President Pierre was quite angry.
Upon learning that the Alliance suddenly had a large troop mobilization, his first reaction was to assume it was the Alliance exerting extreme pressure.
It was perfectly normal for him to think that way.
He had already talked with the Battle Nuns for several rounds and provided them with some assistance. Afterwards, he had also communicated quite amicably with the government of the Alliance’s Central-North Province.
He had even been ready to send a secret negotiation team to Revival City soon to discuss with the Alliance Government the conditions under which Polar Industries would join the Alliance and accept its jurisdiction.
And now, at this moment, the Alliance suddenly resorted to military action—what did that mean?
Although there was no direct conflict and it might not even reach the borders of the North Territory, the mere presence of tens of thousands of troops at the border of the Central-North Province and North Territory was a silent declaration.
The Alliance playing such a hand on the eve of negotiations was clearly meant to apply pressure, to lower the conditions of Polar Industries’s subsequent incorporation into the Alliance.
He had indeed prepared quite a few conditions, after all, they were not surrendering in defeat—they maintained rare large-scale industrial production capabilities on Rage Owl Star, capable of effectively maintaining rule over the vast North Territory, with its population of over two million people who could be influenced by Polar Industries, more or less.
Under these circumstances, they did indeed have the qualification to negotiate some conditions.
For instance, could the management of the Polar Industrial Group, the ones making the decision to “join” the Alliance, receive better treatment?
Could Polar Industries maintain some degree of autonomy in the north?
Could they receive technical support from the Alliance?
Would the Alliance open its markets to Polar Industries?
Such concerns, indeed, there were many points that could be discussed.
In fact, the reason Polar Industries had delayed in sending an official negotiation team south to meet with Mr. Gu was that they had not yet settled these issues within their own ranks.
Pierre was the president of the group, yes, but he wasn’t the sole decision-maker within such a large conglomerate—factions and interests were complicated matters.
And now with the Alliance deploying troops, did it mean:
“Don’t talk to me about conditions, there are no conditions to discuss.”
Were they really being so high-handed?
But what could he do about it?
It seemed there was nothing he could do.
He could issue threats, refuse amalgamation, using the North Territory as leverage to resist the Alliance’s military movements.
But he knew that such threats carried no weight.
A fundamental factor could not be reversed: they had no hope of defeating the Alliance’s army.
This was the most despairing and vexing truth.
Just as he was scowling and fiddling with his beard, the door to his office opened.
A tall lady in white and green powered armor walked in.
Tucked under her arm was a helmet, and she greeted President Pierre with a smile, “Mr. President, good day.”
“Superior Georgette.” Pierre was in no mood for pleasantries, he said grimly, “Your Alliance has very poor manners. Our negotiations were progressing orderly. In the past, I also sought convenience for your actions and was gradually making a clear distinction from those cultists. Everything was moving in a positive direction. Why would there be Alliance troops massing and heading north?”
“I need an explanation!”
Georgette was not from the Alliance, but she did not attempt to correct Pierre’s assumption.
She said, “You’re correct, but there have been changes. My sisters and I will be leaving this planet soon; we promised Mr. Gu that we would settle all issues within Polar Industrial City before we leave.”
Georgette did not withhold any information and gave the reasons. Then she earnestly advised, “Therefore, by tomorrow, the flag of the Alliance must be raised over Polar Industrial City. Issues like conditions of joining, you can discuss them afterwards.”
Pierre almost laughed in anger.
He stood up abruptly and said, “To negotiate after the Alliance has taken over Polar Industrial City? How can you even bring yourself to say such a thing? By then, what would there be left to discuss? The whole group will be at the mercy of the Alliance!”
Georgette sighed and said, “I’m sorry to say this, but I must tell you, this is an ultimatum.”
“Forget it!” Pierre retorted, “Then let the Alliance try! We won’t cower when bullied like this! We’ll arm every one of the three million citizens in the North Territory! We will fully support the activities of the Primordial Wrath Owl Sect!
Perhaps even if we do so, the Alliance might still win, but they will bleed, they will pay a terrible price, and what they end up with will be nothing but scorched earth in the North Territory!”
His words were defiant.
Putting aside whether these words were heartfelt or if Polar Industries would truly have the resolve to follow through as he said when it came to that point, at least he had to show such demeanor now, or else he would truly be easy prey.
But Georgette was not swayed.
“President Pierre, is this the official response you are giving?”
She looked sternly at the group president.
Pierre paused for a moment, his heart racing, sensing something ominous.
But having reached this point, he couldn’t take back his defiant words in a matter of seconds.