Situ Qinghong comfortably escorted Angel to a massive military base far removed from the secular world.
On the way, they passed orderly and energetic training troops shouting loud slogans. Numerous heavy and colossal vehicles and firepower equipment were also visible.
It appears that this was a military fortress aimed not only at humans.
Angel got off the armored vehicle with a dazed expression, "I remember Master Book said that she was communicating with the contemporary martial arts world?"
"Yes!"
"Why is it like this then?"
"Is there any problem? What era is it now? How can you be considered a martial arts master if you can't hold a Gatling gun with one hand and fire an RPG with the other?"
Situ Qinghong blinked and replied as if it were obvious.
Angel pondered for a while and nodded. "Yeah, no problem."
"Right, right! I knew it. We are all from Shenzhou. You must understand the fear of insufficient firepower that runs in our blood!" Situ Qinghong smiled and put her arm around Angel's shoulders.
The Shenzhou authorities had already found out everything about Angel long before she came to Shenzhou. Both her parents were from Shenzhou, staying in the Far East just for work. Although they were absorbed by Saint Freya for various reasons, they are still compatriots. Considering her bad experience in the Far East, there was a great possibility of winning her over.
"Since ancient times, Shenzhou has had a unique advantage in the threat of Honkai. At first, it was protected by great gods such as Nuwa, Fuxi, and Emperor Xuanyuan. Later, Master Jingwei guarded it all year round. Until five hundred years ago, when the immortal left, it received various overt and covert care from Schicksal. Therefore, the people of Shenzhou rarely need to consider the threat of Honkai."
"But misfortune and fortune are interdependent. Being taken care of for a long time has led to our lack of due pressure. Although the culture is prosperous, Shenzhou's efforts to resist Honkai are too late."
"The understanding of Honkai and the resistance to Honkai, in terms of the system, scale, and experience, we are far behind the world. If it weren't for the sudden departure of our Lord Jingwei, the whole of Shenzhou would have learned from the violent turmoil, and perhaps we would still be unaware of the threat of Honkai."
"The base you saw gathers the most elite scientific research, military, and martial arts masters in all of Shenzhou. We live, train, and research here together. All our efforts are for one goal—when the Honkai is rampant and the Herrscher stands on the land of Shenzhou, we can use our own power to protect our people!"
Situ Qinghong led Angel into a huge building with a strong military style, talking all the while.
Angel blinked in confusion.
She didn't know much about the official government of Shenzhou, so she asked doubtfully, "But is this preparation really useful? Why not directly seek help from Schicksal or Anti-Entropy? Aren't they more professional?"
"What are the consequences of entrusting the responsibility and rights of protection to others? Haven't you experienced it in the Far East?" Situ Qinghong smiled, but there was a bit of coldness in her eyes.
Angel held the sword and lowered her eyes speechlessly.
The disaster in Nagazora was certainly caused by Cocolia, but as the local guardian force, the Far East Branch's negligence is also irrefutable.
Don't talk about the internal power struggle of Anti-Entropy in the early stage, and the reason that Schicksal should not intervene. The fact is that the Far East Branch did not play its due protective role in this disaster.
Situ smiled coldly, "Angel, do you know what it means to give up guardianship?"
"I have heard a little about it."
"That's easy. Letting Schicksal or Anti-Entropy stay means that economic and political sovereignty will be controlled by others. At that time, what industries to develop and what laws to make will depend on others' faces, not on the actual needs of Shenzhou. If all the girls of school age in a town disappear one day, or even the city itself disappears directly from the map, it is not something we can ask about—in a word, this is a necessary sacrifice to protect the world!"
"..."
Angel was completely speechless.
The simplest example is right in front of us. The Far East's Nagazora City disappeared.
What happened next?
The Far East government protested symbolically and earned enough sympathy on the international stage.
What happened next?
Nothing happened next.
Schicksal and Anti-Entropy, the two responsible organizations, did not receive any substantial punishment or losses, and even almost no accusations.
Everything remains the same. The Far East Branch is still the emperor of the Far East, and Schicksal and Anti-Entropy are still the great and glorious organizations that protect half of the world.
As for everything in Changkong City...
Guarding has a price, and no one wants to see this kind of thing, right?
Since you don't want similar incidents to happen again, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and give more benefits to your own guardian power and make more contributions!
Theresa and Welt will not be so dark, and even Otto himself is not an ambitious person pursuing interests, but the overall world pattern is like this.
This is reality, and no one can change it.
Angel understood the idea of the Shenzhou officials, then shook her head, "But Honkai is not a simple problem. If you insist on doing this, there won't be any good results."
"How do you know if you don't try? Maybe this whole base will be burned down one day, and we will all fall in blood and fire, but as long as there is one person left in Shenzhou, we will continue to work hard and do everything we can to protect this land! Angel, in popular words, this is the romance of us Shenzhou people!"
Situ Qinghong smiled brightly and gave Angel a thumbs up.
Although there was no invitation throughout the whole process, for the Shenzhou people who have cultural memories flowing, just this kind of narration is very attractive.
Angel can't blame those countries that gave up power for protection, because that is also a choice based on reality.
But ask yourself, if she wasn't a Herrscher, if she wasn't found by Saint Freya first, maybe she would also be moved by Shenzhou, right?
"We are here. There are many seniors who have been waiting for a long time! The disciple of the Immortal Jingwei, the one we met last time really impressed us!"
Situ Qinghong pushed open a heavy door. Inside the door, a group of warriors and officers exuding a strong momentum cast curious or sharp eyes at Angel.
Angel took a deep breath. Now she is no longer afraid of any big scene, so she walked in calmly.
...
After a long period of time, there was a shout that penetrated the heavy walls. In it were continuous heavy objects hitting the wall.
Cracks appeared on the wall one after another, as if something in the house was smashed against the wall.
Afterwards, through the broken door, many people walked in with all kinds of equipment with confidence, and soon came out unconscious.
...
When Angel came, the whole base was in order. With no men with injuries.
When Angel left, the infirmary of the base was full.
"Your ideals are great. I sincerely wish you success. I would even like to help you."
"But reality is heavy. Please recognize this."
"Today, I am the reality you face."
"Goodbye. Thank you for your hospitality."
Before leaving, Angel held the sword, her Gothic black dress fluttering gracefully in the wind, like a little princess holding a toy sword, but she left behind cold and frustrating words.
In the strong wind brought by the car, Situ scratched her head and smiled bitterly.
"Yes, this is reality. Otherwise, why would we pursue the power of Mount Taixu so hard?"
Under this heavy blow, even the optimistic her suddenly couldn't laugh.
"It's really far away, the distance between us and the world..."