"Master Wayne, today is your first day back at the company. I believe you will perform well and not disappoint your father."
"Alright, Alfred, stop nagging."
Bruce Wayne adjusted his suit in front of the full-length mirror. Standing beside him, the butler smiled faintly.
"I know those people have been watching me closely," Bruce said, a slight curve forming at the corner of his lips in the mirror.
"After all, a prodigal son who left Gotham for ten years suddenly returns to reclaim control of the massive Wayne Group…"
"Those old men were never going to accept that easily, were they?"
Alfred Pennyworth smiled with clear satisfaction.
"Master Bruce, if your father and mother could see you now, they would be very proud."
"They would," Bruce replied with a small nod.
---
Ten minutes later.
Bruce Wayne stepped out of the car in front of Wayne Tower. Seeing the senior executives waiting to welcome him, he immediately put on a warm, practiced smile.
After exchanging enthusiastic handshakes and polite words—so polished it was impossible to tell truth from pretense—the group entered the building together.
"Gentlemen," Bruce began,
"I could almost call you uncles. After my parents were murdered, when I was helpless, it was you who helped stabilize the Wayne Group."
"Without your efforts, the company would never have reached where it is today. For that, I sincerely thank you for your contributions."
As Bruce spoke confidently, the senior executives nodded in satisfaction.
What they feared most was that Bruce would turn out to be as overwhelmingly forceful as his father—
someone so rigid that he would eventually break.
"I did not return today to fight you for power," Bruce continued.
"In terms of business experience, I am nothing more than a fledgling chick compared to you."
"I will not interfere in the company's daily operations or commercial decisions. That would be amateurs commanding professionals—utterly ridiculous."
"I will only provide guidance and oversight on major strategic directions. After all, I must take responsibility for the Wayne name. Isn't that reasonable?"
Applause erupted across the room.
A self-aware leader who did not threaten their interests was exactly the kind of chairman they wanted.
In fact, some of them had already prepared countermeasures—just in case Bruce tried to forcibly seize control.
Fortunately, none of that was needed.
Just then—
A piercing alarm suddenly blared through the building.
Bruce's instincts snapped into high alert. He immediately picked up the phone beside him and contacted the external affairs department.
"What? Military forces have appeared along the coastline?"
Bruce's expression instantly turned grim.
He was not the only one shocked—city officials receiving the same report were equally stunned.
Online, information exploded at a terrifying pace. The governor's office learned of the situation even before the city authorities could formally report it.
---
New York State Government – Emergency Meeting Room
On the screen, a massive force had gathered along the coastline.
Rows of soldiers clad in strange, unfamiliar armor stood in perfect formation.
Behind them were amphibious vehicles resembling tanks, towering jellyfish-like structures, and countless weapons whose purposes were impossible to identify.
The sight alone was enough to give the governor a splitting headache.
"Governor," a staff member reported,
"With the cooperation of the police and National Guard, all coastal residents have been evacuated."
"The opposing force is still in a staging phase and has not launched an attack."
"All current intelligence has been forwarded to the White House. They are discussing emergency response strategies."
"The National Guard's armored regiment will reach the rally point in ten minutes. Air Force fighters are already on standby."
"The Atlantic Fleet has also reported in. Command staff are awaiting orders from the Department of Defense. If the enemy initiates hostilities, interception will begin immediately."
"Shit!"
Governor Casey rarely cursed, but this time he slammed the table in fury.
"Waiting for them to attack first—who's going to take responsibility for the damage?"
"They've already stepped onto federal territory! Is the Department of Defense staffed entirely by cowards?"
The staff member lowered his head, not daring to wipe the sweat from his face.
"The Pentagon replied that the enemy's intentions are still unclear. Since no direct attack has occurred, there may still be a possibility for peaceful contact."
"They're insane," Casey snapped.
"Tell General Fields to enter Level One alert. If the enemy shows any hostile intent—open fire immediately!"
"Yes, sir!"
---
On the Coastline
Orm stepped down from his submersible aircraft.
He wore a dazzling golden battle suit and held a golden Trident of Poseidon. Walking forward, he declared loudly:
"I am Orm, King of Atlantis—Lord of the Oceans."
"I demand to speak with your leader!"
Major General Fields, commander of the National Guard forces on site, stepped forward.
"I am the acting commander here. Lord of the Ocean, may I ask why you have entered the territory of the American Federation?"
Orm lifted his chin arrogantly.
"You are not qualified to speak with me. Have the one you call 'President' speak to me instead."
The corner of Fields' eye twitched, but he restrained himself and signaled the communications officer to contact the White House.
---
The White House – Oval Office
President Ellis sat behind his desk, his head pounding.
With the election year approaching, he had been preparing statewide campaign speeches.
Instead, this crisis erupted without warning.
Handled poorly, not only would re-election be impossible—his presidency itself could collapse.
"Secretary Ross," Ellis asked gravely,
"Give me the situation."
Thaddeus Ross replied with a dark expression:
"Mr. President, satellite data confirms the enemy has assembled nearly sixty thousand troops, along with large-scale military equipment."
"Reconnaissance also indicates an even larger force waiting beneath the ocean."
Ellis rubbed his temples as the phone rang.
A staff member answered, then covered the receiver.
"Mr. President, the opposing leader wishes to speak with you."
"Put it on speaker," Ellis ordered.
Orm's voice echoed through the office:
"President of the land-dwelling American Federation, I hereby inform you—
In one hour, I will launch an attack on your nation."
"You may choose to surrender to Atlantis, or you may choose war."
"Any consequences or losses will be your responsibility."
Ellis' face hardened with anger.
"I will respond now as the President of the United States of America."
"We will never surrender—
Not to any individual, any force, or any nation."
_____
T/N:
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