Chapter 66

Captain America: "Don't spout nonsense. I'm not the kind of person who would indiscriminately kill innocents to complete a mission, unlike her."

Dalei: "Indiscriminately kill innocents? I admit I have killed many people, but it was out of the responsibility and duty of a ruler. Those I killed were all lawbreakers and conspirators, and it was necessary for my work. I can tell you that, apart from on the battlefield, I have never killed an innocent person."

Captain America: "Hahaha, what a fine argument, you even have a reason for killing people."

Dalei: "Rulers rely on killing and other violent means to maintain social stability, and this has never changed from ancient times to the present. If you want to refute it, please provide a counterexample."

Captain America: "This is just your sophistry. You are the governor, and you can arrest people by fabricating reasons and charges, just like how you made us arrest the villagers of Seashell Village based on false prophecies."

Dalei: "I was also following my father's plan (shifting responsibility). Although it was indeed a dishonorable conspiracy, not a single one of them was wrongly arrested. You heard and saw it yourself; they all knew about the existence of the 'Red Water Messenger' but not a single one of them decided to inform the governor's office, even keeping silent during the investigation, far worse than the good citizens. After I rescued them, they turned against me and tried to overthrow the governor's office, just like that traitor who betrayed me, and they are all unforgivable criminals."

Captain America: "So, how do you plan to deal with these traitors? You are the governor, this is your responsibility."

Dalei: "Of course, I will..."

Gordon: "Of course, I will treat them differently." —— quickly taking over the conversation

Dalei: "What do you mean?" —— whispering, glaring at Gordon

Gordon: "Haven't you noticed? He is stalling for time." —— whispering

I (voiceover): "Stalling for time? I see, no wonder Captain America is so willing to argue with Gordon and Dalei, enjoying the verbal sparring, waiting for the situation to change. But what kind of change?"

Dalei: "They are planning to incite the peasants to riot and then escape in the chaos?" —— whispering

Gordon: "There is that possibility. What did you originally plan to do with the villagers of Seashell Village?" —— whispering

Dalei: "Sentence them all to death, confiscate all their property, behead them, and display their heads at the gates of Giant Scale City." —— whispering

Gordon: "No, that would definitely provoke a rebellion, making the situation even more complex and uncontrollable." —— whispering

Dalei: "More complex and uncontrollable? Do you think I can still control it? After that traitor betrayed me, the command of the regular army is no longer in my hands. If I don't incite a rebellion, the situation will not improve at all. Actually, I, like Captain America, hope to break the current stalemate." —— whispering

Gordon: "You are planning to take advantage of the chaos to kill the acting governor and regain command?" —— whispering

Dalei: "Yes, there is no other way." —— whispering

Gordon: "No, it won't work. The regular army only follows the acting governor's orders. If you kill him directly, it will be hard to gain their support. Besides, he is Ares' new favorite, while you are under Ares' suspicion and exiled from the island. Even if you kill him, the officers and soldiers of the regular army may not dare to follow your orders, fearing you might use this as an opportunity to rebel." —— whispering

Dalei: "I understand your concerns and worries, but do I have any other choice? It's a dead end, I can only take a gamble and hope for the best." —— whispering

Gordon: "Don't rush into a gamble. I have a surefire plan that can make the enemy—howling assault team members—kill the acting governor, so you won't be seen as acting against Ares. After the acting governor dies in the line of duty, you will be the highest-ranking official on the scene, and you can rightfully reclaim command of the regular army." —— whispering

I (voiceover): "The howling assault team members will kill the acting governor? How is that possible? He is their hostage and protector. They are too busy protecting him to even think of killing him, unless the old man has an informant in the howling assault team?"

Dalei: "Can you really do it without us having to act ourselves to kill that traitor?" —— whispering

Gordon: "Absolutely, but this plan has a prerequisite that you must meet, otherwise it's all talk." —— whispering

Dalei: "Tell me, what is the prerequisite?" —— whispering, urging

Gordon: "Change the sentence for the villagers of Seashell Village to exile, drive them out of Paradise Island." —— whispering

Dalei: "Drive them out of Paradise Island? Isn't that the same as killing them? Their property has been confiscated by the governor's office. Without the support of their own people, how can they survive outside Paradise Island, unless someone... Then your people will play the role of saviors, helping them settle on the uninhabited island controlled by SHIELD, so they can work for you in the future. You have a good plan." —— whispering

Gordon: "Why would you think that?" —— feigning surprise

Dalei: "Why wouldn't I think that? Didn't you praise their abilities as extremely valuable and military assets, and have been coveting their abilities for a long time? You even kept the true identities of these mercenaries hidden from me, always plotting against me." —— angry

Gordon: "Indeed, I do covet their abilities, but I am not just doing this to take advantage of the situation. I also want to quickly disperse the crowd and break the current stalemate. After that, my plan won't be seen through by the officers and soldiers of the regular army, and you can rightfully reclaim command. I advise you not to refuse out of spite and to meet this prerequisite. This is a wise and win-win choice for both of us." —— persuading

Dalei: "... Alright." —— nodding in agreement

Captain America: "Hey! You two, are you done whispering? Quickly tell everyone how you plan to deal with these traitors!" —— shouting

Dalei: "Of course, I will treat them differently. Although the villagers of Seashell Village betrayed my trust and attempted to overthrow the governor's office, which is undoubtedly a rebellion, it was caused by your deliberate persecution and provocation, so there is an objective reason. Therefore, I sentence them to exile, driving them out of Paradise Island, and they are never allowed to return. As for the crowd who were incited by the spies, I will be lenient and not pursue them, provided they all disperse within twenty minutes. Those who remain in the central square after twenty minutes will be punished. As for your protectors and shields, they will be sentenced to death, as they have already disgraced the governor's office and my father Ares by doing anything to save their own lives." —— with a righteous and stern demeanor

I (voiceover): "What a fair, just, and selfless judgment, but I already know your true nature. You can only deceive the uninformed crowd, not me."

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