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Chapter 45: More Money Is Needed
In North Blue, on Bhadia Island, a private mansion sprawled across more than 2,000 square meters, replete with rockeries, gardens, fountains, and even training venues. Rear Admiral Darren was waiting inside.
"Rear Admiral Darren is in the living room waiting for you," said Flying Squirrel, gesturing for the CP0 members to proceed.
As they walked through the lush garden, Flying Squirrel felt a nervous sweat form on his palms beneath his leather gloves. The personal visit from CP0, specifically to see Darren, roused in him the fear that the government might have noticed something amiss.
Forcing himself to remain calm, Flying Squirrel hurried to the living room door.
"Rear Admiral Darren," he announced, saluting.
Darren stood up, cigar in hand, and greeted his visitors with a warm smile.
"It would be a shame not to welcome such distinguished guests properly," he said.
CP0's expressions remained hidden behind their mask, but the coldness in their voice was palpable. "Rear Admiral Darren, I represent one of the highest powers in the world government... Sir Damocles."
Raising an eyebrow, Darren invited CP0 to sit before pouring two glasses of whiskey. He had heard of Sir Damocles, a newly promoted member of the Five Elders from a lesser Celestial Dragon family. He'd climbed to the highest ranks of the world government by winning most of the Celestial Dragons' votes in a meeting at the Holy Land.
Darren found it all quite a tempting, if foreboding, legend, reminiscent of the Sword of Damocles - a symbol of both great power and peril.
"What does Saint Damocles require?" Darren inquired, taking a sip of whiskey as if in casual conversation.
CP0 set aside their untouched glass and signaled for Flying Squirrel to leave before producing a top-secret military telephone bug. As the device chirped while dialing, Darren's eyes narrowed.
Suddenly, the call connected, and an image projected from the bug, revealing the Five Elders looking at the colonel with scrutinous gazes.
Darren immediately stood and bowed slightly. "Rear Admiral Rogers Darren of the Naval Headquarters, at your service, my lords."
The Five Elders sneered. "There's no need for pretence; we know exactly who you are."
Darren managed a slight smile. "I'm grateful for your acknowledgment."
Damocles interrupted any further pleasantries. "This is a matter unfit for Sengoku's ears," he stated gravely, and then instructed Darren to begin a secret investigation into the movements of all Marines with flying capabilities during the time of the attack on the North Blue Celestial Dragons.
Being the top Marine officer in North Blue, Darren understood that it was now his task to uncover this sensitive information.
Upon hearing this, Darren's eyes widened in astonishment as he said, "My lords, what are you doubting?"
Saint Damocles responded calmly, "You know exactly what we suspect. If you wish to continue as the Admiral of the North Blue, then follow the order honestly."
Darren's face turned somber as he replied, "Are you asking me to investigate my colleagues? I'm a member of the Marines; this is like asking me to investigate my own comrades! My lords, are you asking me to betray my partners and shatter the trust they have in me?"
The Five Elders frowned, asking in unison, "So you mean to say that you wish to disobey the government's orders?"
Taking a deep breath, Darren spoke with a heavy voice, "No, what I mean is..." His fists clenched tightly as he continued fiercely, "The rank of colonel at headquarters is too low."
The words caught the Five Elders by surprise. Their faces showed utter astonishment, as if they were hearing something unbelievable. Was this young man actually requesting power directly from them—the highest authority in the world government, the Five Elders?
Saint Damocles burst into laughter, looking at Darren with admiration. "Very well, I really did see something special in you. The Marines are the World Government's face and the lapdogs of the Celestial Dragons. We prefer those with ambitious appetites; they are easier to control. We are troubled most by those staunch individuals who are loyal to their 'beliefs' and resist all temptations."
"Do well, young Darren," he continued. "With your talent, the rank of colonel indeed seems beneath you." After speaking, Damocles gave Darren a meaningful look before hanging up the phone call.
The screen disappeared, and CP0 packed away the phone bug, then stood up. "Care for a drink?" Darren offered with a smile. "After all, we will be colleagues serving the elders in the future."
CP0 hesitated, then took a sip from the wine glass before silently vanishing from sight like a ghost. Once CP0 had disappeared, the smile on Darren's face faded. A purple-blue spark jumped between his fingers, sending out waves of an invisible magnetic field. Satisfied that CP0 was gone, Darren tapped lightly on the table.
Flying Squirrel entered the room confidently. "What happened?" he inquired.
Darren, lighting a cigar, explained calmly, "The World Government suspects that the attack on the Celestial Dragons was orchestrated by the Marines. The Five Elders approached me personally with their suspicions, led by the newly promoted Saint Damocles."
Flying Squirrel's pupils constricted at the mention of Saint Damocles, who was revered for his "wisdom." At his recent induction as one of the Five Elders, his name had been publicly declared to all, meaning "The sword of judgment, symbolizing supremacy, hangs over the world, compelling submission, and denoting the ultimate theocracy of all rights and interests."
"Did they really find something—"
Darren interrupted him with a smile, "Don't be nervous, they have mere suspicions. They want me to start a secret investigation of everyone in the Marines."
"This is troublesome... Damn it!" Flying Squirrel cursed, then caught himself, exclaiming, "Wait!"
In disbelief, he looked at Darren's smiling face. "You said... they've asked you to investigate?"
Darren exhaled a cloud of smoke, smiling from ear to ear. "Yes, they've asked 'me' to investigate." He emphasized the word "me" heavily. "Indeed, it was a wise decision."
He blinked then added, "After all, who would suspect a notorious, brutish, a bully and a power-worshiping piece of 'Marine scum,' would ever attack the Celestial Dragons?"
Hearing this, Flying Squirrel's face turned red, and his expression twisted into one of bemusement. What kind of strategy was this—disregarding the correct answer straightaway?