Episode 623. A Damp Social Lynch Mob (2)
Of course, if Icarus had heard such talk, he would undoubtedly have chuckled in bewilderment, saying something like, “What on earth are you talking about, Gaygay?”
This is because the reason Icarus couldn’t use the Unlimited Mercenary Force was simply due to the ‘conditions’ of the Quest, which forced him not to use it.
Now that the Quest has been automatically cleared by the passing Leviathan Fleet, isn’t it up to Icarus whether or not to use it?
Moreover, aside from such stories, other users were sending disapproving glances toward those who were spreading rumors of a feud between Icarus and the Pirate Empress, fueled by baseless conjecture.
<h4>[Thread Title] Aren’t You Just Spouting Strange Nonsense?</h4>Author: Anonymous
Content: [Image of a frog with its tongue clicking while making a strange expression]
Your logic is extremely flawed.
You claim the Unlimited Mercenary Force can’t be used, but the reason given is weak and bizarre.
To suggest that their relationship with the Pirate Empress has soured is also ridiculous. Are you joking?
<h5>Comments</h5><ul>
<li>Ah, you just want to believe that anyway~</li>
<li>[laughs]</li>
<li>“Anyway, my words are correct, so what?”</li>
<li>[King-like attitude](Author)</li>
<li>It’s not working because there’s no clear logic behind this; it’s all based on assumptions, Anonymous.</li>
</ul>
<h4>[Thread Title] Now, Kids Acting Like Jjut-Gang .txt</h4>
Author: Viagra
Content: [Same image as above]
They’re not basing their arguments on clear facts, but instead using a method like, ‘Just assume it’s true without any basis.’
And they think they’re being harassed by fanatics of Icarus.
But seriously, considering the size of the enemy fleet, wasn’t it obvious that the Leviathan Fleet alone was enough, so there was no need to use the Unlimited Mercenary Force?
Furthermore, when Icarus mobilized the Defense Fleets later on, it was clearly to block the retreat routes of the invading Pirate Alliance forces, not for support from the Leviathan Fleet.
I don’t know why people make such a fuss over nothing.
<h5>Comments</h5><ul>
<li>[Real laugh]</li>
<li>Ah, here come the clueless ones again.</li>
<li>[d*mn, anyone can see you’re spewing nonsense seriously, so it’s infuriating. End of discussion.] (Author)</li>
<li>[Wait for it… Fact bombs incoming!]</li>
<li>[f*ck off!] (Author)</li>
<li>Look at them rushing in to comment with nonsense.</li>
<li>[Icarus fanatics do it for fun, but these guys are hardcore zealots.]</li>
</ul>
Stories were circulating wildly, but summed up briefly, the current gallery situation could be described as users getting annoyed and arguing against the overly speculative reactions of some “anti-Icarus” users.
What these users found most absurd was, unsurprisingly, the story of a rift between the Pirate Empress and Icarus.
<h4>[Thread Title] What’s the Basis for Saying There’s a Rift Between the Pirate Empress and Icarus??</h4>Author: Anonymous
Content: [Images showing the Imperial Guard ships of the Pirate Alliance docked at Daedalus]
Common sense dictates that if the Pirate Empress had a falling out with Icarus, would the Imperial Guard ships still be docked there?
[Image of a muscular frog yelling at another fallen frog to think]
Think! Think!
<h5>Comments</h5><ul>
<li>These kids only know one side of the story. [Really]</li>
<li>[What are you talking about?]</li>
<li>Even if the Imperial Guard fleet is strong, it’s impossible for them to defeat the Daedalus fleet with only around 5,000 ships.</li>
<li>But considering the mobility of the Imperial Guard, it might be possible.</li>
<li>First, they’d need to undock from their current position.</li>
<li>It’s annoying how they just proclaim ‘anyway, it’s true’ without evidence.</li>
</ul>
<h4>[Thread Title] Isn’t It Obvious That Icarus Wouldn’t Have a Falling Out With the Pirate Empress?</h4>
Author: Anonymous
Content: [Image of ‘Marian’ with a noticeably pregnant belly]
I saw this recently when visiting the Pirate Alliance. The Pirate Empress is pregnant.
Considering the timeline—her noticeable pregnancy two weeks ago—and Icarus announcing the birth of twins…
Isn’t it clear that they’ve been having s*x?
Even if it’s not confirmed,
How could their relationship be bad if they’re having s*x instead of fighting?
<h5>Comments</h5><ul>
<li>If they fight, Ju-Ji will scold them [dramatic].</li>
<li>Having a child together and still fighting seems unnatural.</li>
<li>Still, it’s not confirmed, right?</li>
<li>[Do you know what deductive reasoning is?] (Author)</li>
</ul>
Roughly in this manner, users attempting to spread rumors of a feud were crushed with fact-based counterarguments.
Disappointed users began rising up everywhere against the increasingly boring debates about Icarus and his Unlimited Mercenary Force.
Soon enough, the so-called “anti-Icarus” faction, which had been fueling these debates across communities, quickly lost momentum and became deflated.
In fact, beyond just losing momentum, they kept trying to assassinate characters with unconfirmed information.
<h4>[Thread Title] Please Don’t Spread Malicious Rumors</h4>Author: Arkadia
Content: [Image of about 150 users banned from the community for a week]
I see people trying to bury others with unfounded stories.
Please cool your heads before returning.
Next time, if you stir up trouble again, it’ll be a 15-day ban.
<h5>Comments</h5><ul>
<li>The moderators are active now!</li>
<li>Kyaa, Leader!</li>
<li>Finally doing their job!</li>
</ul>
<h4>[Thread Title] Conspiracy Theories Are Boring</h4>
Author: Betelgeuse
Content: [Image of 37 users banned for a week]
From now on, bring more interesting stuff.
<h5>Comments</h5><ul>
<li>Honestly, it was pretty boring, right?</li>
<li>[Agreed]</li>
<li>Even Loki’s clan often engages in conspiracy theories, though…</li>
<li>We don’t do such obvious and boring stuff [seriously].</li>
<li>[d*mn confident disclosure]</li>
<li>[So what can you do about it? lol] (Author)</li>
<li>[Agreed, it was genuinely boring.]</li>
</ul>
With the moderators stepping in, the agitators and anti-Icarus factions were swiftly suppressed and banned, bringing an end to the nonsensical drama.
However, this did not mean that these users had abandoned their beliefs.
Being deflated does not equate to disappearing entirely…
<h4>[Group Name] Association for Revealing the Truth About Icarus and His Unlimited Mercenary Force</h4>[Notice: The truth never disappears]
<ul><li>Yeah!</li>
<li>Ah!</li>
<li>Although we weren’t heard much on the gallery, let’s have sincere discussions here.</li>
<li>Is there anything to discuss?</li>
<li>Well, yeah.</li>
<li>Without the Unlimited Mercenary Force, Icarus can barely handle 5-6 people, right? [laughs]</li>
<li>[Real laugh]</li>
<li>Also, although they didn’t directly express opinions, people agreeing with ours sent large amounts of resources and gold.</li>
<li>Oh really?</li>
<li>[Image of large resources and gold received via mail]</li>
<li>What are we supposed to do with this?</li>
<li>Obviously, they’re suggesting we build mercenaries or fleets and attack.</li>
<li>No idea!</li>
</ul>
As a result of gaining ‘suspiciously wealthy’ sponsors(?),
Icarus cannot use the Unlimited Mercenary Force.
= Icarus, the one-tool mercenary, is just trash.
= If we take out his main force, his empire will collapse due to mental breakdown.
Such a miraculous formula formed in their minds, leading some conspiracy-theory-addicted users to treat it like scripture and launch a direct assault on Icarus’ territory.
They aimed to ambush Icarus’ fleet, including the Hreðsvelgr II, which was out for leveling.
