Currently, within the Hunter Association, a rumor has been circulating: "The vice chairman, in order to secure votes for the next chairman election, has openly bribed the review department."
"In return for the bribes, the review department has assigned tasks only to the hunters who pledged to vote for the vice chairman."
"However, in reality, these incompetent fools have been completely incapable of completing any of the tasks they've been given!"
Morel furiously waved his hands. "And once they fail their tasks, who will ultimately take the blame? None other than Chairman Netero!"
"When that happens, the pressure from the association's upper ranks, its internal members, and even the public to have him step down will only grow stronger!"
"That way, Pariston will be able to take over, just as he planned!"
The more Morel spoke, the angrier he became. "And even if we manage to defeat the Ant King, if millions of innocent civilians die in the process, our mission will still be considered a failure!"
"This is nothing but a dead-end trap!"
Knov, ever calm and composed, responded: "The chairman is fully aware of everything you're saying."
"But right now, our top priority is to exterminate the Chimera Ants and prevent their influence from spreading any further."
"So far, their activities and destruction have been limited to the Republic of East Gorteau and the former Neo-Green Life (NGL) Autonomous Region."
"Before this turns into a global catastrophe, we must eliminate them at the root."
"Which means... Some sacrifices are inevitable."
Buzz!
After Knov finished speaking, the TV in front of the two began to play a program.
On the screen, the Chimera Ants had begun their counteroffensive and strategic deployment.
Meanwhile, in the Republic of East Gorteau, the government hotline had been ringing nonstop.
Rumors of a coup had spread, and uprisings had begun across the nation in resistance to President Ming Jol-ik's newly assigned selection squads.
At the same time, an urgent national announcement was broadcast across all channels: "Effective immediately, martial law is in place throughout East Gorteau. Reports indicate that insurgents have been exposed. The government will deploy armed forces to eliminate these threats. All citizens must remain indoors with doors and windows shut. Any unauthorized movement will be considered an act of rebellion and punished accordingly."
"Furthermore, government forces will conduct door-to-door searches to identify any hidden rebels."
Following this announcement, the tide of public sentiment in East Gorteau shifted dramatically.
The Chimera Ant Extermination Team had initially been able to stir up the people's resistance.
However, due to the nation's long-standing system of control and indoctrination, the citizens were extremely obedient to the president's orders.
Rather than resisting, they followed his decree out of instinct, almost like an automatic reflex.
After all, when President Ming Jol-ik toured the country, his citizens were required to show extreme enthusiasm, cheering, jumping, and even weeping in gratitude.
To them, he was a savior, practically their sun.
If a dramatic background song like "You Came from the East and Brought Us Eternal Purity" had been added, it would have been the perfect fit for the scene.
Thus, whenever President Ming Jol-ik issued an order, the people wouldn't, or rather, couldn't, question it. They simply obeyed.
Understanding the deep-rooted psychology of the nation's citizens, East Gorteau's high-ranking officials had devised this countermeasure.
As a result, the Chimera Ant Extermination Team's plan to incite rebellion completely collapsed.
Instead, the citizens branded them as traitors, cursing them, spitting on them, and even attempting to report them to the authorities.
This forced the Extermination Team to shift their strategy, focusing instead on eliminating as many puppet soldiers as possible.
However, Morel, being a veteran hunter, refused to sit idly by and let events unfold uncontested.
He had his own plans.
Thus, the Chimera Ant Extermination Team continued executing their operations within the limited time remaining.
Meanwhile, in a remote mountain valley leading to the heavily populated city of Peijin, golden light surged, illuminating the cliffs and covering the entire region with an eerie and overwhelming aura.
At the very center of this golden radiance, a figure slowly rose to his feet.
His sharp, brilliant eyes opened gradually.
"Hohoho, not bad... My condition is finally back to its peak."
After days of meditation and training, Chairman Netero chuckled, regaining the sensation of battle he once knew.
"Now then... It seems the preparations for the final battle are just about complete."
Standing at the highest vantage point, his extraordinary vision allowed him to see the capital of East Gorteau from miles away.
A thick, white fog had already begun to engulf the city.
That was Morel's ability, his massive smoke field enshrouding the entire capital.
Since the Chimera Ants had disrupted their plans, Morel had decided to retaliate.
This forced Neferpitou, as the royal guard, to remain stationed around the palace, unable to leave to handle other matters.
As a result, the selection process for the king's new subjects had been forcibly halted.
From here on, Morel and Kite would continue their cooperation, their main objective being to restrain Neferpitou.
However, this also meant that they would no longer have the manpower to deal with the rest of the royal guards.
And in the meantime, citizens would continue flocking to the capital, increasing the risk of mass slaughter.
So, looking at it purely from this angle, the crisis hadn't been averted just yet.
But…
According to trustworthy intelligence gathered by Kite,
Lan and Ging had already infiltrated the capital long ago.