Chapter 1890: Chapter 1883: Situation Analysis

After returning to his familiar home, Luo’er didn’t go out, staying in his room all day. By the time Lin Wei came to pick him up the next day, Luo’er’s eyes looked somewhat weary.

“Do you need more rest?” Lin Wei asked with concern.

“No need, I’m fine now.”

Luo’er shook his head in refusal.

“Have you thought it over?”

“I think I’ve made my decision. I am confident and capable of leading Lipei affairs.” Luo’er took a deep breath and answered seriously.

“Good,” Lin Wei smiled with satisfaction, nodding repeatedly, “Then let’s go and meet the higher-ups, show them your confidence and ability.”

“I’m ready.” Luo’er replied resolutely.

Lin Wei looked at him, slightly opened his mouth, but eventually closed it, saying nothing more.

For a moment, he seemed to see the shadow of Luo Chuan, the comrade who always maintained a confident smile on the battlefield.

Soon, Luo’er followed Lin Wei onto a helicopter, flying towards the city.

The helicopter flew across the city to the rooftop of a hotel on the outskirts. There were numerous men in black guarding the hotel, and dozens of armed men were standing on the helipad.

When Luo’er and Lin Wei got off the helicopter, a man in black approached, saluted, and reached for the documents Lin Wei handed over.

After a simple glance, the man in black nodded and led them through the security check before taking the Omnidirectional Elevator from the rooftop into the building.

The Omnidirectional Elevator passed through winding corridors and multiple checks before finally arriving at a room.

The elevator door opened, and Lin Wei stepped out first, then turned to Luo’er and said, “I can only take you this far; it’s your show from here on.”

“Am I alone?” Luo’er asked nervously.

“Of course, the leaders want to see you, not me.” Lin Wei smiled calmly.

“Okay, I understand.”

Though mentally prepared, Luo’er couldn’t help but feel his heart race at the moment, subconsciously swallowing.

The man in black opened the room door, signaling for Luo’er to enter. Luo’er acknowledged with a slight bow before carefully stepping into the room.

It was a spacious suite, and on the sofa in the living room sat a chubby elder. He wore a white shirt with a dark V-neck knitted vest over it.

As Luo’er walked in, he was watching a Holographic screen on the coffee table, which was broadcasting the morning news.

Seeing Luo’er enter, the elder looked up and smiled kindly, saying, “Luo’er, welcome home.”

“Uh, thank you for your concern, leader.” Luo’er said nervously.

“Oh, no need for such formality,” the elder waved dismissively, “I’m an old acquaintance of your grandfather, Elder Luo. As his grandson, just call me uncle.”

“Uh…”

Luo’er forced a smile, remaining silent.

“Come, sit here next to me.”

The elder seemed unfazed, patting the sofa beside him, inviting Luo’er.

“Excuse me.”

Luo’er nodded lightly, walked to the elder’s side, and sat down carefully. The man in black at the door closed the room’s door, stood silently with hands crossed.

The elder reached out to shake Luo’er’s hand, warmly saying, “Last I saw you was years ago. You opened the Otherworld Gate for the nation and went to the East Continent, achieving great merits for the country, truly hard work.”

“It’s no trouble, it’s what I should do.” Luo’er lowered his head.

“If someone else said that, I might think it’s just polite talk, but if it’s you, I believe it’s genuine.” The elder said softly, looking at Luo’er.

Faced with sudden trust, Luo’er was caught off guard, silent for a moment before smiling with effort, “Ashamed, it’s just some minor work.”

“Precisely because of that, I truly trust you, and everyone trusts you.” The elder said, patting his shoulder, then turned off the holographic projection screen on the coffee table, pacing with hands in pockets.

“Luo’er!”

He turned his back on Luo’er, his tone turned serious again, making Luo’er tense up.

“Western countries hope we’ll sign a non-interference treaty, but if we do, we can’t deploy our army to Lipei. If Lipei is attacked militarily by Odelanqi, it might fall. We can’t allow Lipei to fall; it is crucial to us. So, Luo’er, should we sign or not? You decide.” The elder asked in a low voice.

“I believe we can sign.” Luo’er stood and spoke loudly.

“Oh, really?”

The elder suddenly turned, looking at Luo’er with approval in his eyes.

“Back when Lipei rebelled, we defeated the rebellion with just thousands of elite troops, winning a great battle in the suburbs. From my understanding of Otherworld war ecology, a million troops are just that, and if I had tens of thousands, I am confident I can hold Lipei, unshaken.” Luo’er took a deep breath, answered firmly.

“Don’t forget, the King of Odelanqi has not traditional feudal troops but a near-modern army…”

“Odelanqi’s gathering of a million troops is not solely to target Lipei; Gudelv’s ambition is to rebuild the entire Aud Empire. To achieve this, he can’t invest all his forces to attack Lipei. Therefore, what we’re facing may not be a million troops. If Odelanqi’s army can deploy a hundred thousand to attack Lipei, that would be enough for Gudelv…”

“Back then, we dared to confront tens of thousands with thousands; a mere hundred thousand seems insignificant to me.” Luo’er replied confidently.

“Good, good, good!”

The elder smiled with satisfaction, saying “good” three times. Then he pointed at Luo’er, “I admire you young people’s spirit. Advisors believe domestic troops are needed to defend Lipei; you’re the only one who dares say Lipei can be defended solely with its own troops.”

“Overpraised, it’s just simple analysis,” Luo’er lowered his head, “I’ve been executing tasks in the Otherworld for years, and I’m slightly informed about this world’s political and military landscape.”

“However,” the elder’s tone shifted, worry resurfaced, “Behind Odelanqi, we see shadows of the CIA and even NATO. Their hostility towards us is no less than Gudelv’s. This war is clearly part of their strategy, so I’m concerned Odelanqi may prioritize attacking Lipei.”

“With all due respect,” Luo’er said, “I don’t think the CIA or NATO can direct Odelanqi’s military actions!”

“Oh, tell me your thoughts.” The elder was delighted, urging him.

“I’m not sure how deeply domestic intelligence agencies know Odelanqi. But from the intelligence I have, Aud Empire’s unification war essentially stems from King Gudelv’s subjective will, not Western countries’ incitement.” Luo’er answered seriously.

“How did you conclude that?” The elder raised his eyebrows, surprised.

“As I understand King Gudelv,” Luo’er said, “he’s extremely self-serving and sees the CIA and NATO as pawns to use. He considers himself a player; thus, once he decides on something, the CIA can’t easily influence him…”

After a pause, he continued, “Gudelv has been planning for years, viewing Earth’s arrival as significant. Humans from Earth changed the Church Court’s absolute influence on Aels Continent, causing territories under its rule to stir…”

“In conclusion, as long as we ensure Gudelv doesn’t focus on Lipei, we can avoid direct confrontation with a million troops. Even if Westerners exert pressure, I think Gudelv will at most send around a hundred thousand to attack Lipei.”