SDS America Headquarters.
In the executive ward, Hugh Carlisle leaned against his pillow, calmly observing the golden-haired young man standing before him with bowed head:
"So, in this entire day, he only met a few people at headquarters and incidentally healed the parents of a reserve action team member?"
"Yes, Father."
The golden-haired youth, Andy Carlisle, replied respectfully, as though the frail old man before him was an absolute authority.
Seeming to test his son, Hugh Carlisle murmured:
"What do you make of this?"
Andy fell silent for a moment before speaking slowly:
"He's testing the waters."
"It seems your studies in Europe weren't entirely wasted."
The corners of Hugh's lips curled slightly as he said:
"Continue."
Andy nodded, clearing his throat:
"I believe Luo Shu, Director of the Hidden Management Department, is a man of profound depth."
"His actions at headquarters were entirely aimed at demonstrating his value to all SDS personnel, attracting those with needs to align with him."
"And his primary focus in recruitment was the grassroots members."
Andy added, with a hint of envy in his tone: "A top-tier doctor capable of even curing vegetative patients would be an extremely valuable asset to anyone."
"Whether it's frontline workers, logistics and research personnel frequently handling contraband, or even administrative staff, no one would refuse acquaintance with such a physician."
"Heh, an ordinary doctor might not hold such value, since medicine is a broad field where each specialist focuses on specific areas. But unfortunately, Director Luo has demonstrated healing methods from the mystic side."
"After showcasing his ability to treat vegetative patients, no one would doubt his capacity to cure other ailments."
"Following this display of healing prowess, the Union would likely perceive him as a Demigod specialising in therapeutic abilities, thereby softening their stance. After all, even Union leadership aren't immune to illness."
"In my view, the most crucial aspect of this treatment is how it conveyed one undeniable fact to all SDS members."
"It's created the possibility for them to seek assistance from Director Luo Shu of the Hidden Management Department."
"As long as this possibility exists, the SDS can never achieve complete unity in opposing him."
"Not even Lacus Clyne would risk offending him lightly."
"This is a brilliant stratagem achieving multiple objectives simultaneously!! And the price he paid? Merely treating some insignificant minor figure at headquarters."
As he finished speaking, Hugh Carlisle couldn't help but applaud:
"Excellent!"
"It seems you've truly grasped the situation."
After praising his son, Hugh Carlisle smiled at Andy:
"So what do you think we should do next?"
Andy lowered his head at these words.
"Speak boldly! Those of the Carlisle family must dare to voice their opinions!"
Andy exhaled deeply upon hearing this, then explained:
"Father, I believe the key issue for our family now is choosing sides."
"Whether to align with the Union or the SDS - times are changing, and we can't remain neutral forever as we did before."
After saying this, Andy spoke with a tone of Fear:
"Father, you may not realise it yet, but the era where collectives suppress individuals is coming to an end."
"The coming age will belong to the strong - to the Demigods!"
"You must have received the intelligence reports?"
"That European Sword Saint, Twin Wings, destroyed over a dozen mountain peaks and 30,000 Italian troops during her battle with a Demigod. Even their air force couldn't intervene - just being caught in the crossfire cost them 20% casualties before they scattered in retreat."
"Unfortunately, I was among those who fled."
"But fortunately, this experience showed me the truth of our world."
Andy's expression grew increasingly solemn:
"The sorcerers of the mystic side are evolving!"
"No one knows when they'll realise their individual power can overwhelm collectives!"
"The only reason the Five Great Powers still hold central authority is that the impact hasn't fully arrived yet - the sorcerers haven't realised their power can claim everything."
"So to preserve the Carlisle inheritance, we need powerful individual strength. And before acquiring such power, we need a protective umbrella - a strong enough mystic side patron."
Hugh Carlisle listened calmly before replying:
"We already have protection within the Union."
"But the Union has too many high-ranking figures," Andy responded without hesitation:
"Too many wolves mean less meat to go around. Better to concentrate our offerings on just one or two. Though risky, we need someone who can reliably consume this offering."
Hugh Carlisle looked surprised:
"You think highly of that Luo Shu?"
"A Demigod who appeared suddenly, without any foundation - he could be either a fleeting meteor or a rising sun."
"Though it's only fifty-fifty odds, I'm betting he's the sun."
His son's words genuinely surprised Hugh Carlisle.
He didn't know what Andy had witnessed on the battlefield - after all, intelligence reports couldn't compare to firsthand experience.
But he was willing to trust his son's judgement.
"I understand your perspective now."
"In that case, Andy, my son..."
"Go pursue Lacus Clyne."
"What?" Andy froze, clearly not expecting this suggestion.
Hugh Carlisle chuckled: "Haven't you always admired our esteemed Chairwoman?"
Andy looked utterly astonished: "But within the SDS alone, there must be eight thousand - if not ten thousand - people who admire the Chairwoman!"
Who wouldn't like a beautiful, accomplished woman with an excellent personality and considerable wealth?
Marrying Lacus would mean needing thirty years less of hard work, and that was putting it lightly.
In such circumstances, wasn't it perfectly normal for there to be countless secret admirers?
"Why would Father ask me to pursue Lacus?"
"Because Luo Shu likes her too." Hugh Carlisle smiled mysteriously. "A woman with ideals, extraordinary beauty, and a noble character—he couldn't possibly dislike her. He's bound to like her."
Andy froze for a moment, then stared at his father in disbelief. "Father, you mean..."
Hugh Carlisle's tone turned eerie as he said:
"Yes. I want you to publicly pursue our esteemed Chairwoman, then publicly lose to Luo Shu—let everyone see that you lost fair and square."
"Heh. A loser in love, defeated by her own man—that's enough to bring you closer and give Luo Shu a significant psychological advantage over you."
"Only under such circumstances can you better integrate into his ranks."
"Even if I lose to that man in the future and must die by his hand, you can still step over my corpse to climb higher and secure everything for the Carlisle family."
"Hiss—!!" Andy sucked in a sharp breath. He hadn't expected his father's calculations to run so deep—even planning for after his own death to pave the way for him.
Was this the wisdom of the Fox of Carlisle?
Unconsciously, Andy recalled his father's epithet, and his expression grew somewhat uneasy.
In the end, he still couldn't be as ruthlessly rational as his father.
Hugh Carlisle didn't press him. He merely glanced at Andy and said in a gentler tone:
"Andy, remember this—an individual cannot exist apart from the family. The family's prosperity is true prosperity!"
"Speak less, think thrice before acting, sire more children, pave more paths—these are the qualities of a family patriarch."
"Heh. The American Union is too fractured. Those at the top have already floated into the clouds—no, even into space."
"In such an era, relics like us are doomed to be cast aside."
"But you, Andy, are different."
"You can step over our corpses and stride into a brand-new future!"
"So, my child, don't worry. You can walk the path you choose! Even if you make mistakes, it's fine. The family will always be your steadfast support."
Andy opened his mouth, but in the end, all that came out was a simple sentence:
"...I understand, Father."
"Go."
"Yes!"
Hugh Carlisle watched Andy leave, his gaze following him into the brightly lit corridor, while he himself remained in the shadows, his face devoid of emotion.
"Once Andy aligns himself with Luo Shu, a faction will inevitably form around him, encroaching on the interests of the Clyne Faction."
"And if Andy fails in pursuing Lacus Clyne while Luo Shu succeeds, the victor will be seen by all as Lacus's husband—a husband endorsed by the masses. That alone could stir discomfort in a young woman's heart. The impact may be small, but it will undoubtedly intensify the conflict between the Clyne Faction and Luo Shu."
"This is my opportunity!"
"An opportunity to ally with Luo Shu and overthrow the Clyne Faction."
"I could ally with Luo Shu to overthrow the Clyne Faction, then defeat Luo Shu to take power myself, or be defeated by him."
"Alternatively, I could ally with the Clyne Faction to suppress Luo Shu, perhaps die by his hand to pave the way for Andy."
"Regardless, glory shall still shine upon the Carlisle family!"
Having said this, Hugh Carlisle let out a low sigh in the darkness:
"Glory... can only shine upon the Carlisle family."