Chapter 3043 Unknown Name

Was the invisible hand of the Warehouse behind the birth of the Federation and the retirement and re-employment of the Night Watchers?

Considering the Warehouse's usual style, the suspicion had always been high.

But actually confirming it face-to-face with the victim still made for a somewhat awkward scene.

Perhaps Fu Qian didn't feel that way, but even treating this as a Hongmen banquet, the other party's strategic goal seemed already achieved—

It wasn't that they wanted to harm him; he was simply harboring malicious intent deserving of condemnation.

This scoundrel willingly served as the lackey of an evil god—the Night Watchers were the true victims here!

Chopping off a head was simple, but one needed a justified cause to minimize future troubles.

Perhaps Professor Fu lacked seniority and had nothing to do with the events of the past, but first, he had thrown his lot in with the enemy, and second, he remained dishonest and evasive when questioned by the Night Watchers.

These two charges alone were enough to justify smashing a cup as the signal for executioners to strike.

Tap, tap...

Excellency Corvos stared quietly in his direction, his ring finger tapping against the book's pages.

Though the sound was only slightly crisper than ordinary paper, each tap was perfectly timed, knocking back Excellency Stoss's urge to speak bit by bit. It was obvious the latter was also hearing the truth about the Night Watchers stepping out from behind the scenes for the very first time.

Amid his shock, Old Man Stoss clearly did not want the situation to grow any more tense. He had likely intended to ease the atmosphere.

'The Night Watchers have done many stupid things, but in my eyes, the establishment of the Federation is not one of them. It is a good thing for both transcendents and ordinary people.'

Surprisingly, even though the words had been held back, Stoss's intent seemed to have been received anyway.

Corvos, who allowed no one else to interrupt, slowly spoke up the next moment.

...

"The Warehouse still did a good thing, because I supported the establishment of the Federation."

Opening his mouth with self-deprecation, the grand vision of the Night Watcher titan was fully on display.

And he wasn't finished. Excellency Corvos, who clearly disliked the Warehouse and its Administrator, actually went on to acknowledge the necessity of establishing the Federation.

"The Night Watchers once tried to hand history over to humanity. Unfortunately, over a long period of time, many things simply spun in circles.

"Certain outcomes that were inherently win-win could never be reached."

Sweeping his gaze over the people reading by the window, Corvos clearly didn't think much of humanity's enterprise.

"It is quite normal. An equilibrium state doesn't mean it can naturally be reached. Isn't that what we've been discussing all along?" Fu Qian replied.

He had the opportunity for checkmate but didn't take it; Excellency Corvos's mindset was truly somewhat hard to guess.

Fortunately, Professor Fu had his own way of dealing with riddlers: no matter how strong the opponent was, he would simply stick to the facts and focus on academics.

His casual response seamlessly connected with the previous topic.

"Let's use the Night Watchers as an example again. The members of this behemoth today can undeniably gain benefits from it.

"Things like safety, greater resources for advancement, and even a place to put their sense of justice..."

Without deliberately leaning into cynicism, Fu Qian still recognized the sense of justice held by many Night Watchers.

Such as Madam Suzune of Ye Island, or Brother Laige, who had retired from his adventuring team to settle ashore...

"Perhaps there have always been idealistic transcendents who believed it would be better to have an organization like the Night Watchers, but that still doesn't mean it could actually operate without external interference."

Recalling the voices and smiles of many old acquaintances, Fu Qian unceremoniously pointed out the limitations, citing a classic concept from game theory.

The world was one giant prisoner's dilemma. Excellency Corvos had occupied a high position for a long time; his earlier statement was a bit too demanding of ordinary people just running about to make a living.

"That sounds very reasonable..."

Professor Fu's professionalism seemed to have touched even the picky Night Watcher titan.

As Excellency Corvos gave a slight nod, the atmosphere of discussion in the library gradually deepened.

"So you still believe the existence of the Night Watchers is thanks to some sort of external interference? Like the thing behind you?"

It was just that the discussion had perhaps grown too spirited; with a sudden turn of phrase, Corvos brought the Warehouse directly to the table.

...

Sure enough, he had come with ill intent.

Once certain things were laid bare, there was no going back.

Although both sides were well aware of certain matters, they had basically remained at the stage of "you know and I know."

Yet Corvos was unrestrained, directly mentioning the Warehouse without hesitation, never resting until his words astonished.

"To tell the truth, it looks more like you're the one who thinks that way.

"To reach certain special equilibria, there are actually other methods besides external interference."

Although it looked as if he could only die with lingering grievances. Faced with the sudden sensitive topic, not only did Professor Fu's expression remain perfectly calm, but even the subject of his conversation remained entirely consistent.

"But obviously, because the Night Watchers have done similar things to the entire world, you lean toward the idea that there is also something doing the same thing to you."

Neither humble nor arrogant, speaking with calm assurance, Fu Qian was not only unfazed by the other party's words, but even casually twisted the knife.

Excellency Corvos was clearly asking questions when he already had an answer in mind, making it easy for him to close himself off.

But as everyone knew, game theory should either not be used at all, or used to perfection; a superficial understanding was the biggest trap of all.

"From beginning to end, I have merely been amazed by this Miracle forged by the Night Watchers, and curious about the process of its achievement."

...

Corvos's line of thought was actually completely understandable.

Even though, as an administrator, he should theoretically stand on the side of the Warehouse.

And over their days of contact, the Warehouse had even displayed an aura of saving the world and relieving the people.

But in all fairness, regarding the Warehouse's actions, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say the entire world was shrouded in its shadow.

Everything had to operate according to its demands. It didn't matter who you were, whether you wanted to or not, or whether you put up a fight...

Under such circumstances, when any Destiny-like developments occurred, it was incredibly easy to treat it as the primary culprit.

And since the other party had finally sent a representative over, it was perfectly normal to lodge a few complaints.

Perhaps the only thing Fu Qian regretted was that even when Excellency Corvos complained, he still failed to provide a specific name.

"I think I understand what you mean... It seems your impression of it isn't too bad after all."

Corvos had clearly also gained some insight. After a brief silence, he gave a slight nod, as if he now viewed Fu Qian as an outstanding employee of the Warehouse.

"It's also possible I just haven't known it for very long. So, do you know what its name is?"

Fu Qian waved his hand with a modest remark, then spoke his mind directly.

If he didn't know, he would ask; he was a guest here, after all.

"...Even you don't know?"

Unfortunately, Excellency Corvos wore a look of surprise, actually returning a counter-question similar to before.

"Now I know that you don't know either," Fu Qian sighed, once again feeling the mystery of the Warehouse.