From cannon fodder to sweeping across thousands of stars.

Chapter 832 Let Us Be More United

Emily Shaw's previous report, after the passage of time, exploded like a depth charge in the ocean of public opinion in the New Commonwealth.

Beneath the Prosperity, Where Are Our Enemies?

The title itself is provocative.

The article did not directly attack the government, but instead used a wealth of detailed data and indirect interviews to calmly analyze the current almost frantic wave of preparations for war.

From the complete shift from civilian to military industry, to the unconventional expansion of the military, and then to those mysterious giant ships jointly built with the Star Dragon Empire, whose models have never been announced.

With her keen journalistic intuition, Emily pieced together these fragmented pieces of information, ultimately pointing to a chilling conclusion—human civilization is preparing for a war of far greater scale and intensity than ever imagined, and the enemy of this war remains a secret from the public.

The report immediately caused a huge uproar online.

Initially, official media attempted to downplay the issue, but the article's sharp questions and irrefutable facts caused it to spread like a virus across various private forums and social media platforms.

"She's telling the truth! My cousin is serving in the Third Fleet. They've canceled all their leave and are undergoing high-intensity simulated combat training. The enemy's tactical models are unlike anything they've ever seen before!"

"No wonder Atlas Corporation's stock has skyrocketed; they've secured almost all of the arms deals!"

"The government must give us an explanation! We have the right to know what we are fighting for, our taxes, and our children's future!"

Panic did not spread widely because social order was maintained and most people had stable jobs and incomes.

However, this report planted a seed of doubt and unease in the hearts of the people. The sword of Damocles hanging over their heads, though unseen, was already emanating a chilling aura.

New Federation, Provisional Supreme Command.

Franklin slammed a public opinion analysis report on the conference table, his face turning ashen.

"Look! This is what happens when you try to cover it up! The entire internet is talking about this now, and public trust has dropped by three percentage points in the past 12 hours! We must respond immediately!"

"Your Excellency, we have strengthened public opinion control and communicated with major media outlets," the propaganda minister replied, wiping away cold sweat.

"Is this the time to talk about this?" Franklin sighed, rubbing his forehead. "What's done is done. What I need is a solution!"

On the other side of the conference room, Agnes's holographic image also frowned, a rare occurrence.

Although the Star Dragon Empire is an imperial system with a relatively closed internet environment, the public opinion storm of the New Federation has already begun to affect the people of the empire through various channels.

So, as a member of the 'Survivors' Alliance,' she and several other high-ranking members of the Empire also attended the meeting.

"There's no use in being anxious now, so, Mr. Franklin, what suggestions do you have?"

Agnes asked, her gaze sweeping over Amber on the other side, who was leisurely stirring his coffee as if he were an outsider.

"I suggest that we hold a joint press conference at the highest level."

Franklin stated unequivocally, "We may disclose some information to the public in a limited way. We can omit the term 'pioneers,' but we must let them know that we are facing an unprecedented external threat! What we need is the understanding and support of the public, not blind preparations for war amidst suspicion and panic!"

"I object."

Agnes shook her head and immediately retorted:

"Revealing the threat will only trigger even greater panic! The public doesn't need to know that much; they just need to obey orders. The most crucial thing now is stability. Any factor that could destabilize society must be nipped in the bud! I suggest immediately blocking related reports and arresting the journalist who incited the unrest!"

This suggestion was very much in line with Agnes's personal style, but it was quite outrageous to Franklin and the officials of the New Commonwealth.

Franklin: "Arresting journalists?! My God, Your Majesty Agnes, this is not your imperial court, this is a trampling of press freedom! Yes, we do have the technology to suppress public opinion, but we cannot stop everyone from discussing things in private; doing so will only provoke a greater backlash!"

“But freedom of the press cannot supersede civilization and security!” Agnes refused to back down.

The two faced off, separated by a holographic projection device.

One side represented the values ​​of a democratic federation, while the other adhered to the ruling logic of a feudal monarchy; for a time, neither could convince the other.

"cough."

A soft cough interrupted their argument.

Amber put down his coffee cup, and all eyes turned to him.

"What you're saying makes sense, but it's also wrong."

Amber said slowly, "Franklin, you're too idealistic. You think the people are rational."

"But when you tell them there's a group of godlike aliens who could come and destroy everything at any moment, you won't get understanding, but rather riots, doomsday cults, and a run on the bank!"

"At that time, our factories and shipyards will be destroyed by our own people in the first place."

Franklin's expression changed, but he had to admit that Amber was telling the truth.

"And you, Your Majesty Agnes, well... I can only say 'as expected of you'."

Amber turned to the Empress on the screen, and her expression became somewhat subtle after thinking about some past events.

"You're too arrogant. You think you can solve the problem by blocking and coercing."

"But information and public opinion control is like water; you can block it for a while, but you can't block it forever."

"The more you suppress it, the stronger the backlash will be! In the end, you will lose not only the people's trust, but also the credibility of the entire government!"

“Well, we don’t really care about ‘public credibility’ here in our empire either,” Agnes muttered softly, her head down, as if she were a different person when facing Amber.

"."

After a period of silence in the meeting room, the two leaders of the New Federation and the Empire asked the question almost in unison.

"Then what do you suggest, Amber?"

"It's very simple."

Amber smiled slightly, appearing very confident.

“Since the people want to know where the enemy is, then we will give them an ‘enemy’. Since the people think we are engaging in militarism, then we will give them a ‘just’ reason.”

He stretched out his finger and tapped it lightly on the table.

A promotional plan, generated by Lilith in a matter of minutes and polished by Amber, was presented to everyone.

The title of the proposal is "Protecting Civilization".

a few days later.

An unprecedented joint press conference, co-hosted by the New Federation and the Star Dragon Empire, was broadcast live to every corner of the human world.

Giant holographic images of the new Federal President Franklin and Empress Agnes stood side by side at the launch stage.

This in itself is a powerful signal, symbolizing that the two major forces of humanity have put aside their past grievances and are joining hands in cooperation. "My citizens, my fellow countrymen."

Franklin spoke first, his voice steady and powerful, just like his usual speeches.

"I know that everyone has many questions and anxieties lately! You are asking why we are building such a massive fleet? Why are we putting the entire society into a quasi-wartime state? Where is our enemy?"

He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the camera lens as if he were looking at everyone.

"Today, I will give you the answer here."

"Not long ago, the capital of our common ally, the ancient Thousand Star Empire, was destroyed by a sudden and long-planned conspiracy! Hundreds of millions of innocent elves were reduced to ashes in the flames!"

As soon as this statement came out, the whole place was in an uproar.

After rumors of the destruction of the Thousand Star Empire's capital had been circulating online for so long, they have finally been officially confirmed.

Agnes took over the conversation; her voice was clear, cold, and authoritative, and many of the new Federation citizens were hearing the voice of this imperial ruler for the first time.

"Behind this tragedy lies a corrupt civilization hidden deep within the universe. They covet everything we possess, viewing all emerging civilizations as crops to be harvested at will! The tragedy of the elves is just the beginning. Their next target is us."

"They don't have a specific name because they are the common enemy of all free life in the universe, so we call them—'The Reapers'."

Reaper.

This name, which Amber had concocted out of thin air, became, at this moment, the common enemy of all mankind.

Franklin's voice rang out again, filled with passionate emotion:

"Therefore, our preparations for war today are not for invasion, nor for hegemony! But for defense! To protect our homeland, our loved ones, and our hard-won peace!"

"We will not sit idly by and wait for tragedy to befall us!"

Agnes's voice echoed throughout the venue:

"From today onwards, the New Federation, the Star Dragon Empire, and the surviving elven allies will officially launch the Civilization Protection Agreement together with the Atlas Group!"

"We will gather all our strength to form an unprecedented joint fleet, launch a proactive attack, and keep the flames of war outside our homeland! We will completely eliminate those jackals lurking in the shadows!"

These words were like a shot in the arm, injecting a powerful dose of encouragement into the hearts of everyone watching the live stream.

All the unease, suspicion, and panic were replaced at this moment by a more powerful emotion—anger stemming from shared hatred of the enemy and a sense of pride in being given a sacred mission.

We are not on the defensive, we are on the offensive!

We are not lambs to the slaughter; we are the guardians of civilization!
This 'truth,' woven from a mix of true and false information, cleverly transformed the pressure of preparing for war into a driving force for the entire civilization to strive for progress.
After the press conference, Emily Shaw sat in the press center, quietly watching the overwhelming discussion online.

Most of the public's doubts and panic have disappeared, replaced by a strong fighting spirit and sense of mission.

As a seasoned media professional, Emily Shaw knew that the content of this press conference was bound to be exaggerated and concealed.

But she also had to admit that it was a beautiful and inspiring response.

She turned off the screen, pondered for a moment, and then typed a new article title on the keyboard.

A battle with no turning back!

Mianliu Fortress, a quiet stargazing room.

Amber and Sally stood side by side, gazing at the deep starry sky through the huge arched porthole.

"A beautiful speech."

Salih looked out at the nebula and said softly.

“Using a lie to unite everyone, the Jeram people would do the same; we call this phenomenon ‘social consensus-building.’”

“But we are different from them.” Amber looked at the starry sky. “We gave the people a reason to be proud, not a whip to make them fear.”

Salih was silent for a moment, then spoke softly, "Amber, do you know what the last line of the 'Doomsday Prophecy' is?"

Amber turned to look at her, waiting for her answer.

"When the players become pawns themselves, when the rulers of the universe attempt to play the role of saviors, the end will come from within, just as they have done to all things."

Her voice trembled slightly.

"What I fear is not how powerful the pioneers are, but that this final prophecy points not only to external enemies, but also to ourselves!"

"In order to fight against them, we have built a huge, efficient and unified alliance, and have gained unprecedented power. But such power is itself a temptation."

"It will tempt us to control everything, to plan everything. In the end, we will become exactly like the enemy we hate."

"At that time, even if we won, what would we be?"

This was her deepest fear, a warning from a higher civilization about the alienation of power.

Amber listened quietly without interrupting her. He spoke slowly after she finished speaking.

“Salih, actually, Atlas’s online public opinion monitoring system could have blocked that reporter’s article at the time, but do you know why I let that reporter publish it?”

Salih shook her head, looking at him with a puzzled expression.

"Because I need her voice, I need someone to question us, supervise us, and remind us, just like I've needed your voice to warn me from the past to the present."

Amber reached out and pointed to the boundless darkness outside the window.

“They, the Jerams, believe themselves to be the only truth, so they cannot tolerate any dissent, while we…”

A confident and composed smile appeared on Amber's face.

"Our truth is hidden in these noises. It is hidden in the stubbornness of that elven craftsman, in the complaints of that engineer, in the questioning of that journalist, and in your worries."

"As long as these voices remain, we will not lose our way."

"Because we are not perfect players, we are just a noisy bunch of people with all sorts of problems, but we'll do anything to survive."

Salih stared at him, gazing into the confidence in his eyes that was deeper and brighter than the starry sky.

The gloom that had been weighing on her heart for so long seemed to have been completely torn open by these words, letting in the light.

Yes, humans are not perfect; in fact, they are riddled with many flaws.

But these may be their ultimate weapons against 'perfection'.

(End of this chapter)