Lord of Prayer

Chapter 468: Chapter 297: Forbidden Object B-005·Peach Blossom Spring

—[Government Army Airstrike Fails; Two Fighter Jets and Two Pilots Lost.]

—[The Government Finally Drops the Act! Civilians Discover JKL-144 Purgatory Missiles and Large Quantities of Napalm Bombs on Downed Fighter Jets!]

In less than an hour, news like this spread rapidly throughout North Carolina. Every phone, television, and computer received a mandatory push alert, complete with pictures of the downed fighter jets, the half-burnt corpses of the pilots, and various weapons and munitions. The proof was irrefutable.

Afterward, the news was reposted to international web platforms, causing a massive uproar the moment it was published. Diplomats from various countries began to condemn the North Carolina Government. Equipping their jets with Purgatory missiles and napalm bombs was a clear sign they intended to massacre an entire city—an utterly inhumane act.

Some countries began to use this as an opportunity for their own gain, and neighboring America was the first to act. First, it imposed a targeted 15% tariff increase. Then, it issued an oil restriction, refusing to purchase oil exported by North Carolina unless its government cut prices by 60%. America also pressured other nations to join the boycott. Following that, it intercepted two transport ships carrying natural gas, demanding an exorbitant transit fee and refusing passage until it was paid.

This series of moves was tantamount to seizing North Carolina by its lifeline.

The country’s territory wasn’t large, but it was rich in various resources. Its vast oil fields had its American neighbors practically drooling with envy, and for years, they had longed to claim the region as their own.

Unfortunately, North Carolina’s domestic natural gas reserves were extremely scarce, forcing it to rely on trade with other nations. This made it incredibly vulnerable. If any problems arose, dozens of its major cities would face natural gas shortages.

The oil trade was North Carolina’s primary source of income. While a boycott from all its importing nations wouldn’t be a crippling blow, it would definitely hurt for a long time. And that was to say nothing of the Americans’ demand for a 60% price cut, which was a blatant show of disrespect. Many were disgusted, but they soon realized with despair that they were powerless to resist and could only endure it.

When the government departments received the message from the Americans, many officials cursed loudly, so frustrated they wanted to bang their heads against a wall. ’The lower classes never deserved to use natural gas, but the elites in our major cities need it! Are we supposed to tell them to go build fires to cook? It doesn’t take a genius to know that once the gas runs out, it’ll only be a few days before the upper class—unable to get a hot meal—starts protesting in the streets!’

And after America made its move, many other countries started to get in on the action: raising commodity prices, imposing grain embargoes, restricting the import and export of various supplies... It was clear they all intended to bleed North Carolina dry.

「Ministry of Defense. Conference Room.」

The oppressive atmosphere was almost suffocating. All the senior Ministry of Defense officials were silent.

Jaslin’s chest heaved violently, a clear sign of her fury. She kept taking her blood pressure medication, one pill every few moments.

"Not only did the airstrike fail to establish our authority, but it fanned the flames of resistance among the lower class. It has also earned our government the scorn of the international community and severely impacted our import-export trade... Right now, two of our natural gas tankers are being blockaded at sea by the Americans. Every day of delay costs us millions. If this drags on for another ten days, or even half a month... I’m sure you all understand the consequences."

Suppressing her rage, Jaslin’s gaze, sharp as a knife, swept over everyone present. "This is all because the operation failed. So, from this point forward, I don’t want to hear any more bad news. The Army’s 27th Regiment has already advanced to the border. I want them to take those three cities now. The faster, the better. That’s our only chance to salvage this."

Right now, the top priority for the Ministry of Defense and the military was to swiftly crush the three cities that had declared independence and restore normalcy to North Carolina. Only then would the vultures looking to capitalize on the chaos quiet down a little. It would also serve as a deterrent to any other lower-class scum thinking of rebelling.

"The military command has started deploying for the operation. The first attack wave will commence in half an hour," a senior official reported.

"Very good. I’ll patch into the channel shortly. What about the intelligence group?"

The head of the intelligence group replied, "Data collection on the enemy Ascenders is mostly complete. There are fifteen Ascenders in each of the three border cities, though the actual number may be higher. Among them, each city has two Tier Three Ascenders. Based on our analysis of the previously transmitted footage, we can confirm they are not foreign Ascenders, but are native to North Carolina."

"North Carolina natives?" Jaslin stared fixedly at the head of the intelligence group and demanded, "Are you telling me that a whole horde of Ascenders has emerged from among the lower-class scum, and in all these years, the intelligence department was completely unaware?"

It was, admittedly, a serious dereliction of duty. ’But who could have predicted that so many one-in-ten-thousand Ascenders would emerge from that rabble?’ Cold sweat broke out on the intelligence head’s forehead. He stammered, "These terrorists... they must be remnants of the Salvation Army..."

"So in all these years, you haven’t even figured out where the remnants of the Salvation Army are hiding?"

The head of the intelligence group could only lower his head, not daring to speak. Internally, he was cursing Jaslin and eighteen generations of her ancestors. ’Everyone knew how notoriously difficult the Salvation Army was. My predecessor went to his grave without finding a single trace of their remnants, so what was I—a newcomer of only two or three years—supposed to do? How the hell was I supposed to find them?’

Jaslin didn’t press him further. She pinched the bridge of her nose and, after a moment of contemplation, said, "Public opinion, both at home and abroad, is currently stacked against us. We have to seize control of the narrative. Otherwise, our reputation will only continue to plummet, and more of the lower-class scum will be encouraged to rebel."