Chapter 397: Kingston's Request
"What is your plan? Just say it, if there's even a glimmer of hope, we will do everything we can to support you!" Nathaniel's expression was a mix of complexity, filled with both hope and a hint of fear.
Although he knew that Charles wouldn't attempt anything without confidence, the monster in Flower Falls Gorge and those strange black threads had left the entire upper echelon of Genosha racking their brains for a solution.
Yet no one could come up with a plausible plan that sounded even remotely viable.
Nathaniel took a deep breath, his gaze serious as he fixed it on Charles, and slowly said, "You must realize the worst-case scenario we face: that all the visitors in Flower Falls Gorge will slowly perish."
"So if you have a feasible method, even if it ultimately fails, no one will blame you. You can rest assured about that."
Nathaniel was worried that Charles might hesitate due to the fear of failure, so he made a direct assurance.
"My confidence isn't very high, it's about eighty percent, because there are still some things I can't confirm. That means we need to be prepared for failure." Charles said slowly.
What worried him was that strange thing within him. It wasn't elemental energy, nor was it something visible to the naked eye, it was just a feeling, something that words couldn't describe.
Just a moment ago, at the entrance of Flower Falls Gorge, faced with the encirclement of the black threads, he had tried something and found it actually worked.
Moreover, when he made one of the black threads disappear, Charles felt no reduction or weakening of that thing inside him at all.
Charles's idea was simple: he would have Nathaniel distract the monster hovering over Flower Falls Gorge while he looked for an opportunity to release that thing within him that could counteract the black threads, aiming to make the threads on the visitors in Flower Falls Gorge disappear as much as possible.
However, he wasn't sure how effective he could be.
It depended on whether that unknown thing inside him could completely eliminate the black threads in Flower Falls Gorge.
Even if it couldn't, he could still save some lives among the visitors, ensuring that not a single person would be left unrescued.
Charles's mind was racing with thoughts, while Nathaniel beside him rubbed his eyes and then instinctively patted his astonished face.
"How much? Could you say that again? What's your level of confidence?" Nathaniel asked, his mouth agape and his expression dazed.
Before Charles arrived, Nathaniel had been known as Genosha's most formidable and iron-fisted minister, always stern and sporting a serious demeanor, he was the epitome of a tough guy.
However, ever since he met Charles, he had lost track of how many times he had been left shocked, astonished, questioning his life, questioning the world, and wondering if he was dreaming at that moment.
"Eighty percent. I only have an eighty percent chance of success, which is quite low. But even if we fail, as long as you can hold off that level eight Beast Master from the Constellation organization, we can at least save some lives." Charles sighed and said slowly.
He wasn't particularly satisfied with that success rate, only eighty percent was filled with too many uncertainties, giving him a sense of losing control.
"Eighty percent! And even if we fail, we can still save people?" Nathaniel instinctively exclaimed, although he realized the latter part of his statement was quieter as he became aware of the many people around them.
Instantly, countless Genosha Beast Masters turned their heads to look in their direction, whispering among themselves:
"What do you mean, eighty percent? Is there some way to ensure that only eighty percent of the visitors in Flower Falls Gorge die?"
"Is that for real? If so, saving twenty percent of the visitors would already be a victory."
"Yeah, that's definitely better than everyone dying! But an eighty percent mortality rate is a bit high, I wish there were a better solution."
"Don't be unrealistic, in a situation like this, there's nothing anyone can do. Sigh, it's better than watching our fellow countrymen slowly lose their lives in despair and agony."
Soon, Nathaniel's earlier half-shouted remark spread rapidly across the entire Genosha network.
Although many were dissatisfied with the mortality rate, there were no better options available, so they had to accept the reality.
Someone posted online:
"After Charles walked over, Nathaniel suddenly shouted that, and his face was filled with shock and surprise. It seems Charles has come up with a solution!"
"I told you! Charles will definitely find a way, he's a miracle worker!"
"Don't celebrate too soon. I feel like it's just an idea. The actual outcome will depend on whether any unexpected situations arise."
"Sigh, isn't there a better way? Can't we save everyone?"
"Are you dreaming? We all wish that could happen, but everyone understands the current situation. Time is running out, and there are no other options. We can only hope that Charles's idea will succeed!"
In response to Nathaniel's shout of "eighty percent." countless citizens of Genosha assumed that meant an eighty percent mortality rate for the visitors in Flower Falls Gorge.
The situation in Flower Falls Gorge was already very clear, and the officials did not hide anything, directly informing the public of all the details.
At first, everyone was filled with despair, believing that all the visitors in Flower Falls Gorge would suffer and die in hopelessness.
Such a thing had never happened before—everyone in a nation watching their fellow citizens face a life-and-death crisis, waiting helplessly for death to come, with no way to intervene!
It wasn't just one person's helplessness, it was the powerlessness of an entire nation! Your adventure continues at empire
That feeling weighed heavily like a mountain on everyone's hearts, making it hard to breathe.
Those with strong empathy broke down in tears, and only when they heard that Charles had a way to save twenty percent of the lives did they slowly start to calm down.
Emperor Miles of Genosha was in a special room, staring intently at the communication device, afraid to let his guard down, fearing he might miss any information from other countries.
"Your Majesty, there are rumors online that Charles has a way to save some lives!" Someone rushed in, reporting quickly.
Miles's eyes widened instantly, and he stood up immediately, his face filled with disbelief and shock!
"Is the news true? Why hasn't there been any information from Nathaniel's side?" Miles thought, somewhat skeptical.
Because others had no way to help, and even other countries had made no progress.
Just as he was doubting, in the next second, the information on the communication device refreshed.
After reading it, Miles immediately turned to the person beside him and said urgently, "Quick! Have all the ministers prepare. Kingston has a plan for dealing with similar incidents, and they claim it will save thirty percent of the lives!"
The attendant quickly activated their skills and notified every minister at the fastest speed.
When all the ministers arrived in the room, they were met with the emperor's grim expression.
"Damn it! Kingston actually has the audacity to make demands at this time, asking us to cede part of our border territory to them!" Emperor Miles of Genosha gritted his teeth and said.
He never expected the other side to be so shameless, still thinking about how to profit from Genosha at such a critical moment!
"Your Majesty, you absolutely cannot agree! The territory they want is definitely one of our key areas, and if we let it go, the consequences would be unimaginable!" a minister immediately responded.
This remark made many people nod in agreement.
However, some spoke up slowly, saying, "I think the lives of the tens of thousands of people in Flower Falls Gorge are more important. Also, if we refuse, after this is over, Kingston will definitely spread the word that we willingly abandoned our fellow citizens in Flower Falls Gorge!"
The ministers had differing opinions. They had heard the latest news that Charles had a way to save the lives of the visitors in Flower Falls Gorge, but they believed it was just a rumor and were more inclined to trust Kingston's plan.
Meanwhile, Emperor Miles of Genosha was deep in thought.
He took a deep breath and decided to agree to Kingston's demands.
"What is lost now can be regained later, but once those lives are given up, they can never return." Emperor Miles said slowly.
He had ambitions to make Genosha stronger. The people of Genosha could sacrifice themselves in war, could sacrifice in the process of nation-building, but he could not allow an entity like the Constellation organization to cruelly take their lives!
This was something he could not tolerate!
Faced with the emperor's decision, the ministers fell silent.
"Why not try Charles's plan? Let's ask Nathaniel if this is really true?" one minister suggested.
Just as Miles was about to speak, new information suddenly came through the device used to communicate with other countries.
[What's the hold-up? We're already preparing to act. You don't have much time left, so you better decide quickly. If you hesitate any longer, tens of thousands of lives will disappear.]
This message was anything but formal, it was filled with mockery.
Miles slowly raised his hand, intending to press the button on the communication device to inform the other party that he agreed to their demands.
Just as his finger was about to hit the button, his phone in his pocket suddenly vibrated. He opened it to find a message from Nathaniel about Charles!