Chapter 335: Countering Moves
In the grip of fear, the rationality of intelligent beings tends to falter, making them susceptible to panic-driven actions and they are prone to blindly following others.
Before long, the Riken citizens had emptied the shelves of all essential goods in major markets. Those who managed to hoard supplies felt somewhat reassured, while those who missed out were consumed by deeper fear. The latter, being far greater in number, began to stir unrest.
Thankfully, due to the wartime state, the military intervened swiftly. Through rationed and scheduled distribution of resources, the brewing chaos was suppressed before it could escalate.
Just as President Antonio heaved a sigh of relief and prepared to use the opportunity to eliminate his opposition, new sensitive information was leaked.
If not for the risk of further unrest and dissatisfaction, Antonio might have cut off network access altogether. The Rikens lacked an exact proverb like “Water can carry a boat but can also overturn it,” but they understood the principle well enough.
Though Antonio was the most powerful figure in Riken society, if he overstepped and stood against the people, he could meet the same fate as former President Derlin in a matter of moments.
Thus, despite being overwhelmed, he worked tirelessly to calm the populace. Unfortunately, the leaked information this time was explosive.
The Swarm’s Proposal for Surrender!
Facing the seemingly invincible Swarm, what should the Rikens do? If the matter had been kept confidential, there would have been room for negotiation and maneuvering. But now, everything was out in the open, under the scrutiny of all Riken citizens, leaving almost no room for strategic adjustments.