Mr. Leon really managed to do it...
Ear pressed against the roadside loudspeaker, Alger listened to the entire morning "mini-theater," involuntarily drawing a cold breath into his heart.
When he first heard Mr. Leon’s plan, he felt it was somewhat unreliable, thinking it impossible for a mere few minutes of loudspeaker broadcast to undermine Andre’s rule. But now...
He opened the eye affixed to the top of a tall building fifty meters away, glanced at the astonished crowd on the street, then opened another eye at the outskirts of District 1, looking at the fiercely arguing scholars, and couldn’t help but be secretly shocked.
The effect seems extraordinarily good!
Although the broadcast alone cannot directly topple Andre, it has greatly shaken his authority. The hearts within the once solid Crolock Kingdom are now unstable.
Each day this situation persists poses a huge threat to Prince Andre’s rule. For a long time to come, he will likely be busy stabilizing the situation, having little energy to deal with Mr. Leon and me.
Since Mr. Leon has done so exceptionally well, I must work harder too, delaying as much as possible!
Alger looked at the soldiers desperately repairing the signal station in the distance, his eyes slightly closed. Then, threads even finer than a spider’s web, almost imperceptible to the naked eye, drifted toward the signal station with the breeze.
As the threads approached within twenty meters, the curious instruments held by the soldiers immediately flashed red and emitted intense warning sounds.
"That thing is here again!"
"Quick! Try to block it somehow!"
In the soldiers’ anxious expressions, the signal station root, which had been half re-erected, suddenly emitted harsh metallic screeches. The thick metal pole was silently yanked down, crashing toward an empty spot.
Additionally, the instruments in their hands and the repair tools they brought were forcibly taken by a massive force, thrown down from high above, or even torn apart on the spot, yet they didn’t even know why.
"This batch of materials is ruined too; we can’t repair the signal station!"
"Then think of another method!"
"What other method? Report up first, see what they say!"
Destroyed by a mysterious force, leaving no trace... This should be "Wire Guy" Alger’s ability.
Learning of the strange occurrences at the signal station, seemingly someone constantly preventing repairs, Andre couldn’t help but furrow his brow, pondering Leon’s purpose.
The direct goal, naturally, is to block District 1’s scientific area, preventing me from using Atifie 00 to control the Kingdom. However, the opponent should know this is just a few days’ hassle.
District 1 chose signal stations for message transmission because they’re the most effective and stable. Even if they’re unrepaired, with Crolock Kingdom’s technological accumulation, it would only take a bit of time to switch to slightly less effective yet safer methods.
But the opponent isn’t known for doing pointless work. With Scorpio Bureau’s director captured, other cleaners killed, and only two left, yet arranging Wire Guy Alger to risk staying nearby, continuously sabotaging the signal station, it’s unlikely just to delay a few days; surely, there’s another calculation.
So, if it were me, what would I most want to do now? Rescue the captured two? Attack District 1’s scientific area? Or... escape Crolock Kingdom amidst the chaos?
Seeing Andre’s frown deepen, Atifie 00 beside him spoke:
"Better ponder the evening affair instead; he had someone pose as yours, announcing you would attend tonight’s celebration, publicly explaining today’s events. How are you prepared? Deploy troops to surround the celebration neighborhoods?"
"I’m still thinking..."
After hearing Atifie 00’s question, Andre’s cheek twitched, then he said irritably:
"The broadcast building was bombed directly by him, and the underground sound pipes were cut to pieces, needing at least two or three weeks for repairs. Now, except for some small regional broadcasts, there’s no other immediate nationwide communication channel.
So in everyone’s eyes, the officer ordering the shooting is mine, and what he says represents me. Anyone daring to attend the celebration now would either be my supporter or someone skeptical of the broadcast.
These people are potential allies. If I don’t go, I lose the chance to explain to them, and without their support, the Kingdom’s unrest can’t be suppressed quickly.
But if I go, those absent will see it as admitting that officer is mine, thus admitting Feiliya’s words, basically losing the chance for recovery entirely, so whether I follow or not, it won’t be good."
"How about this then."
Upon hearing this, Atifie 00 proposed:
"Your father’s shell is still here. When tonight’s celebration starts, you can take him and have him explain for you."
"Worth a try, but likely won’t be too effective."
Prince Andre frowned at the suggestion:
"According to the broadcast, my ’ambition’ is using District 1’s newly developed technology to control all citizens’ minds, so even if I bring my father’s shell over, it can’t completely dispel others’ doubts."
"Indeed... The morning broadcast was too effective; now even many District 1 scholars are questioning if such research exists... A bunch of idiots!"
After cursing, Atifie 00 said with a headache:
"You already are a prince. If you sincerely want people to do something, most times you can simply order it. Why complicate things by controlling their minds? Yet such nonsense convinces people?"
Prince Andre sighed again upon hearing this.
It’s because this reason is absurd that it makes it troublesome for me.
Although most people in Crolock Kingdom can read and possess some knowledge, most are scientifically inclined. Their understanding of politics and tactics remains stuck in the fictional dramatizations, barely grasping the basics.
For ninety percent of the country’s ordinary citizens, seemingly rational reasons have average credibility, whereas sensational news holds higher credibility. And given its relevance to personal safety, even with doubts, they’ll attempt to explore it somewhat.
What’s crucial is, although "Feiliya" is fake, what "Feiliya" says is not entirely false, as I did indeed kill all the royal family members.
If the opponent finds evidence that proves royal family members were indeed killed by me, based on the "one truth, all true; one false, all false" principle, most people would believe I truly intend to control all citizens’ minds then...
Pondering this far, the fog lingering in his mind finally cleared. Upon realizing everything, Prince Andre jumped up in shock, exclaiming,
"The palace! His target is the palace!"