"Selling slaves? Such a choice, too difficult. I can’t accept it."

[Recording complete]

Li Aozi had recorded enough material, adjusted his posture, and took out Zaniya from the spacetime dimension.