I am the boss of Sakaki

"Cooperation is fine." Sakaki changed the subject, "But since it's cooperation, how will the benefits be distributed?"

Vladari perked up; this was exactly the part of the negotiation he was looking forward to.

He straightened his back and tried to get the biggest share: “Mr. Sakaki, once this technology is successful, its value will be immeasurable!

I hope to occupy a dominant share. This is not only about business interests, but also about my... ideals! "

His voice suddenly rose, carrying an almost fanatical sense of mission: "Look at this world! Humans and elves are endlessly demanding and squandering!

Forests are disappearing, energy is depleting, and clean water sources are becoming increasingly scarce!

Resources are becoming scarce at a speed visible to the naked eye!

If this continues, destruction will be the only end! My ideal is to save this world! To maintain its balance and sustainability!

His eyes grew sharp and paranoid. "For this lofty goal, I've even considered... if necessary, using drastic measures to reduce the unnecessary population by half, freeing up living space for the elves and the future! This is true salvation!"

He finished speaking passionately, hoping to see a hint of recognition or understanding in Sakaki's eyes.

However, what he waited for was a clear and sarcastic sneer from Sakaki.

"Ah."

This sneer was like an icicle, instantly piercing through Fradili's excited emotions.

He was stunned, with surprise in his eyes at first, and then quickly replaced by surging anger.

He originally thought that someone like Sakaki could at least understand his perspective on thinking from a higher dimension!

Is he as short-sighted as those mediocre politicians? !

"Mr. Sakaki, what do you mean?!" Vladali's voice lowered, suppressing his anger.

Sakaki paid no attention to his anger, not even looking at him. He simply cast his gaze out the window at the bustling streets of Viridian City. His voice was eerily calm, yet it contained a power that penetrated everything:

"Fladali, you said resources are scarce? Humanity is squandering? The world needs saving?"

He paused, turned his head, and looked directly into Vladali with his deep eyes, as if he wanted to see into the depths of his soul:

"When you passionately spoke about sacrificing half of humanity to save the world, perhaps... you never really lowered your head to see what the world is like underneath."

"What do you mean by resource scarcity? Let half of humanity bear the burden?" Sakaki's voice was filled with cold questioning. "Go to any area, even to the corners of the slums!

A family struggling to make ends meet might use less water and electricity in a month than it takes to change the water in a large family's swimming pool!

His fingers tapped the table lightly, and every word he said was like a hammer hitting Vladali's heart: "You said humans are squandering?

Those who are truly extravagant and treat resources as dirt are the minority who stand at the top of the pyramid and build a luxurious fortress with money and power!

Those guys who bought the whole mountain just to build a private estate!"

“And you,” Sakaki’s gaze was like a sharp blade, “you want to kill those squanderers, no problem.

I might even pass you the knife.

But why should ordinary people who carefully budget for a meal or a kilowatt-hour of electricity every day bear the cost of saving the world?

What did they do wrong? They don’t even have the right to squander it!”

Vladali was completely stunned.

The "lofty ideals" that he was proud of and had pondered for countless days and nights, under Sakaki's cold, naked, and earthy questioning, melted quickly like ice and snow exposed to the sun, revealing the pale and hollow foundation underneath.

He opened his mouth, but found that his carefully constructed theoretical system seemed so pale and powerless in the face of the cruel reality pointed out by Sakaki, and even... had a kind of condescending cruelty.

Sakaki looked at his distraught appearance and finally said, with a tone that was almost pitiful and admonishing:

"Fladali, put away your condescending 'savior' attitude. Before you decide to wield the butcher knife to cleanse the world..."

He stood up and walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window. With his back to Vladali, he pointed down at the bustling crowds of Viridian citizens going about their daily lives.

"...Go down there and take a look. Take a look at the ordinary people you claim are squandering the world. See their real lives, their struggles, their meager hopes for tomorrow. See with your own eyes, not with your cold theoretical models."

He turned around, his eyes piercing:

"When you truly understand the complex dynamics of this world, and the intertwined reality of suffering and extravagance, then reconsider your ideals...what you should do, and how you should do it."

Vladali was like being hit by a bolt of lightning, the huge impact made his face change unpredictably.

The blueprint he was proud of was riddled with holes under the sharp edge of Sakaki's reality.

He was silent for a long time, and finally, the fanatical fire in his eyes died down, replaced by a deep confusion and... a hint of heaviness that came from being awakened.

There seemed to be a brilliant light in Sakaki's eyes!

He stood up and bowed deeply and complicatedly to Sakaki, his voice low and hoarse:

"I... understand. Thank you for your... guidance. I'll go check it out, Sakaki-sensei."

Looking at Fradili's back as he turned and left, no longer looking so heroic, Sakaki sat back in his seat and picked up a new cigar.

The cat boss rubbed his hand.

Just as Vladari was about to walk out the door, Sakaki's deep and powerful voice sounded again, like a prophecy:

"Fradali."

Vladali paused without looking back.

“When you truly see the suffocating reality, the nearly unshakable massive structure, when you discover that your ideals are fragile in the face of reality, when you are suffocated by the immense feeling of powerlessness and despair…”

Sakaki lit a cigar, the flame illuminating his stern profile:

“…Come to me. My door is always open to those who see the truth and desire power.”

Vladali stood frozen at the door for a few seconds. Finally, he nodded vigorously, pushed the door open and walked out without saying a word.

That back figure lacked some of the arrogance of a lion, but had some heaviness after being hammered by reality and... a hint of hesitation because he was attracted to Sakaki, which he himself was not fully aware of.

The office returned to silence, with only the faint sound of burning cigars.

Sakaki exhaled a puff of smoke, his eyes deep.

Another chess piece with "lofty ideals" was beaten to a bloody pulp by reality.

And, that is.

After making Sakaki pay so much, he just wants to get it for free?

You are dreaming.

Don't talk about brainwashing.

Sakaki is stating the facts!

With Vladali's current strength and influence, it is simply a pipe dream to want to purify the world.