How exactly did the Deputy Director discover the Hermit? The truth is, he hadn't discovered him at all. He was simply repeating the same rehearsed line over and over:
"So, you've finally arrived, Hermit? You're even slower than I anticipated. I've been waiting here for quite some time."
"You've finally..."
"You've finally..."
He had even started this charade the previous day, leaving his office door slightly ajar as if welcoming a guest. He sat in the center of the room with his back to the entrance, leaning back in his chair and striking a pose like a final boss awaiting a challenger.
Naturally, to the newly arrived Hermit, the Deputy Director exuded an aura of mystery, his face practically screaming, "Don't mess with me."
But for Sparkle, who was standing invisibly nearby, the endless repetition was driving her mad. This is beyond annoying! Doesn't this old man ever get tired?
Sparkle couldn't help but grumble inwardly, "He really means it when he says 'quite some time'! He's been waiting here all day..."
The Hermit's timing was impeccable. He arrived precisely between the Deputy Director's last recitation and the beginning of his next one.
If the Hermit had arrived even a moment earlier or later, the situation would have been entirely different. Had he lingered at the door for just a moment longer, he might have overheard the Deputy Director rehearsing his monologue aloud.
But such speculation was pointless now. The Hermit stood before the Deputy Director.
"Let's talk, Hermit of White Eagle," the Deputy Director said, propping his elbow on the chair's armrest, his fist pressed against his cheek, and one leg crossed over the other. "Trust me, I have an offer you can't refuse."
With a snap of his fingers, a nearby monitor, previously dark, flickered to life. On the screen was a man sitting on a park bench, eating ice cream and whistling at a blonde woman passing by.
The Deputy Director fell silent.
The Hermit stared at the screen. "...Is this your trump card?"
The Deputy Director coughed abruptly, startling the man on the other end of the video call. The man leaped to his feet. "Huh? Deputy... Deputy Director?!"
Ignoring his mortified subordinate, the Deputy Director continued smoothly, "As you can see, my operatives have already infiltrated White Eagle territory."
Hearing this, the person on the other end of the video call hastily raised the camera and swiveled it around, clearly showing the Statue of Liberty, a prominent landmark of White Eagle.
"So?" Hermit asked, his expression unreadable.
Just one person infiltrating White Eagle? What's the big deal?
Sending spies to other countries is commonplace. What's there to brag about?
The Deputy Director continued, "And my subordinate is currently holding a [ Super Invincible Spiral Annihilation Obliteration Bomb ]! Once activated, its destructive power could instantly wipe White Eagle off the face of the planet!"
"Show it off! Let him see what we've got!"
"Yes, sir!" The subordinate briefly stepped out of frame, then reappeared... cradling an utterly adorable Sparkle doll.
The most absurd thing happened as the doll came into view. It suddenly came to life, turning its head to face the camera and waving its tiny, fingerless hand. A sweet voice chirped, "Hi~ Hello there~ I'm a bomb, and it's lovely to meet you~"
The Deputy Director froze. How is this bomb talking?!
The Hermit froze, utterly dumbfounded. What the hell is this?!
Even though his face was obscured, anyone could imagine the priceless expression on his face at that moment.
"Are you mocking me? This little thing? You claim it can obliterate the entire White Eagle in an instant?"
"Of course! This is exactly it!" To the Hermit's surprise, the Deputy Director casually rested a hand on his hip, radiating confidence. "A dozen of these bombs could destroy—no, have already destroyed—an entire world! And I went to great lengths to obtain just one from Miss Sparkle!"
"Now, make your choice. You and your army can retreat immediately, and I'll pretend this never happened. Or... I'll ensure White Eagle vanishes from this world before the Sakura Nation ever gets the chance!"
In a hidden corner, the Hermit's brow furrowed deeply. Logically, this doll looked nothing like a bomb.
Yet the Deputy Director's unwavering confidence gave him pause. The man strolled leisurely around the office, even filling a glass of water at the dispenser.
The Hermit was certain this was no act. The man's confidence was genuine, his demeanor impossible for an actor to feign. This was the poise of someone who truly held all the cards.
The Deputy Director's earlier mentions of "having destroyed a world" and "Miss Sparkle" had only heightened the Hermit's vigilance.
This was precisely the Deputy Director's intention. He didn't genuinely regard Sparkle as some kind of "miss," but by implying her backing, he hoped to pressure his opponent into believing he had powerful allies, thus increasing the psychological strain.
The Deputy Director took a sip of water to moisten his throat before continuing, "Don't even think about pulling any tricks. The moment I die or we lose contact, my men will detonate the bomb immediately. Think of your homeland, your family. Is it really worth sacrificing your entire nation for a moment of impulsive action?"
In truth, if the Hermit were to retreat, the Deputy Director would immediately order the bomb's detonation upon his return to White Eagle. How could he resist using such a weapon when he held it in his hands?
Yes, his ambition had grown beyond merely forcing White Eagle to cease hostilities. He now sought the complete annihilation of the nation.
He refrained from using the weapon only because White Eagle had amassed a massive military presence around Sakura Nation. If the bomb detonated first, those forces would undoubtedly launch a final assault, dragging Sakura Nation down with them.
But just as the Deputy Director wore a smug expression of victory, Hermit unexpectedly snapped, losing all restraint. "Then let's see what you've got!" he roared, his voice raw with fury.
Hermit had already lost his closest family member. For the Deputy Director to invoke the memory of his loved ones at this moment was like pouring gasoline on a raging fire. Hermit had become one of the White Eagle Eight precisely to prove that his sister's sacrifices had not been in vain.
Now that his beloved sister was gone, avenging her by obliterating White Eagle itself seemed a price worth paying.