Johnny mentioned someone laughing, but he wasnât talking about Elliot; he was talking about Lille.
[Lille: Who? Me?]
[Johnny: Yes, you. Your laugh is quite horrifying. Can you stop?]
In Cyberspace, Johnny was caught by Lille and "opened" his eyes to see a big iron man with a blank expression.
[Johnny: Much better now.]
Although he couldnât see before, Johnny just felt Lille was laughing, not sure about what...
Maybe he was laughing at a weak and incompetent chubby finally toughening up, realizing some things are worth fighting for with oneâs life;
Or maybe because this chubby guy acts like a little virgin when facing women... No wait, he is a little virgin, perhaps laughing at his awkwardness...
Apparently, he seems quite enamored with Alina.
While thinking, a mirror suddenly appeared in front of Johnny, showing a bearded rock star wearing sunglasses laughing.
Oh, the reason he knew Lille was laughing was that he himself was laughing.
Johnny unabashedly increased the intensity of his laughter, shaking his head while laughing:
[Johnny: This reminds me of the days back in Night City, outsmarting and having concerts with the NCPD.]
[Johnny: When young people are fighting for their dreams, even a sewer smells fragrant... Even thinking they can turn the sewer into a perfume pool.]
But Lille began to self-reflect:
[Lille: Am I that serious?]
[Johnny: Buddy, youâre not just a king; youâre a cunning mastermind AI behind the scenes. Why do you think youâre humorous? Or do you think asking this is humorous?]
[Johnny: I canât imagine what kind of girl would fancy you, a gloomy machination expert... Oh, also a dignified king.]
Johnny sat up in Cyberspace, pretending to hold a Scepter, looking at Lille solemnly...
Always felt he wasnât so serious before?
Before Lille could struggle too long, Elliot started seeking help:
[Elliot: Bro, I feel this is the time to sing, but people in the three vans singing on their way home... Is this okay?]
Lilleâs first thought was: Of course, it is.
But he initially thought singing was okay, but the content needed to be considered, so he planned to have Elliot sing something like "God Save the King" on the way back.
But now...
The perfect plan is indeed tempting, but sometimes singing something else isnât harmful, anyway, whatâs broadcast on TV changes according to demand.
[Lille: Of course, it can.]
[Munemasa: ?]
[Munemasa: Donât you think itâs bad to randomly gather van people in Europe singing something sensitive on the road?]
[Munemasa: I donât really understand how you convinced yourself.]
[Lille: You didnât oppose it either?]
Munemasa thought irritably: What use would opposing it be?
But...
The first song Elliot and the others sang left Lille surprised:
...
"The crown is glorious, the hammer strikes the ground, the Kingâs splendor shines across the land. The toiling hands, blood and sweat flow, bringing his reign to forever last!"
"Great King, heart of Britain, fearless spirit of the nation, united as one. From past glory to todayâs revival, Britain eternal, we hold onto belief!"
The van people started singing a song that could be described as solemnâ
Yes, whatâs surprising Lille was they actually chose to sing a song praising the King proactively...
This is very politically correct.
The song is fine, the emotion in the singing is high, and the three vans drove into Foxstone, drawing attention from passersby:
Foxstone is an industrial city, unlike London with all sorts of celebrations... Who would merrily sing songs of the King in the streets?
However... The King is the great savior who shaped todayâs Britain, rescuing Britain from military government.
If someone sings aloud a song everyone knows and has a good impression of on the street, many will sing along!
Unprecedented events happened on the streets of Foxstoneâthe city, designed for intense work since its birth, as the vans proceeded, more and more people began singing, sharing the same melody as the ones in the vans.
Even if they might not remember the lyrics or know which part theyâre at, these songs, everyone could sing, all familiar and well-known!
"Oh, King, may you never age, though we weary, our hearts remain unregretful. Only hoping for the day we can hold up the crownâs glory in the light together with the hammer!"
The city seemed to suddenly be filled with vitality!
And the people on the streets started getting interested in the ones in the van: What made them so joyful? But they looked like they just returned from an escape, their fatigue barely concealed, covered in blood and dust, unknown if mistaken as refugees.
What happened to them?
Astute observers quickly noticed the crowd around the van growing larger, with more responders appearing, even drones gathered...
The European Union doesnât allow large-scale unreported "disturbance events", someone already thinks this meets the standard for such an eventâ
"Elliot!" Alina, elated for a while, being most sensitive to drones, grabbed the celebrating Elliot to her mouth and shouted in his ear, "The momentum is too big! Local officials might have an issue!"
"They wonât have one!" Elliot remained excited, "We reported it! We have people above us!"
As if to validate Elliotâs words, the drone not only didnât disperse the crowd but even played music fitting their songs!
Alina again felt shocked, her gaze at Elliot growing increasingly bright: "Awesome!"
"Haha! I told you, we succeeded!"
...
European Community Government Building, Sevens looked at the "victory parade" below, unable to hide the smile on his face:
The European Union has absolute control within the systemâmedia companies, production companies, security companies, arms companies... All companies have to listen to them.
But it doesnât mean any company has to listen to him alone as a European Community civil servant.
What heâs doing now can be considered a low-level internal struggle within the European Union; to win, he must use cleverness, like the cleverness heâs using now:
This matter is big enough; the media will be willing to report.
"...Haha, a group of workers fighting for their legal rights, implementing the spirit of the European Union, exposing the truth of the black factories of the European Tunnel Company, praising the King on the street...
Citizens love this, leaders love this, the media loves to report.
The more people, the better; the bigger the matter, the better... Elliot, youâve truly brought me a big surprise.
King... haha, kid your brain works fast, knowing to bring out his majesty."