"Can't sleep well?"
Shano picked up his teacup and gently blew away the foam on top.
"We're in the very heart of Endgame's territory here. What, you still scared the Divine Knight Order is going to teleport over and drag you off?"
"Or are you trying to get me to assign a cadre as your personal bodyguard?"
Morgans' eyes lit up. He nodded like a bobblehead: "Yes, yes, yes! My lord, you really see through everything! Sure enough, I can't hide even a little thought from you!"
He rubbed his wings together and shuffled closer in a fawning way:
"Look, my lord, the World Government has sent a huge bunch of lunatics all over the world to hunt me down. If a strong cadre could be stationed at the News Agency Headquarters, not only would it guarantee the safety of me and my colleagues, it'd also put your mind at ease, right?"
When he said the words "put your mind at ease," Morgans deliberately stressed them.
Then he chuckled and added:
"Besides, I might be timid, but when it comes to work I'm absolutely reliable! With your people watching me, how would I ever dare have any crooked thoughts again? From now on, you point east and I'll never go west!"
Shano glanced at Morgans' obsequious expression and finally couldn't stand it; he kicked him and said irritably:
"Next time, just say what you mean. If you've got something to fart out, fart it out. What's with the little schemes—what do you take me for?"
As if he didn't know what Morgans was really thinking.
This guy, it's not the World Government he's scared of; he's clearly still scared of him.
Afraid he'd slaughter the donkey after it's done grinding, kill him as soon as he's done using him, then conveniently take over the homeless World Economic News Agency Headquarters.
So he simply advanced by retreating—using "my life isn't safe" as an excuse, and proactively asked Shano to assign a cadre to monitor him up close.
"Relax, the World Economic News Agency is still yours to run. You're the president—that won't change."
"Aside from your hidden branches scattered across the world, which might occasionally need to cooperate with Endgame's intelligence department, everything else stays the same, including your freedom of the press."
As long as he held the power to steer public opinion in his hands, it was enough that he could use it whenever it was really needed; there was no need to fuss over it all the time.
By comparison—
Morgans joining up and filling in Endgame's weakness in intelligence work was the gain Shano was most satisfied with.
"In fact, as Endgame keeps expanding, it's inevitable that among our grassroots staff, and even among the cadres of each Legion, there'll be people with ulterior motives, or let's say, opportunists whose intentions aren't exactly pure."
Shano took a sip of tea and went on:
"Your news agency can serve as a supervisory force. I need you to expose those parasites. And negative news like that is also much more likely to attract public attention, which can significantly boost your sales. It benefits both of us."
Eh?
Morgans froze, doubting his own ears a little.
Did he hear that right?
A lord who isn't afraid of negative coverage?
In the past, that was pure fantasy. Even if he just reported a Navy Branch colluding with Pirates, the World Government would send people to 'invite' him for tea and threaten him into pulling the story.
"My lord, you… you're serious?"
Morgans suppressed the wild joy in his heart and asked carefully, "You really allow me to report negative news from within Endgame?"
No burning the bridge after crossing it, no power grab, and even loosening the reins on press freedom?
This was at least ten times better than the scenario he'd pictured before they met!
Waaah, all the fear and misery he'd choked down lately really wasn't for nothing—aren't the good days just rolling right in now!
"Of course."
Shano set down his teacup and said flatly:
"Endgame is not the World Government. We don't need to rule by covering things up. If there are parasites, we dig them out; if there are problems, we solve them. That's the only way to last."
"However."
He suddenly shifted tone, locked eyes with Morgans, and added:
"You can report it, but it has to be based on facts. If I find out that someone's deliberately fabricating plausible-sounding rumors just to grab eyeballs and boost sales…"
"I wouldn't dare! Absolutely wouldn't dare!"
Morgans jumped, waving his hands frantically:
"I, Morgans, swear on my professional ethics as a newsman—I will never let my editors or reporters make things up! Every article will be strictly verified!"
"Good, as long as you understand."
Shano nodded slightly. "As for assigning a cadre to personally keep watch on you, that won't be necessary."
"Right now Endgame's civil, legal, and supervisory departments are all expanding or being set up. Very soon there'll be an oversight department to keep you in check as well. Of course, that department will also act according to the law, and what I've just promised regarding press freedom will not change."
Morgans nodded over and over again.
"Also, the security issue you mentioned does need to be taken seriously."
Shano pondered briefly. "This Maple Island, as it stands, does have Stationed Corps patrols keeping an eye on things, but once it officially becomes the News Agency Headquarters' base, that level of security won't be enough. We do need to further strengthen our Defense forces."
He turned his head to look out the window, thought for a moment, then said:
"Here's what we'll do. The Combat Corps is about to add four new combat squads, and the Captains of those squads will be the four former Navy Headquarters Vice Admirals who defected to Endgame."
Shano set down his teacup and turned his gaze back to Morgans, continuing:
"One of them I'll station here on Maple Island long-term, in charge of the News Agency Headquarters' security. As for who exactly…"
He thought for a bit. "Let's go with Yamakaji. He's mild-tempered and steady in his work. He should be able to tolerate that jumpy, stubborn temperament of yours and get along with you."
Yes.
That Yamakaji who'd dared to take the lead in questioning Sengoku—after leaving the Navy and mulling things over, he did not go to join Zephyr's Neo Navy.