In the secret prison of the Intelligence Department of the Jieke Group.
Su Jie appeared here with Baiya, and soon they saw the disheveled former King Pupeng of Siam being brought over, now merely a prisoner beneath the steps.
Pupeng staggered as he walked. When he saw who was approaching, a hint of resentment involuntarily appeared in his eyes, "It's you two, you really conspired together."
Upon hearing his older brother's words, Baiya curled his lips and said, "Pupeng, do you really have the nerve to mention 'conspiring'? Your cooperation with the CIA is well known to everyone."
"This is our first meeting, isn't it? I hope you're well. Actually, I'm puzzled by something. Who gave you the courage to think that with the support of the Beautiful Country, you could oppose me?"
Su Jie sat in a chair, observing Pupeng who was restrained by two Genetic Warriors with a curious look.
"Don't think that just because you defeated Siam, you've won. Zhenla, Lancang, and An Nan will continue the struggle to death; you won't outlast us," Pupeng said through gritted teeth, still dreaming about his neighboring countries.
"In your reference, Zhenla and Lancang have already declared unconditional surrender, and An Nan has voluntarily sent an offer of peace. You are far too fanciful if you expect them to avenge you," Su Jie chuckled, shaking his head. It was no wonder Pupeng had become a mere pawn for the Beautiful Country, unable to see the reality of the situation.
"Impossible, absolutely impossible, it's only been a few days, how could they have surrendered already?" Pupeng's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Don't measure the Heavenly Soldiers of the Jieke Group by your own standards; it's not even the same league," Baiya said mockingly and then turned to Su Jie with a sycophantic tone, "Mr. Su, there's no use wasting words on such trash. He doesn't even know where he lost."
Infuriated, Pupeng's hatred for Baiya ran deeper than for Su Jie, and he cursed loudly, "You bootlicker, securing your throne by betraying your own country, don't get too smug. You've offended the entire Western world. Sooner or later, the Jieke Group will be destroyed, and you, who have shamed our Royal Family, will meet a bad end as well."
Baiya sneered, dropping the pretense, "Betraying the country? Weren't you the one collaborating with the Beautiful Country? You caused our father's death and imprisoned all our brothers. If anyone's a traitor, a patricide, and an imprisoner of his siblings, it's you who is the most shameless and despicable."
"I... the Beautiful Country is the Dominator of Blue Star. Siding with them was a wise choice. How can it compare to you siding with the Jieke Group?"
"Dominator of Blue Star? Aren't they now ignominiously retreating from Southeast Asia? The Jieke Group is the true dominator here."
The brothers' argument grew heated, nearly coming to blows.
"Since you chose the side of the Beautiful Country, you should be clear about the outcome," Su Jie said as he slowly stood from his chair, speaking calmly, "Your only remaining usefulness is in that head on your shoulders. Your death will serve as a warning to others."
Pupeng trembled, fear flashing in his eyes as he realized Su Jie intended to execute him directly. He couldn't help but cry out, "Baiya, wait, don't leave! For the sake of our brotherhood, help me. I don't want to die."
Baiya paused, remembering his own imprisonment by Pupeng, then said through gritted teeth, "Hah, now begging for mercy, you remember I'm your brother? Mr. Su, I wish to carry out the execution in front of our father's tombstone. A mere shooting would be too kind for this faithless, undutiful, and unrighteous scum. He should be beheaded publicly, in the ancient manner."
"Then the execution shall be under your direction," Su Jie slightly nodded, leaving the interrogation room with Pupeng's desperate pleas and cursing echoing behind him.
February 16, Manchester!
This first city of Southeast Asia was hosting a grand victory parade and ceremonial entry.
The commander of the First Mechanical Combat Brigade, Hao Guang, decorated with medals, led his subordinates' hundreds of Spider Main Battle Mechas. With the military band playing, they were the first to march into this Angel City, entering from the spacious Swan Road.
On both sides of the road, the faces of the Siamese people were complex as they stood by, watching their enemies enter their capital.
Many among the Siamese people were filled with indignant fury, believing that the Baiya government had sold out the dignity of all Siam, yet they were powerless to intervene at this moment.
Some shed tears of sorrow and pain as if crying over their national capital being trampled under the iron hooves of the Jieke Group.
To them, their beloved Manchester was no longer the Angel City, for it had been violated and desecrated by the demon that was the Jieke Group.
Others treated the arrival of the Jieke Group like a stranger, selling snacks and merchandise on the streets, doing whatever needed to be done, showing no signs of sadness over their defeat, almost like onlookers.
But for most, their eyes were wide with shock at the sight of the iron army.
The twelve-meter-tall Spider Mechas, as high as a four-story building, gleamed in the sunlight with their heavy metal armor, riddled with bullet holes, cannon breaches, and warped armor from battle. The dense machine guns and 203mm main cannon on each gave a shockingly terrifying impression. Many civilians instinctively stepped back, distancing themselves from these monstrous, lethal beasts.
As each Spider Mecha passed, followed by other units from the Jieke Group, the main battle tanks thundered past under the towering 314-meter-tall Royal Cloud Top Building, armored vehicles drove beneath the dense greenery in front of the Jade Buddha Temple, and thousands of soldiers in neat formations, wearing steel helmets and carrying rifles, sang the national anthem, their gleaming boots stepping onto this fertile land.