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Through the combined efforts of Bu Ling and the other Black Shores technicians, the ancient Resonance array beneath the Quadrangle Hall was activated and run on overload, successfully and temporarily dispelling the "whisper" permeating the air.
Free from mental interference, and with the assistance of the numerous Resonance suppressors placed around the camp and the Black Shores reinforcement squad, the Seven Hills army finally managed to temporarily stabilize the defense lines at both the camp and the Quadrangle Hall.
Currently, on the Sanguis Hunting Grounds, although the atmosphere on the frontline grew heavier by the day due to the increasingly fierce impact of the Black Tide, the collective efforts of everyone maintained a tense order.
However, this order was soon broken by an uninvited guest.
An ornately decorated official vehicle of the Senate, surrounded by a small number of guards, slowly drove into the outskirts of the Hunters' Camp.
An envoy representing the Senate of the Seven Hills had arrived.
Leading them was a finely dressed middle-aged noble. Holding a scroll bearing the crest of the Senate, he swept an expressionless gaze over the tragic scene inside the camp, filled with the groans of wounded soldiers and the strewn corpses of Tacet Discords.
Under the protection of a squad of elite soldiers, he arrived before the command tent and directly demanded to see Governor Augusta and that foreign aid from the Black Shores.
Inside the command tent, Augusta wore a stern expression. Rover stood quietly to the side, while Yuno stood beside him, her eyes carrying undisguised disgust.
The captains of the other gladiator squads had also gathered inside the tent, and the atmosphere instantly dropped to the freezing point.
"Governor Augusta," the envoy unrolled the scroll and read in a pretentious voice, "the Senate has learned that the war on the frontline is locked in a stalemate, with massive consumption and slow progress. We express our deep concern."
"Recently, we received reports that you have handed over the heavy responsibility concerning the survival of the Seven Hills to a foreigner of questionable motives. Such an action is truly baffling and betrays the high expectations of the people of the Seven Hills..."
His words were full of baseless accusations and veiled slander, implying that Augusta's decisions were flawed and even questioning her motives for trusting Rover.
Augusta forcefully suppressed her anger and said coldly: "I have received the Senate's 'concern.' But I alone hold full authority over military decisions on the frontline."
"Lord Rover and the power of the Black Shores he belongs to are crucial assistance in our fight against the Black Tide. This matter requires no further discussion."
The envoy, however, let out a sneer. His gaze swept over the silent Rover, carrying a trace of contempt: "Crucial assistance? Perhaps. But the Senate wishes to remind the Lord Governor that the fate of the Seven Hills should be grasped by the people of the Seven Hills themselves, not entrusted to the illusory promises of a foreigner."
"Furthermore, if military supplies are delayed due to certain... controversial decisions or unexpected circumstances, causing setbacks on the frontline, I'm afraid the responsibility for that..."
Right at that moment, the previously silent Rover slowly raised his head.
His expression remained calm, but within those golden eyes, a storm was silently gathering. A heart-palpitating aura of oppression instantly enveloped the entire tent, as if even the sound of the wind outside had stopped.
He took a step forward. His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears, carrying an unquestionable decisiveness:
"Lord Envoy, I also have a message. Please make sure to bring it back to the Senate."
He locked his gaze onto the envoy. His tone was indifferent and direct, yet contained a power that struck straight to the soul:
"Tell those lords sitting high up in the Senate halls, enjoying fine wine, song, and dance, that every bit of supplies on the frontline and the life of every warrior is not something they can use as chips to play their political games."
"If," he paused slightly, every word stabbing down like a sharp blade, "the Senate dares to point fingers at the frontline again, slanderously discussing Governor Augusta's decisions, or even dares to cut off a single needle or thread of military supplies, causing the frontline to fail due to lack of logistics..."
The tent was dead silent. Everyone held their breath.
Rover's voice suddenly turned freezing cold: "Then, I will have the Black Shores fleet currently patrolling the strait south of the Seven Hills sail right up to the city. I will aim every cannon and vertical launch system directly at the Senate of the Seven Hills."
He leaned forward slightly, as if stating an established fact:
"I will blow them sky-high, along with their laughable greed and political games. Since they don't want the people on the frontline to live, then everyone can go die together."
"Trust me, the missiles of the Black Shores have never cared about their target's status, and they are absolutely never late."
As his words fell, a dropped pin could be heard in the tent.
Augusta's face displayed sheer surprise, which then transformed into deep approval and admiration.
Yuno even raised a hand in disbelief to cover her slightly parted, cherry-like lips.
And in front of Rover, the arrogance on the face of the envoy from the Senate had long vanished without a trace, leaving only deathly pale fear and unbelievable horror.
"You... you dare to threaten the Senate... threaten the Seven Hills..."
The guards behind him even subconsciously took a half-step back, their hands resting on their weapons but not daring to draw them.
The envoy's eyes were full of terror. He didn't know whether every word the man before him spoke was true.
But if he truly had the capability, and would truly do it...
"Get lost."
Rover couldn't be bothered to argue with him further and merely spat out a single word indifferently.
The envoy acted as if he had received a general pardon. He practically scrambled and crawled as he fled the command tent in a panic with his men, not even caring to pick up the Senate scroll that had dropped to the ground.
After a brief silence in the tent, irrepressible cheers erupted from several gladiator captains.
Augusta looked at Rover, her eyes filled with complex emotions: gratitude, shock, and a bit of worry over his uncompromising methods. But ultimately, they melted into a soft sigh and even firmer trust.
Standing beside him, Yuno's azure eyes seemed to mist over.
She looked at Rover, watching how he had defended Augusta, defended the frontline, and defended... everything she firmly believed in, using the most domineering and toughest method.
An unprecedented sense of security, admiration, and an indescribable fluttering instantly gripped her heart.
Before everyone could fully recover from the shock just now, Yuno suddenly took a few steps up to Rover, stood on her tiptoes, and planted a swift, light kiss on his cheek.
Her movement was as fast as the wind, and her cheeks instantly flushed crimson.
"Th-This is a reward! For you!" Her voice carried a shy tremble but was exceptionally clear. "Well done! Rover!"
Saying that, she didn't dare to look at anyone's reaction—especially Rover's expression. She turned and ran out of the command tent as fast as a frightened deer.
Inside the tent, all that remained was the faint, fresh scent belonging to the blue-haired Oracle, and the crowd, who were either even more bewildered or starting to playfully jeer.
Rover froze for a moment. He raised his hand and gently touched the spot that had been kissed. Looking in the direction Yuno had disappeared, the corners of his lips unconsciously curled up into a slight arc.
Not long after, the envoy who had fled back to the city of Seven Hills in a panic was standing in the assembly hall of the Senate, reporting Rover's threat with added embellishments.
The Senate was in an uproar, subsequently falling into immense anger and terror.
They had never imagined that a foreigner would dare to so directly threaten the highest authority of the Seven Hills, and possess the terrifying capability to put it into practice.
"Lunatic! That lunatic from the Black Shores!" a noble senator shouted, trembling.
"Augusta, she must be the one indulging him! She's inviting a wolf into the house!" another senator roared.
But they were indeed frightened.
If they confronted Rover directly—and the mysterious, massive super-multinational organization behind him—the risks involved would far exceed their imagination.
Their overt actions had to be temporarily halted. At least until the threat of the Black Tide was completely resolved, they didn't dare to use cutting off frontline supplies as a threat or directly question Augusta's decisions again.
However, the hatred and unease had not disappeared; they had merely retreated into the shadows.
"Since we cannot apply pressure head-on..." a noble senator with a sinister expression pondered. "Perhaps, we can start from the inside."
"Avidia... hasn't he always held expectations for the title of Hero King? And he has quite a few complaints about many of Augusta's methods as well."
"Send someone to find him. Have him cause a little 'trouble' for Augusta in the rear."
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