The old man observed William in silence, waiting. His eyes tracked every small change on the man's face, and as William's expression turned serious, the old man spoke, his voice slightly hurried.
"Sir, there's new information," he said quickly. "The World Market Trade Alliance will hold an internal meeting later, at eleven in the morning."
William's gaze sharpened. He looked at the old man, confirming once again. "Is this information valid?"
"Yes, Sir," the man replied firmly.
"This information came directly from our spy close to Princess Hana, one of the alliance's key members." He paused briefly, letting his words hang in the air.
William was silent, but his mind moved swiftly. He clasped his fingers, resting his chin on them, lost in thought.
Placing spies around the enemy was an old tactic, but in these times, obtaining quick information became an advantage that could not be squandered.
A few seconds passed before he finally lifted his head, his gaze full of conviction. "Prepare the troops. I'll go directly."
The old man nodded, not surprised by William's decision. "Yes, Sir," he replied promptly, then stepped out of the room with swift steps, carrying the message to the troops.
Elsewhere, the island owned by the Russian alliance was bustling with activity. In a large room with marble walls and luxurious furniture, a burly middle-aged man sat relaxed on the sofa. His muscles bulged beneath his formal attire, and his bald head made him appear even more intimidating.
With a hard look, the man spoke to himself, his tone filled with frustration. "Young Master Lein... you're always so arrogant."
For a long time, he had tried to attract the attention of the World Market Trade's leader, Lein, by helping various parties and undertaking numerous humanitarian missions during the previous war, hoping to break through the wall of pride surrounding the man.
However, his efforts bore no fruit; not even a reply had ever reached him.
He frowned, his expression of disappointment turning to determination.
"Prepare the main troops," he ordered a woman standing firmly behind him, his loyal assistant who was always by his side.
The assistant bowed her head slightly, showing her obedience. "Yes, Sir," she replied calmly before walking out with steady steps, ready to carry out his orders.
Lein Island, City of Life
Lein stepped out of his bathroom, wearing a sky-blue robe that fell softly around him.
Each step made the sleeves of the robe sway gently, flowing in sync with his steady movements. The robe seemed perfectly fitted to his body, as if crafted just for him, and there was a sense of comfort in every soft touch of fabric against his skin.
At his waist, two lights in the shape of long swords were attached like ornaments, seeming almost like an aura illusion, yet solid enough to deceive the eye. The shape and details were identical to real swords—the hilt, the blade, everything exuded a deep, sharp impression, as if ready to be drawn at any moment.
"So comfortable," he murmured, smiling slightly as he straightened the sleeve of his robe with satisfaction.
He remembered when he asked a skilled tailor to create this outfit, emphasizing how important comfort and aesthetics were. The cost wasn't an issue, as long as the results met his expectations, and now, he felt truly content.
As he descended the stairs and reached the town hall's living room, his view was greeted by a spacious and neatly arranged room.
A long table stood in the middle, surrounded by chairs set up in an orderly manner. On one side of the room, a large television screen was placed alongside several other electronic devices—speakers, a PS5, a fan, and small tables around. Each item gleamed, like new, signaling how well-maintained the place was.
Lein glanced at the wall clock above the large TV hanging on the living room wall. The hands showed ten o'clock, and he smiled slightly, still an hour left before the alliance's internal meeting began.
He took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh morning air. Today was the first day he would serve in his role as a King-level leader.
Lein walked leisurely towards the sofa in front of the TV, letting his body sink into the soft cushions that felt so comfortable. With his flexible fingers, he picked up the remote, turned on the TV, and stared at the large screen displaying the channel list. A small smile crossed his face as he recalled his habit of watching TV back on Earth.
"What channels do people here usually watch?" he muttered, his eyes scanning the list with curiosity.
A name appeared on the screen: (Neo Star). He raised an eyebrow, slightly intrigued.
"Neo Star? Is this an idol channel?" he asked softly, selecting the channel with a single click.
The show's display immediately appeared, featuring a beautiful female singer dressed in bright clothing, with several backup dancers moving in sync behind her.
"Na na na..." The singer's voice flowed melodiously, with a fresh rhythm and an inviting beat. Without realizing it, Lein nodded his head to the rhythm of the song, his body filling with the joyful energy he often felt back on Earth.
Suddenly, a gentle voice came from beside him, "Brother, I've informed all core members."
Lein turned and saw Nita already sitting next to him, joining him on the sofa with a small smile.
"Thank you," Lein said warmly. "Hey, do you have any channel suggestions?"
Nita smiled, pointing at the screen. "The (My Academy) channel, Brother. It's the hunters' favorite. They usually broadcast matches of academy students."
Nita quickly took the remote and switched the channel to (My Academy). The display on the screen changed, showing a large arena with academy students in uniforms standing opposite each other, preparing to duel. The cheers of the crowd echoed in the background, intensifying the scene on the screen.
Lein smiled slightly, nodding, his eyes fixed on the screen.
"Ha? A duel?" he murmured softly, almost in disbelief.