Allies.
Nick didn't know what he should think of that word.
The governor had told Nick a lot about the world, but these were things that were just far too distant.
When one looked into the distance, one could see where the governor was coming from.
Humanity needed the Champion of Light.
The cities were created to further humanity's survival and strength.
All the governors were agents of Aegis, and Aegis' goal was to protect humanity.
The Specters were extremely dangerous, and humanity had to fight against them.
All of Aegis had to work together against the Specters.
'But doesn't that sound way too pure and one-sided?' Nick thought.
'All of humanity working together?'
'All humans are working to deal with the Specters?'
'Everyone is acting in humanity's best interest?'
While Nick thought about these things, images from his past showed up.
People who couldn't pay the blood tax were turned into husks by the mosquitos.
Extractors that could kill whomever they wanted from the Dregs just for some credits.
Manufacturers that squeezed every bit of money they could out of the normal people.
'For the good of humanity,' Nick repeated in his mind with abhorrent disgust.
The governor's words sounded very idealistic.
However, the governor was also quite persuasive and good at convincing people of his viewpoint.
Maybe Nick would have bought what the governor said…
If it weren't for Simon Francium.
Simon Francium had told Nick things that he would never forget.
'No organization is without internal conflict, and Aegis is not an exception,' Nick repeated Simon Francium's words in his mind. 'Many of the Protectors are forced to fight for humanity. Without the Shields keeping them suppressed, most of the Protectors would just stay inside a city and keep being normal Extractors.'
'They wouldn't even try to fight against the Specters that view humanity as their enemy.'
'They would only care about catching Demons and normal Fallen to increase their power and the weight of their pockets.'
These were the words that Simon Francium had spoken to Nick.
'Meanwhile, the governor talks like Aegis is one unit, and whatever it does is for the good of humanity.'
'He talks like he thinks of me as an ally and that he tries to do his best to support humanity as a whole.'
'Yet, at the same time, he is willing to increase the blood tax, which results in many people and children getting sucked dry just so that Kugelblitz can have a single-digit percent of increase in profits.'
'He never pushed to have the Parasite removed, just speaking empty words of encouragement.'
'He talks about Debilify, a disease that makes life unlivable, but doesn't truly try to find it.'
'Everybody knows that one of the Manufacturers has a secret Specter that gains power by spreading the disease called Debilify.'
'Every person in the big meeting knows that.'
'And yet, he just says that we need to find a cure and that we need to find the cause.'
'He never does anything about it.'
'Simon Francium doesn't even trust him. Instead of tasking the governor with finding the secret servant of Envy, he tasked a random John to find it, me.'
'The most important thing that Simon said was that Aegis is forcing compliance upon all Protectors.'
'Without Aegis' iron fist forcing the Protectors to help, humanity would be fragmented and weak.'
'And isn't this city exactly how a world without Aegis would be?'
'The governor is trying to work together with the Manufacturers. He's obviously giving them leeway in some things and expects compliance in other things.'
Nick felt deep revulsion.
'Why should a murderer be allowed to commit two murders per year just so that they don't commit ten?!'
'The murderer shouldn't be allowed to commit any murders!'
'If the murderer doesn't comply, he will die!'
'The good of humanity and the good of the community rule above all!'
'You can't focus a big group of people onto a common goal without forcing them!'
'The governor is a weak leader.'
'I am not on the governor's side.'
'I am on Aegis' side!'
'Humans are inherently selfish, and by giving several people the power to decide humanity's pathway, said pathway will inevitably lead to their bellies growing fat and their pockets heavy.'
'Humanity needs a strong leader with a good and selfless mentality, and from what the governor and Simon Francium said, the Champion of Light is such a leader.'
'He forces the Protectors to protect humanity or die, and he only allows the people he believes in to become Shields.'
'Aegis is the reason why humanity still stands.'
If Nick hadn't learned so much from Julian over the past two years, his face would have shown an obvious expression of disgust.
As it stood, he looked at the governor with his usual respectful eyes.
'You're not part of Aegis,' Nick thought.
'You're someone working for Aegis, acting like a paragon of humanity, but in truth, you're just protecting your own position and wealth by not offending anyone that can threaten your life.'
'You hang so much on your life and your wealth that you don't even dare to think about doing something that Kugelblitz or Anatomy don't want.'
'Why don't you go through with the words you say and actually look for the hidden Specter yourself in Anatomy or Kugelblitz?'
'So what if they suddenly start going crazy and doing horrible things?'
'If they do anything horrible, you just kill them!'
'Many lives will end in the process, but that can't be avoided.'
'The people in the present might resent you, but the future generations will view you as a hero!'
'If you want to get rid of the decaying piece of flesh in your torso, you will inevitably cut out some healthy pieces as well.'
"You think I'm your ally?" Nick asked in surprise.
"Your connection with Aegis suggests so," the governor said with a nod. "Are you not?"
Nick nodded.
"I am on Aegis' side," Nick said.
The governor sighed.
"I'm glad to hear that, and you don't seem to be lying."
Silence.
"Nick, would you be interested in working for the city?"
