264: Turning Point of Fate 4

A brief silence fell over the conference hall, all eyes fixed on the white mech.

The Bai Ze Mech stood silently at the entrance, its faint blue light strips flickering, as if silently declaring that the rules of military power had been completely rewritten.

Osborne's fists clenched under the table, knuckles turning white from the force.

Mass production... of this kind of mech.... If it could truly be achieved, what meaning would traditional armies still hold?!

President Rocksmith's face turned pale, his lips trembling slightly, but he couldn't utter a word of rebuttal.

Princess Crois's gaze swept back and forth between Dieter and the Bai Ze Mech, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

It seems Crossbell's path has exceeded everyone's expectations.

Grand Duke Albert took a deep breath, breaking the silence: "Mayor Dieter, it seems you have considered everything very thoroughly."

His voice carried a hint of emotion: "If your allies can truly provide such military technical support, Crossbell's independence plan is indeed feasible."

Dieter nodded slightly: "Thank you for your understanding, Grand Duke."

His gaze swept over Osborne and Rocksmith: "Do the two of you have any more questions?"

A shadow flickered in Osborne's single eye, but in the end, he merely snorted coldly: "Mayor Dieter, I hope you don't regret today's decision."

"Relying entirely on external forces is never a wise move."

Dieter chuckled: "Prime Minister, you worry too much."

"The company and Crossbell are not in a subordinate relationship."

"What's more... compared to terrorist attacks secretly supported by certain countries, 'external forces' like the company are more trustworthy, aren't they?"

Osborne's face instantly turned ashen, but he did not retort.

President Rocksmith slumped back into his chair: "In that case..."

His voice carried a hint of helplessness: "The Republic respects Crossbell's choice."

Grand Duke Albert nodded: "On behalf of the Duchy, I support the right of the Crossbell people to self-determination."

Dieter's lips curved slightly upward: "Thank you all for your understanding."

"Now, regarding the resolution for Crossbell's independence..." His voice suddenly became solemn: "The vote will now begin."

"Representatives in favor, please raise your hands."

Grand Duke Albert was the first to raise his hand: "The Remiferia Duchy, in favor."

Princess Crois hesitated for a moment, then slowly raised her hand: "The Liberl Kingdom... in favor."

President Rocksmith's face was unreadable, but under the gaze of the Bai Ze Mech, he finally slowly raised his hand: "The Republic... does not object."

......

Dieter's gaze swept over everyone: "The resolution passes."

"The Crossbell Autonomous State will hold an independence referendum one month from now."

"During this period, we will begin the construction of our military system." Dieter's voice became meaningful: "I hope everyone present..."

"...will respect the choice of the Crossbell people."

Finally... it's over. This was the sentiment of most people present at the time.

Everyone left in succession, with Osborne and Rocksmith walking last. Both of their faces were terribly gloomy.

"President Rocksmith," Osborne's voice was low and dangerous, "it seems we need to talk."

Rocksmith gave him a cold look: "Indeed."

"However..." His gaze swept towards the Bai Ze Mech not far away: "This is not the place to talk."

Osborne nodded slightly: "Tonight, the usual place."

With that, the two turned and left.

In the Special Support Section building, Lloyd, upon hearing the news, suddenly stood up from his chair: "What?!"

His voice was almost a shout: "Mayor Dieter announced an independence referendum?!"

Elie's face was equally shocked, her coffee cup tilted slightly, spilling brown liquid onto the table, but she was oblivious.

"This..." Her voice was a little dry: "How is this possible...?"

Randy leaned against the wall, arms crossed, brows furrowed: "He actually did it... unbelievable!"

Tio Plato's terminal screen displayed the newly released announcement, her cat ears twitching slightly: "The Crossbell independence referendum will be held in one month, the Garrison will be officially reorganized into the Defense Force, and the formation work will officially begin tomorrow."

Wazy leaned lazily by the window: "Oh my, this is going to be lively~"

A playful smile curved his lips: "The Empire and the Republic probably won't be able to sleep well~"

Elie's fingers tapped lightly on the table, a thoughtful glint in her eyes.

After connecting all the information the Special Support Section had recently found, her pupils contracted slightly: "That Dr. Katja!"

Lloyd turned his head: "Elie? What did you say?"

Elie took a deep breath: "I'm wondering, could all of this be related to that Dr. Katja?"

"???!!!"

Inside Crossbell City Hall, Dieter Crois stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows of the mayor's office, overlooking the entire city.

The afterglow of the setting sun fell on his shoulders, bathing the ruler of Crossbell in a golden outline.

His fingers trembled slightly, his chest heaving with rapid breaths.

It succeeded... it actually succeeded!

His lips curved upward uncontrollably, finally erupting into a nearly insane laugh.

"Hahahahaha—!"

The laughter echoed in the empty office, carrying the release after more than forty years of suppression, carrying the ecstasy of a dream about to come true.

The secretary pushed open the door, holding a stack of documents: "Mayor, the preliminary plan for the independence referendum has been drafted."

Her voice carried a hint of barely concealed excitement: "As per your instructions, we have prioritized media promotion and voter registration."

Dieter turned around, the fervor in his eyes not yet faded: "Excellent!"

"Tell all departments to work overtime tonight! Triple overtime pay, I'll pay out of my own pocket!"

"I want to see the complete referendum timetable before the sun rises tomorrow!"

The secretary was shaken back half a step by his aura, but quickly straightened her back: "Yes! Mayor!"

Her eyes also shone with a fanatical light: "All personnel in City Hall are ready, vowing to complete the mission!"

Dieter laughed and waved his hand: "Go!"

"Let the whole world see the will of the Crossbell people!"

The secretary turned and left, her footsteps rapidly fading down the corridor.

Dieter turned back to the window, his hands clenched tightly.

Forty years, a dream of forty whole years. Finally, it was about to come true!

His gaze swept across the Lanka Tower in the city center, that building symbolizing Crossbell's future, shining brightly in the setting sun.

Ancestors of the Crois family, do you see? Crossbell is about to be reborn!

As for the artificial divine child? Well, I'm sorry, I, Dieter, have personally seen a being ascend to the rank of a divine messenger with a mortal body.

I may have no hope, but my daughter, the next head of the Crois family, the youngest highest-level magic alchemist in history, may not be unable to walk that path called destiny.

That is a God!

In the City Hall corridor, staff members ran like they were on a sugar rush, documents flying through the air, and the ringing of communicators echoing one after another.

"Where's the propaganda department's plan?!"

"Here! It's already been reviewed!"

"Has the voter registration system upgrade been completed?"

"The technical department is working at full capacity to debug it!"

"The Mayor demands all preparations be completed before sunrise tomorrow!"

"Understood! All hands on deck!"

The entire City Hall seemed like a machine suddenly overclocked, operating at an almost insane speed.