I'm a villain, not a devil

The military anniversary arrived as scheduled.

Even though the soldiers on the front line were still fighting a desperate battle with the tree people, the imperial capital was quickly immersed in the festive atmosphere.

The residents of the imperial capital got up early, as today they could receive military support gifts that would not be reduced in size. The rich naturally did not need to care, but for the middle class, this supply could cover the family expenses for a few days. The poor were even more enthusiastic - this reward was what they looked forward to every year.

Even in the capital of the mighty empire, the poor in the wasteland world could not be said to be living a good life.

Especially when the fighting on the front line was tense, taxes were raised, and the frequency of compulsory labor increased, so they had to tighten their belts to make ends meet.

Thus, on the day of the military anniversary, an interesting scene unfolded throughout the imperial capital.

In the most ordinary residential areas and even where the flat houses are located, the residents swarmed out and rushed to the distribution points, fearing that they would miss out if they were a step late.

The middle class was more respectable. Most of them wore formal clothes. Even when they went out to receive gifts in support of the army, they would only go out in groups of two or three with their neighbors. While walking on the street, they would discuss recent national events, such as the war on the front line.

When they arrive at the collection location, they will line up very consciously and give a polite smile to the staff.

However, many people will find that their neighbor, who was chatting with them along the way, has unknowingly gotten half a body length ahead of them and has also lined up in front of them.

Those who are ahead of others in this way will be more or less unhappy, but once their neighbor turns around and continues the previous topic, they will respond with a smile. Moreover, if both of them see the crowded and scrambling scenes of poor people in the distant streets, they will look at each other and smile knowingly.

This kind of time always makes people feel happy.

However, the happier ones are those upper-class people living in the wealthy neighborhoods, who cannot leave their homes at this time. Wearing pajamas, opening the curtains, taking the black tea handed by the maid, and looking down at the queued and crowded people in the distance, this is the first pastime of the Day of Supporting the Armed Forces.

Everyone was clearly separated, except for the children. Those who were four, five, six, or seven years old didn't think too much. They would play together if the groups were close, and they would play all kinds of games - if a bunch of rich kids and a poor kid got together, they would play with the one who was the least sociable.

Of course, no one who needed to attend this ostensible military celebration would be here.

"…The White Moon will always prosper, and the military fortune will flourish!"

"The white moon will always be prosperous, and the military fortune will flourish!"

As Marshal Wu Xiao shouted the last sentence, the soldiers present burst into roars.

The military mobilization speeches at the beginning of the Army Day always require a lot of passion.

With a determined look on his face, Wu Xiao walked down the stage, waving his fist at everyone. The soldiers all turned around and prepared to attend this grand event in which they were the protagonists.

However, Wu Xiao, with a determined look on his face, turned ugly after he walked into the room.

He stopped and several generals behind him trembled together.

"More than 10,000 people disappeared within the empire. I gave you three days, but there is no trace?!" Wu Xiao suppressed his anger.

The generals behind him looked at each other in silence. A major general who was usually highly regarded by Wu Xiao had an unpleasant expression on his face: "Marshal, we finally found a trace... The wounded may have disappeared near the area south of Black Pigeon..."

It would have been better if he hadn't said it. After these words were spoken, the anger in Wu Xiao's eyes became more obvious.

"The Black Pigeon goes south? Do you know where the Black Pigeon goes south?"

"…Imperial capital."

Wu Xiao narrowed his eyes slightly: "Then tell me, what are our people doing in the imperial capital?"

None of the generals present dared to respond.

Wu Xiao stared at them: "The military celebration has begun, and the families of the more than 10,000 brothers are waiting for their triumphant return. Before, I told them that their sons, brothers, husbands... were all brave warriors who were not afraid of death. In a few days, I have to tell them that their sons, brothers, husbands... all died for the country?"

"I can't even give them a corpse?"

After a long silence, the major general spoke again: "Marshal, I am willing to explain to those military families..."

Wu Xiao, who rarely showed his anger in front of others, suddenly became furious. He grabbed the man by the collar and roared, "Explain?! What qualifications do you have to explain to them?! What kind of explanation can satisfy them?! They lost their children and relatives!"

The major general's face was pale with a blush of shame, and he didn't even dare to raise his head.

Wu Xiao shook his head in disappointment. He did not abandon the major general, but put him down calmly.

"Send people to search near the big pit where the Black Pigeon Prison was originally located, and bring excavators. Also, dig up the surrounding mineral sites thoroughly, and bring the old miners from the military." Wu Xiao ordered in a cold voice.

"Yes!"

Wu Xiao's chest rose and fell slightly. "Today, His Majesty will give a speech on the military anniversary at 7 o'clock in the evening... If there is no news before 6:30, then prepare the car and I will go to meet the military families in person."

After saying that, without giving anyone else a chance to speak, Wu Xiao left.

Several generals looked at their colleagues cautiously, then glared at each other.

"go!"

……

The military anniversary was very lively. When every household had received gifts in support of the army, the parading army, accepting the cheers, had already arrived on the streets of the imperial capital.

There will be many programs in the parade, and various vendors will gather at the intersections with the largest flow of people. When the soldiers pass by, the crowd will often burst into huge cheers.

After the long game team passes by, children in simple clothes will rush forward, and a lot of things will fall on the ground, which may be a few pieces of candy, half a bottle of good wine, or a few cigarettes.

For kids from the slums, these are all great stuff, but if you want to get more, it depends on how big your fists are - most kids from the slums are not very strong, so now it’s time to “compete with talent” again.

After the children have finished fighting, the residents will pour into the streets and start their own carnival.

In the crowd, Sean randomly found a stall and bought some snacks. He peeled off the candy wrapper of a piece of maltose and put the candy into his mouth.

After a moment, he nodded and swallowed it. "The taste of industrial saccharin is very strong, and it tastes like my childhood."

"Is it appropriate for you to hang out at this time?" Bai Ye, who was wrapped tightly and even wearing a hood, spoke beside him.

Sean flicked the bottle cap with his thumb and it popped out. Several children around who heard the noise immediately looked at him in admiration.

He tilted his head back and took a sip, then said with a hint of dissatisfaction, "You're selling it even though it's empty. Tsk, it tastes like saccharin water..."

Sean walked lazily while saying, "Everything that needs to be done has been done. Now they are trying their best to plot against me. They should be busy, not me. But, as Her Royal Highness the Princess, don't you need to be present on this important day?"

Bai Ye's face was hidden by the hood, so her expression could not be seen clearly. She just whispered, "It is not my turn as a princess to give a speech on the military anniversary and entertain the soldiers. I can just attend the dinner."

"Didn't your father also want to attend today?" Sean strolled casually among the crowd, glancing at his surroundings from time to time.

Bai Ye's voice was emotionless. "Father hasn't attended the military celebration for ten consecutive years. I guess it's because of the special timing this time. I guess he will give a speech."

Sean shrugged. "But since you're going to be there, your father should show up, right? It's strange that most people in the imperial capital don't know what their beloved emperor looks like."

Bai Ye actually sneered: "I don't remember what father looks like. In the past, when my brothers were not in the imperial capital, I helped to handle government affairs, but only behind a curtain. I don't know if he will show up this time, but I don't think he will... But, we don't need to worry about father's affairs for the time being, right? The focus is still on my eldest brother and Jehovah."

Sean picked up the snacks again and said without even looking up, "Aren't you helping me give them a chance?"

"Chance? Me?"

Sean turned around and looked at Bai Ye's outfit with an inexplicable look, and finally couldn't help laughing: "The Lord had a professional team analyze my personality, motivations, behavior patterns, etc. Do you think he couldn't guess that someone like me who can't sit still would come to the military celebration?"

Bai Ye was stunned for a moment, then reacted immediately.

Jehovah and Bai Zhan's men would definitely mingle in the crowd and observe, no matter what the reason was.

However, during the busy festival, her outfit, which was intended to conceal her identity, was more likely to attract the attention of those interested.

Bai Ye's voice was filled with apology: "I'm sorry, I didn't think too much about it..."

Halfway through her speech, she raised her head again: "According to your personality, you would definitely remind me... Did you do this on purpose?"

Sean cracked melon seeds and said cheerfully, "I told you you're not stupid - when I left, I deliberately chose a location far away from Cheryl's cell."

Bai Ye thought for a while and said, "Because my eldest brother definitely has more people than Jehovah, so those who stay away from there and can observe us are most likely my eldest brother's people."

Sean laughed. “It’s not a high probability, it’s 100 percent. Three people have noticed us along this stretch of road. They were all disguised as vendors, but they didn’t even bend when communicating with the marching soldiers. However, the communication was brief, and the soldiers were very satisfied.”

Bai Ye said thoughtfully: "This shows that they are not used to kowtow, but they know the preferences of the soldiers - this is the characteristic of soldiers, and big brother has a lot of military forces under him..."

She looked at Sean with disbelief: "You have observed so many things in such a short time?"

Sean said casually, "It's just a habit - well, but Jehovah did send someone out. Did you see the woman at nine o'clock? She was wearing the most ordinary poor clothes, but her fingers were white and slender. The temperature was not high today, but she had already rolled up her sleeves four times."

"The clothes don't match her skin, and she rolled up her sleeves because she felt hot subconsciously. This is a sign of staying in the cold storage for a long time. Did you observe this, too?"

Sean smiled and said, "It's the most basic observation, isn't it? Besides, her paths overlapped with those disguised vendors several times, which means they didn't know each other, so the identification of their identities is even clearer."

Bai Ye looked at Sean as if she was looking at a ghost. Even though she had experienced this many times, she was still shocked by Sean's terrifying observation skills.

"Wait...what do you want?" Bai Ye was stunned, but saw Sean quicken his pace and walk towards the woman.

"Shh, keep up."

Bai Ye's strange outfit has attracted the attention of some people. As soon as the two of them quickened their pace, those who were observing them reacted immediately.

The woman sensed the direction of Sean and the other man, and when she found herself getting closer and closer to them, she subconsciously headed towards the surrounding alleys.

Sean didn't catch up with the other person, but just followed behind him not too far away, as if he was shopping.

However, he said slowly: "I didn't remind you just to remind Bai Zhan - they all think I'm a smart person and won't let people around me make such mistakes. So, when mistakes happen, it will arouse suspicion."

As they were talking, they had already chased the woman into a dark alley, and the disguised vendors behind them temporarily disappeared from their sight.

Sean grabbed Bai Ye's hand and disappeared into the air.

He smiled and said, "So, Bai Zhan will think that I am——"

"Get the support from others." Bai Ye continued.

Sean nodded: "Then, your good brother's already serious suspicion~"

Bai Ye murmured, "I'm afraid it's going to explode..."

……

"Are you sure?"

"That's right, Your Highness. This is what I saw exactly. The other two saw the same thing."

In the secret room, Bai Zhan narrowed his eyes after listening to the report.

This time, he was even more certain that there was an unspeakable connection between the military advisor and Sean!

It is even possible that Sean does not even know who contacted him... The military advisor is using and driving Sean...

At this point in time...

Bai Zhan sneered.

Very good, Advisor...

……

The carnival lasted all day, and as night fell, people began to flock to the largest square in the imperial capital.

At this time, Wu Xiao, who had just got into the car, received the message.

"What did you say?" Wu Xiao looked at the other person in disbelief.

The Prime Minister, Covens, nodded. "His Majesty has already known about this. He said that this is not the Marshal's fault. As the ruler of a country, he should be responsible for comforting the military families. Moreover, today is the military anniversary... He hopes that you can enjoy this holiday."

Wu Xiao was silent for a moment, glanced at Covens, and then nodded.

"His Majesty said that you should go to the square first and prepare. He is already in the courtyard over there with the military dependents."

"Your Majesty the Holy Ming..."

……

The military representatives sat in the yard somewhat nervously. They received news that... His Majesty wanted to see them?

At this tense moment, the gate of the yard was pushed open, and a black car stopped outside. The sound of heavy footsteps seemed to surround the entire yard.

The military representative took a few steps forward nervously and then knelt on the ground.

"I have met His Majesty."

After a moment of silence, an old but majestic voice sounded.

"Excuse me, everyone."

The car window was gently rolled down, and several military representatives looked up cautiously, then lowered their heads again in fear, their bodies trembling a little.

There was a hand on the car window, a hand tightly bound by branches and cell fruits. The hand looked almost like a mummy, with the severely corroded skin covering it with difficulty.