Alex had expected opposition from the heads of state, but he had never imagined that the ones in office would openly discuss betraying Alexandria to the enemy.It was completely clear now that their masters in Valheim wanted to disarm Alexandria and weaken her so badly that she wouldn’t be able to defend the next invasion.Even though Alex wanted to rip out Douglas’ tongue for making such an offer, he suppressed his rage for the moment and spoke as calmly as he could.“What would you get by destroying the very nation that fed, clothed, and sheltered you?”Douglas scoffed at his naïve words and gestured with his open arms.“Open your eyes and look around you! Alexandria is already falling apart. There is no saving this country. Valestra and Ivera are crumbling from within. We are neck-deep in debt, and the army has been reduced to a shadow of its former self. There is nothing left to cling to. Alexandria’s past glory doesn’t matter anymore. What matters is where we are headed. And I, f

By revealing his true identity, Alex had sparked Elaine’s rebellious spirit, instilling him with a fiery new sense of hope.Even though President Sebastian held absolute power over Alexandria, Alex could already envision the possibility of change once people discovered the truth about their corrupted leaders.For now, however, Alex’s top priority was bolstering Alexandria’s military capabilities. And a nuclear revival was the best choice on the table.That same day, Alex took the evening flight and returned to Glenmonte. Once there, he drove straight to Cherry Hearse Avenue to meet Samantha at the secret nuclear research facility.Samantha welcomed Alex with a confident smile and gestured toward the nuclear storage facility behind.“We managed to finally refine the uranium and install it into two separate warheads. Our first atomic bombs are ready for testing.”“Well done. I am proud of all of you. Today, you’ve laid the foundations for helping Alexandria reclaim her lost glory,” Alex

News of the nuclear launch spread globally like wildfire, and by the time dawn broke over the northern hemisphere, every single news channel had the satellite footage of the enormous mushroom cloud on display.The International Peacekeeping Union called an emergency meeting of all 17 major countries, including Valheim and the military Republic of Orichoko.The President of the Council was furious about the unexpected nuclear launch, and his eyes were fixed on the 3 major nuclear powers.“There was a nuclear detonation over Gulliver’s Reef last night. But no one has accepted responsibility for the test,” he barked, staring daggers at the Defense Ministers of each nuclear nation. “You can try to play it smart, but I know it was one of you three. Only 3 countries have nuclear capabilities. It’s either Valheim, Orichoko, or Zorland!”“It wasn’t us. We don’t even have the capability to hit a target that far away,” the minister from Orichoko replied. “Clearly, there is a bigger fish in this

Calvin Merson’s adamant refusal to spill his secrets boiled Sergei’s blood. But he knew using force was futile.He left the room with General Varoose following close behind.“Give me a day with him, and I guarantee he’ll be singing for you,” General Varoose spoke with the ego of a man who’d interrogated hundreds of prisoners of war during his career.But Sergei merely frowned at his words.“Mr. Merson will die before confessing anything. I have seen his eyes. Those were the eyes of a man who is willing to sacrifice anything for his mission.”“So, we’re just going to sit here and do nothing?” General Varoose asked impatiently.Sergei’s phone rang before he could answer.It was a call from the minister of defense.“We flew our drones over Gulliver’s Reef. They didn’t detect any radiation.”“How’s that possible?”“The experts believe the bomb wasn’t equipped with a nuclear warhead.”“What about the satellites? They picked up a mushroom cloud. And the thermal sensors spiked like crazy.”“

Sergei Zharkov had planned to take his private jet back home that same night, but the recent disclosure from Alex made him change his mind.As his chauffeur was driving him to the airstrip, he gave him a new set of instructions.“Turn the car around. Take me back to the President’s penthouse in Foden Square.”Sergei’s return to the penthouse surprised everyone present there.Douglas Noyer, the President Sebastian’s Chief of Staff, ran out to receive him.“Mr. Zharkov, was there any trouble? Is something wrong?”“Nothing to be concerned about,” Sergei sniped, pushing past him and barging into the penthouse, followed by his guards. “Call an urgent meeting right away. I need to speak to our friends.”“All of them?” Douglas mumbled in confusion.“All 4 of them and our honorable Mr. President as well.”“It’s almost midnight. I am not sure if they can make it here on such a short—”Sergei snapped around and glared at Douglas.“Tell them, I summoned them! And I don’t care what they’re doing!