52: Important announcement from the Emerald Principality government

The Golden Snake Street Daily's headline flashed: "Global Capital Emergency Withdrawal from the Ancient Regions, Gold Prices Soar 7%."

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, in the conference room of Titan's Mandala headquarters, Ains pushed a document towards Wu Aung Min, the Minister of Industry for the Emerald Principality.

"The President has agreed to sign the Economic Special Zone agreement," Wu Aung Min said, wiping sweat from his brow, "but the full development rights..."

Ains' sunglasses glowed blue as a holographic projection unfolded on the table, displaying a full map of the Emerald Principality: "The war in the Northern Ancient Regions has left the international community unable to focus on the East, which is a once-in-a-century development window for the Emerald Principality." He tapped the table, and twenty-seven light points immediately lit up on the map. "As long as you sign now, we can start construction on the Keqin State hydropower station tomorrow."

Outside the window, three 'nightingale' vertical take-off and landing aircraft soared through the night sky, the Titan emblem on their underbellies glinting coldly in the moonlight.

Two days later, at the Golden Pagoda of the Emerald Principality, a press conference was held at the Presidential Palace.

Crystal chandeliers illuminated the conference hall, and the long lenses of various international media were aimed at the podium. President Wen Min of the Emerald Principality nervously adjusted his tie, while three Titan executives sat calmly at the center of the podium.

Ms. Emerald, dressed in a wisteria-colored trench coat and gown, lightly tapped the podium with her fingertips: "Please ask your questions in Chinese." This opening remark caused a stir throughout the hall.

James, a BCC reporter, posed a question in stiff Chinese: "Does your company's mandatory use of Chinese indicate that the Emerald Principality has lost its cultural sovereignty?"

Topaz's lips curved slightly: "Chinese is a working language of the Ten Thousand Nations Roundtable." She elegantly switched to English to repeat the statement, then returned to her Mandarin with a slight North Steel accent: "We respect all cultures, just as Titan has restored 78 pagodas and 54 temples."

A Reuters reporter seized the opportunity to ask Ms. Emerald, who was seated in the main position: "The composition of your company's executives is intriguing." He pointed to Topaz, "Does this lady's accent suggest an influence from the Birch Palace within Titan?"

Topaz brushed her hair back, responding in standard Chinese: "I studied abroad at White Night Fortress, just as Director Ains had his experience in Stone Sword City." Her Topaz brooch sparkled with her movement. "Titan appreciates all talent, regardless of nationality."

This immediately caused a commotion. A reporter from Agence France-Presse keenly pressed Ains: "Can your experience explain whether you represent the stance of the Fog City Archipelago?"

Ains, dressed in a black custom suit, sat upright and replied in Chinese with an Oxford accent: "I once fought for the Queen." He unbuttoned his cuff to reveal a tattoo on his wrist, the Chinese characters for 'To stop war is to be truly martial'. "But I now choose to serve Titan."

A ZGTV reporter suddenly interjected: "Ms. Emerald, I noticed you are wearing an emerald bracelet that fetched an astronomical price at an Eastern Federation auction a few years ago. I reported on that auction at the time; the buyer was very mysterious, only known to have been born in the Eastern Federation. Does this imply a special connection between you and the Eastern Federation?"

Ms. Emerald rotated the bracelet, its landscape patterns shimmering under the lights: "My boss is very fond of the Six Harmonies Pagoda on a rainy day." This poetic answer made the Eastern Federation reporters present smile knowingly.

A reporter from the Golden Snake Street Daily posed a sharp question: "Does the Emerald Principality government entrusting the nation's lifeline to a foreign enterprise constitute neo-colonialism?"

"Colonizers plunder resources, while we create value." When Ms. Emerald displayed a holographic projection, the venue immediately erupted in commotion.

The projection showed a super city whose modernity rivaled the Capitals of several major nations: eight-lane highways crisscrossed, glass-clad skyscrapers stood shoulder to shoulder, and the buildings of the central business district gleamed under the sun...

Most shockingly, this city had been nothing but barren land three months prior.

As soon as the holographic projection appeared, the entire hall was in an uproar.

Western reporters' eyes widened, East Ocean reporters nearly dropped their cameras, while only the ZGTV reporter calmly adjusted his lens's focus, as if it were an everyday sight.

"This is impossible!" Howard, a technology columnist for Reuters, suddenly stood up. "This kind of medium-free holographic projection is at least ten years ahead of existing technology!"

Ms. Emerald smiled: "At Titan, this is merely basic conference equipment."

A UNN reporter suddenly stood up: "This holographic projection technology far exceeds current levels! How did your company achieve it?"

Ms. Emerald smiled: "Commercial secret, no comment."

An Asahi Shimbun reporter pressed on: "The medical equipment in the image has never appeared on the market. Does it involve undisclosed patented technology?"

Ains responded coldly: "Commercial secret, no comment."

Augusta, chief science reporter for Rhine Empire's 'Lens Weekly', trembled as he pointed to the nanoscale architectural structures in the projection: "The structure of this building completely defies the heights achievable with existing material science!"

Topaz lightly spread her hands: "Commercial secret, no comment."

Augusta turned to the calm Eastern Federation News Agency reporter beside him: "Why aren't you Eastern Federation people surprised at all?"

The Eastern Federation News Agency reporter pushed up his glasses: "Our country's technological development is advancing by leaps and bounds; we're used to it."

The East Ocean Asahi Shimbun reporter was unwilling to give up and continued to ask: "Then how do you explain your company's military presence in the Emerald Principality?"

Ains lightly tapped his foot, his leather shoe making a crisp sound on the floor: "That is our security department clearing out fraud rings and drug trafficking organizations." He brought up drone footage showing the collapse of Four Great Families strongholds. "We believe all reporters here will support this righteous action."

At the 47-minute mark of the press conference, the President of the Emerald Principality suddenly received a note, his face changing dramatically. Ms. Emerald smoothly took over the lead: "It seems the Roman Palace has just frozen the Emerald Principality's assets in the New Union." Amidst the uproar, she opened a holographic financial panel. "In that case, if the Nova United States does not revoke this rude action, the Emerald Principality's central bank will launch a brand new digital currency. Specific information will be announced in a few days."

...

As the press conference drew to a close, and President Wen Min tremblingly signed the document, reporters from various countries finally realized that this was not a cooperation signing ceremony, but a historic moment of a sovereign nation ceding power to an enterprise.

Or rather, from today onwards, Titan would be the true decision-maker of the Emerald Principality. The original Emerald Principality government would become Titan's 'Ministry of Foreign Affairs'.

As the press conference neared its end, Ms. Emerald announced: "To enhance the international community's understanding of Titan, we sincerely invite representatives from all nations to visit the Mandala Industrial City." She lightly swiped her finger, and a three-dimensional model of the industrial city appeared in the air. "The first batch of visiting slots will open next Monday. Please submit visit applications through the Titan official website, and we will provide pick-up and drop-off services for approved visitors."

The precision of the city planning and the completeness of the infrastructure shown in the model once again caused an uproar among the foreign media reporters present. The ZGTV reporter, however, had already opened his phone and begun to fill out the visit application form.

Eastern Union, Zijin Pavilion.

The elderly man seated at the head of the table put down the brief in his hand, and the air in the conference room seemed to solidify.

"Comrade Lin Mo," he looked up, his gaze sharp, "how many visiting slots did Titan give us?"

Lin Mo opened his folder: "A total of 200 slots globally for the first batch, of which the Eastern Federation was allocated 30."

"That's probably not enough." The Minister of Defense tapped the table. "The military industry department, the Strategic Research Institute, and the Southwest Infrastructure Bureau all need to send people."

The old man nodded slightly: "Contact Titan and tell them..." He paused for a moment. "The Eastern Federation is willing to open comprehensive convenient transit policies at its border crossings in exchange for an additional 20 slots."

Lin Mo quickly typed on the special tablet Titan had given him much earlier: Ruili Port will establish a dedicated Titan channel, open 24 hours a day, with specially assigned personnel for customs inspection.

Three minutes later, a reply popped up: +20 slots, with an additional VIP channel, allowing access to green-level areas.

Five Ports City, Birch Palace.

Grand Duke Winter stared at the jade bracelet on Ms. Emerald's wrist in the projection, his ice-blue eyes narrowing slightly: "Are the uranium ore samples ready?"

Boltnikov, the SIA Director, handed over a document: "Freshly mined."

"Very good." Grand Duke Winter's finger traced the document. "Tell Titan that North Steel is willing to prioritize the supply of uranium ore in exchange for..." A glint flashed in his eyes. "Their secrecy regarding the 'Stone of Immortality'."

The Minister of Science and Technology asked doubtfully: "Why not use the mining of the 'Stone of Immortality' as leverage?"

"Foolish." Grand Duke Winter sneered. "Since they didn't care about the Holy Mountain, it means they no longer need the 'Stone of Immortality'. But for such a massive industrial city, energy consumption cannot be circumvented." He flicked the document in his hand. "They will instead need more fundamental terms of exchange."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs frowned: "What if they refuse?"

"Then send in the 'Swallows'." Grand Duke Winter sneered. "Since that 'boss' likes the rain at the Six Harmonies Pagoda..." He turned to the fluttering snow outside the window. "Someone should appreciate the snow in Five Ports City too."

Federal Center, Roman Palace War Room.

The President smashed his coffee cup against the screen: "200 slots and they only give us 20? What is the SIA doing!"

Hayes, the SIA Director, wiped cold sweat: "Titan's audit system is a bit spooky... We tried seven different hacking methods and couldn't break through."

"Then use the most primitive method." National Security Advisor Reynolds pulled out a file. "Select twenty Eastern Federation descendants from among the international students and have them register as Eastern Federation civilian media."

Minister of Defense Mitchell suddenly interjected: "Have you obtained a map of the Titan Industrial City?"

"No." Hayes shook his head. "That area is often obscured by clouds, making it impossible to obtain clear optical images. Moreover, Titan seems to possess some kind of electromagnetic interference capability whose technical principles cannot be analyzed. All reconnaissance satellites' functions decrease over the Emerald Principality, and around that industrial city, they become almost completely inoperable."

"Send reconnaissance planes." The President decided. "Equip them with the latest reconnaissance equipment. Also, find a few students among those international students who lean towards our stance and have them do a few small things for us."

Stone Sword City, Fog City Privy Council.

"Have people from Military Intelligence infiltrate as reporters," the Prime Minister whispered. "Pay special attention to all their new technologies."

...

Above the Emerald Principality, at eighteen thousand meters.

The W-2 reconnaissance plane pilot nervously stared at the display: "Entering target area, imaging system activating... Wait, what is that?"

Three unidentified flying objects suddenly appeared on the radar, approaching at nearly Mach 3.

"Oh my God!" the pilot exclaimed.

Outside the porthole, three black-gold, cone-shaped shuttle-like aircraft silently appeared, with a deformed 'A' on the side of their nose, the Titan logo.

What terrified the pilot most was that these three aircraft had no wings.

"Nova United States reconnaissance aircraft, you have entered a no-fly zone." A cold mechanical voice came through the communication channel. "Please leave immediately."

The pilot was about to argue when he suddenly found all electronic equipment had failed. The three black aircraft approached like ghosts, at times less than ten meters away.

"Return to base! Return immediately! I'm returning now!"

As for what would happen if a survivor was sent back? Laughable. You wouldn't have any objective evidence to prove what you saw. Either you admit you deserted, or you go to a mental asylum to calm down. Black box? Can that thing withstand ultra-high energy directional EMP?

Mandala, Eastern Federation Liaison Office in Titan Industrial City.

Lin Mo, back at the office, stood on the observation deck and noticed black dots approaching in the sky. Ms. Emerald's projection suddenly appeared beside him: "It seems our 'dark crow' shuttles are effective."

Lin Mo looked at the sky: "Are those... new planes? Wait, they don't even have wings! How are they flying?"

As the dark crows approached, Lin Mo saw these three aircraft that completely defied existing aerodynamic frameworks.

"Commercial secret." Ms. Emerald chuckled. "However, since the Eastern Federation is so sincere..." She lightly swiped her finger, and a video appeared in the air: three black aircraft were expelling a New Harmony Army reconnaissance plane. "This model can be given to the Zijin Pavilion as a souvenir."

Lin Mo's pupils contracted slightly; this was clearly naked technological deterrence. Even if they were given powerful stealth coatings, Titan still had something better.