Datch took the Infinity Gauntlet from his game inventory and used the power of the Time Stone to examine the past of the dead.
He saw the staff member in charge of the screening process classifying applicants into different tiers.
The rich were given priority. Those willing to sell their bodies were also given priority. Those who had nothing and no motivation were left in a corner to gather dust.
He also witnessed gang members who had secretly infiltrated the New Safe Zone and become supervisors using their power to obstruct other people's activities and seize profits.
Every one of these incidents was extremely hateful. Even if they were killed, there would not be the slightest regret.
How long has it been since the New Safe Zone was established?
In just a few months, corruption had already resurfaced.
Those who had once been oppressed, upon gaining power, eagerly learned from the former powerful and wealthy and devoted themselves to oppressing others — sometimes even more harshly than before.
In the end, no matter how noble the founder's original intentions may have been, and no matter how perfect and strict the established order may have been,
as time passes, corruption and degeneration will inevitably occur.
This is a weakness of human nature, the destiny of civilization, and a curse that even idealists cannot escape.
Datch put away the Infinity Gauntlet and looked at Curze. Curze's eyes were pitch black.
The other person was also staring at him in the same way.
"They are guilty, but they should not be punished by lynching." Datch had no intention of blaming Curze.
Of course, he was here to change Curze's fate.
Just because a few villains died, are we supposed to seek justice for them ourselves?!
Is the Player some pure and innocent existence that worships truth, goodness, and beauty?
"Give the people the authority to hold trials and let the people themselves make the choices."
"They are dull and cowardly."
There was not the slightest contempt in Curze's tone — only objective certainty, as if he were stating a law of physics.
"If you let them do as they please, corruption will gradually seep into everything you create and ultimately lead to complete collapse."
"They will cover for each other for their own benefit, fight over power, and turn a blind eye to evil for the sake of comfort. They will forget their original intentions, betray their ideals, and become exactly what they once despised. That is human nature."
Curze stared intently at Datch, his gaze growing sharper. "You should know this better than anyone."
Datch shook his head and said patiently, "There is only one thing that must be endured."
"That is, the world is imperfect, and absolute justice does not exist."
In fact, if they had followed Curze's methods, Nostramo would have entered an era of remarkable efficiency.
No one would have dared to possess more wealth than their neighbors, and no one would have dared to cross the warning line Curze had built with countless corpses to commit crimes.
In a sense, Curze had used terror to transform the hellish Nostramo into a beautiful world where no one stole.
Anyone who tried to steal would have their intestines torn out and be hanged from a streetlight the next day.
Unfortunately, all of that beauty was shattered by the arrival of the Emperor.
The moment Curze left Nostramo, all of his crimes were exposed and he was brought down.
He himself was subjected to prejudice in various forms.
Nostramo rapidly fell into corruption and reverted to its former dark hell.
That terrifying nature drove the Imperial officials stationed there to madness.
The fact that Nostramo's decline had begun again was a decisive blow to Curze.
He pessimistically believed that humanity was beyond saving, and that no matter how hard one tried, the result would be the same.
At Datch's words, Curze slightly furrowed his brows, and a look of disappointment appeared deep in his eyes.
"If justice is not absolute, then where is the right to call it justice?"
"If not every criminal can be punished, then what meaning does the law have? If order cannot eradicate all evil, then what is the difference between order and chaos?"
"You established a New Safe Zone, overthrew the old system, wiped out the gangs, and enacted laws. Was it all to create a perfect world? Was it all so that justice could be realized?"
Datch did not immediately respond to Curze's rebuttal. He waited until Curze finished speaking before slowly opening his mouth.
"The irregular shape of stones is a law of nature. Human nature is also complex and changeable. That, too, is a law of nature."
"We cannot make every stone completely regular, nor can we make human nature completely pure."
"All we can do is polish the stones, round their edges, and make them as uniform in shape as possible."
"Human nature does not change. What we should do is guide it and build a relatively better order in this imperfect world."
"Then it is meaningless," Curze said dejectedly. "Everything you have built cannot save a future that is headed toward ruin."
"What the future becomes is up to you," Datch said. "I know you have the ability to foresee the future, but what you are seeing is only one possibility among many."
"The future can be shaped and changed. With the right methods, the future can be altered."
When he heard that the other party knew about his future-sight ability, Curze was stunned for a moment.
But when he heard the other party say that the future could be shaped, he immediately became irritated.
The future he had envisioned had almost become reality. How could it possibly be changed?
Seeing Curze's expression, Datch smiled.
"If you don't believe me, let's play a game."
Curze raised his head. A look of wariness floated in his black eyes.
"A game? What kind of game?"
Datch spoke in a calm tone. "This is a game about choices and future possibilities."
"I will show you that the future you foresee — that extremely dark future which cannot be changed and is destined to happen — is only one example among countless possibilities."
"What happens if I lose?" Curze asked.
"You lose. From now on, you must follow my orders. If I lose…"
Datch paused for a moment and pointed at Ferrus. "Then he will listen to what you say."
Ferrus: ...
Uh, betting with Curze is fine, but why did you bring me into this?!
I, the Emperor's tenth son, Primarch of the Iron Hands, Lord of Medusa, the great Iron Father…
You're using me as a betting stake. Have you ever considered my feelings even a little?
Curze glanced at Ferrus and shook his head. "I don't want to use him as a betting stake. My condition is that if I win, you must listen to what I say."
Curze pointed at Datch.
Ferrus's expression grew even darker.
What does "I don't want to use him as a betting stake" mean?
Being disliked by my brother like this made him tremble with anger and cold.
Remember this. You may ignore me today, but someday you'll be desperate to get my attention.
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He desperately wanted to smash the heads of those two bastards with his iron fists.
Datch ignored Ferrus's inner monologue, which was rich enough to be turned into a movie, raised one eyebrow, and nodded.
"If you insist that much, fine. I'll give in. From now on, I'll listen to what you say."
"How do we play?" Curze asked.
"The game is simple. There is a dice game in Nostramo's casinos where you roll the dice and bet on 'high' or 'low.'" Datch called a person over and handed him a dice cup.
"This person is about to roll the dice. Curze, you only need to predict whether the result will be high or low."
"If you get even one correct out of ten rounds, you win."
"High or low, just a guess?" Curze looked at Datch and felt that the other party was either making fun of him or deliberately trying to lose.
You should know that when you roll the dice, it will either come up high or low, each with a 50% probability.
If you get one correct out of ten, you win.
Isn't this a guaranteed victory?
"Yeah. If you win even one round, from now on I'll listen to what you say," Datch said.
Little Batman, little Batman, today I'll show you the harsh reality of society.
With the Time Stone in hand, how could I possibly lose?
Even if I examine every timeline, I'll just find the one where I lose ten times in a row and carry it forward into the future.
"Really?" Curze looked at the other party with a surprised expression and asked again for confirmation.
Datch nodded and said in a firm tone, "Yeah, no mistake."
Curze examined the humans and the sieve, confirmed there were no problems, and nodded.
"Alright, I'll do as you say. I hope you won't break your promise."
The match began. At the start, Curze was overflowing with confidence. In this match I hold the advantageous position, so it will be difficult to lose.
"In the first round, I'll bet high."
"..."
Ten minutes later, Curze saw the dice cup open and the result come up low. The strength left his legs and he collapsed to the ground, roaring toward the sky.
"No… that can't be, that can't be!!"
"How could I lose ten times in a row in such a simple game?!"