Dragon Raja 5; Chapter 239: For Your Majesty (54)

Dragon Raja 5

“There’s nothing wrong with doing business. The East India Company was the British’s business in India. The Age of Exploration arose because Europe wanted to trade with the world. The pursuit of money and power led to human progress. Dragon slaying is a common business for all of us, but we’re not the only ones capable of this. There are many mixed-blood families in the world, such as the Henkel family in Chicago. If the Dragon Kings were strong and we were weak, then this would be a bad business, and the likes of Henkel would be eager to hide. But on the contrary, we are winning battles against the Dragon Kings, and we have even obtained the Dragon King’s bones. Dragon slaying has become a good business, and the likes of Henkel will be jealous. Imagine an era when all Dragon Kings are reduced to dragon bones displayed in museums. Would that be the dawn of an era truly belonging to humanity? No, it would be the dawn of an era of mixed-bloods, and those who inherit the dragon race’s legacy would become the new dragon race.”

The expressions of the elders suddenly changed. Even Beowulf, who had been glaring at them, involuntarily avoided Pompey’s gaze when it passed over him.

They had certainly thought about it, but they rarely discussed it in public.

Each of them has dragon blood flowing through their veins. When the pure-blooded dragon race dies out, who is most qualified to inherit the dragon clan and become the master of alchemy technology, noble bloodline and the mysterious world? Of course, it is them.

The new dragon clan, yes, people like that are the new dragon clan.

The reason they dared not discuss this matter was that it went against the very purpose of the secret party’s establishment. But once the rebels drove out the colonists, wouldn’t they become the new consuls?

Pompey tossed a folder onto the table, sliding it precisely in front of Beowulf. “While we’re having this conversation, a Los Angeles-class nuclear submarine has left its designated route and headed for the Arctic, loaded with torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles. The ostensible reason is that a Russian Akula-class nuclear submarine has entered the Arctic Circle, and the United States should send a submarine of a comparable class to counter it. But we can call that nuclear submarine the ‘Henkel nuclear submarine.’ If it encountered both an Akula-class nuclear submarine and a Leviathan at the same time, it would definitely prioritize throwing Tomahawk missiles at the Leviathan. We haven’t yet found out who sent the Akula-class nuclear submarine, but it’s clear that someone is secretly exerting influence on the Russian Northern Fleet.”

Beowulf opened the folder, read it, and handed it to the person next to him without saying a word.

The intelligence provided by the Gattuso family was sufficient to prove that the Henkel family had secretly influenced the dispatch of the nuclear submarine. While nominally on a military mission to the Arctic Circle, the captain’s true loyalty lay with Henkel himself.

“Gentlemen, we are engaged in a big business. Whoever wins in this business will be the future operator of the world. What World War I and World War II were about was, of course, the right to operate the world. Humanity has expended tens of millions of lives and countless tons of steel, oil, and even gold in pursuit of this right. Yet, you consider buying an icebreaker a grand gesture, calling it a ‘well-prepared operation.’ I ask you for nuclear submarines and aircraft carrier battle groups, but you look at me in surprise, saying it’s impossible and you must be kidding.” Pompey sighed, “You’re trying to win a war with a slingshot.”

“What qualifications does Henkel have to compete with us?” Beowulf said with disdain.

“Competition doesn’t require qualifications, only strength. Henkel didn’t dare to compete with us before because Hilbert Jean Anjou was the principal of this academy, and he was powerful enough to suppress Henkel’s ambitions. But now, my poor old friend lies in the lifeboat, his life or death uncertain. We have also lost our most important asset, and I believe Henkel is aware of this.”

“What assets?” Mr. Turing was puzzled.

“Lu Mingfei, whether he’s the Dragon King who hasn’t awakened yet or not, he holds the uncanny power to slay dragons; that’s authority, and even Henkel has to respect it. As long as Lu Mingfei is a member of the Secret Party, the Secret Party will be respected, but now he’s our enemy.” Pompey spread his hands. “Henkel Han Gao has reason to believe that without Anjou and Lu Mingfei, he can do everything we can. He killed Leviathan, and he’s the new Secret Party. When the dragon bones are displayed in his living room for mixed-blood families around the world, people will transfer the respect they once gave us to Henkel Han Gao. Gentlemen, most of you can speak Chinese and should know the allusion to ‘When Qin lost its deer, the whole world chased it.’ Leviathan is the deer, and we’re not the only ones chasing it. You’ve lost your two most important cards, Anjou and Lu Mingfei, but you still have one card to play: the Gattuso family. The Gattusos are willing to continue to stand on the same front with the Secret Party.”

“It’s better to say that the Gattuso family is ready to replace the secret party and stand on this front!” Beowulf retorted.

“We’re demanding this command, and naturally we’ll offer a reasonable price. In fact, on my way here, two Astute-class nuclear attack submarines of the British Royal Navy deviated from their original routes and headed for the Arctic Circle. A satellite carrying the ‘Scourge’ system also entered polar orbit and now passes over the Arctic Circle twice a day. I believe its performance in Tokyo is satisfactory to everyone. Our lobbyists have already set off for Washington and Moscow to find ways to restrict the two nuclear submarines of the United States and Russia. As for icebreakers, we’ve mobilized four of them, and they’re heading towards the North Pole along four different routes. As for the aircraft carrier battle group, I have to admit that’s a joke. It can’t sail on the frozen sea.”

As Pompey said this, a real-time map of the Arctic was projected, with six zigzag red routes around the North Pole and a blue arc circling the Earth.

When the Senate learned that the Henkel family and some unknown force had sent nuclear submarines to the Arctic Circle, they were shocked. However, compared with the Gattuso family’s actions, those were just minor fights. The Gattuso family sent an army!

“Gentlemen, we are going to fight a war in the Arctic Circle, a war that must be won! War requires munitions, and I am here to deliver them to you,” Pompey said slowly. “We have invested so much, we must ensure the safety of our property.”

The elders exchanged glances. Countless glances crossed the conference table, conveying complex emotions and diametrically opposed opinions. Some shook their heads, others pondered.

The conference hall was so quiet that only the sound of breathing could be heard, and the elders sat like statues.     

This custom has a long history, originating in ancient Rome. When war broke out, the once democratic Romans suddenly transition to a dictatorship. A certain individual, through a resolution of the Senate, would be given the temporary title of “Dictator,” meaning “dictator.” All of Rome would become his battle axe, wielding it to slash Rome’s enemies. No one could question his decisions, not even the Senate itself, which had appointed him.