Tap-tap-tap~
In the European Union's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a bespectacled man's fingers danced across the keyboard with blinding speed, leaving afterimages in their wake. He was undoubtedly the one currently engaged in a diplomatic standoff with Great Britain.
Beside him stood a young assistant. "But... is that SAM mecha really one of ours?"
After all, Great Britain was attacking SAM while the European Union was frantically defending him. Any rational person would assume SAM had ties to the EU.
But the diplomat replied decisively, "I don't know. Probably not. If the Ministry of Technology had a new breakthrough, I'd be the first to know. Since I haven't received any updates, it's highly unlikely SAM is one of ours."
The assistant paused, surprised. "Then why are you..."
"No, no, no," the diplomat interrupted. "SAM himself isn't the main point. The real issue is what Great Britain is trying to do. They want to brand him a terrorist. Whatever Great Britain wants, we'll do the opposite!"
He added with a grin, "Besides, that 'Molten Knight SAM' completely shattered Great Britain's plans and handed them such a humiliating defeat. It's incredibly satisfying. On a personal note, I'd love to defend that dashing knight."
"Besides, he's probably not a bad guy."
As the diplomat spoke, he clicked on his computer, and a satellite video popped up. The footage clearly showed SAM traveling directly to the Dimensional Rift in the Arctic and resolving it in remarkably short order.
"So, SAM's initial objective seems to have been to deal with Dimensional Rifts in public areas," the diplomat continued. "I don't know his exact motive—whether he's after the benefits within the rifts or simply trying to mitigate these disasters—but whatever the reason, the act itself is commendable."
With that, the diplomat switched back to his computer screen and resumed his diplomatic sparring with his British counterpart.
It's worth noting that while the European Union had consistently defended SAM, they had never publicly claimed him as one of their own.
The EU's unwavering support naturally led observers to assume SAM was affiliated with them. However, as long as the EU maintained plausible deniability, they retained considerable room for maneuver.
For instance, if SAM were to confront the European Union in the future, accusing them of unilaterally categorizing him as their ally, the EU could simply retort, "We didn't! See for yourself! We merely couldn't stand by and watch you be falsely accused. We were just defending you!"
If SAM never challenged this claim, the EU could maintain this narrative, allowing other nations to mistakenly believe he was one of their own. This would naturally grant the EU numerous subtle advantages.
Looking further ahead, SAM's silence would imply he didn't particularly care about being associated with any faction, strongly suggesting he was unaffiliated.
In that case, if SAM ever tried to join another nation, they would likely refuse, knowing he was considered part of the European Union's camp. This would leave the EU as the only faction SAM could potentially join.
The European diplomat might appear somewhat unreliable, but his position at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs clearly demonstrated his strategic acumen.
-
However, Firefly wasn't preoccupied with such intricate political maneuvers for now. After returning to her hotel, she focused her attention on the Dragon Nation and Robin's situation.
At the Longcheng Bureau of Anomalous Investigations, Robin headed straight for Zhong Wanhong's office and knocked.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Robin? Just come in."
Pushing open the door, she found Zhong Wanhong seated at his desk, frowning at a report in his hands. He didn't even look up. Puzzled, Robin asked, "How did you know it was me?"
"Because neither Lü Heng nor Yu Lin would ever knock. We're lucky if they don't kick the door down. You're the only one with any manners," Zhong Wanhong replied, setting the report aside and pinching the bridge of his nose. "Is there something important you need to discuss?"
"Yes," Robin said, cutting to the chase with her prepared statement. "That news story about the Molten Knight SAM... I know him."
Of course, she wasn't about to confess the absurd truth that Robin and SAM were the same person. Instead, she was there to lay the groundwork.
After this, Firefly would undoubtedly continue hunting monsters in other Dimensional Rifts, and SAM's global antics would inevitably draw attention.
Moreover, Robin, Firefly, and SAM were bound to cross paths in the future, given that they were all facets of the same person.
If Robin pretended not to know SAM now, how would she explain it if she ever needed him to come to her rescue later? Would a passing Masked Rider conveniently swoop in for a heroic rescue? Or perhaps SAM was secretly a fan of Robin's music?
Hmm... that sounded a bit far-fetched, but not entirely impossible.
Still, the better approach was to simply announce that Robin and SAM were "acquainted" beforehand. And since the announcement specifically mentioned SAM rather than Firefly, Robin would retain plenty of maneuvering room in the future.
Therefore, as soon as SAM's story hit the news, Robin immediately contacted the Bureau of Anomalous Investigations to report the development.
Robin clearly saw Zhong Wanhong's jaw drop open in disbelief. "What?! Your acquaintance?!"
If SAM was an acquaintance of Robin's, wouldn't that mean he was from the same world as her? Zhong Wanhong knew all too well what Robin's previous world had been like.
In a word: terrifying!
He immediately asked the crucial questions: "What's your relationship with him? What's he like?"
Robin paused briefly before answering, "We get along pretty well. He's a really nice guy—a good person!"
In the game, Robin and Firefly had barely any interaction. But here, since they were both her, her word was law.
Moreover, as a "senior" who had long earned the Dragon Nation's trust, Robin's account of SAM's character carried even more weight than SAM's own statements.
P.S. While the European Union has the fewest Evolvers, its overall strength should not be underestimated. The EU boasts technological capabilities that surpass those of any other nation in the world.