Chapter 233: Terrifying Upon Closer Reflection, Even More Terrifying Upon Deeper Thought

Chapter 233: Chapter 233: Terrifying Upon Closer Reflection, Even More Terrifying Upon Deeper Thought

Huo An’s words might have sounded a bit callous, but they were the truth.

From a leader’s perspective, the missing Guard Team members were all ordinary humans, and the one thing the interstellar society didn’t lack was people. Compared to lives that might have already been lost, Liang He’s value was clearly far more important.

"But they’re my brothers!" Ao Ke was likely the one closest to the missing team members, and hearing Huo An say this filled him with indignation.

"Do you really think it’s possible to risk all the SSS-level Beastmen in the Federation just for your brothers?"

It was widely known that Liang He was now directly equated with SSS-level Beastmen. In fact, her importance outweighed all the SSS-level Beastmen combined.

"I’m sure Deputy Governor Goring is well aware of the issues surrounding Evolutionary Beastmen. This has always been a matter of great importance and a massive headache for the Federation," Huo An continued.

Before Liang He appeared, it wasn’t uncommon for Evolutionary Beastmen to die tragic deaths because they rejected human feeding and assistance. The absolute power represented by each SSS-level Beastman was unmatched by other Beastmen, let alone ordinary humans.

"Only by having more Beastmen survive the Evolutionary Stage can the Federation save more ordinary people in the future."

When faced with the choice between saving a few individuals and saving the masses, the scales in most people’s hearts would naturally tip. After all, the only ones capable of fighting the Fierce Beast Army created by the Rebel Army were the Beastmen; even the Federation Army had been relegated to a logistical support role.

"But we’ve tried the methods Liang He taught us for subduing Fierce Beasts, and they work perfectly well. We don’t absolutely have to rely on Beastmen," Leila argued, feeling somewhat unconvinced.

In the past, whenever they fought Fierce Beasts, ordinary soldiers were reduced to background characters while the battlefield became a stage for Beastmen to show off their strength. Although it was a bit unfair to phrase it that way—since the Beastmen were risking their lives too—Leila still felt frustrated by it.

"Governor Huo, you should understand that ordinary people make up the vast majority of this world. If we don’t care about their lives, then what is the point of Beastmen even existing?"

It was the existence of ordinary humans that highlighted the uniqueness of Beastmen. But if all humans died out, that uniqueness would just become the new ordinary.

"I never said they weren’t important," Huo An replied. "But no matter how you look at it, this shouldn’t be a responsibility thrust upon Liang He."

She was only a Breeder. Standing in front of her should be him, the Federation Army, and the entire Federation acting as a shield. She shouldn’t be the one forced to charge forward alone in the face of danger, bearing the weight of everyone’s hopes.

"I think... I understand what you mean." Ao Ke realized that Huo An didn’t actually disregard the missing people; he just didn’t want Liang He to risk her life for them. He also understood that Huo An was defending her out of a sense of injustice—matters that shouldn’t have been placed on her shoulders were now dragging her in, entirely due to their own incompetence.

"Governor Huo, rest assured. Regardless of whether Liang He can help or not, we will be grateful to her from the bottom of our hearts," said Goring, who had been silent up until now. Having finally grasped Huo An’s concerns, he exchanged glances with Leila and Ao Ke before making a solemn promise.

"If things don’t work out, I will publicly announce that Liang He was merely here for a learning exchange. I won’t mention anything else."

This ensured that even if they ended up empty-handed, no one would blame Liang He, question her abilities, or spread rumors that could negatively impact her.

"Whether it works out or not, I want Liang He to remain completely invisible in this matter," Huo An insisted.

In truth, what Huo An cared about more was the Rebel Army. Liang He was already on their radar, and their desire to capture her could easily be described as determined at all costs.

"Are you suspecting..." Hearing this, Leila hesitantly voiced her own conjecture. "Could the Mysterious Sea Area be related to the Rebel Army?"

At the mention of the Rebel Army, Ao Ke and Goring immediately widened their eyes, staring blankly at Huo An.

"How does this have anything to do with the Rebel Army?" Goring couldn’t wrap his head around it. This was entirely out of left field. How did they possibly make that connection?

"You still haven’t realized it?" Feeling the burning curiosity in their gazes, Huo An shook his head helplessly. "From Bolu District Chief’s disappearance to everything that happened afterward, don’t you think it’s all a bit too coincidental?"

In Huo An’s mind, every coincidence was premeditated. Since they had already confirmed that the anomaly in the Mysterious Sea Area was not a natural disaster, it had to be man-made. And as for man-made disasters, the only enemy Huo An could think of was the Rebel Army.

"But why would the Rebel Army suddenly target Skalan Star?"

Skalan Star was an Ocean Planet, mostly populated by marine life. Even if the Rebel Army was building a Fierce Beast Army, shouldn’t they lean more towards land or flying animals?

"Perhaps their goal isn’t just to create Fierce Beasts," Leila reasoned, following Huo An’s line of thought and digging deeper. She realized they had all overlooked a few crucial details.

"Based on what we currently know, that sea area affects people’s consciousness, even causing submarines to dive deep into it without anyone noticing. Maybe ’people’ are the actual target."

No, to be precise, both ordinary people and Beastmen were targets.

"According to our speculation, if Liang He can truly communicate with the animals and get them to help scout that sea area, it means animals can safely enter it."

This led to two possibilities.

First, animals were unaffected and could freely enter and exit the sea area, meaning the enemy’s target might not be animals at all.

Second, animals were simply easier to control. It was like a giant abyssal maw, merely waiting for oblivious animals to approach so it could swallow them whole without expending any effort.

"So you’re saying the Rebel Army wants to take all?"

Whether it was animals, ordinary people, or Beastmen, as long as they entered the Mysterious Sea Area, the enemy would accept all comers?

"No, I still feel like there’s another underlying reason." Leila furrowed her brows. A thought flashed through her mind, but she couldn’t quite grasp it. When she tried to recall it, it slipped away entirely.

"It’s Liang He," Huo An said suddenly, making Leila instantly see the light.

She clapped her hands together sharply. "Yes! It’s Liang He!"

The moment she said Liang He’s name, goosebumps erupted all over her arms.

Sinister—this was far too sinister!

"Think about it! Why exactly did we think of asking Liang He for help in the first place?"

Why ask Liang He? Wasn’t that Deputy Governor Goring’s suggestion?

"It was because of Bolu District Chief’s disappearance that Deputy Governor Goring stepped in as the acting chief. Since he had interacted with Liang He before, it was only natural that he would think of her."

Then, looking at it from the perspective of the Guard Team and the Federation Army:

"The Guard Team members went missing, Ao Ke reported it, and I led the Federation Army on a rescue mission, which ended in failure."

Following that failure, it was the logical next step for Leila to report the incident again and request the Federation to send Beastmen to assist.

"But when even the immensely powerful Beastmen are helpless against it, what do we do next?"

Leila fixed her gaze on Goring. Feeling a bit unsettled by her stare, Goring swallowed hard and answered hesitantly.

"I paid special attention to the animal poisoning incident at the Tianyao Star Protection Zone before, and I grew increasingly impressed by Liang He..."

So, quite naturally, Liang He—who in his mind was practically omnipotent—became his target for seeking help.