Chapter 407 - 407 Narrative Shift

"Are you sure that this is going to work?""For the most part. Even if it doesn't get rid of the entirety of the negative image that's been built up around you, it'll get more people talking and looking into the truth rather than just believing the propaganda going around." Kasandra said, as she applied subtle hints of makeup to Avery's face to make highlight his already attractive features.

Surprisingly, she had been the one to come up with a suggestion that had a good chance to turn the rather unfaltering press around Avery in a more positive direction.

Currently, most of the news on Azade that was centered around him was painting him as some sort of conniving swindler that had somehow tricked Jasmine into marrying him and was using her to manipulate her mother who was also Azade's Chancellor.

Obviously, there was no real evidence behind this, and it was all just conjecture that was twisting the facts in such a way to make Avery appear to be guilty.

If he had actually been attempting half of the things that his naysayers were spreading, he probably would have been arrested already.

"We're ready for you, Mr. Asteria."

While Avery had been talking and getting ready with Kasandra, the director of the orphanage he was visiting came in to tell them that it was time for him to make his appearance.

"Good luck out there. I'm sure you'll do great."

"Thanks, I'll try my best. Hopefully this works." Avery said as he stepped out of the room and onto a stage in a decent sized auditorium.

When he made it to the podium that had been set up for him, he looked out at the faces of the people sitting in the tiered rows of the building.

Everyone here was a child that had been raised in Azade's orphanage system for one reason or another.

They were all older, with their ages ranging from fifteen to seventeen. Those that were close to or had just reached the age of majority and were focused on the next steps in their life.

'Most of them look indifferent, but there are a handful of that are staring at me intently and seem interested. Though the few that are glaring at me like a kicked their pet in front of them obviously have been swayed by the propaganda going around.' Avery thought as he swiftly scanned the crowd.

There were a little over four hundred kids and very young adults that had just reached the age of majority.

"I'd like to thank you all for coming today. I'm Avery Asteria, a five star mercenary and leader of my own mercenary group. I know that you were all gathered here on fairly short notice, but I can assure you that I what I have to say will be worth your time."

As part of his campaign to change his image that was rapidly falling on Azade, Avery had followed Kasandra's advice to speak at an orphanage.

He was giving them advice and firsthand accounts of what it was like to be a mercenary.

A lot of these kids were lacking in opportunities despite being born on Azade.

Likely, only a few of them would have the chance to pursue higher education and become specialists in an advanced field. Most of them would likely find jobs thanks to the robust systems on Azade, but they would not be anything special.

That's why Avery was offering them an opportunity. Even telling them that those that had the right attitude and drive might be able to join the crew of his carrier ship that was being built.

This caught some of the kids' attention, but when he stated what their starting salary would be, several of them went wide-eyed and started whispering amongst each other.

"Ten thousand Krenin a month. Is he serious?"

"That's almost five times the amount that an average starting job's pays."

"Yeah, but you have to get on a ship and leave home. Plus, I hear a lot of mercenaries die within the first couple of years. The pay is high because of how dangerous it is."

"I still think that it beats sticking around here. Plus, we're talking about a five star mercenary with his own fleet here. It doesn't really get much better than that if you're looking to become a mercenary."

"Did he just say that we'd get our own rooms as well as three meals from top-of-the-line autochefs? That's basically a dream come true."

With his keen hearing, Avery listened to the quiet conversations going on between the kids.

Most of them were fairly positive since the benefits Avery had laid out were pretty good all things considering.

Very few of the orphans here would ever have the opportunity to get a job as high paying as becoming crew members on his carrier ship. Making it an enticing offer.

Of course, Avery knew that this alone was not going to help bring his image into a positive light.

If this was all that he had planned, it was easy to imagine what the headlines would be.

"Twisted mercenary Avery Asteria recruits orphans to use as fodder." Or "Chancellor Regina allows scammer to exploit vulnerable children."

That's why he had made sure to prepare some other people with recognition to speak on his behalf.

It was as Kasandra said, the easiest way to have people change their opinion of him was to get well respected individuals to vouch for him. Fortunately, Avery had built up some very influential connections during his time as a mercenary.

'Let's see you try to slander everyone who is siding with me. I can only see that blowing up in your face, Bastion Cuach.' Avery thought, fight back a smirk.

To assist with his presentation, Avery had Liesel and Olivia join him on stage.

While Avery felt a bit uncomfortable using the renown of the Kaizer name through Liesel, it obviously had a strong and immediate impact.

There was probably no mercenary more famous than her great great grandfather.

By having her along as a member of his team, and publicizing it here, Avery was helping to strengthen his legitimacy as a competent mercenary.

At some point people would have to wonder if he really was a swindler capable of getting so many prominent people on his side while truly being some sort of evil mastermind as the propaganda claimed he was.

Soon enough Avery wrapped up his lecture on the perks and downsides of being a mercenary, and switched focus over to the time that Olivia had served as a special investigator for Azade's Chancellor.

From there he was able to tie in how they had worked directly with Azade's Keepers of the Peace to catch criminal distrusting illegal drugs from the Odium Syndicate.

After that, he had a few of the members of the planet's military force that had worked with them come on stage and talk about themselves.

The captain began talking about how the Keepers of the Peace were always looking for new young recruits as well.

By doing this, Avery was adding more legitimacy to this event.

Speaking out against the people that directly protected the planet would not look good for the political leaders that were currently targeting Avery.

Naturally, he knew that some of them would likely not back off just because of this. Perhaps even trying to sight it as proof that Avery had control over Regina and was using his influence over her to control the Keepers of the Peace.

'I wonder how much of an evil genius they'll have to claim I am to have control over my next guests.'

Avery fought back a chuckle as he welcomed Commander Traustur, the leader of the Alliance Police base on Azade.

This time Avery had the well-respected leader of the only Alliance Police instillation on the planet speak on his behalf.

For the first part, Commander Traustur talked about his time meeting with Avery and working together with him to protect a key witness in the previously mentioned case against Odium Syndicate collaborators.

After that, he talked about the merits of joining the Alliance Police and potential recruitment for those here that were interested.

Except, Commander Traustur was only the first card from the Alliance Police that Avery had prepared. With his second being far stronger and more difficult to counter.

"Now, I'm sure that the words of some old man that's merely a base commander are not all that exciting. But Avery happens to be friends with a very esteemed colleague of mind and has gone out of his way to get her to speak a few words to you all." Commander Traustur said, motioning towards the large screen set up at the back of the stage.

At this cue, Avery pressed a key on the control panel integrated into the podium he was using.

The screen then sprung to life and displayed the very recognizable and esteemed Cerise Gunvald. The woman currently known as the greatest hero of the Dramid Alliance.