Flop and his group discussed matters with such reckless abandon that it made Baimu feel uneasy.
He had a premonition that perhaps he had gained their true trust, and soon some secrets would be revealed to him.
Indeed.
After some contemplation, Liu Ge led him into the office.
The two sat down face-to-face.
"Honestly, I didn't want to tell you certain things so soon. The best scenario would be us resolving everything, while you go on to do what you wish without any burden."
Liu Ge's tone contained some regret, "But unfortunately, I realized it's impossible to completely keep you out of this. The day I took you under my wing, the possibility of secrecy was lost. Luckily, you haven't disappointed me, being swallowed by this town."
Baimu didn't respond, just quietly listened to him continue.
"I have a question: What do you think of Pyrite Town and the entire Ore Region?"
Liu Ge clasped his fingers under his chin, looking at him expectantly.
"Regarding... the entire Ore Region, I'm uncertain, as I haven't been anywhere other than Pyrite Town. Speaking just of Pyrite Town, based on what I've learned about other regions online, I think it should be erased."
Baimu said frankly.
The world of the Pokémon animations is not without its dark sides.
Kanto's Rocket Team, Sinnoh's Galaxy Team, Unova's Plasma Team, Carlos's Flashing Flame Team—these villain organizations either harbor ambitions to dominate the world or have already done something drastically world-changing.
Needless to say, isn't Unova's Plasma Team repulsive? On one side snatching others' Pokémon to release them into the wild, meanwhile crazily exploiting Pokémon's powers, especially under Ghetsis's leadership, who's truly reprehensible.
But compared to these guys, Pyrite Town exceeds them in many ways. Although there aren't large-scale villain organizations here, the oppression of the populace is more terrifying than any villain organization.
Even more chilling is the social atmosphere.
After being influenced for generations, many people here have been thoroughly transformed by power and money, becoming monsters in human skin.
But upon hearing what Baimu said, Liu Ge didn't get angry, instead, he laughed.
"Then how do you think Pyrite Town should be erased? Use Pokémon's power to kill all its people?"
"No, I mean erasing on a level of consciousness."
He shook his head, "To truly make Pyrite Town disappear, people here must realize right from wrong, recognize they are being oppressed, and understand they shouldn't oppress others. What the Pyrite Town People need is a soul-level cleansing!"
Even without the Quicksand Team, there will be the Flying Sand Team, and the Mad Sand Team; unless the social atmosphere is reversed, unless people realize what they truly should do, Pyrite Town will never disappear.
Even if the town is gone, it will revive elsewhere in the future.
Listening to his words, Liu Ge's eyes grew brighter, eventually he couldn't help but clap!
"Excellent! Absolutely fantastic! I really underestimated you; you actually possess such thoughts! No wonder you've persisted till now!"
After all, he comes from a world swept by tumult.
Baimu silently muttered to himself, yet outwardly said, "I just pieced together such ideas from what I learned online, but please forgive the amateurishness."
"No, no, even paper-thin strategies are much better than knowing nothing. Besides, you've personally proven what you said," Liu Ge shook his head fervently. "Returning the money you earned to the impoverished, not being corrupted by dirty and lowly entertainment, not bullying any innocents.
"What you've done, we all see, if everyone in Pyrite Town were like you, we wouldn't have to endure until now."
Baimu was moved, "You all?"
"Yes, we," Liu Ge smiled broadly, "who do you think we are?"
"..."
Faced with this question, he hesitated for several seconds before cautiously asking, "International police?"
Liu Ge, upon hearing this, was slightly surprised and then laughed, "You really continue to surprise me, but this answer is both correct and incorrect."
Before Baimu could ask, Liu Ge continued, "Why correct? Because I and Flop, indeed, have identities as international police and act on behalf of that identity.
"Why incorrect? Because our ultimate goal is to save Ore!"
Suddenly, Liu Ge stood up, raising both hands high, "Times are changing, history is rolling forward, and while the Ore Region certainly isn't lagging in technology, its system is so dark and outdated. If this continues, sooner or later we'll be abandoned by the whole world! We'll become the world's dumpster!"
Becoming increasingly excited, "Currently, all well-known thieves, ruthless Poaching Team, and criminals are flocking to the Ore Region, to fence stolen goods, to hide themselves, why? Because here they won't be punished! This place is a criminal's paradise!"
He said with heartfelt pain, "I absolutely don't wish my homeland to be such a heartbreaking, hateful place, so for all the innocent people, for our next generations, the Ore Region must be reborn! There's absolutely no room for compromise!"
Liu Ge lowered his head, speaking to Baimu, "We can't wait any longer; the mayor of Silicon City is applying to form an alliance, once they clean off the stench, it'll be hard to catch them, you understand?"
The latter, seeing his extremely serious expression, nodded with difficulty, "I understand... but how do you plan to proceed? Can the international police actually save Ore?"
"No, they cannot."
Liu Ge resolutely shook his head, "The international police can't save Ore; only the Ore People themselves can, it's the only way."
He sat down, "You might think we lack personnel, but in fact, we have been preparing longer than you think, striving for tomorrow, we have been working hard for over a decade now."
"Over a decade!?"
"Indeed, saving Ore isn't something achievable in one or two years, to confront the entire society, to cultivate more insightful individuals, our efforts and sacrifices must be counted in years."
Liu Ge exhaled a warm breath, pointing at himself, "You might see me as a leader or a major figure in this plan; you are mistaken, I am merely one of many cogs, driving everyone forward."
Baimu contemplated for several seconds, and said, "So you're saying there are many people like you and Flop within Pyrite Town?"
"Yes, many of them lurking around, just waiting for the right moment. And not only in Pyrite Town, in Silicon City, and throughout the Ore Region, there are people who share our vision."