Outcast Omega Pampered by the Alpha General novel Chapter 450

Chapter 450 The Rumor That Would Not Die

Then what had been the point of sending Julian into the interior?

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Marston looked toward Harper’s virtual projection, certain that his reasoning was flawless.

Harper was an extremist who ignored superior command nine times out of ten and carried rebellion in her bones.

She said, “It’s dangerous out there. He should come back.”

Marston: “?”

Who possessed you?

He began to doubt both himself and Harper. Then he turned toward Orion’s projection, hoping the commander–in–chief would vindicate him.

“Don’t look at him. He’s family. That’s a conflict of interest, so he doesn’t get a vote,” Atlas said, holding his cup with an air of perfect calm.

Marston no longer knew how to respond.

And you?

Aren’t you Julian’s family too?

Atlas appeared to read his thoughts. He set the cup on the table.

“Different generation. It doesn’t count.”

Marston: “…

I want the deck inspected.

These cards are rigged.

Just as Marston began sinking into despair, Caleb reluctantly stepped forward to support him.

“I think General Marston is right. Returning now would waste everything we’ve accomplished. If we keep a military force stationed inside the Empire, the rest of us can also leave to drive back the swarms without worrying about what happens behind us.”

The Blazingwing Gold Scorpion and the other insectoids seemed to have received expert instruction. They had begun using guerrilla tactics against humanity.

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Chapter 450 The Rumor That Would Not Die

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The military had driven them back only a few days earlier, yet over the past two days, they had come wriggling forward again without regard for their lives.

Everyone understood that the insectoids were trying to drag the military around. As long as the legions did not pursue them beyond the safety line, however, every core taken from the enemy was a real gain.

They had to fight.

They had to fight brutally.

Having a force secure the interior while they did so would be ideal.

Atlas looked ready to disqualify Caleb with a red card by declaring him family too. Orion’s projection finally cleared his throat.

“Hmph.”

Atlas snorted but ultimately allowed Caleb’s vote to stand.

The score became two to two. With Orion excluded, the two sides were tied.

What now?

“Ask Julian what he wants,” Orion suggested.

Perhaps it was Julian’s absence. Perhaps it was the ongoing nurturing and advancement of Ruin. Whatever the cause, Orion had become unusually quiet. Unless someone addressed him directly, he rarely volunteered a word.

“You’re asking me?”

Rowan summoned Julian into the conference room. Julian’s entire face said, This had better

matter.

Orion’s projection gave another small cough.

“Yes.”

Julian answered, “I want to retire.”

Everyone: “…”

Please, not that again.

“You won’t agree even if I say it. If retirement isn’t an option, what difference does it make whether I’m at the border or in the interior?” Julian asked without expression.

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Chapter 450 The Rumor That Would Not Die

Danger?

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Before arriving in the interstellar age, when had a single day of Julian’s life not been dangerous?

Danger was the last thing he feared.

Atlas and Harper fell silent. They did not look at one another, yet both seemed trapped by the same secret they could not speak aloud.

Their hesitation did not last.

Just as Marston predicted, mutation outbreaks began erupting one after another throughout the Empire’s interior.

“This is Tidecrest News. We now take you live to the mutation response on Tidecrest Star…”

“Good evening. I’m reporting from Aster City on Valar Star. Colonel Adrian Whitmore’s forces are currently clearing the insectoids, and the situation was brought under control at the earliest possible stage…”

“Capital News reporting… Authorities have confirmed that the man responsible for the poisoning belonged to a cult and displayed clear signs of severe mental instability. Citizens are urged to remain alert and report any suspicious activity…”

It was almost as though someone feared Julian might leave the interior. In the period that followed, mutation outbreaks continued appearing around the Central Star Region.

Marston ordered every church, priest, and nun watched, along with anyone else behaving suspiciously. Public vigilance rose sharply as well.

Even when another world experienced an outbreak, Adrian could reach it quickly, suppress the insectoids, and keep casualties to an absolute minimum.

Julian did not personally enter another battlefield. Even so, he had already become the stabilizing anchor in the hearts of the Imperial people.

Then one story broke through.

“I don’t know whether you’ve heard the rumor going around lately, but apparently there’s a mysterious serum…”

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