The Liberation Army is an impurity that has infiltrated Tirna. Their danger level was quite high as they had practically driven a nearby nation to the path of ruin.

If we examine it in detail, it was closer to a nation that originally had no answer collapsing on its own. The decisive reason was that workers rose up due to excessive exploitation, which led to a civil war.

However, the leaders who guide the nation don't think that far.

'For them, the Red Liberation Army is nothing but extreme poison that must not flow into their territory.'

The Red Liberation Army plants bad ideas in the lower classes. Of course, what they call "bad ideas" is only from their perspective. Good and bad are relative viewpoints.

'But all the power is held by the establishment. They don't want the golden pyramid they've built to shake. What's bad for them becomes something that goes against the world's justice.'

Osian knows well the tendencies of those in power. Those in power will do anything to protect their interests. No matter how immoral such actions might be. Morality is also just a relative perspective. Those with power sometimes take pride in wielding it.

In that sense, the actions of the few that incited violent protests during that time looked different to him now.

'They planted such people among the guards and deliberately brought wealthy people to provoke hatred in front of everyone watching.'

At first, he thought that was the Red Liberation Army's method. But the more he talked with Lukai, the less likely that possibility became.

Conversely, from within the dark and deep swamp, another opinion rapidly emerged. That was precisely the result filled with malice that he never wanted to know about.

'In vulgar terms, it's also called a cruel truth.'

But he couldn't yet make a definitive judgment.

"You said you don't fight for hatred. Then what exactly was what you did in Celestia?"

"You mean the Sky Island. You know that place exists for the wealthy. But are those in power really the ones who maintain and service an island of that scale?"

The Sky Island is one elaborate masterpiece. It incorporates magic and engineering, and whenever new technology emerges, it's applied to the Sky Island first, making it a leading area of the future.

Magic might be managed by elite mages from magic towers or schools. But what about mechanical devices? High-pressure steam penetrates throughout the entire city - who built facilities of such scale?

'It was an impression I had when I first saw that island.'

How many engineers must have been ground down to create that one thing?

"While the wealthy watch splendid performances and eat banquets, below them are workers suffering from overwork. People who couldn't even see sunlight for disrupting the district's aesthetics, who had to constantly touch only machines in hot, unsanitary interiors filled with steam."

Lukai's attack on District 1 was to save the suffering workers. The attack on the opera was probably to divert people's attention.

"So you killed people as well while you were at it."

"Do you think we killed indiscriminately? The first one whose head exploded was Scott Hamilton. The very person who created the wicked system that overworks Sky Island's administrators."

In other words, even the show-style execution that took place there had intentions hidden behind each action. Hearing this actually made more sense. At least the Lukai he knew didn't seem like someone who would commit murder recklessly.

"Originally, we planned to deal with several more key figures there, but interference prevented us from doing so."

"What a pity."

Osian shrugged his shoulders. He had no intention of understanding even that.

"So, let's return to the original topic. From your reaction, it seems some force infiltrated the protesters."

Lukai was indeed quick to catch on like a ghost.

'Actually, since I tried to confirm this so blatantly, it would be strange if he didn't notice.'

Osian nodded.

"Do I need to explain what happened?"

"No. There's no need. Just looking at the general situation, I can infer enough."

"You're clever."

"To face an enemy, you must know how to read the enemy's thoughts. We're the weak. Only by reading the strong's thoughts can we fight on at least equal footing."

There's a saying: know yourself and know your enemy, and you'll win a hundred battles. Lukai was someone who practiced this more than anyone. It's not as easy as it sounds. Most people only hate those they consider enemies.

They don't try to rationally analyze their principles of action. The more they do so, the more they empathize with their emotions, understanding them or conversely becoming more rebellious and emotional.

The extreme tightrope walking of clearly distinguishing one's own position from others' positions and accurately choosing only what's right and wrong between them.

Osian saw Lukai differently.

'He's walking a tightrope in extreme situations every moment.'

One small mistake could send him plummeting into endless depths. That fear rigidly paralyzes human reason. To survive, he had to maintain concentration by heightening his senses every moment.

'For an ordinary person, it would be stress they couldn't endure for even a few days.'

Lukai had continued this state for several years. It was remarkable that he hadn't gone mad.

Moreover, he was the spiritual pillar of his Liberation Army comrades. No matter how difficult things got, he would never show weakness to anyone. If he collapsed, the Liberation Army would collapse too. It's the unique hardship a leader must face. Yet he couldn't enjoy the honor and power of leadership.

'The one standing highest from the lowest place.'

Though an enemy, honestly speaking, he could only admire him. He knew this wasn't right, but Osian felt human fondness for the man called Lukai.

"Those in power will do anything to protect their positions. You can see this just by looking at those who came to District 44. Since we're threatening, they're trying to eliminate us by any means."

The pierced woman who had been quietly listening spoke up.

"Excuse me, I can't follow the conversation right now. So something is happening without us knowing?"

It was Broken-leg who answered instead.

"It seems rumors are spreading outside that we've joined hands with heretics."

"What?! That can't be! Why would we join hands with such bastards! We also hate those monsters who eat people! These filthy bastards. They're associating us with such scum?!"

"Calm down, Priscilla. We're just as displeased but getting angry won't change anything."

That wasn't the problem. Lukai spoke with a much heavier expression.

"After spreading rumors that we've joined hands with heretics, they're trying to create justification to legally eliminate us."

The executives reacted fiercely to those words.

"We can't just sit here! We need to move too!"

"What are you going to do?"

"We have to try something. Many people have gathered in District 44 now. If we unite them and try to negotiate with the city government, they'll have no choice but to step forward."

"What if doing such things gives them more justification to move? There will be considerable casualties!"

"Has there ever been an action we've taken that didn't spill blood? To achieve peace, blood must flow!"

Heated debate went back and forth. Even amid this, Lukai remained quietly lost in thought. It was like seeing a monument standing tall in a typhoon.

The surrounding noise gradually subsided as the Liberation Army executives looked at Lukai.

"Osian. What's your purpose in coming here?"

Instead of giving an answer, Lukai threw a question at Osian.

"To determine the truth of whether the Liberation Army is connected to heretics."

"For a man of your caliber to be moved, the client must be no ordinary person. The underlying psychology of the request itself is surprisingly neutral. That means it's not from a corporation."

Lukai reached the truth in an instant.

"Did the city government make this request to you?"

"Remarkable insight. Yes, that's right. The city government made the request to me."

The executives murmured at those words. The city government doesn't recognize the Red Liberation Army because the Liberation Army's ideology influences workers and drives Tirna into chaos.

When Lukai raised his hand, everyone closed their mouths. Seeing them calm their emotions instantly, you could tell how much trust Lukai commanded from them.

"Should I understand that the city government has no intention of being completely hostile to us?"

"Even the city government doesn't have unified opinions. Among them, quite a few people recognize the 'necessity' of the Liberation Army. Without the Liberation Army, the city's balance would tip toward the corporations."

"Whether we like it or not, we play the role of restraining corporations."

"Yes. Unlike what you think, the city government doesn't just push corporations. Corporations that become too large become troublesome in their own way."

The same goes for large corporations. When they grow excessively, they cross lines far too easily. What would happen if the city government couldn't intervene and impose sanctions when those lines are crossed? All sorts of unethical acts would run rampant under the names of rationality and profit.

The most representative example is Battle Trench Company.

"The city government wants balance in the city. Actually, corporations have been growing too large for a long time. They've been trying to restrain them with laws and regulations somehow."

"The corporate side would have fed money to city government people. It's what they do well."

"Yes. More and more people in the city government started favoring corporations, and the more this happened, the harder it became to completely prevent corporate misdeeds."

"And in the midst of this, we appeared."

If you bring one wolf into your house, you never know when it might try to devour its owner. So the city government decided to bring in another wolf.

When two wolves growl at each other and fight, the city government wants to maintain the city's balance by skillfully mediating their relationship.

"How arrogant. Trying to put collars on us. But at the same time, it's attractive enough to make it difficult for us to refuse."

The city government officially wants the Liberation Army's eradication. But beneath the surface, they acknowledge their existence and want them to serve as a check on corporations. It's a duality commonly seen in society.

"So what do they want from us? To prove that the Liberation Army is a harmless organization unrelated to heretics?"

"If we're talking about it, that's what it comes down to."

It wouldn't be a bad proposal from the Liberation Army's perspective. Their biggest problem is precisely that they don't receive proper support.

No matter how excellent a soldier is, they can't fight without proper weapons. Even if not that, minimal support is necessary.

The city government could serve as a patron. Though it would proceed secretly, they could live more humanely than now.

"Isn't this the life you desire? A life where corporations tremble and your workers live even slightly more humanely."

"While wearing collars."

"I merely conveyed the city government's position. Making the choice is strictly your freedom."

"Right now they need us because corporations are running amok. But what happens when the city government thinks they've properly tamed the corporations?"

Unless the city government is foolish, they wouldn't try to abandon the Liberation Army. But at minimum, they would impose sanctions to prevent them from conducting radical protests against corporations.

Balance isn't created by pushing and pressing only one side.

It might be an uncertain possibility of the future, perhaps one that will never happen. But Lukai didn't want to leave such anxiety behind.

"I'll say it again, this isn't my opinion. I only came to confirm whether you've joined hands with heretics. And while I'm here, I'm just giving you a warning about what the corporate guys are doing."

"Do you think we'll be scared by that! Corporate bastards, bring as many as you want! We'll never give up!"

The pierced woman exploded with those words. From her voice, you could feel hatred that could never be compromised.

"If a full-scale war really breaks out, you'll all die."

Osian declared coldly. The Liberation Army individuals are excellent. But corporations have a much larger weight class. Just one major corporation, if it sets its mind to it, can easily crush the Liberation Army like stepping on ants.

They just don't move because they need justification and are wary of the city government's reaction.

"Do you think they don't move because they're cowards? Not at all. The moment those bastards create justification by any means, they will definitely move then."

And the moment corporations move without regard for means and methods.

"You will face destruction."