Clash at the United Department

Eagle Nation, United Department headquarters.

The atmosphere at the Security Council emergency meeting was grave.

Diplomats from various countries sat rigidly around the long conference table as the cameras' red lights blinked.

Recording this critical confrontation that could affect the regional situation.

Rajit Singh, White Elephant's permanent representative to the United Department, looked livid.

The folder spread before him contained only several vague border reports and a few blurry photographs.

But that did not prevent the fury burning in his chest—or rather, the fury required for the performance.

"Mr. Chairman! Distinguished representatives!" Rajit abruptly rose to his feet.

His fist slammed heavily onto the table with a dull thud.

He pointed at Director Wang, Rabbit's representative seated across from him, his finger trembling with anger.

"I accuse! I solemnly accuse Rabbit of carrying out illegal military aggression in the border region!"

His voice echoed through the conference room, laden with deliberate grief and indignation.

"Three nights ago, seven of our border outposts and three patrol units.

A total of forty-two soldiers were brutally attacked by a group of unidentified armed men!"

He grabbed the folder and waved it through the air. "These brave soldiers were guarding our homeland in the bitter cold.

Yet they were slaughtered! Outpost equipment was destroyed, vehicles were damaged.

And even... even insulting numbers were left behind on our soil!"

Rajit panted heavily and turned toward the cameras, seemingly determined to show the whole world his righteousness.

"We have every reason to believe that Rabbit was behind this incident!

Only they had the motive and the capability to inflict such systematic damage upon our border defenses in so short a time!"

He pointed at Director Wang again, his voice rising until it nearly cracked.

"Mr. Wang! You constantly claim to love peace and advocate resolving disputes through dialogue.

Yet behind the scenes, you carry out these filthy sneak attacks!

This is a blatant trampling of international law!

A grave undermining of regional peace and stability!"

Whispers spread through the conference room. Quite a few representatives exchanged looks; some frowned, while others remained expressionless.

Sato Kenichi, Footpan Chicken's representative, adjusted his glasses and took over.

His tone sounded calm, but his words were sharp. "Representative Rajit's accusation is extremely serious.

If true, this would indeed constitute a grave challenge to the existing international order and the principles of border management.

As a regional nation, Footpan Chicken expresses deep concern over this."

He turned to Director Wang with a standard professional smile.

"Mr. Wang, Rabbit has always stressed that it is a responsible major power.

Do you have anything to explain regarding such accusations?

Or perhaps... could Rabbit provide detailed operational records of its border troops during the time of the incident to prove its innocence?"

Everyone's gaze converged on Director Wang.

Unhurriedly, Director Wang picked up the teacup before him, gently blew on the steam, and took a small sip.

As he set down the cup, he even adjusted his cufflinks, as composed as though he were attending afternoon tea.

"First, I would like to thank Representative Rajit for his... splendid performance." Director Wang spoke in a steady, clear voice.

"And I would also like to thank Representative Sato for his deep concern."

He leaned forward slightly, his calm gaze passing over Rajit before turning toward the entire room.

"However, allow me to point out a basic fact. In international relations.

Especially in a solemn United Department setting such as this, accusations require evidence.

Not emotion, not speculation, not several reports with even the time and location left vague, and certainly not..."

He paused, the faintest curve appearing at the corner of his lips.

"Certainly not relying on table-slamming and shouting, like something out of a television drama, to prove oneself right."

A few suppressed chuckles sounded in the conference room.

Rajit's face turned the color of liver. "You!!!"

Director Wang raised a hand, signaling for him to calm down.

"Representative Rajit says he has reason to believe Rabbit was responsible.

May I ask what reason? Did you see footage of Rabbit's military crossing the border?

Did you find standard-issue Rabbit weapons or ammunition? Did you capture armed personnel of Rabbit nationality?

Or... do you possess any satellite imagery, radio intercepts.

Or any substantive evidence that can be independently verified?"

With every question, Rajit's face grew a shade paler.

"None of that, correct?" Director Wang gently shook his head, a trace of regret in his tone.

"Then, at exactly what latitude and longitude did this so-called brutal attack occur?

What was the precise time, down to the minute?

What weapons did the attackers use?

How many casualties did it cause?

And by the way, you just said forty-two soldiers were slaughtered.

So may I ask, were those forty-two men all pigs? Were they standing there with guns in their hands, just waiting to be slaughtered??"

The barrage of questions struck Rajit like icy bullets.

Rajit opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

Because the reports sent back by the border troops had been chaotic from the start.

The surviving soldiers spoke of shadows and ghosts, yet there was not a single clear photograph.

How could he possibly present such reports?

Seeing his embarrassment, Director Wang continued. "If you cannot produce evidence.

Then this accusation is not merely baseless nonsense.

It is also a waste of this serious United Department forum and a waste of every representative's time."

His tone shifted as his gaze seemed to brush casually past Sato Kenichi.

"Moreover, accusing another country based solely on speculation and emotion.

Such conduct cannot help but remind one of certain... unpleasant events in history.

For example, some countries once used the disappearance of soldiers as an excuse to demand entry into another nation's territory for a search.

The result was an even greater conflict.

Representative Rajit, Representative Sato, tell me.

Shouldn't the international community collectively remain vigilant against and reject such patterns of behavior?"

"You!!!" Rajit completely lost control and shot to his feet, his chair screeching against the floor.

"Who are you talking about!" Sato Kenichi also rose with an ugly expression.

Director Wang had not named anyone, but everyone in United Department diplomatic circles knew exactly whom the allusion about missing soldiers referred to.

Faced with the furious glares of the two men, Director Wang smiled instead—a mocking smile from the bottom of his heart.

He let out a soft snort of laughter.

He gently shook his head and murmured, clearly enough for the entire room to hear, "Clowns."

Two words, in Chinese.

The interpreters conveyed them to every representative in various languages almost simultaneously.

The conference room fell silent in an instant.