Counterfeit Hero Chapter 242: Revised: Volume 4, - 27, Betrayal (7)

The entire Leray Federation was in a state of turmoil.

The standoff between the so-called Desic Empire’s exercise fleet and the 4th Fleet had shocked the entire human society. Every eye was on that barren and extrely dangerous Public Star System. In this powder keg, just a single spark could ignite a disaster.

The Fei Alliance responded swiftly. Within six hours of the incident, a conference call involving the heads of over a dozen dium to large countries had been convened. However, four hours of discussion later, not a single country could co up with a feasible solution!

Advancing was dangerous; retreating was impossible. Since the Narte Empire initiated a new round of the military race, the Western Alliance countries had been aggressive. Border conflicts were intensifying, and there were even reports that so Western Alliance countries planned to create an issue with at least three Fei Alliance mber countries in the next six months, bringing long-standing unresolved territorial disputes back to the table.

The Leray Federation was rely an insignificant mber among the various countries in the Fei Alliance.

But given the international situation, no one dared allow this small mber to suffer in silence! The not-so-tight bonds among the Fei Alliance countries had to be firmly maintained at this mont!

Therefore, the Feiyang Republic, at the first mont of the standoff, had President Francis urgently summon the Desic Empire Ambassador to Feiyang. President Francis expressed serious concern over the standoff and hoped that the Desic Empire would take the bigger picture into consideration and not ddle in the conflict between the Gazalin Empire and the Leray Federation.

However, the Desic Ambassador, who had appeared courteous when presenting his credentials a few months earlier, was uncharacteristically tough and rude this ti. He quickly interpreted President Francis’ words as a threat. He firmly stated that Desic had entered the Public Star System before the Leray Federation and produced a prepared, yet aningless, docunt to assert that the exercise had been scheduled a year earlier. This was Desic’s business and did not require interference from others.

Thereafter, the Fei Alliance and the Western Alliance, the two major military blocs, argued vehently at the Human Supre Joint Council.

The Western Alliance threatened, and the Fei Alliance also threatened, with both sides’ stances becoming increasingly hardened.

At this point, the Feiyang Republic clearly could not let the Leray Federation be strangled. Even if President Hamilton of Leray wanted to retreat, it was not an option. With the tone of the eting set, there was no way to reach a resolution.

The fleets were still in standoff, and Hamilton was exhausted by the relentless impeachnt pressures from the opposition party that had gained significant montum.

The fighting on the Lucerne front was at a fever pitch, with both sides committing their maximum forces. The Leray Federation Governnt couldn’t afford to back down at this critical juncture. National dignity and territorial integrity are sothing any sovereign nation would defend with their lives. The Leray Federation had lost and sacrificed too much for this war, and this debt could only be settled with the Gazalin Empire!

Moreover, the situation on the Lucerne front indicated that even if the Federation Army wanted to retreat, they couldn’t.

The Gazalin Empire, clearly supported by the Western Alliance, utilized its imnse transport capabilities to air-drop sixteen divisions, cutting off the Federation Army’s retreat route. At this point, with what bargaining chips could they negotiate?

Protests organized by the opposition were radiating from the Capital Lutedit City to all cities of Leray. The President’s supporters had also organized and were fervently defending their stance, leading to several small-scale clashes between the protesting groups.

After the President’s office announced temporary martial law based on the "Ergency Regulations for Warti Handling," the unrest was temporarily suppressed. However, this action provoked further dissatisfaction among opposition party legislators, who increasingly called for the President to imdiately end military operations, comply with the Human Parliant’s war diation, and demanded explanations for the martial law.

Anyone in the position of Federation President would likely feel extrely uneasy. Hamilton faced the greatest crisis of his tenure.

After six hours of closed-door deliberations, Federation President Hamilton summoned Supre Command Departnt General Mihailovich. The two partners, who had been closely collaborating since the war began, held a confidential eting for less than twenty minutes, then appeared together at a press conference.

Hamilton’s decision was four words.

No Inch to Yield!

As reporters from various countries stared in shock, President Hamilton issued an urgent warti presidential order:

All Federation Army units, imdiately execute highest level combat readiness.

Issue a reservist mobilization order.

Second national general mobilization.

The newly ford 9th Fleet was dispatched to the Public Star System.

One after another, these bombshell announcents silenced all voices. At this mont, the entire human society fell silent.

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Russell watched Hamilton address the nation on television, knowing that this ti, everything was at stake!

Before Hamilton’s address, Russell had already received news of the final decision. For this choice by the Federation President, Russell felt genuine admiration.

Hamilton was not a general; it had been over thirty years since his military service. Yet within him remained an unyielding spirit of the Leray people, a fearless defiance towards pressure and challenges. He did not opt for a safe compromise policy but instead carried the interests of the Leray Federation on his shoulders at the cost of his political career.