Mini World Game Console-Chapter 696 - 697: I Am the Overall Situation

BOOM!

The Didra Empire's Five Great War Zones… The Rift Fortress, garrisoned with a hundred thousand troops, had never suffered an invasion in a thousand years. Yet now, it was engulfed in chaos.

"Damn it! How did they run over there!? Who opened the door for them? Where's the administrator!? Block their path, quickly!"

"Isn't that area off-limits!? Where are they trying to go?"

"Is the administrator eating in the restroom!? Where is he!?"

"Why is this door locked!?"

"Damn management! Damn management, come out and open the door!"

Countless soldiers within the fortress frantically chased and intercepted the escaping prisoners. Under the surveillance of the Grand Duke Night Mother and various devices, the prisoners' movements were fully exposed. With the soldiers vastly outnumbering the prisoners by hundreds to thousands, it really seemed they could overwhelm them effortlessly.

However, under these circumstances, the soldiers couldn't encounter the prisoners at all. Either the prisoners would suddenly open the doors to restricted zones and divert elsewhere, or the paths in front of them were sealed by barrier doors!

Are the fortress managers eating shit? How can they manage like this? Do they still want their jobs?

This was supposed to be their fortress, yet they were locked inside like dogs, helplessly watching as the prisoners' tags on the projections moved towards the surface.

What were they here for? To give the escaping prisoners a heroes' send-off?

"Haha, Colonel Macaron! Colonel Macaron is guarding their only escape route!"

"Grand Duke Makalas's Angel Envoy, 'Black Bear' Colonel Macaron; Great Lord Vicus's Angel Envoy, 'Grey Dog' Colonel Ximilu; and Duke Fakas's Angel Envoy, 'White Wolf' Colonel Los—they're known as the Rift's three mightiest: 'Bear, Wolf, Dog!' Looks like Los is going to clash with Macaron this time!"

"But Los is already in a deep predicament. He doesn't have his cartridge or belt anymore. How is he going to fight Macaron?"

"Sigh, it's disappointing that the Rift's 'Bear, Wolf, Dog' didn't shine in the dimension war. Instead, it looks like White Wolf is about to be crushed by Black Bear..."

Just as the soldiers speculated about the battle based on the map markers, believing Macaron guarding the gate would annihilate the prison escapees, Macaron's marker suddenly turned gray!

"What!" everyone exclaimed in shock. "Colonel Macaron is dead!?"

"I didn't expect Los to be so strong… Or do those damned Oathbreakers still have some tricks up their sleeves?"

"Fear not! They shunned the path to Purgatory, only to recklessly barge into the first-floor hall! General Black Thorn and his elite troops are all waiting for them up there!"

Meanwhile, in the Rift Fortress's first-floor hall, the Rift's elite troops, having waited a long time and fully prepared, completely surrounded the prisoners who had burst out from the emergency passage.

Black Thorn—golden-haired, glowing-eyed, and burly, clad in ferocious silver War Armor—coldly watched Los, who was illicitly wearing an Imperial soldier's War Armor. "Los," Black Thorn said icily, "you actually conspired with the Oathbreakers… So the intelligence you fabricated was meant to delay His Majesty's advance and create opportunities for the Oathbreakers!?"

Black Thorn knew Los hadn't fabricated intelligence, nor had he killed any colleagues; those Morag Assassins were hired by someone else to kill Los. But what did that matter to him? He, Black Thorn, was the Divine Descendant Commander of Rift Fortress, one of the future Five Great Commanders in the dimension war, a future Bloodline Seed! How could he allow intelligence spoken publicly by Los to shake military morale and affect the overall situation?

Not only that, but he also had to completely silence Los, trample Los's intelligence into the dust, and denounce Los for harboring malicious intent. Although everything was done opportunistically, Black Thorn had no interest in wasting more thought on this mortal.

Justice and light also come with a price, requiring sacrifices. Kindness and sympathy are undoubtedly precious, but sometimes they must be forsaken for the long-term view, for greater benefits lie on the other end of the scale.

For thousands of years, mortals lived and died like wild grass, like crops. Only those sheltered by a Great Lord could achieve long life, see beyond mundane bindings, and perceive so-called morality for what it was: powerless mortals attempting to bind others with conventional rules. Black Thorn had long since shed any mortal sense of kindness and sympathy.

For the greater good, sacrificing the individual—that is the true essence of society's machinery.

And Black Thorn's "kindness and sympathy" manifested in a single command: "The evidence is conclusive. No trial is necessary. Execute them on the spot."

Instead of capturing them and letting them suffer like weeds in Morag Prison, it's better to let them die here.

"You have all turned into a pack of war beasts! You will regret this," said the resolute man, his face as sharply chiseled as if by knives and axes.

"Regret? Ridiculous." Black Thorn shook his head, raising his right hand. "I look forward to that day. But before then, you won't even have the chance to regret—"

At his command, thousands of energy rays would vaporize them into dust within the fortress!

"Wait."

Black Thorn lowered his right hand and turned to see Prince Sony approaching, embracing the gift he had just presented. Black Thorn's expression shifted slightly. "What does Sony the Great command?" he asked politely.

"Capture them alive," Ren Suo said indifferently, glancing casually at Los in the distance. "For the elite forces of the Rift, this should be an easy task, right?"

At that moment, Los let out a furious roar that echoed through the hall: "Lorifes!"

Seeing the silver-haired beauty in Ren Suo's arms tremble, Black Thorn instantly understood the reason for Sony the Great's sudden burst of benevolence. "Then capture them alive!" he declared generously. "Warriors, advance!"

The soldiers sheathed their energy weapons, drew their sharp military sabers, and blurred into afterimages as they lunged towards Los and the others!

However, Los and his companions didn't fight back. Instead, they frantically ran towards the fortress's shielded main gates.

Black Thorn laughed heartily. "All gates are closed! You can't escape!"

That way led to the Rift Fortress's flight exit, protected by three layers of Ebony Steel Gates. Once sealed, only the fortress commander had the authority to open them. They could withstand the combined barrage of a million elite troops; not even Divine Descendant Warriors could breach them!

The only person who could open those three gates was him, Black Thorn. Not even Sony the Great had that authority!

Los, you're seeking your own death!

Just as Black Thorn watched with confident eyes, Los pressed his right hand onto an Ebony Steel Gate. With a thunderous RUMBLE, the gate slid rapidly open to both sides!

Black Thorn's eyes widened. He kicked off the ground and rushed forward, shouting, "How… how do you have the authority to open the shield gates!?"

"Hey, General Black Thorn, don't be in such a hurry to leave. Lanaya!"

Black Thorn, mid-rush through the air, was abruptly dragged to the ground. He struggled for a moment, then dared not move. Divine Guard Lanaya, recognized as the strongest Divine Descendant Warrior under the Great Magistrate, could defeat Black Thorn even if she fought him with her hands tied!

"Let me see…"

Ren Suo accessed his identity bracelet. Lorifes, in his arms, swiftly helped him find the knowledge domain system for Rift Fortress—this was truly beyond the ken of the good-for-nothing Sony. He enlarged the projection so the other soldiers could also see the records. "Hmm… the one who ordered the fortress's shield gates opened, and even helped Los by lowering shield gates to block pursuers, was you, General Black Thorn."

"Impossible! It absolutely wasn't me!" Black Thorn immediately thrashed about. "How could I possibly help these prison escapees? I am the fortress commander, Black Thorn! Sony the Great, you mustn't be deceived…"

"But the evidence is now conclusive. It seems no trial is necessary." Ren Suo sighed. "Compared to a trivial prison escapee like Los, I never expected that the commander of Rift Fortress, the esteemed Divine Descendant Black Thorn, would actually be an Imperial traitor colluding with the Oathbreakers and secretly releasing them. This truly grieves me, the Great Magistrate!"

"With such a major pest in a crucial position within the Empire, can His Majesty's Armor Cloak Project proceed smoothly? Can the Empire's wars advance like a swift conquest?! This trend must not continue! Black Thorn, in the name of Grand Duke Menelerus and the Empire, I hereby strip you of your political rights for life! To purify the ranks of the Divine Descendants, I must expel you from the ranks of the Divine Descendants! General Blinchov, you will temporarily assume Black Thorn's duties. Thoroughly investigate how many dealings Black Thorn actually had with the Oathbreakers!"

"Yes, Sony the Great!" The Divine Descendant General singled out by Ren Suo replied loudly, his face beaming with pleasure.

At this, Black Thorn finally realized Ren Suo was serious. He gritted his teeth. "Sony the Great! You have absolutely no direct evidence proving I colluded with the Oathbreakers! Moreover, with the dimension war imminent, I am the only commander who can perfectly lead Rift Fortress! Only I can best lead the Rift's army to fight and kill for His Majesty! For the greater good, you can't do this to me!"

"Don't worry, Black Thorn. I'll hand you over to Morag's interrogation team shortly. You'll provide plenty of evidence then." Ren Suo's lips curled slightly into Sony's trademark disdainful smirk. "However, for the greater good, indeed…"

A flicker of hope appeared in Black Thorn's eyes. He struggled, saying, "Yes, Sony the Great! The greater good is paramount!"

"Indeed, the greater good is paramount. But the problem is, I am now the Bloodline Great Law of Grand Duke Menelerus, Prince Sony of the Didra Empire. So… I *am* the greater good."

Black Thorn's face turned ashen. The Great Magistrate's order was absolute. He was quickly disarmed by the soldiers and dragged away. Even then, he was still cursing Los, wondering how they had managed to open the shield gates using his authority, leading Sony to attack him like this.

At this time, all three Ebony Steel Gates at the Rift Fortress flight exit stood wide open. Los and the Oathbreakers, who had been fighting the Rift's elite soldiers up to this moment, immediately turned and charged outside, even if it meant plunging into a vast abyss!

Just then, Lorifes discreetly nudged Ren Suo. He took a deep breath and suddenly shouted:

"Los, I will take good care of your sister!"

Under the influence of Sony's persona, Ren Suo saw Los's eyes shoot a passionate gaze at him. He couldn't help but nod inwardly. Lorifes wanted him to reassure Los. It seemed his message was perfectly conveyed. It must be clear to Los: as long as I'm here, your sister will be perfectly fine!

However, Lorifes, her face flushed with anger, secretly punched him. Ren Suo glanced at her coldly, his expression impassive, and tightened his grip on her waist to stop her from squirming.

"Alduin is my name! I shed my wings to master my will!"

With the Oathbreakers' cry, Los and the others vanished from mid-air, teleporting away.

The new fortress commander, General Blinchov, hurried over to offer his apologies. Ren Suo waved his hand dismissively. "Exposing Black Thorn, this pest, for the Empire has tired me out as well. I have to go to Snowy City for an inspection tomorrow. Don't have anyone disturb me today."

"Yes, Great Magistrate."

Back in the elevator, Lorifes immediately tried to wrench herself free from Ren Suo, then landed a hard punch on his chest. "What was that all about? How do you think Los will see me now?"

Ren Suo glanced at her, then suddenly bent down, hoisted her onto his shoulder like a trophy, and, ignoring her struggles, carried her back to his room amidst the admiring gazes of the other Divine Guards.

Once in the room, Ren Suo tossed Lorifes onto the carpet, then lazily sat down nearby. "I can't be bothered to explain too much to you," he said languidly. "Just don't annoy me."

"You… Fine, you really are Sony. Just as much of a jerk," Lorifes said, dusting herself off, her face still indignant.

When Ren Xingmei and Dong Chengling saw Ren Suo carry Lorifes back and learned what had happened, Ren Xingmei said angrily, "Brother, how could you treat her like that… Is it because you're Sony now?"

"And why couldn't I?" Ren Suo retorted. "She's nothing to me. Why should I be nice to her just because she's chattering away nearby? Just because she's a woman? Hah. Women."

Hearing Sony's words, Ren Xingmei and Dong Chengling, instead of getting angry, exchanged curious glances.

Lorifes seemed to notice something. "Do you feel he's very different from the person you know?" she said. "Although I don't know how he became Sony, Sony's way of thinking is just like this: he despises commoners, looks down on women, is arrogant and proud, considers himself above deceit and lies, and views women as mere objects. Such a person would never harbor any genuine feelings for a woman. However, for him, who is currently impersonating Sony, you two might be exceptions."

Dong Chengling suddenly asked, "Suo, am I very important to you?"

"Very important," Ren Suo replied instantly.

"Between me, Qiao Muyi, Gu Yueyan, and Luna—who is the most important?"

"All of them are very important."

"Isn't there one who's a little more important?"

"Each one is a little more important."

Even in this strange state, Ren Suo's answers were so impeccably flawless?

Although Dong Chengling understood that Ren Suo's answers were essentially meaningless, she just wanted to hear him say with his own lips that she, Dong Chengling, was the most important—even if this "most important" was predicated on everyone else also being important.

Being human is strange; a laugh can conquer a lifetime, a single word can absolve all debts.

"Then, among all the people you know, excluding your parents, who is the one you constantly think about, always pay attention to, and will worry about their destiny until the day you die?"

Now is a good opportunity! With Ren Suo in this arrogant, boastful Sony persona—one who wouldn't lie, wouldn't feel shy, and was utterly shameless—it's the perfect time to find out his true feelings!

At this, Ren Xingmei also fell silent, waiting tensely for Ren Suo's answer.

Who could it be?

Is it Dong Chengling, strong and ambitious, yet gentle and considerate towards you?

Is it Qiao Muyi, eccentric and mischievous, yet willing to break rules for you?

Is it Gu Yueyan, young and adorable, who worships and depends on you?

Or is it Luna, the cat girl who meows at you every day?

Ren Suo pondered for a moment, looked at the three of them, and a sinister, wild smile curled his lips.

He tilted his head back, looking down his nose at them, and said, "The one I think about day and night, always pay attention to, and will worry about their destiny until my dying day… Yes, there really is such a person. And that person, of course, is—"

"Zhao Huo."