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After watching the news, a cunning smile appeared on Henri Montmorency's lips. This is the opportunity he's been waiting for!

Of course, he can't confront Daniel Emberweave directly—that would be suicide. But scheming behind his back, applying some pressure, and seeing if Daniel slips up? That's a safe bet.

"Pierre, arrange for someone to sway public opinion. I want them to be more afraid of New Atlantis technology. The budget is 100 million USD. I want them to fear New Atlantis, Astral Corp, and Daniel Emberweave. It would be magnificent if they saw Daniel Emberweave's technological empire as the second coming of the Nazis," Henri ordered his butler.

"It will be arranged as best as possible within the assigned budget, Lord Montmorency," the butler replied, bowing politely before excusing himself from the room, receiving a satisfied nod from his master.

—

The news from Journal 24 about the footage they obtained from the conflict has gone viral, becoming a hot topic worldwide, sparking discussions everywhere.

With the Montmorency group's efforts to fan the flames, intensifying misunderstandings and fear mongering, the topic became a hotly debated issue within the first six hours after airing in France.

Multiple versions of this footage, along with talk shows and morning programs, have used it as their main topic, focusing on the technological advancements of New Atlantis and Astral Corp as key selling points, making the subject increasingly sensational.

On international forums, the discussion about the footage from the war between New Atlantis and the Seraphine Isles is ongoing, with heated debates.

User707451: Real serious tech, right here. <VideoEmbed>

MR_Bear: Isn't that the footage that originally aired on the French news channel? I saw it before.

VodkaAddict: Those drones are a real nightmare. I bet if the Qing Empire went to war with New Atlantis, those 10 million soldiers someone was bragging about would be nothing more than meat for the grinder.

QingForever_01: Corporate tech might be a little more advanced than ours, but don't forget, we have more than just infantry. We have tanks! Missiles! ICBMs! Nuclear submarines! With one button, we could sink the entire island of New Atlantis!

VodkaAddict: Blah blah, keep spouting that hot air. No one's going to care.

ChillinDude: Points at @QingForever_01 'Look son, that's what we call an idiot.'

QingForever_01: You're an idiot! Do you think those p*ssies who only rely on high-tech gear and power armor could win against us, the strongest country in the world? Dream on!

VodkaAddict: That's why the dude called you an idiot. Have you forgotten about Astral Corp's ICBM interception system? Besides, if you're so great, why don't you create your own power armor and high-tech gear?

TechBro101: But hey, seriously, that tech is so advanced. Didn't that colonel say in the interview that it's 50 years ahead? I think it's more than that. Right now, we're in the early stages of developing A.I., and it's nowhere near that advanced.

We're just starting, and the resources and hardware needed to process the massive amount of information—like the movements of billions of drones and assigning tasks to each one—are still beyond us. Until we find a solution to process all that data, I don't think any other country will replicate Astral Corp's feats anytime soon.

BlueRose123: You're right, @TechBro101. I remember the colonel saying that right now, New Atlantis is like a more advanced civilization. And from history, when a more advanced civilization meets a less advanced one, there's always a war to take what they want from the less advanced civilization.

QingForever_01: Hmph! Are you afraid? I pity all of you!

MR_Bear: Could you please shut up already and go play in the corner over there?

This kind of discussion happened all over the internet. Somepeople feel excited, some people feel indifferent, while some worry about the unpredictable future of having a very advanced civilization like this suddenly appear on earth like that.

— EU - ??? —

In a meeting place filled with high-ranking officials from the EU, including renowned politicians and businessmen from across Europe, some were aware of the Curtained World, while others were not. They had gathered to discuss a critical issue, the Astral Corp and New Atlantis.

"What do you think of New Atlantis' technology? Is there any way for us to acquire it? Or how long would it take to replicate?" asked one of the politicians in the meeting room.

"If we don't obtain a sample of their technology, it would take at least 30 years to imitate it, assuming, of course, that we have access to the materials and resources they're using," said the representative from the corporate sector, who was dressed like a researcher. He continued,

"Right now, we still don't know how to synthesize or utilize Ether, the new element Astral Corp discovered. I suspect Astral Corp uses this element extensively, which is why many things that seem impossible are possible for them. For example…"

The screen at the front of the room displayed an image of blade drones.

"These drones likely have either powerful motors inside them, enabling them to lift their bodies and tear through human flesh and bone, or they use a magnetic field. Both of these scenarios require significant energy.
Stay tuned to m-v l|e'm,p y r

Additionally, these drones are highly durable, even standard rifle bullets can't even make a dent. This suggests their armor involves some kind of advanced metallurgy. Otherwise, it would be impossible for the drones to be so agile if they were made of standard metals that we're familiar with," the researcher-like representative explained.

"Yes, thank you. We understand that their technology is impressive, amazing even. But what we need to focus on now is not analyzing their technology but finding a way to get it into our hands," said another politician.

"You, Mr. Vance. I heard you have some ties with the US. Your father even used to have business there. Do you know who we can contact to get us those power armor and weapons from Astral Corp that they bought?" The same politician asked a man sitting at the far end of the table. He was Garret Vance, the son of Alexander Vance.

"Unfortunately no, all of those contacts were of no use. My father had become a criminal, remember?" Said Garret.

"Of course, we know about that—your father sold his weapons to the Confederation. What I'm asking is if you know any of their higher-ups who might be interested in some extra income in exchange for information. Specifically, about where they're keeping the power armor and other high-tech items they bought from Astral Corp," the politician inquired.

Garret let out a tired sigh, feeling drained by the tedium of dealing with these people.

"I can give you some names, but they might be outdated. Some of those individuals may no longer hold the same positions. You'll have to take it from there," Garret replied.

"That's good enough," the politician said.

Garret provided the names he knew, then quickly excused himself from the meeting. He wasn't in Europe just to seek refuge, he was here to study.

On the day he fled with his father, he discovered the existence of the Curtained World and learned that he had a gift: the potential to become a mage, specifically a blood mage. He had already checked his Origin element, and it turned out to be blood. This meant he could become either a very powerful blood mage or a very powerful vampire.

Now, he was studying magic at the Hightower, funding his education with his own money. After his father's death at the hands of the Witch of Pride, Garret had inherited all his father's wealth. He had chosen not to return to North America. Now, he was recognized as a genius mage, surpassing many others at the Hightower.

"Oh, Mr. Vance, how was the meeting?" asked an obese man waiting for him in the lobby. This man was Benjamin Prescott, who had already paid for the chance to become a vampire. Now, he was just waiting for his request to be approved. Like Garret, Prescott was also studying at the Hightower, financing his education independently.

"Mr. Prescott," Garret nodded in acknowledgment. "It went as expected. They're only interested in technology, a complete waste of time. I thought they might put some pressure on that guy, but no, they're just scheming to get their hands on the tech," Garret said.

"It can't be helped. They don't understand that there are greater powers in this world. I was like them once, scheming and planning, always chasing after more profit and ignoring the importance of personal strength," Prescott replied.

"Yes, we were like them once, but not anymore. Once we're strong enough, we'll collect the blood debt that Daniel Emberweave owes us, no matter how long it takes," Garret said as he walked out of the lobby with Prescott.

Yes, the two had met at the Hightower and discovered they shared a common enemy. Despite Prescott being decades older than Garret, they quickly hit it off and became friends.

They also learned that Daniel was no ordinary person but rather a very powerful mage. Like newborn calves unafraid of predators, they began planning their revenge against him.