LOGINBarlin nodded in agreement. "You're right. You're all my loyal lackeys who'd never betray me… Even so, there's no assurance that the Japanese government somehow noticed something strange because someone made a mistake. It has been a long trip to get here anyway, and there's inevitably some tiny slip-up in between."Kohei nodded emphatically. "We've done our best to prevent our government from noticing anything. But there's only that much prudence and technology can achieve—there's no such thing as being a hundred percent sure."Barlin sighed nervously. "If my hunch is right, both the Americans and Japan know about us, so they would definitely come to investigate. That means the American army will chase us all the way back to my manor, and that's going to be bothersome…"Kohei nodded again. "Your concerns might not be unwarranted, my lord. If the government finds out, they would deem us all hostile and investigate what happened.Barlin asked nervously, "What about me? What should I
Even as Barlin fled in panic, he never could have expected to find himself fleeing before he even made his attempt to invade and bend the American Antarctic research crew to his will.On the way back to Griffin Winter Manor, he cursed under his breath, "Goddamn Americans. It's not that big of a deal, but they are sending in their whole goddamn army!"A century ago, he really wouldn't worry about having to fight an army—guns and artillery were no threat for a cultivator of his caliber.But after going into seclusion, he returned only to be informed that modern firepower had surpassed what cultivation could ever achieve, with their ordnance now capable of flattening entire cities.He also heard that one of the Qing Eliminating Society earls had been killed by something called a CIWS. The man had stood valiantly after a few rounds, but the hundred shots that came after shot him into tiny pieces.That was why even Barlin didn't hesitate to run, leaving the ever-loyal Kohei frowning in
Barlin almost suffered a stroke at that moment.He had been staying in this constantly rocking ice tractor for days, but now that they finally closed in on McMurdo base, the Americans sent in their army?!Frontal assault was pointless when his only option was to sneak in and bend everyone inside to his will, without anyone noticing.However, they were clearly ready for him. At this point, even if he rushed into the base and brainwashed everyone, the Americans would only send more troops.He was a one-man army, but there was only that much he could take.Turning to Kohei, he asked, "What do you think we should do?"Kohei replied without hesitation, "The best move is to retreat. We can't afford a direct confrontation with the Americans."Seething, Barlin bellowed, "You mean we came all the way here for nothing?!"Kohei nodded. "Actually, that might be for the best. I'm more worried that they won't stop at sending reinforcements to their base, but chase after us to interrogate us.
Barlin's patience wore thin, and he was ready to leap out of the ice tractor, charge straight into McMurdo Base and mind-bend everyone. It was the quickest solution, but the loyal Kohei stopped him."My lord, please calm down!" he exclaimed. "The fact that they're keeping their radar on full power meant they were on high alert and clearly ready for us. They might even have notified their government with radar imaging and the like. If you go now, the Pentagon will see you even before you get close. It's all the more troublesome if they find out what you really are!"Barlin growled through his teeth, "You said 'relatively friendly'!!! Why are they ready for us instead?!""I'm not sure myself," Kohei replied, shaking his head. "National relations aren't the same as relations between the research bases here. We are all supposed to be friends on this continent so we can count on each other when it matters… So they should have been coming out to receive us with open arms. It doesn't mak
That was when yet another LC-130 rolled up behind the one Goro was in, even as he was left staring at the HIMARS.What the hell? Were they going to war?But as it turned out, that was just the appetizer as the colonel barked into his walkie-talkie again, "Second wave, remember! You're dropping after the first wave!"Naturally, Goro wasn't aware that the Americans had tensed up when the rogue Japanese Antarctic research crew closed in on McMurdo Base, possibly with sinister intentions.McMurdo Base was unlike any other research station on the continent. It served as the primary Antarctic hub for the United States, much like Everest Base, a location of immense strategic importance.They had poured enormous amounts of manpower and resources into the base. Beyond that, they also stockpiled a considerable quantity of equipment there, including items that ordinarily would never be expected to be brought to Antarctica.They had no idea if there was a leak or if the rogue Japanese Antarc
The colonel didn't even flinch from Goro's question, keeping a straight face as he replied, "We could honor the Antarctic Treaty earlier by keeping zero military presence before, but the situation has changed."Goro was left scratching his head and wondering what in the world was happening, even blinking to check if it was the same colonel who had insisted just earlier that not a single firearm would arrive in Antarctica.But now, they were going in with serious military hardware like they were invading?"What's changed?" Goro blurted. "Did our Prime Minister officially request military intervention from your president or something?"The colonel looked at him sideways. "Afraid not, kid. Your big man doesn't have that much sway."Then, he barked into his walkie-talkie, "Where's the HIMARS?! Get moving!"Goro was left gaping. As he worked in JMOD, he was familiar with most modern weaponry. In fact, most of the stuff Japan used was made in America, if not jointly developed.And the
“And you guys who are working for Charlie! You are not letting me go, right? I will surely settle the score with all of you, one by one when I get out!”“Do you really think that I, Carmen Wade, am someone that you can just toy with?! Hurry up and let me go now!!!”The more Carmen scolded and cursed,
Helen wanted to stay in Aurous Hill for a while.It was not only because she missed Curtis, but it was also because she truly liked the warm and humid ancient city by the riverside.Also, she was still thinking about that old mansion that Curtis used to live in.She wanted to continue staying in Aurous
Since Rosalie and several of the other members of the Schulz family were still on the helicopter, Charlie asked the helicopter to send them directly to Shangri-La.Isaac had already prepared several very private rooms on the top floor for Rosalie and the other Schulz family crew members.However, Char
As he spoke, Reuben immediately raised his hand and said, “Since you want to vote, I will set an example for everyone. I hereby recommend Mr. Tyler Moore as the new chairman of the Moore Group, and I give him my vote.”Tyler smiled slightly at this time as he said, “Since everyone in the board of dir







