Chapter 177 Unity

At this moment, in the secret conference room of the shelter, the leaders of the six nations, having received Bennett's request, convened a video conference once more. The shelter held a special status now, and they gave it sufficient importance, making time in their busy schedules to attend the meeting.

The leaders logged on one after another. Bennett's face was serious, and he didn't say a word, making the atmosphere heavy. The six national leaders were curious about what important matter Bennett wanted to discuss with them.

Before long, the last leader logged on, and someone finally asked, "Bennett, what's the matter?"

"Everyone, what I'm about to tell you is a lie that has deceived us for decades..."

Bennett slowly began, and upon hearing this, the leaders of the six nations were all surprised. But as Bennett revealed the truth in detail, the faces of every leader changed.

To prove his words, Hannes had also brought Kerton over and interrogated him strictly. Naturally, Kerton answered everything he knew without holding back. The details were thorough and beyond doubt. The leaders of the six nations no longer had any illusions. Their faces turned ashen. The habit of remaining expressionless, cultivated over many years, crumbled before this news, and hints of humiliation and anger flashed across their faces.

"...That's the way things are. The entire planet has been fooled. If it weren't for Han Xiao, we would have been kept in the dark forever..."

Bennett clenched his fist, his jaw tight.

Han Xiao didn't know what was happening now. Bennett had told the truth to the six nations behind his back. But other than not letting Bennett kill Kerton, Han Xiao had no other requests, and he had tacitly agreed to this.

"All these years, we..." One person's voice was hoarse, and he stopped halfway through his sentence.

The eyes of the six national leaders were complex. Although the truth was as such, their six nations were the final victors of the old era's wars and did not regret what they had done. But when they thought of the tragic scenes of desolation everywhere, the images of missiles exploding into fiery red flowers on the earth, and the countries that had been destroyed as a result, they couldn't help but feel a sense of sorrow.

The victor is king, and there was nothing to say about winning or losing, but the mastermind behind the scenes was just such a small figure, and they felt a sense of sorrow from the bottom of their hearts. What did it matter if they ruled Aquamarine? Countless higher civilizations were like humans looking down at insects fighting. No matter how heroic the battle, how noble and magnificent, the winner... was still an insect.

Even knowing the truth, they had no way to pursue it.

Everyone's feelings toward Godora underwent earth-shattering changes. Their rationality was not shaken; Godora was still a higher civilization they needed to look up to, and they still needed their disaster relief now, but their deep-seated views had changed forever.

Bennett took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "The last time Black Star negotiated with you, I was behind him. To be honest, I didn't agree with his ideas at the time... But now I understand his good intentions. He had already seen through this truth—backwardness and weakness only lead to being played with. I don't know how much insincerity there was in your compromise with him, but now, I think you can recognize reality..."

The leaders of the six nations were silent, suddenly recalling the scene not long ago when they had painstakingly prepared a grand welcoming ceremony and had agreed on the landing coordinates with the Godora relief team in advance. However, the other party had temporarily changed their mind, throwing them aside and rushing to see Black Star.

In fact, this was just a small matter. Although the six nations were unhappy, that was all. But combined with the truth that Bennett had spoken, this "small matter" brought a new meaning to everyone's feelings... We are ultimately not respected.

Bennett's tone was sonorous. "I will completely stand on his side... If one day, he is disappointed in you and wants me to replace you as the ruler of the world, I will do it. You are well aware that this has nothing to do with ambition."

"...We understand."

The leaders of the six nations nodded slowly, well aware of the weight of these words. What Bennett sought was not ambition, but the hope of civilization.

"Just like Black Star said... He is our only choice, the only one who can bring 'future' to Aquamarine."

"Don't worry, we know how to choose."

The leaders of the six nations spoke one after another, sincerely and genuinely. This time, there were no more ulterior motives. In the face of the future of the entire civilization, they were willing to sincerely submit to Han Xiao.

There was no reluctance or resentment. At this moment, the leaders of the six nations felt only gratitude in their hearts.

Grateful that such a legendary figure as Black Star had appeared on Aquamarine, rewriting the fate of the entire civilization with his own strength.

...

The sun was scorching, and the shelter's square was bustling with people.

Han Xiao was leisurely heading toward Nagokin's side, unaware that Bennett had secretly given him an assist. Not long ago, Merlot had called, saying that Godora was poaching talent, and he was now preparing to see how Nagokin was recruiting players.

"They don't understand the nature of the players. In their eyes, the players are just more special natives. If they use normal methods, the players probably won't buy it..." Han Xiao shook his head and chuckled. Godora didn't understand the players' habits like he did.

At the same time, the area specially designated for the Godora relief team to station in the shelter was surrounded by players. The Godorans had issued a recruitment announcement, attracting many curious players.

"Your Aquamarine is located in the ninth star zone of the Garton Star System and belongs to our jurisdiction. The Godora civilization rules the Garton Star System, and its strength is immense. We possess superb magic technology and can come and go freely in the universe..."

Some Godorans were introducing the civilization's situation, cooperating with various image materials, speaking earnestly and vividly. This was Nagokin's plan. He had decided to recruit Espers, and the first policy he had set was to first let this group of "natives" understand the situation in the interstellar society, let them know how powerful the Godora civilization was, and show their own strength so that these Aquamarine Espers could have a clear concept, which would attract them.

Nagokin stood aside and observed. His idea was good, there was nothing wrong with it, but the actual situation was far from the effect he had expected.

Not only were these Espers not curious about the interstellar situation, nor did they show envy or longing for Godora, but they looked uninterested.

"That's not right, how could they not be interested?" Nagokin wondered.

The players who were watching were unmoved. Nagokin's method was a normal way to deal with natives, but it was useless to the players.

At least 80 to 90 percent of the people present had seen Meatbun's Black Star series of videos. Not to mention Godora, they even understood the structure of the entire Shattered Star Ring. The information these Godorans were saying was no longer new.

Nagokin was confused and naturally didn't know what the problem was, so he patiently watched. The Godora propaganda personnel finished their overview of the civilization and then talked about Godora's technical strength, showing various magics and high-tech products, all to show their strength, with some meaning of showing off.

The players took a few glances, shook their heads, and dispersed while complaining.

"No fun, let's go."

"What's so good about showing off this kind of thing? Do they think we're country bumpkins?"

"They're really uncultured."

Seeing this scene, Nagokin and the Godora propaganda personnel were a little dazed. They thought that the Espers were uncultured natives, but they didn't know that, in the eyes of the players, they felt that these Godorans were uncultured.

They were using these things to fool people. Did they think we hadn't seen magic or high technology?!

We've even seen land masses floating in the universe. Godora is showing us this?!

Hicks!

If Han Xiao were here, he would probably laugh out loud—what's the point of talking about these things? You might as well issue a mission. If there are no benefits, why bother? Without visible benefits, the Fourth Disaster won't have the leisure to talk to you.

However, this was just the idea of most people. There were still a certain number of players who were curious and did intend to join the Godora camp. It wasn't that they were attracted, but they mainly wanted to try if they could join two camps at the same time.

Nagokin's recruitment process was different from the Black Star Mercenary Group. Godora had a system after all, and the recruitment process was more cumbersome.

Originally, there was already a small group of players who wanted to ask how to join. Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out not far away. The surrounding players spontaneously gathered, and through the crowd, they saw that the one surrounded by the players was Han Xiao. They immediately abandoned Godora and rushed over excitedly.

In the eyes of the players, Han Xiao was basically linked to the word "benefits." Every time he appeared, it would cause a sensation. He had already left a strong impression in the players' hearts, and his popularity was beyond Godora's reach.

The Godora camp was already deserted, but now it was even more deserted. The Godorans' faces turned pale. When had they ever encountered such treatment? They were actually ignored by a group of natives, and many were so angry that they were fuming.

Nagokin's face twitched, and his expression was depressed. This scene was far from the picture he had imagined, and he deeply felt the huge difference in popularity.

"Well, Black Star is from this planet, so it's only natural that he's more popular."

Nagokin composed himself and was not discouraged. Although the start was disappointing, he believed that there would still be many people willing to join their Godora. After all, they were an advanced civilization, and a ordinary mercenary group couldn't compare to them.

He believed that as long as they continued to popularize the situation of Godora to the Espers, many people would make a smart choice sooner or later.

Although he had the idea of poaching, Nagokin didn't think there was anything wrong with it. These Espers were all free people anyway. You can recruit, and I also have the right to recruit. Everyone is fair. He wouldn't have any dissatisfaction with Black Star... so he didn't think Black Star would be angry because of this.

Seeing Han Xiao walking toward him, Nagokin smiled and greeted him.