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.

would the War God say such

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

Arthur looked towards Vance

surrounded Vance, their

Micah's expressions

"What's the

cozy in your position to

Vance was seething.

of speaking

else spoke in a way that just got under his skin

Right! Vivienne!

had the

maddening with her

from Percival, he finally spoke up, "Vance, Micah,

lash out, but when he heard Percival, he

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

Vanguard Agency, yet here he was, taking charge with an iron fist, not giving anyone a moment to breathe. It meant that the Vanguard

would be affected by the shake-up would depend on the government's

this, he exchanged a look with

followed the operatives

staff were dumbstruck as they watched them leave, not even given a chance to react before the operatives swiftly took control and

the bustling Vanguard Agency was left with only Percival and

his piercing gaze sizing him up. "So you're the kid from the Ellington

young man his father

didn't seem to be anything

some reason, he just couldn't stand the sight of

responded with respect in his tone, "Yes, I'm

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

and confirmed Percival's innocence. Yet, there was something inside him, a stubborn streak, that wanted to trip Percival