Storm over Paradis Island (Part Two)
Outside the brightly lit church, a Military Police dressed in Unicorn Uniform glanced around, then tugged at his cuffs and walked straight into the church.
The church was already quite crowded with people, including many Soldiers in military uniforms— Military Police Brigade, Garrison Regiment, and Survey Corps. Besides the Soldiers, there were also many shrewd businessmen, somewhat reserved commoners, and even some elegantly dressed Nobility.
It can be said that this church gathered representatives from all classes and social strata on Paradis Island, and the Imperialists is the only one of its kind on Paradis Island today. This church is also the meeting place for the core members of the Imperialists.
As soon as the Military Police in their Unicorn Uniform entered the church, someone approached them to greet them, "Arno, you're here? We were just waiting for you. Perfect timing, we can begin the meeting."
Arno, Military Police, smiled and, at someone's invitation, took a seat in one of the first few seats at the front. Next to Arno sat a short-haired Soldiers with a resolute face, whose uniform insignia was "Garrison Rose." He was from the Garrison Regiment.
"Lord Lance, it's been a long time." Arno greeted him, but Lance remained unfazed and ignored him completely. Arno didn't seem embarrassed at all; instead, he smiled and sat up straight.
Soon, with the protection of some Soldiers, another meeting of the Imperialists officially began. In fact, such meetings were not very meaningful. The Imperialists held such meetings only to spread their ideas more far and wide.
Representatives from all walks of life at the meeting were indignant about the hostility of the outside world towards the Eldians, condemned the persecution of the Eldians by Marley, and lamented the former Eldia Empire. Members of the Imperialists also took the opportunity to promote Imperialists theories.
Although the audience below was in a noisy uproar, the few true core members of the Imperialists at the top did not express any opinions and watched quietly.
In this atmosphere, the meeting drew to a close. The Imperialists had grown significantly in number, and most of the ordinary members left the church after the meeting, leaving only a few true core members behind.
Lance, Arno, and several other veteran members sat together. Soon, a man of considerable age stood up. He was a former member of the Eldia Restorationists and one of the earliest propagators of Imperialist Faction Theory on Paradis Island. In terms of seniority, he was undoubtedly the oldest.
"Now that everyone is here, it's time to begin our discussion. There are two main issues: one is getting the Parliament to recognize the legitimacy of our Imperialists, and the other is the Rumbling Plan. Miss Yelena, could you please explain it to us?"
Under the watchful eyes of Lance, Arno, and the others, a figure in a suit slowly emerged from the darkness of the church. Yelena raised her head, a meaningful smile playing on her lips.
No one knows what the Imperialists's high-level meeting specifically discussed. Some members guarding the outside of the church only saw Lance, with an angry expression, kick open the church door and leave alone.
Arno, the Military Police, stroked his chin and slowly walked to the door. Watching Lance's retreating figure, he frowned and muttered, "Why be so rigid? It's just a small sacrifice for the reconstruction of the Eldia Empire; it's worth it."
Behind Arno, Yelena followed calmly out. Seemingly having heard Arno's words, Yelena reached out and patted Arno's shoulder, saying, "That makes sense. It's just a small sacrifice."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Erwin is meeting with a special person.
Floch looked at his Commander with some surprise and disbelief. Erwin considerately pulled out a chair for Floch and poured him tea. "Commander, please speak freely. Your actions are making me very uncomfortable."
Erwin smiled but didn't speak. He then handed Floch a document, Floch took and began to read. The more he read, the more his brows furrowed. After finishing the document, he looked up at Erwin and asked, "Commander Erwin, do you think I'm a charlatan? Or are you like those Imperialists? I don't understand. I'm just a Squad Leader. Everyone seems to overestimate me. I'm sorry, I have no interest in being a charlatan."
Seeing that Floch had directly rejected him, Erwin was not in a hurry. Indeed, Erwin's purpose in meeting Floch was simple: the Imperialists had taken a liking to Floch, Erwin, wanting to support the Restoration Army, also had his eye on Floch. But it was clear that Floch was completely uninterested in such matters.
Looking at Floch, he slowly said, "Floch, we highly recognize your abilities, and we ask you to believe in yourself. You may think that both the Imperialists and the Restoration Army want to recruit you, but Floch, have you seen the deeper truth?"
Floch looked at Erwin with a puzzled expression, but Erwin handed him another document. Floch opened the document, and the data recorded on it made his heart pound.
Erwin stood up, looking down at Floch. "This is all the intelligence we could get about the outside world, Floch. Do you know what this means? The Imperialists's goal is to wage war against all the countries listed in the documents for the so-called Eldia Empire. All the countries, Floch. You should have also seen the technology of the Hizuru. Tell me, how are we Eldians supposed to face these enemies?"
Floch hesitated upon hearing this, opening his mouth but not knowing what to say. But Erwin continued, "Floch, do you remember Scott? Do you remember our Survey Corps comrades who sacrificed their lives?"
What were their sacrifices for? What is the purpose of our Survey Corps? It is to fight for the future of humanity. Now, tell me, can you bear to watch the Imperialists lead us Eldians into the abyss? Can you bear to see the sacrifices of our Survey Corps comrades go to waste?
Erwin's words struck a chord with Floch, especially when Erwin mentioned Scott. Scott 'Squad Leader dying words flashed through Erwin's mind. "I believe you will grow into a qualified Soldiers."
If Scott Squad Leader still alive, surely a kind man like him wouldn't have watched the Imperialists lead Paradis Island into darkness?
Floch clenched his fists, his expression one of intense struggle, while Erwin watched Floch calmly, his expression unchanged, as if everything was under control.
After a long silence, Floch raised his head, his eyes hardening. "I agree."