136: Public opinion builds momentum and the arrival of iron and blood

At Militech's headquarters, in the media control center, over twenty professional public opinion analysts were working intensely. On the massive holographic screen, real-time hot data from major global social platforms scrolled continuously.

"The public opinion index has reached a critical point," the chief analyst said, pushing up his glasses. "According to algorithmic predictions, another 1.2 million credit points in targeted pushes will ignite public sentiment."

Teklite stood before the command console, a cruel smile playing on his lips: "Approved. I want every New Union citizen's terminal to see those images."

Three hours later, a meticulously edited "documentary" began to go viral across the entire network. The footage repeatedly showed close-ups of burning oil tanks and crying casualties, accompanied by tragic background music, finally freezing on the blood-red text.

[Medieval terrorism must be ended!]

Even more ingenious, Militech's data team had also developed an interactive program. This program, hidden within social platforms, could collect users' facial features.

Then, users would quickly be shown an AI-generated simulated video. The video was titled "If My Family Suffered a Terrorist Attack," and the people in the video would bear a high resemblance to the user.

Soon, these simulated videos began to spread virally among teenagers, then spread to middle-aged and elderly groups.

Teklite seized the opportunity to deliver a speech in the capital of the Lone Star Republic, with dozens of military generals in uniform standing behind him.

His voice, carried by holographic projection, spread to major cities across New Union: "Over the past three months, our compatriots in the medieval region have suffered inhumane attacks!" He waved his hand, pointing to the explosion footage playing behind him. "This is not ordinary commercial competition; this is a declaration of war against our entire nation!"

"Now, we must do something to make them understand, blood for blood!"

After the speech, large-scale protests erupted in major cities of New Union. Crowds held signs saying "Defend Energy Security" and "Eliminate Terrorism," demanding that the government take stronger measures.

But what could the New United Federation do? The independence of a military-industrial energy state and a tech-finance state had already destroyed the foundations of this country; the federal government was an empty shell.

Just as Teklite was being interviewed, in Militech's secret laboratory, Engineers were testing a batch of special chips.

"This is incredible," exclaimed technical officer Watson. "These chips perform three times better than our existing ones!"

These neural processors, labeled "Warrior-7B," were "Interstellar Peace Corporation rejects" that had leaked from the black market two weeks prior. No one knew that this batch of chips was actually a "bait" deliberately released by the Corporation.

An order from the Strategic Investment Department initiated the relocation of a warehouse in a remote area of the Emerald Principality. During the organization of materials, the biometric system 'happened' to begin dismantling and recycling.

Then, naturally, rats would do some things they had always wanted to do.

"Begin reverse engineering immediately," the technical director ordered. "Install the replicated version into the 'iron blood' prototype."

In just five days, three hundred "iron blood" combat robots equipped with replicated chips were assembled. These 2.5-meter-tall killing machines had the crimson Militech logo painted on their armor.

Teklite knew very well that direct deployment of new weapons would raise international questions. Thus, a meticulously designed public opinion campaign began.

First, there was a series of "expert interviews." Retired generals lamented on television: "Existing equipment cannot cope with the complex terrain of the medieval region"; then came "leaked internal documents" showing that resistance organizations had received "external support"; finally, a "public opinion poll" showed that 89% of the public supported "taking all necessary measures."

When public opinion reached its peak, Militech personally stepped in.

When the first batch of "iron blood" robots crossed the medieval border, Militech's propaganda team was already in place. Their footage of "counter-terrorism operations," meticulously edited, was transmitted back home in real-time.

Audiences saw robots precisely eliminating "terrorists," rescuing "hostages," and disarming "bombs." No one noticed that the so-called "terrorists" were actually ordinary herders arrested three days prior.

In this meticulously designed show of public opinion and force, Militech successfully achieved three goals: testing new weapons, inciting populist sentiment, and, more importantly, paving the way for full military intervention.

And the real bloodshed and sacrifices in the medieval region had long become irrelevant amidst the overwhelming holographic advertisements and viral videos.

On the northern border of the medieval region, inside Militech's frontline command post, Commander Marcus was staring at a holographic sandbox.

The footage of the ambush on the transport convoy three days prior was still looping. Ten transport vehicles loaded with "iron blood" robots were blown into scrap metal, and over thirty Militech employees perished in the fire.

"Have you confirmed the target's location?" Marcus's voice was as cold as ice.

The intelligence officer quickly pulled up the data: "Oasis Group's engineering team is working nearby, only 3 kilometers from our attack site. New Moon Trading Post's supply station is directly behind them."

Marcus's lips curled into a sinister smile: "What a perfect coincidence." He turned to the operator. "Notify the 'iron blood' Third Company to execute according to the 'collateral damage' plan."

"Since they made the first move, we can't be blamed."

On the border, Oasis Group's Engineers were rushing to repair the oil pipeline destroyed by the resistance. The team leader wiped his sweat, suddenly feeling the ground subtly vibrate.

"What's that sound?" He looked up at the horizon.

In the distance, dust billowed as thirty crimson "iron blood" combat robots advanced in battle formation, their metal joints clicking in unison. The lead robot suddenly stopped, its electronic eyes flashing with dangerous red light.

"Armed target detected," a mechanized voice announced. "Executing elimination protocol."

"Wait! We are Qilu Corporation's legitimate contractors!" Security Chief Jackie frantically waved his marked ID badge. "We have full authorization—"

Tat-tat-tat-tat!

A dense storm of bullets instantly riddled three engineering vehicles. Jackie watched in horror as the team leader's body was torn in half by 12.7mm caliber bullets, his blood splattering on the sand in a bizarre, vivid red.

"No... This can't be..." Jackie knelt on the ground, watching the robots step over his colleagues' bodies, continuing to advance towards the New Moon Trading Post's supply station.

Meanwhile, New Moon Trading Post's security captain, Rapp, was patrolling the perimeter and happened to hear gunshots in the distance. Although the sound was faint, he immediately sounded the alarm.

His caution saved his life. When the combat personnel entered their positions, the 'iron blood' emerged from the woods.

"Enemy attack! All personnel to battle stations!" He grabbed an anti-armor rocket launcher. "Aim for the joints of those metal lumps!"

The supply station's automated turrets opened fire first, 20mm autocannons tracing bright trajectories in the night sky. Two "iron blood" robots fell, but robots equipped with grenade modules immediately took out the automated turrets.

"They came prepared!" the vice-captain shouted over the comms. "These robots have fire control loaded!"

A rocket flew towards the lead robot's knee joint, but just as it was about to make contact, the robot immediately crouched, taking the explosion with its shoulder armor.

"Damn it! They definitely used a new combat system! Our robots can't be that agile!" Rapp roared in despair. "Everyone retreat!"

At Qilu Corporation headquarters, Durand's face was ashen as he watched the brutal footage from the front lines.

"Militech is declaring war." He turned to his military advisor. "Send our armed forces over there too."

"Since they want to go head-to-head, let them see the power of our Qilu Corporation combat prosthetics."

At North Steel United Energy's headquarters, Usmanov's reaction was even more direct. He connected to a secret secure line: "Notify all mercenaries we can reach; they can all enter the field now. I want that madman Teklite to pay the price."

As the conflict escalated, the three giants, by coincidence, began political reshuffling domestically.

In New Union, Militech, citing "wartime necessity," pushed through the "National Security Enterprise Act." Overnight, Starlight Command's command system was integrated into Militech's operational network.

Almost all departments in New Union that could be associated with 'security' were taken over by Militech. The entire New Union, in a strange yet reasonable atmosphere, became part of the Lone Star Republic.

Or rather, Militech had become the new New Union. Facing media questions, Teklite was very candid.

"This is a necessary reform," he declared in a televised speech. "Only corporate management can win this war."

The Europa Parliament, meanwhile, staged a farce.

After a ridiculous "terrorist attack," Qilu Corporation's armed security "temporarily took over" the defense of the Parliament building. Three days later, Parliament "unanimously passed" the "Energy Security Emergency Act," granting Qilu Corporation almost dictatorial power.

North Steel's coup was even more blatant. Usmanov directly appointed United Energy executives to key positions such as Minister of Defense and Minister of Energy. When questioned by reporters, he smiled and said: "Professional matters should be left to professionals."

When the sun rose again over the medieval region half a month later, the political landscape of Blue Star had been completely overturned.

Militech's emblem appeared in New United Federation government documents; Qilu Corporation executives sat in ministerial offices across Europa; the flag of United Energy replaced the one in front of North Steel's Presidential Palace.

In the Skyreach City Control Center, Asta looked at the shifting map of forces on the holographic projection and sighed softly: "The Chairman is still too kind."

And deep in the medieval desert, the private armies of the three corporations were still clashing. The soldiers did not know that the "national interests" for which they bled and died had long become a series of cold numbers in a boardroom meeting.