Captain Jane smiled at Li Xi's stunned expression and spoke calmly, "It's a lengthy tale, which is why I want to gather everyone and share it with them." She then nodded at the already exhausted soldiers to take a rest, with a bang, the door was locked again and Captain Jane calmly found a chair to sit on before explaining to the gathered crowd, that the place was very quiet as everyone wanted to hear her.
According to her account, following the catastrophic event and ensuing pandemonium, three distinct organizations or rather, groups of individuals took advantage of the chaotic situation. One group consisted of fanatics resembling a church and identifying as the "Holy Light Churches," another faction known as the "Tyranny of Steel," seemingly associated with the mafia or escapees from prisons.
The military constitutes the final faction.
Each faction possesses its unique agenda.
The Holy Light Church asserts that they were appointed by God as messengers to mankind during this bleak period.
They warn that failure to comply with their doctrine will result in humanity's eradication and they won't let that happen.
Thousands have readily surrendered to their teachings and the Church has amassed an army of formidable warriors and thousands of believers.
Though the means by which they have acquired their weaponry are mysterious, they possess bombs, guns, and other potent weapons.
According to the military's sources, the Holy Light Church has created a distinct hierarchy. Their Holy Knights specialize in fighting with medieval weapons like swords, spears, and hammers, and don full-body armor. Additionally, they have Crusader Knights who employ contemporary weapons to fight.
After the Crusaders, the priests held greater authority than the knights and they had light magic. Next come the bishops, whom Jane heard are limited to only three individuals but possess strange and incredibly lethal powers. The most formidable and influential figure within the Church is the Pope, who makes rare appearances. In a single day, his power has reached a level where he is capable of obliterating a 10-story building with a single punch which was shocking since most people barely can lift the smallest car.
Next up was the Tyranny of Steel, an organization that started out as a simple gang, but which had suddenly grown into a serious threat under the leadership of a man named Osiris. Osiris had stumbled upon a treasure that had greatly increased his strength, bringing him close to the level of the Pop. But where the leader of the Holy Light Churches relied on holy magic, Osiris's power came from pure physical force. He could tank bullets for minutes on end and his punches were like battering rams. Many of the Federation's soldiers or Holy Knights had fallen to his attacks.
Osiris's most trusted lieutenants were his Left Hand, Right Hand, and Middle Man. Each one was as strong as a bishop, and their combined strength was enough to challenge even the strongest members of the Earth Federation. Under them, Osiris had gathered a group of followers he called "Gangstas." They ranged in strength from weak to strong, and each day, they went out to hunt down zombies and other creatures, seeking to increase their own strength. From what she knows, Osiris's reason to rule the country is to make it a free place where the gangstas can do as they please and not be put in prison. In a simple word, there won't be any law in his country which is why all the rogues, assassins, killers and shady people have instantly joined him.
The military, on the other hand, had undergone a major shift in power. After the previous leader of the country died due to its favorite pet attack, Li Xi's father had suddenly risen to the position of leader, all thanks to his unique power which till now he hasn't displayed to the public and natural leadership skills.
He had managed to unite all of the various armed forces under his command and had appointed six generals who were each as strong as a bishop. In addition, he had 20 soldiers who were at the level of a priest, Jane claimed she was also at the priest level.
Morningstar frowned as he considered this. Could it be that she had been hiding her true strength all this time? Or was this her true level of ability? If so then the priests are weak. Tsk
"So, you mean my dad is now a ruler of this country?" Li Xi asked, still unable to believe it.
"Yes, although not entirely the ruler since he is still waging war against both the Holy Light Churches and Tyranny Of Steel organization. There is a lot of variability which can change the war anytime soon. The balance of power could shift at any moment." Jane let out.
Li Xi's eyes widened. She had no idea that her father was in the midst of such a struggle. The thought of him risking his life in battle was something she couldn't bear.
"Can we leave now? I want to see my father immediately!" She asked with an anxious voice.
"Sorry but we can't, my men are injured and need to recuperate for now, also we can't leave these injured citizens here alone and must take them with us as it is our duty." She said in a heroic way.
Meanwhile, Morningstar who had been listening to her words suddenly spoke up, "You said Earth Federation is now the main ruler of this country?"
"Yes." Captain Jane calmly answered.
"I'm not sure I believe that," Morningstar said with an equally calm voice. "If the military was really that strong, wouldn't they have wiped out the other organizations by now? I think it's more likely that the country has been split into three factions, each controlled by one of the organizations. So now the three are fighting to devour each other back into a complete country again and now they have reached a stalemate, am I right?"
Li Xi's eyes widened as she listened to Morningstar's assessment.
"If that's the case, what will happen to the people caught in the middle?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
"..."
Gasp~
The crowd fell silent as they took in Morningstar's words, and then erupted into a murmur of disbelief. No one could believe what they were hearing.
"Bullshit!" a middle-aged man in the crowd yelled. "You can't just spout off such nonsense just because you're strong!"
Morningstar looked at the man coolly, his expression unreadable. "I'm not trying to fool anyone," he said, his tone level and calm. "I'm just stating facts."
The man scowled, still unconvinced.
"Silence!" roared Anderson, who had been sitting nearby. The crowd immediately fell quiet, their haggard eyes still wide with shock.
Captain Jane turned to face Morningstar, a small smile playing on her lips. "You're right," she said.
Everyone was staring at Morningstar and Captain Jane, disbelief written all over their faces. It was as if a bomb had gone off in the room.
Morningstar simply stood there, his expression unchanged. He knew the truth all thanks to Abyssal.
"And because of the war, we're looking for the strongest people we can find to join our ranks," Captain Jane continued. She looked directly at Morningstar, Kofi, Ragnar, and the other seven others. "We can offer you benefits you won't regret, protection for your families and positions you can earn based on your strength."
The air was thick with tension as everyone in the room absorbed her words. The possibility of a safe haven for their families was a powerful incentive, but so was the promise of power and prestige.
Morningstar's eyes narrowed as he considered her offer.
[Bravo! By revealing the ways in which the Holy Light Churches wish to force everyone into their religion and the mafias making the country have no rules which will negatively affect the country. She has successfully painted them black. Then when Li Xi anxiously asked to go see her father she rejected and said they can't leave any human behind. This has made them earn a good image from the people. Sadly, everyone forgot to ask her what the Earth Federation quest is too.
Following your question she then uses the opportunity to offer protection to everyone's family, an offer most wouldn't reject and a chance to get a position in Earth Federation, something as tempting as that.
Tsk, two very persuasive incentives. And she did it all without explicitly asking them to join the organization, that was a very subtle touch.] Abyssal mused, sounding almost impressed.
"You seem to know a lot about manipulation," Morningstar noted.
"I'm Abyssal, remember? A being close to demon nature." Abyssal replied, its voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Can we take some time to think about this?" Kofi suddenly asked. It was clear that he was skeptical of the Military Organization's motives.
"Of course," Captain Jane replied with a smile. "Take all the time you need. We'll be here when you're ready to make a decision."
Morningstar nodded in agreement. It was important to weigh the pros and cons of joining the Military Organization before making a decision. After all, there could be hidden dangers or costs that they were not aware of.
Taking advantage of the break, Morningstar slipped into the midst of the crowd and made his way to the back of the hall. He found an unoccupied room and slipped inside, ignoring the fact that it was filthy and reeked of sweat and other bodily odors. Once inside, he sat down cross-legged and closed his eyes, focusing his mind on the task at hand. He needs to figure out a way to control the QI and has to implement his ideas in time since it seems the world is getting more dangerous. A man capable of obliterating a building was no joke and Morningstar has to increase fast or else he might forcefully be turned to someone's lackey.
(ㆁωㆁ)