"You could interpret it that way."
A faint, self-deprecating smile appeared on Hugh Carlisle's aged face as he continued naturally:
"From the very beginning, I never agreed with Lacus Clyne's philosophy."
"'To ensure humanity's survival in the coming apocalypse, we must amass necessary power.'"
"That was the SDS's founding principle."
"How grand it sounds! How righteous! Like some heroic alliance from the movies."
"Even I must admit that the young girl far surpasses her father Siegel in maintaining that delicate balance between ideology and strength, expanding the SDS amidst the cracks between major powers."
Here, Hugh Carlisle let out a cold laugh:
"Yet her approach is undoubtedly wrong."
"Her actions continuously bring blessings to the world's people while bringing nothing but disaster to those around her."
Turning to Luo Shu, he stated with absolute certainty:
"You were the one who brought the rank data to the SDS, weren't you?"
Luo Shu arched an eyebrow but didn't deny it.
After all, the rank system did originate from him—to be more precise, it was Lacus and others who compiled the educational content based on the ranking structure of the Divine Pantheon Reconstruction System.
"The rank system's educational content is a good thing!"
Seeing Luo Shu's reaction, Hugh Carlisle naturally understood the answer. He paused and murmured to himself:
"It standardised sorcerer rankings, allowing everyone to understand the benchmarks of strength, promoting stability and development on the mystic side."
"It educated people on the identification standards for Abyss Artefacts, regulating their trade."
"Its benefits are numerous, yet the SDS gains little from it."
Hugh Carlisle let out a cold laugh and sneered:
"Doesn't the Five Great Powers' tacit agreement against the SDS this time prove exactly that?"
"Do you think the Patch Tribe is unaware of the rank system?"
"Do you believe the Five Great Powers truly lack information about the ranks?"
"No, they all have it. They all understand."
"But they unanimously chose to keep it secret, allowing ordinary people who stumbled into the mystic side by luck to fumble blindly until they hit a wall and died."
"Why did they do this?"
"For profit."
Hugh Carlisle chuckled and explained to Luo Shu in detail:
"The mystic side is a place that devours people."
"This isn't just because of its dangers, but also due to the nature of Abyss Artefacts."
"If you've read any internal reports, you should know that abilities can be acquired... through consumption."
"Some inheritable Abyss Artefacts that grant abilities can be obtained by killing the inheritor and retrieving them from their corpse."
"This phenomenon only improves when one reaches Demigod status and fully assimilates those Abyss Artefacts."
"Before becoming a Demigod, all sorcerers are walking treasure troves of materials."
"What do you think the Five Great Powers would do after learning this? What would they think of these 'material repositories'?"
"Why do you think most sorcerers join a mystic-side organisation, regardless of whether it's good or evil?"
Luo Shu narrowed his eyes at these words, then remarked meaningfully:
"Seeking shelter?"
Whether well-intentioned or not, the Five Great Powers were indeed covertly gathering sorcerers—whether alive or dead.
Or rather, the dead might be easier to reclaim... and more valuable.
Because they could be directly used to nurture their own sorcerers.
Under this unspoken suppression, rogue sorcerers had no choice but to join an organisation and seek the protection of major powers.
This was also why mystic-side organisations were abundant in Western Europe but pitifully scarce in East Asia, particularly China.
Because the control exerted by each Union differed significantly.
In China, almost all sorcerers were closely tied to the state system.
Meanwhile, the fragmented environment of Western Europe, with its multitude of nations, weakened their grip on civilian affairs. Coupled with each country's agendas, they deliberately fostered certain organisations to counter their allies' enemies.
Under such circumstances, Europe's mystic-side organisations flourished.
The same held true for Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America.
However, Africa, as France's traditional colony, remained heavily suppressed. Southeast Asia faced alternating pressure from the American Union and China, preventing any significant growth.
South America is essentially the private domain of the American Union.
That's why these three regions, despite having numerous mystic side organisations, never gave rise to behemoths like Europe's Truth Astronomy, nor produced entities like America's SDS that both oppose and cooperate with the authorities.
"Allowing knowledge to spread freely among mystic side circles does empower those unorthodox practitioners, but it also invites the Five Great Powers' displeasure."
Hugh Carlisle said with a stern expression and piercing gaze:
"One should act according to one's station."
"If Lacus Clyne insists on doing what should be the authorities' work, she ought to consider the consequences."
"Tch, she always insists on doing unnecessary things that bring us no benefit."
"Self-serving perfectionism?"
Luo Shu nodded, finally understanding the root of Hugh Carlisle's conflict with Lacus.
'An idealist clashing with a self-serving perfectionist? I see.'
With this realisation, Luo Shu lost all interest in continuing the conversation and calmly stated:
"There will be a proposal submitted for internal review later. I expect your approval."
As he spoke, Luo Shu popped all the peeled tangerine segments into his mouth, savouring their sweetness while delivering his reminder:
"Consider it a prerequisite for cooperation."
With that, Luo Shu left the VIP ward without looking back, leaving Hugh Carlisle leaning against the headboard, staring thoughtfully in the direction of his departure.
As Luo Shu stepped out of the room, Meer—her black hair dyed and styled in a daring cut—leaned against the opposite wall, greeting him with a smile:
"Good morning, Luo Shu~"
"How did your talk with old man Carlisle go?"
"Let's just say we reached an understanding." Luo Shu casually patted his clothes as he spoke.
"An understanding?" Meer blinked in surprise before curiosity took over. "What kind of understanding?"
At this, Luo Shu replied calmly:
"Overthrowing Lacus's tyranny, with old man Carlisle supporting me to take over as Chairman!!"
"Eh?"
Meer's mouth fell open, emitting a sound of utter bewilderment.