Chapter 147: Journey to Europa

"Relationship? Isn't it just a lord-vassal relationship? As for our looks and all that, it's purely a coincidence. I should say that when I saw he looked so much like me, that's why we ended up sticking together." However, Trehil now felt somewhat powerless to defend himself; no matter how one looked at it, such a striking resemblance was indeed a bit strange.

"Do you expect me to believe that?" Nero Claudius, however, was clearly skeptical. After all, such an explanation was rather flimsy, and no one would ever believe it. "I remember you mentioning something about quantum mechanics to me before, and I've even studied it a little bit over the past two years."

"It wasn't me who said it; it was Cole. Being immersed in it day by day, I naturally picked up some information regarding this stuff. What you're trying to say is quantum coexistence, right? Two identical people existing in the same spacetime, and then forcibly making one of them independent to form a separate entity, so that the operation of this world remains unaffected."

"I never expected you to be so clear about it."

"Hmph! Instead of dwelling on this, you'd better properly handle this matter first." With those words, Trehil forcefully hung up the phone. "Guards, take this guy away. The charge is attempted assassination of a head of state, and as for the cell, put him in maximum security!"

"Yes!" The guard who had been waiting on standby immediately picked up the unconscious envoy and dragged him away.

"What is it, Cole? Any new discoveries?" At that moment, Cole walked in through the doorway, a strange smile playing on his lips.

"I see, those guys really went ahead and pulled this stunt." Cole suddenly dropped a bombshell. If connected to what he had said before heading out, there was only one possible meaning. "They installed a system on the plane, and it's one-way. In other words, it can fly out of Europa, but it can't return."

"Oh, what happens if it flies back?" Hearing this, Trehil couldn't help but ask hurriedly.

"It will be intercepted by Europa's anti-air missiles, but the situation would be the same even if we flew our own aircraft," Cole said with a deadpan expression. "However, I happen to have my own way to safely enter their airspace while causing them heavy losses. Want to know what it is?"

"Of course. But instead of just talking about it, let's get on the plane first. After all, both you and I know that we are entirely capable of surviving this scale of bombing—unless they dare to use nuclear weapons." Yet, whether it was Trehil or Cole, they were both well aware of their own abilities and completely unfazed by anything Europa could throw at them.

"Hey, is this really a good idea? If an accident happens, there are ten lives on the line." Miller, who had been listening to their conversation from the side, chimed in. Indeed, if faced with a missile strike from Europa, it would be impossible to execute highly advanced piloting maneuvers in a civilian aircraft like this. If it were a professional fighter jet, they might have a chance of dodging saturation bombing to a certain degree!

"Don't worry, I'll modify this into the equivalent of a professional fighter jet beforehand. Don't underestimate the two of us; we are both professional pilots. Even if the plan fails, mere missiles—unless every single missile in Europa's arsenal is fired at us... But if something like that really happens, we will definitely drag the entirety of Europa down to hell with us."

Uttering the language of the grim reaper in the gentlest of tones—choosing to drag the world down to the grave if death should come. Able to speak such words, they were truly none other than Crown Prince Trehil of the United Kingdom and Cole, who would later be known as the Monarch of War.

"Very well then, since His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Lord Cole have said so, let us set off."

***

Meanwhile, in Europa, within the walls of Habsburg Castle, ever since receiving the intelligence from Cole and learning of his dissatisfaction with Europa, Nero Claudius had also begun taking action regarding the international incident involving the attempted assassination of the United Kingdom's delegation to the United Nations conference. After all, assassinating the UN delegation of another nation was a severe violation of international law. Currently, however, the United Kingdom lacked any direct evidence to prove it. Even so, that was only because she hadn't seen it yet; if the United Kingdom truly possessed proof that individuals from Europa had made an assassination attempt, the matter could not be resolved easily.

However, since this news had been received an hour ago, by now they should have dismantled the bomb and boarded that plane heading toward Habsburg.

"Sartori Medici, I recall you were the one handling matters regarding the plane, weren't you? What is this? Did you plant a bomb on it?" In Nero Claudius's office, aside from Nero herself, another person involved in the incident was present. This individual was none other than the prime suspect of the affair, the manager of the aircraft hangar, Sartori Medici.

"Hmph, so what if I did? Isn't dealing with the United Kingdom something Europa is united on? This time, I merely borrowed a knife to kill someone. What? Are you feeling sympathetic for that pretty boy from the United Kingdom?"

"They already know about this. If you keep going down this path, this will turn into a major international incident. Attempted assassination of the United Kingdom's Crown Prince and his delegation will have massive repercussions for Europa." Although Europa's enemy was indeed the United Kingdom, if the international fallout became too severe, not even other countries would dare trust them, resulting in a loss that far outweighed any gains.

"Attempted assassination? Once that plane actually flies into European airspace, I expect they will all have perished," Sartori Medici said, looking rather pleased upon hearing that they had already discovered the bomb. "That plane only had a one-way ticket. If they rashly attempt to return from the United Kingdom, Europa's air defense system will treat them as hostiles and shoot them down. By doing this, we can wipe out so many important figures of the United Kingdom in one fell swoop. Even whatever Europa has to pay in compensation will be well worth it."

"What? You—"

"Your Majesty Nero, this is terrible! The capital! The satellite map! Your Majesty, you must look at the capital on the satellite map right now!" Just as Nero Claudius was about to reprimand him, a soldier abruptly burst through the door. Stammering incoherently, he shouted something about the capital and satellite maps. True to form, the guards outside were decisive and moved to drag him away immediately.

"Wait, let him speak." Seeing the soldier's frantic state, Nero Claudius half-believed him, opened her computer, and pulled up the satellite feed. This was a real-time satellite map. Normally, Europa's satellite imagery would default to centering on the capital instantly. Yet, within the satellite feed, Nero Claudius found herself unable to locate the capital's position at first glance. When she zoomed in, however, she was utterly shocked.

The once bustling administrative districts of the capital were now entirely reduced to ruins, fire, and explosions.

At that moment, a flash of white light abruptly streaked past. Not only that, but numerous trails of fire followed closely behind the white light. Seeing this, Nero quickly expanded the map scale, swiftly locked onto the white point of light, and zoomed in on it.

An airplane. It was clearly recognizable as the aircraft that had headed to the United Kingdom, because only that plane's flight path crossed over the capital of Europa.

After locating the aircraft, Nero zoomed the map out slightly. It was then that she finally saw what was trailing behind the plane:

"Those are—Europa's strategic anti-air missiles!"