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Chapter 302: Armed Satellite’s Dimensional Reduction

Strike, End of the War

Translator: End less Fantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

The following day, Tang Rui woke up close to ten in the morning.

He had stayed up late the previous night, enjoying some leisure time.

“Red Lotus, can you display Jerusalem’s current situation in a gamified format?” he requested while having breakfast.

The reason for choosing a gamified display was simple; he wanted to eat without disturbance.

If the real scene was shown, his appetite would surely be affected.

“Master, shall I use the CS interface unit for this?” Red Lotus inquired.

“That would be fine,” he replied.

“Understood.”

The screen before him transformed, adopting the visual style of a CS game.

In the hours that Tang Rui had been asleep, Jerusalem’s street fighting had intensified.

However, the current tide of battle was in favor of the Middle Eastern Coalition. Even though Israel had secured some support from America, the situation was irreversible unless the Americans intervened directly.

At most, Israel could only delay the inevitable outcome.

“Red Lotus, bring up all the relevant news,” Tang Rui commanded after a brief review of the battlefield. He wanted to see how Israel was manipulating the media narrative.

Domestic news was relatively tame.

Official media had little to say, mostly using neutral terms like calm, control, negotiation, suggesting much without revealing anything substantial.

But the narrative in other media outlets was different.

Smearing the black camels was a given.

Publishing pitiable images of Jerusalem to elicit sympathy, while painting the black camels as heartless, was a standard tactic.

However, what he hadn’t anticipated was the extent to which some domestic media were not just criticizing the black camels, but also him and Crimson.

This was an unexpected development.

Criticism from international media was one thing, but for domestic outlets to join in, seemingly disregarding any consequences for profit, was surprising.

Tang Rui was noticeably annoyed.

He immediately contacted Lin Chao to inquire about the situation with these media outlets.

“Don’t worry, we’re already investigating. It seems they’ve overplayed their hand,” Lin Chao reassured Tang Rui.

“Alright, send me the investigation results when they’re ready,” Tang Rui said, concluding the conversation.

He then shifted his attention to international news.

It was mostly as expected—widespread criticism of him and the black camels. Some media even blamed him for the Temple’s issues.

Global news channels, in that moment, were sympathetically portraying Israel as victims of foreign aggression.

He wondered if people truly believed such news.

Surprisingly, many did.

The Middle Eastern Coalition lacked a platform to counter these narratives, and Iran’s international reputation didn’t help.

A mix of strategic propaganda, emotive photographs, and celebrity endorsements had effectively shaped public opinion.

Protests demanding government intervention in support of Israel were even taking place.

Those uninformed about the actual situation were inadvertently fueling the fire.

Apart from America, which balanced profiteering with nominal support for Israel, other nations limited themselves to verbal support and empty gestures.

“Red Lotus, how many people are slandering me internationally?” Tang Rui asked.

“Master, there are approximately seven hundred and thirty million messages criticizing you and the company,” Red Lotus reported.

Tang Rui’s expression hardened. He had anticipated backlash, but the reality was still disconcerting.

How to respond?

Lending mechas to the Middle Easterners was not an option.

Their high profile made them impractical. He wasn’t concerned about public opinion, but he was aware that such actions could inadvertently escalate to national issues.

That was the rationale behind the higher-ups requesting the withdrawal of the mechas—to minimize unnecessary complications.

After some contemplation, Tang Rui devised an alternative strategy.

If mechas were too conspicuous, he would use a more discreet option.

He reached for his phone and dialed Prince Salim.

“Prince Salim, are you available?” he asked as the call connected.

“I’m busy controlling mechanical dogs, combating heretics!” Prince Salim replied, his voice hoarse from extended effort.

Acknowledging Prince Salim’s fatigue, Tang Rui got straight to the point. “I know you inquired about renting mechas, but that’s not feasible. They require maintenance. However, I have another weapon that might be of use to you,” Tang Rui said directly.

“We’ll take it,” Prince Salim agreed without hesitation.

“Listen first. It’s an armed satellite. Given its complexity, I will need to operate it remotely. Officially, though, it will be under your command. Do you understand?” Tang Rui explained.

“No problem. How much? I’ll transfer the funds immediately,” Prince Salim responded.

“I’ll give you a discount—300 billion dollars. After the transfer, issue a statement, and I’ll be ready to assist,” Tang Rui proposed.

“Agreed. I’ll make the arrangements immediately,” Prince Salim confirmed.

After ending the call, Tang Rui resumed his breakfast, now in a better mood.

By the time he finished and leisurely made his way to the lab, Prince Salim had transferred the funds.

Meanwhile, the Middle Eastern Coalition had held a press conference, announcing their alliance with Crimson and the leasing of the armed satellite. They kept the specifics confidential, not from choice but from ignorance of the satellite’s capabilities. Yet, their trust in Crimson’s technology was unwavering.

“Red Lotus, scan the Jerusalem area, mark all enemies, and use the laser-armed satellite to engage any exposed targets,” Tang Rui ordered.

Intent on demonstrating the consequences of defamation, Tang Rui was ready to act.

“Understood, Master. Targeting is underway, and the laser-armed satellite is charging,” Red Lotus confirmed.

The satellite, previously in geosynchronous orbit, adjusted its position. Its muljerusalemceted laser emitters began to charge, transforming from a spherical form to an umbrella-like array.

In an instant, laser beams were unleashed.

Each beam precisely eliminated an enemy within Jerusalem City, leaving no time for reaction or warning. The sudden, unheralded strikes left even the commanders of the enemies clueless about their assailant’s location.

As time passed, the enemies realized the threat from above, but they were powerless to counter it.

The Middle Eastern Coalition, unaware of when Crimson’s satellite had joined the fray, soon noticed the overhead lasers.

With the satellite’s support, the tide of battle shifted rapidly. The intense street fighting suddenly eased, accelerating their advance.

Thus, a day passed.

Under the unyielding assault of the laser-armed satellite, Israel’s resistance became futile.

Even the missiles launched by America to assist were effortlessly intercepted by the satellite.

What had been a tense battlefield in the morning had reached a decisive conclusion by nightfall.

With no safe exposure, heavy weapons rendered useless, and ally support intercepted, the resistance was broken.

In the face of overwhelming technological superiority and strategic domination, even the most determined resistance was ineffectual.

The war concluded.

Yet, the matter of Jerusalem’s ownership remained unresolved. The debate over its future would continue, with each member of the Middle Eastern Coalition eager to claim it.

The end of the war did not signify the end of the disputes.

As for Israel, their chances had evaporated. Jerusalem’s future was no longer in their hands, and their fate was of no concern to Tang Rui.

With the conflict resolved, as the United Nations began their deliberations, Tang Rui received a call from the National Academy Office.

The call was straightforward.

He was to attend a meeting in the capital, receive an award, and accept an academic title.

This year’s top prize for scientific and technological advancement was his alone.

The title was a professor’s honor.

He had been elected unanimously, attaining the rare distinction of having a double doctorate..”