"As expected of Elder Veyron..."
Inside a remote, abandoned building in Yorknew City.
In front of the television, Luke watched the entire live broadcast and exclaimed in amazement: "To pull this off in such a short time..."
"And on live television, no less... Tsk, tsk, tsk."
Luke marveled.
He had previously told Elder Veyron everything about Risnorth's case and the possibility that the authorities might try to suppress it.
After fully informing him, Elder Veyron began to mobilize his own forces.
"That's right. After all, after that homeless man was wrongfully murdered and then cleared of his grievances."
"The elder at Meteor City personally took action, using the Sun and Moon to blast all those involved to death."
So, Elder Veyron's intervention this time was completely understandable.
"So, it seems we won't have to intervene later?"
Shalnark stared at the TV for a while.
He was trying to gain a better understanding of how this world's systems worked, but what he saw instead was the moment the broadcast signal was cut and the screen turned to static.
"Well, we've done enough."
Chrollo chuckled softly. "We have taken down the culprit and achieved our revenge."
"We even delivered Meteor City's declaration right on the scene."
"And we found evidence proving their invasion and harm against Meteor City, showing that what we did truly was an act of vengeance."
"We've done our part. The rest... Let Elder Veyron and the others handle it."
And indeed, as Chrollo had predicted, Elder Veyron's next moves didn't stop there.
To become an elder of such a dangerous place as Meteor City, to rule over that territory and its people, his methods were far from simple.
After Anfrick presented those crucial pieces of evidence on live television, Elder Veyron had already anticipated that the broadcast signal would be cut.
So he immediately took action, using the same methods he had used to secure Anfrick's cooperation, to coordinate with certain newspapers and media outlets in advance.
After Anfrick's evidence served as the catalyst, these media outlets and newspapers swooped in, exposing the shocking details of Risnorth's previous secret room.
Inevitably, with their reports flooding out, Risnorth's scandal entered the public eye in full force.
And just as expected, the entire world erupted once again, completely blown apart by the news.
This was, without question, explosive news, literally!!!
The man once seen as a symbol of compassion, a benevolent philanthropist with a shining public image, was now revealed to be a monstrous hypocrite with the heart of a beast!!
The contrast was so stark that it shattered everyone's perception.
"How is this possible?! Is this a lie?!"
"Are you kidding me? How could this be possible?!"
"Can someone disguise themselves to such an extent?!"
"Such a person, no, a demon! Was actually a philanthropist?!!"
"He's worse than a demon! He actually did such a thing to children!"
"And that demon has a backer behind him, protecting him!"
"I know who his protector was; he looked like a kind person, but who would've thought...!"
"You can't judge a person by their appearance!!!!"
Many people stood there in disbelief, watching these subversive reports and content with incredulity.
Some were so shocked that they felt their worldviews were shattered.
"When even these so-called philanthropists and elite social figures turn out to be such demons behind the scenes..."
"I simply can't imagine what those powerful figures who are also philanthropists and wealthy individuals actually look like behind the scenes!!"
A myriad of public opinions erupted and exploded.
The energetic old man couldn't suppress it, even if he tried.
He couldn't silence the entire world with his own strength.
Especially when Elder Veyron used blunt and forceful means to mobilize traditional networks to work for him, causing those news reports to spread like wildfire, their reach growing with rocket-like speed day by day.
That left the once-energetic old man completely drained of strength.
And the worst part is...
"Every politician has political enemies."
Inside a remote, abandoned building in Yorknew City, Franklin and the others ate while listening to Luke's explanation.
"When a politician falls into scandal or crisis..."
"That's when his rivals seize the best opportunity to attack."
"They will band together and crush him completely; that's the nature of politics. Now that the shield behind Risnorth is under the pressure of public outrage, his rivals have the perfect chance to strike while he's down."
Luke explained in simple, easy-to-understand words, and everyone else was pretty much in tune.
Except for Uvogin, who seemed unconcerned and ate heartily.
"So what you're saying is..."
Shalnark pondered: "It's not just Elder Veyron who's continuing to exert his power."
"Even the rival faction behind Risnorth's political backers is stirring things up, too?"
"Exactly."
Luke snapped his fingers softly. "For those people, this is the simplest, most convenient way to create trouble for their opponents. They don't need to interfere directly or set up traps, just pour a little more fuel onto the fire, and their enemies will be driven into deeper chaos naturally."
In truth, once this incident drew in that influential old man, it had already begun transforming into a political struggle.
And that was exactly what Luke and others wanted to see.
"So you're saying the current situation actually works in our favor?"
Shalnark, after absorbing knowledge about this world, quickly pieced it together.
"Because those who are fanning the flames share the same goal as us. Both sides want to expose Risnorth as a twisted murderer."
"That gives us a legitimate reason for revenge, as you said, Luke, a justified cause. Meanwhile, they can use the same narrative to attack their rival's faction of power."
"Are our interests aligned?!"
"Exactly!"
Luke nodded approvingly at Shalnark. "That means we both have a bright future."
"I see..."
Receiving Luke's praise, Shalnark's eyes brightened.
"I think... I'm starting to understand the rules of this world."
He had been preparing for this kind of thing for years, ever since leaving Meteor City and arriving in Yorknew City.
He had witnessed the surface of human society's so-called goodness, and the filth and depravity hiding beneath it.
He had seen how politicians fought one another with invisible knives, bloodless yet merciless.
And through all of it, Shalnark had come to a deeper understanding of the world's true nature.
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