Chapter 637 - 399: New Appointment_2
Beside him were quite a few guards, all dressed formally, yet unable to hide the cold and sharp aura only experts possess, presumably the elite from the Upper Court Guard.
A person of such caliber visits, and local dignitaries must personally greet them. Sikinkov had been waiting early on.
"Hello, City Council President Sikinkov."
"It’s an honor, Mr. Charles."
The two shook hands.
At that moment, Charles saw Su Mo beside Sikinkov and laughed, "Director Su, it’s our first meeting, but your name precedes you."
Su Mo nodded slightly, "Overrated."
Sikinkov explained, "Director Su is about to respond to the call to the front line. It just so happens his departure is slightly later than your arrival, so he says he wants to meet you face-to-face."
"Hahaha, you’re too kind." Charles shook Su Mo’s hand and said righteously, "The Wolf Assault Rebel Army is extremely rampant. I’ve long heard that Director Su leads the most elite mercenaries. This time, we’ll show those rebels who’s boss!"
Su Mo smiled and said, "Absolutely, crush them hard."
After joking for a while, most of the troops were aboard, and Su Mo bid farewell, "It’s almost time, and military affairs must not be delayed."
"See you then, wait for my good news." He patted Sikinkov’s arm and turned to leave.
Charles watched Su Mo’s back, sighed, "Young people are very spirited, a real talent!"
Sikinkov showed a mysterious smile, "Who wouldn’t say so?"
"Let’s go, we have our own tasks to handle." Charles led the way toward the welcoming vehicles.
Given it’s wartime recently, for the safety of the new City Council President, soldiers from the Upper Court Guard had settled in New Moon City a week ago to strengthen law enforcement, with Charles’ men everywhere in the streets.
According to ceremonial protocol, a transition banquet will be held by the City Council authorities, set in one of the landmark buildings of New Moon City, the Moonlight Mansion.
This place has quite a story. The great changes of New Moon City in recent years can be traced back to here.
It was the shocking case that happened here that created the current King of Mercenaries and paved the illustrious path for Sikinkov.
This power transition of the regional number one figure is undoubtedly a hot event. The authorities invited all kinds of media to attend, with soldiers on patrol preventing the emergence of danger.
The top-floor banquet hall of the Moonlight Mansion was decorated splendidly; rows of solid wooden tables arranged neatly, dark red tablecloths, silver candlesticks, elegant light spilling over the decorative flowers, accompanied by long music from the stage, contrasting completely with the cold, oppressive streets outside.
Charles and Sikinkov walked side by side, wearing professional smiles, "For your years of dedication to New Moon City, the Upper Court Council asked me to convey their praise to you. You’ve worked hard."
Sikinkov returned a smile, gestured invitingly, "It’s my duty. You’ve traveled a long way, please have a seat."
Once seated, Charles slightly loosened his tightened belt, then smiled and said, "Frankly, the Upper Court was quite surprised by your performance in recent years."
"After the war broke out, many thought you would switch sides like during the beast crisis three years ago, joining the Wolves and standing against humanity, hahaha."
He laughed awkwardly and raised his hand in a playful press, "Just kidding, just kidding. We all know you’re very loyal; you’ve proved it with actions by governing New Moon City so orderly."
Sikinkov nodded cooperatively, accepting the praise.
Charles looked around at the other guests seated, said slowly, "At this banquet, besides colleagues from the City Council, there are quite a few media friends. If anyone has questions, be it to Mr. Sikinkov or me, feel free."
The attending journalists raised their hands.
A journalist chosen by Charles stood up and asked, "Reliable sources say that fronts have repeatedly been defeated in the past year; what is your view on the war?"
War topics have been talked about constantly, Charles handled it smoothly, "Friends, remember this, battle reports can lie but front lines don’t."
"Many say our troops are repeatedly defeated, but think carefully, where’s the defeat?"
"Those with ulterior motives always say, our troops lost so many people, so much equipment was destroyed, the economy at the rear declined miserably."
"But they never tell you the Wolf Assault Rebel Army’s losses are several times more than ours; the breakdown if it continues will surely be theirs, not ours."
"And returning to the fronts, though the rebels’ early strikes in the war indeed achieved some results, our army soon took effective countermeasures, not losing any territory these past few months."
"I’ve got another good news to share. A main force led by ’Red Wolf’ Hibell from the Wolves Assault has been encircled by us in City of Industry Iron Sun City."
"They are hit severely inside and out, reinforcements blocked, supplies cut off, annihilation is just a matter of time; we believe this will mark the start of the Wolves Assault Rebel Army’s collapse."
Whispers rose on-site as everyone discussed the news quietly.
Soon, another journalist was chosen, he continued to ask, "Regarding the Iron Sun battle, are more details available?"
Charles said gradually, "Military deployment details, of course, cannot be revealed, but I can disclose that to ensure victory in this battle, we’ve drawn more fresh troops from various locations, ensuring we can completely take down the main force led by Red Wolf Hibell."
"Take New Moon City as an example, 120,000 mercenaries responded to the call, alongside newly mobilized forces from within the city, totaling 250,000 have been sent to Iron Sun battlefield an hour ago; we believe they’ll bring surprising results."
Before Charles could name another journalist, one suddenly stood up, sternly saying, "Fresh troops? They are civilians without sufficient military training!"
"My colleague risked entering the battle zone, reporting these mobilized soldiers were used as cannon fodder, forced to the front of regular troops, their lives unprotected, some even have broken guns! How does the authority explain this?"
The abrupt questioning flustered Charles for a second, eyes flashing with subtle anger.
Clearly, to those in high positions, such "accidents" are most detestable.
The official responsible for arranging the guest list in Charles’ team was already sweating profusely.
They were extremely careful in guest selection, handpicked rigorously, yet unexpectedly someone bypassed background checks, causing trouble at such a venue.
No words needed, these personnel will surely be punished afterward.
Charles lightly coughed to break the awkwardness, said, "Sir, please abide by on-site order; only named journalists may ask questions."
This journalist, exceptional in past work showing diligence to the authorities, thus qualified for the banquet.
But in truth, it was all a façade.
He knew well, writing articles to criticize the authorities was useless.
What’s allowed to be published are contents irrelevant to the authorities.
What they care about won’t ever be allowed out.
Untimely aggression would only have him suppressed prematurely.
Thus, he always hid his fiery heart, waiting for opportunities like now, to erupt in a weighted occasion.
He stood before fellow journalists’ cameras, fiercely accusing Charles, "You all are murderers disregarding lives! You’ve deviated from the World Government’s original intent of fighting for humanity’s continuation! You should be ashamed!"
Charles’s masked smile finally vanished, his face darkened, signaling to the guards.
The guards swiftly rushed forward, pinned the journalist down, punched him three times, causing him to bleed heavily and pass out, grabbing him out directly.
The other guards acted fast too, searching each journalist’s digital equipment, forcing them to delete the footage of the incident just recorded.
In this world, although there are spirited individuals, most choose to pragmatically protect themselves.
Especially these selected guests, having one misfit mixed in was already an exceptional case; the rest are "normal people."
They dared not make a sound, cooperated to delete the footage, then sat quietly as if nothing happened.