By the time Roland rushed into the hangar, the scene was already in chaos.

As a result of the timely notification, the non-combatants had long since evacuated the hangar, leaving the Guards and Marines to engage the enemy. Using the repair rack and passage as cover, the two sides exchanged bullets fiercely.

The gunfire was fierce, but the battle was one-sided.

The captives were unfamiliar with the new weapons, and they couldn't play with tall toys such as submachine guns and automatic rifles. On the other hand, the Guards are among the best in the world, and the Marines are experts in in-ship combat, and they are not only familiar with the weapons in their hands, but also how to deal with the situation. It can be said that they fought the captives with only three points of force, as evidenced by the fact that most of their members have changed into aerial uniforms.

If it weren't for special operations experts like spiders, bugs, and flower mantises, who are proficient in firearms, and Diana's use of magic to contain attacks, I'm afraid the battle would have ended long ago.

Roland looked around the hangar from the door, his gaze fixed on the fixed frame in front of him, and the white one-horned MDS stood quietly in the middle of the battlefield, looking back at him without saying a word.

Diana on the other side also spotted him at this time, and was about to greet him but was stopped by Roland's gesture. As Roland's gaze glanced ahead, the nun nodded obediently and raised her hand upward.

Thunder and lightning tore through the air, the long lightning spear was weakened by the ship's internal discharge system, and the three soldiers who suffered the direct hit were still directly knocked to the ground, and many more soldiers were temporarily robbed of their sight by the sudden flash of bright light. For a moment, the gunfire stopped.

Taking advantage of the short gap, Roland rushed out of the passage in one go.

Bullets whizzed all around, and the feverish eyes had no time to see where the shooter was lurking. Seize control before the floodgates open, buy time for everyone to move to the Endeavour, and rescue Minerva from being held hostage - with only one thought left in his head, Roland leaps into the "unicorn". The white body gradually enlarges, the fixing frame is not completely locked, and the control key is inserted into the operation panel. Just as he was one step away from touching the key and screwing it to "unlock", a low rhythm sounded, and a blinding glare and radiant heat hit from behind.

This is the end of the farce. ”

A wave of heat mixed with an indifferent sound pierced through the fabric and into the skin. Roland turned his stiff neck to look behind him, and the purple MA raised his hooked arm at himself, and the muzzles of the three particle cannons in the center swelled with a dangerous light, and Nidhogg under the metal mask was staring at him.

Beyond the grinning black dragon, Roland met a quiet gaze, the man in a military uniform standing in the high-rise maintenance corridor, holding on to the railing and staring down.

There is no room to think about when Li Lin appeared, as long as he wants. Then there must be a way to do it. And what does it mean for Nidhogg, who originally monitored Valrhona, to appear here, it is simply self-explanatory. Looking at the man standing at the height of a six-story building, Roland remained motionless, not a desperate moment, nor a childish stubbornness that resisted acknowledging the results, but just didn't want to look away or make other similar gestures of submission.

That's all. I don't want to do it anyway.

"If I make a shot, it won't take a minute. It will be over. ”

Not arrogant or threatening, the tone of pure factual presentation made the heated exchange of fire seem to pause.

Ignoring the changes around him, Li Lin asked condescendingly:

"What do you want to do?"

“......”

"If you deny us, what are you going to do next? Do you want to pin your hopes on Charlemagne and the side of the human camp and make enemies of us?"

The question that had been kept was spread between the two of them, through the air distorted by the heat of the particle cannon's muzzle. Li Lin's figure shook in Roland's eyes.

"Humanity doesn't expect change, and the future they want is not the same thing as the future you want. Even with your help, in the end all they want to do and can do is continue the warped world, is that what you expect?"

What humanity has learned from history. I just didn't learn anything.

Repeating the same mistakes over and over again, repeatedly vowing not to let the tragedy happen again, saying "someday", and finally passing on the extended debt as an inheritance to the next generation, adding an ironic footnote to the next reincarnation.

Such creatures don't need guidance, they don't have that value.

"We are the only ones who can change the world and end the cycle of distortion. This fact will not be changed by the passion of the moment, nor will it be shaken by your belief that humanity can change, and the slightest possibility is far from enough to upend the future that is coming. ”

The indistinguishable voice, as cold as "reality" itself, then asked:

"Even then, are you going to choose which side, why, for whom, and what can you do?"

It is a very simple question, but the weight is extremely heavy, and even the body temperature seems to be squeezed out of the body by the weight of reality, leaving a hollow body to face questions.

No, it's not.

Flesh and blood are never empty, and possibility, hope—is never optional.

Suppressed by the barrage opened by the guards, the crew of the Endeavour still did not give up on returning fire and saving their comrades who had been shot, spiders and bugs were trying to get close to the distribution box of the gate, as well as Gloria and Venia, and of course, Valrhona and Minerva. Everyone saw Li Lin descend here, and they all realized how insignificant the individual was in the face of that force, but they still did not give up resistance.

What are they resisting?

Loyalty to the state and the monarch, the survival instinct to live, the reflexes of going with the flow—every explanation may be true, and it may be true. But that's not all.

In the face of the "absolute" that both nature and the world can change, which is equivalent to natural disasters, loyalty and the like cannot be sustained. People do not have anger or doubts about tsunamis or earthquakes, but can only regard them as an inescapable fate in the world, and silently accept the pain caused by disasters. Li Lin, who is even more powerful than this, should become a symbol of "force majeure", and no one should resist him.

At this moment, the small, dusty human beings are fighting against the will of the "Divine Will Agent".

Why?

For what?

（...... If you have to say why, it must be something you have to fight. ）

A strong heat welled up in the boy's chest, and he looked up again at the pair of red pupils that looked at everything.

People are not ants, and they are not parts. Everyone faces the future of reality and the unknown. Everyone has their own approach, regardless of the end or means, everyone believes that there is room for improvement in the world, and everyone takes their own steps with a small kindness to "become better now". Although the result of good intentions may not ultimately create perfect results, and the collision of different ideas leads to all kinds of opposition, even that kind of good will is denied. The world is left with nothingness.

There are differences and antagonisms in the world, and they do need them.

But the world does not only need to be opposed, and the world conceived by Li Lin is only differences and antagonisms, and even the resulting resentments are managed and named "stability". It is unreasonable and cruel to deny the possibility of believing in the goodwill and harmony of dialogue, and to package renunciation and despair as truth to all, and it is precisely the instinct of human beings and intelligent beings that drives them to rebel.

Maybe this is naïve, naïve. It's a misunderstanding of yourself that isn't mature enough, and you'll eventually be betrayed, but—

(I...... want to believe)

Ideals, coexistence, freedom, peace, equality, goodwill, fraternity, possibility—these are beautiful words that are still beautiful words and will probably remain beautiful words in the distant future.

Step by step accumulation, step by step forward, continuous efforts and inheritance. Weak and incomplete human beings can only move forward in this way, and the first step to change the world. It must also start from "believing" and move forward to the distant and almost eternal "someday", and if you don't believe, nothing will begin.

“...... For everyone. ”

Pushed by the heat surging in his chest, the young man who had faded his youth looked up at his adoptive father with an expressionless face.

"There is no distinction between race and foe, nor between nations and camps. I want to explore ways beyond opposites. ”

The cold words pressed up, freezing what he wanted to say next.

"It's like the words of a brave man, but ...... What do you mean by 'everybody'?"

The scathing cross-examination pierced Roland's heart, and even though he knew that he would be asked so, he knew what he wanted to say. The feeling of being hit in the middle of the sore spot will not change.

"The Church wants a unified state with theocracy, the big countries want a territory that suits their own interests, the small countries want to move between the big countries for profit and survival, and the common people ...... They have a lot of ideas, but they have exhausted themselves by focusing on the life in front of them, and in the end they can't do anything but accept it. Which side are you talking about? Which side do you want to choose?"

Choices can hurt, not to mention the choices that will determine the fate of thousands, and there is no magic in this world that makes everyone happy. Some people will be angry because of this, and some people will be sad because of it, and the choices of those in power are originally based on trampling on the ideas of others.

"It may be possible to join hands for a while, but as long as there are differences, the confrontation will continue, and the result will still be back to square one. If you want to be the spokesperson of all wills, even differences can be embraced, and the only way to do this is to be a container - just like the brave men and divine wills of the past, to empty yourself and transcend madness to contain the will of all. ”

The red pupils that looked down calmly spoke, and Roland held on and did not take his eyes off it.

Realizing that the "container" Li Lin was referring to was "God", and that he himself said this by acting on behalf of God's will, with an exceptionally strong sense of reality, Roland couldn't help but swallow a mouthful of saliva.

"The hopes, the possibilities that you believe in now, will one day be betrayed. In the end, it will only self-destruct or be closed in despair. It's still too late, come with me. You should also know that, like Linard Dalke in the past, you can't go back to what you call 'everybody' now. ”

There was a sudden tingling in his chest. It was the pain of the fear that was spoken in the bottom of my heart. Taken away by the cold words, Roland looked up at Li Lin.

This is also a fact, and it is a fact that I have vaguely understood from the beginning of my encounter with him, so it sounds more real at the moment, without the slightest air of sophistry and lies.

From both a theoretical and a practical point of view, I am afraid that the future depicted by Li Lin is the only answer to the eternal survival of the world.

But-

"Even so. ”

It is precisely because we understand how cruel the reality is that we expect change, and that the "good future" should be better than the present, not maintained by suppressing human nature, by manipulating opposition and adjusting positions.

Just say "someday". "Someday" is indeed not coming, but if you hold on to a small hope, little by little, step by step to move forward. At least that's not exactly the case.

"No matter how hard it is, no matter how hard it is, I've decided that I'm going to follow the path I've decided. Until the last moment. ”

Think for yourself, decide for yourself, and take responsibility for yourself.

That's Roland's answer.

It is precisely because of this that he has no way to blindly believe in Li Lin's theory -- it is not an ideal obtained by thinking after his own experience, but after all, it is something borrowed. Having seen the dark side and inhumanity of that theory, he could not admit that the world should be the way it was, let alone accept it as a fanatic.

Therefore, he has to explore and verify it by himself, even if he is an enemy of Li Lin and even the whole world.

"It's so young and vigorous, so-"

A snap of the fingers. Several members of the personal guard took two girls and walked out of the passage, it was Valrhona and Minerva who were captured, Li Lin took out a pistol and pointed the muzzle of the gun at the girl with emerald eyes.

"When the most important thing is trampled in front of your eyes, can you still say such things for everyone's sake?"

"Stop!"

Roland shouted, and the crew of the Endeavour shouted to rush out, and as Nidhogg slammed on the deck, the heavy impact silenced the hangar. Only the boy straightened up and roared:

"Let her go! Even if you don't use such despicable means, you can subdue everyone here with dignity!Where is Siegfried Otto Lilin's reputation as an archon and a divine will agent?!"

"Reserved?reputation?"

There was no undulating tone, as if he was sneering. I only listened to Li Lin fight back with an uncompromising attitude.

"If reserve and reputation will turn tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions of soldiers into bones, then this kind of honor and reserve should not be done. ”

“......！”

"I don't deny that at some point I was a dictator, and I can't be sure that at some point I will become a tyrant in the eyes of others, but I have never regarded the country as my private property, nor have I ever regarded the Defence Force as a private army. For the sake of personal honor and reserve, thousands of families have lost their husbands, fathers, and sons. What kind of law is this? In that case, how is it different from the tyrants of history? Or do you think that with ideals and beliefs, it doesn't matter if you go to war, and that killing for a high ideal is more noble than killing for a so-called honor?"

“......”

It's not just Roland. The brave crew of the Endeavour was also silent.

Previously, Li Lin had not hesitated to talk about the necessity of establishing a new order, propagating his own ideas, and justifying his own war for this purpose, but now he used the violent righteousness of "whether killing people with ideas is noble" to justify the hostage-taking, no matter what kind of standard it is, this is a rather despicable means. However, from the perspective of argument alone, Li Lin's statement is extremely correct.

With the lives of two weak women and millions of lives, which side is more valuable to sacrifice for peace?

I'm afraid anyone will hesitate when asked this question, but the guy who presented the puzzle has very clear values, and he who only pursues the "right" will not be stumped by this question. And no matter how Roland's side answers, he will fall into the dilemma of agreeing with Li Lin.

It is okay to wage war for lofty ideals and beliefs, and this is no different from the way Li Lin, the church, and the kings did it;

Did he anticipate his reaction, so he had prepared the way for the previous conversation? Or was his reaction fast enough? Whichever answer was, Roland felt a deep chill and listened to Li Lin's speech silently.

"When you sing the praises of your ideals and attract an audience, you should think in advance that someone will die for your ideals. In addition to hard work, the flower of ideals also needs to be watered by blood before it can bloom, how many sacrifices have you prepared for your dreams full of romanticism? Those who are ready to practice their ideals must at least have this degree of consciousness. Okay, answer me, what is your choice?"

All that remained of the noisy hangar was the whimper of the airstream, and all eyes were on the adoptive father and son, everyone knew that the verbal exchange between them would decide the fate of many people here, but few knew what this conversation would decide. And where the world is going. Everyone clenched their weapons tightly, and committed themselves to divining the solemn time of fate.

The boy closed his eyelids, and just when everyone else thought he had decided to give up, his purple eyes opened and a wry smile overflowed.

"Are you so afraid of me?"

“......”

The scene fell into a more solemn dead silence.

As far as the supreme director of the state is concerned, the Supreme Archon of Alfheim can be said to be rare and enlightened. But its essence is still an absolute monarch, and it is also the kind that has the legitimate cloak of "divine grant". Whether it is out of dignity and reserve, or to maintain authority, those who dare to challenge this layer of "absolute" face to face will largely face the risk of going to the gallows in the next second.

Although this scene in front of me cannot be called "unprecedented", at least it is "only seen so far" by the audience.

Between surprise, astonishment, and joy, the boy continued to laugh without fear of heaven and earth.

"If you think I'm in the way and solve it by force in the first place, why bother to convince me? It's just because it can't be done, right?"

The muzzle of the gun was motionless, and the lips that had always held the dominance of the words did not respond, bathed in all sights, the young man puffed up his dantian qi, and shouted as if he was fighting for his life with all his strength:

"Who chooses one or the other to protect important people and the world? The world, Minerva, Valrhona, and the friends I know are irreplaceable to me! How can I sort them like numerical numbers? But I decided that I would always push myself to the limit. Don't say in hindsight if only you had done it then!!"

"You ......!"

Nidhogg's eyes widened, bloodshot eyes gushed out real killing intent, and the power of the ray cannon suddenly increased, and no one suspected that the captain of the pro-guard who was stepped on by his tail would make Roland evaporate from the world in the next second.

"Stop. ”

The calm voice stopped Nidhogg, and before anyone else could react, a smile appeared on Li Lin's handsome face like a crystal carving.

"You glittering unfilial son......"

Words of unknown significance. The muzzle of the automatic pistol drooped, Li Lin raised his left hand, and the guards also lowered the muzzle of the gun to the ground, and Nidhogg closed the circuit of the particle cannon.

"Well, since you think my idea is flawed. There is also my self-confidence and consciousness, then you can challenge me, it is really normal for a guy with no strength to be knocked to the ground. ”

It was a very upright and bright smile, and that smile could be called a work of art in itself, but it was also quite dangerous to admire it. Regardless of humans, elves, and dragons, the audience present lowered their eyes at the same time, only the young man looked up at the divine will agent who was as dazzling as the sun, and a trace of sadness flashed on his resolute face.

Li Lin's left hand snapped, and something spun and fell into Roland's hand.

"Then there's the competing relationship. ”

The cold and hard voice and the weight of Direndal passed together, he had long known that his choice would cause this result, and when he really reached this moment, looking at the back of that person turning away, Roland still felt a corner of his heart collapse.

That back was no different from before, young, tall, distant, dazzling...... Now there's another layer of hostile diaphragm.

In the end, they still couldn't resonate, obviously understood each other's thoughts, and both recognized the legitimacy of each other's actions, but in the end they still couldn't reach a consensus. Is it because he is too naïve and immature enough? Perhaps, but Roland just can't stand Li Lin's harshness and sharpness.

"I'm leaving. ”

Putting away the sword of the brave, the young man said resolutely.

“...... Do what you think you need to do. ”

Without looking back, the back of the archon responded.

Ten minutes later, the Endeavour disengaged from the Emperor, using this moment as the dividing line, and the last note of a series of skirmishes that could only be regarded as lullaby was played, and the war march that swept the whole world began a magnificent and bloody performance.

Two weeks later, Roland and Minerva secretly met with Prime Minister Richelieu, and no one knows what they had discussed.

"A ghost, the ghost of Elven Zionism, has wandered over the civilized world for a thousand years, and now this ghost has flesh and blood, and is coming towards us with a scythe......" (To be continued......