The Last Resort

The troops split into two groups.

No, three routes.

Lily and A Xing entered the Rift Valley, exploring cautiously. Kang De returned to the surface to arrange the follow-up matters, Horus played with electric welding in the White Mist World.

The tools are readily available; you can find them anywhere from the France base, Zhuerban, and Moyani. As for cutting, grinding, and welding, those are too simple for Transformers.

As the client, Kang De only needed to say things like, "I want one like this," "The color has to be nice," "It has to have that rugged yet sophisticated technological feel," "It has to have good defensive capabilities," "It has to have rocket punch functionality," "Hurry up," "It's such a simple job, why are you taking so long?" "Is it done yet?" "I need it urgently," and so on.

"When the Dragon Emperor arrives, show him this, understand?"

At the Survey Corps camp, Kang De demonstrated for Stella: "Do you understand?"

The second princess seemed somewhat absent-minded, looking at Kang De and nodding slightly.

She whispered, "Where are your men?"

Kang De replied, "The situation has changed. There's no longer any need for defense here. The newly formed Valentan Guards and the Greenskin Musket Corps aren't ready to withstand this pressure. So I ordered them to return to Danfeng Lucerne tonight. Tina has taken over the Grand Duke's seal of office and is preparing to deal with the internal upheaval. But the seal of office and authority are two different things. She needs an armed force that will obey her without hesitation."

Stella already knows what happened at the Maple Leaf Palace.

The dispute between Kang De and the Archduke that nearly led to a complete break.

Tina stood on her lover's side.

The second princess was in a state of utter confusion. In the blink of an eye, the situation had changed so drastically. Even someone as intelligent as her felt lost and helpless. After all, no matter how clever or talented the young mage was, she had never experienced the trials and tribulations of life.

"It all depends on you. Time is of the essence, and I don't have time to wait for the Dragon Emperor to come. I can only send this message out. If he comes, show him this video so he can prepare himself."

Kang De said seriously, "Have you learned it? Also, be careful and keep your troops under control. Even if the interventionist groups of various countries take over militarily, there is no need to resist. Just tell them that if they dare to touch a hair on your head, then none of us will survive."

With nuclear weapons in hand, what's there to be afraid of?

Stella lowered her eyes, her slender fingers twisting together, her body trembling slightly.

What started as the disappearance of a dragon delegation has now escalated into a massive vortex, drawing in the world's most powerful nations and forces, with Goth at its center... Expecting her to remain calm and composed under such circumstances is simply too much to ask.

That was her country, her family, the land where she grew up.

Inside the tent, the two stood in silence.

After the war, Kang De and Stella had a good relationship, but this harmonious and pleasant relationship ended the day before yesterday. They had a huge argument over Lily's matter, and later, because of Hong San, the two almost completely broke up. Stella, who was living in fear all day, and Kang De, who was constantly irritable and depressed, had their accumulated pressure explode at the same time, which led to the end of their friendship.

Even now, both of them feel awkward and their expressions are strained.

I want to soften my stance verbally, but I'm reluctant to give up, and I don't know how to say it.

--Damn it, I did nothing wrong, why should I back down?

After all, Horus was still doing electric welding in the White Mist World.

"... I'm entrusting this to you. Please be careful." Kang De was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "The world is complex and unpredictable. I didn't want Goth to be involved. I will try my best to resolve this matter and prevent it from harming or disturbing Goth. Stella, we have a long road ahead. Let's get through this first, then we'll have time to think about the future. In short, please be careful."

Ugh, what the hell am I talking about?

He shook his head, the Dark Portal opened, and his figure vanished from there.

Inside the tent, Princess Goth sighed softly, but she never uttered the word of apology.

She was unwilling to give up.

Kang De and Lily had only known each other for a few days, yet they were able to make a vow, trust each other completely, and reveal all the information about the mysterious element.

Even after the news leaked, they firmly believed it was definitely not Lily who had done it.

He would even have a huge fight with her, but he would never waver.

Although subsequent intelligence and events seemed to indirectly confirm that this trust had not been betrayed.

But Stella's resentment and bitterness only intensified.

Because...

"Why..." she whispered, "Don't you trust me?"

Most of the injustices, unfairness, and emotional entanglements in this world often stem from the principle of first come, first served.

I was the one who went first.

About half an hour later.

White Mist World.

"Father, is everything settled?"

"Yes, Tina understands. The Parrot is still nowhere to be found. The elf said she went to mobilize the fleet. I can only hope she knows what's going on... In any case, we still have to fight it ourselves."

The area around the western airport has become a temporary military factory, where Horus transforms and controls various modified tools, sparks flying everywhere.

How's your progress?

"Please look."

Half an hour is not enough to even draw a diagram, but if the client is Transformers, then there is no problem. The client's torment and oppression can even be intensified.

Kang De only provided a general direction and framework, Horus designed, modified, and started construction simultaneously. To save time, he even used multiple threads, multitasking.

"Two suits of armor, power gauntlets, and a rocket Warhammer."

Horus turned the wheel, so that the two suspended armored vehicles faced Kang De head-on.

"The power gauntlets and rocket Warhammer are simple; they don't require sophisticated transmission structures or amplification components because the terrifying brute force of the two users doesn't need additional human-machine assistance. All the design is solely for maximizing destructive power—armor-piercing, shield-breaking, and kinetic energy impact."

After all, the established tactic was to push Cuixisi into the White Mist World.

Therefore, the design philosophy for equipment and weapons is to stack armor and push the boss.

Kang De looked at the two armored vehicles and frowned, saying, "This isn't right..."

I want power armor, big and muscular, with eyes glowing red when you wear it, like a war machine, evil and powerful, with power contained within steel—what is this?

I want Fallout, why are you giving me Anthem?

Moreover, it looks very familiar.

"This," Horus replied, "I looked at the ancient clothing you saw in the Space-Time Flashback and found the design quite reasonable, especially the incorporation of mystical Element and the creation of energy flow. The layout was very logical, so I took a look..."

"Wait, wait, wait," Kang De said, "Power armor, where's the power armor?"

"Father, I understand your fascination with power armor as a veteran of Black Isle, but this battle is dangerous and crucial, so it's better to be more practical."

The grandson of Party B has committed a heinous rebellion.

"Power armor looks huge and bulky because systems like transmission and energy take up a lot of space. But Lily and A Xing aren't ordinary people; they don't need those extra things. The armor's purpose is defense and storing energy for weapons. Its role is to be a protective device that doesn't hinder agility, has emergency defense capabilities, and can provide a reserve of mysterious elements to weapons."

"Therefore, it can be made as small and close-fitting as possible."

Horus paused at this point.

It then continued, "Although you are reluctant, and I am cautious, if a truly dangerous situation arises, we must make a decision. If Miss Lily is indeed captured, she will have only one option besides suicide."

"That means directly utilizing the mysterious elements stored within the armor to launch a desperate counterattack."

"Although using mystical elements carries unpredictable risks, even if they have been neutralized by your power... given the current threat, we can only postpone the crisis to the future."

"Therefore, this armor will store energy that Lily and even A Xing can directly absorb and utilize."

Kang De remained silent.

"Father, I know it's hard for you to get over that night in Glittering Sand, but Miss Lily is right. If you keep stubbornly clinging to the idea that you don't want to lose anyone else, if you keep insisting on the safest option, if you insist on solving everything yourself, then sooner or later... you will make them lose everything."

Horus said in a deep voice, "You should know what loss tastes like."

The Fire Thief sighed slowly.

There's always this inspirational quote on Earth: "A simple life is the best life." I always thought that was bullshit, that a life full of adventure was the best future. But now...

He smiled bitterly, "How precious a peaceful life is! No need to deal with countless crises, the world won't be destroyed, nations won't perish, people won't have to worry about loss and separation... But the reality is, we're here, fighting and killing for complicated and powerless reasons..."

He reached out and gently stroked the armor in front of him. "I even want them to wear this."

"Father, they will be very happy."

Horus replied, "They are willing to risk everything for you, even using such power."

Kang De's gaze shifted from bewilderment to a sigh, from a sigh to peace, and finally to a relieved smile.

"Oh, really?"

He smiled softly.

--What a coincidence, me too.

He reached out and extracted a mysterious Element from the pile of corpses beside him, preparing to infuse it with magic.

I've accumulated a lot of materials from the previous monster-slaying tower.

"Oh, right."

Kang De looked at the armor before him. "Horus, make me a set too."

"Ah?"

Iron Son exclaimed in surprise, "Father, what are you saying? Isn't your personal armor me? Do you really think you can move freely while wearing this piece of junk without me?"

"--Stop being so verbose! Can't you just bookmark this?! Bookmark it, bookmark it!"

Until the mission is accomplished and they return to the other world.

What came into view was a dark red area.

The air was scorching and distorted.

Kang De looked around; this was a completely new realm.

The underground world is roughly divided into three areas. From the entrance to the collapsed cave, there is flowing water, abundant vegetation, and a wide variety of fungi, mosses, and various strange little creatures, which constitute an ecosystem different from the surface. It is lush, beautiful, and peaceful, as if you have entered another world.

Passing through the collapsed tunnel, we arrived at a deeper world. Here, the color scheme was monotonous, and the icy blue light enveloped and filled the space, making it a dreamlike place like crystal. It was beautiful yet eerie. Blue was the keynote here. Whether it was the crystal clusters or the glowing plants, they were much brighter than those in the upper forest area, but they did not feel as natural as the forest area. Even the picturesque scenery had an unreal and sinister feel to it.

This is a lower region reached by Lutz as he pursued Cuixisi along the deep canyon. According to Luzi, it is covered in a scorching dark red, and its mineral resources are so rich and the element content is so high that it is even higher than that of the blue region... but it is also more dangerous and more unsettling.

After Kang De landed, he was supported by A Xing and Lily, who had received Kang De signal and found a relatively safe and flat area for him to land.

The mask's filtering function shielded the unpleasant aura. "Where's the dragon?" Kang De asked.

"We're still chasing them, but Luzi is on the right track. We've seen traces left by Cuixisi along the way; the detached body tissue and spilled blood are quite obvious."

Lily replied, "You told us not to chase too fast."

Kang De nodded. "Now we can speed things up... Before that, change into your equipment."

The two suits of armor, along with their armor frames, fell from the Phase Gate.

When A Xing saw the two sets of armor, his eyes flickered with surprise.

After looking at it, Lily breathed a sigh of relief, "At least your aesthetic sense isn't hopelessly warped."

Horus's triumphant laughter rang in the headphones.

--You don't know anything.

Damn it, one day I'll let you wear power armor and wield a dragon breath machine gun to experience what it's like to be blown up.

"Change it quickly."

The armor was also put on using welding. After each part was put on, it was welded and finally solidified with the Power of the Fire Thief. Kang De helped them put it on while explaining the various usage instructions.

This scene feels somewhat familiar.

He couldn't help but whisper, "Tychus Findlay, you're out of jail today, but you'll soon learn that freedom doesn't come without a price..."

What are you saying?

"Don't worry about it, it's just... a way to calm down."

"Baffling."

Only at the very end, after much hesitation, did Kang De slowly reveal the hidden function of the armor.

Together with Horus, he designed a small recirculation system that, in times of crisis, could redirect the mysterious energy flowing throughout the body back to the heart, flowing into the body via a single transmission bridge, allowing this demonic gift to be directly utilized by the body to enhance extraordinary abilities.

He stammered and finally explained the matter clearly, then sighed.

"I'm sorry, I'd rather you never need this, but..."

I'm very happy.

Lily turned her head and looked at A Xing, A Xing smiled back at her.

"When you weren't here, we were discussing using that stuff as a last resort if the situation got really bad. It's everywhere here, and it's not that hard to use. Anyway, if we win, you'll be in charge of Extraction, breaking down, and processing it for us," Lily laughed. "If we win, it doesn't matter if you scold us a few times, but I doubt you'll be willing to scold us then, right?"

Kang De stared at them.

"Alright, so you just felt that you wouldn't let us do it this way, so we could only do it secretly? Very good, very good, you've finally figured it out. The energy that you've processed should be harmless, which puts my mind at ease. After all, being corrupted and distorted by that kind of thing is quite disgusting."

Lily reached out and patted Kang De's head. "Good job, good job! You finally figured it out? A mere human trying to protect a dragon? How presumptuous! I even laughed out loud with my dragon breath—do you understand? This dragon has shown you mercy by letting you fight alongside me; that's already your greatest honor..."

Kang De looked at A Xing. Under his disapproving gaze, A Xing, who would normally laugh sheepishly and look away, didn't. She just smiled quietly.

"Don't use it unless it's absolutely necessary, understand?"

He sighed; that was all he could say.

They nodded, but it seemed somewhat perfunctory; I don't know for sure.

But it doesn't matter anymore.

I won't give you that kind of opportunity.

The so-called "final moment" does not mean that you are in danger.

Rather, it was because I was at a loss.

But I have plenty of cards up my sleeve...

Let's go.

In the dark red underground, unsettling light and air drifted through the cracks in the ground. A group of people swiftly flew across the scorching rocks, searching for the figure of the Aberrant Dragon. In this forgotten land, where the sun never shines and the world is isolated, Kang De once again encountered Space-Time Flashback.

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PS1: After realizing that "I can actually write earlier and go to bed earlier," I slacked off again... It's definitely better to write in the afternoon.