Mystery: A Spark

If someone unaware of the inside story only saw the size of those iron fists, they might think it was a prototype weapon made by a child.

"Her father is clearly very tall, but she is..." the spy sighed softly to himself.

He was quite concerned about Hugh's situation, which is why he was able to quickly notice what was happening here.

He also knew that this old friend's daughter, as the captain of the security team, was responsible for carrying out the will from above.

The source of this will was the young man at the front of the crowd.

The man was genuinely supportive of what the young man had done.

However, as a secret agent of MI9, his own will was negligible.

After all, because of what happened to Hugh's father, the secret agent was also implicated to some extent.

Although he escaped the purge because he had not made any mistakes and knew nothing about the inside story, he was still affected and excluded from the core of MI9's power, and could only be responsible for some peripheral informant work.

That young man shouldn't say anything too outrageous, right?

The spy thought to himself.

Based on his past observations, the young man seemed to be a cautious and measured person.

This trait is not actually common among young people.

Young people from relatively well-off families, such as the second generation of nobles, often suffer from impatience and arrogance.

However, just as the spy was thinking this, he heard the young man's first opening line:

"On December 24, we suffered a huge disaster, and more than 12 of our compatriots died."

Who should be held responsible for this?

spy:……

He was wrong; he shouldn't have judged someone so easily.

No, perhaps his previous assessment wasn't entirely wrong.

Because no one can dictate that a cautious and measured person will not do anything outrageous.

The words “cautious” and “out of line” are not entirely contradictory.

If planned thoroughly enough, even a cautious person can do something that seems incredibly crazy to others.

Yes, as long as the plan is comprehensive enough.

And it is clear that Mr. Arthur Heller has come prepared.

The spy let out a soft breath; he felt as if he were witnessing a major event unfold.

This major event may bring about some kind of change in Rune, which could be for better or for worse.

Of course, this incident could also end in Arthur Heller's defeat.

Which outcome will ultimately come depends on whether Mr. Heller's trading skills are sophisticated enough.

"The disaster a week ago was terrible, without a doubt, because it was a sudden and terrifying plague that caught everyone off guard."

Arthur looked at the dense crowd in front of him and spoke calmly and eloquently.

With the help of the gadgets kindly provided by the Steam Church, his voice was clearly transmitted to everyone's ears.

It's neither too loud or harsh, nor so faint as to be inaudible.

"But even so, is the death of our more than 50,000 compatriots just a matter of course and completely unavoidable?"

"No, that's not true. They shouldn't have died."

"So what exactly took the lives of our compatriots?"

"Was it really that terrible plague from a week ago?"

Arthur's voice gradually rose in pitch.

His emotions became agitated, and his body language became more intense.

"No! Absolutely not! Because we all suffered from that terrible plague. Why did we survive while they died and are now resting in this cemetery!?"

"Why is that? Because their bodies were too weak! When the plague first spread from the East District, they collapsed due to their weakened bodies and never got up again!"

Arthur's voice softened again, and his expression turned sorrowful.

"Even miracles, even the great power of the gods, cannot bring them back to this world."

"They can never get up again, folks, they can never stand up again."

"They can only sleep in this cold earth and eventually decay."

"They have left us forever, and we have lost them forever."

Sobbing broke out from the crowd, and the sound spread rapidly as if it were contagious.

The atmosphere turned somber.

People reminisce about the days they spent with their deceased relatives and friends, and then they realize that those days are gone forever.

There will never be another one.

"So, what exactly caused their weakness?"

People heard about this issue.

Then they looked up and stared at the young man in front of them, hoping to hear an answer from him.

“Because they have suffered excessive exploitation and oppression,” Arthur offered his answer.

Then people suddenly realized what was going on.

"They are not paid enough to have a full meal, so they cannot get enough food."

"Under these circumstances, they still have to endure long hours of endless labor, and then injuries and illnesses naturally occur in them."

Arthur paused for a moment, then continued:

"But there is still hope for them at this time, as long as they can receive timely treatment and the medical care they are entitled to."

"They will be able to recover."

But they didn't.

Arthur shook his head and said in a more serious tone:

They didn't.

"But is it because they don't want it?"

"Don't they want to be paid enough? Don't they want to eat enough food? Don't they want labor and medical insurance?"

No, they think so.

"But they can't get it."

"why?"

Why? Everyone is thinking about this question.

Then they all arrived at the same answer.

They didn't voice the answer; they simply refocused their attention on the gentleman in front of them.

People want guidance because they want to do something, but they don't know how.

Arthur responded to them:

"Self-respect."

"Self-respect is a weapon, a sharp blade used to deal with enemies, not just for deception."

“They represent power, much more powerful than we are. I’m not referring to the Intis or the Fusak.”

"Our enemy..."

Arthur pointed to Backlund, which sat quietly in the distance, shrouded in mist.

"It's right there in that city."

"Now, everyone, please tell me."

Arthur's gaze swept over everyone before he asked that crucial question.

"Who should be held responsible for the excessive exploitation and oppression that led to the tragic deaths of more than 50,000 of our compatriots?"

"Those shameless factory owners!" a roar erupted from the crowd.

“That’s right! It’s those shameless factory owners!” Arthur roared back, clenching his right fist and slamming it onto his left palm, making his words incredibly powerful.

"They call themselves Runes, but they are neither welcome nor needed now nor in the future!"

But they're everywhere now!

A thunderous cheer erupted from the crowd. They finally understood the source of all their suffering and the true reason why their loved ones had passed away.

And all of this was thanks to Mr. Heller's guidance.

And Mr. Heller's roar continued:

"They wantonly torment our spirits! They exploit our bodies to the point that we live without any self-respect!"

He raised his right hand, fingers together, and waved it forcefully, shouting:

"Fellow countrymen, we need to wage a struggle! A struggle that must begin immediately! We must take back what is rightfully ours from those people!!!"

"Whoosh!" The people responded strongly to Arthur's roar; they became angry and had a tangible target to vent their anger on.

At this point, they need guidance to prevent the anger from burning too wildly.

The guidance came quickly.

"Fellow countrymen, come with me!"

Hugh stepped forward, stood before the crowd, and raised his arm in a shout.

Then, a collective response was received.

Led by Hugh and her security forces, thousands of people followed them and surged toward Backlund.

Meanwhile, the MI9 agents and Klein, caught in the crowd, were swept along by the throng, unwilling yet helpless, and surged towards Backlund as well.