Chapter 208 War Reparations
The whole country took a moment to say goodbye to the war god, Black Dragon.
After the announcement, Idris shooed away the reporters, saying the next bit wasn't for public ears.
Idris walked into the consulate, where reps from twenty-eight countries were hanging out.
As Idris got closer, some soldiers brought in a beat-up and knocked-out Frank.
Wasting no time, he said, "By international rules, it's $100K for a soldier, $100M for a general, and $50M for a deputy general. You guys killed our commander, so the price doubles. Pay up now, or we start executing prisoners." Idris wasn't messing around.
The reps from the twenty-eight countries jumped up, fuming.
"No way."
"Idris, that's highway robbery."
"This is nuts."
Idris gave them a cold stare and said, "Fine, no more talking. Pass my order, execute all the prisoners from Cedar Grove." Then he turned and walked off.
"Idris, let's talk this out."
"Let's negotiate."
"Ten times the amount is too much; we can't do it."
The envoys were desperate. Idris pointed at the unconscious Frank and said, "General Frank's life is hanging by a thread, and our commander is dead. You better hope Frank makes it, or the Black Dragon Army will come for you."
That scared the crap out of them.
"Alright, we'll pay," one country caved.
"We'll pay too," another followed.
Soon, all twenty-eight reps agreed to pay up, transferring the money right then and there. After the transfers, Idris kept his word and let the prisoners go. Back at a base in Southwild, Idris filled in the details.
"Commander, the news is out. The whole country knows Black Dragon died in battle, and they observed ten minutes of silence. The envoys paid up, and it's done."
"Good," Larry nodded.
Idris went on, "The total payout from the twenty-eight countries is $890 billion, now in the Black Dragon Army's account."
"That much?" Larry was a bit surprised.
In the past, when he won battles, the defeated countries would pay up, but he never really cared about the amount.
After a trip to Sunset City, he got what $890 billion meant. "Alright."
Idris nodded, "This hit the twenty-eight countries hard. It'll take at least three years for their economies to bounce back."
Larry thought for a sec, "Tell the national treasury to send $200 billion to the finance department, $100 billion to my account, keep $100 billion for the Black Dragon Army's expenses, and the rest to the Black Dragon Army."
Larry knew every Black Dragon Army soldier had a family. They fought at the borders, and if their families struggled, it would be a morale killer.
$590 million split among a million soldiers wasn't much per person, but it was a gesture.
"On behalf of the Black Dragon Army, thank you, Commander."
Larry looked at Idris and said, "Make sure this money goes straight to the soldiers. No funny business."
"Absolutely."
"Alright, you can go."
"Got it." Idris turned and left.
Larry headed to the military hospital. He checked on Frank again, prescribed some herbs, and continued treating him with silver needles.
Today was a day to remember for the Summer Nation. The news of the war god Black Dragon's death had spread everywhere.
The war god was gone, but he left behind a legend that’ll never die, especially his last epic battle.
He took on the top dogs from twenty-eight countries and wiped them out. Then, he ran for a whole day and night, dodging an army of 100,000, and still managed to take out tens of thousands of enemy troops.
That was the kind of stuff that got written in history books. The people of the Summer Nation would remember him forever.
Over at the Lewis family house, everyone was gathered.
"Chloe, got any ideas? The court summons is here, and the hearing’s tomorrow morning. The Martinez Family is trying to get their money back legally," Sam said, looking all worried. Chloe had been out all day, and he had no clue if she’d managed to get the cash.
Chloe was cool as a cucumber. Her beautiful face was blank, like she was a robot, and she just said, "Oh."
Right then, the door got kicked open. Alexander barged in with a dozen of his goons. The Lewis family freaked out and jumped up.
Alexander and his crew made themselves comfy on the sofa, while the Lewis family stood there, scared out of their minds.
Alexander looked at them with a smirk and said, "Got the money?"
Sam dropped to his knees, begging, "Alexander, please, just a few more days. Chloe’s been sleeping with the big shots, and she’ll have the money soon."
Chloe stayed stone-faced, which bummed out her family.
"Take him away," Alexander ordered.
A couple of his guys grabbed Sam, who was still on his knees.
"Help me, help me," Sam yelled, panicking.
"Chloe, do something," Maria freaked out.
"What can I do?" Chloe shook her head. She was out of options.
Alexander stood up and said coldly, "Chloe, you’ve got one day. If I don’t see the money by this time tomorrow, get ready to collect Sam’s body. Bring the money to Willow Creek Lodge."
With that, he turned and left.
"I don’t wanna die," Sam cried as he was dragged out of the house.
But the Lewis family didn’t dare stand up to Alexander. After Alexander took Sam away, the family collapsed on the sofa. Chloe’s eyes welled up, and tears started falling.
"Chloe, think of something. Sam’s made mistakes, but he’s still your brother."
"Yeah, Chloe, please do something."
"Chloe, I’m begging you, I can’t lose him."
The family surrounded Chloe, pleading non-stop. Seeing her tearful family, Chloe sighed deeply and said, "Don’t worry, I’ll figure something out." Then she went back to her room.
She got under her blanket and cried her heart out, her sobs full of sorrow and pain. The night passed quietly. The next day, Chloe went to court.
She didn’t bother with a lawyer because she knew she had no shot at winning. As expected, Chloe lost the case.
To get the money back, the court froze all her assets and planned to auction off the villa Larry had given her. They also ordered Chloe to come up with the rest of the money fast.
The Martinez family’s issue wasn’t that bad. She could pay them back.
The real problem was Alexander. He was ruthless, and if she didn’t pay by tonight, he’d do anything. Chloe walked out of the court, feeling totally hopeless.
It was a sunny day, but Chloe felt like her life was in darkness.
"Do I really have to go to Justin to get out of this mess?"
She didn’t want to, didn’t want to give in to fate. She took out her phone to call Larry.
"Hey, honey, what’s up?" Hearing Larry’s voice, Chloe covered her mouth, trying hard not to cry.
If her husband had money and power, things wouldn’t be like this. But he wasn’t a big shot .
"Nothing." She hung up the phone. Back at the base in Southwild, Larry was still lying in bed.
After getting Chloe’s call, he touched his nose and muttered, "What’s going on? So weird."
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