The Million-Dollar Heart

The Vanguard Agency agents were stunned for a moment, but then all hell broke loose.

"What's the meaning of this? An inspection? What crime have we committed?"

"Who are these guys? Don't they know what Vanguard Agency stands for?"

"Look at their combat gear, never seen anything like it. Can someone tell me what's going on here?"

Vance had never seen Arthur's face up close, but just from his aura alone, he guessed that this had to be the legendary War God of Veridia.

But what Vance couldn't figure out was what the War God was up to with this stunt.

After a brief silence, Vance stepped forward and saluted Arthur. "War God!"

Arthur's eyes swept over him, his voice deep and foreboding. "You're the director of Rivenwood precinct, Vance?"

His speech was deliberate, yet Vance felt an unprecedented sense of oppression.

Unconsciously, Vance's back was drenched with sweat. He suppressed the feeling of being crushed internally and responded, "Yes, that's me."

Arthur was the War God, a title bestowed upon him by the top brass of Veridia. He was beholden to no agency, only taking orders from the supreme leader. In any department within Veridia, the presence of the War God demanded a salute and the address of 'War God.'

"Do you think you've been diligent in your role as the director?" Arthur's voice was calm, yet his aura of authority was undiminished, perhaps even more oppressive than before.

Vance felt the invisible weight nearly suffocating him, but after a short while, he managed to look up and say with all seriousness, "I believe I have been diligent!" "Diligent?" Arthur snorted, "Out of the thirty non-combat personnel at Vanguard Agency, fifteen have been using their power for personal gain. And you say you're diligent?" He took a step forward, stopping just a step away from Vance.

His eagle-like gaze stared intently at Vance as if trying to see right through him.

Vance's heart skipped a beat, and he retorted, "How could that be? I may not know about others, but under my watch here in Rivenwood, my team is beyond reproach."

Vance was aware there were problems within Vanguard Agency; his own mentor, Vesper, had been an undercover operative for GTO.

But after Vesper was exposed, Vance had thoroughly vetted everyone at Vanguard Agency from top to bottom. Their backgrounds were clean.

God

turned to stand at the center of Vanguard Agency, his gaze sweeping over everyone like a sovereign overseeing his subjects. "My name is Arthur Linklater. As of today, I'm taking full control of Vanguard Agency headquarters. Every member of the agency, up to the directors of the agency and down to the janitors, will

Arthur looked towards Vance and Micah. "You two

Vance, their faces stern.

Micah's expressions

looked at Arthur, "What's the meaning

you gotten too cozy in your position to hear properly?" Arthur replied

Vance was seething.

guy's way of

spoke in a way that just got under his

Right! Vivienne!

had the same

maddening with her

from Percival, he finally spoke up, "Vance, Micah, just comply with

but when

battlefield, rarely returning home, caused such a stir upon his arrival. Likely, this was the will of

no jurisdiction over Vanguard Agency, yet here he was, taking charge with an iron fist, not giving anyone a moment to breathe. It meant that the Vanguard

be affected by the shake-up would

this, he exchanged a look with Micah and said, "We

followed

rest of the Vanguard Agency staff were dumbstruck as they watched them leave, not even given

Vanguard Agency was left with

Percival, his piercing gaze sizing him up. "So

man his father esteemed, the rare talent he

handsome, there didn't seem to be

accounts, Percival was his father's protégé, so Arthur's disposition towards him should have been more favorable. But for some reason, he just couldn't stand the sight of the kid. Where exactly the irritation stemmed from, he couldn't quite put his

with respect in his tone,

in his pockets, continued to stare him down. "I hear you tried to

was something inside him, a stubborn streak,