The establishment of the Time Travelers Alliance began in the first year of Conan

Chapter 374: Only one-third can be saved, should we save them?
[This Universe], [Core Layer] Office.

Lin Sheng withdrew some of his "gaze" from the [Type-Moon Universe], and then looked up at Shigenobu Hitomi.

"On the research side, what are the results of the discussion regarding the TDD proposal?"

“Indeed, it’s just as you thought,” Shigenobu Hitomi nodded. “If we follow that plan, the Alliance will ultimately have to become the balancing valve for maintaining the ritual.”

"The most crucial issue is the core problem. The Narrative Department's conclusion is that there is no need to save that universe."

The voice of the [Executive] Council Speaker sounded somewhat cold.

"If possible, it would be best to have Conan and Hasegawa Tsuki observe the final stage of the fusion of that [shell]."

“If necessary, we can even explore the connection between historical inertia and the shell mechanism.”

Shigenobu Hitomi briefly summarized the suggestions from each department, as well as the final review results from the [Executive Level].

Leaving aside a small number of lawmakers, such as Yusaku Kudo, who can be considered "savers," and an even smaller group of lawmakers who believe that "explosive experiments" are possible.

Most lawmakers' advice was to observe.

Shigenobu Hitomi noticed that ZC-01 did not respond to this.

She hesitated for a moment, then said, "I will later upgrade the clearance levels of councilors who are inclined to experiment with the [Type-Moon Universe]—"

"No need, Hitomi, I understand what you mean."

Lin Sheng shook his head slightly, interrupting Shigenobu Hitomi.

"There's no need to do these things. The situation in that [universe] is indeed very dangerous, so it's normal for them to have such thoughts."

But then he paused.

"However, let those legislators who voted to approve the experiment come up with a plan that does not affect the structural security of the universe itself and does not cause casualties to innocent people."

"In addition, I need specific and detailed predictions of the experimental results."

Lin Sheng's order caused Shigenobu Hitomi's lips to curl slightly upwards—

Clearly, one of the core members was somewhat angry about these people's decision.

“I understand.” Shigenobu Hitomi wrote down the names of those who voted to participate in the “experiment” on the projection in front of her.

"As before, we will conduct the 'Hawaii training' and have the [Ethics Committee] conduct a final evaluation of the program."

However, since this situation was somewhat different, Shigenobu Hitomi asked one more question.

"Based on feedback from the Narrative Studies Department, this task is impossible, so their training time..."

Lin Sheng nodded slightly; he was naturally aware of this matter as well.

"Let's tentatively call it the [Cycle Era]."

He set the tone for the matter.

"In any case, such a proposition should not appear in the [execution layer]."

Shigenobu Hitomi's expression turned serious.

"Yes, this is my dereliction of duty. The [Execution Level] will absolutely follow your will."

Lin Sheng waved his hand, signaling her not to overthink it.

"There's no need to be so serious, after all, you don't know what they're thinking."

"However, if they really want to make such suggestions, they can simply resign from their positions as executive councilors."

"Since you are responsible for approving projects and research at the other three levels of the Alliance, voting in favor of a plan with unpredictable consequences is already a sign of incompetence."

……

In fact, Lin Sheng was very clear about what those people were thinking.

The existence of the Type-Moon universe has little to do with the Conan universe.

And this is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"After all, we have indeed reached a bottleneck in our exploration of the [Detective Conan universe].

But while he understands, Lin Sheng will never compromise on certain bottom lines.

The increasing importance and growing responsibility of the Ethics Committee within the Alliance today is not without reason.

For a behemoth like the League, a "moral decline" can have very serious consequences.

The timing that led to Yamazaki becoming "Kuro" is a prime example of this.

That point in time has now become the best base for the Alliance's research on the timeline itself.

Five timeline errors with a radiation threat level of five occurred there, along with a series of secondary disasters.

While the Alliance can indeed retrieve players from there now, considering the potential impact on the dual timelines, very thorough preparation is still required.

In fact, some seemingly unsolvable contradictions, like those infinitely nested ones, often require Conan himself to "deduce" a safe path.

Not to mention the Narrative Studies Department, the Time Studies Department, and the CYZ Effect Research Institute, which are all heavyweight research departments.

Let's take "Yamazaki Whisky" as an example again—

The research team has many conclusions they want to verify regarding why the "rich heiress kidnapping case" could have such consequences on the first night of "Detective Conan Year One".

Whether from the perspective of the [real-world timeline], the [essence] of [APTX-4869], or the [CYZ effect] and [shell mechanism]...

Many theories are self-consistent, but they also have obvious contradictions.

However, the executive level is unlikely to agree to trigger another disaster like that, as "passing away" might not have any impact.

There's also the Narrative Studies Department, whose Story Structure Lab has been trying to verify the theories they've proposed.

But regardless of "The Origins of the Detective Profession" or "The New Sherlock Holmes"...

Any theory they have proposed, even if described as audacious and insane, would fall short of the mark.

Naturally, it would be impossible to obtain any verification methods.

There's also the [CYZ Effect Research Institute], which deals with the topic of [CYZ Effect] on everyone.

"Based on our analysis of Ms. Miyano and Akemi Miyano, and the effects derived from structures like the hamster, we have a certain degree of confidence..."

There's no need to read the rest.

When Lin Sheng saw that proposal, he simply found it unbelievable.

Let everyone become themselves, no, become part of the self-effect?

What "All Mankind Orange Juice Project"?!
Therefore, the Alliance's review of proposals is by no means strict; on the contrary, it is very lenient.

This is also why Lin Sheng is particularly dissatisfied with those legislators who voted in his favor.

As a researcher, you only need to propose experimental plans, but as an executive member, the requirements are much higher.

There's a reason why Bai Zichen and other research directors are only willing to serve as advisors to the "executive level" rather than actually become members of parliament.

The position of "Executive Member" requires its members to become conservative.

Especially now that there is no danger in this universe, the Alliance must ensure that it does not become a "source of danger".

……

So, can we treat other universes as experimental subjects, just like we want?
Regardless of what others may think, the fact remains—

"As long as I am a member of the core group, this freedom to 'turn evil' must never be put on the table, let alone become the mainstream issue of the alliance."

Lin Sheng's attitude has always been clear and direct.

That was one of the few times he had made an appearance in the Executive Hall, indicating how much importance he attached to this matter.

Facing the silent members of parliament, he slowly began to speak.

"Now that everyone has joined the [Execution Layer], you can probably guess that I am no longer a member of [this universe]."

"According to some people's logic, am I qualified to use this universe as a so-called 'experimental sample'?"

This is undoubtedly a strong statement.

But Lin Sheng's meaning was very clear.

The idea that saving others entitles you to control them is actually a form of 'slavery'.

According to this robber's logic, if a doctor saves the life of a dying person, he can obtain all of that person's property, and even make him work like a slave for the rest of his life.

You were going to die anyway, but I saved you.

So all the time you have in your next life is "earned by me," and it's only right that I give it all to you. If I only give you half, you should thank me for my "generosity."

As for anyone saying something like "the strong should humiliate the weak," that's nonsense.

Lin Sheng stated—

Okay, then I am the stronger one now, so I don't like what you have to say.

And that "Detective Conan" certainly supports this idea.

……

This is undoubtedly a difference in "ideology", and therefore there is no real "superiority or inferiority".

In fact, choosing "I want it all" can sometimes carry even greater risks. For example, Lin Sheng hesitated about whether to discard a part of the [Type-Moon Universe-001].

According to the discussion in the [Research Layer], if this TDD project succeeds, it can probably only save the part belonging to the [Fate/Stay Night universe].

There is certainly some truth to the saying that knowledge can be a poison.

At this moment, Lin Sheng also became somewhat hesitant.

If the Alliance had not conducted in-depth research on the mechanism of the Shell, Lin Sheng could have confidently declared, as before, "I want it all."

Is there really a way to solve the problem of a "shell universe" formed by the fusion of three "shells"?

Lin Sheng sighed wearily.

The most crucial question is, to what extent has the shell itself responded to this matter?

If [Type-Moon Universe-001] were simply a shell of a certain worldview system, or if [Fujimaru Ritsuka] hadn't taken the step to save it, Lin Sheng might still have been able to give it a try.

The problem is, that Chaldea Master only succeeded halfway—

So, we should think carefully about the reasons for the failure, but we won't say them outright.

The outcome is halfway to success, and this obviously needs to be taken into account as well.

Whether it's the weakening of the historical inertia of the "Four World Wars," or that "branch" that vaguely divides the "universe" into three parts...

There are simply too many unknowns involved.

more importantly--

According to the Narrative Department's analysis, there is no way to completely save Type-Moon Universe-001.

If we say that this universe was once a patient with early-stage cancer.

So, at this moment, [Type-Moon Universe-001] is already halfway into its grave.

In fact, this [Type-Moon Universe] was already dug before the [Alliance] even arrived.

"Why would a single shell merge? That's a big question."

Lin Sheng knew very well that there was no such thing as a physical "distance" between the shells.

Any attempt by the Alliance to explore what lies between the shells has so far ended in failure.

While the different consumptions of the [CYZ effect] can indeed explain something, you "can't stop".

Whether it's trying to "protrude" a little bit of the instrument enveloped by the effect.

Or perhaps Conan himself, or even Conan himself, would secretly set aside a time to explore "outside".

It has no other significance except that it immediately appears in another "shell".

Lin Sheng has now called a halt to this external exploration activity.

Simply looking at how many shells are outside the shell is a complete waste of the CYZ effect.

This exploration method, which does not require maintaining its existence or returning data, simply extends the numbering of the "Detective Conan Universe" to two digits.

Then, based on the speed before those effect values ​​were exhausted, the Alliance roughly determined that most of those universes were at the Cataclysmic level of danger.

This has also brought renewed attention to the situation in the "Detective Conan Universe - 003".

This is the only case where the effect disappears as soon as it's introduced.

In addition, there is [Type-Moon Universe-001].

[Research Level] They have already revised some of the relevant theories on "worldview group structure".

Currently, it appears to be an isolated case.

"Leaving aside why Hasegawa Moon appeared there and why it 'merged' in this way, these are questions we haven't figured out yet."

A research director from the Narrative Studies Department explained in a routine report to the Executive Level: "There is one more point that does not conform to existing theories."

"That is, according to ZC-01's observations, the structural strength of [Type-Moon Universe-001] is lower than that of the nearby [Type-Moon Universe]."

The research director concluded by suggesting:
The simplest way to confirm the main body of [Type-Moon Universe-001] is for ZC-01 himself to go to other [Type-Moon Universes] to observe and confirm which worldview group the [universe] belonged to before the fusion.
This proposal was quickly rejected.

"The effect value of [Type-Moon Universe-001] is currently limited and is only used to confirm information related to it; it is not very significant."

Lin Sheng shook his head and rejected the proposal.

"Communication of relevant information is also a problem. Whether the effects of leaving the [Type-Moon Universe-001] can transmit information back is an unknown."

The effect value that can "maintain existence" emanating outward from the "this universe" is not as simple as just confirming "there is a "shell" here".

Just like the two Conans previously sent to [Type-Moon Universe-001] and [Detective Conan Universe-002], each time the effect value had to be at least in the thousands of strings, and Lin Sheng and Conan had to cooperate fully.

……

Therefore, the current situation is—

If only one-third can be saved, should we still try?

The solutions proposed by TDD are indeed very simple and effective.

Perhaps because it was a wish that [Matou Sakura] wanted to fulfill, TDD did not take "others" into consideration.

In other words, this is a plan that takes the historical inertia of the "Fourth and Fifth World Wars" as its core and only "saves" one branch.

By analogy, since the [character design] cannot take on this role, then just like the [Detective Conan universe] initially took over by the [dual timelines], the [historical inertia] should be responsible for it.

We do not acknowledge the so-called "pan-human history" or the so-called "Chaldea".

It does not acknowledge those things that were not "written" into this historical inertia.

Using the worldview of "Fate/Stay Night" as its "core," and while enhancing its "historical inertia," it forces it to separate from the "Type-Moon Universe-001."

Then, just like instigating conflict between the two timelines.

By exploiting the historical inertia of that dubious "Four Wars," they created conflict to ultimately achieve their goal.

TDD provided very clear details about all parties involved.

Furthermore, after exploring the [Narrative Studies Department], we arrive at the [Universe] based on [Mental Imagery].

Or rather, in this universe where "no one exists and time is absent," the Alliance can indeed do this.

After all, compared to the current complex and unpredictable situation of [Type-Moon Universe-001], this is a different story.

If only the parts from the "Four Wars" and "Five Wars" are retained—

Most of the enemies the alliance faces will "disappear completely" in an instant.

There's no need to consider Chaldea, Gaia, or any other unprecedented superfluous concepts like Pan-Human History.

With only one deterrent force remaining, and the historical inertia of the "Five World Wars," it's not even the worst possible outcome—

Even if Conan's current plans are only slightly modified, it would still lead to a successful ending.

Of course, there are costs involved.

Those who didn't separate, those who remained, obviously won't have a happy ending.

According to the Narrative Department's estimates, there is a roughly 90% chance that those transgressive behaviors will immediately trigger the mechanism.

Even the researchers found it strange that Chaldea could still exist within the Root without triggering its mechanism.

However, in any case, judging from the current state of this universe, it is absolutely no match for the mechanism that is truly activated.

So, should we do it?

Remove the rotten flesh to allow the salvageable parts to continue growing.

Sacrifice the minority to preserve those who can still be saved.

At this moment, Lin Sheng seemed to see another problem that [Emiya Kiritsugu] had once faced appear before him.

When faced with this kind of trolley problem, saying "I have no right to judge" or "I have no right to decide for others" is always a good response.

But now, Lin Sheng is standing in front of that wrench.

If he decides to leave now, nothing will happen.

Lin Sheng glanced back at the "train" speeding towards him, his figure disappearing for a moment in the [Core Layer] office before reappearing.

Then he said, "Before the project truly ends, let the [research layer] continue to advance along the path provided by TDD."

"We will try our best to meet the relevant resource needs on the logistics side."

ZC-01 then conveyed its will to the [Execution Layer].

"I've already spoken with Conan, and we'll buy the League enough time."

Lin Sheng's words made Shigenobu Hitomi's expression turn solemn.

She began by asking, "How much time can you and ZC-02 buy for that 'universe'?"

"It will take as long as it takes."

—Lin Sheng answered calmly.

(End of this chapter)