Chapter 434 - Laid At The Root Of The Trees

The horrifying and inhumane words of Eric Douglas did not surprise Sonia and Saunia. The three of them were among the premier scientists within the Unlocked armies. Their value surpasses even that of some of the lower-leveled Ranked Heroes. But instead of a respectful and moral code, Eric revealed a heartless one.

"WHAT?! That's outrageous!" One of the doctors shouted angrily and stood up. He didn't even speak in the agreed method of using infrasonic, speedy, and quiet words. Had it not been for the loud background as the couple made their first dance, everyone would have noticed his shout.

"Doctor Steveson." Eric raised his eyebrow in disgust.

"Please follow protocols."

"How can I after what I-"

Almost immediately, the doctor stumbled back to his feet. He was unlocked, but the power and concentrated attack of three Reapers Breath made him shiver in fear.

"Ugh. This is the expected problem of making allies and giving them Unbecoming drugs. See how weak-willed they are." Sonia sighed.

"To be fair, Sister. If we weren't Programmed Slaves back then, I doubt we would have gone along the crazy experiments that Charles had. Looking back, those secret covert missions in the European Nations weren't pleasing memories. Back then, we were happy... and then, with a flip of a switch, they turned off our happiness right in the middle of that shootout. It makes me shiver what we had to do. How many people did we kill?" Saunia shook her head.

Eric shivered.

"Good times..." Sonia smiled as if recalling an amazing experience.

"Good for you since the chip in your head got damaged when you were shot in the head..." Saunia complained.

"What my dear associates are trying to say..." Eric continued.

"We are dealing with a fight that would bring literal gods to our very space. Inhumans do not even make the minimum cut to fight them. Do you think I will survive this war with my strength to punch down an Armor? Because right now, I'm ninety percent certain that I will die." Eric questioned harshly.

The doctor that was seated finally got the courage to speak.

"Why these... children?!" He forced out a shout.

"Students, prisoners, and all those other mass-hiring professions are the ripe places for us to conduct this program. They all have venues that gather a lot of people without drawing suspicion. And so, they become the easiest places to host our little programs. In that school, General Harker has already laid the foundations. We're just taking advantage of it. We're not discriminating. But these kids need to be Unlocked if they want to help in the war. Besides, we're doing them a favor. Better the weak die now, rather during the cruelty of war. Now, they can go back to their rooms, enjoy whatever forms of delight they can experience, and return. They can eat whatever food they want because, in the near future, we're going to collapse the market of the world, making food scarce."

"What?! No one told us about that!" An SPU doctor who was also one of the key people in their army was stunned.

"That's because we didn't tell everyone. Do you think Pangea is preparing for it? Of course not. Whatever food we have stocked up goes to the Unlocked Armies."

"May I ask why?" Another doctor asked.

"Shouldn't we stock up for food for the world to gain allies?"

"From what Charles deduced, he said that it is still keeping with the prophecies of the Bible. With many Presiders who will reveal powers that of gods flying in the heavens, the people will pray to many of them. They will offer their lives to whichever Presider that presents himself publicly. And do you know why? So that the words of Jesus might become true."

"Many will come in my name claiming I am he." Sonia quoted scripture.

"Ingenious, isn't it? We make the world religion one. We make events that present this religion as truth. And when that happens, these Presiders will take advantage of it and will claim to be the Messiah. Many will believe them and join these Presiders. But more will join us because it still follows prophecy. It's something along that line. Now, can we continue?"

"I am honestly not comfortable with your arrangements regardless of its results. It's just unethical, even if the world is at stake. Making a survival room for schools? What is this, some sort of Post-Modern Japanese High-School anime?"

"Actually, that's being used in another Pangean school. Very ineffective. We lost many students and gained few Inhumans. We were hoping that some would have a Ranked Hero potential, but none had it. So we decided to stick with the current Battle Arena. They don't kill each other there, you know. Killing the opponent is optional. In fact, they are encouraged not to kill." The doctor clarified.

"...I have no words." The doctor sighed and gave up arguing.

"In short, battle and combat is the best way to force a person. We make these kids fight so that they will grow stronger. It's that simple. What about the other plans?" Eric asked the doctor.

"We decided to forgo the altar of worship depicting Seeker's face. We decided since we are going to present a Christian worldview, we need to be consistent. So although Seeker's Path allows believers to have a higher probability of growing, we decided that it would be best if people naturally believe in him. And so we planned that all students that show potential would have to serve under Seeker in a dangerous mission. Hopefully, something within the next month."

"I see. Putting them right into the fire, huh? They will be forced to fight with Presiders all around them and will be forced to put Faith in Seeker." 

"Exactly."

"What about the former classmates of Seeker, Lynd, and Meryl? Any Believers among them?"

"Very few. Just two girls. But these two seem to have a crush on Seeker all along."

"Ah. And the rest?"

"A prophet is without honor in his own hometown. Just as how the people in Jesus's hometown refused to believe that he was the Messiah even though He showed them miracles, so are Seeker's classmates. They just can't put their faith in him." The doctor replied.

"Ah. As expected. It's strange how that applies so much in real life. For those aspiring actors, writers, or even every other person who dreams for the stars and is regarded as delusional or useless by his or her immediate peers. Who in Seeker's class would expect that he would be the world's Messiah? Even when the truth is laid down on them, their familiarity with Seeker becomes their downfall. Of course, Lynd and Meryl always knew that Seeker was something else. But how sad. Because they forever think of Seeker as an equal, as someone in his own hometown, that they cannot believe this to be true."

"Very rarely will you find a family member or an acquaintance who will be your true supporters? But as it will always be, the general rule is to always seek an audience of strangers, instead of an audience of friends." Saunia laughed.

"Welp. It's about time for us to abandon infertile grounds. Throw them in the usual soldier training. It's their loss. They will die in the battles to come since they are weak. Focus attention on others who show potential." Eric added.

The rest of the doctors, excluding a few Pangean-based doctors, had complicated expressions.

"Doctors, I know it sounds harsh and inhumane. But can you afford to show mercy when the wars are at our doorsteps? Can your soldiers who you show compassion and carefulness, fight against the miracles of these Presiders? What if they shrink matter? What if they shoot light-speed bullets? What if these Presider drop a bomb as powerful as a nuclear bomb? Will your students survive it? The ax is already laid at the root of the trees. And every tree that does not produce good fruit is only good to be burned in the fire. I want soldiers of war, doctors. Don't give me cannon fodders.." Eric warned.