Saiyan stowaways on the Ark

"Hmm? Ah...it's not exactly a noble reason."

Charlene's death-defying tone startled the Doctor; she didn't quite understand why the other person would ask her about her purpose in this way.

However, explaining the reason was precisely the purpose of her visit, so she cleared her throat and spoke in a very formal tone:

"Our principle has always been the same. It's not just for those who are infected. We will do our best to help any group that needs assistance. It's just that providing medical assistance to those who are infected is the main thing. After all, their current situation makes them the group that needs help the most."

I needed help, so I helped.

This is the doctor's answer.

What about the benefits? What about other advantages?

Helping a group of troublemakers, a group of dangerous patients who won't rest in peace even in death... even for the sake of reputation, in the social environment of various countries in Terra, it's unlikely to have much of a positive effect, right?

“I know you must be curious about why we intervened, but the motivation is very simple, just the principle behind it.”

Before Charné could loudly question this unacceptable reason, the doctor preemptively added:

"However, reasons are reasons, but that doesn't mean we should help everyone we meet. Implementing our principles also requires taking into account various additional conditions. Moving forward recklessly without regard for the consequences might create more trouble while solving problems, which would be counterproductive."

The doctor's further explanation calmed Charné's somewhat distraught emotions, and his expression changed from one of cold sweat and panic to one of composure.

He nodded, signaling the doctor to continue—after all, he had no other choice.

"What you see today is the result of our company's thorough preparations before taking action, and I understand your concerns."

"What follows is simply a matter of your approval. Under the laws of Kazimierz, it will become a human resource transaction, and the buyer will be Rhodes Island."

"There was no interference in internal affairs, nor was there any armed riot. There was only 'a group of Rhodes Island operators dispatching security personnel and medical personnel to transport critically ill infected patients to Rhodes Island.'"

Buying and selling?

When Charne heard this word, the first thing that came to mind was the slave trade, which had been banned by Casimir.

However, the "slave trade" was only partially prohibited because, under the Infected Arena system, Infected people could still be freely bought and sold, and the slave trade still existed. It was just that the "market" became the arena, the "goods" became Infected people, and the "contract of servitude" became the Infected Knight Agreement.

Those infected are not legal citizens; in a sense, they are merely “third-party groups whose ownership is easily accessible.”

It's just that the Infected Knight system in Kazimierz allows them to appear in the country—like a high-priced inn in the wilderness.

Kazimir is a transit point, and the infected are "guests" who have no choice.

The agreement is an unfair accommodation clause, exchanging disproportionate effort for a meager place to stay, while many others are forced to "stay overnight" without even a clause.

Of course, infected people can leave.

Those who have signed a contract can pay back a debt they could never repay in their lifetime; those who haven't signed one can go wherever they want if they can find a better place to live.

The external environment essentially cuts off their right to choose.

The doctor's words gave Charne a completely new perspective, and he also understood why these people dared to launch a surprise attack on the Infected Arena regardless of the consequences.

Because the consequences wouldn't be too serious to begin with, this incident was essentially just "an infected aid organization discovering infected people living in a certain place and being treated very poorly, and then trying to transfer them into its own organization."

The choice lies with those infected, but they have never exercised this right because they have never had a better option—they have no money and nowhere to go.

Therefore, given the status of the Infected in Kazimierz and Rhodes Island's position, this matter is destined to be in a very ambiguous state. It skirts the boundaries of Kazimierz's rules; to put it bluntly, it's suspected of interfering in internal affairs and protesting the Infected system from an outsider's perspective; to put it mildly, it's just a bunch of foolish, rich people buying Infected people...

"You said at the beginning that you are the person in charge of this region? If possible, please give your approval to this human resources procurement, so that we can focus on patient treatment and staffing."

At this moment, Charné was unilaterally granted a "right" by the doctor.

Either make a big scene, saying they forcibly took away the infected, and then report to your superiors things like the Knights of Conquest not daring to step forward and the Platinum Lord being injured.

He could either use his position to tacitly approve the transaction, or, given his status, act as a proxy in a small infected arena.

Charné didn't need anyone to tell him which one to choose.

Just as the doctor knew that he could bear the risks and consequences of this action before he did it, he also understood which choices he could not bear the consequences of.

"So... what you just called 'settling accounts' actually refers to... paying off the processing fee for terminating the contract with the infected person?"

Charne looked at the doctor with an incredulous expression.

The doctor responded in a very relaxed tone, nodding and then smiling.

"Yeah, what else?"

As they spoke, the agents around them were leading other infected people away from the area.

Among them was a small, thin body with its face covered by a white towel, sandwiched on a stretcher.

Even though infected people are more likely to die than the average person.

The dangers of the disease also necessitate more specialized isolation measures for them.

But this is the inevitable fate for them—children who don't even understand why they came into this world.

Unfortunately, many people do think that way.

They deserved it. It's normal for them to die no matter how they die. They should have died the moment they got sick. Any non-infected person giving them an extra breath of air is a blessing.

In reality, if they had focused more on disease research, policy improvement, or public opinion guidance, so many of them would not have become the "rioters" or "sources of infection" in the public's eyes.

The reason for not doing so is simply to facilitate shifting the blame, creating profits, or just to save trouble.

But the doctor did not condescendingly criticize the other party or threaten them to improve their treatment of infected people.

She used a very forceful approach to emphasize, "We will do what you won't do."

He then conveyed his "anger" in a very calm tone.

"—Or do you want me to kill all of you, forcibly carry out some measures that should have been done long ago, and then leave you to go to hell and regret not having had a little more 'reverence' back then?"

The doctor wasn't saying that we should have any respect for those who are infected.

Because these people have no concern for the infected. In their eyes, the struggles of the infected for their most basic right to survival are powerless and unqualified.

The doctor was reminding them not to forget to consider this absurd possibility—"Perhaps there really is a group of people who are powerful enough and willing to fight for those who have suffered injustice."

For this group of people, they have always had two choices.

One approach is to do things as they are now, carefully considering how to make one's actions more morally sound and less troublesome.

Another approach is to fully implement the "violent privilege" that leaves the other party with no chance to repent.

[Main Text] Terra's World's Greatest Martial Arts Tournament: Debate Chapter 44 - The Unnamed Rookie Knight

"Phew... I'm exhausted. Reviewing the Infected Act in Kazimierz beforehand definitely came in handy..."

Compared to his imposing demeanor when negotiating with Charne near the arena, the Doctor now appears exhausted after the "negotiations" ended and he returned to Rhodes Island.

This is the first time I've ever gone this far.

In the past, Rhode Island's relief efforts for infected individuals were generally limited to homeless deportees or homeless people who actively sought help.

If we disregard whether these people have some extraordinary background, Rhodes Island can help them without much external resistance.

But this time, directly reaching into someone else's territory and taking away those infected people in deep danger, it has to be said that there is still some "nervousness".

Otherwise, she wouldn't have tried so hard to justify the operation and minimize its risks.

The doctor recalled her words to Charne, "Why don't I just kill you all?"—if the other party really refused firmly, would she really choose to use violence without having to worry about others' physical confrontation?

Even without rigorously assessing combat strength or discussing "actively defeating any force," Rhodes Island is now capable of ensuring its own safety.

The enhancement of personnel and the upgrading of equipment have already given them a combat advantage that no one would believe even if they were to announce it directly. Even if a fight really breaks out, the Saiyans will not stand idly by. They all just say "we'll deal with our own problems" and they all know when to make things easier for each other.

However, maintaining their commitment to "justice" when taking action is an important criterion that distinguishes them from other forces that use the guise of "liberating the infected" but actually have ulterior motives.

Even Tomat would maintain this restraint rather than using violence indiscriminately.

However, she was also very clear that if she insisted on fighting for justice, the road would be very difficult.

Kazimierz is relatively "reasonable" on the one hand; as long as the method is appropriate, a large-scale conflict involving the entire Rhodes Island can be avoided.

However, if it were Ursus's mines or Letania's quarantine zone, where infected people were treated as state-owned resources and then oppressed, Rhodes Island would likely face a war regardless of its reasons for providing aid.

—But if you think about it carefully, it seems easier to do it the other way around?

Because if they are willing to take a hard line, others have neither the right nor the power to refuse.

"This time, we 'accidentally' entered the arena while looking for someone, and 'coincidentally' discovered infected people who had been tricked into becoming knights and couldn't even save their lives, so we contacted you for help in rescuing them and taking them away."

Thomas summarized the whole story to the doctor.

"That lackey—no, that horse-laced lackey—has probably witnessed our determination and ability to help others, and he'll probably order us not to find any fault with him for the time being. He doesn't want to cause any more trouble that would prevent the competition from taking place."

When the topic of the Cavaliers' game came up, Tomat paused for a moment, as he didn't want the game to be suspended either.

"Anyway, even if it's just for show, that guy will probably improve the treatment a little, so there's no reason for me to get involved."

The doctor nodded, looking extremely tired.

Almost a whole day has passed since we brought the infected back from the arena.

The entire medical department was bustling with activity, and the atmosphere on Rhodes Island itself was somewhat heavy, mainly due to the filtered smoke constantly billowing from the chimney of the infected body disposal room.

The other operators also mostly gathered at the medical platform, and even Tomat, as one of the few healers who could transmit his aura to others, came here to help.

Perhaps this isn't necessary for some people with plenty of energy, but to prevent a lack of concentration from working for a long time, these people are taking a few minutes to rest and chat. Incidentally, Gohan, who can also heal others with his ki, is currently replacing Thomas.

Rhodes Island received approximately three hundred Infected Knights, though they no longer hold that identity.

Some people require long-term treatment, while others adapt quickly to their new environment and seem eager to find work on Rhode Island to avoid becoming homeless again.

And this is just one of the many infected arenas in the city-states of Kazimierz.

After this incident, Charne will likely do as Tomat suggested, and order other arenas to make a poor cover-up in order to prevent Rhodes Island from taking action again.

Regardless of how many people Rhodes Island can actually accept, the "rescue" itself will face considerable resistance.

“I think if Rhodes Island were to request it, the Business Federation would not refuse Rhodes Island registering a company in Kazimierz and engaging in the healthcare industry for infected individuals. This industry in Kazimierz is the complete opposite of the booming general healthcare industry; it is a virtually untouched blank area.”

Kal'tsit took a pot of espresso, poured herself a cup, and handed it to the Doctor, while offering advice to the Doctor who looked troubled.

What she said is indeed a valid approach.

The medical businesses in Kazimierz almost exclusively serve the legitimate competitive knights; no one is interested in the wallets and health problems of the vast majority of infected knights who can't even afford to eat.

If Rhodes Island indicated that it didn't mind making such a losing deal, those people would definitely be more than happy to do so.

By becoming a registered corporation in Casimir, or establishing a branch, Rhodes Island could directly intervene in the infected's competition through due process and then improve their medical conditions.

"But if it were you, you should understand that this method only treats the symptoms, not the root cause."