Chapter 486: Chapter 306: High-Risk Factor
The sudden arrival of the Star Association’s emissary brought an instant silence to the command tent.
This was a secret position of the Salvation Army’s Southern War Zone, protected by a Matrix Barrier created by a Great Sage from the Alchemy Realm. It was so effective that not even American satellite Investigation Mirrors could detect it. Yet, this man, carrying a briefcase, had appeared out of thin air inside the tent. After a smiling greeting, he pulled up a chair and sat down at the conference table, looking for all the world like he was ready to join the discussion.
The leader of the Salvation Army raised his eyes, watching the "Any Door" slowly close behind the man. He pondered for a moment before asking, "What are the Star Association’s instructions?"
"The Star Association wants to make a deal with the Salvation Army."
The emissary got straight to the point. "The Star Association wants to reclaim the Return Ball. Without Havier to guarantee it, we don’t want a destructive Weapon of this nature to be at large, especially during such a sensitive period.
In exchange, North Carolina will lift its lockdown law and restore freedom of entry and exit.
Simply put, you trade the Return Ball for North Carolina’s open borders. I trust you all understand which is more important."
The faces of the high-ranking officials present showed their astonishment. ’Lift the lockdown law? Has the Star Association already spoken with the King of North Carolina?’
"If Enoch agrees, then we naturally have no objection," the leader of the Salvation Army said with a nod.
Enoch was the President of North Carolina and its only Crowned King. He was the one who had enacted the lockdown law, and only he could rescind it.
North Carolina had been closed off for a long time. The Star Association and the international community had exerted considerable pressure on Enoch and the North Carolina Government. But regardless of deals, negotiations, or threats, Enoch had always stubbornly refused to lift the lockdown law, his stance incredibly firm.
Yet now, the Star Association had come to their door, claiming that North Carolina would open up if they just handed over the Return Ball. Based on the Salvation Army leader’s understanding of the Star Association, they never acted without preparation. Since they were already here, the terms with Enoch must have already been settled.
For the firm Enoch to have to yield and rescind the lockdown order, it was clear the Star Association was playing for keeps and was determined to reclaim the Return Ball. Under these circumstances, it would be unwise for the Salvation Army to hold out any longer.
"We have already settled things with Mr. Enoch," the emissary replied. "As soon as the Salvation Army hands over the Return Ball, he will rescind the lockdown law immediately."
The leader of the Salvation Army considered for a moment, then asked, "Is the Star Association going to intervene in the North Carolina civil war?"
"The civil war is your own affair. We only deal with the Crystal Disease and other factors of instability."
"I understand." The leader of the Salvation Army nodded. "Is there anything else?"
"Since you agree to the exchange, please sign this document." The emissary placed the briefcase on the conference table, opened it, and took out a document and a fountain pen engraved with the Star Association’s emblem, handing them to the leader of the Salvation Army.
The document’s contents were very simple, just a few short sentences stating that the Salvation Army was willing to trade the Return Ball for North Carolina’s open borders. Below the text was Enoch’s signature.
Just as he had suspected, the Star Association had approached Enoch long ago and used certain methods to make him compromise.
The leader of the Salvation Army uncapped the fountain pen and wrote his name on the contract. He then recapped the pen and returned it, along with the document, to the emissary in a neat and orderly fashion.
"The contract is signed. Someone will be by later to retrieve the Return Ball. Please notify your people on the front lines to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings.
My work here is done. I’ll be going now. I wish you all a pleasant evening."
The emissary packed his things, stood up with his briefcase, and a doorway immediately materialized behind him. He turned, pushed it open, and walked through without a backward glance, closing it behind him.
A moment later, the Any Door disappeared.
In the silence, a high-ranking official spoke in a low voice, "The Star Association’s timing is too convenient."
No sooner had they received news that the Poisonous Sore Gang had taken the Seventh Military District and reclaimed the Return Ball, than the Star Association’s emissary showed up at their door to sign a contract. Something about it felt very wrong.
Very wrong.
After all, the Return Ball had been in the hands of the North Carolina Government this whole time. Logically, the Star Association should have gone to them to retrieve it. Instead, they waited until the moment the Salvation Army had reclaimed it to show up.
’It was as if... they were deliberately waiting, creating this opportunity for us.’
With North Carolina lifting its lockdown, the biggest beneficiary was undoubtedly the Salvation Army. They could recruit from International Mercenary Corps and even seek help from some of Havier’s old friends. The pressure on them would be reduced significantly.
The leader of the Salvation Army took a sip of tea and gently set his cup down. "The Star Association has its own plans. Pay them no mind. We just need to focus on our own business.
The moment the lockdown is lifted, contact the Omega, Red Dragon Army, and Dark Night Werewolf Mercenary Corps. Also, reach out to the Crowned King in Australia. He has a grudge against Enoch; he might become a powerful ally."
"Yes."
·
「Seventh Military District. Underground Laboratory—Containment Area.」
"What? We have to hand over the Return Ball?"
Zhou Chen was stunned when he heard the news. ’This thing is our ultimate Weapon for deterring the North Carolina Government! How can we just hand it over so easily? Oh... the Star Association wants it. Never mind, then.’
But when he heard the Star Association’s terms, Zhou Chen was taken aback. He couldn’t help but feel that there had to be Salvation Army supporters within the Star Association, using this roundabout way to support their cause.
It wasn’t just him; everyone found it strange. If the Star Association was afraid the Return Ball would destroy North Carolina, why didn’t they reclaim it from the North Carolina Government sooner? Why wait until after they captured the Seventh Military District to show up... ’Aren’t they blatantly helping us?’
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