This incident became the laughingstock of the international community, leaving Country M utterly humiliated while Country N achieved a resounding victory. Country N successfully captured fifty-one Country M spies, who instantly became a thorn in Country M's side. If Country M refused to rescue these spies, it would ignite domestic outrage among its citizens; yet if it intervened, the price required would be far greater than a mere one billion dollars.
However, after a month of grueling negotiations, Country N and Country M finally reached a prisoner exchange agreement. Under the terms, Country M would release one hundred and twenty Country N citizens it had unlawfully detained in exchange for the fifty-one spies held by Country N. This long and tense diplomatic standoff finally came to an end, with both sides making certain compromises and concessions.
Yet, Country M's retaliation struck fiercely. A force of three hundred terrorists—though ostensibly called terrorists, the top echelons of Country N knew full well they were elite special forces secretly trained by Country M—crossed the border of Country L to enter Country N's ALS Province in secret. They seized a police officer who was on vacation and live-streamed the murder of Officer Vadim and his family, an atrocity that filled the people of Country N with righteous fury.
Chapter 63