Chapter 901 - This Game Is Too Realistic

Chapter 901: The Foundation of Trust "Esteemed Administrator, amidst your hectic schedule, I take this opportunity to report on behalf of the Balro Province War Zone Staff on our recent efforts." "As per your instructions, we have assisted the resistance forces in Balro Province to establish a modern army while building a relatively complete air defense system locally. Although planes from Western Harbor have frequently attacked the capital of Tiandu over the past months, the strategic and infrastructure impact has been minimized." "Moreover, the continuous supply of weapons and radio equipment to the front lines has alleviated the severe weapon shortages experienced by the nations in Balro Province, enhancing their training and combat capabilities. Initially, the Balro Army required a hundred troops to resist a ten-man squad of the legion's regular army under equal equipment conditions. Now, they have adeptly mastered the mobile warfare tactics taught by us, reducing the required forces from a company level to a platoon level to counter the legion's squad attacks." "Currently, the war situation in Balro Province has shifted from strategic defense to strategic stalemate, with all forces seeing the dawn of victory." "However, despite numerous optimistic updates, it cannot be denied that our forces are still far from launching a formal strategic offensive." "As we become accustomed to the Southern Legion's tactics, they are likewise adapting to our offensive and defensive maneuvers. They have used solid lines to prevent our infiltration and cooperation with intensive artillery to annihilate our active forces." "Undeniably, our numerical disadvantage remains a critical shortcoming. When we attempt to trade time for space, the adversary extends their battle lines to magnify our weaknesses." "On the other hand, although the combat capability of the United Forces of Balro has improved and the hardest period of resource shortages has been overcome, their defensive capacity is still stronger than their offensive. According to reports from various front-line units, the discrepancy between casualty ratios in offensive versus defensive operations can be as much as two or even three times." "Furthermore, significant internal divisions persist in the nations of Balro Province. Various factions and infighting abound, exacerbated since the collapse of the Heavenly Palace." "Additionally, as the war drags on, evidence of military upgrades in the legion has surfaced. Initially, they only had two jet fighters, but more and more new aircraft are now appearing in Balro Province's airspace. Alongside are precision-guided weapons and shells with electronic guidance heads." "We initially judged that the fall of their airships would lead to a downturn in their offensive. However, we underestimated their resolve. Paradoxically, the airship's demise has catalyzed their equipment upgrades and tactical evolution." "More exoskeletons and guided weapons are appearing on the front lines, including small arms with newly designed receiver structures. Considering the Southern Legion's industrial capacity and the resources from their colonies, the war situation could eventually shift unfavorably for us." "Hence, I sincerely recommend that we open a second front in the Southern Legion's colonies or their homeland." "……Your loyal General Vanuus, September 1st." In the Union Headquarters of Dawn City, Chu Guang carefully reviewed the report sent back from the front lines. Though he regularly followed forum posts to glean details about the war in Balro Province, Vanuus's report offered a markedly different perspective. In fact, shortly after the war began, there was a debate on the forums about whether the Union should open a second front. Supporters had their reasons, suggesting that hitting the legion's supply lines was less effective than thrusting them back to the Stone Age. Opponents also had well-founded arguments, stating that attacking the Southern Legion's homeland would be equivalent to declaring war on the entire legion, triggering defensive pacts within and potentially uniting their divided factions. This approach would essentially aid the enemy in completing their war mobilization, turning internal dissent into external conflict. Indeed, Chu Guang leans more toward the latter camp. Not just because of the players' arguments during debates, but significantly because he possesses another set of intelligence regarding the Southern Legion's colonies. For instance, far off at Eternal Night Port, a significant upheaval is brewing. While it's possible players have exaggerated some aspects, it's evident that the war has awakened parts of the Velant people— They find themselves on an out-of-control train. This train fuels itself with their very flesh, not steering them to a utopia but hurtling toward an unfathomable abyss, crushing their loyalty, bravery, generosity, and fearlessness. In this war of lies and deceit, the Velants gain nothing but more centurions and podrions atop them. Meanwhile, oppressed indigenous tribes under Velant rule are gradually moving from mutual hostility towards unity. In such a scenario, perhaps watching and waiting is the prudent course. After contemplating the report for some time, Chu Guang turned to Xiao Qi perched on the pen holder. "Xiao Qi, draft a response letter, stating... From a tactical viewpoint, it's a sound suggestion, but strategically, now is not the time." "Received!" Xiao Qi nodded energetically, a faint blue light shimmering in her eyes, and swiftly dispatched the composed reply to the front-line command of Balro Province. Information infrastructure is part and parcel of overall infrastructure. In the past six months, the construction team from French Fry Port utilized "Electric Ray" drones and "Crab" amphibious engineering armor to lay undersea cables from French Fry Port to Jinganlan Port. Currently, communications between Dawn City and the southern sea routes and the Balro coast have moved beyond telegrams, allowing for real-time data transmission. With additional cables, increased bandwidth, and several servers to boost computing power, creating a localized network similar to Endpoint Cloud may not be too far off. Reviewing Vanuus's report was the last task for today. Noting the late hour outside, Chu Guang stretched lazily, moved his chair away from the desk, and stood up to signal the end of his workday. He planned to stroll through the northern commercial street. Recently, a new shopping plaza, "Night City," opened there. Designed by a group of lifestyle player enthusiasts inspired by real-world department stores, incorporating holographic and light pollution tech from Ideal City, it boasts a bold cyberpunk aesthetic. Gremlin Bank supported these newcomers' creative endeavors with loans, and the avant-garde mall has become the "new landmark" on Dawn City's North Street, attracting even residents from Ideal City. Once, the most striking landmark in Dawn City was the towering Ideal Hotel funded by Ideal Corporation. Now, that skyscraper's prominence is being challenged by emergent landmarks sprouting like mushrooms after rain. These aren't solely the achievements of players but are also driven by the survivors they’ve influenced. While the goal to end the Wasteland Era is still far from complete, the inhabitants of Dawn City undeniably enjoy better days. Chu Guang feels genuinely gratified witnessing these changes transpiring across the land. Thanks to these transformations, his workdays shortened, with fewer tasks needing his direct involvement than before. Long ago, the Union was like a child unable to be separated from him. But now, even if he's suddenly absent, this vast machine can independently operate for quite some time... until another eligible to bear the title of Administrator emerges. As the "father" of the Union, his next aim is evident— To eliminate his child's final weakness. What his child needs is neither a "successor" nor a "stepfather," but to transform from a vibrant youth into a truly capable and independent adult. When the day comes that even in his absence, the young Union can stride confidently forward instead of waiting for his return, he will have truly succeeded. Otherwise, they will become another form of the legion. In a way, Victory City mirrors Dawn City, reflecting an alternative "potential" path for the Union. Chu Guang realized this one day. A century and a half ago, Julius, in a different origin story, might as well have been himself. Especially after delving deeper into the Velant's history, he has come to new understandings and perspectives about the man they respectfully call Marshal. Stripping away their divergent ultimate choices, the dilemmas and circumstances they face are strikingly alike. The Marshal had already demonstrated the outcome of their differing choices, extending the example across a century and a half. This was similarly exemplified by the original leader of Boulder City... At this moment, the sound of a knock at the door disrupted Chu Guang's thoughts. He looked over to see Yin Fang standing in the doorway, holding a document, with a look suggesting he had something to discuss. "Am I interrupting your after-hours?" Seeing Yin Fang's playful smile, Chu Guang chuckled. "I don't really have after-hours. Go ahead, what's on your mind?" Without hesitation, Yin Fang stepped in, handed over the document to Chu Guang, and succinctly reported. "In short, it's good news: the gravity well in the southern seas has been deployed, utilizing the same system we tested in the capital of Balro Province. Although the deployment there wasn't perfect, the academy guarantees this one should be fine." Chu Guang adopted a curious expression. "What do you mean by 'should be fine'?" With a wry smile, Yin Fang responded. "Well... while we've figured out how to pull space debris down to Earth, we can't be sure what's floating up there or what will come down. And don't forget, there's that weapon up there—you know what I mean, right?" Chu Guang nodded. He was well aware. Yin Fang was referring to the strategic weapon positioned in orbit. It's the last remnant left by the Post-War Reconstruction Committee for former settlements—reportedly capable of obliterating a settlement of millions with a single shot. After steadying himself, Yin Fang continued. "In fact, according to research from the Astronomical Observation Department, the gravity well's initial use has unpredictably impacted space assets. With the academy's notorious modus operandi, I suspect there may be ulterior motives." Chu Guang pondered aloud. "Are you suggesting... 'disarmament'?" "That's one of my concerns," Yin Fang admitted, then paused before continuing, "Another is why the academy isn't testing this on their own turf but using ours. There are plenty of uninhabited zones in the Wanderer’s Marsh, which pose less ecological risk than the ocean." Ecological risk... in the Wasteland Era? But instead of mocking Yin Fang for overthinking, Chu Guang asked sincerely. "What do you think the reason might be?" Yin Fang shook his head with a rueful smile. "I don't know, which is why I worry there might be risks the academy hasn't disclosed. You know their style—they love using others as guinea pigs." This concern wasn't just as the Union's chief researcher but also stemmed from his experiences as a former field surveyor for the academy. Chu Guang's expression grew serious. "Do we have any direct evidence to support this?" Yin Fang shook his head regretfully. "Unfortunately, no. Anti-gravity technology was already cutting-edge before the war, and the literature on gravity wells is largely speculative. All indications point to the academy's breakthroughs occurring post-Wasteland Era... for their Ark Project to a new world." Yin Fang's face showed a trace of embarrassment. As a former academy researcher, he'd often criticized them, frustratingly pointing out their seeming lack of progress. Yet, in truth, they had hidden their advancements. With stringent confidentiality rules, a D-level researcher wouldn't have access to, or likely even know about, top-tier technology. Whether those policies are reasonable is another debate. Chu Guang took more time to deliberate over Yin Fang's report than he did Vanuus's, and Yin Fang patiently awaited his perspective. "What if... the academy itself doesn't know the consequences of this choice?" Yin Fang was taken aback. "They... don't know?" Chu Guang nodded. "Perhaps testing this technology is part of their exploration of the future. I tend to believe they're also 'feeling their way forward.' As you mentioned, they could conduct all their tinkering in the Wanderer’s Marsh without letting us see our trump cards being plucked from the sky." These cards not only belonged to the Union but also included corporate and legion assets. Chu Guang believed Victory City likely had similar strategic weapons for "mutual destruction." Yin Fang found himself at a loss for words. He mulled it over for a moment, unable to find a point to refute. After a pause, Chu Guang continued with a smile. "Your concerns are valid, but I also feel there’s no need for us to be overly paranoid. Let’s give them a chance this time." Yin Fang’s expression turned peculiar as he quipped, "Trust the academy? Are you serious?" Chu Guang nodded. "Trying to trust doesn’t mean completely turning a blind eye. They've shown some good faith by sharing unseen technologies and aiding us significantly. As a matter of reciprocity, it's only fair not to slight them." "When you think about it, those folks, while a bit sharp-tongued and petty, are not terrible. Aside from initial conflicts, they haven’t truly wronged us." "Why not seize this chance to build trust while we’re still in the same boat? It's less risky than waiting until they're already off it." The academy needed its technological reserves to build a starship for intergalactic colonization, while the Union needed to reestablish links between the sky and the earth. Currently, their interests align perfectly—a rare opportunity. Yin Fang looked at Chu Guang in surprise, his emotions mixed. "Not terrible, huh... I've never heard anyone speak so favorably about the academy." In the eyes of most wastelanders, the academy remains a mysterious entity. Fear of the unknown is a natural instinct, and this mystery only worsens the academy's reputation, even more than the Velants', and garners no goodwill towards its researchers. Even though the academy's positive impacts on the wasteland vastly overshadow the legion’s emphasis on slavery or the corporate expansion limited to just one Pioneer in a century. Despite Yin Fang’s own frequent ridicule of his old employer, hearing such positive views still stirred complex feelings within him. Seeing Yin Fang’s complex expression, Chu Guang chuckled. "Don’t look at me like that—they were your former employer, and the rift between you isn’t as wide as a blood feud." Chu Guang paused before continuing. "By the way, I'm planning another trip to the southern seas. If anything goes awry, I’ll be there to manage." Yin Fang forced a small smile. "…I'll join you; I have business down south too. When are you leaving?" Chu Guang glanced at his holographic schedule, noting no plans for the coming days, and responded. “The day after tomorrow.” “The day after tomorrow?” Yin Fang hesitated. “Isn’t that too soon? According to the academy's logs, the gravity well's first trial isn’t until the end of the month.” “It’s not too soon. Besides, my trip isn’t solely about the gravity well,” Chu Guang said with a knowing smile at Yin Fang's surprise. “The railway to Haizaki Province has been operational for a while now. This time, I’m taking the train.” "If you're pressed for time, you might not want to follow me." They say the southern regions have undergone changes more astonishing than even Dawn City. Even without his direct intervention, Chu Guang’s players and subordinates have been doing well. Chu Guang decided to give himself a break, to revisit the places where he and his players once fought... To be continued.