Chapter 1088: Chapter 594,
Wang Mengsong suddenly turned around, fixing his gaze on Wu Yang, and said coldly:
"Are you threatening me?"
Though his tone was aggressive, a sudden chill ran through his heart, mixed with some regret.
A mistake.
At the same time, he realized that there was no longer anything he could do. If the negotiation failed, the photos would undoubtedly end up in Politosâs hands, and no argument would clear his name.
Even if he acted immediately, killed everyone here, found the photographer, and destroyed the equipment and negatives, it would be utterly meaningless.
Secret photos, physical film, could be copied; they could be converted into data, transmitted in an instant to distant places, and duplicated countless times...
In fact, the Alliance wouldnât even need to act directlyâshould the information leak, Politosâs rebel informants scattered across this world would retrieve the photos.
The Alliance was shameless, and he was indeed being threatened.
But he wasnât about to succumb easily to the threat.
His mind was already racing with alternative plans.
Could he kill the Alliance diplomat right here on the spot, then slay Georgette, and return with both their heads in hand, claiming that the photos the Alliance had circulated were forged?
It was an option, a risky one, but not entirely implausible.
But it would be merely a bluff.
Returning home, he would have to exercise extreme caution and likely sever ties with the Furyflame Battle Group. The New Dawn Torch would need to act independently, avoiding taking orders from Furyflame. Above all, direct meetings or summons must be avoided at all costs to prevent further mishaps.
In that split second, dozens of plans churned through his thoughts.
And at that moment, his eyes, fixed on the two Alliance members present, gradually grew more dangerous.
Wu Yangâs threat had genuinely stirred his murderous intent.
But Wu Yang, on the other hand, seemed oblivious to it all.
She continued speaking: "Of course, if you interpret this as a threat, you wouldnât be wrong. But thatâs not the key point. You might be able to kill me, but it would likely be far harder for you to kill Mrs. Georgette. And I wonât hide this from youâweâve prepared quite thoroughly for this meeting."
"Perhaps you truly have a hundred Interstellar Warriors stationed nearby, but you should not underestimate the Alliance."
"Moreover, if you flip the table and break ties, the consequences you must face will far exceed the crisis of this moment. It will be the destruction of your Battle Groupâs very hope of survival."
"Even if the New Dawn Torch and Furyflame achieve unprecedented success in Moon Mirage, defeating Sainte-Lys, what of it? That represents only a minuscule fraction of the Allianceâs strength. Sainte-Lys can dispatch another thousand Battle Nuns, the Glory Guards can send another ten thousand, not to mention Phoenix, Blood Shark..."
"Do you truly intend to lead the entire New Dawn Torch to its burial ground here in Moon Mirage?"
Wang Mengsong was silent for a moment before letting out a cold laugh: "I donât want toâbut arenât you leaving me no other choice? Unconditional surrender... laying down all our arms, resigning ourselves to your mercy, leaving the entire New Dawn Torch like naked fish ready for slaughter. That outcome, I could never accept! I would rather see my warriors die on the battlefield than watch them be butchered like helpless livestock!"
Wu Yang chuckled softly: "Unconditional surrender is unconditional surrender, but youâre imagining things too grimly."
"The Alliance can guarantee our safety?"
"The Alliance guarantees nothing," Wu Yang preemptively clarified before adding, "but you can think about it yourself: why would the Alliance execute every member of a disarmed New Dawn Torch? Not to mention your potential value, just keeping a few hundred people alive doesnât even strain basic resources."
Before Wang Mengsong could respond, Wu Yang continued: "Whatâs more, the Alliance has specific uses for you. Right now, in fact. If you would willingly surrender unconditionally, the New Dawn Torchâs first post-surrender task would be to assist the Sainte-Lys Nun Association in eradicating Furyflame."
"You need to shift your perspective. The future fate of the New Dawn Torch indeed depends on the Alliance. But precisely because of this, you must seize the chance to demonstrate to the Allianceâto Mr. Guâthat the New Dawn Torch should not be destroyed."
"Prove your worth, Battle Group Leader Wang Mengsong."
"Perhaps the question you should reflect on isnât whether the New Dawn Torch will perish, but how it can thrive more robustly within the structure of the Alliance."
"Think of the Phoenix Battle Group. Look at what they were thirty years ago, and what they are now."
...
Two days later.
In a mountain valley, two Interstellar Warrior Battle Groups stood opposed, separated by roughly 300 meters.
The entire New Dawn Torch had mobilizedâevery single one of its 300 warriors was present.
Yet even so, they were at a staggering numerical disadvantage.
Standing across from them, the Furyflame warriors in their orange-red armor numbered six hundred, twice their strength.
And that was merely the number visible within the valleyâs open plain. Who knew how many more Furyflame warriors were concealed in the surrounding mountainous terrain?
Two figures stepped forth from their respective positions.
Politos looked at Wang Mengsong and said, "Wang Mengsong, what is the meaning of this?"
"Werenât you the one who called me here?"
Politosâs face carried a faint smile: "I wanted to discuss the next steps in our strategy. You shouldnât have brought so many people. Our situation is precarious, and we could be attacked at any moment. Itâs unwise to gather such large numbers in one place."
Wang Mengsong spread his hands calmly: "Iâm feeling a bit scared, Politos."
"What are you afraid of?"
"Youâve summoned me here, told me not to bring soldiers or arms. To be honest, Iâm afraid. If there were to be... a misunderstanding, wouldnât that be awful?"
"And now youâre not afraid? With three hundred warriors standing at your back, does it truly make you feel secure?"
"Yes, at least youâll hesitate to act rashly."
"..." After a moment of silence, Politos sighed and said, "Why go this far? All I want is an explanation. Two days ago, the New Dawn Torch carried out a movement of about a hundred troops. You didnât inform me, nor was there any record of combat involving them. I just want to knowâwhat were you doing? Why must events escalate to the point where two allied Battle Groups, bound together by fate, must stand here, locked in such tense opposition?"
"Two days ago, we merely convened an internal meeting to discuss some matters within the New Dawn Torch. I am the Battle Group Leader; must every internal affair of the group be reported to you?"
"Our fates are tied together. Transparency would benefit both of us."
"Fine, Iâve told you now: internal affairs. Can we leave?"
"...Iâm afraid not, Wang Mengsong."