Two Realms Shuttle Gate: Don't Call Me a Demon!-Chapter 717 - 420: The Bloody Tower (6K)

Black Palace!

Lawrence's face was grim as he looked at the disconnected phone in his hand, unable to resist slamming his palm heavily on the table.

"Is Kurt trying to rebel? How dare he act so recklessly? What does he take the laws of the Country for? Is the National Guard his private army?"

Lawrence's hand was red from his furious slaps, the feeling of being ignored by a mere governor was infuriating, especially for a President of the Beautiful Country.

More crucially, Kurt had mobilized the 40th Mechanized Infantry Division of the National Guard to deal with the 20 Genetic Warriors participating in the Los Angeles Olympics.

Such actions were intolerable for Lawrence.

Because in three months, the Beautiful Country's election would be over, and dealing with the Genetic Warriors sent by the Jieke Group now could inadvertently spark a war.

If he were to initiate war with the Jieke Group during his term, given the current climate in the Beautiful Country, any setback in the conflict would cause his approval ratings to plummet, utterly losing his chance for re-election.

"Judith, have you uncovered anything? Why is that bastard Kurt so insistent on taking action, just because Franco made a fool of himself?"

Lawrence suppressed his inner rage and fixed his gaze on Judith, who stood in front of the desk.

Judith was the head of the CIA. The CIA's duty was to provide the President with information for decision-making. As the intelligence advisor to the National Security Council, Judith reported directly to the President. However, this also caused tension between the CIA and the FBI, which was under the Ministry of Justice.

Judith nodded and reported, "Mr. President, our CIA has indeed uncovered some clues. This matter is not as simple as it seems.

California is within the sphere of influence of the California Consortium, and they are intervening in this matter as well."

Upon hearing this, Lawrence's brows furrowed instantly, and he gritted his teeth, "Is this the Democratic Party's doing?"

California is a stronghold for the Democratic Party, and the California Consortium, one of the top ten in the Beautiful Country, ranks among the top three, and is a supporter of the Democratic Party.

This consortium emerged as a powerful entity during World War II.

Due to California being the largest arms production base in the Beautiful Country, during World War II, the American Bank Group, the San Francisco Group, and the Los Angeles Group rapidly expanded through the flourishing arms industry, eventually forming a large consortium centered around the American Bank.

This consortium possesses substantial financial capital, owning two major banks, American Bank and Wells Fargo Bank. The arms production companies they control are among the top ten arms manufacturers and exporters in the United States, such as Lockheed Martin Company, the world's largest arms enterprise, which holds a leading position in the Beautiful Country's Ministry of Defense arms orders, as well as Northrop Grumman, the world's second-largest arms manufacturer, and Lidun Industrial Company, the fourth-largest arms manufacturer in the Beautiful Country. These arms corporations produce everything from rifle bullets to fighter jets, destroyers, and cruise missiles.

With American Bank at its core, they have established a vast military-industrial complex, which essentially is the California Consortium.

Lawrence belongs to the Republican Party. The opposition and factional conflict between the Beautiful Country's two major parties have intensified with the presidential election becoming increasingly heated, with each side resorting to various measures. Thus, when he heard about the California Consortium, Lawrence immediately realized the problem.

"Mr. President, I dare not speak without thinking, but consider this: if our Beautiful Country goes to war with the Jieke Group, who benefits the most?"

With Judith's analysis, the truth began to emerge.

Once a war between the Beautiful Country and the Jieke Group breaks out, it will be a feast for the arms dealers. Each military-industrial enterprise will gorge on profits.

And the California Consortium, this massive military-industrial complex, will undoubtedly reap the largest share in this arms trade. This is evidently the reason California is willing to deploy the National Guard.

Others might fear the onset of war, but arms dealers are the ones who most wish for war to never end, as war is their means of getting rich.

Without war, who would they sell their weapons to?

"These scoundrels, they should all go to Hell."

Lawrence's chest heaved with fury. He didn't fear war; he just didn't want to be caught in a war with uncertain outcomes during a critical election period.

If he succeeds in getting re-elected, then starting a war with the Jieke Group might not be opposed by him. But now, it's not possible; he hasn't secured his re-election yet.

If war erupts now and anti-war protests occur domestically, he can forget about successfully continuing his presidency.

"Judith, personally go to California. If they continue disobeying orders and arbitrarily deploying the National Guard, have the CIA take action and directly apprehend Kurt."

After a few minutes of contemplation, Lawrence issued a solemn command.

This Kurt, the so-called Governor of California, in reality, is merely a mouthpiece put forward by the California Consortium. With Kurt under control, he can use presidential authority to withdraw the National Guard.

On the federal level, the Beautiful Country's President can activate the National Guard for federal missions. At the state level, governors can deploy the National Guard when local or state emergencies arise.

But usually, the National Guard is under the direct command and orders of the state government, with the Ministry of Defense in the Beautiful Country having only a guiding role, not a commanding one.

However, if the state government is controlled, his presidential commands can smoothly proceed successfully. Additionally, the CIA's involvement can prevent the situation from escalating further.