Miss Beautiful C.E.O and her system-Chapter 696: Deeper stakes

Other than the three powerful nations, with Country A taking the lead as the superpower, there was indeed an organization that went against the huge tide:

a collective alliance named the World Government.

Initially, the World Government was founded by the former powerful countries and their allies after defeating their opponents mentioned above, aiming to ensure long-lasting peace.

Of course, the peace had to be guaranteed according to their own interests.

The Second World War broke out across multiple continents — no land was spared.

The difference lay in the stakes involved, the number of casualties, and the extent of involvement by the warring nations.

Country A, which joined last after being provoked, exploited the advantages of being a latecomer and led the coalition to end the war.

Hence, it secured its high status around the world by assisting others with economic growth and security.

To bolster trade and swiftly revitalize the global economy, Country A invested heavily, aiming to achieve an interdependent situation between nations, albeit with itself maintaining supremacy.

Alyssia, with its deep heritage and history — where the war had begun and spiraled out of control — lost its legendary status of a century-long hegemony by the end of the war.

Its population plummeted, and its military strength weakened tremendously.

Although guarantees of sovereignty and security were promised by Country A, relying on others never truly worked, especially when the other two nations were eyeing the position of superpower.

Decades later, Country A emerged victorious and attained the status of superpower and world police.

However, its two opponents in the east weren't willing to give up. Even in defeat, they were like lean camels — still stronger than many.

While Country R was set backward in time, suffering political turmoil and transforming from a republic to an authoritarian state, Country C rose, owing to its large population and talent pool.

Here, population resources proved to be the most valuable asset in any civilization.

Long ago, in ancient times, countries with massive populations tended to rely heavily on manpower.

"Rely" was a light description; "waste" would be a more appropriate term. Every accomplishment had been speedrun by corpses.

They tended not to care about human death, leading to a mindset where they believed they owned such an abundant supply of talents that losing a few didn't matter.

As the wheel of time rolled on, scarcity eventually exposed this weakness.

In addition to chilling the people's hearts, the neglect of individual talents weakened critical steps necessary for a civilization's progress.

Country C recovered well after realizing its unique advantage. Occupying around 20 percent of the world's population, the upper echelon would have been fools not to exploit this perk.

Of course, initially, many talents were poached by outsiders offering lucrative wealth and grand visions. freēnovelkiss.com

After all, for so long, talents hadn't been properly treated as humans. Sometimes, feudal suspicions had led to countless tragedies.

At least compared to western continents, witch burnings and executions by burning at the stake didn't happen, as they contradicted local beliefs.

However, societal punishment norms still existed: being ostracized for strange behaviors, offending common sensibilities, or possessing knowledge that made one "out of the ordinary."

Particularly extreme were the cases where ruling parties intentionally suppressed academic circles out of fear.

In any case, modern society eventually understood that population was a priceless resource.

Compared to Country A, R, and C — with their vast lands and massive populations — the Alyssia Continent paled in comparison.

If Country A challenged R or C in terms of lining up and peeing, the latter would have flooded the former without breaking a sweat.

Thus, the Alyssia Continent became the one that prioritized human rights and welfare above all, seeking to attract more immigrants to boost its economy and strength.

Still, time and energy weren't on their side. Unwilling to be used as pawns by others, they had to run while others walked — but would the latter really just walk?

Time waited for no one, and the same applied to civilizations. Whoever showed a lack of breakthroughs or extreme conservatism would suffer greatly.

History had spoken of these fundamentals over several cycles, even if humankind never learned from them: arrogance and isolationism — thinking themselves superior and believing they didn't need others.

In order to challenge and secure their status quo, the Alyssia Continent united and formed a union, strengthening scientific, economic, and military ties.

Countries bonded together to stay vigilant, resist oppression, and prevent sabotage by certain parties. These nations, with strong inheritance, weren't willing to cower before a baby civilization with less than 300 years of history.

As a result, each member state's voice became powerful due to their numbers in the World Government, even if veto powers still existed.

Their influence spread to other continents, causing many to seek their shade — to be protected and rapidly developed through investments by the union.

In this way, the Alyssia Union quietly shone its light, gradually building both soft and hard power incognito, while Country R found itself under the spotlight for its authoritarian regime and the spread of dictatorial influence worldwide.

Country R suffered thorough sanctions and suppressions; no one wanted another empire to rise again.

By the time Country A noticed the Alyssia Union's secretive moves, the latter had already launched from the platform.

Naturally, complete decoupling was impossible — hurting each other would only allow others to take advantage.

Not to mention, the Alyssia Union acted strictly according to the rules implemented by the victors; they had broken none of them, leaving no excuse for others to act.

The organization grew stronger alongside the existence of the World Government.

Eventually, the World Government became their voice, with nations from other continents joining as well.

Later, as the threat of the World Government rose, Country A, R, and C "declared" peace and turned their muzzles toward the World Government instead.

Even though peace was proclaimed, unconventional wars broke out — terrorism and surgical battlefields across foreign lands.

Thus, nations rich in resources attracted disasters.

Leaders with vision managed to align with the World Government and protect themselves, but for those already embroiled in conflicts, it was hard to manage.

Despite its ideals and ambitions, the World Government couldn't ignore the three powerful nations.

Still, if the World Government couldn't act openly, they wouldn't allow the three nations to go smoothly either.

In any case, Ling Qingyu was directly considered to be a member from a family related to the World Government.

The family must have been a hidden, powerful one too, based on the inexplicable strength she had shown — armed securities with veteran-level experience, advanced equipment, and devastating final firepower.

The President and the head of his bodyguards couldn't even identify the weapon types — it was technology far beyond what was available to the world.

Even though Ling Qingyu came from Country C, her distinct physical genetic features made associations difficult.

Her height, the blend of eastern and western traits, and her blue eyes set her apart.

As for the traditionally powerful and wealthy aristocratic family clans, nobody associated her with them.

They were too weak to exercise such powers now. Diplomatic soft pressure, business disruptions, and even assassinations were within their reach — but direct hard power against a state, even a weakened one, was far beyond them.

Neither the Rothschilds, nor the Rolux, nor the Washington clans — the President had made contact with them before, in somewhat gray areas.

Thus, the only plausible connection remaining was to the World Government.

Ling Qingyu's actions seemed to contradict Country A's hidden plans.

Although she had done nothing overt, her mere exposure had overturned conspiracies and ruined plans that might have taken years to mature.

Meanwhile, the head of the President's bodyguards — the undercover agent, someone deserving of a Hollywood adaptation — considered cooperating with Ling Qingyu, but was adamant about the balance of cards.

Yes, Ling Qingyu held many cards, while his side had none, apart from resource interests.

Still, small nations had their dignity. Even pawns had to fight hard to gain respect.

Nevertheless, he discovered the dire state of his country, despite his reluctance to admit defeat.

Even if he could cleanse the country's corrupt regime and wash out the filth, would Country A, a superpower, allow it?

Reformists were indeed planning a coup, just as Ling Qingyu had said — and that was why her words had scared him to death.

If word got out, everything they had done and sacrificed would be in vain.

Once Country A got involved — even if only a small faction or group moved — they wouldn't be able to handle it.

The hidden parties merely needed to support the rebels, the former rulers, or simply divide everyone until puppets emerged.

When he thought more deeply, he realized that gaining Ling Qingyu's help could balance their wronged fate — but at the cost of indebting themselves to her hands in the future.

However, could Ling Qingyu truly represent the entire World Government? Or was she part of a particular clan?

He had to investigate further and interact with her more in the future.

This matter must be discussed with other members before any decision was made.

Besides, he had his worries.

Would the World Government truly support a coup leader — a party that gained power through illegitimate, military means?

Wouldn't their existence directly oppose the motto of the World Government?

In any case, the corrupt government had received approval through public elections, despite the manipulations behind the scenes.

In terms of legitimacy, the reformists' prestige was still insufficient.

Alas, after contemplating so much, his head hurt.

He had to placate his disgusting President and hide himself deep.

Ling Qingyu's words reminded him of her stance.

She had indeed expressed her willingness to support his group — but she also supported their enemies.

The reformists needed to make a choice quickly.

Otherwise, with Ling Qingyu's support, the corrupt regime would strengthen its power and solidify its foundations.