Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 1591: Chapter 56: Illness and Death (2)

But how could they know that the Fei Alliance is experiencing an unprecedented crisis.

”Mr. President, Marshal,” a doctor hastened to Hill and Li Cunxin, speaking softly, ”You can come in now.”

”How is Lord Hastings?” Hill asked in a low voice.

”Temporarily stabilized, but...” The doctor frowned, ”Lord Hastings’ illness has already reached a late stage. Apart from some conservative treatments, we cannot change the course of the illness. How long he can hold on depends on Lord Hastings himself.”

Even though the doctor’s words were expected, Hill and Li Cunxin couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness.

The two exchanged a glance and walked towards the bedroom.

Opening the door, Hastings lay quietly on the wide and soft bed. Several monitors cast sensor light on his hands, recording his breathing and heartbeat data. An oxygen machine worked silently, delivering oxygen into his body through a nasal tube.

Without his wheelchair and not in uniform, the elderly man’s body seemed so small on the expansive sickbed. His legs were somewhat atrophied, appearing child-like.

Only by looking at his face, at his eyes, could one tell he was the Military God of the Fei Alliance.

Neither war nor illness can defeat him before death. His eyes, when looking at Hill and Li Cunxin, remained deep and bright.

”I think it’s time for our next step,” watching the medical staff leave the bedroom and carefully close the door behind them, Hastings smiled slightly at Hill and Li Cunxin: ”That guy did well, I originally thought we’d need to wait a bit longer, but I didn’t expect him to stir up such a big commotion on Leifeng Star with just two divisions!”

Hill and Li Cunxin walked to the bedside and sat down on the high-backed velvet soft-cushioned chairs.

After speaking a few words, Hastings’ breath was somewhat labored, he closed his eyes, taking a short rest, then said mildly: ”Send a message to Leifeng Star, let him and Margaret come back.”

The bedroom was tranquil, the lighting soft and serene.

————

————

”Critical illness?” Fatty felt a roar in his mind, blanking out. From the communicator, Margaret’s somewhat trembling voice left him suddenly bewildered.

He stopped his Mecha. The battered Logic, amidst the grand Mecha formation, was like a reef in a flood. Black, cyan, and olive green Mechas split behind him, yet converged in front of him.

The artillery fire ahead sounded somewhat unreal.

”Bonnie.” Fatty called out numbly.

”I’m here!” In the command channel, Bonnie’s soft voice appeared somewhat worried.

”You take over here! Keep fighting, fight until they’re at their wit’s end!” Fatty pulled the control lever, turned around, gritted his teeth, and Logic soared into the sky like a rocket.

————

————

”Bang!” A folded newspaper was flung onto the polished pearwood desk with a crisp sound. Barbara’s face was as still as water, as she turned the large leather swivel chair, back towards the window.

The sunset on the distant city was gradually hiding behind the dense high-rise buildings, the light growing dimmer, with only a hint of golden glow lingering on the window sill.

Barbara squinted slightly.

For a long time, as the last rays faded from the window sill, her captivating face became vaguely blurred. Shadows slowly caressed across her elegant neck, delicate collarbone, and proud full chest, descending to eventually envelop her.

In the extravagantly decorated room, the light was already uncomfortably dim, yet, among the few people standing solemnly before the desk, none dared to turn on the lights.

Including the two twin sisters, there were six men and three women, all core members of Barbara’s forces. Having followed Barbara for a long time, they knew well the consequences of making any noise at this time. Their rigorous training had accustomed them to this waiting.

Each person, like a stone sculpture in a secret chamber.

The only moving part might be their eyes now. At this moment, everyone’s gaze was focused on the desk’s surface, below the striking headline of the Sunshine Newspaper’s front page, under which a chubby man in a blue uniform was laughing heartily with pure eyes.

”Great Victory on Leifeng Star!!!”

The title was simple, yet for the people of this era, the words ”Great Victory” plus the ensuing three exclamation marks were enough to make them rush to vending machines and snatch all the newspapers away.

The entire city... no, the entire universe was discussing topics about the Leifeng Star battle and the bandit army. Just tuning in attentively, one could hear the endless cheers.

These cheers, like crisp slaps, echoed in the face of everyone in the office, resounding loudly!

Just twenty-some hours ago, Barbara had sealed off news of the bandit army killing Auben.

She knew well what public sentiment meant to the Leefer Legion at such a critical period. The news was too shocking, and if allowed to spread in Feiyang, no one knew what consequences might arise. Before completing the plan she personally led, she wouldn’t permit her advantage to turn into the enemy’s asset.

More importantly, she didn’t want to see repeated occurrences of impeachment motions against Hastings at the Alliance Supreme Council coming to naught!

Admittedly, the blockade was successful. In the same time frame, thousands of major media chairmen and editors in Feiyang received appointments from prominent local figures.