Counterfeit Hero

The audience in front of the TV virtual screens on the street, square, commercial buildings, and bars suddenly erupted like a beehive.

The Major General of Leray on the screen, with a friendly smile on his face, looked at Madhuwan with a hint of disdain. Another Major General threw him a cigarette, and the two lit up together, completely ignoring Madhuwan and the heavily armed Ministry of Defense security forces behind him. They exuded an aura of military arrogance and dominance.

"We bandits don’t even speak of reason, let alone evidence."

This sentence was colder and harder than steel, resonating powerfully. Behind them, hundreds of Bandit Army Mechas had already started up; other bandit soldiers folded their arms, coldly watching the security forces around them, with an air of readiness to fight should a disagreement arise.

On TV, the news host smiled wryly, saying: "I have to admit, the name ’bandit’s army’ was truly well chosen. I don’t know if they lack evidence or simply disdain explanations."

The broadcast continued displaying the live signal. Indicating the director to cut the sound from the news observation room, the host looked at the worried guests and said: "Privately... I don’t think it’s wise for Vice President Madhuwan to intervene with the bandit army at this moment."

"Yes," said a gray-haired guest with a frown: "I also believe that Vice President Madhuwan’s reaction was too intense. It’s clear that the bandits are venting on behalf of General Tian. Although this is in Chuckna, it’s obviously the work of the alliance. Whether it’s the 31st Army or the bandits, they are here to assist Chuckna as allies in the battle. We are not judges."

"Moreover, Vice President Madhuwan suddenly leading a large armed force to surround the bandit army sends a dangerous signal," another guest said seriously. "I don’t understand why Vice President Madhuwan would involve himself in such a conflict. By doing so, he has offended both the bandit army and Marshal Hastings..."

"Isn’t it obvious," a veteran professor from the Military Academy coldly laughed, "he’s leveraging public sentiment. The public is easily swayed emotionally. As long as sharp opposition is created, the bandit army won’t be able to establish a foothold in Chuckna. Once the bandits are expelled and Hastings is offended, by stoking extreme public sentiment, he can steer our war back onto his designated path. Didn’t you see how excited those national security advisors are? Madhuwan is playing with fire! If the bandit army bears a grudge and withdraws from the Longbow Star System, the entire Military Department will have to take the blame."

The old professor’s words sent chills through everyone in the observation room.

One guest slammed the table angrily, shouting, "He’s betraying the country!"

"Betraying the country?" the old teacher coldly retorted, "Since the war began, which of his actions hasn’t betrayed the country? Yet who can move against him?! This person has mastered the art of manipulating public sentiment to perfection."

"Wait, look!" The host’s urgent voice refocused everyone’s attention on the image ahead.

With Stewart’s response, the atmosphere tensed abruptly.

"Outrageous," Madhuwan shouted angrily, "Without evidence, you dare to strike against the Allies so recklessly, rampaging unchecked in Chuckna?! Do you really believe no one here can control you, do you truly think Chuckna is weak and easily bullied?!"

Saying this, he spun around on the spot and loudly addressed the surrounding crowd, "Tell these bandits who trample on Chuckna’s dignity to protect their surrendered general, do we Chuckna people agree?!"

Madhuwan’s words immediately incited public anger, countless people responding to their Vice President shouted, "We don’t agree!"

Many others angrily yelled at the bandit soldiers, "Get out of Chuckna."

The barriers established by the military police were instantly breached, and the dense crowd continuously pressed towards the bandit army. The once proud Chuckna people, in Madhuwan’s diversion of contradictions, quickly turned the focus of the issue into the bandit army’s disrespect of Chuckna.

"Attention all soldiers," Madhuwan stood tall and righteously pointed at the bandit army, "At all costs, arrest all present bandit soldiers. Even if rivers of blood flow, we will never allow such people to run rampant before us!"

Madhuwan’s orders were almost immediately executed; hundreds of fully-armed Mechas and thousands of Ministry of Defense security soldiers, under the command of that black-haired Major General, swiftly moved into action, gun barrels and cannon muzzles all aimed at the bandit army soldiers.

"Drive them out," amidst the somewhat chaotic crowd, due to the impending conflict, some people seemed even more excited, waving fists, shouting as they pressed forward.

Madhuwan imperceptibly glanced at the bruised Faset. The two quickly exchanged a glance.

Madhuwan steadied himself.

Faset had not betrayed him, perhaps it should be said, he hadn’t had time to betray yet.

The unfortunate one. Madhuwan concluded about Faset in his heart, then turned away.

The boastful 31st Army was so easily dealt with by a group of militia. Operating the Tenth and Eleventh Generation Mechas, they couldn’t even last three hours. The usually iron-blooded tough image of Faset now looked more like a beggar who had been ravaged by a group of lunatics for two years locked in a room.

Is this the so-called Leefer Legion?! Madhuwan sneered. This world is not something these brainless soldiers can control. The most they can do is go to the front lines and die. And the true masters of this world can only be politicians with enough strategy and wisdom! Whether or not the bandit army dares to clash with the security forces, they’ve already lost!