Only I Am A Reader-Chapter 582: Major Announcement

"Breaking news! The first Major Gate Clearing project has been announced by the Enigma City Governor!"

"Would you look at that, Rita! It seems dreams do come true. After months and months of greatly popular Hero Aurora advocating for this project, approval had finally come through. This is great news for the lovely residents of Enigma City!"

"Indeed, Jim! With this plan in motion, perhaps the constant danger of monster invasion will be a thing of the past. In a year from now, maybe the streets of Enigma City will become the safest in the world."

"That would be a great reversal! What do you think? Is completely cleaning up Gates a future possibility or just a hopeful daydream? Let us know through our emails noted down below."

Shshshshsh…

As soon as the announcement came on Enigma News Channel One, voices spread through the entire Coffee shop, the majority were busy with their own stuff, but after the word Aurora went by their ears, almost everyone turned to look.

"Huh, they are really going through with this?"

"Hey, boss, turn up the voice, I want to hear this!"

While the so-called Heroes had different stances when it came to Aurora, the normal people were almost unified in their standing.

"She has been asking for this for a while now, but they always said it was too dangerous. What makes it different now?"

"Is she going to be okay?"

They simply idolized her!

Despite the fact that some people were aware of the reality of the propaganda show that was the Superhero scene, things were always different when it came to Aurora.

No matter how slow a person could be, the sincerity she showed always shone through, especially when it was put in contrast with other 'Heroes'.

"Speaking with our reporter on the scene… Rose, hello!"

"Hello, Jim! I'm standing here outside of the Hero Association Headquarters, where the Governor and several other great officials have joined together after announcing the new operation." 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"So, Rose, what did it? Why was it that Aurora's long-desired project was approved after being refused for so long?"

"Well, Jim. Let's just say that the people responsible weren't simply refusing before. According to the Governor's speech, they had been listening from the very start. Listen!"

As soon as the reporter motioned with her finger, the screen flickered as the scene changed to an old man standing on a podium. He wasn't very popular nor particularly hated, but at least everyone knew the man's identity.

"As we stated many times before, the reason we have been putting this off comes down to a single problem. It was too dangerous! However, that didn't mean we were going to force a noble Hero like Aurora to give up her selfless dream; we were simply making preparations!"

"No matter how strong Aurora is, there is a limit to what one person can do. Considering the unpredictable terrain that can be found in Gates as well as the possibility of monster waves, it is only right that a proper team be assigned when it comes to such an ambitious task."

As the Governor finished his introduction, the camera panned out to reveal the short line of people standing next to him. The very first thing that caught everyone's eyes was that their clothes were way too flashy.

"While many people were rooting for the most recent Team Aurora, we didn't think her fellow Heroes were up to the task, and just as we expected, things went wrong from the very get-go. That's just how things work in a serious line of work."

Insidiously enough, the Governor even used this chance to switch the focus to an incident that many were aware was caused by the notorious Cassian. In fact, he twisted the facts in favor of his proposition.

"In order to clear dangerous Gates that fall out of the normal grading system, teammates that Aurora can trust are a necessity, and we believe that these great Heroes are the ones truly suited for this task!"

Once again, the camera changed its point of view, this time focusing completely on the three flashy girls on stage. While a few of the viewers did recognize them as returning 'Veteran' Heroes, most were confused by the unwarranted praise.

That being said, most felt compelled to agree with the Governor's opening points. After all, when it came to normal Gate Cleaning, it was something that Aurora was already engaged in; this plan was truly something different.

"While they might not be currently as popular as Aurora, just five years ago, they were known as one of the greatest active Hero Teams, piercing through Gates one after the other. I present to you… The Thorny Rose Trio!"

As this was an official announcement, there was no overboard fanfare, but there was quite a bit of clapping and whistling that came from the audience. Almost as if all the people who positively remembered these old Heroes were gathered together for this announcement.

"In order to ensure that Hero Aurora's work wouldn't go to waste, we contacted several other veterans whose performance was fully guaranteed, but that was mostly just an 'in case' situation. In reality, the Thorny Rose Trio was our top pick from the very beginning, and we are immensely grateful that they answered the call!"

Chipping in even further, the Governor boldly threw other veterans under the bus just to inflate the Thorny Rose Trio's worth even further. Making it seem as if Aurora was the one meant to help them and not the other way around.

"That being said, not everything went as perfectly as we had hoped to. While the Thorn Trio were very happy to join the project as quickly as possible, we were met with some technical difficulties."

Just then, the camera turned to the Governor's other side, revealing the solemn face of yet another old man, someone just as well-known.

"For some reason, the Hero Association kept stalling us when it came to the final approval for the project; that's truly why it took us this long. Thankfully, however, we came to an agreement very recently. In fact, it was just yesterday. That being said…"

Not even waiting for him to finish his words, the camera abruptly switched the view, focusing on a fourth person who just happened to be standing next to the Thorny Rose Trio.