"The point? Ah, yes, listen closely then," Albert said with his British accent, adopting the air of a nobleman addressing a peasant. This further irritated Cao Cao, but he maintained his composure.
"I'm going to introduce you to someone," Albert continued. "He's a mage, not local, but quite influential within the Confederation's magical circles. His word carries significant weight. Once he learns of our lord's involvement, he'll be willing to do almost anything to gain his approval. Don't mess this up, Minister Cao." The emphasis on 'Minister Cao' was a deliberate jab at Cao Cao's authority.
Albert knew that Cao Cao's dream of mainland unification was unfulfilled, and now he was working for their lord. Even though Cao Cao had a lot of authority, at the end of the day, he was still an employee.
If all went well, Albert hoped this would plant a seed of ambition in Cao Cao's mind, driving him to do something reckless. But Albert underestimated Cao Cao's resolve.
"Heh..." Cao Cao scoffed. "Who do you think you're talking to, mage?" he retorted. "I won't mess this up. I just hope your sources are as good as your mouth."
"Oh, you needn't worry about that. Thank you." Albert replied nonchalantly, unaffected by Cao Cao's annoyance.
— New York —-
Albert led Cao Cao to an apartment on a desolate street after curfew and martial law had been declared. Soldiers patrolled the road, and no one dared venture outside their homes.
Inside the apartment, Cao Cao met a masculine woman. Daniel would have recognized her as the same woman who had attacked Hermes. After receiving a token from Daniel, Albert had recruited her as a local informant, for a price.
"Is Mr. Kallidis here yet?" Albert asked the woman.
"Yes, Mr. Worseley," she replied. "He's waiting for you and Mr. Cao in the secret room." She then led them to a hidden room concealed behind a fireplace, standing guard after they entered.
Listening to this, Cao Cao understood what Nikkos wanted. He sought to be among the first selected to join this new organization. It's common knowledge that those who join early during the organization's foundation enjoy more benefits than those who join later, when the organization is firmly established.
Cao Cao nodded, agreeing to the condition. "Okay, I agree. But I can't promise whether our lord will accept you or not."
"No problem, Mr. Cao. A chance is all I need to convince Lord Emberweave," Nikkos replied.
The three then discussed how to rally the rebels, including topics such as funding, supplies, and support. Cao Cao relayed Daniel's orders to Nikkos, emphasizing that he wanted the Confederacy to feel it was better to unite with the US rather than remain under the rule of a madman like General Moore.
During this meeting, Cao Cao realized that Nikkos was one of those who joined the Path of Knowledge for personal gain. He had no loyalty or ideals regarding the Path of Knowledge, and when the faction crumbled, he immediately jumped ship without hesitation, despite his Kallidis family's prominent position and potential to gain control over the entire faction.
The meeting lasted five hours. Nikkos would rally all the mages and influential families within the Confederacy to rise up after the nuclear launch. Rumors would reach the grassroots that General Moore had used their compatriots for bio-weapon experiments.
The Whispering Hall would use the previous virus incident to support these rumors, excluding all magical elements and presenting the evidence gathered by the American troops.
For now, before the nuclear missile launch and its interception by the satellite ICBM system, they would lay low, prepare, and spread the rumors.
— Meanwhile - US —
In the US, panic spread like wildfire as the threat of nuclear war loomed. Some sought refuge in basements, others found solace in churches, dressed in black as they mourned the impending fate of themselves and humanity.
Despair drove some to abandon hope, turning to crime. Robbery, murder, and depravity ran rampant, only to be met with swift retribution from law enforcement. The police themselves were not immune to fear. Some were paralyzed, unable to fulfill their duties, while others remained steadfast, upholding the law until the very end.