Chapter 205: The Second Method
The marching protesters filled the streets, and their chants echoed throughout the city. Many who initially didn’t know about the revolutionary movement took interest, picked up and read the newspapers and pamphlets distributed by the protesters, or carefully observed the pickets they held.
Then, the anticipated problem occurred. The city guards blocked the path of the march. There were about thirty of them, all in uniform with their weapons at their waists.
However, Dain said to Sarcho, "Just keep going. Continue chanting and don't hesitate."
Sarcho then raised their voice and did as Dain said. Though one of the guards shouted something at them, Sarcho didn't even give the guard a glance and continued chanting. The voices of the guards were drowned out by the shouts of the protesters. A few guards even reached for their weapons, but they were held back by their colleagues. Eventually, they subtly stepped aside and away from the protestors.
It occurred to Sarcho then that this was the city’s voice. It wasn't just that the guards were intimidated by their numbers, but they realized the voice would not be suppressed.
Still, Sarcho couldn't be completely at ease. The guards were nowhere near the top of their list of problems.
Sarcho took a sip of water from the water flask and said, “Comrade Dain, even if the guards can't stop us, the soldiers will."
"You know the closest military camp is half a day away. They're not as prepared as last time."
“I know, but they'll arrive in half a day."
Dain anxiously said, "We should change our plan."
The initial plan was that the gathered protesters would march to the central square, announcing their presence and nothing more. They intended to repeat such protests multiple times to make as many citizens aware of them and join the revolutionary faction, until the inevitable day where they got caught. However, their current number had greatly exceeded their expectations. It could be said that the entire city already knew of the revolutionary faction.
Sarcho said, “You mean more than leading the people to the city hall square?”
“Yes.”
Sarcho shook their head. "But how? We've...never thought this far, have we?"
Dain replied, “You might think that. But there are two ways."
"Two?"
Dain began to explain the first method.
The first method was simple, and Sarcho realized that Dain had suggested going to the city hall square for exactly that. Given the number of protesters, they had enough force to pressure the city hall. If the mayor appeared, Dain, who led the protesters, would negotiate. They'd demand immediate action on issues related to egalitarianism and the workers' rights, as well as assurances that the military would not intervene or retaliate against the revolutionaries later.
Then, as Dain explained the second method, Sarcho said, "...I hope the first method works."
“I hope so too.”
Sarcho led the chant again, and the protesters marched towards the square in front of city hall. They passed a fountain park—a masterpiece artist of the Union Kingdom created at the nobles’ commission, which combined classical beauty with modern elegance. Then they reached the city hall square. After seeing the group of protestors, a poor barricade was put into place in front of the city hall.
The enraged protesters immediately tried to get through it to enter the city hall, and one of the staff members peering out from a window with a gun in hand shouted loudly at them. As the protesters fought back by throwing stones, the staff member hid in fear, and the windows of the city hall began to shatter under the continuous barrage of stone-throwing.
Then Dain yelled to try and calm the protesters, "Comrades of the revolution, listen!"
As she went on top of the barricade to shout at the crowd, the protestors focused on her.
"We could rush into the city hall now and force the mayor to give us the answers we want. But we won't do that."
The unexpected statement silenced the crowd and made them listen to her following words.
"That would be a forced response. It's their way, through threats and violence. We don't want to become like them… This is no platitudes I’m spouting. If we force them to speak, they'll use it as an excuse and reverse things later, just as they've always deceived us until now. The mayor themself, who represents them, must come out here and talk to us."
At those words, one protester shouted in agreement, and the rest joined in with applause.
Dain then told the crowd that they would wait until noon. Afterward, other comrades started reading out their demands one by one and urged the mayor to come out.
As Dain came down from the barricade, she said to Sarcho, "With this, we should be able to hold out till noon, or even until sunset."
"...Do you think the mayor will come out to talk?"
Dain anxiously looked at the city hall.
"I'm not sure. It would be ideal if they did."
"I sincerely hope so too. Otherwise, we..."
Dain shook her head. "We still have time, so let's not worry yet. More importantly, we need to make sure our comrades stay motivated until the mayor shows up. Can you help with that?"
"Of course, comrade."
Dain began singing a workers' song commonly sung in factories. The protesters quickly took to the song that was originally sung by farmers in the past. With the change in environment and circumstances, the lyrics had been adapted to fit factory labor, and while the song itself varied slightly depending on the region or factory, the rhythm and beat were very similar, which allowed the protestors to quickly catch on.
Following this, Dain called the injured workers to share their stories on the makeshift stage. Each story of injustice and suffering caused tears for their fellow comrades, or they would shout out in anger against the nobles and the wealthy. Many of these stories ended in cheers of encouragement, telling the person sharing their story to not give up, that they could do it, and that they were each others’ comrades.
The local laborers distributed bread and a particularly moved noble opened their wine cellar to the protesters. Wild boars were also dragged through the square with the sentiment that there was no better day to catch and eat them.
Dain had initially perceived the gathering as simply spontaneous and believed that, if unlucky, the majority would disperse. However, as time passed, the crowd of protesters steadily grew. Although they had agreed to wait only until noon, when Dain suggested they wait until sunset, the crowd willingly said they would try to wait more.
Sarcho thought that perhaps this could all be worth it in the end. Seeing such a unified group was somewhat intimidating for Sarcho as well. It felt as if they had transformed into one massive entity, which could lose control if something happened.
'If I feel overwhelmed being part of this, surely the mayor will feel the same. The mayor might be discussing which proposals to accept with the councilors. The world is about to change.'
The protestors sat down, singing songs of labor and put their arms around fellow comrades they had met that day. Twilight began to set in, casting long shadows on the ground, and those who lit the street lights began to roam the streets.
Then a boy wearing tattered clothes from the outskirts of the city rushed to the town square.
“Dain noona!”
“What is it?”
The boy, catching his breath, replied, "The army is here. I'm not sure about the numbers…but just as you said, they appeared on the western horizon."
Dain bit her lip, and Sarcho lowered their head.
As Dain was about to go onto the stage, Sarcho said, "So...the second plan?"
"Yes.”
Dain responded briefly and then shouted, "Comrades! There is sad news. It is very unfortunate that something like this happened.”
Dain waited for the crowd to understand and then continued to say, "The mayor has consistently chosen silence, and instead of giving us the answer we sought, they responded differently. They have called in the army again. They intend to kill us."
Then the faces of the protestors became dark. Those who had remained silent when Dain spoke also began to murmur among themselves.
Dain said, "Just like they did during the unification day festival, they aim to kill all of us and act as if the revolution never happened. Just as our comrades have been forgotten by the people, they aim to do the same with us… Will you accept this fate?"
The crowd fell silent for a moment.
Dain continued to say, "I’m asking if you want to just die like this? Are we going to die like this?"
At that exclamation, everyone responded with their resolute answers.
"We haven't heard from the mayor yet. But will we just let this happen to us? Or will we show them what we’ve got first? ...To endure, or to act?"
"TO ACT!"
Their voices overlapped, forming a massive echo.
Dain said, "Are we going to run and stay silent? Or do we bleed and die today to fuel the ongoing revolution? Silence, or revolution?"
"REVOLUTION!"
Dain raised her fist.
"Then let's show those who ignored our ultimatum! Today, we will be remembered forever!"
A massive cheer echoed through the city hall square.
***
Eldar said, "It's now unstoppable."
"Yes," Sung-Woon replied.
The two were in Eldar's private quarters.
Eldar's space consisted of multiple rooms, and where the two of them were currently could be seen as Eldar's living room. Overall, it resembled an open garden with an artificial sun, but uniquely, living trees grew into geometric shapes, forming chairs and tables, making the place look like an extension of nature.
When Sung-Woon suggested monitoring the protesters, Eldar willingly agreed.
Eldar said, "But I still find it strange. Wouldn't it be more effective if we directly led the protesters like Lunda or Jang-Wan? Those revolutionary forces have actually achieved results."
Sung-Woon agreed. The winds of revolution were blowing, but Hegemonia's response was top-notch. Such revolutions were common events that took place before entering the second half of the game of The Lost World. Many games ended even before reaching that point, but if one wanted to secure victory, the response to such revolutions had to be thorough. And the outcome of such revolutions varied based on which side leaned more towards equality, enjoyment of disruptive gameplay style, and the timeliness of the situation.
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