Chapter 1504: Chapter 1502: Resistance
Atlantis, City Hall.
The medal-awarding ceremony is underway.
"Noct, captain of the White Falcon Team’s first squad, fought valiantly, leveraging the terrain to resist an attack by an army of over thirty thousand Abnormal Creatures, awarded the Richard Silver Leaf Second-level Medal..."
"Weistan, advisor to the headquarters of the Blue Eagle Reinforcement Group, after the headquarters was ambushed and lost communication, traversed the battlefield alone to reach the higher-ups, conveying vital information, awarded the Richard Silver Leaf Second-level Medal..."
"Hamke, leader of the Gray Sparrow Group, led the force to snipe the main force of the Abnormal Creatures’ army, providing a chance to build a defense line for the rear military factory and Free Energy Element Solidification Factory, avoiding significant losses, awarded the Richard Silver Leaf Third-level Medal..."
"..."
On the brown wood-grain high platform, the host stood on the left side, reading out names and brief stories in a clear and solemn tone.
Afterward, the named individuals walked up the high platform in order and were personally awarded medals by the Atlantis City Lord Moli.
Batch after batch, again and again...
Up the stage, down the stage, continuously.
The medal-awarding ceremony has been going on for quite some time, but shows no sign of ending.
After all, this is a mass awarding of medals to the entire Shalin System following a great war. Although medals are hard to come by, the total number of people receiving medals is still a frightening figure, which is one reason why the ceremony is held in the city hall—it simply cannot accommodate so many people elsewhere.
Bob, Philip, and Frank were sitting in the seating area, having waited for a long time without hearing their names, watching enviously as others received medals while whispering to one another.
"Hey, do you think we might be the last batch to be awarded medals?" Bob said.
Philip thought seriously for a moment and looked at Bob to respond, "Maybe we really are."
"Hmm?" Bob was a bit puzzled; he was halfway joking, but seeing Philip’s earnest reply, he asked curiously, "Why? How are you so sure?"
"You see, Locomotive Captain," Philip analyzed, "those going up the stage now are recipients of Silver Leaf Second-level and Third-level Medals, all of whom have made significant contributions and have uncommon status. Whereas we are simply crew members; although we went through thrilling experiences, we haven’t made any major achievements. Even if we get a medal, it should be the lowest Richard Silver Leaf First-Class Medal, placed at the back, which is entirely reasonable."
After thinking this over, Bob squinted his eyes and said, "According to your reasoning, it might really be possible. But even a Silver Leaf First-Class Medal is good enough, since it’s a solid medal! Oh, Philip, you might not fully understand what it means to receive a medal. Let me explain it to you properly—once you have this medal, you can enjoy conveniences everywhere in the Shalin, get discounts when shopping, and have a higher loan limit at city banks.
If you’re without a job, you’ll get regular subsidies, and they’ll help find you a suitable new job. If you’re sick, you’ll receive free treatment, and I’ve heard that when you’re old, some pension will also be given to you. Most importantly, whatever job you take on, you’ll be the first candidate considered for promotion opportunities. Unless your capability is truly lacking, only then will they consider others. Hence, as long as you do not break the law, you’ll definitely live well in the cities within the Shalin System."
At this, Bob thought of something, raised his eyebrows, and looked over at Frank to say, "Speaking of which, we really ought to thank Frank for receiving this medal. If it weren’t for him shouting ’everyone will die,’ triggering his ’Calamity,’ we wouldn’t have gotten the opposite result—survival. If we were dead, what use would a medal be. Right, Frank?"
Hearing that, Frank stiffly turned his neck and looked at Bob. To be honest, he was still in a state of confusion, unable to determine if the "Calamity" existed or not.
Forcing a smile with a cautious mindset, Frank said, "Locomotive Captain, I was just speaking randomly; maybe it really was just a coincidence, I don’t dare accept your thanks."
"Even if it was a coincidence, I have to thank you nonetheless. After all, without you going crazy fighting the Abnormal Creatures and alleviating our pressure, Philip and I might not have survived." Bob said earnestly.
Upon hearing this, Philip nodded in agreement, as he had indeed been saved by Frank back then.
After a pause, Bob searched Frank’s gaze deeply and continued, "And if it wasn’t a coincidence, if you truly have a ’Calamity’ ability that can alter fate with your words, I would thank you even more. Not only thank you, but also maintain a good relationship with you. After all, if you can utilize such an ability properly, who knows, you might someday become a person I greatly admire."
"Locomotive Captain, please don’t joke with me. Even if I truly have this ability, I can’t become a figure of prominence, I’m just a barely surviving train crew." Frank said.
"That’s because you haven’t figured out how to use your ability correctly." A youthful voice sounded beside Frank.
Hmm?
Frank turned his head, Bob and Philip followed suit, and they saw the speaker was none other than Philip—Ma Qiu Philip.
Being among those to receive a medal, Ma Qiu Philip was traveling to Atlantis on the same locomotive as Frank and others. Sitting in the same carriage, coupled with prior interactions with Doron Philip in the wilderness, there had been plenty of exchanges along the way; thus, he too had heard about Frank’s ’Calamity’ ability and various experiences.
Ma Qiu Philip looked at Frank and said, "If... I’m saying if, all these experiences of yours aren’t mere coincidences, but actually an ability affecting things, then you’re like a child who fell into a gold vault, facing a multitude of treasures but lamenting he cannot satisfy his hunger."
"Think about it, when you say good things happen, bad things follow. When you say bad things, good things follow. Why not intentionally speak in opposite terms to achieve the desired results each time, like shouting ’everyone will die’ when facing abnormal creatures."
"By the way, ’everyone will die’ isn’t precisely the perfect counter-statement; you should’ve shouted ’at least one person will die’ back then, thus ensuring no one sacrifices."
Frank blinked, initially a bit confused, then shook his head and chuckled bitterly... would things really be so simple? Do they really think ’Calamity’ can be controlled? If it could be controlled, would it still be called ’Calamity’? Over the years, he had considered resisting and controlling it, but reality proved, every time was quite miserable.
