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Chapter 44 First Rule Out His Suspicion
"Marine?" As Damocles' voice fell, the other four of the Five Elders were all startled. They immediately looked at him with incomprehensible and even unbelieving eyes.
"Damocles, what are you doubting?"
"How can this be!"
"That's the world noble Celestial Dragons!"
"..."
They didn't believe that the Marines would attack the Celestial Dragons. It wasn't a matter of ability, but of daring. The Marines are the largest violent law enforcement agency under the World Government, with all military expenditures supported by it.
Though the Marines have maintained an independent organizational system and command authority since their establishment, the government still holds significant influence. Not to mention power suppression and the concept of "the supremacy of Celestial Dragons," the financial control alone is enough for the World Government to keep the Marines in check.
If anyone in this sea dares to attack the Celestial Dragons, the Marines are definitely the least likely suspects!
"Damocles... Are you sure your suspicions are well-founded? Once the suspicions are confirmed, the nature of many things changes... This is an extremely sensitive topic." The bald Five Elder, who had been quietly wiping the long sword in his hands, suddenly spoke in a hoarse voice. Wearing a samurai uniform and sitting cross-legged, his long sword, adorned with purple-black flame patterns, lay across his knees, casting a cold light in the small, western-style building. It was a peerless demon sword.
He raised his head, gently wiped the demon sword, and stared directly at Saint Damocles with his cloudy and dark eyes behind his rimless glasses - the friend he'd grown up with and shared an elite education with.
"My colleagues, of course, I understand your concerns," Saint Damocles said lightly. His short stature gave off a boldness that seemed to swallow the world, his presence building like a mountain rising from the ground.
"On the surface, it seems the Marines wouldn't attack and kill the Celestial Dragons, but this... is not absolute," he sneered. "After all, there are many foolish ones in the Marines who cling to their ridiculous 'justice'. And most importantly, our compatriots... sometimes do outrageous things. That's the basis for suspicion."
At these words, the rest of the Five Elders looked perturbed.
"Damocles! What do you mean!"
"Don't forget the power and status you have now were also given by the blood of our compatriots!"
"Mind your attitude!"
"..."
Saint Damocles looked at them calmly and said slowly, "I don't intend to insult; I am merely discussing the facts. This old man hails from the weakest clan among the 19 Celestial Dragon clans. I've climbed to my current position, so I know and understand our compatriots better than anyone else. Don't you all agree?"
The others fell silent.
They, too, were aware of the Celestial Dragons' flaws. Born into great wealth, supreme power, and status, standing at the world's pinnacle without any effort. Efforts, conduct, hard work... these were naturally outside the scope of their life goals. What they sought was constant amusement, breaking the bottom line repeatedly, descending into sickness, distortion, and absurdity.
"Damocles, there's no problem with investigating the Marines, but the investigation must be cautious," said Five Elder Saint Solomon, wearing a samurai uniform and lightly touching the demon sword's handle.
"... and there must be a limit."
Seeing his close friend take the lead, Saint Damocles laughed. He understood the meaning behind Saint Solomon's words very well. It contained two points:
First, we can pursue an investigation, but it must be done carefully and secretly.
Second, there must be restraint; too much pressure might provoke a backlash.
With this in mind, he spoke slowly:
"It's natural to feel tension because the decision to have Sengoku step down has already displeased Kong."
"If the Marines learn that we are investigating them now, I'm afraid there might be quite a backlash."
"Of course, the investigation might yield no results. After all, we are only considering a potential possibility, and the old man will not obsess over this matter."
Upon hearing this, the other three Five Elders exchanged glances:
"So, what about the specific candidates? The CP department is too conspicuous to use."
"Using the CP would make the Marine side vigilant."
"It's best to find someone within the Marines for this task… So, who would be more suitable?"
They discussed each detail and finally their gaze settled on Saint Damocles.
The name Damocles symbolizes "wisdom" among the elite Celestial Dragons in the Holy Land.
Because of such a reputation, they finally agreed to Saint Damocles' proposal to investigate the Marines.
Seeing everyone looking at him, Damocles, the newly elevated highest authority in the World Government, raised his head proudly, his lips curving into a triumphant smile.
"When selecting candidates, several criteria must be met," he articulated clearly.
"First, the candidate must be intelligent, cautious, and possess the necessary means and abilities to complete the task of a secret investigation flawlessly."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Second, the individual must have a strong ambition for power... Ideally, someone from a humble background, so that we can maintain better control over them."
The other Five Elders thought it over and smiled, each stroking their beards.
"Third, this person must not possess that troublesome notion of 'justice'."
Saint Damocles continued eloquently, wisdom shining in his aged eyes.
"And most importantly, the perfect candidate... would have a tarnished reputation in the eyes of the public, be despised, and bow before the world's nobility. This way, they can immediately be dismissed as a suspect."
"To summarize…"
As if inspired, he quickly picked up a Marine officer's file and started to browse through it.
In a moment,
Snap!
Saint Damocles slammed his hand down onto a particular page in the file.
"This one is the ideal choice."
The other Five Elders leaned in, their initial surprise replaced by satisfied smiles.
"I support this selection."
"Seconded."
"I agree."
On that page of the file was a Marine officer with short black hair, a handsome face, and an air of arrogance.
Name: Rogers Darren
Position: Admiral of North Blue Marine, Rear Admiral of Naval Headquarters
Evaluation: Insatiable in his desire for power, corrupt, exploitative of the people, with a terrible reputation, dubbed "the Marine's shame."
...
Hearing the approvals from his colleagues, Saint Damocles smiled smugly.
He looked at the photo of the black-haired Marine on the file and sensed a connection, a familiar feeling.
As he previously mentioned, his family is the least influential among the 19 Celestial Dragons.
Since childhood, he was resolved to stand out.
Therefore, he perservered through the finest education, endured the toughest training, and took part in bloody, unmerciful wars under a guise, surviving numerous injuries, great and small.
He is well-versed in strategic literature and possesses a sharp wit. Among the Celestial Dragons, he has risen through the ranks with his formidable strength and unmatched cunning, emerging victorious from one brutal power struggle after another.
And now, he has finally achieved the status of the Five Elders.
He must validate his worth.
Show that he is smarter, stronger, and more regal than his fellow elders!
He must secure his position within the Five Elders without the Elders' Council's backing,
And eventually become the leader of the Five Elders!
The looming attack by the Celestial Dragons might spell doom for some but for him, it presented an opportunity.
Looking at the photo of the black-haired Marine with a smug smile in his file,
Damocles felt as if fate was smiling back at him.