The Degree
Paradoxes

At the moment Arthur is strategizing and observing the situation as best he can. There are a lot of things that need to be addressed, especially about the search for bombs that are still subscribed.

“I don't know the exact number about the number of bombs but the search continues to find some.”

The bomb is not a bomb set with time is a fortune. Even so the troublesome part was that they couldn't offend Haiyan at the moment.

That person would be able to easily threaten to detonate the bomb if Arthur acted right now. Therefore they chose a stagnant situation, until finally the idea of negotiation emerged.

“If they accept this negotiation then there is no doubt taking it a step further. The current priority is not to let civilians get involved.”

The reason negotiations are requested is for that. With the existence of hidden bombs around Jakarta, it means that the residents of this city become Haiyan sandra.

Arthur had used a lot of his time to think about this situation deeply. There are so many things to deal with, especially about Ray that he believes will make a move soon.

As his head was filled with various thoughts, someone barged into his tent. The soldiers tried to stop him but they seemed unprepared and failed to do so.

“Arthur!”

The voice that was hasty yet also so weak for some reason. Arthur asks the soldiers to let him and leave them.

“Air, Ben. What do you guys want?”

Arthur did not know why the two came in such a hurry, but what made him curious was about Indri who looked so exhausted.

That's confusing, they shouldn't be able to just leave without Arthur knowing.

“How is he currently doing?” indri asked, hurried but seemed so exhausted that it was difficult to speak clearly.

“What do you mean?” Arthur had no idea what Indri was trying to mean.

“Negotiation ... how about it?”

Arthur himself did not know about it, once the discussion came the news came at the same time.

His phone rang and relayed a call about the outcome of the negotiation. Surely, Arthur did not believe that it was a complete failure about negotiations.

But the worst part was that Haiyan's representatives refused to accept the negotiations and instead challenged Ardianto to a duel.

“Berduel? What did the general do? There's no way he'll take it, right?”

Accepting the duel at this time was not a wise choice. The priority is to secure the bomb that has been deployed. Making the battle break out now was a bad move for Arthur.

“No, reverse ... The general accepted the challenge and is currently fighting empty-handed with him. The general advised that he would win it and save the president.”

Arthur quickly turned off the call and kicked the table in annoyance.

“Sial! Why is he in such a hurry?!” Arthur forgets the presence of Indri and Ben in front of him.

“Sial, so it has started, yes?” indri. “I hate to say it but I'll help you with this situation, Arthur. Let's stop everything before everything breaks!”

The rupture that Indri meant was chaos that would occur. It seems that not only Arthur, but Indri also understands very well what will happen starting from this second.

Everything will not only be an army battle against ******, but also among Degree users. Right, this is an all-out war.

And, Arthur is worried that this war will be full of tragedies that he does not want.

“I would certainly do anything to do it, but I don't know what reason you're suggesting that. What's your intention?” asked Arthur cynically.

Although at this time they can be regarded as colleagues, but Arthur is not that easy to accept his hand. From the beginning they were enemies, and it was difficult to place trust in him.

“I can't tell you why but I swear I'll help you with this. There are things I can't let.”

Indri kept talking, on the other hand Ben was pretty much silent. Maybe because he was in the phase of preparing to use his Degree. From what Arthur knows, Ben took some time to be able to use his Degree again.

“I can't agree to it for no apparent reason. There could have been someone who moved you to take action like this.”

It is clear that it is likely that Indri and Ray are connected. All of this could have been in the planned scenario. Therefore Arthur did not try to involve Indri about the operation in the field directly.

“You know that you are not in a position to ask for something, right?” continued Arthur.

Indri seemed troubled because he was obviously so reluctant to state his reasons. The clearer the look on the face, the less Arthur wants to involve him.

Not out of fear of losing him, Arthur's worry is that someone will stab him in the back.

“I can only say ... There are people that I don't want to lose anymore. It's enough for me to lose three valuable colleagues, the rest don't.”

Arthur furrowed his brows unhappily, “You mean some of your people are on that side?”

Indri shook his head and explained about Hiroshi that Haiyan had arrested for spying. He also gave an explanation if the battle broke out now then it would be difficult for Hiroshi to be able to stay alive.

Arthur finds it hard to believe but he finds no reason for Indri to make such a lie. You could say that story is believable.

“We don't have time anymore, gather your people before the situation here gets even more miserable!”

“I know this is going to get worse but why are you so hasty? What drove you so far?”,

Arthur also questions the reason why Indri seems so tired and suffering. For him to sleep all these things are very suspicious.

“Don't say you can't say it. I would never accept such an excuse.”

Indri seemed to bite his lips in annoyance and a little irritated. Arthur felt the woman as if standing at the top and suddenly someone pointed her to stand on the edge of the abyss.

The superiority that he and his group had miraculously nearly fell like this moment.

“Kergh,” Indri bluffing her teeth. “Pict like this. I knew everything that was going to happen from here on out. Although not complete but I saw some incidents that will happen.”

Arthur furrowed his brows ever deeper, he began to think about the meaning of the sentence. The answer was already there but he did not believe it was possible.

“It's impossible ... you said look? See the incident that will happen?”

“Of course I don't guarantee knowing everything. All I see is something like movie footage. I don't know the reason the situation came up, but ...,”

“If it's been like this I can firmly say it ... The marshal will lose the duel, and the fire will blaze because of the battle. Blood will spill.”

Arthur was silent a thousand languages, Ardianto's defeat was unpredictable. He was a great general with five stars, if faced by a fight then it was hard to imagine a figure like him being defeated.

It's just that the belief can be broken if the one facing it is a Degree user. Arthur certainly understands that the Degree is more than just a mere title.

“I've got an idea of your Degree. Although it does not make sense I will try to believe it,” said Arthur, do not pursue further. “If you want to cooperate, then tell me what will happen later. I'm sure I can change at least a few things.”

If the Degree really works according to its function then Arthur believes himself able to change the future seen by Indri. After all, in many stories, the main character is able to surpass everything.

Even so Arthur finds that Indri does not have a face that is sure about it. He seemed reluctant to say anything he saw.

“I can't do it. It's my vow not to tell anyone about all the things I've seen in detail.”

“Why is that so?” ask Arthur.

Indri explained that the future is formed through various human actions that a person does and creates the future, the result of his actions.

“I assume conversations, plans and other things are small events.”

Through the many small events that occur, a large event is created as a result of each small event. Just as the separated threads begin to form a very strong thread.

“I've tried to do a few things, change a few things and you know? Everything no longer goes with what I know.“

“What do you mean?” ask Arthur.

“If one of the little threads that created the event I saw was cut off, then all parts of that event would change. I will no longer know what the future will be like unless I look again for the second time.”

Arthur begins to catch what Indri has to say. In short, the slightest change can change the future. It's just that it's ambiguous, there's no certainty whether the future changes for the better or vice versa.

“I've done a lot of trials, and the last time that proved it was the last incident at Open World, where you fought against Virgo.”

“I've done some small things and the future results that I see diverge because there are some small events that don't go as they should.”

Arthur crossed his arms and nodded in understanding, “You avoid people knowing full details about whatever happens in the future to avoid paradoxes. Up to here I understand it.”

“Yes, therefore I must be a good observer and begin to predict where these small events are flowing. Normally I would make a big event happen but change the outcome slightly. As was your argument with Ray.”

Arthur had long been suspicious about it. As she attempts to uncover a murder case before the release, she is already firmly convinced that Ray and perhaps Erina are the mastermind.

But somehow miraculously that person is Indri and Ben. Arthur felt as if he were witnessing a magic trick.

‘So I should have revealed Ray by then, but this woman took action to change him.’

In addition, Arthur feels that Indri is so exhausted maybe because of his Degree. A large force can pose no small risk. That was Arthur's belief.

“Everything should go the way it should, yes. I'm not going to pursue that any further. However, I will put you in a position where you can't do anything bad. Especially for my colleagues.”

Arthur has a way of doing it, where betrayal will not happen. Although it hurt his heart a little, but for the good of all then there is no choice.

Arthur made a call to someone and asked him to come to his place immediately. While waiting for the man's presence, Arthur holds a meeting for a strategy meeting with several Degree users who join him, as well as the military.

Indri and Ben are left to join forces and listen. As Indri said, he would only take a stand as an observer. His vow to not interrupt anything while changing future results makes every little event go the way it should.

“We'll start the meeting. According to reliable sources, General Ardianto will most likely be defeated by representatives of the *******. We have to think of a plan and action that we have to take later.”

Arthur explained the situation clearly and concisely, without any of his words being in vain. Sure, until some people oppose it.

“Marshal defeated? No kidding! Do you underestimate Marshal Ardianto? He is the number one army in the country and impossible to defeat!”

“Although you and your friends are a boy who is so trusted by the general, it does not mean you can say as many things as you like!”

“Don't insult our general, you snot boy! You're so young, don't know anything.”

Arthur kept quiet until they kept talking. Of course, some things cannot be disputed.

“Kencur boy like you don't know what it's like to be on the battlefield and be in a life-and-death situation!”

BRACKET!

Arthur kicked the table strongly, creating an atmosphere of silence around him. The soldiers were silent over his actions which might be considered disrespectful.

But the other Degree users stared intently at the soldiers. The last thing one of them said was something unacceptable.

Not only by them, but also Indri, Ben, and Arthur himself.

“I ... we know how hell.”

“Hah?”

“We know hell very well where death can come when you are fast asleep or eating dinner. We know very well what it feels like to be in a situation like a battlefield. Leaving the wounded for their own lives.”

Sadness, anger, strong determination, hope, and betrayal. There is not a single Degree user who does not understand that feeling.

If these soldiers were to boast about their experience of encountering various miserable situations such as battles.

Only, Arthur and the Degree users in this tent also have a similar experience. Maybe even theirs is more painful.

“Different from the General, you don't really understand that things are starting to change. Not only civilization, but humans are also starting to change.”

Change is not something that is easy to accept or realize. Arthur understood a little of this.

“In the future you will probably understand and know, what kind of hell we live.”

Talking about things like this is not something that is good or can be proud of. For Arthur himself, telling this was the way he hurt himself.