Chapter 532: Choice
In the meeting room of the Protean Workshop family, the air seemed frozen with tension.
Over a hundred operators from the Administration stood in uniform formation, their bolters gleaming coldly under the dim light, adding a chill to the already tense atmosphere.
The Administration's bolters were all manufactured in Heavenly Kingdom. Unlike the round muzzles of traditional firearms, these bolters had slightly flattened muzzles. Internal mechanisms generated high pressure during firing, allowing each bolt to be fired with astonishing speed and accuracy, even allowing for continuous firing.
As these pitch-black muzzles were pointed uniformly at the members of the Protean Workshop family, an almost palpable sense of oppression arose, as if every breath was a luxury.
Facing the cold muzzles of the guns, the family members' eyes held a mixture of anger and fear, but more so, a sense of uncertainty about their future.
They exchanged glances, seeking support and courage from their companions.
At this moment, time seemed to slow down.
Everyone's breathing was heavy, and every heartbeat reminded everyone present that a decision that could change their fate was about to come.
"Counselor Serena, I think we can sit down and have a good discussion about the cooperation between the Ever-Changing Workshop and the Administration."
In the tense, almost explosive atmosphere, Moon Rabbit's voice held a hint of calmness, yet it seemed incredibly powerful.
She slowly stepped forward, the [Star Breath] pistol in her hand gleaming silver in the light, like the brightest star in the night sky, both beautiful and deadly.
With every step she took, the hearts of the Ever-Changing Workshop family members seemed to quicken, and the air was filled with suppressed breathing and a tense atmosphere.
Soon, Moon Rabbit stepped into the circle formed by Serena and the other family members, demonstrating her sincerity.
As the family advisor, Serena's inner conflict and struggle in this situation are undeniable.
The choice at this moment hinges on the fate of the entire Ever-Changing Workshop family.
Her gaze involuntarily drifted outside the meeting room, where the fierce battle between the clan leader and the [Dominator] of the Administration Bureau was unfolding.
At this moment, she clearly realized that while the confrontation before her was filled with tension and danger, the true decisive battle was taking place outside. The clan leader's fate and actions held the key to the family's resurgence.
Family advisor Serena signaled the other clan members to remain still with her gaze. Her gaze, like still water, calmed the agitated hearts of those around her. She took slow steps, each one steady and resolute, until only a sliver of distance separated her from Moon Rabbit.
"I think we should have a proper discussion with the Administration."
The advisor accepted Moon Rabbit's advice, then openly and directly asked:
"What does the Administration want from the Thousand Changes Workshop?"
At that moment, all eyes in the conference room were fixed between Serena and Moon Rabbit.
Faced with Serena's direct and resolute inquiry, Moon Rabbit's response was somewhat unexpected.
She shook her head slightly, her tone calm but with undeniable resolve: "You are not our primary target of this conversation."
These words struck Serena like a cold arrow, piercing her heart and leaving her slightly startled.
Moon Rabbit's gaze passed over the family advisor and directly reached Mira Wanxiang in the crowd.
At that moment, Mira felt an unprecedented sense of tension and anxiety.
He clearly understood that if Moon Rabbit disclosed his collaboration with the Administration at this moment, even if he received support from the Administration to become the family leader in the future, he would still face resistance and even hatred from his family members.
The rift within the family would become even more difficult to heal, and his position would become precarious.
Just as Mira's thoughts swirled, his heart tensing like a thread on the edge of a cliff, he witnessed Moon Rabbit speak again.
But to his surprise, the name Moon Rabbit uttered was not his.
At this moment, Mira's tension eased slightly, but at the same time, he realized that the situation was far more complicated than he had imagined.
With Moon Rabbit's voice, carrying an unmistakable coldness, each name echoed through the heavy air, each one like a heavy ink inscribed on the pages of family history.
"Estelle Change, Marco Change, Leah Change..."
Moon Rabbit's voice was steady, and with each name, the person seemed to be grasped tightly by an invisible hand, forced towards an unknown fate.
Following closely, Moon Rabbit continued: "Jin Shadowstep, Selina Shadowstep..."
More names were called out, and as they did so, new faces continued to sullenly emerge from the crowd.
Family advisor Serena's expression shifted from shock to anger, then from anger to frustration, ultimately sinking into a deep sense of powerlessness.
Her eyes were filled with accusation and doubt, as if questioning the injustice of the world and the future of the family.
Mira Change's heart was filled with turbulent waves. As Moon Rabbit recited more and more names, he felt an unprecedented shock.
At first, those named seemed the target of public criticism, subjected to the angry and hateful gazes of their fellow tribesmen.
But as the roll call continued, the mood among the crowd shifted from anger to frustration, and then from frustration to numbness, a deep sense of powerlessness and despair spreading among the tribesmen.
On the other hand, Mira's heart involuntarily tightened with each new name echoing in the air.
He had assumed he would be on that list. After all, his secret dealings with the Authority, that choice, both for survival and tinged with betrayal, had kept him in a state of extreme tension and anxiety.
However, as the list was read out, Mira Change discovered that he was not on it.
This unexpected sense of security brought him little comfort, but instead stirred more doubt and unease.
He began to wonder if this meant the Authority had other plans for him, or if his value in their eyes was far more complex than he had imagined. As the tribesmen whose names were called walked out one by one and stood on the other side of the crowd, Mira observed the changing expressions on their faces.
From initial anger and disbelief to later frustration and numbness, everything was like a mirror, reflecting the emotions deep within Mira dared not confront.
He realized that both the tribesmen named and himself were pawns in this power game played by that master.
Mira's gaze unconsciously wandered outside the meeting room, where the fierce battle between the tribe leader and the [Dominator] of the Administration was taking place.
What did that battle mean to the clan?
What did it mean to him?
While Mira was lost in confusion, the Moon Rabbit, having finished reading the names, glanced sideways at the members of the Protean Workshop clan who were moving closer to the Administration.
Then, she spread her hands, as if laying out an irrefutable truth, and softly asked Serena, the family advisor, whose expression was agonizing:
"Do you understand now?"
Serena's heart was filled with struggle and helplessness. She couldn't find any words to refute Moon Rabbit's question.
Her gaze swept aimlessly over the members labeled family traitors. Each familiar face seemed to reveal the rift within the family.
Taking a deep breath, she suppressed her inner turmoil, trying to maintain a final hold and dignity:
"We are simply awaiting the clan leader's orders. Once he returns, all of us clan members will understand what to do."
After hearing Serena's words, Moon Rabbit's expression remained calm, with no further emotion. She simply nodded noncommittally.
Her answer was simple and direct: "That won't take long."
Serena's heart felt heavy as lead. She knew full well what the clan leader's return meant to the clan, but she also knew that facing a force as vast and resolute as the Administration, even if the clan leader did return, how much could they do?
********
Outside the conference hall.
The battle between the Administration and the high-end forces of the Protean Workshop clan was also reaching a critical and intense stage.
Clan leader Erwin was trapped in an unprecedented predicament. Around him, massive glass crystal pillars, like swords of judgment descending from the sky, mercilessly pinned the Chimera's limbs.
These glass pillars, shaped like nails, each reaching fifteen meters high, not only physically restricted the Chimera's movement but also dealt a tremendous blow to him mentally.
The space surrounding the Chimera was encircled by these massive nails, forming an inescapable cage.
Every struggle drove the glass nails further into his flesh, causing piercing pain and even more severe damage.
"Hoo~Hoo~Hoo~"
Beneath the Chimera, Erwin's body was already visibly exhausted and weak.
He clutched his chest, his heavy breathing punctuated by painful gasps.
The damage sustained by his avatar was reflected back at him in an indescribable way, causing a green, jelly-like liquid to form in his limbs, making it increasingly difficult to maintain his human form.
At this moment, Erwin faced not only excruciating physical pain, but also the heavy psychological burden of being the patriarch of the Ever-Changing Workshop family.
He knew his struggle was not just for his own survival, but also for the future of the Ever-Changing Workshop family.
However, when the enemy's strength far exceeded his expectations, Erwin felt not only pain but also a deep sense of helplessness and despair.
The fate of the Thousand Changes Workshop family hung in the balance.
The old patriarch felt an unprecedented sense of isolation and despair at this moment.
The cage of giant glass nails held him immobile, pain and oppression filling every breath.
As he struggled in this powerless situation, trying to find even the slightest possibility of a breakthrough, an unexpected voice softly pierced the air, its voice resonating with childishness.
"Erwin Change, the Administration does not wish to antagonize Thousand Changes Workshop."
The voice was youthful and clear, like the voice of a boy of twelve or thirteen, yet it carried a maturity and depth beyond its years.
The patriarch's gaze followed the direction of the voice. Within the cold mirror, another world seemed to unfold.
Countless mirrors appeared before his eyes, each one telling a different story. And from within these mirrors, a young man emerged.
The young man slowly approached from the other side of the mirror, as if crossing the border between two worlds.
Although he appeared to be only a little over twelve years old, he exuded a calmness beyond his years. He wore a casual sweatshirt, lightweight sweatpants, and a pair of neat white canvas shoes.
Most striking was his distinctive pair of fox ears.
Behind the fox-eared boy, his avatar floated.
This avatar, covered in a subtle mirrored effect, its outlines were clear and fluid, as if composed of countless shards of mirror.
Its limbs were slender, and every joint shone with a luster like finely polished crystal. Most striking was the massive mirror on its chest, like a polished shield, reflecting a distorted image of its surroundings.
The mirrored avatar's head was simple and elegant, without distinct facial features, only two smooth curves delineating the area where its eyes should be.
These "eyes" were deep and mysterious, as if they could penetrate all hypocrisy and gaze directly into the depths of the soul.
"Erwin Wanxiang, on behalf of the Administration, I wish to have a formal conversation with you." His tone was devoid of emotion, yet it exuded an unquestionable authority.
The clan leader stared at the fox-eared youth, who looked young yet exuded maturity, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
Faced with this situation, he responded with a touch of sarcasm but more of resignation: "This is the Administration's negotiating style."
His voice was filled with fatigue and frustration, and he raised his softened hand, gesturing to Turs, expressing a reluctant acceptance.
Turs's fox ears twitched slightly, catching the clan leader's attitude and emotions.
He answered seriously:
"Believe me, this is a relatively gentle approach."
At this point, his voice grew heavier, as if he were reminiscing about the past.
"Before that fellow became the great figure everyone knows, I joined him on a thrilling 'expedition' and witnessed how he handled his enemies.
He was neither reckless nor arrogant, always calm and composed, never sweating profusely. He considered everything alone, calmly, composedly, methodically, bravely, and decisively.
He could both enjoy and abstain from many things, but ordinary people covet them without abstaining from them. He, on the other hand, enjoyed them without exceeding them, and abstained from them without suffering.
Such a person is the best leader, but also the most formidable and fearsome enemy."
Turs Corbett gazed at the patriarch, his gaze firm and penetrating, as if it could penetrate the defenses of a person's heart and reach the depths of their soul.
He continued speaking to Patriarch Erwin, each word clear and powerful: "I am now the agent of his will. I have come this time to offer you a choice."
His words slowly spread through the air, like an invisible net, tightly enveloping the Patriarch.
"The Thousand and Everlasting Workshop family needs a new leader," Turles continued, his gaze unwavering. "You can choose this leader yourself, but we hope this leader won't be too 'paranoid.'"
With these words, Turs Corbett cleverly conveyed a subtle message: the Administration was willing to grant the Thousand and Everlasting Workshop family a certain degree of autonomy, but this autonomy was not unlimited.
"Go back and reassure your family members, and make your decision after fully understanding the situation."
"Make your choice before seven o'clock."
For Patriarch Alwin, these words presented both an opportunity and a huge challenge.
The selection of a new leader not only affects the family's future direction, but also the fate of him and his family members.
Turs's emphasis on not being too "paranoid" is a subtle reminder from the Administration to the clan leader and the family, implying that the new leader must be someone who can accept certain conditions imposed by the Administration and possesses a certain degree of flexibility and openness.
Turs's proposal effectively sets a survival bottom line for the ever-changing Workshop family.
At this critical juncture, Erwin needs to make a wise choice.
He must weigh the interests of all parties and find a candidate who can ensure the family's survival while remaining within the rules set by the Administration.