บท 22: Chapter 19: Choices
"You have all been in the academy since birth, and may not understand the outside world." Wang Xu coughed once before speaking again, "I know that you do not comprehend why the state would initiate such a plan. It may seem wrong to you, but you need to understand that the nation is a collection of political groups. Politicians don't require emotions. They only think about benefits, not right or wrong."
"Thirty years ago, the friction between us, a rising power, and Earth's most powerful nation was already intense. All the World Wars on Earth were essentially rising new forces challenging existing old forces. If not for nuclear weapons, World War III would have already broken out. However, even with nuclear deterrence, by 2020, the tension between the two superpowers on Earth had further escalated. If not for the appearance of the Otherworld, no one dares to imagine what would have happened next."
Wang Xu lit a cigarette out of habit, facing everyone with his back, looked at Luo'er's dissatisfied gaze and started talking about the past through the smoke.
In 2021, after the first Otherworld war, during the interrogation of Otherworld prisoners, Earth people learned about a vast and bountiful world on the other side of the gate. Almost everyone had their interests piqued.
Resources on Earth are limited. Every bit used reduces the total amount left. If we use more, someone else ends up starving. However, on the other side of the gate, there are unknown resources. For those on Earth suffering under resource constraints, this was terrific news. They marshaled forces worldwide under the pretext of counterattack, gathered in Australia, invaded the Otherworld relying on technological advantages.
However, as you all know the outcome, the Otherworld's environment limited the technological advantages of these multinational forces while amplifying their local magic advantages. This led to an overwhelming defeat in the war, revealing the truth of the second Otherworld war.
After the second Otherworld war, nations on Earth deduced the reasons for this failure. On one hand they increased their research into the magic of the Otherworld, while on the other they continuously cultivated their influence in the Otherworld, intending to take control of the Otherworld through more peaceful means, shifting the severe unresolved conflict between the two Earth superpowers onto the Otherworld. To certain extent, the existence of the Otherworld averted a world war that was already brewing on Earth, hence every country on Earth was deeply invested in exerting influence over the Otherworld.
I'm not qualified to judge whether these actions taken by nations are right, but I can tell you this, whether it's a space race or wrestling control of the Otherworld, we all have to be active participants. If we lag behind in any area, we'll suffer from the same humiliation we once endured. This is the march of history!
As the interaction between Earth and the Otherworld continued to deepen, it is only a matter of time before people from other countries discover the uniqueness of the hybrid humans, they would surely commence research. Rather than waiting for other countries to act first, it's better to strike first. Unlike smaller countries around the world, once we lose, we'll never be able to turn the tables.
As for what I said about the union of Earth people and Otherworld people being inherently tragic, it's because fish and birds can't fall in love, one belongs to the sky and the other to the sea. Luo'er's parents are prime examples, even though they fell in love, they could not stay together till the end."
As Wang Xu spoke, he let out a sigh. Luo'er lowered his head as his expression darkened.
Luo'er's father was an Earthling, while his mother was an Otherworld elf. Regardless of how Elves aged one year per decade, Luo'er's father could not survive in the Otherworld, as the magic power erosion would kill him. Similarly, Luo'er's mother couldn't live on Earth, as its magic-less environment would also kill her. Thus, their love was destined to have no end from the very beginning.
Fortunately, as the result of their love, Luo'er inherited the strengths of both sides. His body could circulate magic power, and even in a magic-less environment like Earth, he could adapt and avoid repeating his parents' tragedy.
"Can I... see my parents again?" Tangmo asked, choking back tears.
After a moment of silence, Wang Xu nodded, "Yes, the academy's files record the genetic origins of every student's parents. Once the Origin Project is fully declassified, they will let you find your parents."
"When will it be declassified?" Tangmo looked at him with a questioning gaze.
"Sooner or later," Wang Xu took another puff of his cigarette, coughed once, then continued, "A new storm is coming. Both our world and the Otherworld will be drawn in. The exposure of the entire project is only a matter of time. The strict confidentiality measures we are sticking to now merely postpones the exposure to avoid interference with the project."
"Why start the Origin Project?" Cheng Ziang, who had been silent all this while, suddenly asked out of the blue.
"In order to control the Otherworld and extend our sphere of influence to it, we need people we can trust to do this. Whether it's the Aud people or the Blaiqi people, they are ultimately inhabitants of the Otherworld and will absolutely refuse to willingly serve us."
In response to Cheng Ziang's questioning, Wang Xu continued, "Understand this: no matter how different the physical laws of the two worlds may be, the law of this world, no this universe, is always that advanced civilizations dominate backward ones. Even the Otherworld is not the exception. As a backward civilization, the Otherworld will inevitably be influenced by Earth's advanced civilization."
"I know this seems unfair to all of you. The Origin Project was initially launched for political purposes. I don't expect you to stand awakened, but," pausing here, Wang Xu drew his pistol and turned it on everyone, "I hope you keep your word and maintain secrecy about everything that happened today."
Luo'er looked nervously at everyone, seeing them all keep their heads down in silence. Consequently, he stood up and faced Wang Xu, "Put away your gun!"
"Think it over, Luo'er," Wang Xu gazed at him, saying coldly, "If anything happens, you'll be the first one to suffer and not just you, your grandfather too."
"I'm aware," Luo'er clenched his teeth and stated resolutely, "I trust them."
Wang Xu did not speak, but looked at the others. After a long silence, he sighed, put his gun away and said, "Let's hope so!"
With that, he turned and left.
Sitting on a chair facing everyone, Luo'er said guiltily, "I'm sorry, I've been keeping this from you. Now that you all know the truth, it's up to you to decide what to do. If you want to disband the team, then I'll find another team."
"Why didn't you tell us before?" Tangmo asked in a choked voice.
"I'm sorry..." was all Luo'er could muster.
"That's not the answer I'm looking for," Tangmo lifted her head, her face streaked with tears, "Won't you comfort me?"
Moumou," Luo'er lowered his head, unable to meet her eyes, "I deeply regret what my grandfather did, I promise you, once we reach Otherworld, I will help you find your family."
"I, family..." Tangmo muttered this unfamiliar term, her mind a blur. She didn't care about her birth or family, but she was incredibly angry with Luo'er's deception. Thus, she couldn't pinpoint what exactly she was angry about. Suddenly, she stood up, her body swaying unsteadily.
"Sister Moumou!" Hu Daoke, who had been watching Tangmo, noticed that something was off. He quickly stood too, hurrying towards her to provide support.
"Moumou!" Luo'er moved closer out of concern, but was rebuffed by Hu Daoke.
"Get away, Sister Moumou doesn't need your comfort!" Hu Daoke glared at him with hostile eyes, his tone turning icy.
Luo'er looked at them in a stupor, pursing his lips and not daring to speak again, he could only watch as they left the dormitory.
Seeing Tangmo and Hu Daoke leave, the previously silent Cheng Ziang abruptly stood up. Luo'er looked at him and said with a gloomy expression, "Are you leaving too?"
Cheng Ziang didn't respond. He just looked at Luo'er with an unreadable expression, let out a faint sigh, then followed the others out of the dormitory.
Only Baiyue and Luo'er were left in the dormitory. Luo'er sat in his chair, hands clutching at his hair, lost in silence. He glanced at Baiyue, who was also silent and head down, and after considerable hesitation, spoke, "You should go too!"
"Are you trying to kick me out?" With no one else present, Baiyue seemed willing to speak her mind.
"That's not what I meant, it's just..." Luo'er said, and let out a deep sigh, "I don't know what I'm thinking right now, my mind is a mess."
"I've said before that I'm willing to listen to you, and that hasn't changed!" Baiyue murmured, her head down.
Luo'er gritted his teeth, not saying anything. Baiyue looked up at him slyly and gently asked, "Are we... still partners?"
"Thank you!" Luo'er didn't look up, still clutching his hair. He was deeply grateful to Baiyue for supporting him in that moment.
Baiyue slowly got up and came to Luo's side, hesitating while looking down, then she slowly said, "Actually, there are times ...when I should hate you."
"But..." she hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "I don't know. I'll go ahead, see you tomorrow!"
"See you tomorrow!" Luo'er glanced up at her, her last sentence filled him with an inexplicable warmth in his heart.
Baiyue didn't say anything else, adjusted the brim of her hat, and then left Luo'er's dormitory.
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