Chapter 768 - 48: Unfurling the Banner (Part 6)

"Global tension escalates once again: President Barnes of Mei Country has issued a joint declaration with nine states declaring independence, accusing President Ellis of betraying his people and sacred law, colluding illegally with foreign powers."

"President Ellis retorts that it’s President Barnes, colluding with the Atlas Group and engaging with outsiders, particularly African Americans."

"The United Nations Security Council has refused to withdraw the space airship and declared that the national unity of Mei Country is the primary cause of global chaos. They have an obligation to assist President Ellis in quelling the civil unrest and urge other countries to impose economic sanctions on the breakaway states, aiding the world friend, President Ellis."

"In response to the bombing of the Atlas Group in New York’s New Future District, the company issued a statement: they would not turn a blind eye to the atrocities.

Prior to the upheaval, the company was a leader in the global high-tech industry, with achievements in multiple fields such as energy, pharmaceuticals, and prosthetics.

Due to its owner Lille Lee being wanted by President Ellis, the company has been delisted from the Mei Country stock exchange, although the European stock exchange continues to keep its registration and remains silent on President Ellis’s actions."

"...Uh... Breaking news, civil war erupts in Latovia; rebels have surrounded the capital of the region..."

"The name might seem unfamiliar, but it just resurfaced in last week’s news. Let me refresh your memory:"

"Atlas Group’s owner Lille Lee attended a European Union meeting last week following the bombing in New York."

"These rebels seem to be proclaiming allegiance to a new king..."

"Indeed, it’s Lille Lee."

...

"The Voice of Mei Country reports, the situation within Latovia has plunged into chaos as local conditions deteriorate rapidly."

"According to front-line reporters, Lille Lee, dubbed ’Doctor Doom,’ was spotted in the area supplying weapons to the rebels."

"Reports indicate that Cyber Technology Company and Peak Technology Company have already provided military aid to the local government army, while United Nations peacekeeping forces will be entering the region soon."

"Meanwhile, Constitutional President Ellis and their supporters declare: ’This is the essence of Doctor Doom’s existence; wherever he goes, that place falls into turmoil.’"

"’The uprising has shattered the harmony of this tranquil Eastern European nation, disrupting the ecological balance between its people and nature. It’s worth noting that despite years of chaos in Eastern Europe, this place has never experienced war before.’"

"’We see clearly who brought about the war.’"

...

"BBC News brings you the latest global situation update: After the founder of Atlas Group returned to Latovia, a new wave of rebellion erupted locally."

"It is reported that this insurgency is organized by locals, who can no longer tolerate the violent repression and searches carried out by the rulers."

"Now, they have raised a new flag and crown Lille Lee, a young man with half Latovian heritage, as their new king."

"President Barnes of Mei Country declared through a special communication line that this is a righteous cause; the locals have long been oppressed, and it is the people who choose the leader, not the leader who chooses to decide the people."

...

"Breaking news: United Nations-commissioned peacekeeping forces on their way to maintain peace were destroyed by unidentified flying objects. According to returning footage, it’s Doctor Doom!"

"The United Nations issues a stern condemnation, while Doctor Doom refuses to communicate!"

"He even stated that, if necessary, he would declare war on the entire world!"

...

The capital of Latovia.

This capital is backed by mountains, their elevation exceedingly high, with snow covering the slopes year-round.

Relying on this natural barrier, the capital enjoys peace in war-torn Eastern Europe but remains impoverished.

However, the height of these mountains means nothing to Lille; this is the best observation point.

[Speaker Schulz: The United Nations said you destroyed their peacekeeping forces’ tanks at the border yesterday...]

[Lille: I’ve said it before, whoever intervenes, dies.]

[Speaker Schulz: Lille, you’re too strong-minded...]

Slam, Lille hangs up the phone.

Looking down from the mountains, tens of thousands of rebels have completely encircled the decaying capital, with torches and lighting tools flickering around it, forming a vast siege camp.

At night, the capital falls into silence, dark compared to the bustling siege camp:

The siege camp is vast, bright, and lively:

Centuries of oppression left them little time to gather together, as the Iron Knights and brutal guards swept through every corner, they could only flee...

Now, the king’s banner has been raised, and they are amazed to find that some among them are astonished to discover their relatives, friends, and children are still alive!

Those who survived sang, danced, and embraced each other with tears of joy, but some found their former friends or relatives in the kill records:

Not everyone would choose to resist even until death; compared to scrabbling for survival, submitting to tyranny, and gaining an advantage over others is also an enticing option.

After all, such thinking is not uncommon: work is work, isn’t it all for survival?

Andre sat on a large rock, holding his son, gazing at the gun in his hand, lost in thought:

He had two very good friends, one of whom became a lackey of Vladimir years ago, and another was like him, wandering with the tribe.

Before the banner was raised, the fates of the three were dramatically different; the lackey showed off his power, the other was packed into the Iron Knight, and he...almost watched his son get kicked to death.

If he didn’t want to witness such a scene, he would have had to kill another innocent person...

This land was always so harsh and unreasonable, but now it’s different.

Instinctively, he raised his head and saw the banners flying in the camp, suddenly feeling a unique sense of power.

"...Dad?" His son lifted his head groggily from his father’s embrace, "Where are we?"

"In... the king’s camp, did you dream?"

The boy wrapped himself in a blanket: "I feel like I’m dreaming..."

"But this is no dream... As long as we strive, it won’t be a dream."

Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud—

Heavy yet distinctive hoofbeats sounded, the whirring of drone rotors echoed in the air...

"Citizens of Latovia!"

Christopher swiftly rode through the camp, his resonant voice amplified by the voice prosthetics in his throat, reaching every corner of the camp!

"Raise your weapons!"

Wherever the steed went, people picked up their weapons and gear at hand—

Even though they hadn’t received training, their movements weren’t synchronized, this scene was still full of power:

This was the cohesion Latovians had never felt before!

"The king is about to launch the attack!"

Whoosh—

The gale howled, a massive sonic boom cloud shattered the clouds, revealing the moon hidden within the cloud layers!

Boom!

Circling the camp once, everyone could see his stance in flight, finally, Lille landed at the forefront of the siege camp!

The guards on the city walls trembled at the sight of Lille, this man was practically divine!

His metallic body shimmered coldly under the moonlight, green cloak and cape swirling wildly in the wind, he looked at the battle-ready citizens and raised his hand high, lifting the King’s Blade as dazzling as the sun:

"The capital is right ahead, cowards and tyrants lurk within, we shall charge forward ceaselessly until the tyrant’s head is claimed, until we reclaim our rightful home!"