Jefferson knew well how to use the media as a weapon, and given his status, it was quite convenient for him to mobilize them. He seemed like the uncrowned king of this world, yet Lynch did not think so.
In this world, no one understood the usage and power of the media better than he did. In his previous life, centuries of development had pushed the effectiveness of media to its limit, while in this world, the media was just getting started, with less than fifty years of history.
Since you have actively provoked me, I will defeat you within your own melody.
I will not only recover the memories of the Goddess and protect the reputation of the Black Night Cathedral, but I will also ruin you completely.
Lynch turned back with a cold smile to look at the reporters and cameras filling the deck. The media was always hunting for something sensational, sometimes not hesitating to exaggerate or even fabricate news. The reason for this was partly because they had already set their stance, and partly because fabricated news had enough shock value and influence to keep people interested.
Therefore, as long as one provided sufficiently powerful information, they would naturally swarm forward. As for their stance, although one side represented the old forces of the church and the lords, the other side was the emerging capitalist power that the citizens were quite dissatisfied with; the media would not lose out regardless of whom they supported.
Not to mention that he still had himself to win the media's favor.
Thus, Lynch pulled down his hood so the cameras could only capture the corners of his mouth in a cold smirk, giving him an air of mystery. He raised his hand to the reporters, and the deck quickly fell silent: "Since all my reporter friends are here, let us use this venue provided by Chairman Jefferson to hold a press conference and media briefing."
What was that?
The reporters had never heard these terms before, but their professional instincts told them this would be closely related to their future careers. Therefore, everyone instinctively focused their attention on Lynch.
Lynch felt like he was on stage giving an impromptu report at a company annual meeting. His legs were shaking slightly, but his heart felt as refreshing as drinking an iced beverage, a mixture of pain and pleasure. Lynch licked his lips and, with a somewhat manic, grand gesture, removed his top hat and held it at his side, bowing to the reporters with his hand on his chest:
"I am the private investigator Lynch Levive. I have been deeply involved in the investigation of the Square Massacre and am currently a special advisor to the governor's office. The most well-informed friends among you should know of my existence."
Some reporters were initially confused, but upon hearing this, they immediately showed looks of sudden realization. Looking at their colleagues around them, they nodded vigorously. Oh, so it was you! We have heard of you, we have heard of you.
"Additionally, this is Knight Rick of the Black Night Cathedral. Today, the two of us will represent the governor's office and the Black Night Cathedral to host this briefing. Shortly, we will announce the truth of the event and the specific progress to everyone. After we finish speaking, we will leave time for questions, but only questions relevant to the event are allowed. Those who raise unrelated questions will have their participation in the briefing revoked."
This was good, this was good! This format was much more convenient than sneaking around to ask questions. Besides, once they asked questions, if the officials dared not answer, then they could not be blamed for making things up—no, for using their imagination.
The new format excited the reporters, but Jefferson's expression turned gloomy. He instinctively realized that he could not let Lynch continue this madness: "This is our chamber of commerce's cargo ship. Who allowed you to hold any meeting here? If you want to hold one, please get off the ship. We still have to depart."
"You were the one who actively invited these reporter friends to board and depart, and now you say such things? Are you trying to kick these reporter friends off the ship?" Lynch gave a sinister smile and looked at the sailors and officers who were suppressing their anger. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Jefferson's lips moved, but he clenched his fists and remained silent.
Lynch smiled, whispered a few instructions to the naval officer to have him take men below to secure the ship, and then said loudly: "As everyone knows, our great Emperor's aunt..."
"Lady Audrey." Seeing Lynch suddenly stumble on such a common knowledge question, Knight Rick felt a deep sense of despair, but he still reminded him in a low voice.
"Ahem, Lady Audrey will hold her birthday celebration in ten days. As a close ally of the Rose family, His Grace the Duke naturally had to show his respect. Thus, he entrusted the Black Night Cathedral to prepare a gift to be sent to Norin, to be delivered to Friedman by the Rose family's envoys."
It was almost the truth, only the recipient of the gift had been changed from himself to Lady Audrey, so Lynch spoke with confidence. Anyway, no one knew the facts, and even if they did, surely that venerable and kind Queen Mother would not mind:
"However, someone ignored the majesty of the Lord's church and, incited by some hostile forces in Friedman, wanted to make our Lande gift list and the actual gifts inconsistent, turning us into the laughingstock of international public opinion and thereby damaging the relationship between the Lande monarch and his subjects. Consequently, this person used a special method to steal the gift, intending to send it to Friedman to claim credit. And I, as a private investigator, have been hired to assist His Grace the Duke and the Black Night Cathedral in finding the item."
Hiss. Treason? Enemy spies? Blasphemy? The scene was immediately in an uproar. The reporters whispered to one another, and then flashbulbs flickered non-stop at both Lynch and Jefferson.
Whew. Step one, successful.
Lynch tilted his mouth slightly at Jefferson. Using a press conference to provide a half-truthful account of a case was just standard operating procedure in his previous life, but in this world, it was a first. It won the favor of the media, successfully pulling the media, whose stance had originally leaned toward Jefferson, back to neutral. Now, these people were just spectators waiting to see the show, and their subsequent reports would no longer have any obvious bias.
You are finished, Mr. Jefferson.
At this moment, Jefferson's face turned green, and he felt like vomiting blood from the frustration. He knew the situation was slipping out of his control, yet he could not refute a single word; otherwise, he would be confirming his participation in the theft. But if he did not refute it, once the item was actually found, the media weapon he had arranged would become a noose around his own neck, and he would become the clown.
In an instant, it was Jefferson who found himself in a dilemma. This... this damn investigator couldn't actually find the item, could he? No, I hid it so well; it is absolutely impossible for him to find it. Yes, that is right. The more exaggerated he makes his claims now, the more he will lose face—along with the church and the governor's office—if he cannot find it. He is effectively forcing himself into a dead end. Hmph, let us see how you clean up this mess when you cannot find it.
Jefferson did not refute him. He gritted his teeth, his gaze glaring coldly at Lynch. It was not just him; even Knight Rick was secretly signaling to Lynch with his eyes, as if asking, is this really okay? If you cannot find it in the end, won't it be even more shameful?
My neighbor said she could sense the memories nearby. If I even doubt her, then there is nothing else in this world I can trust. The rest is just a matter of finding the item.
Lynch took a deep breath, revealed a smile that suggested everything was under control, and bowed to the reporters with a gesture of invitation: "We have received definite intelligence that the stolen gift is on this ship. We will conduct a spot check on the vessel in accordance with the law; we will never knowingly break the law. We welcome our reporter friends to supervise the actions of both parties. Heh, the item is hidden in the bottom of the hold. If we do not find it, I will definitely apologize to Mr. Jefferson immediately. Mr. Jefferson, you surely would not object, would you?"
Jefferson's face was livid. He said grimly: "Fine. Everything in accordance with the law. I want to see how you finish this."
Rate on N.U.
