Read Novel Full Chapter 516: New Men
Chapter 516: New Men
Inside the Directorate Headquarters London, photojournalists aimed their cameras at Mr. London.
He settled his arms on the lectern, staring confidently at the photographers and corporate media staff. Three tall individuals stood behind him. All three of them were over seven feet, clad in golden exosuits with oversized pistols strapped to their thighs. The normal pistols were too small, and the recoils too insignificant.
The crisp clicks of cameras and subtle shuffles of shoes across the floorboards filled the room.
Mr. London cleared his throat, and the room fell silent. Every camera was waiting for his first words.
The world was watching.
"I stand here today, not as a prince of Britain but simply as Mr. London, a member of the Council. You all know us. You know what the Council has done to maintain order. The risks our agents have been taking, fighting against those willing to abuse their powers and the remnants of Cain’s Fanatics."
He paused, took a deep breath, and slowly let it out.
"Sadly, despite our efforts to put an end to this fanaticism that has plagued us for nearly a century, we have continued to fail. And today, I would like to reveal why. I’m sure many of you already know." Mr. London said.
"Yes. Your guesses are most certainly correct. The fanaticism Cain created has never died because there are new converts. The day we have ten of them in custody, twenty more have already joined the cult. This is why we must place preventive measures on you, Humanoid Summoners... That tendency exists within you simply because you possess a humanoid summon. I do not blame you for that, but it must be controlled. We create laws to restrain the dark impulses of mankind because we recognize that those impulses exist within all of us. The same goes for orientation. We are not the villains."
He stretched out his arms.
"These programs and the new cuff restriction will ensure this cult has no influence over you. The true villains are men like Cain, who began all this. And now another has risen. His name is Godfrey Daniels! You call him King of Summoners, but there is nothing majestic about a man who wants to cause nothing but bloodshed!"
The scene of Godfrey executing Mrs. Fukushima and the Unknown King cutting down the seven-foot-tall agent began to play on the screen for the viewers.
"You see what he does. He’s a killer. He will bring anarchy. What law will protect you? Who will be the police? His own knights? What if he wants you dead like he wanted the people being displayed on your screen? He’s a man who won’t listen to explanations. He’s just a nineteen-year-old boy lost in his rage and armed with enough power to believe he can change the world. He doesn’t know what change is. There is no future in what you fight for."
Mr. London sighed.
"Indeed, we have reported him to the Congregation of GodKings and Queens. He will face a fair trial by combat; the very method Godfrey himself has used against those who have wronged him. Abide by the laws. They were created to protect you and those around you. Let there be peace. I do not propose this because we are afraid. That couldn’t be further from the truth. We have the capacity to kill anyone. Mortal or god." Mr. London said.
"Step forward, agent."
One of the agents in the golden exosuit stepped forward and removed his helmet. He had a buzz cut atop his long, oval face. His light blue eyes, high cheekbones, and defined jaw gave him a stern, handsome appearance.
"He’s our best agent. Look at him, almost eight feet tall, and that’s without mana. We call them the New Men. For now, the project is limited to the armed forces because it isn’t perfect yet. But in the future, every single person would be like this. A near-perfect physique. They don’t get sick like we do. No child will be born with deformities. Their lifespan approaches two hundred. Perhaps two hundred and fifty at its upper limit. These are only the statistics for now. Soon enough, they will become my reality and yours. This is the future we are about to bring." Mr. London said.
He nodded at Ivan, and the agent brought out his pistol.
"Now, I’m not inclined to show you, but in these guns are bullets that can kill anything they touch. Being a god offers no protection. Do not be a test subject, recklessly offering your life for people like Godfrey and Cain. The trial will be held. I hope Godfrey Daniels will not return, and so should you. That will be all."
"You’re a liar!" A man from the little audience in the small hall rose to his feet, throwing water from his water bottle. It splashed on Mr. London’s face.
"I recognise that armour. It belongs to Godfrey’s knights. Where did you get it? You must have some of his knights in your custody! Tell us the truth! You’ll harvest us ofvwhat we’re worth!"
Ivan and the other two agents pointed their guns at the man. Ivan stood before Mr. London, but he wasn’t fast enough to stop the water from splashing across Mr. London’s face.
He clicked his tongue in anger. If that had been a knife, Mr. London would have died under his protection. He was too relaxed.
Ivan pulled the trigger. The bullet struck the man’s temple. His head burst into a cloud of purple, blue, and pink mist.
Screams and terrified gasps erupted around them as Mr. London was hurried out of the hall.
"Ivan!" Mr. London hissed. He wanted to yell, to scream out in rage, but couldn’t. This was a public space.
Amid the relentless clicking of cameras, he left the headquarters without speaking to a single journalist.
***
Arthur switched off his television after what he had just witnessed. It had begun. Everything Mr. London had said was crushed by the death of that man.
Whoever that man was, he deserved to be remembered. His sacrifice had dissolved the Council’s game.
He rose to his feet. It was time for a city to vouch for Godfrey. To stand with the Humanoid Summoners and give them a place of refuge before what was coming.
’It all depends on you once more, Godfrey. I don’t know what you’ve become, but can you survive this duel? If you do, you’ll become an undying symbol to these people... to me.’