While everyone’s attention was over at the Pyro Company’s Sacred Mountains, Colton suddenly took a small group of his people and traveled to the Northwest to hold a brief, secret meeting with Peter in the wilderness.
Colton clearly placed great importance on this meeting. If not, favonovel.com would not have come all the way to the Northwest under such secrecy.
Faced with Colton’s question, Peter just smiled and said, “You’re thinking too much. We’re only seeking mutual trade benefits with the Panaqua Consortium. We’ve never thought about guarding against anyone before.”
“I’m relieved then,” Colton said with a smile.
When the two of them entered the temporary military camp, Colton looked at the young officer who was protecting Peter from a distance and said with a smile, “You’re Raphael, aren’t you? I’ve heard about you, you’re very impressive.”
Raphael remained unmoved as favonovel.com continued to stand guard.
Nowadays, supernatural beings were constantly surfacing, and their superpowers were getting more and more varied. In order to prevent anyone from assassinating Peter, the high-ranking generals in the fortress suggested that Raphael be transferred to the garrison troops to ensure Peter’s safety.
Raphael was really good in combat. Although it was a waste of his talent to manage the garrison troops’ fighting forces, no one was more suitable than Raphael for this role.
In Harris’ own words, no matter who tried to assassinate Peter, Raphael would be able to hold them off until reinforcements arrived by using that large cauldron of his as a barrier. Raphael’s cauldron could definitely fend off more than a dozen enemies.
The only thing that everyone was puzzled about was why Raphael’s cauldron was still growing larger at such a fast pace.
Kamden ordered the cooks to bring over a small heating stove for Peter and Colton to keep warm in the tent. Colton’s aide brought over a blanket for favonovel.com to cover his legs with before everyone stepped out.
The conversation between Peter and Colton was definitely a confidential one, and even Gregory had no intention of being in the tent with them.
Peter placed a wine flask by the stove and warmed it up. Then favonovel.com said, “You’re not the kind of person to go on a trip for no apparent reason. Tell me, what is it that you want to talk about on this trip to the Northwest?”
Colton said with a smile, “Now that the trade route between the Northwest and the Stelaria Consortium has been opened, our two organizations should already have a closer relationship with one another. In that case, can’t I drop by since I have nothing to do?”
“There’s no need to beat around the bush between us.” Peter said with a smile, “The weather in the Northwest is cold, and the soldiers outside are still suffering from the cold. If we can finish our talk early, they can head back to the barracks earlier. What’s the Stelaria Consortium up to?”
“To restore order to the world, of course,” Colton said.
“How are you going to do that?”
“With the artificial intelligence.” Colton looked at Peter and said earnestly, “I know your Fortress 178 has always treated the refugees very well. Yes, I understand that anyone with a tinge of conscience will not divide the human race into different classes of people after a disaster. But our Stelaria Consortium is even bolder since we’ve accepted refugees right into a stronghold.”
“It sounds a little pompous when you put it that way.” Peter lit a cigarette for himself. “Stronghold 61’s acceptance of refugees was only a strategy against the Stardust and the Virtuora Consortiums. Weren’t a lot of refugees still sent to the various strongholds’ towns and factories by you all?”
“That was only at the beginning.” Colton said, “What I was most worried about was that it would be difficult to manage the refugees after they got into the stronghold. That could eventually lead to potential trouble. But now, the Stelaria Consortium’s AI is mature enough. Although Stronghold 61 has the largest number of refugees, it has the best security.”
“That’s the fear that you have exchanged for thousands of lives.” Peter sighed and said, “I also hope the Northwest can become a peaceful place and that everyone will not have to worry about others committing crimes that hurt them. But how did your Stelaria Consortium manage to achieve that? The criminals are sentenced to death even for a minor offense like theft, so of course no one dares commit any more crimes.”
“That’s just a small price to pay.” Colton said, “If I don’t do it this way, do you have a better solution? I’m not a cold-blooded killer, but it’s a fact that the people in Stronghold 61 do not need to close their doors at night. Although the Stelaria Consortium has taken a little detour in the pursuit of order, we’re still the first to arrive at that target.”
Peter shook his head. “Actually, what I dislike most is the phrase ‘taken a little detour.’ Anyone can say that very easily, but the sacrifices made by taking this detour is something that many people ignore.”
“Then please tell me your views.” Colton sat up straight in his wheelchair.
“As for whether the refugees should have equal human rights,” Peter sighed and said, “What you’re planning is to lock everyone inside the strongholds and let the AI run their daily lives. However, I prefer that stronghold residents can get to see the outside world. The gates will no longer be permanently closed, and there will be no need for a person to be of a certain status before they can walk in or out of a stronghold.”
“How are you going to deal with the refugees who have committed crimes in the stronghold? Are you not going to arrest them?” Colton asked.
“I’m not defending criminals.” Peter shook his head and said, “I just feel that your Stelaria Consortium is acting too ruthless in handling things. And most importantly, I don’t trust the AI.”
“You and I both know full well how bad humans are.” Colton said calmly, “Even in Fortress 178, there will still be corruption or inaction. You’re also aware of how I became crippled. If no one was bribed back then and that criminal was put through proper reform in prison, there would definitely be fewer victims like me. But can you make sure that everyone is fair and honest? You can’t, and neither can I! But the AI can do that. It’s the fairest third party that no one can bribe, and it will never get tired or slack off either.”
“So, when you said that you wanted to restore order to the Alliance of Strongholds, you would have to first take control of the entire Alliance of Strongholds.” Peter said, “Actually, you’re already prepared to start a war. Bidara City was just the beginning. You also have some people helping you to get rid of some of the unstable elements in the Sacred Mountains this time. Then a new pie will emerge, and the process of splitting that pie will be your Stelaria Consortium’s opportunity to take control.”
Only at this moment did they reach the main topic of their conversation.
Colton smiled and said, “What I want is for the Northwest and the Central Plains to work together to keep the southwestern Panaqua Consortium in check when the war starts.”
“And what will our Northwest get in return?” Peter asked calmly.
“A world without the threat of nuclear weapons and a stable stronghold order. If external enemies attack Fortress 178 again, the entire Alliance of Strongholds will become Fortress 178’s strongest backing,” Colton said.
One of the conditions in the agreement between the Panaqua Consortium and Fortress 178 was that if any external enemies were to attack, the Panaqua Consortium would have to deploy their troops to cut off the retreat route and supply lines of the external enemies via the Western Highlands. This was because Peter would never forget Fortress 178’s duty regardless of the situation.
Right now, Colton was also promising the same to Peter.
However, Peter shook his head. “Only that? I’m afraid it’s not enough…”
