198: Chapter 198 Excessive Inquiry

The last arrival of nightfall was after the tenth Wave Demon appeared.

If the frequency remains unchanged, then once the next Wave Demon ends, a new round of nightfall will be about to begin again.

Chen Aoyun still hadn't found the means by which the Sakura Country people were causing trouble.

"Hiss... Did I overthink it? The country that destroyed the USA Tower wasn't Sakura Country; after all, Sakura Country's [red token] hasn't been used."

Chen Aoyun had noticed that the rules for the [red token] did not contain the word 'unique'.

This gave Chen Aoyun reason to believe that there were other ways to set another country's Tower as an attack target.

But what were those other methods?

Every country encountered identical Wave Demons and identical 'special targets'. If there were methods other than the [red token], everyone should have them.

Yet, regardless of whether it was the main victim, the USA, or other countries, none of them were looking for the culprit from this angle, which made Chen Aoyun very puzzled.

After thinking it over, Chen Aoyun concluded that the only 'difference' between countries lay in one direction... That was Heroic Spirits!

So, Chen Aoyun immediately asked Toslev beside him, "During the last nightfall, did your Russia use a Heroic Spirit Manifestation?"

Toslev nodded naturally, "Of course we did. If we were only dealing with one special target, the Tower's existing attack power would be enough. But if we wanted to take down both the gold and red, thick-skinned special targets, we wouldn't have enough time without using extra resources to activate a Heroic Spirit Manifestation."

Chen Aoyun then asked, "Then did you try attacking another country's Tower while the Heroic Spirit Manifestation was activated?"

Toslev's answer disappointed Chen Aoyun, "I tried. Even with a Heroic Spirit Manifestation, our own Tower still couldn't set another country's Tower as a target. ...It prompted me with 'Target selection error'."

With the factor of Heroic Spirit Manifestation also ruled out, Chen Aoyun truly had no direction for his suspicions now.

"Could it really not be Sakura Country? Was it some country that could only choose between the gold and red special targets, gave up the gold target, and chose to kill the red target instead? Then they got the token and destroyed the USA Tower in such a manner?"

Chen Aoyun's gaze drifted toward the direction of the USA Tower.

The USA was missing one Tower, but it didn't have much impact on their ability to kill demons. For the 19th Wave Demon, the USA didn't miss a single one, killing them all outside the crystal.

Who was it? Who would be willing to give up a gold target to do something that harmed others without benefiting themselves?

The arrival of the 20th Wave Demon was nearing its end; soon, nightfall would descend again.

Chen Aoyun turned to look at Toslev, "Would you allow me to observe all of Russia's actions during nightfall?"

To be honest, such a request was somewhat rude.

If this nightfall was the same as the last, with two 'special targets' appearing simultaneously, Russia would inevitably have to deploy a Heroic Spirit Manifestation on their Tower.

Every country's Heroic Spirit Manifestation, even those that had already appeared in the Game of National Destiny, still concerned the abilities and secrets of their nations' Heroic Spirits.

Chen Aoyun's request, to put it mildly, showed a lack of awareness regarding their relationship and was an excessive demand.

To put it strongly, Toslev could even suspect that Chen Aoyun was spying on Russia's Heroic Spirit intelligence.

Just as Toslev narrowed his eyes, his expression turning cold, preparing to refuse outright.

Chen Aoyun suddenly said, "I admit, after Dragon Country was eliminated in this act, my intention was also to stir up trouble. But the object of my trouble-making would not be Russia."

"To speak bluntly and unpleasantly: Although Russia is currently tied for first place in total points with the USA, it won't last long. As you yourself said, this Game of National Destiny will only become more intense as the rewards and stakes get higher."

"Although Russia is not a weak nation, you have made too many enemies in the New Era. There will be countries that try every possible way to target Russia, just as Sakura Country targeted my Dragon Country. The intensity of the targeting might not reach the level of craziness as Sakura Country, but the sheer number of countries is overwhelming."

"First place getting ten times the rewards is only the known information. It's possible that the top three all have tempting extra rewards. So, I guess your goal is to secure a spot in the top three, right? ...I can help you!"

The four words 'arrogant and boastful' were on the tip of Toslev's tongue, but he swallowed them back before he could say them.

In the previous acts, Chen Aoyun had already proven that he had the qualifications and ability to help other countries.

"Based on my understanding of the Old Era of various countries, even if Russia fails to reach third place with my help, Russia won't suffer a loss!"

"The outcome of one Game of National Destiny, no matter how generous the reward, is likely not as important as gaining a little more understanding of your own Heroic Spirits and wonders!"

This last sentence was the key to persuading Toslev.

The rewards of this Game of National Destiny were certainly tempting, but winning once versus being able to win every time in the future—the latter was obviously more enticing.

If Chen Aoyun could truly help Russia gain more understanding of known Heroic Spirits, or even help Russia gain another Heroic Spirit, Toslev simply couldn't refuse such temptation.

"Fine. Anyway, the Heroic Spirit Manifestation I might use next is one that countries all over the world are familiar with, so your participation won't involve any leakage of secrets."

Amidst the dumbfounded expressions of the three remaining Dragon Country members, especially the shocked face of the Ottoman [Strategist] Adar, Chen Aoyun—a foreigner to Russia and, damn it, an extremely professional [Strategist]—just like that, disappeared from view with Toslev after nightfall descended.

Adar looked at the vanished Chen Aoyun, as if he had suddenly made up his mind, and abruptly turned to look at Fan Ling, "I thought I was the ceiling of interpersonal relationships, but now it seems your Chen Aoyun is!"

His eyes spinning wildly, Adar leaned close to Fan Ling and said in a lowered voice, "That guy Chen Aoyun is somewhat extraordinary... Why don't you talk to him when he gets back. I, the Ottoman, also have the intention to build a good relationship with him!"

Not personal; Adar was talking about the relationship between nations!