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

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 be under investigation. Until everything is

Arthur looked towards Vance and

surrounded Vance, their faces stern. "Please

and Micah's expressions

Arthur, "What's the meaning of

you gotten too cozy in your position

Vance was seething.

of

in a way that just got under his

Right! Vivienne!

the

maddening with her

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

but

such a stir upon his arrival.

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

be affected by the shake-up would depend on the

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

they followed the operatives

them leave, not even given a chance to react before the operatives swiftly

minutes, the bustling Vanguard Agency was left with only

approached Percival, his piercing gaze sizing him up. "So you're the kid from the

his father esteemed, the rare talent

didn't seem to be anything outstanding about

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

respect in his tone, "Yes, I'm

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

Yet, there was something inside him, a stubborn streak, that wanted to