Chapter 156

"So, why hasn't Cole returned yet? Could it be that he was sanctioned by Europe?" inside the exclusive conference room of the United Kingdom. Before the Third World War, a modest Habsburg Castle probably wouldn't have been able to accommodate all the nations of the world for a United Nations summit. However, in the world after the Third World War, only twelve nations remained. Precisely because of this dwindling number, the space designated for United Nations conferences had become much more spacious.

"Impossible. That fellow has Nero protecting him; nothing will happen to him wherever he goes. It's just that some things have happened in Europe recently." Someone had once asked why only twelve nations were left in the world, and the priest's reply had been: The Son of God had twelve disciples, so the world only needed twelve nations. And now, Africa stood as the sole remaining Eden in the human world.

"What has happened?" Cromwell of the United Kingdom inquired.

"A murder case. Although the victim was a native of Europe itself, external communications have also been cut off. Of course, the supplies Cole prepared for you are still usable. However, remember, do not let anyone from any other nation know." As the mastermind behind everything, although Trexi hadn't actually done anything directly, behind the scenes, he was indeed exploiting Europe's rhetoric to build momentum for the underground organization—the one harboring designs against the United Kingdom—that had genuinely surfaced within Europe. Trexi himself was a hacker, but a modern hacker was no longer just someone who casually broke into other people's computers. A modern hacker essentially referred to someone with advanced computer proficiency who could still achieve hacking feats without any signal or electronic equipment. Knowing only how to use a computer was no longer the criterion for identifying a hacker.

"Take a look! Because of Europe's scandalous news, Europe's overseas markets are on the verge of collapse, its capital has been bombed into ruins by its own hands, and its economic markets are on the brink of an explosion. It looks like this time, even the United States doesn't plan to bother with them." Although the United States had always been Europe's ally, precisely because of that, if Europe's economic system blew up, the United States would have to blow up right along with it. Especially now that the Satan crisis had not yet been resolved and the human world was already in chaos, in a way, this was indeed not a good thing.

"It looks like this time, the Northern Union will probably take the opportunity to carve off a piece of Europe, right?" As a notorious fence-sitter nation, the Northern Union was always ready to profit whenever there was a chance. After all, due to its harsh terrain, as the last nation to be established and possess its own independent military strength, the Northern Union had managed to miss all the major periods of turmoil in history. The last time it had profited was during the United Kingdom War of Independence in 2214. Back then, owing to the strength of the United Kingdom, the weakness of Europe, and a major military defeat, the European upper echelons, ignoring the danger of an empty Eastern Front, directly transferred troops to the Western Front. As a result, the Northern Union, which had never made a sound, suddenly struck a knife into their rear, aggressively biting off a large chunk around Europe's Finland region. By the time the Europeans reacted, Northern Europe had almost been entirely devoured, leaving the Baltic Sea split in half to this day, with Europe utterly powerless against the Northern Union.

"Not only that, but the United States caused too much trouble back then; who knows, even the historically peaceful Eastern Alliance might take a bite out of them," Marshal William, who usually showed no interest in such matters, couldn't help but smile. "Although the Satan crisis has not yet been resolved, for our United Kingdom—which originally had no obligation yet has been dedicating itself wholeheartedly—the settlement of this war will certainly not leave us short-changed."

"No, no, no," Trexi shook his head. "This matter is humanity's obligation. Our United Kingdom has paid too much. All useful private technologies have already been contributed, and mechs have even become the primary combat force in this Satan crisis. Truly, at this United Nations conference, our United Kingdom cannot afford to be short-changed; we are not providing things for free." To say Trexi's stance was anti-human made no sense. This was not the era of the Third World War; it was no longer an era where human strength was helpless against adversity.

Moreover, the United Kingdom's mechs had been forced to be supplied to other nations for use, and this core technology had probably already been stolen by those other countries by now.

"That goes without saying!" At that moment, a voice very familiar to them echoed in the room. Looking back, Cole had already returned to their conference room.

"You're back! Is everything alright?" Seeing Cole return, though he couldn't say he was entirely at ease, Trexi was still somewhat pleased.

"Nothing's wrong, it's just that there was no way to repair the signal equipment at Habsburg," Nero said, entering right after Cole. However, upon seeing a European, the others clearly grew wary.

"Don't be tense. I still trust Nero's word. However, please don't conceal anything; Cole and I have other means of communication that don't require signals." Although he trusted Nero, Trexi still disliked her habit of keeping secrets.

"Oh? Is that so? Very well then, let me brief you on the current situation. Some unidentified individuals have infiltrated Habsburg, and our people have been killed. They are likely a group of extremists. We don't have a roster of their members, we don't know where they are hiding, and we don't know what their objective is. Therefore..."

"Therefore, since our United Kingdom is now the primary target, we must act with utmost caution. Or rather, while ensuring our own personal safety, how about we lure the snake out of its hole?"

Compared to the others, Trexi was truly the most prominent figure. If it were any other delegation, upon hearing this news, their ranks would undoubtedly have fallen into utter chaos. But if it were the delegations of the United Kingdom or the Galle Empire, they would only rack their brains to wipe out such an organization completely and then handle the rest themselves.

"Lure the snake out of its hole? Are you out of your minds? Since they are targeting you, you should..."

"We should let them see what can be messed with and what absolutely cannot be touched! I'm going to have a chat with the people from the Galle Empire. Don't worry, before the United Nations conference concludes, we'll conveniently 'help' you solve this trouble!"