"Crazy! He's really gone crazy!"
Gideon Malick's limbs turned icy cold, and he could not stop trembling. It was not entirely from fear; there was also an inexplicable thrill. He knew the Emperor possessed ambitions beyond the reach of ordinary people, but he had never imagined they would be this vast—like some great king from antiquity, commanding armies and even personally rushing to the front lines to expand his territory. Modern international society was no longer an age in which expansion could be achieved through war. The hidden expansion brought about by international trade systems and capitalism was far more favored, while humanitarian laws such as international law had branded military expansion as one of the most despised methods. Military expansion was therefore the most costly option, with all kinds of governance costs to bear as well.
It was the simplest kind of calculation, one even an idiot could make. There was no need for military action; all one had to do was seize the market and establish "good" political and business relations. Then corporations were no different from governments, except they did not even have to shoulder the costs of governance or worry about what the people thought. The people were merely votes. Welfare systems and employment rates formed the foundation of those votes, and the media were the mouthpieces that swayed them. There was no need to invest any greater cost.
"Would He choose May 29 to attack Istanbul?"
"What an interesting joke, Dad."
"This isn't a joke, Stephanie. I thought Hydra could use His power for covert expansion and seize the market, but now it seems He's a complete war maniac. A warlord." Gideon Malick took a sip of cold liquor and tried to calm himself. Even though he knew such an ideal was impractical and the