Pursuing Her (Sophie and Tristan)

Even in Anglandur, half of the population loathed Stephen and cursed him out.

Rendered speechless, Stephen stammered for a long time, but no words came out of his mouth. He had no idea what they planned to do to him when he had been brought to Chanaea then.

In all honesty, he didn't even know whether he would live to return to his country.

Sophie cast a look at the man before she walked over to Tristan. The latter was the one who personally seized the man and brought him back, so he was also involved in the matter.

“Did you rest properly when you returned?”

Hearing her cool and indifferent voice, Tristan grasped her hand.

“Of course I did. By the way, I brought him back for you. He's the mastermind behind the virus this time.”

At that remark, Barney's temper spiked.

Verily, he had never expected Stephen to do such a despicable thing.

“I think you've lost your mind entirely, Stephen! Are you not afraid of going to hell after you die that you did such a heinous thing just for the sake of your own interests?” he thundered, aghast.

He had always felt that the virus this time wasn't that simple. Instead, there must be someone pulling the strings behind the scenes. However, it never crossed his mind that it would be a citizen of Anglandur.

Worse still, it was Stephen who was going to run in the general election.

“Barney, we're both from Anglandur. As such, shouldn't you be helping me right now?” Even then, Stephen remained unrepentant.

If he's willing to lend me a hand, perhaps I can still go back to Anglandur!

“As long as you kill Tristan, I can give you whatever you want.” Although things had come to that, he hadn't given up yet and was building castles in the air.

Following that turn of events, Barney ignored him altogether.

He turned and asked Tristan at the side, “What do you want me to do with him, Mr. Tristan?”

At that moment, Tristan was conferring with the person in charge of Chanaea about an appropriate way to deal with the issue.

“Since he refuses to say anything, we naturally have to do everything in our power to get him to talk! Stephen, are you thinking that Chanaea would be doomed, and consequently, make the greatest concession as long as you keep your mouth shut? And are you still fantasizing about Chanaea falling on its knees while begging for mercy?” He then gave voice to the thoughts hidden deep within Stephen's heart.

Indeed, those were Stephen's convictions.

I painstakingly had someone cultivate the gene virus this time, and this Plan Z had been in the works for over ten years. That aside, I've killed the person who formulated this virus, so it's impossible to develop an antidote!

For that reason, he wasn't the least bit afraid despite being held prisoner right then. He was convinced they would all drop to their knees before him and implore him sooner or later.

Everyone present knew that such was his intention.

“Therefore, you'd best show me some respect. Otherwise, I wouldn't give you the antidote even if you were to beg me on your knees at that time!”

So what if they've got Barney here? The virus isn't going to give them extra time to develop an antidote.

Upon hearing that, the base commander burst into laughter.

“What wild imagination, Stephen! So, you want to see me begging you on my knees? Hah! Not even in the next lifetime!”

After saying that, he kicked Stephen squarely in the stomach.

Then, he announced proudly, “Do you really think Chanaea is a backwater country? Let me tell you that we're presently at the forefront of the world, both in technology and the military!”

That wasn't all, for Chanaean talents were spread across the globe in that day and age.

While they weren't in the country, they would return at all costs if their homeland were to face trouble.

It was the loyalty the nation commanded in its citizens.

Even when it came to the matter this time, many people contributed selflessly.

Everyone played a part according to their means, some contributing financially and others physically. Even if it meant giving their lives, none balked.

The descendants of Chanaea only had a common goal—to defend their motherland, allowing no one to pick on Chanaea.

Few countries in the entire world could command such loyalty in their citizens.

Hence, he was proud to be a Chanaean.

Similarly, it was his honor to be able to contribute something to the country.

Stephen had never expected them to dare get physical with him when things had gotten so bad.

“Hah, really? If so, I'd truly like to see how you're going to resolve the problem this time.” Eventually, they'll definitely get on their knees and beg me!

At that precise moment, Sophie took out a syringe from her bag.

Seeing that, Stephen inexorably panicked.

“What are you doing? What do you want to do to me?” At long last, trepidation swamped him.

Sophie studied the syringe in her hand for a moment.

“Aren't you wholly confident in the virus you created? I'll let you have a taste of it right now.” Having said that, she injected the virus in the syringe into the man's body before he could even register the meaning of her words. Thereafter, she stated, “Now, I'll see whether you can wait until we develop the antidote.”

“How dare you! You're simply courting death!”