Please support the translation by reading the translation and commenting on otakutl official site.
Thank you.
Everyone from Otaku Translation
Chapter 209: Free Will
"I heard things are getting out of control over there too."
On the phone, the governor's voice carried a hint of teasing. The police strike was not unexpected for them. They had even prepared for it some time ago.
The logic was simple: people would never take warnings seriously until disaster struck.
Even though the president's reputation was somewhat tarnished within the Federation, as long as the social foundation remained stable, all could be dismissed as political friction.
No matter how harsh the rhetoric, as long as basic order was maintained, ordinary people would only be able to see the street outside their door and what happened on it; they would neither be able to see nor care about distant events.
The slander against the president might even evoke some sympathy for him, potentially causing other issues.
It was also to break the stagnant situation in the Federation, to give the people a taste of pain and bloodshed. Only then would they understand that what they revered in the past held no value for the country.
They would open their eyes in pain, shedding the pretense of comfort they had while pretending to sleep. They would be forced to face reality. There was no stronger contrast than chaos versus law and order to make them realize that some responsibilities lay not only with politicians but also with the masses.
This might sound a bit irresponsible, but it was actually the most truthful aspect, as politicians, in order to gain people's support, must first cater to the will of the majority.
Isolationism, at its core, also catered to the public. When people started focusing on foreign wars and feared the mass deaths of young soldiers, they grew deeply afraid.
Would their children be sent to the front lines due to war? Would they become cold statistics on equally cold newspapers like those soldiers?
Families would die, homes would be destroyed by artillery, and the entire nation would be in peril...
This potentially fatal future made people dread war, and isolationism aligned with this mainstream societal view.
Now, to correct some thoughts, certain things had to be broken.
If the police did not strike, there would be no frightening social turmoil.
If the police did not strike, the militia and army wouldn't be able to show people that "war" sometimes meant protection and rebirth, not just casualties and destruction.
Behind isolationism was a pathological indifference or even hostility towards war and soldiers.
The Progressive Party, upon replacing the Conservative Party in the federal government, would advance international relations aggressively. The vice-chair of the Progressive Party had quietly traveled abroad to discuss international mutual aid and cooperation with some countries.
Once certain issues were resolved, they planned to deploy troops.
Of course, this wasn't for war. Joining a camp meant naturally demonstrating their value and capability.
There were many regions still experiencing post-war conflicts or needing military governance, with a significant shortage of personnel.
Years of warfare had worn people out, and reportedly, when the ceasefire agreement was signed, the whole world cheered. But soon, people stopped discussing the war, even as the smoke had yet to dissipate, and ignored ongoing events.
Masses demanded the disbandment and discharge of remaining soldiers, and the army couldn't recruit new soldiers. They certainly didn’t want those soldiers stationed in highly risky areas, but some things had to be done.
The Baylor Federation was well-suited for this role. Overseas deployment was inevitable. But before that, people still needed to experience the atmosphere, understanding that war included righteousness and love, not just destruction.
Facing the governor's tease, Sabin City's mayor sighed, "The situation is worse than I expected. I thought these issues would erupt next month."
The governor consoled him, "Take care of your safety. The earliest we can act is November 25th. There are still over ten days; I believe you can hold on."
The mayor walked over to the TV and turned it on. After casually watching for a while, the local Sabin City TV station suddenly interrupted with a news flash. The host's face was full of fervor and excitement, starkly contrasted with the mayor's cold demeanor.
These media people could achieve historical fame by reporting a significant news story. They could preserve history through recordings or film frames, so they were fervent, thrilled, and even found the news not sensational enough.
Through the TV, the mayor and more upper-level figures of Sabin City learned what had happened.
That night, the police chief organized officers to talk to the leaders of the protestors as the mayor requested. Possibly due to the high intensity of their work, some officers used inappropriate language.
This was the official explanation. In reality, officers were never civil in their language.
Conflict quickly arose, and the situation escalated. Some workers surrounded the three officers who had gone to negotiate, with one even raising a gun.
At that moment, the police suddenly announced a strike for self-preservation. They refused to work, telling anyone who wanted to continue to do so.
The three officers' declaration of strike to protect themselves immediately inspired most officers, who also joined the strike and protest to escape the difficult work.
A brief calm was followed by mass celebration. The police, symbols of authority, also striking made people believe their cause was just, their methods correct, and their future bright.
Turning off the TV, the mayor shook his head and walked to the window. Through the courtyard guards holding guns, and the slightly bright sky towards downtown he saw, he knew it would be a sleepless night.
Possibly influenced by the police strike, the daytime protest resumed after dinner. People took to the streets again, waving police wide-brimmed hats and uniforms on sticks.
Police badges were strung together with rope, dragged along the ground, and trampled on.
The dark night seemed to bring out people's deepest vile desires, making the streets increasingly dangerous. When a few young men rushed out of the crowd to smash and loot stores, the nature of the protest changed.
More stores were vandalized, countless goods were looted, and people justified it as the cost of their exploitation and oppression!
Look, the city had fallen into the ocean of people's free will!
The next day, the mayor gave a televised speech. He didn't even dare to appear in public, knowing that in a frenzy, a reckless act could ruin everything.
He urged citizens to return stolen goods to the police station and urged protest leaders to calm the strike groups.
But these words were taken as a sign of weakness. That afternoon, radicals among the strikers announced the occupation of Sabin City Police Department.
They defaced the previously decent police department building with paint, and someone even defecated on the roof...
That same day, Sabin City's municipal government announced that due to the current security issues, they would stop issuing food and supply stamps and close all distribution points.
The municipal government also warned those who had committed crimes during the strike to surrender to police or court for leniency—mentioning the court because the police department was effectively paralyzed.
The "incompetence" of Sabin City's municipal government and mayor was seen by the increasingly crazy people as weakness, but some began to worry.
In the following days, the chaos continued, but fewer people were on the streets.
Only those looting could fill their stomachs, while most ordinary residents started going hungry.
"Hunger won't solve these problems..."
Lynch stood in a building, looking through the window at the smoke rising from downtown. Not long ago, this city had been so quiet.
Maybe some unemployment made it seem desolate, but at least it was safe.
In just a few days, the situation had rapidly deteriorated.
Behind him, in a lavishly decorated room, some well-dressed ladies and gentlemen stood or sat, with tables full of exquisite food and high-end drinks.
In one corner, a band played soothing music.
The speaker was the host of this gathering, a local businessman. His face was stern, but his eyes were full of anger.
"Our mayor is too weak. I think we should fight back, crush these rioters head-on," he said, pausing and raising a finger. "Notice, gentlemen, I call them 'rioters.'"
"But their actions are more terrifying and destructive than rioters. I believe everyone here has suffered some loss, but our city has yet to come up with an effective solution. All he does is appeal."
His lips curled into a mocking smile, "No one can help us, only ourselves!"
"I've consulted lawyers. When those rioters break into our stores, seize our wealth, we have the right to shoot them legally!"
His voice grew louder, "This is the sacred right granted by the federal constitution!"
Please vote for this novel at
If you would like to support this translation, you may choose any one of the options below.
There are advance chapters available now
Access will be granted 24 hours after the donation
Tier 1: 7 Advance chapters
How to find a list of chapters
Please find the chapter label next to your favorite translator's name, and click the label.
No comments:
Post a Comment