Chapter 420: The War Begins

"This is a breaking news report. At eight o'clock this morning, hundreds of FBI narcotics agents from the Charlotte office, in coordination with local police, raided the Fisherman's Wharf on the east bank of the river. A gunfight broke out with gang members, resulting in forty-five dead and three wounded. Seized were drugs totaling 230 million gold shields in value, including 300 kilograms of heroin. Next, we will play footage recorded by our reporter at the scene. Our reporter arrived seven minutes after the police operation began and captured firsthand information—"

Inside a Norfolk 'Crusher' armored SUV traveling on Russell Avenue in Atlanta, Nanette Drew watched the footage playing on the vehicle's television with a smile.

This was a brand-new television station. In the upper right corner of the screen, there was a logo featuring a 'rising sun + angel wings' and the letters 'APTV'—an abbreviation for America Political Television.

"How were the ratings yesterday, Delor? Do we have the statistics yet?"

"Limited to the state of Georgia, yesterday's peak rating was 3.5 percent, with an average of 2.2 percent. Especially after the explosion at the Qualcomm Building last night, our peak viewership in Georgia alone reached 1.5 million."

Answering Nanette Drew was Delor Claire, a newly hired female CEO assistant. From her name, one could guess her background: she was the niece of Senator Claire of the Conservative Party, born into a distinguished family.

The reason she was able to appear by Nanette's side was a deal between Nanette Drew's boss and the Claire family.

However, this woman's own abilities were also outstanding. Although she was a graduate of Starlight Noble Academy and Harvard University, she had previously traveled to the West Coast and, without relying on any family connections, became the deputy editor-in-chief of a newspaper with a market value of over a hundred million within three years.

"This already exceeds the peak ratings of Southern Cable Television. For a new station, these results are astonishingly good. I really admire you, Ms. Drew. According to recent surveys, your 24-hour political news channel is widely popular among white-collar workers and civil servants, with many companies subscribing. Especially in the past two days, the results have been particularly gratifying. Our Southern Cable Television has gained nearly 1.4 million new subscriptions, and its influence is expanding nationwide. However—"

At this point, Delor's voice hesitated slightly: "Now some people are questioning why our reporters always manage to be the first on the scene."

"Don't worry about it. Only a fool would refuse to use available resources. America Political Television's freshness is limited. Before other stations catch on, we need to expand our influence as much as possible."

Nanette Drew spoke nonchalantly, but then she noticed that her assistant still seemed hesitant to speak. She glanced sideways at her: "Is there something you want to say? There's no need to hold back in front of me, Delor."

"You don't seem worried at all?"

Delor Claire asked hesitantly: "I know that in the past few days, the Rising Sun Company has been at war with the Dragon Witch Cult. Whether it was the Qualcomm Building last night or the Fisherman's Wharf today, both were operations against the Dragon Witch Cult. Major General Michael Wood is commanding hundreds of magical energy professionals, fiercely attacking the Dragon Witch Cult's assets. At least seventy percent of today's shootings on the East Coast are related to the Rising Sun Company and the Dragon Witch Cult."

Ms. Drew smiled: "Your Claire family's intelligence channels are quite good, very sharp. Many people are still in the dark about this."

"Indeed, Major General Wood is very clever, and his network is extensive, with comrades spread across all of America. For instance, at today's Fisherman's Wharf, the FBI bureau chief in Charlotte once served with him in the Middle East. They handle the aftermath, a win-win situation. So even though the death toll on both sides has reached over nine hundred, public opinion remains calm. In just these two days, the Dragon Witch Cult has paid nearly 1.5 billion gold shields for this war. But I feel uneasy—"

Delor Claire looked at Nanette Drew, concern in her eyes: "After all, it's the Dragon Witch Cult. Although Major General Michael Wood is powerful and his subordinates, though newly recruited, are remarkably effective in combat, we are not without weaknesses."

"You mean me, right?"

Ms. Drew chuckled: "The probability of the Dragon Witch Cult targeting me is over ninety-nine percent. Maybe even today. But Delor, don't you—"

At that moment, a loud 'bang' came from outside the window. A bullet nearly penetrated the window but was blocked by a layer of golden source energy on the tempered glass.

On the roof of the vehicle, a golem about three meters tall shed its stealth armor, revealing its sturdy steel body. Its eyes glowed with spiritual light, fixed on a distant tall building.

However, the next attack did not come from that sniper. Around the armored vehicle, countless flashes of blades and swords erupted. At least six magical energy professionals above level 17 launched an attack, along with two automatic rifles firing at full power from about thirty meters away.

The golem, Big White, extended two alloy swords from its wrists, swinging a barely visible curtain of sword light, impenetrably blocking all incoming attacks. It displayed agility and speed utterly disproportionate to its massive body, keeping swords, blades, and bullets outside the sword barrier.

"Whoa!"

Nanette Drew had clearly anticipated this sudden outbreak. Yet at the moment it happened, she still couldn't help but startle, instinctively patting her chest.

"See, I really am a jinx. These guys come as soon as I mention them."

Delor Claire's face turned pale. She realized that the assassins surrounding the vehicle were all focused on destroying it. They intended not only to kill Nanette Drew but also to eliminate everyone inside.

This left Delor panicked and deeply regretful.

But then she noticed that the person she served showed no sign of fear or panic; instead, her face flushed with excitement as she watched the vehicle's television.

Delor glanced over and saw that the screen had changed. It showed the very 'Crusher' armored SUV they were riding in. Judging by the angle, it was filmed from about thirty meters behind, at a 45-degree angle.

"Breaking news: Just moments ago, Nanette Drew, CEO of our Rising Sun Media, was attacked by assassins in downtown Atlanta. Our station's reporter was fortunate enough to capture the scene on video—"

"Did you arrange this?"

Delor looked behind her and couldn't help but curse: "Ms. Drew, I think you've lost your mind!"

"This is the best publicity for our station. Our news won't follow the old rules, and there are no taboos!"

Nanette Drew burst into laughter. Then the window behind them emitted a cracking sound, and cracks began to form. A magical energy shadow hung from the rear of the armored vehicle, repeatedly chiseling at the window with a blue dagger, his cold eyes fixed on the occupants inside.

But in the next instant, a bloody hole burst open in the man's forehead, and his entire head exploded, scattering brain matter and blood everywhere.