LORD OF THE SKY CITY

Chapter 620: Chapter 582: Pawns and Players Chapter 620: Chapter 582: Pawns and Players Facing Rocky’s question, Athena said nothing and simply nodded…

This action undoubtedly caused a great change in Rocky’s expression! After staring at Athena with a gloomy face for a while, he turned to the others, “Everyone, leave.”

After these words, Monte and the others exchanged looks, unable to ask further and could only bow and exit the City Lord’s Hall.

Once everyone had left, only Rocky, Liliya, and Athena remained in the hall. Then Rocky asked, “Athena, are you implying that the Alliance intends to take action against me?”

“No.”

Shaking her head, Athena indicated that this was not her intention, clearly confusing Rocky. However, he wasn’t confused for long, because Athena soon provided an explanation, “My lord, based solely on the current situation, I can’t determine yet if the Alliance has already sided against us. But one thing is certain, the Alliance definitely knows something.”

“Knows… what?”

“The Alliance might have been involved in the plan against you, or maybe not, but regardless of which outcome, the Alliance Elder Council definitely knows some things we do not, which is why they seized the opportunity to create difficulties. I am certain of this.”

“I see…”

These words involuntarily made Rocky furrow his brows, as Athena still hadn’t provided the answer he wanted. Yet even so, his situation was already bad enough, since from the actions of the Alliance it was clear that they were no longer a reliable support for Rocky. They were even taking advantage of his difficulties now.

This outcome might not be the worst, but it was still quite bad.

After pondering with furrowed brows for a moment, Rocky looked again at Athena, “What do you think we should do now?”

As if she had been waiting for Rocky to ask this question, Athena immediately responded, “My lord, we now have two choices.”

“First, is to meet the demands of the Alliance. Whether it’s the Moving Fortress, the mana machine gun, or the Thunderhawk Armor, by sharing any one of these with the Alliance, we can gain enough Contribution Points. This way, not only will Heavenly Ancestor City not be a problem, but our relationship with the Alliance will also be somewhat eased.”

“If you do not wish to do this, we only have one other path to take, which is to face the threat of Heavenly Ancestor City alone.”

Athena said slowly while looking at Rocky.

These were the only two roads now available to Rocky, either to submit to the Alliance and give them what they want, or to face the threat alone. There were only two options, no middle ground.

In theory, this choice should not be difficult, because there were only two options and the advantages and disadvantages of each were clear to measure. Perhaps that was why Athena did not elaborate after listing the two choices.

Yet faced with such simple options, Rocky fell into hesitation. He furrowed his brow, thinking hard for a long time, then finally said to Athena, “Tell everyone to proceed as planned before. If the Alliance does not help, we will face Heavenly Ancestor City alone!”

Surprisingly, among two options with such clear stakes, Rocky chose the latter!

However, as he finished speaking, a smile appeared on Athena’s face and she briskly agreed, then turned and left.

It wasn’t until her figure had disappeared from the City Lord’s Hall that Liliya came up beside Rocky, looking at him with a hint of confusion:

“Rocky, are you planning… to break with the Alliance?”

The choice just now seemed easy, but in fact, this seemingly simple option represented Rocky’s stance. And from the final decision, it was clear. His stance was not to beg the Alliance!

This was somewhat unexpected for Liliya, hence her inquiry about what Rocky really meant.

Facing Liliya, Rocky naturally did not hide anything, so after sighing, he spoke slowly, “I do not want to break with the Alliance. I just do not want to be controlled by them.”

“Athena was right just now,” Rocky said, “as long as I offer the technology I control, even if it’s just one, the Alliance will help me. But once I do that, I’m essentially at the mercy of the Alliance. They will use every means to take away everything I possess. I can’t let that happen.”

Looking at Liliya, Rocky appeared exhausted.

The two choices Athena gave him seemed to concern only the present, but in reality, they represented the future.

This time, facing Heavenly Ancestor City, Rocky needed to contribute something of his own to the Alliance in exchange for protection, but what about next time?

What if Earth Ancestor City emerges next time? What then?

Would he have to contribute something from his possession again to receive the Alliance’s protection? If so, wouldn’t everything he controls gradually be taken by the Alliance in the long run?

This was not the outcome Rocky wanted to see.

“Well, as long as you’ve thought it through, that’s fine. I’ll leave first.”

Hearing his words, Liliya nodded her head; after all, regardless of the choice Rocky made, she would support him as always. Then she turned and left the City Lord’s Hall.

Her departure took Rocky by surprise, and just as he was about to speak to keep her there, Athena returned, and seeing her reappear made Rocky open his mouth, ultimately letting out a sigh in his heart, “Women…”

“You actually already know the Alliance’s intentions, right?”

Setting aside his internal thoughts about women, Rocky asked Athena as she approached.

On reflection, Athena seemed to be talking only about the immediate situation earlier. Yet, if one carefully considered every word she said, it was apparent that almost every sentence had an underlying meaning, especially the two choices she presented at the end.

So when she appeared again, Rocky couldn’t help but ask.

“Yes, the Elders’ Council’s intentions are not hard to guess,” she replied.

Confronted with this question, Athena nodded ambiguously, indicating that she indeed had guessed the Alliance’s intentions long ago.

This was actually why Athena was stunned when Liliya brought back the news of Howling Sky mobilizing troops, as it clearly diverged greatly from what she had anticipated. But Athena was Athena, and ultimately, things developed along the lines she had anticipated.

“Ha…”

This answer made Rocky laugh helplessly and then lean back in the City Lord’s seat, looking at Athena, “So, do you think my choice is correct?”

“My lord, it is extremely correct.”

“Oh? This approach of mine could lead to a rift with the Alliance, and that’s correct too?”

“A rift would be even better.”

“Why?”

“Because once there is a rift, my lord, you are no longer a pawn, but the player,”

As she spoke, Athena glanced at Rocky and revealed a faint smile.

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