Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 898, Section 108: Let's get past them first!
"I will wait here."

Faced with Carna's message to the entire Dogtown, whether it was the hounds, the New America personnel, or the residents of Dogtown, everyone was completely bewildered and at a loss.

Because what Carl said was so information-rich, and he gave people so little time to process it.

Carl, as if too lazy to say more, simply laid the matter bare before them.

Like the sun, it makes no attempt to conceal itself, nor does it bother to conceal it.

There was no concealment, no deceptive words, just a clear and straightforward presentation of the facts.

This is far too clear and too obvious for people who are used to being blocked, used to being deceived, used to a lack of information, and used to only learning about things after the fact.

This clarity, allowing everyone to think clearly, has brought a calm to the battle.

Soldiers, agents, and residents alike began to ponder the matter following Karl's words.

This should not be allowed in battle.

Because in war, all you need to do is obey orders.

The same ideas have long been instilled in the hounds, and are also present in the minds of the new American personnel.

But perhaps humans are not born to truly give up their own thinking, and the spark of thought cannot be completely extinguished. Just as at the end of World War I, 80,000 German sailors, after a long period of numbness, still resisted the absurd order that made the fleet act meaninglessly.

Karl's words prompted people caught in the midst of war to begin to reflect.

For the hound of the underworld, things were clear.

Colonel Hansen is dead, and they have lost their reason to fight. Even if there are still two commanders, Bennett and Gago, they did not take over command after Colonel Hansen lost contact in the previous battle. They had obviously fled in advance, and they were just abandoned people in the stadium.

Moreover, Colonel Hansen, whom they trusted and fought for, even used nuclear weapons.

The modifications to the reactor before its detonation could not be completed in a short time. So, after their initial fervor of loyalty subsided, many of them quickly realized that Hansen was indeed responsible for the detonation, rather than Karl framing Hansen after completing the task.

Because besides Hansen, who else could complete the modification of the reactor in the heart of the stadium?

Clearly, Hansen had planned this all along.

Hansen, the colonel they trusted and were loyal to, the king of Dogtown, truly wanted them and the New America personnel to perish together.
Even if they have unwavering loyalty to Hansen and are willing to accept such sacrifices, for these hounds who think they are protecting their homeland, their families are still on the edge of the stadium. What is their reason for fighting? Isn't it to resist the new America and make their families live better lives?

Hansen wanted them all to die together!

Not to mention that only a small portion of the Ghost Hounds were truly loyal to Hansen. The most loyal ones were taken away by Bennett and Gago, and the majority of the rest were mercenaries and soldiers from all over the world who came here to make a living.

The contracts they signed with Hansen weren't the kind of loyalty they'd sign with a dynasty; they were clearly contracts for recruiting Ghost Hounds. They wouldn't have become Ghost Hounds if it weren't for the benefits. Hansen had done such a thing, and now he expected them to remain loyal after his death? No way! Loyalty to a former master? Their lives were more important.

It doesn't matter who you work for. Now that Hansen is gone, it's clear that New America is going to purge the remnants. At this time, with KK standing up to take the lead, it's not a bad thing to side with him.

Even if he killed Hansen, so what? This is KK! Everyone knows how far his NCPD has developed. The Terrorist Mobile Unit has been defeated and is now under the command of his Special Operations Team. No matter how powerful they are, can they compare to a cyber psychopath like the Terrorist Mobile Unit?
Moreover, they had heard about the benefits and perks of joining KK's team, especially in the neighboring Taiping Prefecture. It was an unfinished and abandoned district that was now almost realizing Night City's original vision for building Taiping Prefecture, becoming a rising star in Night City.

The people inside who worked for KK were all equipped with top-notch gear. The level of that equipment and cybernetic bodies was so high that even the soldiers in Dogtown, a place known for its arms trade, would drool with envy.

Dogtown has a lot of weapons, but the really high-end stuff isn't available to ordinary Ghosthound soldiers. The latest models? They have to pay for them themselves!
The team only reimburses the most basic equipment, so the lower-level brothers struggle to even deal with the cleaners. How can they compete with the "new masters" of Taiping Prefecture?

Those companies all saw the value in the redevelopment of Taiping State and invested more and more lavishly than the other.

Rumor has it that Night's Company, which is determined to realize the dream of its founder Richard Knight, has gone all out, giving money and land as it pleases, so generous that it doesn't seem like a company at all.

Other companies are not to be outdone. Taiping State is now incredibly wealthy and has a bright future. If KK becomes the new king, even if he doesn't return to Night City, they'll at least get a share of the spoils while Taiping State is feasting.

Don't be afraid of retaliation from the new America. We have powerful backers, equipment, and even better treatment—wouldn't it be foolish not to do this?

“I am willing to pledge my allegiance to you, Mr. KK.”

"From now on, I'm under your command, Lord KK!"

Most of the members of the Ghost Hound switched sides very quickly.

Having realized they had been betrayed by the former king, and now that the new king had not only saved them but also possessed enormous potential and the strength to unite Dog Town with Taiping Prefecture, allowing their brothers to also enjoy a life of luxury, they naturally did not hesitate to defect.

While there might be some psychological burden associated with seeking refuge, it's probably less than the weight of a single feather.

In other words...
He took a breath and then disappeared somewhere.

The hounds in the stadium quickly switched sides. Although some of them were still confused, they held their weapons and watched the new Americans outside warily.

Whether or not to pledge allegiance to KK is something to be considered later. After experiencing so much, many of the Netherhounds haven't figured out what they should do next or whether they should continue working as Netherhounds. But there is one thing they are very clear about.

Even if they don't side with KK now, they still have to protect the stadium just like before.

If the reactor inside really explodes, given their current situation of being surrounded by the new America, no one will be able to escape, including their families.

If you want to take action against KK inside, you have to get past them first!

(End of this chapter)