Enforcer Manual
Chapter 328: The Glory of the Past_1

Chapter 328: Chapter 328: The Glory of the Past_1

No one knew how the battle between Aljom and Esinvig would develop, but everyone present understood that a fight between the leaders of the two armies would be cataclysmic.

As the Fourth Neutral Country had unique geographical conditions, the worst scenario could even cause the collapse of the "sky" above.

Yet even so, neither of the subordinates from both sides stepped forward to intervene, instead preparing themselves for battle.

It wasn’t until a figure pushed open the door and entered that the impending fight was halted.

For a normal person without Spiritual Energy, the residual waves from the clash of Spiritual Energy between the two would be like a typhoon. Nevertheless, Veirdo, with his remarkable willpower, staggered forward, breaking through the layers of hurricane to reach the center of the storm.

As a mere "mortal," his will was so strong that it astonished Lu Xiang.

Having endured more than a decade of dark, sunless imprisonment, on the very first day of his successful escape, he put his own life at risk to confront Aljom—the leader of the Rebel Army who had once pulled him down from the leadership position—at the risk of being killed instantly if Aljom so wished.

They watched as each other’s silhouette braced against the wind pressure and disappeared behind the door, their back figures tinged with a tragic air.

"Do you think he can succeed?"

Lu Xiang was a rational and pragmatic person, yet this time, she unexpectedly harbored ideas filled with romanticism.

To use the body of an ordinary mortal to stop a war.

"I don’t know."

Song Lan said, having been caught off guard by the spiritual shockwave earlier. He had thought they might have to face both Aljom and Esinvig at the same time, considering they were both fugitives with bounties exceeding a hundred million, but he hadn’t expected the two to start fighting each other first.

This tense atmosphere did provide them an opportunity, however.

"I have an idea."

He glanced at Lu Xiang, "We’ve come this far; aren’t you curious about what this ’Sun’ they keep obsessing over really is?"

............

Elsewhere.

"You haven’t changed at all in these ten years, Aljom."

Veirdo looked directly into the other’s eyes without flinching.

"You’re the same."

Aljom couldn’t even bother to give Veirdo a proper look. "What has the Rebel Army promised you this time? Hand over the ’Sun,’ and they’ll help you break out of prison and then help you rebuild your homeland on the surface?"

"At least I have the courage and the determination to return to the surface to live."

"Hah, the idle fantasies of a politician, you don’t understand this world at all."

Aljom scoffed. Such conversations had happened countless times between them. In his view, the fundamental issue was that Veirdo simply didn’t understand the risks of living on the surface.

With their power, they were far from being able to contend with the United Government. The only result of such actions would be allowing the ’Sun’ to fall into the latter’s hands, numbing their people with false hope.

"The truly ignorant one is you! Not long ago, the Twelfth Nation withdrew from the Neutral Country alliance, freeing themselves from the control of the United Government. There’s turmoil within the Sixth Nation, and the voices against the intervention of the United Government are growing stronger. Soon, they will follow the Twelfth Nation’s example!"

While the United Government remained powerful, its control over "externals" was gradually declining.

The failure of the Six Stars rescuer, Wild Bone, both in terms of power and confidence, had dealt a heavy blow to the United Government. From that simple report, Veirdo saw real hope, "This is our best chance to return to the surface and to live without being under anyone’s shadow... but, you are utterly unaware of the changes above."

Veirdo looked around.

Aljom’s office still maintained the atmosphere of the pre-war era, the medals on the wall representing the outstanding contributions he had made to the nation. It could be said that without the Cavalry led by Aljom, the Fourth Neutral Country would not exist as it does today.

"After that, what else did you do? Ignoring the voices of the people, hiding here, dwelling on past glories."

"Without the ’Sun,’ we would lose everything."

Aljom noticed the change in his subordinates’ expressions. Though subtle, it pierced his heart like needles. He had never feared anything—not the jailbreaking Veirdo, nor a full-scale war with the Esinvig Army. Something else was what truly affected him.

Veirdo’s words, like an incurable plague, ignited the spark within people’s hearts to live on the surface again. Over the next decade or so, no matter how many times he extinguished these sparks, they would flare up again.

And now, it seemed this "plague" had spread within his own army.

Therefore, he had to emphasize the importance of the "Sun" to the nation once again in front of his subordinates.

He was the one who truly took a practical approach.

"That’s precisely your problem," Veirdo said sharply. Even as darkness enveloped him completely, he showed no sign of stopping. "In your eyes, the ’Sun’ surpasses everything, even the people. You’ve got it completely backward."

Having witnessed the emergence of the "Sun" from nothing, enduring the long Third War, and seeing everything he knew turned to rubble in explosions, Veirdo understood the importance of the "Sun" better than anyone.

It was the spark that allowed them to continue after the nuclear war.

From the day it was created, the "Sun" bore the mission of bringing them hope and continuity.

"Yet, you turned it from a spark of hope for the people into a cage of fear for everyone. Take a good look, Aljom, what have you done over these years?"

Darkness completely swallowed Veirdo until his voice disappeared.

Aljom’s face turned extremely grim, for he quickly realized that the voice hadn’t vanished completely but was spreading rapidly in the room like a plague.

He heard a voice from behind him.

"General, I believe the actions of the intelligence department these past years have indeed been excessive."

"They’re pushing the people against us."

"Perhaps we could adopt some other methods."

...

The murmuring stopped abruptly.

Hands composed of shadow seized each speaker’s neck, lifting their bodies into the air.

"Look, here stands a man deserted by his peers."

The Esinvig who enjoyed stirring things up whistled casually, commenting to Aishi and others behind him, "This is what happens when you lose the hearts of the people; iron-fisted methods don’t always work."

Aljom ignored Esinvig, "The only thing I’ve regretted over these years, Veirdo... is that I spared your life out of old sentiment. Today, I will rectify that mistake personally."

...

The sound of doors being broken interrupted everyone present.

The intruder, clad in military attire and clearly one of Aljom’s subordinates, was pale and urgent in his tone, "General! Someone has broken into the Energy Center!"

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