Taxes are only within machine gun range!

Chapter 268 Anti-Milton Special Forces
Vilan, still breathless, said, "Didn't you guys even consider what the consequences would be if Milton actually attacked?"

Upon hearing this, Maine sneered: "Do you think that if we appease Milton now, he won't attack? Vilan, you've worked in the government for so long... The reason I agreed to your request before was because I thought that no matter how big a fuss Milton made, no matter how much he shouted, at most he would just become another Ubico family, another Rios family."

“I thought Milton was so crazy before because he had nothing to begin with. Once he really tasted the power, once he really had so much, he would gradually become weak and compromise.”

"Marry that girl from the Ubico family, have a child, and start indirectly getting involved in our business, creating a mutually beneficial relationship. When Milton's next generation takes power, it's just that the previous Lopez has changed his name."

Maine looked at Vilan: "But do you know what he's doing now? He's taken over oil fields, he's building railroad networks, he's developing industry—and there's no resistance from within his ranks!"

"Two years, at most two years later, if there is no intervention, you can expect to see a terrifying modern army crushing us!"

"His economic power will surpass that of everyone else combined, and his various equipment will completely overwhelm us at extremely low cost. You work in the Ministry of Finance, so you know that what I'm saying is true!"

"A party that can only rely on imports for weapons is trying to defeat a party that can produce its own weapons? Unless a super-industrial nation comes in with full support, there is absolutely no chance of winning."

"When that day comes, what ability will we have to resist? Do you really think that once Milton has absolute power, he will obediently become a warlord and not attack us?"

When the Pan Madre Group effectively controlled vast oil fields and power zones, began laying railway networks, and started laying the foundation for subsequent industrialization, many people finally realized what Milton really was.

He is neither the next Lopez nor a CJNG who doesn't deal drugs.

This madman is here to completely eradicate all the old forces; there's no place for them in the new world.

Many of the "peace faction" who originally thought they could make money by changing masters have changed their stance after realizing this.

If they previously thought Milton was still someone who "cut off someone's livelihood as if killing their parents," now they finally understand that Milton's intention from the very beginning was to wipe out their entire family.

Vilan argued forcefully: "Therefore, developing the economy is the most important thing. Only by solving the problem at its root can we fundamentally defeat Milton."

Mayne couldn't help but sneer: "How are we supposed to develop?! You're a senior official in the Treasury Department, do you really need me to tell you that our efficiency in utilizing resources is simply not on the same level as Milton's?"

"You came up with this data—you discovered that Milton's efficiency in utilizing tax revenue is outrageous. Our utilization rate is considered excellent if it reaches 5%, but Milton seems to be able to utilize it at 120%, isn't that right?"

"If we continue to develop like this, we will only be left far behind!"

“Milton can’t tolerate people like us. The only way is to completely overwhelm us with his incremental capabilities and use our limited resources to physically eliminate him.”

Vilan walked out onto the street and watched Maine walk toward her limousine. She said, "I still believe there is a peaceful way to resolve this."

“Peace?” Mayne paused for a moment, as if he had heard a joke, as if he had heard something ridiculous. “How can there be peace at a time like this? Our allies don’t want peace, and Milton wants it even less!”

Raising his voice, Mayne looked around, stepped forward, and lowered his voice slightly: "Anyway, it's not a secret... so I'll just tell you. The Rios family has already established contact with the Honduran military, and we will receive a lot of external support, a lot."

Honduras… Vilan opened his mouth, but didn’t speak.

The situation in Honduras during this period can be described as chaotic. The newly appointed President Reyna is committed to promoting reforms and plans to launch an investigation into the military—who has a history of kidnapping, murdering, and torturing students, as well as corruption and de facto control over local governments.

After President Reiner announced an investigation into the case, military representatives even threatened to send armored vehicles and artillery into the capital! (And they actually did.)
Moreover, although the amount of aid received increased during this period, military aid shrank dramatically. In 1991, they were still able to receive tens of millions of dollars in military aid, but by 1995, according to their own estimates, they would only have a few hundred thousand dollars left at most.

The Honduran military felt a huge threat, and its interests were significantly reduced.

At this time, they saw an opportunity to win over external allies and seize military benefits, so they were naturally tempted.

Mayne turned around again, and as he opened the car door, he said, "My sources say that there are also a large number of gangs and drug traffickers pouring into El Salvador... You must have heard of the 'Anti-Milton Alliance,' yes, it's now in its initial stages."

"Once it is fully completed, its scale will far exceed that of Milton, and Milton will not be able to make up for it in a short time with his incremental advantage."

“It will be a massive coalition, enough to completely crush Milton… And Milton’s well-managed territory, his vast equipment, and his immense wealth can alleviate our financial crisis to some extent, which is a good thing for you, isn’t it?”

Vilan calmly continued from behind, "The former 'Anti-French Coalition' also fought a 'Battle of the Three Emperors,' which ultimately resulted in a crushing defeat for the allied forces."

“Milton is not Napoleon.” Maine got into the car and waved his hand. “Besides, even Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo in the end, wasn’t he? The ‘anti-French coalition’ ultimately won the final victory, didn’t it? Moreover, we have a ‘secret weapon’.”

"..."

Boom boom boom...

The luxury car sped away, and Vilan could only sigh helplessly.

The fragile alliance that had been painstakingly built has completely fallen apart... The current government is full of pro-war factions.

With Milton's resounding naval victory and remarkable achievements, many people were naturally frightened. However, their chosen response was not to make peace with Milton, but to crush him completely before he became too powerful to be contained.

Vilan felt that his example of Napoleon was absolutely apt.

He sighed again and quickly got into his car. Guatemala City was very unsafe at night, and if you didn't want to die, it was best not to wander around the streets.

……

Solora Province, Guatemala.

Solora, an important city connecting Quetzaltenango to the west and Guatemala City to the left, was already showing signs of being fortified.

The city was originally inhabited by Maya, but after the massacre and the complete capture of Vevetnango by Milton's rebel army, the persecuted Maya continued to migrate there.

Moreover, the garrison stationed in the city had clearly done their homework. They had studied the Battle of San Cristóbal and believed that Milton would likely take advantage of Solora's location in a volcanic zone, surrounded by multiple volcanoes, and with only the Pan-American Highway as its main road, to cut off its supply lines once again.

Therefore, many ships were either transported or forcibly requisitioned and used as military supply ships.

Milton's naval combat capabilities were so strong that the Americans had to study him, but he couldn't get his ships into Lake Atitlán.

Milton was at a disadvantage in terms of logistics and even fire support from the lake to the land.

At this moment, on a street in Solora.

Boom boom boom!
A burst of gunfire rang out.

"what!!!"

"We surrender, we surrender!"

In an alleyway covered in graffiti and riddled with bullet-riddled trash cans, several tattooed gangsters screamed, dropped their weapons, and lay on the ground begging for mercy.

One of the gang members looked up in fear at the group of people walking towards him.

These gang members had heard rumors a few days ago that their old rival had been wiped out overnight by an outside group in the blink of an eye.

Before they could even celebrate, disaster suddenly struck!

Various military-grade assault rifles, and even hand grenades, rained down relentlessly, instantly wiping out the gang leader and his most loyal guards!

What's even more unacceptable than being defeated is that there were even children among this group.

Not the kind of kids who are close to twenty, but real kids, even younger kids.

A gang that no one on the street dared to mess with, and that even the police didn't want to get involved in, was actually taken down by such a kid?

However, the thought of eliminating their old rivals made the gang members feel a little better.

The utterly defeated gang members were bound hand and foot and led forward.

One of them was genuinely unsure: "Where are we going?"

"Don't ask."

"...Yes, yes!"

Soon, the gang members were taken to a small house.

Upon entering, the various symbols in the room and the overwhelming smell of blood immediately brought immense physical discomfort and psychological stress.

The boy kicked the door and said coldly, "Want to live?"

"Isn't that obvious?" The gang members grumbled as they nodded vigorously.

The boy slung the AK over his shoulder and said, "Next, we will face an apocalyptic crisis. Only powerful warriors with unwavering faith will be able to overcome it."

"Only by taking down one person can you prove your worth and that you are the soldiers we need."

"Of all of you, only half will make it out... There are no rules."

what? !

The gang members looked up in astonishment upon hearing this, and one of them happened to see the very evil-looking symbol painted on the wall.

He blurted out, "'Primitive Voodoo Cult'? You're members of the 'Primitive Voodoo Cult'?!"

The boy didn't answer him, indifferently closed and locked the door, and walked towards another building.

Not far away, a military jeep was waiting in the same spot.

"I have completed the task you asked me to do: training the local gangsters into warriors to fight Milton. Where is your promise?"

The officer glanced at the boy, jumped off the vehicle, and patted the boxes on top: "They're all in here... Heh, you must make good use of them. Don't forget who thoroughly blasphemed your gods, who killed your beloved 'family' and revered priests."

“You’ve always wanted to get rid of Khorne, and now, the opportunity is right in front of you.”

The boy opened the box, briefly inspected the weapons and high explosives inside, and then said, "I don't need your reminder."

The officer was very satisfied with what he saw.

The Arsu government went to great lengths to deal with the somewhat intimidating Milton. Anyone who opposed Milton was considered a friend.

The remnants of the "original Voodoo Cult," which Milton had previously wiped out from top to bottom, from the high priest to all the believers, were found by the military and regrouped.

The cult itself was already extremely radical. After suffering a devastating blow, with even the high priest dying under the torture of "Khorne," the faith of a large number of believers has completely collapsed, and it can no longer gain any traction.

Conversely, there are some of the most stubborn people who, instead of being discouraged, seem to have undergone a process of selection, becoming even more extreme, more hateful of "Khorne," and more determined to take revenge!
These remaining cult members, who harbored deep hatred for Milton, held extremely extreme ideologies, and possessed considerable fighting capabilities, were almost entirely gathered together, rearmed, and transformed into a formidable fighting force.

The Arsu government still has some face to save. The military can't just go out and conscript men directly, but by taking a slightly roundabout approach, they can give these violent, unreasonable, and highly capable cultists some military equipment and let them "incorporate" the city's gangs. That shouldn't be a problem.

Gang fights are commonplace here anyway.

Extremist ideologies, especially when a group of people with extremist ideologies gather together, coupled with hallucinogens and seemingly reasonable fallacies, can easily infect people with mental deficiencies.

For example, gang members.

Thus, they were formed together into an "anti-Milton special force".

“Don’t worry too much.” The officer seemed a little uneasy about the young-looking child in front of him, and added, “Milton’s planes won’t dare to come. We have powerful, vehicle-mounted anti-aircraft missiles, not the kind that soldiers carry on their shoulders, but those that are so thick and so long, vehicle-mounted missiles!”

"The gentlemen always wanted to deploy missiles in the capital. We argued and fought hard to get two sets of anti-aircraft missiles, which are now deployed in the city and constantly being driven to ensure that Milton has no way to lock onto them."

To everyone's surprise, the boy waved for the other cult members to take the items away, and said with a grim face, "What about their self-propelled artillery? That's a big problem too, isn't it?"

The officer was taken aback, seemingly not expecting that such a young boy would know what a "self-propelled artillery" was.

Let alone children, even many new recruits who have just joined the army often cannot distinguish between self-propelled artillery and tanks—in their eyes, it's just a cannon mounted on tracks, there's not much difference.

"Don't worry, we've also purchased self-propelled artillery... If Milton thinks he can still take us down quickly by relying on his equipment advantage as before, then he's in for a world of hurt, hahaha!"

"Alright, alright, stop asking so many questions and just do what you're supposed to do."

After saying that, the officer jumped into the driver's seat, stepped on the gas, and quickly drove away.

"Ah……"

The boy was not pleased with the coaxing tone, so he frowned and ordered his men to place the weapons in a safe location near the enemy.

He then lifted his foot and continued walking forward.

After walking for a few minutes, a terrible scream suddenly came from ahead.

"what!!!"

Then, the unpleasant sound of a blunt object striking flesh rang out.

This sound, which would make most people instinctively feel physically uncomfortable, did not move the boy's expression in the slightest.

He walked to the base of the building in front of him.

At this moment, several men and women were hitting a woman on the ground with wooden sticks. The woman was screaming in pain, while the perpetrators kept hurling insults at her.

Several younger children sat on the steps to the side watching the scene.

Judging from the woman's injuries, she had been beaten for quite some time, and even her screams were gradually weakening.

Her eyes lit up when she saw the boy approaching.

“Mi niito (child)!”

"Stay away from these people...it's actually a gradual process of controlling your thoughts, pulling you away from your familiar world. What a lovely child you used to be! Look at yourself now, hating people you've never even met because of something that doesn't exist...Ah!!!"

"Child... child..."

"what……"

This woman was actually the boy's mother!

The officer just mentioned that the boy's "family" who died were not his father and mother, but rather these fellow cult members.

Judging from this scene, it's indeed hard to believe that this woman is the boy's mother.

A look of obvious disgust and disdain flashed across the boy's face: "Ridiculous! Who do you think you are? What do you know? You're just spouting nonsense here!"

"No, you're not spreading rumors. You're deliberately putting on this pitiful act to deceive me using your mother's relationship, hoping to make me give up on the 'Bronze Bull Torture' on you, is that right?"

"Unfortunately, I've discovered your attempt to contact the evil 'Khorne'!"

"Stop struggling, stop making excuses, what awaits you is the most terrible and painful death in the world!"

The Bronze Bull torture involved casting a hollow metal bull with enough space inside to accommodate a person. A pipe was designed at the bull's mouth, and the victim was placed inside the bull's belly while the lower body of the metal bull was heated.

The screams of the tortured were transmitted through the cow's mouth tube, sounding like the bellowing of a cow, creating a terrifying effect!
This form of punishment, originating from ancient Greece, was directly adopted by "primitive Voodoo" and promoted as a means to completely purify "blasphemers."

"For blasphemers, the most thorough purification method must be employed!"

The men and women around them cheered.

Purify her!

"Burn her! Setting Khorne's followers on fire will burn Khorne himself!"

"Kill her!"

"..."

Not only the men and women who looked like adults, but even the children who had been sitting on the steps were now raising their hands and cheering in their childish voices.

They didn't know why this woman was to be executed, they didn't know the cause and effect of the matter, and they didn't know whether such absurd reasons warranted the death penalty...

But they all believed that this woman was utterly wicked and deserved to die.

Under the influence of cults, these people's worldviews have been irreversibly distorted.

"kill him!"

"Burn 'Khorne' to death..."

"Ha ha ha ha!!!"

"..."

……

Quetzaltenango.

Milton was sitting in his office, watching various television news programs and looking at the intelligence reports on his desk.

“A huge conflict broke out within the ‘North American Cartel,’ and it almost disintegrated... It’s a pity it didn’t disintegrate. ‘May’ still has some ability.”

This resounding victory in the naval battle dealt a heavy blow to the seemingly invincible Sinaloa Group, shattering the prestige of "May" and causing the entire alliance to falter, almost collapsing like the "Guadalajara Group" before it.

Even if they are still managed to stay together, the Sinaloa Group cannot maintain its leading position in the alliance.

That video of the "military exercise" before the war became a joke among jokes.

CJNG unceremoniously combined the pre-battle video of the "Guadalajara" with the captured and leaked videos.

Such a stark contrast is almost like karmic retribution, utterly humiliating the Sinaloa Cartel, a "big brother" level drug trafficking organization.

Those drug dealers who managed to escape back home have completely deified the "tax collectors of hell."

Many drug dealers now firmly believe that if the terrifying "Hell Tax Collector" waves his hand, a deluge of drones carrying bombs will blow them to pieces.

After this naval battle, all drug cartels in North America completely lost the courage to face Milton alone on any battlefield.

Just as Milton was about to turn the page to see the next section about the "Anti-Milton Alliance," Flora knocked on the office door and came in.

"what's up?"

Flora pulled out a chair and sat down: "Solora... there's been a new development in the city that the government forces have been fortifying ever since you took over Quetzaltenango."

"Let me guess, self-propelled artillery and vehicle-mounted anti-aircraft missiles have all been deployed, right?"

“Not only that.” Flora shook her head. “One of our informants there, we’ve lost contact with. She was a woman, her name was…”

Milton immediately opened the panel, checked the personnel situation, and confirmed that the informant had not betrayed them and was not dead for the time being. He then said, "Continue."

"Her reason for being willing to be an informant is simple: she wants her children to break free from the cult."

"She went missing just now."

Milton paused slightly, then looked up at Flora and asked, "What's the name of that cult?"

“'Original Voodoo Cult'”

“‘Tax collector,’ Arsu has truly used every available force to deal with you.”

(End of this chapter)