Chapter 413

Chapter 413: Thirst for Power

Arthur acknowledged his atrocities with such calmness, as if he were discussing something of little consequence.

He gazed at the crowd, at the multitude of humans watching him through the projection:

“Friends, the world does not always follow a predictable pattern. Just because we defeated the extraordinary beasts a decade ago, and just because we can defeat them now, does not guarantee our victory against future extraordinary beasts.

“These creatures continue to evolve, learn, and adapt. And what about us?

“Returning from beyond the city walls, all I witnessed was human arrogance and folly. Even with hundreds of combat-oriented superpowered individuals, or even thousands, we cannot hope to kill all the extraordinary beasts outside the city.

“To cling to the current balance is to risk losing all opportunities and falling into a slow, inevitable demise.

“To triumph in this protracted war, humanity must cease its internal conflicts and unite its strength.”

As he spoke, he gestured towards the still grim-faced old folks:

“They are correct. I am indeed consolidating power, a practice absent from human history for over a millennium. But let me assure you, my sole aim in this is the survival of humanity, driven by public interest, not personal gain.

“Let me be frank, if Hope City were ever overrun by extraordinary beasts, I alone could fend off three Fifth Level Extraordinary Beasts and escape into the atmosphere. So… why not trust me? With my capabilities, I could easily stand by and watch humanity perish until I am the last one standing.

“Therefore, my friends in Hope City, you may despise me, curse me, revile me; I remain indifferent. Just remember one thing: fulfill your duties diligently.”

Arthur resumed his seat as the clerk, his gaze lifting to "Infinite Scroll":

“I have said my piece; let the trial proceed.”

The data analysis concluded, and a series of video recordings began to project.

First, several middle-aged men, each with a distinct demeanor, were seen plotting in isolated rooms. Then, a ruse to deceive Team One’s innocent researchers into a chamber housing alien creatures, fabricating the appearance that their mishandling caused the creatures’ escape.

Lastly, the manipulation of system alerts to draw members of rival factions into a meeting in a room teeming with alien creatures…

Each clip starkly revealed the past transgressions of the council members. It was a mystery how the artificial intelligence presiding over the trial had meticulously preserved these images over the past fifty years.

Upon seeing their younger selves, the five elderly council members finally pieced together the hazy memories; the third-person footage gradually transformed into a first-person perspective in their minds.

So, that was the truth.

The revelations were enough to unsettle everyone. As the footage concluded, the council members seemed to grasp why Wencheng and the artificial intelligence harbored such animosity towards them. A belated trial was the least they could offer to the innocent victims.

With the evidence and testimonies in place, convicting the five was a swift process.

The old souls had already surrendered their will and vigor to resist; no matter the verdict, they could only acquiesce.

Before the assembled crowd, "Infinite Scroll" struck an imaginary gavel:

“Order.

“I now pronounce the verdict of this case: In accordance with human union laws, former spaceship [Taraxacum-03] crew members Matthew and ten others are convicted of intentional homicide, dissemination of hazardous substances, crimes against humanity… totaling twelve grave offenses.

“Nia and the other five have perished, leaving no direct descendants; their crimes shall not be pursued.

“Matthew, Kande, Vaughn, Yang Suyan, and Haines are hereby stripped of their Congressman Identity, their Hope City citizenship, their humanity, and are sentenced to immediate execution.”

As "Infinite Scroll" concluded the verdict, the spaceship’s central computer initiated rapid processing.

The privileges of Matthew and his four companions were instantly revoked, and as they had never been citizens of Hope City, they held no public records.

Thus, their privileges were obliterated; the small screen on the armrest of the high-backed chair flickered with garbled text before powering down, unresponsive to their frantic taps.

Their identities were effectively erased, and as for the execution, no human hand was required to carry it out.

With the erasure of their Congressman Identity, the pumps that maintained the normal functioning of the five individuals’ bodies ceased operation along with the shutdown of the microcomputer.

The nutrient solution, rich in nutrients, repair substances, and medicines, stopped flowing, no longer being continuously injected into their bodies.

As they aged, their need for these substances increased, especially after they surpassed one hundred years of age, with their annual consumption constantly rising.

However, now that the life-sustaining medicines had stopped being supplied, death was merely a matter of time.

Soon, Matthew and the others’ complexions began to show signs of distress.

In just ten minutes, the human flush on their faces had vanished, leaving their lips pale.

Their bodies aged rapidly, losing strength and heading toward inevitable death.

“A…rthur…”

Matthew managed to produce a sound that normal people could not hear, but the big blonde man keenly caught the whisper and approached him:

“What is it? I’m listening.”

“I… curse… you.”

“Mm-hmm, okay.”

Arthur nodded repeatedly:

“If that makes you feel a little better, I choose to comply.”

Matthew could no longer hear the words, but his blurred eyes still managed to read seven or eight parts of Arthur’s meaning from his lips.

His murky pupils gradually expanded, losing the little vitality they had left.

Arthur looked up and found Wencheng had risen from the plaintiff’s seat and approached near the defendant’s seat.

The five elderly men were already lifeless, and he patiently placed his left hand’s index and middle fingers on their necks, carefully checking for any remaining heartbeat.

Wencheng held a tiny flashlight between his right fingers, using his thumb and index finger to pry open the old folks’ eyelids while illuminating their pupils to observe their reaction.

Witnessing this familiar scene, Lin Qingliu could not help but praise Wencheng’s meticulousness in his mind—this skilled technique was too good for a general; he should be in a battlefield hospital.

After confirming that all five were deceased, Wencheng walked slowly to Arthur’s side:

“Mr. Speaker.”

“I’m here.”

“I hope you can lead Hope City to find real hope.”

Arthur nodded with a serious expression:

“I will do my utmost.”

“That’s good. The army will now obey your orders.”

The middle-aged man with graying hair seldom displayed a relieved smile:

“Thank you for giving me this opportunity.”

He extended his hand toward Arthur, and their hands clasped for a moment. Wencheng then turned and walked back to his plaintiff’s seat, pulling a capsule from his pocket and swallowing it.