Chapter 838 - This Game Is Too Realistic

Chapter 838: A Substitute for the Real Thing After leaving the military camp, the veteran soldier made no stops and headed straight back to the inn. It was 8 PM, four hours before the agreed meeting time. Standing at his door, he knocked five times in the pre-arranged pattern of three long knocks followed by two short ones. After a two-second wait, the sound of a towel being wrung and the rustle of clothing could be heard from behind the door, followed by footsteps approaching it. The door opened just a crack. Seeing Pangolin standing outside, Penny finally exhaled a sigh of relief and disengaged the safety on her pistol. Her deep brown hair was damp, with beads of water still clinging to her cheeks and neck. Through the door crack, the veteran soldier noticed a wooden bucket filled with hot water, a towel draped over its side, and a few personal items of clothing nearby. Honestly, this guy had quite the sense of calm—to be taking a bath at a time like this. But sometimes, being laid-back isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Especially when worry accomplishes nothing; staying calm is more important than anything. Slipping into the room, the veteran soldier gently shut the door behind him. Noticing his gaze lingering on the wooden bucket, Penny's face flushed slightly, but she overcame her shyness and softly asked. “...The inn brought warm water. Do you want to… wipe down a bit, too?” Situated in the tropics, the climate was sweltering. She had spent all day in a robe, sweating all over, and had no choice but to wash up. Though she'd already used the water in the bucket, now was not the time to fuss over such details. However, just as she overcame all her mental hurdles, the man called Pangolin merely glanced around the room before stating simply. “We need to relocate.” Penny was taken aback, and her expression instantly turned serious as she promptly moved toward their luggage. “Relocate? Did the negotiations fall through?” “No.” “Then why...” Though her mouth was full of questions, Penny had already started packing. “Abusek needs to discuss matters with others from the faction and then plan a coup against Janush. There are two uncertainties: whether they can ‘reach an agreement’ and whether the ‘coup will succeed’.” This was a gamble that required two coin flips. Only if both coins landed heads would they truly be safe. If he were alone here, it wouldn’t matter much. If they failed, he would choose a stylish and untraceable way to disappear, creating an excuse for his escape. But with Penny by his side, he had to be extra cautious, cherishing the rare “revival token” that was not to be used unless absolutely necessary. While packing his own belongings, the veteran soldier concisely explained the outcome of the negotiations and the current situation. As for the alliance part, he chose to omit it, since it wasn't something that could be explained in a few words. If she was curious, she could ask her father instead. However, Penny seemed content to trust him entirely and asked no further questions. Carrying her packed luggage, Penny looked at him nervously and asked. “Where are we going? To the safe house?” “Safe house? They might start another fight there. Right now, the entire city is unsafe... We need to leave first and return once both coins have landed.” The veteran soldier checked the bullets in the magazine, tucked his pistol into his pocket, and Penny nodded tensely as she followed behind him, glancing around the room one last time to ensure nothing was left behind. Whether it was just her imagination, she felt like she was doing spy work. No, more accurately, she was following a spy as a war correspondent, joining in on the job… Outside, the streets were under curfew, all doors and windows tightly shut, with only the occasional patrol carrying torches passing by. However, these patrolling soldiers were not very professional, and avoiding them was quite easy. At least for the veteran soldier. He was an awakened one with agility as his attribute; his reaction speed and vision far surpassed these potentially "night-blind" locals. Together, they slipped away from the inn under the cover of night, crossing several streets until they reached the outskirts. The houses were getting sparser, and the map symbols became increasingly abstract. At the edge of the woods, the veteran soldier was about to push through the thicket when he suddenly halted, motioning for silence with his hand before crouching down swiftly. Penny mimicked his movements, crouching behind the bush, carefully controlling her breath while vigilantly surveying their surroundings. What on earth was happening?! She couldn't see anything, and it seemed like nothing was there, yet the alert expression on Pangolin's face was no joke. He had even drawn his pistol and flicked off the safety. Determined not to hold him back, she tried to make as little noise as possible. Minutes ticked by, about five in total. The veteran soldier finally sighed in relief, re-engaging the safety on his pistol and quietly returning it to his pocket. “All clear... They weren’t after us.” “What happened just now?” Penny asked in a hushed urgency, voicing the confusion bottled within her. “A group of unidentified armed men passed to our southwest side, about forty or fifty strong... They were equipped with exoskeletons, light and heavy weapons, and optical camouflage. They looked somewhat like Free State people.” “Free State?!” Penny was momentarily stunned, whispering, “What’s this got to do with them?” “How would I know? Maybe they were buddies of those guys hanging on the city gate... These troublemakers always show up unexpectedly, probably taking on some outrageous commission.” Mercenaries from the Free State were frequently entangled in various wasteland affairs; however, aside from leaving a trail of bodies, they didn’t seem to have any significant impact, to the point where the alliance didn’t particularly like dealing with them. Their motivations for being here warranted attention, but now wasn’t the time to complicate matters further. Once the soldiers were far enough and hadn’t discovered them, the veteran soldier gently tugged Penny's hand, signaling for her to follow before pushing through the thicket and proceeding along a previously scouted path… ... At the same time, as the “delegation” from the legion was retreating from the capital, Lion King Abusek hurriedly arranged a meeting with faction members: Horse King Sharuk, Leopard King Nigri, and Tiger King Duwata. The rendezvous was at the same tent near the barracks, and nobody guarded the entrance except Abusek’s most trusted Anwar. Stepping into the tent, the brawny Tiger King Duwata’s face was already clouded with displeasure. “Our private meetings aren’t wise. With Janush’s suspicious nature, if he finds out, he’ll certainly grow distrustful.” Leopard King Nigri grinned, raising an eyebrow at him. “What? You scared?” “Hah,” Tiger King Duwata sneered, “If I were scared, would I be involved in this head-losing venture with you lot?” “Calm down, both of you. I’m more interested in hearing our esteemed Lion King’s insights than your empty banter... What pressing matter called us to your presence, dear Abusek?” Horse King Sharuk shifted his gaze to Abusek, his slyly narrowed eyes resembling a shifty fox more than a stoutly browed horse. Currently, five kings were stationed near the capital: Lion, Horse, Leopard, Tiger, and Bull, three of whom were Abusek’s allies, including himself. They had collectively pushed Janush to the forefront, advising him, which led to the formation of the Celestial Army today! The only non-ally was Bull King Amil. That guy was fiercely loyal to Janush, just like Anwar was to him. However, the human heart is a mystery, and one can never truly know if it's genuine or an act. But such considerations hardly mattered. So long as they were all in the same boat, even with ulterior motives, they would obediently help steer it forward. Surveying the trio present, Abusek spoke slowly and deliberately. “Just now, I met with people from the Bands.” The tent fell silent, save for the crackling of a tea-brewing stove. Three pairs of eyes fixed on him, all reflecting surprise and vigilance. The first to speak was Horse King Sharuk. Locking eyes with Abusek, he murmured. “Oh? And what did you discuss?” Abusek replied calmly. “They’ve offered us a path to survival.” Tiger King Duwata scoffed. “Do we need guidance from those softies whom even the Wailant people disdained?” Abusek did not deny the statement but continued. “It wasn't necessary before... but now that the Southern Legion has tricked us, this path has become crucial.” The three kings exchanged glances. Finally, Leopard King Nigri squinted at him. “What do you mean?” Abusek pointed to a photo on the table. Once they looked over, he continued. “Three battalions have arrived. The equipment that’s supposed to be turned over to us is piled up at West Sail Port... Do I need to spell out their intentions? We're just their kindling; their ambition is greater than we imagined.” Tiger King and Leopard King showed expressions of surprise. Horse King Sharuk hurried to the table, picked up the stack of photos, and quickly flipped through them. His face initially showed surprise, then gradually turned to seriousness. Given the technology outside the Polos Province, these photos might be fabricated. But if they were real, they were in for big trouble... It wouldn’t be hard to verify the authenticity—just send someone to take a look. Horse King Sharuk glanced at Abusek, swallowing hard. “... Could they really take over the entire Polos Province?” The Polos Province had a population of hundreds of millions! Ruling this land wasn’t a matter of simply coloring a map. Abusek slowly nodded. “I think they might be crazy... but that's how it looks right now.” Upon hearing this, the expressions on the faces of the three kings finally changed entirely, gravely etched on each of their faces. Sure, they had ambition; otherwise, they wouldn't have staged a rebellion. However, despite being former soldiers with ideas about changing the empire, they wouldn't recklessly bury the entire empire along with their ideals and ambitions. “... Mr. Barnoth is still willing to help us?” Horse King Sharuk asked skeptically, his eyes filled with doubt. Abusek, in a soft voice, continued. “He's disappointed in us, understandably so. We betrayed him and killed many Vylanteans. But, sensibly, he doesn’t wish for the legion to be dragged down by people like us. More would die, squandering all his efforts…” Leopard King Nigri spoke gravely. “What is the path he’s offering us? Honestly, it’s too late to backtrack now. We can't let Janush remain on the throne; once he’s free, he’ll come after us first!” “Exactly, you're right. Janush must die; it’s time for him to go.” Abusek nodded, addressing the three kings. “They want us to act quickly, switch allegiances, and side with the alliance.” The kings expressed surprise—not just over the proposal to side with the alliance, but also about acting “quickly.” They had indeed planned to defect, but only after the Celestial Army had overthrown the empire, right? Leopard King Nigri frowned tightly. “Before the civil war ends? If we create chaos within ourselves now, who knows what will happen with the seven kings fighting outside!” Abusek firmly stated. “Forget about them for now. We need to immediately switch flags, address the issue with Janush, and clear any association with the Celestial Army.” “Will the alliance accept us?” Horse King Sharuk soon asked his most concerning question. Compared to the seven kings outside, the attitude of the new patron was his top concern. Abusek shook his head. “I don’t know, but Barnoth assured me that they have reached an agreement with the alliance. The alliance will restrain several forces within their power to halt the ongoing civil war until the legion withdraws.” Horse King Sharuk bit his lip, weighing the pros and cons before looking up to speak again. “That sounds promising... We need time, but will the alliance keep their promise?” Abusek remained silent for a while before speaking truthfully. “If they don’t keep their promise, they’ll have to face the legion alone... I’m not 100% sure, but compared to the Southern Legion sneaking behind our backs, the alliance appears more reasoned to keep a promise.” By this point, he wasn’t naive enough to think he was the only one clever enough to be sly. Yet, weighing the pros and cons, the alliance more likely seemed trustworthy. The tent fell silent again, each of the three kings lost in deep thought. After about ten minutes, it was Tiger King Duwata, who hadn’t spoken in a while, who broke the silence. “When do we take action?” Though he said just one sentence, his firm tone suggested complete readiness. Seeing no objection from the other two kings, only silent gazes fixed on him, Abusek felt relief within, proceeding to lay out his long-planned strategy. “Let’s wait for the alliance envoy to arrive...” “We must show them Janush’s true colors and make clear we are different from him.” ... The night quietly flowed, and unbeknownst to all, another peaceful night passed in the capital. The three kings discreetly returned to their camps, making hurried preparations for the upcoming operation. There wasn’t much need for meticulous preparation. The Celestial Army comprised mostly a motley crew; internal command structures weren’t even refined thoroughly, making leadership changes relatively straightforward. Taking out the current head with a loyal few already onboard wouldn’t be difficult. If they dared to act. If moved quickly enough, mere hours would suffice... While the capital buzzed with underground movements, after three days of waiting, the delegation from the alliance finally arrived in the heart of the capital, long anticipated by Celestial King Janush. Amidst the flurry of welcoming staff, four newcomers swaggered through the western gate of the capital. To ensure no “grit” entered the eyes of the alliance’s “important figures,” Janush had cleared out all the residents from the street between the west gate and the palace, replacing them with his own, those wearing bandaged arms. But Janush would inevitably be disappointed. The “important people” paid no attention to the actors lining the streets; all their attention focused on the "palace" hovering in mid-air. “Wow... Using a starship as a palace.” “Such a genius!” Pipe’s dog and the stick’s trouble stirred in light-hearted banter, while the warrior wolf merely focused on taking pictures, wide-eyed. Although heard of on forums, witnessing it firsthand was way more impactful than hearsay! As for Sharp Eagle, he spent his journey conversing with the Celestial Army’s guide, gleaming lots of intel amid casual chatter. The delegation was politely welcomed into the palace’s main hall, where they soon met the legendary celestial king. True to reputations, the man was a smooth talker, articulate enough to convince many to follow him loyally. After some small talk, Janush, sitting on his throne in the hall, launched into an enthusiastic speech about his dreams. It included plans for establishing a utopian society of equality on the land of Polos Province. It also included how he intended to make this dream a reality. All previous small talk seemed merely a precursor for this persuasive discourse. Having described his utopian vision, Janush immediately expressed his desire to establish diplomatic relations with the alliance, seeking their support. In plain terms, he wanted financial backing! Aside from money, he also demanded urgently needed military supplies, foodstuffs, and other resources for his army. According to the celestial king, they didn’t need these supplies to fight their own people; it was to counter the legion landing at West Sail Port. If Sharp Eagle hadn’t noticed whose weapons these men had while entering the capital, he might have believed Janush’s deceitful words. Trying to tap into the alliance’s gold? Kid, you’re too green for this! Finally, as the endless speech wrapped up, Eagle sighed softly and responded. “Sorry, Mr. Janush, we cannot meet your request.” Grandiose declarations met a sudden chokehold. Janush stared wide-eyed at him, managing a response only after some effort. “Why?” Before the alliance envoy could answer, Janush hastily continued. "You advocate for equality just like we do! Why won't you acknowledge us?" Janush was genuinely agitated. If he wasn't desperate, he wouldn't have gone to such lengths just to meet a group of envoys. For the Janush Empire to survive in this precarious position, it had to cleverly maneuver between the Legion and the Alliance, exploiting the weaknesses of both in a strategic game. This had been his strategy from the start. The Celestial Army had to pretend to lean towards the Alliance to pressure the Legion into acknowledging them and prevent them from breaking treaties with the Alliance and corporations and deploying troops directly. Without the Alliance’s involvement, the forces Janush commanded would be inadequate for a standoff against the Legion! Far-Sighted Eagle sighed and patiently explained. "Honored Mr. Janush, you might have misunderstood something. The Alliance is not a nation, nor is it a religion..." "What we care about isn't the slogans you shout, but whether the rights of survival for the survivors here are genuinely safeguarded." There was another unspoken truth: the current Celestial Army couldn't represent the survivors of Polos Province. These survivors seemed more like hostages coerced into the chaos, rather than participants by choice. The Alliance truly didn’t care who governed here, whether it was a chieftain, a king, or a president, but it certainly couldn't come to terms with “kidnappers.” In that regard, this Celestial King and the Southern Seas’ Charas were quite similar. It was only the names that differed. Janush clenched his fists. "What more do you want? I've distributed land to them! Do you want me to feed it directly into their mouths?" Far-Sighted Eagle nodded. "That's commendable, but if you can grant land with a word, can't you also reclaim it with another?" Janush was taken aback. "Then what do you want?" Far-Sighted Eagle patiently advised. "These things need to be built step by step. If you truly wish to join us, you don’t need to replicate our outcomes. Start by cultivating the land with them, ensure people are well-fed, clothe them in clean garments, educate them... Allow those bound to the land for survival today to have the freedom to leave this tethered soil tomorrow." Janush relaxed his tense shoulders, leaning back against the cold, hard throne, rubbing his brow. "That's for after the war, once stability is achieved, we will naturally...." Seeing this guy continuing to spin tales, Old Eagle shook his head helplessly. Perhaps the Administrator was right. They truly should minimize interference with the locals, letting them forge their own future as much as possible. For the people here, lying seemed almost second nature. Like a young cuckoo instinctively pushing other eggs from the nest upon hatching. An innate behavior. It's an instinct animals developed to escape Darwin’s rules, an evolved necessity for survival. Their nature might not be inherently bad, but the harshness of the wasteland had forced them to evolve this way. A sword can’t kill ideals, but lies can. Effortlessly. "... Certainly, you can wait until the end of the wasteland era to do it, but if some things can’t be realized now, perhaps it’s better not to dwell on them." Pausing, Old Eagle looked at Janush, examining this king of the Celestial Army. "In reality, you don’t need our acknowledgment. We’ve never endorsed any entity, nor compelled any survivor group to mirror us. If survivors here voluntarily formed a management system akin to ours, we would gladly share our experiences with you..." Janush excitedly stood. "We want to be like you!" The normally silent Old Wolf couldn’t help but interject. "Then release those Lunar prisoners and retract your previous commands... We’re not blind. We can see. Do that, and we might believe you once." Janush replied without hesitation. "Those are imperial criminals! How can I simply release them? What would others think?" Old Wolf continued in his reasonably fluent Federation language. "What about the Moon People? They aren't particularly related to you, are they?" Janush hesitated, almost nodding, but then he recalled how many Moon People women were awarded to his subordinates. He didn’t particularly care about those rewards, but now wasn’t the time to touch those people. After a moment’s silence, he softened his tone. "That's a remnant issue from the previous dynasty and takes time to resolve. You understand, such matters can't be decided impulsively... But I promise, once we reclaim the entire empire, we will immediately abolish all inequities from the imperial era." He wasn’t lying about that. When the whole empire was under control, he’d have the bandwidth to deal with those who aided him in rising. For now, however, it wasn’t the time yet. Old Wolf’s lip twitched slightly. Good grief. This was selective "impulsiveness." He was still too young; these NPCs could be even craftier than real people. Sensing the strained atmosphere in the hall, Old Eagle quickly took over the conversation. "... Let's conclude today's meeting. We have been traveling from the river to here, on boats and then by horse and ox carriages, and understandably, we are exhausted. Besides, we need to communicate with our superiors, as we can’t make decisions alone." Their goal was already partially achieved, no need to rush now. The Legion’s envoy should have already met with Abusek. They now needed only to wait patiently for the latter to decide... In the meantime, they would also attempt to find someone like Anwar, to gather and secure evidence of Abusek’s collusion with the Southern Legion. This evidence, just like the Boreal’s report on the survival conditions of the Lowell Camp survivors, might not ultimately be used but was crucial to hold onto. It served as a deterrent. It was also a last resort to tearing things apart. Janush didn’t press them to stay, reclining back on his throne and adopting a more cordial tone. "Please, rest. By the way... We've prepared a residence for your stay." Clearly, he hadn't given up. A delegation alone couldn’t decide much; ultimately, it depended on the decisions made from Dawn City. Leaving a favorable impression with the envoys was crucial, and that’s why he went to such great lengths. Old Eagle mildly nodded. "We appreciate your hospitality, but we've already booked lodging in the suburbs." Hearing this, Janush laughed warmly, speaking kindly. "Those inns are for merchants; they don't even have direct hot water supply, unsuitable for distinguished guests like you. Besides the palace residence, I've arranged some local entertainment, which I'm sure you'll enjoy..." These were Lamasu’s prized possessions, some not even touched by him or himself, reserved for special esteemed guests. Naturally, the culture of the Polos Province was discreet, and Janush didn’t express himself too directly. Yet, the implications and his suggestive tone left little ambiguity. He intended to show them some "colorful" offerings. Dog of the Pipe, focused on the subtitles, lifted his head abruptly, looking at the NPC with surprise. "Whoa, really?!" Previously prone to complaining in Mandarin, he unexpectedly uttered this in his still rough Federation language. Old Stick next to him was taken aback, quickly yanking his sleeve. "Whoa, you planning to part with your helmet?!" Old Dog: "???" Not understanding their exchange, Janush simply chuckled, winking at the envoy whom he resonated with. "Of course it’s true... Trust me, I've got good taste." Seeing Old Dog, caught in his internal conflict, Old Eagle coughed and intervened. "No, no... This place brims with ominous vibes. I've had a cough ever since entering; I definitely won’t get any sleep." He still had some boundaries. Moreover, betting his helmet on something solvable with money seemed unnecessary. Thrills weren't worth seeking this way. Janush was momentarily confused, unable to fathom the link between ominousness and coughing. He hadn’t sensed any ominousness; perhaps only some kidney problems lately. Watching Old Eagle's refusal, he lost no time pivoting. "You are too kind! The survivors of Polos Province are incredibly welcoming to you. It would be such a shame if you didn’t get to experience that—" Before Janush could finish his sentence, the hall was interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps. "Enough of this, Janush!" "I could smell the stench of decay on you from the entrance!" At the thunderous shout, the master of ceremonies turned towards the door, only to be startled at the sight of the person standing there, nearly collapsing in fright. A sharply dressed officer stood at the entrance of the hall, flanked by soldiers armed to the teeth. They entered like a pack of ferocious wolves, exuding an almost tangible murderous intent. Now, Janush truly understood what “murderous intent” meant, as it was clearly written on the faces of those before him. The sudden turn of events caught everyone off guard. Whether it was Janush or the Alliance representatives, all stood frozen, unsure of what was happening. The guards in the hall quickly stepped forward, wanting to draw their weapons and confront the intruders, but were immediately stopped by assault rifles pointed directly at them. After glancing at the pistols strapped to their hips and then at the superior firepower arrayed against them, they were forced to lower their hands, unable to fight back. These men came fully prepared! Their safeties were off! Eyes wide in shock and fingers locked onto the armrests of his throne, Janush slapped his hand on the armrest and stood, shouting, "How dare you! Who the hell are you!?" Undeterred, the fierce gaze met by his own, Anwar stared back unflinchingly. "My name is Anwar." "Anwar? Some nobody from nowhere—" Before Janush could finish, the crack of a gunshot cut through the air. Eyes wide with disbelief, Janush looked down at the hole in his chest, then collapsed back onto the throne. For a moment, his mind went blank, flashes of many things passing like a revolving lantern. Suddenly, he seemed to grasp something, glimpsing a fleeting truth, but it was too late to speak. It was already too late! "Bang—!" Anwar, holding the pistol, aimed at Janush’s chest, pulling the trigger again with grim resolve, followed by another shot, then another... firing until the magazine was empty. The gunshots resonated through the palace, like bells tolling in a cathedral. The surrounding guards and officials watched in shock as their valiant celestial king twitched on the throne like an electrocuted kangaroo, finally collapsing limp in a pool of blood. Like a piece of tattered cloth. Silence fell over the scene. Dead... The celestial king was dead just like that?! Not even a week had passed since he took the throne... All, including Far-Sighted Eagle and the Alliance envoys such as Rabble-Rouser, were left in a stupor by the sudden dramatic turn of events. Especially the former. He was aware of Abusek's conspiracy, having collaborated with Pangolin for intelligence, yet he had never anticipated the conspiracy would be so blunt—a lone handgun. This was outrageously simplistic! Of course, being able to storm in unobstructed, there was an invisible hand at play behind them. Eagle’s mind raced, quickly piecing together all known clues. Anwar’s chest heaved heavily, eyes locked onto the lifeless body, throwing the gun to the ground with a force matched by a warrior’s fortitude. He boldly faced the now mute corpse and blood-stained throne, shouting, "I rebelled to change the empire, not to replace it with trash like you!" "If there's blame, it's on me alone. Punish me as you will!" He knew well that death wasn’t in store for him. Abusek wouldn’t let him die—at least not in this act. That’s what his “advisor and confidant” Isher had assured him. As his words faded, the chaotic patter of footsteps sounded from outside the hall. Hundreds of people rushed in, rifles raised, surrounding the more than twenty individuals at the entrance tightly. "What the hell did you do! Do you even know what you've done?!" The centurion leading them, eyes bloodshot and brimming with rage, aimed his weapon unwaveringly at Anwar. Unmoved, Anwar held out his hands. "I know exactly what I did. I’ll confess, but I won’t regret it." "All was for the billion people of Polos Province." The centurion gritted his teeth for a moment then refrained from violence, pulling out chains to lock Anwar in. The other twenty soldiers offered no resistance, dropping their rifles promptly and surrendering alongside their chief, soon pressed to the ground. Moments later, another wave of footsteps stormed through the hall’s entrance, a figure falling to his knees before the throne. "Your Majesty! Your Majesty!!!" Crying his heart out, the man pressed his forehead against the ground, pounding the floor with his fists. The watching guards and officials couldn’t help but show sympathetic glances. Dog of the Pipe glanced at Stick Brother, whispering quietly. "I bet this one’s Abusek." Stick Brother chuckled softly. "Wrong guess." Old Dog looked at him in surprise. "Huh?" Stick Brother leaned in slightly, whispering in his ear. "This isn’t a court drama; they're unlikely to enthrone another celestial king, but simply raising a new flag won’t win enough support... Just wait; the one coming on stage now is likely to sing the dark-faced role, while the fair-faced role of Abusek is still preparing behind the scenes." The act wasn’t particularly novel, though not exceedingly cliché either. Though only the beginning had played out, he felt he already foresaw the ending... To be continued.