Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2861: Chapter 2862: The Liberator’s Stance

Caroline spoke up as the framework and general outline of the Panic Realm were being described.

Even if these frameworks only touch on surface truths, and many details are merely Caroline’s speculations, the answers Angel sought most intensely have been found.

For instance, when Caroline first met Earl Mi, she thought the Liberators had handed Earl Mi’s control to Angel. Back then, Angel was unclear about it, but now he finally understands the reason.

The Liberators are naturally able to control awakened demon people, and some Liberators can even control demons.

Thus, upon seeing the obedient Earl Mi beside Angel, Caroline was puzzled and thus made this assumption.

Moreover, the information of "Liberators controlling awakened demon people" can explain the mural Kaier had seen.

The mural depicting a Butterfly-Winged Man from the Panic Realm living harmoniously with awakened demon people may not truly be "harmony." It is highly possible that the Butterfly-Winged Man is a twice-awakened Liberator who controlled the awakened demon people, which allowed him to easily ride on it, giving an appearance of tranquility and harmony.

Of course, it might also be that the Liberator handed the control over this awakened demon person to the Butterfly-Winged Man.

The specifics remain unknown for now, but it’s not important.

Beyond this, whether the Panic Realm is impoverished, internal conflicts within the Frost Moon Alliance, and the forces behind them, etc., these issues have also been addressed.

However, the principle of "the more knowledge, the more confusion" is quite applicable here.

After listening to so much information, Angel now harbors many doubts.

Questions like: What exactly is the standpoint of the Liberators?

The stance of the Liberators dictates the overall tone of the Panic Realm and determines the wizards’ attitudes towards it.

Most importantly, it will also influence how Angel handles certain issues concerning Earl Mi in the future.

Angel voiced his doubts, and Caroline, after pondering for a moment, shrugged and said, "What is the stance of the Liberators? I cannot provide a clear answer."

"It’s like the Wizards’ Realm where everyone actually has their own thoughts and standpoints," Caroline pointed at the Wise Sovereign: "Just like in addressing the current issue, the Wise Sovereign has his own stance, as he is concerned with the glory of Naraku City’s re-emergence."

Caroline then pointed to herself: "I also have my own stance, as I am concerned with the Hero of Naraku’s triumphant return."

"Our stances differ, but in accomplishing our goals, we might find common ground."

"Moreover, ideas can change, and standpoints too can shift." Caroline looked at Angel, smiling: "If you won my heart, perhaps I’d abandon the title of ’Flower of the Abyss,’ and instead of waiting for Naraku, I’d wait for you."

Being teased, Angel remained stoic, maintaining a friendly polite smile, though his taut skin indicated his inner tension.

Seeing Angel’s serious demeanor and the tension in his skin, Caroline laughed even louder.

Yet, after the laughter, Caroline earnestly replied: "Thus, regarding the issue of stance, it cannot be viewed unilaterally; of course, it is also impossible to truly view it comprehensively. Stances change, and who can say that one’s stance is absolutely without error?"

As the conversation reached this point, Caroline added a caveat.

Caroline suddenly shifted the topic: "However, I can confirm that when they attack wizard cities, they definitely follow the World Will of the Panic Realm."

"Because only the World Will would be more hostile to the intrusion of outsiders, especially those invaders who plunder resources. From the World Will’s perspective in the Panic Realm, wizards from the Origin World are the greatest invaders."

"Otherwise, the Liberators have no reason to take action against wizard cities."

Angel: "Liberators probably also need resources, right? Could it be they believe the arrival of wizards would encroach on their resources?"

Caroline: "Perhaps there is such a consideration. However, I do not believe the Liberators possess such a broad long-term perspective."

Among wizards, various forces exist—organizations, families, guilds, and even city-states, nations, so coordinating the wizards’ Will is relatively easier.

Moreover, wizards themselves usually have a "scholar-like" aspect. When contemplating issues, some approach it from a personal angle, others from an organizational one, and still others from a perspective of long-term development.

In such a cultural context, wizards understand the significance of long-term strategies.

For the Liberators, even if their strength has grown, it is difficult for them to gain a cultural core that gives them a perspective as broad as wizards’.

Unless Liberators can unite, forming a large, well-divided group similar to a witcher organization, and then analyze, argue, and clarify through debate.

Otherwise, they are unlikely to comprehend the wizards’ layout in the Panic Realm.

For example, wizards have no colonial mindset towards the Panic Realm; their presented attitude is quite gentle.

Moreover, wizards actually maintain quite good relations with the indigenous people in the Panic Realm.

This isn’t difficult to understand, as even though wizards covet the Panic Realm’s resources, these resources naturally have clear boundaries with the indigenous people.

The indigenous people are mostly ordinary, and what they care about as resources are not extraordinary resources but rather the most basic resources that ensure their survival.

Extraordinary materials might even be poisonous to ordinary people.

Thus, ordinary indigenous people don’t perceive extraordinary resources being coveted or looted too deeply.

What benefits do wizards bring to the indigenous people?

Food and safety.

These are the survival resources that indigenous people care about most. Once life and safety are guaranteed, and food is supplied continuously, it will maintain a stable population growth, fostering society’s other dynamics.

Most importantly, wizards are unlike demon people; demon people pose a risk of awakening at any time, but wizards do not experience such transformations.

Therefore, from an ordinary indigenous perspective, wizards bring many benefits and almost no drawbacks. Or rather, they cannot see hidden distant future risks.

Even if they do see them, they probably won’t worry much.

Ordinary people’s lifespans are just fleeting centuries, and who cares about potential disasters a century later?

Even if the Panic Realm has longevity tribes, they are few. Additionally, most longevity tribes have flesh that demons find tastier and are easier targets for awakened demon people, hence the dwindling numbers and bleak outlook concerning their future, not possessing more insight than ordinary people.

Thus, current benefits are what indigenous people in the Panic Realm focus on most, and the material benefits wizards genuinely bring naturally enhance their relationship with them.

The same logic applies to the Abyss. When wizards venture into the Abyss, their relations with Abyssal Natives are also relatively good.

The reasons are roughly similar: wizards’ enemies are demons, and Abyssal Natives’ enemies are also demons. Wizards can provide abundant survival resources, and the survival resources Abyssal Natives lack the most.

With aligned goals and accessible survival resources, the natives naturally don’t resist the wizards too much.

Of course, from a long-term perspective, wizards’ looting will undoubtedly harm the world.

But if you can’t even feel full, what does the world’s suffering matter to you?

Thus, the indigenous people won’t have intense conflicts of interest with wizards. The real conflict lies with the World Will.

Therefore, Caroline said that the attack on the wizard cities by the Liberators must have the layer of aligning with the World Will, and Angel agreed.

But the World Will is not an intelligent entity, and it couldn’t possibly order an attack on the wizard cities. Therefore, behind the World Will of the Panic Realm, there might also be a force similar to the Extreme Sect.

They raise the flag of counterattack, but it’s merely because the World Will provided them with wisdom.

After roughly understanding this answer, Angel thought of another confusion in his heart: "Since the Liberators, after undergoing a second awakening, can regain their conscience, and they can control the awakened Demon People. Then why don’t they control the awakened Demon People to stop them from harassing the ordinary Indigenous People of the Panic Realm? That would perfectly solve the harm the awakened Demon People cause."

Caroline chuckled lightly: "Regaining conscience doesn’t mean they are willing to help the Indigenous People. At the same time, regaining conscience cannot cover up the mistakes the Liberators have made in the past."

"You must know, in the eyes of the Indigenous People, Demon People, serving as Guardians, are seen as heretical existences. Everyone fears and abhors them."

"What about the Liberators?"

"Before the Demon People awaken, they are true Guardians. They are like Knights, adhering to one principle: never turn their weapons against the Indigenous People."

"But the Liberators have indeed aimed their guns at the Indigenous People, even at their own closest and dearest ones! How do you think the Indigenous People will perceive them? With tolerance and acceptance? That’s impossible."

"Human nature is inherently complex. I’m just analyzing the surface issues, but there are many deeper problems. Therefore, it’s hard for the Liberators to genuinely help the Indigenous People."

"However, the Indigenous People have not been completely devoured by demons, and the existence of the Liberators is actually a key factor. By viewing issues dialectically, one can sort out the underlying logic amidst the Mist."

After speaking, Caroline looked at Angel: "The question you asked, you could actually figure it out for yourself, so I won’t elaborate further. Aside from this, do you have any other questions?"

Angel shook his head. Although he still had some doubts in his heart, they were not critical to the bigger picture. They were more about his own curiosity, rather than urgent issues needing resolution.

Angel stopped his inquiries timely, but Caroline asked curiously: "Are you looking into matters of the Panic Realm to... perhaps facilitate Earl Mi’s second awakening?"

Angel didn’t deny: "Sort of."

Caroline: "Sort of? That sounds like a bit reluctantly?"

"Rather than reluctantly, it’s more of a helplessness," Angel sighed.

It’s no longer a question of whether Angel wants Earl Mi to awaken; Earl Mi seems to be showing signs of a second awakening.

Previously, Earl Mi had exhibited some emotional traits.

And such traits under the control of the Seed of Distortion shouldn’t manifest.

Laplace’s words also confirmed that Earl Mi was indeed moving towards a second awakening, and Laplace even pointed out the reflection within Earl Mi’s heart.

Earl Mi’s subconscious had already discovered the key to his second awakening.

— The chaotic ember flame.

And this chaotic ember flame, Angel’s current speculation points towards a boiling gentleman.

Upon clarifying this matter, Angel began to hesitate.

Should he help Earl Mi undergo a second awakening? After Earl Mi awakens and becomes a Liberator, will the Seed of Distortion be able to control him? Or, given Angel’s character, would he still want to control Earl Mi?

These are just superficial questions; there are many more choices that Angel needs to consider and decide carefully.

For instance, Earl Mi’s stance problem.

Earl Mi had rescued him many times before. If he truly has the opportunity, Angel would be willing to help Earl Mi advance. However, once Earl Mi becomes a Liberator, then his stance needs consideration.

And this is just a small fraction of the numerous issues.

There’s Earl Mi’s issue, the boiling gentleman’s issue, the Nightmare Realm issue... these various problems are interlinked, affecting the whole situation once triggered.

Thus, whenever Angel thinks about Earl Mi’s second awakening, he feels a bit of a headache and helplessness.

"I don’t know why you feel helpless. However, whether Earl Mi can become a Liberator was originally a hypothetical issue, and for a second awakening, there’s a big chance it requires a journey to the Panic Realm."

"With your current strength, it is still too early to go to the Panic Realm..."

"So, in the short term, you can actually temporarily set these troubles aside."

Caroline’s comfort belongs to common thought direction. However, what she doesn’t know is that Angel already has clues about Earl Mi’s second awakening. His trouble is whether to do it or not, and what aftermath may occur if he does.

However, these matters Angel couldn’t voice out and could only keep them in his heart.

Caroline suddenly thought of something and laughed: "That being said, I am curious to know, if you really find a way to make it to this step in the future and could facilitate Earl Mi becoming a Liberator, would you really do it?"

Angel: ... This is not a future consideration, he’s already pondering over this issue now.

Precisely because Angel has started thinking about it, he feels helplessness and entanglement now.

Seeing Angel silent for a long time, Caroline didn’t mind and whispered: "You don’t have to answer me. I asked just to make you think about it ahead of time."

Angel was silent for a moment before softly asking: "If it were you, Lady Caroline, what choice would you make?"

Caroline covered her mouth and chuckled: "You are quite cunning, taking the cue to climb up."

"However, considering I do find you somewhat likable, I can share my choice with you."

After a pause, Caroline said: "I had mentioned at the beginning, that the Panic Realm to me is a gray world. It is full of sorrow, and even the Liberators cannot escape this gray hue."

"Liberators may speak of liberation, but it remains more a hope."

"So, if it were me, I’d rather it stays in the phase of the awakened Demon People. Mad and cruel, cold and heartless, at least it’s a sort of extreme hue within the gray world."

"Since it’s heartless, might as well let it be heartless to the end."

Caroline’s initial statement about her choice was innocuous. But her subsequent comments leaned towards radical views.

Complete heartlessness leads to another extreme: a thoroughly dark world.

A gray world entails more sorrow, while a dark world implies a life lost.

However, Angel could understand why Caroline would hold such thoughts.

It’s similar to the Wise Sovereign’s actions this time, helping Angel not for personal gain from Angel, but hoping Angel, this "anomaly," can break the age-long stalemate in the Underground Aqueduct.

To some extent, Caroline’s words align with the Wise Sovereign’s thoughts.

Instead of allowing the gray to perpetually shroud this world, why not introduce a more complete darkness within the gray to see if it can become a variable that overturns the Panic Realm’s status quo.

If Angel were to make the same choice, even if opting to let Earl Mi remain at the awakened Demon People stage and not become a Liberator, his reason would never align with Caroline’s.