This so-called "New World" was, of course, the otherworld of heroes and the Four Heavenly Kings. Coincidentally, the Doctor discovered it just as the four heroes were being summoned.
As a result, the Sakura Nation learned about the world's setting and the heroes' abilities, allowing them to formulate their subsequent plans.
In truth, the Doctor had already realized that if they could find a resource-rich and stable otherworld, they might no longer need to compete for a position among the Five Great Powers. They could simply relocate everyone to this New World.
He did propose this idea to the Prime Minister of the Sakura Nation, but the response was:
"A good idea, but let's wait until you've actually found such a world."
However, despite the Doctor's relentless research day and night, he still couldn't understand why altering those parameters had created an "abnormal otherworld" dimensional rift. No matter how many times he tried, he never succeeded in replicating it.
"This..." Firefly's expression grew complicated as she read on. In other words, the discovery of this true Otherworld had been a complete fluke. It was unrealistic to think she could master the method of traveling to other worlds based solely on this document.
After all, even the document's creator, the Doctor, hadn't managed it. Firefly's first impulse was to return the document to him—or perhaps even kidnap him and force him to continue his research.
Hmm, wait a minute... maybe that's not necessary? The research base hadn't been destroyed; only a copy of the data had been taken. The original documents were still there. Once the Doctor regained consciousness, he would undoubtedly resume his research.
In that case, all I need to do is have Sparkle check in periodically, monitor his progress, and if there are any breakthroughs, steal the information again.
Hmm... why does this suddenly feel like a dark joke?
It's worth mentioning that not long ago, the Doctor had been discovered by soldiers at the research base who had gradually regained consciousness. They brought him back to the base.
Later, as the Doctor slowly emerged from his grogginess, he opened his eyes to find himself surrounded by a crowd of worried researchers, packed in tight, three layers deep.
"Doctor! You're finally awake!" his assistant exclaimed excitedly. "We don't know why, but all of us..."
Before the assistant could finish, as if triggered by the keyword "all of us," the Doctor's eyes rolled back, and he fainted again.
"We don't know why, but we all passed out in the warehouse..." The assistant stared blankly at the Doctor's upturned eyes, momentarily stunned. "Wait, no! Doctor, wake up!"
"A doctor! Where's a doctor?!"
-
The perspective shifted back to Firefly. She sighed, removed the USB drive from her laptop, and after reviewing the documents, she finally understood the Deputy Director's contingency plan.
Firefly pulled out her phone and quickly scanned the news headlines. Just as she expected, she found what she was looking for among the top three trending stories:
[Dragon Nation's Superstar Robin's Second Concert a Resounding Success, Angelic Beauty Featured in Stunning Photos]
[Superhuman Association's 'Human Skin Book' Stolen, Preliminary Suspicions Point to Great Britain]
[Over a Dozen Dimensional Rifts Simultaneously Open Above Sakura Nation, Spectacular Scenes Featured in Photos]
Ignoring the top two trending stories, Firefly focused on the third. "But how is something this massive only third in the European Union?" she muttered to herself.
A short time earlier, as dawn broke, warships had approached the shores of Sakura Nation and launched simultaneous landing operations at over a dozen ports.
Yet, strangely, none of the ports encountered any significant resistance. In some places, workers were even unloading cargo, staring in bewildered confusion as the warships materialized from the sea.
Without a shot fired and without a single casualty, the White Eagle forces landed smoothly on the shore. The entire operation was so uneventful, so commonplace, that it felt like returning home. Even the White Eagle generals leading the troops were bewildered, half-wondering if they'd landed in the wrong place.
A similar incident had occurred during World War II. British troops landed in Germany with such surprise that the Germans were caught completely off guard, allowing the British to easily secure the beach unopposed.
Then... the British general, seeing no German soldiers and encountering no resistance, assumed he'd made a mistake and ordered a retreat. Only after verifying their coordinates during the return voyage did he realize his error.
The second landing, however, met fierce German resistance, resulting in devastating casualties for the British.
But times had changed. With advanced technology, confirming their location was as simple as glancing at a smartphone.
"Advance!" the White Eagle general commanded.
At that moment, three plainclothes soldiers from the Sakura Nation emerged from their hiding places on the dock. Their eyes gleaming with grim determination, they resolutely activated the "Black Box" devices in their hands, their faces set with unwavering resolve.
"For the Motherland!"
"Give your hearts!"
In the next instant, a Dimensional Rift, like a black sun, materialized in the sky.
The entire port vanished in an instant, leaving not a soul behind!
This scene unfolded simultaneously at every port where landings were occurring. The Sakura Nation had brazenly deployed devices capable of actively triggering Dimensional Rifts as weapons of war!
By any measure, this was an utterly reprehensible act.
Dimensional Rifts were akin to natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis—even more terrifying. Yet the Sakura Nation was now artificially mass-producing these cataclysmic events?
Worse still, this desperate measure could only delay the White Eagle's inevitable victory. Unless the Sakura Nation could launch a counteroffensive against the White Eagle mainland, they stood no chance of winning the war, regardless of their tactics.
In the Sakura Nation's capital, a Sparkle clerical worker stared at the Deputy Director before her, utterly baffled by his motives. She couldn't fathom or comprehend why he would resort to such a desperate tactic.