Counterfeit Hero

”Thirty million Leray soldiers lost their lives, yet they defended our homeland for four whole years. They annihilated an enemy twice their size!” The old man’s lips curled into a smile, teardrops swirling stubbornly in his eyes without falling: ”Today... we lost another warrior.”

Flavio’s words struck everyone like heavy hammers, as the old man fought back tears. Gathered onsite, in front of the massive public screens, countless Fei Alliance citizens dissolved into tears. The statistics shocked them, revealing an epic catastrophe, a disaster.

Suddenly, the name Leray felt tangible through Hamilton’s smiling portrait hanging centrally in the venue. The blazing artillery, the thick smoke, the sound of guns, the roar of cannon fire — vivid as in front of their eyes and ringing in their ears. They saw so clearly, heard so precisely, the Leray people’s resistance, their cries.

”... A year ago, I sat in his home, watching him curl up, hiding his face, mourning the death of his eldest son like countless Leray families... He was a handsome young man who perished at the Newton Star System Jump Point.” The old man’s voice trembled: ”And today, he too has gone.”

”He was a lawyer, a seasoned politician, President of Leray, as well as a woman’s husband and a father of two children.” Flavio turned back, quietly gazing at Hamilton’s photograph, proudly smiling through tears: ”But in the end, he was a Leray person, a born warrior!”

The square fell silent. Amidst flowing tears, people listened as Flavio’s voice grew low, whispering to Hamilton: ”Buddy, the Hamilton family will always be Leray’s pride.”

”... They committed an unforgivable mistake. They will pay the price!” Flavio wiped his tears away, turned around, as the live broadcast director focused on the old veteran who saved his tears only for Hamilton.

”We will let everyone know that Leray has not fallen!” Flavio clenched his fist, his voice as solid as iron.

”We have never been stronger!”

He ended his speech with this resounding statement.

At that moment, watching Flavio stride off the podium with his head held high, everyone recognized Leray.

For the first time, a Leray so clear.

The next day, newspapers across Fei Alliance member countries published articles.

”What were we doing while Leray fought bitterly?”, ”On the Evolution of the Southeast Star Domain”, ”A Dirty Political Whirlpool”, ”Who is Responsible?”, ”Revealing a True Leray”, ”Solidarity or Division”

This wave of reflection on the Leray war quickly swept across all Fei Alliance member countries. While mourning Leray, people felt anger towards several actions by Fei Alliance member countries. Countless documents were unearthed, and people were shocked to find out, apart from two expeditionary fleets that meant little to the alliance, the support from Fei Alliance to Leray, whether in materials or other aspects, was far from sufficient to sustain Leray in this war!

Especially when many learned that the current Leray Exile Government received no proper respect, and many meetings, intelligence, and decisions excluded them due to the Brody Regime, this voice of anger almost swamped the entire Fei Alliance Council.

The outbreak of the wave forced the Fei Alliance Council to reflect, as representatives from each country held conference after conference day and night to determine Leray’s contributions and status, forming several resolutions with compensatory and appeasement nature.

According to these resolutions, Leray, currently under the leadership of the Exile Government over the Atlantis Star Domain’s two star systems, will receive priority material aid through Knevel and Gazalin. Leray refugees will be unconditionally accepted and settled by each member country. Leray Army’s supply requests will be reviewed immediately, and the review criteria have been relaxed a lot compared to before.

Supreme Commander Francis of the Alliance Supreme Command further ordered Hastings of the Alliance Command Center to come up with specific plans to ensure the safety of Leray’s last two star systems.

Hamilton’s portrait was permanently hung in the Fei Alliance Council Hall.

In the portraits of dozens of individuals who made outstanding contributions to the Fei Alliance, he silently smiles.

With a hint of cunning.

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”Meiduo...” Fatty’s voice was like a big bad wolf enticing Little Red Riding Hood.

”What is it?” Meiduo gently smiled, her beautiful almond eyes like a pool of spring water.

”You need to be strong...” Fatty advised earnestly: ”Life is still long, you need to realize your own value... Put on your nurse uniform, and devote yourself to work and battle!”

”Stop it!” Meiduo bit her lip.

”Hahaha...” At the dining table, Helen and Audrey laughed so hard their waists were sore, their forks trembling.

Fatty casually stuffed a piece of beef into his mouth, chewing slowly, maintaining his solemn demeanor. Yet, the flesh on his face twitched uncontrollably.

After being at the base for several days, encountering Meiduo, there was no tearful reunion with hugs and passionate kisses. The two of them seemed like old friends, knowing each other despite not seeing each other for a millennium. Meiduo remained as gentle and lovely as ever, seemingly never actively and passionately expressing her feelings.

Precisely because of this, Fatty found it even harder to imagine how much courage it took for this girl to venture out alone to find him.

Such a gentle lamb.

Fatty bit hard into the meat, watching Helen and Audrey cough with laughter.

These two are little lambs too, but why, when three little lambs are together, can’t he even realize the wish of seeing a nurse uniform?

Lost in his thoughts, Markovich strode into the dining room and approached Fatty: ”General, just received news from Mars that Carolina has arrived at Mars Free Port!”

Saying this, he handed a file to Fatty: ”This one is from General Bernadotte.”

”Oh?” Fatty put down his knife and fork, wiped his mouth, received the file, decrypted it with his authority, and walked out of the dining room while reading.

Suddenly, he stopped, his face turning pale.

”General?” Markovich had never seen Fatty like this, sensed something was wrong: ”What happened?”

Fatty turned around, looking bewildered.

”President Hamilton... committed suicide.”

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. Seeing everyone’s rewards is truly touching. Thank you! Further, the last time I asked for monthly votes, the gap to the front shrank from 200 to 100. Calling again for monthly votes. I wonder if I can make it into the top ten. I will continue to write sincerely. Heading to the authors’ annual meeting tomorrow, I will bring my laptop.

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. (To be continued, to find out what happens next, please visit www.qidian.com, more chapters available, support the authors, support legal reading!)