"I protest! You're violating our freedom of movement."
In the hotel lobby, a foreign female reporter shouted at the soldiers blocking the entrance. Behind her, several other reporters looked just as indignant.
"Sorry, but I believe you've all received orders from your superiors. This interview has been canceled." A colonel said coldly, "During the multinational conference, you are to stay in the hotel. Going outside is strictly prohibited."
"No, you can't do this! We have the freedom to report, and the public has the right to know the truth."
"No. Believe me, you don't." The colonel turned to the soldiers and ordered, "If anyone tries to leave, give them one warning. The second time, shoot them."
"Yes, sir!"
Dozens of fully armed soldiers shouted in unison, their killing intent palpable.
"You bunch of fasc—" The reporter tried to shout again, but her colleagues hurriedly covered her mouth and dragged her back.
"Louise, there's no point. Something huge enough to shake the heavens is definitely happening this time."
The next day.
An unusual atmosphere had settled over the capital.
The main streets near the Great Hall of the People had all been closed off, and soldiers lined the roads, keeping the area under tight guard.
As the meeting drew nearer, the leaders of the various countries grew increasingly anxious.
In the cigar lounge beside the conference room,
smoke swirled thickly through the air.
With a cigar between his fingers, Prime Minister Joseph of the European Alliance looked at the dark circles under his eyes, too deep to conceal even with makeup. In a hoarse voice, he asked Plov, the president of Lucy Nation, beside him, "Do you think Great Xia Nation's intelligence is reliable?"
He hadn't slept well at all the previous night.
The intelligence was simply too terrifying.
If it