NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 356: Chapter 356: Forced to Head to the Capital
After leaving Benjamin's office, Liam didn't immediately return to the Special Situation Bureau. He felt it necessary to inform Jeremy about everything that had just transpired. Even though the order came directly from the federal authorities, who had explicitly stated that it must remain confidential, Liam considered his partnership with Jeremy to be of utmost importance. He hoped that by sharing this information, Jeremy would see his genuine intent to collaborate closely.
Liam quickly dialed Jeremy's number.
"Hello? Why are you calling me so early? Didn't we go over everything last night?" Jeremy's voice came lazily from the other end of the line. He was still lying in bed, reluctant to get up. Jeremy had a habit of sleeping in the day after finishing an intense assignment.
"I need to inform you of a very important development. The federal authorities are insisting that you head to the capital as soon as possible," Liam said solemnly, fully expecting Jeremy to be taken aback by this news.
To Liam's surprise, Jeremy responded with a relaxed tone.
"The federal authorities have asked me to head to the capital before, and I refused. My answer this time remains the same—I won't go. I have to protect Moonlight City, after all. Besides, all my friends are here, and I wouldn't be able to perform at my best in the capital."
Jeremy assumed this latest request was no different from the previous one and that his simple refusal would suffice.
Realizing that Jeremy hadn't grasped the gravity of the situation, Liam spoke more firmly, "This time is entirely different from the last. The federal authorities won't allow you to refuse. They'll stop at nothing to get you to the capital. You need to be prepared for that."
There was silence on the other end for about thirty seconds before Jeremy finally replied, his tone now much colder.
"If that's the case, then I'll make them pay dearly for it. No one, under any circumstances, can force me to do something I don't want to do."
Jeremy's tone was unmistakably serious as he spoke, indicating that he had made up his mind. This left Liam feeling deeply troubled. He was torn, uncertain about what to say next, feeling caught between his loyalty to Jeremy and his duty to the federal authorities. As Liam wrestled with his conflicting loyalties, his phone suddenly rang. It was Benjamin.
"Mayor Benjamin is calling me," Liam said to Jeremy. "He might have something important to discuss, so I'll have to end this call for now. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out later."
Without waiting for a response, Liam disconnected the call, feeling a strange sense of relief that Benjamin's call had spared him from the tense conversation with Jeremy. After all, he wasn't sure how he could continue explaining the situation.
"Mayor Benjamin, have you received additional information from the federal authorities? Do you know why they're insisting that Jeremy go to the capital so urgently?" Liam asked, his tone urgent and apprehensive.
On the other end, Benjamin sighed heavily. "The federal authorities are absolutely resolute this time, Liam. If Jeremy refuses to go, they're prepared to make all of us pay a steep price. Many in both the federal leadership and the military headquarters believe Jeremy is staying here because of us. They think we're deliberately weakening the capital's defense."
Liam was shocked. "How could they possibly think that? Do they truly believe we're as selfish as they are?"
"I feel the same way you do," Benjamin replied, his voice laced with frustration. "I've already tried to explain our position over the phone to certain officials, but they refuse to believe me. In fact, a very high-ranking member of one of the elite families gave me a clear warning: if we don't get Jeremy to the capital, everyone in Moonlight City will suffer the consequences."
Benjamin's words left Liam at a loss for how to respond. The gravity of the situation had suddenly become crystal clear.
"There's no room for negotiation on this," Benjamin said finally. "Jeremy has to go to the capital, whether he wants to or not."
Liam hung up, feeling utterly helpless. Besides him and Benjamin, General Howard also quickly received similar orders from military headquarters. The pressure to act was mounting from all directions.
The orders General Howard received were, in fact, identical to those Liam had been given. Everyone involved realized that, this time, Jeremy might truly have no choice but to head to the capital. While Benjamin, Liam, and Howard were still reeling from the gravity of the situation, Jeremy remained blissfully unaware of all that was unfolding.
After getting out of bed, Jeremy had dismissed everything Liam had mentioned on the phone, putting the entire conversation out of his mind. Instead, he began to meticulously review his weapons and equipment, evaluating which items might be useful in his next mission.
An hour later, the unmistakable sound of a helicopter's engine roaring to life reached Jeremy's ears. Instantly, he knew who was coming—General Howard. In Moonlight City, Howard was the only one with the authority to deploy a helicopter whenever he pleased.
Jeremy stepped outside, looking up to see the helicopter descending slowly from the sky. When the helicopter had fully touched down, General Howard, Mayor Benjamin, and Liam stepped out together. It was the first time Jeremy had seen all three of them visit him at once.
"What brings the three of you here together? Is there something urgent you need to tell me?" Jeremy asked directly, wasting no time with pleasantries.
General Howard nodded, handing Jeremy a thick folder. Jeremy accepted it and carefully scanned through the documents inside. Every page in the folder contained orders from the federal authorities demanding that he immediately travel to the capital.
After reading through, Jeremy smiled calmly and returned the folder to General Howard. "My stance hasn't changed at all. I'm not leaving Moonlight City, and it doesn't matter who's giving the orders—I'm not going," he said firmly.
With that, Jeremy turned to head back into his house, not even extending the courtesy of inviting them inside.
At that moment, Benjamin called out, halting him in his tracks. "This time is entirely different from before. Previously, the federal authorities and military headquarters merely requested that you come to the capital. If you refused, they didn't push too hard. But now, they're fully committed. If you don't go, they will undoubtedly resort to extreme measures."
"If I don't go, what exactly do they plan to do? Are they going to forcibly drag me there?" Jeremy still didn't believe that the federal authorities would go to such lengths as to apprehend him directly.
General Howard quickly responded. "They won't physically force you, but they will strip Moonlight City of every bit of its defensive resources. They'll leave it entirely unprotected, with no one to defend it. And after that, neither the federal authorities nor military headquarters will offer you any assistance. You'll be left entirely on your own to safeguard all the civilians in Moonlight City."
Jeremy's face registered genuine shock upon hearing this. He hadn't expected the federal authorities and military headquarters to threaten him by endangering the lives of all the ordinary people in Moonlight City.
"I don't believe they would dare go that far!" Jeremy replied, still unwilling to accept what the three men before him were saying.
In silence, Liam stepped forward and handed Jeremy a document. It was the latest directive issued by the federal authorities and military headquarters. The order clearly stated that all government agencies and official forces stationed in Moonlight City were to prepare for full withdrawal within two days.
Upon seeing the document, Jeremy finally understood the severity of the situation.
"It seems I have no choice but to go to the capital," he said, his tone simmering with anger. The intensity in his voice left the three men before him speechless.
After a few moments of silent contemplation, the fury on Jeremy's face gradually softened. "Perhaps this could be an opportunity," he muttered to himself. "Though I've been to the capital before, I didn't get a complete understanding of what's really going on there. This trip might give me a better grasp of what's happening in the capital."
After voicing his thoughts aloud, Jeremy turned his gaze to Benjamin and Howard. "Since I have to go to the capital, when's the latest they expect me to arrive? The federal authorities and military headquarters can't expect me to leave immediately—they'll at least allow me some time to pack, won't they?"
General Howard replied directly, "They expect you to arrive in the capital within three days."
Jeremy nodded thoughtfully. "Alright. I'll spend a day gathering my things. Then tomorrow, you can arrange for me to travel to the capital. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to get on with my preparations."