Chapter 172: Public Opinion Explodes, Global Discussion
"They were so cool. They were the bravest soldiers. They saved all of us. Even the ones who died were just criminals taking advantage of the chaos. The innocent civilians are still alive."
"They must be messengers sent by God. They have always been silently protecting us, protecting Earth, and fighting those demons."
"How do you know those were demons?"
"Come on, go watch Professor Winston's video, man. The professor is an expert in this field. He analyzed those videos and images frame by frame, compared them with the Bible and texts related to demons, and has already confirmed that those monsters are the legendary demons."
"Shit, those armored soldiers are too powerful. Every move they make carries strength beyond human limits. They can slaughter those damned demons with ease."
"I woke up and found that the Manhattan invasion incident had already blown up the internet. I thought it was a promotional trailer for some big movie. Turns out it was real."
"Yes, man. Videos and captured footage are everywhere online. You can go look for yourself. It's really hard to imagine that demons actually exist in this world."
"I want to know more about those female soldiers. I love them. They're practically Valkyries."
"Believe me, man, they're beautiful. I was in Manhattan at the time. My girlfriend and I were on a date when those damned monsters attacked us. A lady in a red windbreaker saved us. Sorry I didn't get it on camera—their speed was insane."
"Believe me, they must all come from the same organization. This world isn't as peaceful as we thought. There are demons, and there are other terrifying monsters. They've been silently protecting us."
"Maybe mutants are demons too. Why don't those people kill mutants?"
"Fuck, mutants are humans too."
"Look at the sky over Manhattan. Someone filmed something like a vortex up there. Those demons came pouring out from it. That must have been the Gate of Hell. Someone opened the Gate of Hell, but then it suddenly disappeared. Did those soldiers close it?"
Under this image, discussion threads kept appearing one after another.
And this was only one of them.
The heat surrounding this major incident had fully fermented, turning it into the biggest news in the world.
At the same time, everyone was concerned about several questions.
Were those monsters truly demons? Why did their corpses suddenly disappear after the battle? And where had those mysterious, powerful soldiers gone?
Aside from demons, did this world also have angels? Were the myths and legends real as well?
For a time, all kinds of speculation emerged endlessly.
Panic, excitement, fear, and despair had completely spread.
As for the main participants in the Manhattan incident, they had naturally all returned to the island base.
After experiencing the battle in Manhattan, the soldiers of the two warbands did not feel too much. They were slightly excited afterward, but soon calmed down.
Because it had been too simple.
If not for the need to protect innocent civilians, which had tied their hands somewhat, they probably could have killed even faster.
There was no way they would become proud.
Those demons were the lowest-level demons. To ordinary people, they were monsters, but in comparison, the two warbands were the real monsters.
So after calming down, everyone returned to their normal mode.
However, the next evening, following Matthew's order, a dinner party began.
After going through a battle, regardless of how difficult it had been, a relaxed and cheerful dinner party was an indispensable part of the process.
And so, the base became extremely lively that night.
On the island's crescent-shaped beach, piles of bonfires, bright lights, music equipment, beer, and large amounts of prepared ingredients were all brought over.
This dinner did not involve the logistics troops or the chefs.
It was a victory dinner belonging to the two warbands.
However, although the logistics troops and chefs did not help, they joined the dinner and enjoyed the delicious food personally cooked and grilled by the Astartes and Raven.
On the lively beach, some Astartes and logistics personnel wore simple T-shirts, unbuttoned beach shirts, and beach shorts. They had their arms around each other's shoulders, drinking beer, tearing into roasted whole lamb or beef, drinking heartily and loudly bragging.
Some sat quietly in front of the bonfires, listening to the noise around them and the sound of waves in the distance, simply enjoying the atmosphere.
Some carried a few bottles of alcohol, walking barefoot along the beach, stepping through the waves while drinking, laughing, and chatting.
Some were playing games. Some were mixing drinks at a temporary bar. Others stood onstage with microphones, singing to their hearts' content while their companions cheered around them.
The youngest, Skye and Jessica, were so excited they could not stay still, running all over the place.
Their companions did not reject Skye and Jessica because they were young. On the contrary, everyone liked the two girls very much.
Whether it was Jessica, who had a fiery temper and loved swearing, or Skye, who was gentle to the point of being somewhat socially anxious, they were all family. They were comrades.
There was no such thing as needing to fit in.
On the entire island, everyone was part of one collective, whether they were Astartes, Raven, logistics troops, chefs, or members of the Technology Department.
It was a positive and uplifting atmosphere. Once they joined, no one had too many hidden thoughts. They all knew that everyone here was a soldier loyal to the Leader, fighting together for the same goal.
Reacher, Natasha, Neagley, Karla, Melina, and the others all held leadership authority, yet they laughed just like ordinary soldiers.
Even Matthew, the Leader, joined in.
He did not need to be like those so-called leaders who had to keep their distance from their subordinates, maintain dignity, and preserve loneliness.
Matthew had always understood one thing: he only needed his thoughts to be clear and his heart to be at ease.
He only needed to make himself happy.
As for the dignity of a leader, he would have it when necessary, but he did not need to maintain it in that way.
Nor would he allow himself to be forced into acting that way.
No one could force him to do so.
Everyone knew that.
In front of a bonfire on one part of the beach, Matthew wore simple beach shorts and a shirt as he worked the grill, turning the beef and lamb skewers so they roasted perfectly over the charcoal.
The rich aroma of grilled meat made Matthew feel a little hungry.
So when the meat was done, he picked it up and was about to eat it. But before it reached his mouth, a small, fair hand reached over from the side and snatched away the freshly grilled skewer.
Matthew turned his head in astonishment and saw that it was actually Skye.
The girl smiled brightly, holding the skewer. With one easy swipe across her mouth, all the grilled meat on the bamboo stick went into her mouth.
She chewed with her cheeks puffed out, looking extremely adorable.
But in Matthew's eyes, having the meat he had worked hard to grill stolen away was truly irritating. So he shouted, "Skye!" and pretended to chase after her to argue, letting her know the consequences of stealing the "boss's" food.
The girl showed no fear at all. Giggling, she turned and ran.
...
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