strictlysupreme Chapter 499 On the Chessboard
Chapter 499 On the Chessboard
Federation Building.
Markowitz stood with his hands behind his back, silently watching the dust rising from the direction of the prison.
McGee appeared behind him.
"Brother Markowitz, the directors are very angry," McGee reminded.
Markowitz didn't look back, but asked calmly:
"Because Qi Yan chose to leave at the critical moment?"
“They don’t dare to be angry with Qi Yan yet.”
"...That means you are angry with me." Markowitz was not surprised.
McGee took a deep breath and felt a little respect for Markowitz's calmness.
He regretted: "Because you didn't participate at all during the final night, the directors are now questioning whether you should still be the spokesperson.
Brother Markowitz, you are getting a little too close to Rhodes Island."
Markowitz finally turned around, with a hint of surprise in his eyes.
"You mentioned it just now, questioning?" Markowitz seemed to have heard something out of the blue. "I thought you were here to inform me of the result directly."
"About this matter, there is a reporter who wants to talk to you before the board can decide whether you stay or go."
McGee turned and motioned for Markowitz to follow him.
Markowitz was startled: "Reporter?"
After a brief moment of astonishment, a flash of inspiration suddenly came to his mind. His expression became solemn, and he followed McGee into a room.
The layout of the room is very simple, with only a booth and an old-fashioned telephone.
"I thought about your previous remarks about the phone call and found them very interesting and reasonable." While waiting for the phone to ring, McGee started chatting.
“…Actually, I now have a new perspective on the phone.”
Markowitz recalled the explosion that had just occurred in the prison.
The four power armors from Columbia were not concealed at all, and it was obvious that they were intentionally exposing some information.
what is it then?
Markowitz didn't know it, but through the phone, the news would reach the necessary people at an unstoppable speed.
The ringing sound of an old-fashioned telephone echoed in the room.
McGee respectfully stepped forward to answer the call and turned on the hands-free function, then stepped back to Markowitz.
"McGee?"
A calm male voice came from the other end of the phone.
"it's me."
McGee responded and turned to Markowitz and introduced, "Let me introduce you to the person on the other end of the phone right now, the chairman of Rose News Associates...'Reporter' Kane."
When Markowitz heard the name, his heart was shocked.
Kane hummed, "Markowitz is here too."
"Yes, it's an honor to communicate with you..."
Before Markowitz could finish his greeting, he was interrupted by Kane on the other end of the phone.
"I spent a lot of money to recruit Markovits from Mieszko Industries. I am very optimistic about him and he will be my right-hand man."
Kane said calmly: "So there are no outsiders here, McGee, you can call me father."
Markowitz: "..."
"Yes, father," McGee said respectfully.
Markowitz looked at McGee deeply. He was surprised by McGee's identity, but not shocked.
Because Markowitz had already sensed something strange about McGee.
Pursuing power, yet looking down upon that power.
Now that he knew McGee's true identity, Markowitz finally understood the source of that awkward feeling.
McGee likes power, but he is not serving as a spokesperson for the Federation for power. He is just trying to prove himself, a child trying to prove his ability to his father.
While Markowitz was thinking, Kane had already launched an attack from his father on McGee.
"Is your mother okay?"
"Very well, father; she thinks of you often."
"What about you? Are you married?"
"...No, not yet."
"You haven't even started a relationship?"
"No...it didn't work out."
"Don't worry about me back then. I was still a spokesperson at work?"
"Um……"
McGee was bombarded with his father's love and gradually became overwhelmed. He quickly took the initiative to speak:
"And you, father, where are you now?"
"Colombia."
"When will you return to Casimir?"
"It's not yet time."
"you……"
"Okay McGee." Kane quickly changed his tone, "I can't go back to you and your mother for the time being, Columbia is very important.
Those who are short-sighted cannot see it, but Colombia is the real enemy threatening Casimir, and they have been eyeing it covetously and are full of ambition.
But our newspapers have not yet covered their cities, and our voices have not yet reached the ears of Colombians.
They are growing at an alarming rate and we have to curb that... and take their market share.”
This statement, which was almost a dimensionality reduction attack, directly silenced McGee.
Kane couldn't help but show off in front of his son at the end:
“The game between nations is so fascinating, McGee.
But those nobles, those in power, ah, are complacent, and those so-called powerful countries like Ursus are so ignorant that it makes people feel sad. "
McGee obediently kept echoing his father's words.
Kane finished talking and without warning turned the topic to Markowitz:
"Are you willing to give everything to the Business Federation?"
Markowitz: "..."
Kane was not angry because of his silence, and said patiently:
"You are a capable man, I can see that from the reports about you, but I can also see that you still have sympathy for those knights.
Child, please think about a question.
When the number of Casimir's high-speed warships far exceeds that of Ursus, when Columbia is filled with Casimir's caravans and goods, and when the number of border fortresses is doubled than it is now.
Will the war still exist? Will the foreign enemy still be a threat? Will Casimir still be weak?
"Mr. Kane, you are very courageous," Markowitz praised.
Kane obviously wouldn't react much to such flattery.
He responded calmly and continued:
"I already know about the special tournament. Haha, the supervisor will think they have earned enough face and won all the benefits... haha.
Give them as much glory and face as they want. You and I should not focus on such limited things, Markowitz.
Come, tell me your choice."
"Before I answer, can we talk about something else?" Markowitz suddenly asked.
"Ok?"
"What you just said reminded me, and I suddenly understood why it was like this."
The corners of Markowitz's mouth gradually rose, like a child who finally solved the problem assigned by the teacher: "Colombia, yes, Colombia is the real enemy that can threaten Casimir.
They are ambitious, they are brutal, and they will not miss any opportunity."
"Markowitz...what did you find out?" Kane's voice also became solemn.
Markowitz took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
He looked past McGee, across the phone, across the room, and out through the window at the Great Knights' Collegiate Army.
Gazing at the land called Casimir, Markowitz said softly:
"Mr. Reporter, please act immediately. Colombia may declare war on Casimir."
"What do you mean?"
Even though it was just the voice coming from the phone, one could still feel the majesty that Kane had cultivated from being in a high position for many years.
Markowitz praised himself:
“You are a true entrepreneur, you are the one who can really make decisions in the business association, you have the courage and ability to do big things.
But... this land does not completely follow the rule of those who are able do what they want.
Some people chose the Supervisory Commission instead of the Business Federation. "
Kane fell silent on the other end of the phone.
But the faint voice coming from the phone confirmed that Kane was not angry or in deep thought.
He chose to act immediately.
Knocking on the door, footsteps, the rustling of documents and papers, a large amount of information gathered in front of him under Kane's instructions.
Kane flipped through the papers very quickly, with the sound of one page after another.
Markowitz didn't rush to speak, but waited silently for Kane's response.
"…Count Leitania was attacked…Beach Umbrella Company…Colombia…Hmm? Power Armor?!"
Kane finally saw the latest news.
This piece of news had just been reported to Colombia by Casimir over the phone, then printed out through the printer. When it was handed to Kane, the paper was still emitting the scent of ink.
Kane's heart sank.
Since he has received the message, it proves that Colombia has received it as well.
"Markowitz."
Kane spoke again: "Power armor is a war weapon made by Rhine Life for the Colombian military. In other words, power armor represents Colombia. Is that what you mean?"
"I don't know." Markowitz shook his head.
"Of course you don't know, but you have to know that during the God's arrival incident in Columbia, the power armor in the Rhine Life Warehouse was hijacked." Kane's voice suddenly rose, "Do you know what this means?!"
“…The force that truly possesses divine power is finally about to surface.” Markowitz said calmly.
Faced with Markowitz's indifference, Kane suddenly didn't know how to start.
Everyone in this world knows that Colombia has been bullied by the gods, and everyone in this world knows that the beach umbrella company jointly accused by Colombia and Rhine Life is an unlucky scapegoat.
And now, is Casimir going to be the next?
"Markowitz, tell me who they are." Kane said in a deep voice.
"I won't tell you." Markowitz shook his head. "They didn't mean to hide their identities. Mr. Kane could easily guess it, or has already guessed it."
"I don't want to guess."
"Feel sorry."
Markowitz was not prepared to change his position: "I know he doesn't mind me doing this, but... I've already let him down once, and this time, maybe I should show some courage."
"Is this your choice... I understand."
Kane hung up the phone.
The room was filled with the busy tone indicating that the communication was interrupted.
McGee was stunned. The speed at which things developed was completely beyond his expectations.
Markowitz stepped past the phone and walked to the window to stare out.
"McGee, did you see that?" Markowitz asked.
"what?"
"The building is about to collapse." Markowitz actually smiled. "Some things were quietly taken away from this towering building carefully built by the Supervisory Council and the Federation, and some things were quietly stuffed in. Now Casimir is like a domino building block.
And a finger gently pushed down the domino that triggered the chain reaction."
"I... I don't understand." McGee gritted his teeth, "You mean, the gods will descend on Casimir?"
"No, war is coming."
As Markowitz gave an answer that made McGee's heart tremble, there was a hint of obsession on his face.
"McGee, did you see that?"
Markowitz didn't wait for McGee to answer and continued, "I saw the real way to control the situation. He only needs to reveal a little information, and someone will naturally help him push the situation forward.
This was a deal. He didn't promise any benefits, nor did he need to promise any benefits.
This is a feast for the gluttons, a feast without invitations. No invitation is needed, the host and guests will come automatically.
This is a crowd watching a drowning person. Is it to save him? Or to reach out and give him a gentle push? "
McGee's back was wet with sweat.
But he still held out a glimmer of hope: "Even if it is really the work of God, Casimir will not be afraid. Casimir can just admit defeat like he did in Columbia, and let God reap enough benefits and then leave automatically."
"McGee, you are still immersed in your own interests." Markowitz turned around and said, "God is not the protagonist of this incident. He is just a flag.
Colombia can choose to give up resistance, because the power of the gods lies in their unparalleled combat power. When there is only one god on the board, Colombia can give up as many pieces as possible and let the god have enough.
But what if there are more than two players on the chessboard?
When Casimir was targeted by the forces of God, and when Casimir chose to give up resistance, will Leitania, which is now trying to establish diplomatic relations with Casimir despite the conflict, choose the greater benefits?
With the emergence of power armor, can Columbia, which has a legitimate reason to join the chessboard, resist its own evil ambitions?
When war breaks out, will the countries that have their eyes on Casimir choose to stand aside and watch? Will they choose to send troops to support? Or will they choose to wait for an opportunity to act? "
McGee's breathing became heavier. The temperature in the room should have been extremely comfortable due to the air conditioning, but McGee felt cold all over and his back was already wet with sweat.
"No, we can't continue like this!" McGee growled, "Markowitz, you must stop Rhodes Island. Even if you choose to stand on Rhodes Island's side, you can't..."
"Rhodes Island?" Markowitz chuckled. "Brother McGee, you are wrong. I have never chosen to join Rhodes Island. I will always be a Casimir."
McGee was so anxious that he scratched his head:
"That's not the point. You have a close relationship with the doctor from Rhodes Island. If you were the one to come forward, he might be able to give you a favor."
Markowitz turned slowly and looked at McGee.
Although the two men were of similar height and standing on the same ground, McGee felt that Markowitz was standing high up, looking down at him.
"Brother McGee, you made another mistake."
Markowitz spoke slowly: "The decision on how the situation will develop has long been returned to Casimir, and I have made my own choice."