Life Game In Other World
Chapter 1264: They Have Always Known (Big - for Monthly Votes)

Chapter 1264: Chapter 1264: They Have Always Known (Big Chapter for Monthly Votes)

Northern Gate

"Is the communication line set up?"

Xiya lifted her head, cautiously asking General Owai who was standing beside her.

"It’s all set up,"

Owai nodded gently, glancing at the snow-covered surroundings. "This communication point will likely become a permanent installation. I’ll arrange for a garrison to be stationed here."

"The northern army really is heading to Dawn City? On top of that, there are several other mercenary corps? Even the mercenary corps of the two major conglomerates are targeting Dawn City?"

The man in the fur coat with a bandaged arm clicked his tongue softly. "That’s quite the grand maneuver. Dawn City has around twenty million people, right? That’s one massive city. Almost a tenth of the Federation’s population lives there. They’re trying to overthrow a city of this scale? Those corporate folks have truly gone mad. But honestly,"

He paused for a moment before continuing, "For a city that size, such a large operation might actually be needed to pull it off."

"Dad!"

Xiya called out lightly from the side.

"Hahaha, your dad has spent his whole life circling around the outskirts of Minte City, just a rural bumpkin, always getting chased around by the security forces of the two major conglomerates. Just catching sight of their security teams makes me want to run, let alone their mercenary corps or such a massive operation involving so many cities and conglomerates. Damn, that must’ve taken an army and an absurd amount of weapons."

The man in the fur coat laughed heartily.

"To be honest, I’ve never seen such a huge army either,"

Owai chimed in with a chuckle. "I visited Dawn City once when I was younger. That city is truly grand and can only be described as extravagant. If you have money, you can buy anything there. It’s a shining city without night."

"Before Christos came to power, if you didn’t have money,"

Xiya interjected, "Even the daytime there felt like night."

"Hahaha, Xiya has stayed there before,"

The man in the fur coat quickly added, shifting the topic to Owai. "But honestly, isn’t this the first time in so many years that the conglomerates have attempted to overthrow Dawn City’s city government and the Federation’s order?"

He smacked his lips and commented, "Are we participating in history this time? If Dawn City withstands the attack, won’t we at least get a brief mention in history?"

"Of course, we’ll get at least a mention,"

Owai opened his mouth wide and laughed heartily.

His smile stretched nearly back to his ears and showed no sign of receding.

BEEP BEEP BEEP——

Just then, the nearby communication device emitted a crisp sound.

"There’s news from Dawn City!"

Owai immediately turned around to look at the device.

"Is it from Mr. Suote? Did we win?"

Xiya also rushed over instantly.

And in that moment, she noticed Owai’s smile gradually fade, inching downward until it completely disappeared.

"We won. Dawn City has been secured,"

Owai slowly turned his body to let Xiya see the communication screen, his voice slightly subdued. "But···"

Xiya turned her gaze to the screen’s contents, confused.

Then the smile frozen on her face vanished instantly.

——

January 7

Dawn City Mayor Christos held a press conference, announcing preliminary investigation results regarding the rebellion targeting Dawn City two days earlier.

Dawn City’s North City Defense Army Commander and City Defense Minister Dick betrayed the city during the battle, conspiring to overthrow Dawn City’s government and the Federation’s order. He has been executed.

The mercenary corps that invaded Dawn City and colluded with Dick have surrendered. The Federation’s Federal Bureau of Investigation has confirmed that the unidentified mercenary corps is Menshu Group’s Second Mercenary Corps, suspected to be led by the head of the cult organization Starlight Worshipers.

In honor of the heroes who fought and sacrificed for Dawn City and the Federation’s order during this crisis, Christos announced plans to establish a dedicated area within Dumel National Cemetery to commemorate them.

During this period, Christos specifically expressed gratitude for Vice Chief of Staff Suote’s courageous contributions during the incident.

At the end of the press conference, Christos assured that he would collaborate with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to investigate the causes and consequences of the rebellion thoroughly, vowing not to spare any threats to the Federation’s order.

——

January 8

Menshu Group held a press conference where its spokesperson stated:

The mercenary corps that attacked Dawn City indeed belonged to Menshu Group, but the captain of the corps, Motoc, had turned it into his private militia. The group had no anticipation that Motoc would lead an unauthorized assault on Dawn City.

Menshu Group expressed regret over the incident and is pursuing reparations for the losses Motoc caused to the group. The legal team has already filed lawsuits against Motoc’s proxies and his alleged heirs.

Additionally, the spokesperson announced the establishment of a foundation using the remaining assets recovered from Motoc, after settling his debts, to aid Dawn City’s citizens impacted by the crisis.

——

January 9

The newly appointed Mayor of Minte City, Viko, held a press conference to express support for Dawn City Mayor Christos.

Viko acknowledged the significant impact of the crisis on Minte City as well, stating that the forces targeting Dawn City weren’t limited to a single group. Mercenary corps from major corporations like West Steel, Note Intelligence, and Stars Pharma also played a role in the conspiracy against Dawn City, but their troops were intercepted by Minte City’s Defense Army at Northern Gate.

Later that afternoon, Stars Pharma responded with a press conference to Minte City Mayor Viko’s statement.

Their spokesperson claimed that Stars Pharma’s mercenary corps was merely conducting routine long-range training exercises in the wilderness, but its captain, Wistain, went rogue, disobeying orders and engaging in a fierce battle with a suspected Wilderness Wanderer organization at Northern Gate.

Stars Pharma, rooted in "Friendliness, Diligence, Efficiency," expressed no hostility toward Dawn City.

Simultaneously, the spokesperson criticized Dawn City’s government.

They argued that Dawn City deliberately sealed off its central area, preventing Stars Pharma staff from retrieving crucial equipment and documents from their office building wrecked during the incident.

Dawn City officials were accused of attempting to pry into Stars Pharma’s and other corporations’ trade secrets amidst the upheaval caused by their collapsed headquarters.

That evening, Dawn City’s spokesperson responded this claim via social media, asserting that all actions were meant to protect Dawn’s citizens from harm and only targeted groups colluding with cults, prioritizing their own interests over the Federation’s order.

——

January 12

The center of Dawn City remained under prolonged lockdown as the incident continued escalating. Discussion boards and media circulated widespread rumors and imagery of the Inverted City suspended over Dawn City on the night of the rebellion.

Some believed the city was merely a holographic projection meticulously staged by a corporation using advanced technology—an elaborate "magic performance" enveloping the entire city.

Others insisted it was real, evidence of Divine Power manifesting. They contended that without certain powerful entities pulling the destructive forces into the suspended city, Dawn City might have been obliterated that night.

Debate raged online, with proponents of the "magic theory" accusing believers in the "destruction theory" of fearmongering, while supporters of the "destruction theory" branded advocates of "magic theory" as naïve and uninformed.

Meanwhile, images and accounts of that night continued spreading across the Federation, reaching every corner.

One prominent figure captured standing calmly before a terrifying giant—his bloodied appearance steadfast even amid chaos—gained considerable attention.

A new rumor emerged across the Federation’s network: that Suote, the hero who safeguarded Dawn City, might have connections to the legendary ’K.’

This speculation originated from conversations circulating in Dawn City’s network and swiftly propagated through passionate online discussions across the Federation.

——

January 13

The Yilan City government held a press conference, revealing video evidence of battles between Yilan City’s Defense Army and a mercenary corps the night of Dawn City’s crisis.

Officials confirmed, through investigations of the surrendering troops, that the mercenaries’ core force came from the Rockville Energy Group.

During the battle, they seized significant supplies branded with Rockville Energy Group’s insignia, alongside undestroyed command directives from Rockville’s board.

Records clearly detailed that the group deployed its forces westward toward Dawn City to meet with Stars Pharma mercenaries in the north and Whirlpool Medical mercenaries in the south.

Yilan officials collaborated with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to publish extensive corroborating evidence of communications among Stars Pharma, Rockville Energy Group, Whirlpool Medical Consortium, West Steel, and Note Intelligence, indicating active collusion among these corporations.

The revelations stirred widespread uproar; on the same night, the major conglomerates all held consecutive press conferences.

Stars Pharma continued to disavow involvement, reiterating claims that their mercenary corps operated independently and expressing concern over Rockville Energy Group’s leadership.

Whirlpool Medical and Rockville Energy Group dismissed Yilan’s evidence as forgeries, insisting they were unaware of their mercenaries’ actions. Their spokespersons claimed the board had been left completely in the dark about the incident.

Note Intelligence tackled statements from both Minte City and Yilan City with a unified response.

According to Note Intelligence’s spokesperson, their mercenaries had merely conducted planned exercises, but their captain and city branch leader Weiken colluded to conduct violent, illicit business competition.

This behavior was deemed unacceptable within Note Intelligence’s internal policies, leading to Weiken’s dismissal and pending accountability measures.

The spokesperson further emphasized Note Intelligence’s longstanding role as Minte City’s largest investor and employer. As the top employer in Minte City, consistently ranked first in the city’s employment leaderboard, Note Intelligence had no intention nor reason to oppose Minte City or be involved in the Dawn City crisis.

West Steel’s statement mirrored Note Intelligence’s response, attributing the blame to local actors while highlighting its contributions to Minte City’s economy.

——

January 14

Minte City

"Heh,"

Xiya clenched the tablet tightly, laughing despite her anger. "What are these conglomerates trying to do? Are they all victims now? When they’re squeezing every last drop from citizens and Wanderers, they’re the leaders, the board members, taking profits. But once disaster strikes, suddenly it’s all on the lower ranks going rogue?"

She slammed the tablet onto the table. "If their lower ranks can act so independently, why not just lead a militia and kill the whole board?"

"That’s the way conglomerates operate,"

Viko sighed lightly beside her, flipping through a stack of documents. "Or rather, it’s human nature. Admitting fault inherently implies consequences, and corporations will never willingly pay that price."

He lifted his gaze toward Owai seated nearby. "General Owai, how are the negotiations with the Stars Pharma mercenaries up north?"

"Still ongoing,"

Owai exhaled deeply. "Stars Pharma has issued warrants for the minor leaders who surrendered, placing all blame on them. Those leaders can no longer return, but if we offer sanctuary, they might stay. This could temporarily resolve our garrison problem at Northern Gate."

"Can they remain long-term?"

Viko pressed further.

"That seems unlikely,"

Owai shook his head. "Mercenaries live by the sword, earning blood money. Their lifestyle and consumption habits differ vastly from the disciplined routine of stationed Defense Army troops. The dullness of garrison life likely won’t satisfy these people.

"Plus, their leader—I’ve met him—he’s an ambitious one,"

Owai glanced at Viko, continuing. "Ambitious leaders and restless troops spell trouble, especially in these turbulent times. They won’t stay stable for long, and lingering near Minte City may turn them into a future risk."

"Understood. Then let’s stick to short-term contracts with them,"

Viko nodded slightly. "Ultimately, we need to focus on recruiting our own defenders."

"With how corporations act, pinning everything on mercenaries,"

The man in the fur coat finally chimed in from the corner, "Aren’t they afraid no mercenaries will want to work for them anymore?"

"Corporations are quite adept at managing optics and incentives,"

Viko chuckled while glancing at his documents. "They place blame on mercenary captains, yet compensate fallen mercenaries with excessive death benefits.

"For those still alive, including those who surrendered, they get their agreed wages and bonuses if they return, perhaps even generous payouts. Only the minor rogue leaders face bounty warrants.

"Of course, some regular mercenaries may be deliberately singled out for exemplary punishments—the conglomerates excel at manipulation and division. But ultimately, plenty of mercenaries will still return to work for them."

"So···"

Xiya suddenly interjected from the side. "They do realize how important the majority of the lower ranks are."

Viko froze briefly, lifting his head to gaze at Xiya. After a short silence, he nodded gently,

"Yes, they know. They’ve always known."

——

Dawn City

Click—

The heavy door to the office pushed open as a silver-haired man with a ponytail hurried in, clutching a stack of documents. "I just saw your message."

"You went to Nolanka Group’s mercenary corps again?"

Christos turned away from the window and smiled as he asked.

"Yes. What Vian did··· is fascinating. I plan to visit Kay City once the dust settles,"

The silver-haired ponytailed man approached the desk, nodding as he spoke and glancing at Christos. "After all these days, still no movement from Ains?"

"Ains’ faction is deeply entrenched. The quieter they are, the more hidden currents seem to be surging below,"

Christos lifted his gaze, landing on a freshly placed green-leaf ornament atop his desk. As he walked toward the desk, he spoke softly, "We must proceed step by step. An ’old friend’ has given us a golden opportunity, but it’s on us to seize it."

"Politics is a filthy game, and I can only play a supporting role in such matters,"

The silver-haired man placed the thick file on the desk, gently brushing off its dust, then looked at Christos. "Here’s the report you requested."

Christos had already positioned himself behind the desk, scrutinizing the documents presented by the silver-haired man.

Under the dim light, the newly printed words on the cover emerged with renewed clarity:

"Dawn City Anti-Corporate Monopoly Act."