In a safe house.
"Everyone, this is what the Holy Master asked me to convey."
After explaining, Quinn stepped aside.
In the not-so-spacious safe house, sat important figures whose every stomp could shake America. The current US President, several venerable members of the National Congress, a decorated general, and a rapidly rising star.
For a regional manager like Quinn, encountering such high-ranking officials was a lifetime's rarity. Yet, driven by the Holy Master's influence, not only had she met them, but she also played a significant role.
After listening to Quinn's report, the President turned his gaze to the projection screen, which displayed footage of the demon leaving Black Hand Tower.
In this age of information, some things simply couldn't be hidden.
The video just played had gone viral on the internet in the past couple of days.
Instantly, people worldwide knew of the demon's resurrection, and this demon was currently on American soil.
No one knew how much destruction a resurrected demon could cause. However, many of America's adversaries, such as the Bear Nation, were more than happy to watch their old rival squirm, especially since they didn't believe this recently revived demon would cross the ocean to their shores.
America was in a state of panic. Many areas were blaming the government for inaction, with protests and demonstrations erupting. The current President's political opponents had also seized multiple opportunities to attack.
With the situation burning him, the President had to convene this emergency meeting, gathering government leaders to discuss their next course of action.
"Gentlemen, in my opinion, the demon's words are not to be trusted. This talk of making America great again is merely a delaying tactic by the demon. I believe we should strike while he is still weakened, and nip the threat in the bud."
A general stood up and voiced his opinion.
As a military man, his first instinct upon encountering a demon was to kill, to extinguish all threats to America before they could grow.
The general's suggestion received approval from many. After all, this was a demon who had lived for countless years, his thoughts unfathomable. Who knew if what he said was true?
"I object."
A senator stood up and said, "I'm sure everyone saw what happened in the tower. The demon killed numerous well-armed soldiers with a mere flick of his wrist, not to mention those ninjas who appeared and disappeared without a trace, like perfect assassins. If we truly go to war with the demon, can we afford the consequences?"
"Moreover, if guns and cannons were effective against the demon, he wouldn't have survived until now."
"If we wait for the demon to regain his strength, we will only pay a greater price!"
Before the senator could sit down, the general from before immediately stood up, berating the senator for only considering immediate gains and lacking long-term vision.
"I am stating facts. With the demon's resurrection, we have already lost our advantage. Rather than a mutually destructive fight, cooperation is the way forward. Consider, esteemed colleagues, an ancient demon knows countless secrets. If we cooperate, the benefits America will gain will be immeasurable."
At this point, the safe house was divided into two factions. One side advocated for no compromise, believing the demon was untrustworthy and advocating for a fight to the death. This faction was represented by General Kuss. The other side advocated for cooperation with the demon, believing they should actively engage in a partnership. Since the demon had already shown sincerity, why not try? This faction was represented by Senator Bertol.
The two sides argued more and more fiercely, nearing the point of physical altercation. The President coughed a few times, gestured with his hands, and signaled for them to stop.
The President looked at Quinn, who was trembling in the corner, and said, "Miss Quinn, you are a survivor who faced the demon directly. I would like to know your opinion. Is that demon truly invincible?"
Quinn, seeing herself called upon, approached the conference table and said, "Everyone, I have personally witnessed the demon's power. If I were to describe it in one word, the only word that comes to mind is 'invincible'."
General Kuss frowned, displeased with Quinn's words, which seemed to boost the enemy's morale while diminishing their own. He said, "Miss Quinn, America is a nuclear superpower. Are you perhaps elevating that demon too much?"
Before Quinn could reply, Senator Bertol quickly retorted, "General Kuss, you are absolutely right. America indeed holds the nuclear button. But do not forget, that demon is still on American soil. Do you intend to drop nuclear bombs on American territory?!"
Angered, General Kuss blurted out without thinking, "To eliminate the demon before he causes greater destruction, sacrificing the interests of a few is worth it. They would be sacrificing for America, they would be heroes."
The moment he finished speaking, Kuss knew he had said the wrong thing. However, Bertol gave him no chance to defend himself, seizing the opportunity to say, "Is that so? Then if the demon appears in New York, in Washington, or in Boston, will we also drop nuclear bombs on these cities? At that point, you, I, all of us will become executioners etched in history."
Bertol's allies also chimed in, "Not only that, but the entire American economy would regress by at least twenty years. Don't forget that the Bear Nation and the Flower Country are both watching us greedily."
This statement instantly struck a chord with the President.
For America, the demon, or any disaster, was secondary. The primary concern was maintaining its position as the world's hegemon.
Since the disintegration of the behemoth in the East, America had been the sole superpower. For so many years, through numerous presidential changes, it absolutely could not be allowed to crumble under his watch. Otherwise, whether others would be branded with shame was uncertain, but he certainly wouldn't escape it.
The current America was on a downward trend. Further advancement was incredibly difficult, but the ability to suppress other countries still existed.
This was precisely what he had been doing since coming to power.
But now, the Flower Country was beginning to rise and was becoming increasingly difficult to suppress. It was an inevitable outcome that America would be surpassed. Now, with the help of an ancient demon, America might be able to pull far ahead through some sort of magic.
The President signaled to a nearby attendant. The attendant nodded and opened a second video.
The projection screen was divided into five sections. The center showed agents of SHIELD being besieged by the Shadow Army, while the other four displayed the stitched monsters and alchemical creatures that appeared at the same time.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I believe this video material needs no further explanation. You are all capable individuals, and I'm sure you saw these videos even earlier than I did."
The President continued, "From the videos, it is clear that the demon we are discussing is not acting alone. Behind him is a powerful organization, represented by these Oriental ninjas in the video. They appear and disappear without a trace and fear no death. If we truly go to war with the demon, perhaps one day we will wake up to find these ninjas standing by our bedside."