Shen He watched the entire video in the company villa.
Basically, it was a standard public relations declaration, introducing his nation, the Kingdom of Attilan, in the guise of its king, expressing his will, and attempting to gain widespread acceptance from all of humanity.
The effect was not nonexistent, but it probably wouldn't be very good.
After watching the video, Shen He also checked the discussions on major online platforms.
The result was as he had expected.
Faced with the sudden appearance of the Kingdom of Attilan, which expressed its willingness to stand with the Earth's camp, more people raised questions. They questioned the Inhumans, this race with extraordinary abilities, their origins, and even their prior occupation of the moon. Many expressed concern about their declaration of wanting to return to Earth.
After all, this was not just a few heroes with extraordinary abilities, but an entire race.
Shen He wasn't sure if there were public relations factors from other forces involved, but there was no doubt that the Inhumans would face many hardships if they wanted to integrate into Earth.
However, he didn't plan to get too involved.
Chaldea should play a role in this event, calling for everyone to get along peacefully and to respect and understand each other. They shouldn't explicitly take sides with the Kingdom of Attilan and force the humans on Earth to accept the Inhumans, as this could backfire.
After all, conspiracy theories were always popular in public opinion.
The biggest problem at the moment was still how to utilize this alien war.
"In three days, the Chitauri have only launched some small-scale battles," Shen He said, sitting on the bed in the room, facing his Servants.
Internal Servant meetings were basically held in the room. Everyone found their own places to sit; there were no restrictions, and there wasn't a hint of a meeting atmosphere.
Even Violet and Huby were eating snacks made by Erina Nakiri.
"Can Huby even taste human food?"
"They should be gathering information on the human military," Lelouch cleared his throat, shifting Shen He's gaze from the girl to himself. "We have too little information on the Chitauri, and we don't know if they understand military tactics. Perhaps we can get some information from Loki."
"The Chitauri are actually nothing to fear," Shen He's eyes flickered slightly. "I'm mainly worried that they will call for help..."
Even now, with Odin and the Ancient One still alive, Thanos wouldn't dare to intervene personally. However, as the overlord of the universe, he also had no need to act himself.
What Shen He was more concerned about was the other forces in the universe getting involved, such as the Kree Empire, who created the Inhumans.
There were still Kree remains on Earth, after all.
"There's no need to worry about them calling for help," Lelouch saw things more clearly than Shen He. "After all, we control the Space-Time Portal. This alone provides us with enough of an escape route. In case the situation becomes dire, we can use the Tesseract to open a connection to Asgard. My point is, we should make full use of this special time period to do things that are not usually easy to do."
The most important thing in a game of strategy is to always pay attention to the overall situation and to your own goals.
Lelouch himself was a meticulous person, and being a third-party observer of the events, he was often able to grasp the most crucial points.
"What are you talking about?" Shen He still hadn't figured it out.
Instead, Kusuo Saiki was thoughtful, because he had already gotten the answer from Lelouch's mind.
"Virtual World."
Lelouch uttered these words.
As if a bolt of lightning flashed through his mind, Shen He also suddenly understood.
"We have painstakingly created the current situation, and as long as the alien army remains, we hold the best trump card. The question is, what do we exchange this trump card for?" Lelouch didn't wait for Shen He's reply, but continued speaking on his own, "We can use it to exchange for the peaceful entrance of the Kingdom of Attilan, or we can use it to exchange for Chaldea's reputation, but these are all unstable benefits, while virtual reality—this is the foundation for all time."
The foundation for all time... Shen He was speechless. Everything was going well, why was he being so melodramatic again?
However, he understood Lelouch's meaning.
If used well, the Virtual World would absolutely be a powerful tool for establishing influence and authority.
Because it represented a brand new world, a more excellent, more advanced world.
Under normal circumstances, those who held the old order of the world would absolutely not allow such a new order to be given to others. This was the important reason why Tony had painstakingly complicated the virtual reality helmet.
But now, it was under abnormal circumstances.
Once they could utilize the threat of the aliens to establish a virtual reality world belonging to Chaldea, they would truly have the capital to wrestle with the World Security Council using non-violent means.
What the other side possessed was nothing more than money and control.
Chaldea could obtain these two things from virtual reality. By then, they would simultaneously possess money, control, and force.
"It's worth a shot," Shen He quickly decided.
The last time he was forced to personally go and mislead people by the World Security Council's manipulation of public opinion, it was impossible for him not to hold a grudge.
Moreover, now that Chaldea had unknowingly developed to this point, Shen He was also constantly pondering a question.
What exactly was Chaldea supposed to do?
Initially, the decision to establish Chaldea was because Shiki and Violet were ambushed by HYDRA, leading him to believe that he needed a force to protect him and his Servants.
This was a very pure and fundamental need.
It was just like a person starting a business, initially just hoping to provide their family with a warm and stable home.
But as the business grew bigger and the number of people increased, new goals would naturally arise.
"With great power comes great responsibility?"
Shen He suddenly thought of this classic line, and then, for some reason, he chuckled.
"Master?" Jeanne called out softly.
"It's nothing, just thinking about something," Shen He smiled at his wife sitting beside him, then looked at Lelouch. "It is indeed a good time to develop the virtual reality company's business, but the specific approach still needs more consideration. If those people are determined to go down with everything, that would be quite a disaster."
"What they seek is nothing more than profit," Lelouch said with a smile. "Such a pure thought is actually easier to deal with."
In his opinion, the most troublesome aspect of the World Security Council was that there was no specific "person." They were a conglomerate of power, the embodiment of interests, a representation of thoughts twisted from the entire social order, having abandoned the self.
To completely eliminate them, there was only one path: to destroy the order.
And destroying the order would inevitably bring about killing and death. His Master did not want this, and many of his companions could not accept it either.
Lelouch thought of his sisters and sighed inwardly.
Abandoning one's principles can certainly make one stronger, but people don't live solely to become strong.
"Let's discuss these things later."
Shen He suddenly changed the subject. He'd also noticed that only he and Lelouch were really talking about this, while the other Servants seemed completely uninterested.
You don't know the cost of things until you're the one paying…
"Lelouch," Shen He suddenly called out to him again, "Your two sisters have been living in the castle for quite some time now, and I'm starting to feel a bit apprehensive about seeing them."
He didn't hide the helplessness on his face as he said this.
Euphemia was a bit better, with a gentle personality. As long as you were ruthless, you could basically only bully her.
It was Nunally who really made Shen He uneasy. Whenever she saw him, she would obediently come over, and her words were always about her brother. Her innocent eyes were always filled with worry and resentment. The most crucial thing was that Shen He really couldn't bring himself to bully such a little girl.
"Just a little while longer."
In this regard, Lelouch was actually more ruthless than Shen He. Then he looked at Shen He, seemingly a little embarrassed.
"Master, I might not need much longer here. I also need to ask Master to take care of someone else. She is a female, thirteen years old."
"..."
Shen He found that Jeanne's gaze suddenly changed.
Even Violet, who was lowering her head and munching on cake, suddenly raised her head and looked at Shen He.
So what's the deal with you deliberately emphasizing that she's thirteen?
"..." After a moment of silence, Shen He asked, "Is it Li Hua Jiang?"
"As expected of a Master." Lelouch gave a thumbs up. "I'm planning to emulate Cao Cao and use the Emperor to command the lords. Just like how the whole world can't find Princess Euphemia, as long as the video of the Emperor and Euphemia together is released, he will understand that he simply can't find his Emperor."
During this time, Lelouch had basically stabilized the situation within Area 11.
However, to destroy the Britannian Empire, relying solely on Area 11 wouldn't be enough, so it was necessary to seek more powerful forces.
The Chinese Federation was the most important target.
"It's a trivial matter, nothing to worry about." Shen He waved his hand, indicating he didn't mind.
However, he was still somewhat looking forward to the silver-haired, red-eyed young Emperor. He quite liked this character when he watched the anime before.
Jeanne looked at her lover with some distress.
She naturally understood what the Master was thinking; the Master seemed to like little girls very much.
"In that case, I will return first."
Lelouch stood up, signaled to the other Servants, and then requested to return.
After Shen He agreed, he sighed as he looked at where Lelouch had disappeared.
"There's only one strategist-type Servant like Lelouch. It's really a bit lacking. Chaldea's operations are getting larger and larger, and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed."
Thinking about what he had to do next, he felt a bit of a headache coming on.
After he said this, Violet opened her mouth, then lowered her head, looking somewhat dejected.
Jeanne felt the same way.
Even Shiki Ryougi frowned.
The atmosphere at the scene suddenly became a bit strange.
Shen He also realized this and gave a self-deprecating laugh, "I was just speaking casually. You've all helped me a lot, and I'm very grateful."
Even within a family, some things shouldn't be said so casually.
"No, that's the truth." Shiki turned her head, leaning her shoulder against the door. "I only know how to fight anyway."
Angry... With this action, Sister Shiki is definitely angry...
"Not at all." Shen He smiled wryly. "Establishing Chaldea was originally my own selfish decision... I'm really very grateful to you all."
Even if others didn't say anything, with Kusuo Saiki's personality, being able to help him to this extent had already moved Shen He deeply.
After all, the relationship between him and the Servants didn't require one party to necessarily give to the other.
"I didn't do this for your thanks."
Shiki felt a bit irritable for some reason, so she simply opened the door and walked out. The meeting was over anyway.
"Then I'll head to the castle first."
Kusuo Saiki also walked towards the castle gate he had summoned beside the room.
He preferred the castle to the villa here.
Because there were desserts made by Erina Nakiri there.
The other Servants also left one after another. In the end, only Jeanne, Violet, and the adorable Huby remained in the room.
"Did I just say something wrong?" Shen He turned to Jeanne and asked.
"Of course." Jeanne also looked at him helplessly. "You were clearly very good at talking before, and you understood what we were thinking."
"That's because..." Shen He shook his head and didn't continue.
The Servants he summoned, especially the first few he summoned, had unknowingly changed compared to the "character settings" he knew.
Although this made them more real, it was indeed not as easy to understand their thoughts as it was at first.
"I don't know what others think." Jeanne moved closer, but seemed a little embarrassed and averted her gaze. "But for me, not only as a lover, but also as a Servant, I will wholeheartedly stay by your side, Master. If I had to say a wish, it would be to protect you and guide you. That is my greatest wish."
"...Thank you."
Shen He smiled and reached out to embrace Jeanne. This saintly lady indeed had a charm that made him feel attached.
However, Jeanne seemed a little unaccustomed to this embrace, constantly wriggling in an attempt to break free.
They were practically an old married couple already. Was there really a need to be so shy about a hug?
While Shen He was puzzled, he suddenly felt a strange gaze. It was Huby, staring at them with a blank expression.
"What are you looking at?" Even Shen He felt a little embarrassed by the gaze.
"The Master's body temperature, pulse, and genitals have changed, confirming that he is ready for mating," Huby said in a soft voice.
"..."
After an eerie silence, Jeanne in his arms pushed Shen He away with a whoosh, her face flushed beyond compare.
"C-children shouldn't speak like that," Jeanne seemed to be trying her best to put on her big sister's air of authority.
"But, Huby is already two hundred and ten years old."
Huby made a sound that seemed like a protest, suddenly coming closer and gently pressing against Shen He's body. After a moment, she raised her head with a blank look in her eyes.
"No reaction, don't understand, is it because Huby's charm is inferior to Jeanne?"
"...My 'interests' are normal." Shen He pressed down on Huby's shoulders and pushed her away, almost gritting his teeth as he said, "If you want to understand the human heart, you have to understand human common sense first. If someone reacts...in that way to you, beat them half to death, it won't be wrong."
He just liked cute little kids, he wasn't a pervert.
Huby's appearance only looked to be eleven or twelve years old, even younger than the gradually growing Violet.
-----------------------
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