Chapter 592 - A Matter Of Privacy, Massive Turnout

She wondered if this might be something that they should shine the light on and fight with. There was after all rules about the privacy of players in games. However, ANW was by far the most advanced 'game' with no real ways of monitoring it possible. 

It was unclear if it would even be possible to pressure Miracle through this, and if it even succeeded if there would be made any progress. Understanding how and what the AI were, Elizabeth suspected that they might be used as decoys or thrown the reason as why proving that players' privacy was protected was not possible.

Still, it was a place to start and something that she felt most players would be quite furious about upon learning that everything they did could be monitored. In many cases, this would not matter but after nearly a year in their avatars, many people have started to view it as a second body. 

Naturally, they would want assurance that their privacy was protected during the more intimate encounters that many have partaken in. Or even just in times of self-care.

"Yeah, I don't know if it is possible to really succeed in this. They can easily add a function to give you a semblance of control, but there is no way to truly monitor whether they are spying on you or not."

"What do you mean?" Elizabeth asked.

"It's complicated, but it boils down to the fact that what you are seeing isn't actually being transported anywhere, you can't consider it an output. For example, what you see can't be sent to a screen."

"What about the screenshots we can take?"

"It functions through the use of something similar to a camera, it's what the streamers use. Upon wanting to use it, the camera is summoned and does its job. It is impossible to confirm that Miracle does not have an invisible camera following you around. Unless..."

There were a few ways, but most of them could not be applied to players. "Unless?" Elizabeth enquired. 

"Well, there is only one way you could ensure that it cannot be used in secret. But that would require getting into contact with the AI and making a deal with them."

"No, don't give... Agh, fine! I'll think about it." Eldrian had to agree that it could be a good start in him standing up against Miracle, instead of just constantly running. It was also a far less forceful idea than showing magic to the entire world.

However, it would be much harder than it sounded. 

'Convincing Ziraili might be possible, but for Miracle to accept our terms. They might fake acceptance while pressuring Ziraili with a death sentence if she followed it through... I'd be the only one able to confirm what is happening, maybe she can contact other players...'

'The risk for her, however...' Eldrian might have been upset by her betrayal but he didn't wish her harm. 

"Let's change the subject, did Sofiera mention vertical farming?"

"I assumed that was what you wanted, the message was not so clear. Therdul is actually a manager of a massive plantation, so I thought we would give him the reigns."

"Sounds good, but will he agree to stay behind and focus on this?"

Elizabeth frowned and thought on it for a bit, "I'm sure he will accept. Just go ask him yourself, if he gets a quest it will make the option easier for him."

Understanding that point of view well, Eldrian nodded and went to find Therdul while the rest of the guild got ready for combat.

Naturally, the reason why she had brought up quests wasn't that Therdul or Elizabeth, or any of them thought of ANW as just a game, but that the need to grow stronger was ever-present. 

Quests were the quickest options to do that. 

"Are you up for it?" Eldrian asked after explaining the situation to Therdul, who replied with a wide smile. 

"Heck yeah. One thing, why doesn't your quests have gold rewards?"

"Probably because I'm not offering rewards." Eldrian replied, "I don't really have the capacity to do so, just consider the XP and levels you can gain a bonus. I mean, me being able to give quests is already a bonus."

Therdul nodded in agreement. Understanding well that the bonuses should be considered just that.

As for the mission of exterminating the undead, a truly large amount of the citizens wanted to join it. With over a thousand having come before the guild, simply drawn by the rumors of this mission starting today.

Eldrian hadn't sent a formal message to the rest of the city, while things weren't kept secret, it also wasn't spread purposefully. 

Looking at everyone and their will to fight burning, the anger and hatred burning inside them. Eldrian realized that he couldn't stop them by force or order. If he tried then he would quickly lose most of the support that he had. 

Sighing, he tried to think of the best approach. After settling the people, Jannet approached him with an apology. 

"It's fine, I can understand their want to personally see to it. The problem is that a large group would take too long to organize and maneuver will be chaotic, especially since there are so many untrained people in the midst. And unlike us Chosen, they might die..."

Looking towards Evale who was one of the few centaurs Eldrian had actually asked to come, he wondered if he should decide to split their forces. 

If Evale led most of the citizens and soldiers grouped here with Jannet, they should be able to handle most situations. Though, there would be more losses than if just the players managed this. 

'I can send them to the smaller wandering hordes, but...' Shaking his head, Eldrian decided to rather just explain the situation to those gathered here. To try and use their emotions to let them see reason.

After getting everyone to quiet down, Eldrian awkwardly stepped forward to give his totally unprepared speech. 

"It is easy for me to see the fire within you all... And that is the problem, anger blinds..."

"Many of you have lost people very dear to you, I understand the source of your anger and hatred. I understand where your fire comes from. However, just because something can burn does not mean it should."

"You wouldn't light a candle in the middle of the day. You save it for when it is truly needed. Sure, revenge feels like it would solve everything. Sadly, those lost will remain lost to us."

Eldrian paused, suppressing his emotions as everyone was staring at him with utter confusion. He wanted to appear like someone who could stay rational, to make his words hopefully carry a bit more of a meaning. 

His wanting to appear unemotional actually had the opposite effect as he recalled all those who he had lost, and also those he had personally killed. It would always weigh on him, but he would not let it drag him down. 

Scanning over the thousand people, Eldrian noted who was only Tier 1 or 2, or even the few who had not even reached such a level. 

AN: I hope everyone is safe with all the chaos going on in the world.