Chapter 499: Boundless

"De la Rosa and Oda Kenta died twelve minutes ago? Was it Andre?"

In the Manhattan Money Wing Building, Michele Medici put down his fountain pen and stared incredulously at a man in black across from him, after confirming the answer from the latter's eyes.

Michele, somewhat dazed, swiveled his office chair and looked out through the glass curtain wall.

"Wow, this is utterly unexpected, Sachi. I never imagined his counterattack would be so fierce."

The man in black shrugged: "Four demigods fell in a single day. He sent the Dragon Witch Cult back to pre-WWII levels in one day. This is arguably their heaviest blow since the American Civil War. But from what I know, Andre's forces also suffered heavy losses. Yarad is not to be underestimated."

"No matter how heavy the losses, they can't compare to the fall of demigods."

Michele shook his head, lost in thought: "How did De la Rosa die? You said their battle took place at Druid Lake, right? I find it hard to imagine him being killed there, or was there another helper? Paracelsus?"

"He only brought in Wallace Carroll through the connection of Clark Banfield, the new security director of the Rising Sun Group. Logically, it was impossible to kill that pair of dragon liches. Yet absurdly, De la Rosa's death happened just like that. It occurred in an instant; no one knows what happened. Carroll and his men are tight-lipped about the situation."

The man in black explained: "It's said that Andre has again sent invitations to many demigods to hunt dragon liches. I suspect no fewer than ten will participate this time. But for now, it seems he hasn't located the next pair of dragon lich partners."

"I can imagine. No one dares to face those dragon liches head-on, but if it's just pushing over a wall that's about to collapse, no one would mind giving it a shove."

Michele couldn't help rubbing his temples, looking pained: "You know? I used to worry that Angela's future partner would treat her badly or fail to protect her after I'm gone. But now I feel that a too-capable son-in-law might not be a good thing either."

The man in black remained silent; he knew his boss actually didn't want to see the Dragon Witch Cult overly weakened.

Just then, a landline phone on the desk with an encrypted line suddenly rang with an urgent tone.

Michele gave a wry smile and picked up the receiver: "See? Here they come knocking. They probably want me to mediate. But the situation now is probably different from before."

He didn't care at all if the person on the other end heard that remark—in fact, he intended it.

...

At almost the same time, inside Abraham's White House, the President paused in reviewing government documents and looked in astonishment at Ms. Christie Brad, who sat across from him.

"This application seems quite absurd."

He referred to a document in his hand: the newly appointed 'Guardian' Andre L. Wiltonstein of the Wiltonstein family had applied to the Grand Lodge for punitive action against the Dragon Witch Cult. He planned to mobilize thirty Legends from the Freemasonry nationwide and a war fund of five billion golden shields, and to serve as commander of the war against the Dragon Witch Cult.

"It shouldn't even have reached me. Your council should have vetoed it at that level."

"Under normal circumstances, I would have done so."

Christie Brad replied with a complex tone: "But before this, he killed the demigod dragon lich De la Rosa and his Holy Guardian Oda Kenta. And three hours prior, the demigod dragon liches 'Barbos' and Magdalen also died at Andre's hands."

"Give me the battle report! I need the detailed process."

The President was visibly moved: "Brad, do you think he has the ability to destroy the Dragon Witch Cult?"

"I'm sorry, the Void Night Lord sealed the void. No one knows what happened except for our Level 9 agent Wallace Carroll and his men who were present. I was paying attention at the time, but I never imagined De la Rosa would actually be killed by him, so the resources I deployed were very limited."

Christie Brad shook her head: "I don't know if he can eliminate those dragon liches, but he likely possesses a method to counter those demigod bone dragons. Yarad can't be sure either. So now, not only have the few bone dragons in America gone into hiding, but even in the Old World, several demigod dragon liches have temporarily left their lairs."

"They're a cautious bunch."

The President fell into deep thought: "Then do you think we can approve the application from that young Wiltonstein? I need to know if he has the resolve to eradicate the Dragon Witch Cult. Or, Brad, do you have another agenda?"

"He might have the resolve, but he certainly can't accomplish it. If the Dragon Witch Cult were so easy to eliminate, it wouldn't have survived for over thirty centuries. So this is more likely Andre's move to gain an advantage, and also to secure more leverage in peace negotiations with the Dragon Witch Cult. I actually don't think their war will continue. The FBI has been monitoring the connection between the Dragon Witch Cult and Michele. Given Yarad's personality, he will definitely seek peace with Andre, even if it means the Dragon Witch Cult suffers huge losses and their prestige plummets."

"But for us, this is also an opportunity. The Dragon Witch Cult is a notorious, well-known cult. Since WWII, many terrorist incidents and public security events have been linked to them. This is—"

Just then, a dull knock came at the office door. The middle-aged woman serving as White House Chief of Staff pushed the door open: "I'm sorry, Mr. President, for interrupting your conversation. But Mr. Richard insisted on seeing you at this time."

A look of displeasure appeared on the President's face, but when he saw the man who hurried in, his displeasure turned into resignation.

"Richard—"

"I know, I know, this is very rude. But Mr. President, I think Ms. Brad's purpose in coming to see you today is the same as mine. As your National Security Advisor, I have to do this."

The man with a stern, cold demeanor first glanced at the document in the President's hand, then sat down unceremoniously beside Brad and handed over another folder.

"I am applying to launch an operation against the Dragon Witch Cult. Mr. President, this is an opportunity. Recently, the pro-Conservative media have been attacking our shortcomings in public security. I admit the government has been negligent in this area. But now, we can deliver a powerful counterstrike."

His eyes gleamed with fervor: "I am confident enough to sweep away forty-seven percent of the Dragon Witch Cult's lower-level organizations within a day. That will ignite public opinion across America."

"I understand your intentions."

The President merely glanced at the document submitted by his National Security Advisor and decisively signed his name on it.

"Christie, regarding Andre's application, you can partially grant his request. The specific terms will be negotiated by your council. And—"

He paused his pen, looking at the two across from him: "Go ask Carroll what really happened. Also, from now on, all major domestic intelligence agencies are to establish top-secret personal files on Andre L. Wiltonstein, classified Level Nine. This young man, as you said, Brad, has boundless potential—"