Orb High Command Meeting

The text in the document had been drafted in strict official format, neatly printed by a printer.

At the beginning of the document, beneath the title, was a series of statements.

—In light of the current state of the world, the Orb Union Chiefdom has abandoned its responsibilities as a nation of Earth, stubbornly pursued the peace of freedom, and repeatedly refused requests for assistance. On behalf of its member states, the Earth Alliance hereby issues the following demands.

The arrangement of those words made the notice seem cold and merciless.

Uzmi's expression stiffened. He did not move his head, nor did he shift the focus of his gaze.

His jaw muscles tightened, and the veins in his neck stood out clearly.

He listened to every word being read aloud without blinking. His breathing grew short, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

The opening section of the notice had already drained the softness from Uzmi's face, but as the following specific demands were read, not only Uzmi but the other chiefs also began murmuring among themselves.

Low conversations began spreading through the meeting room.

Some of the chiefs seated in their chairs leaned forward, bringing their heads close to the colleagues beside them.

Their palms unconsciously slid across the tabletop, their brows drew tightly together, and their voices gathered into a low hum.

The document listed the following in detail:

First, the current government of the Orb Union Chiefdom was to step down immediately.

Second, the national forces were to be disarmed and disbanded.

Upon hearing the words "step down immediately," Uzmi clenched his left hand into a fist beneath the table. The fist pressed tightly against the tabletop, its knuckles whitening from the strain.

The light in the meeting room fell across his face, making his expression appear even