Edge of the Vortex

Eastern Region, White Sand Hills, mining station.

A temporary watchtower stood on high ground near the platform. Alert sentries and armored vehicles guarded the station together. A special freight train was parked beside Platform One. The rear half of the train consisted of several open cargo chassis, some of which had already been loaded, while the only empty chassis in the middle waited for its cargo.

Amid the low hum of machinery, a large tractor rolled onto the loading platform under the guidance of a signalman. The heavy pallet dragged behind it was covered by an enormous tarpaulin, concealing the cargo beneath. Yet from its massive size and faint outline, it was clear that this was no ordinary ore or piece of machinery.

On the platform, Pittman watched the final stages of the transfer. The lifting rig's hooks had already been attached to the pallet behind the tractor, engineers were replenishing the Weight-Reducing Rune's energy, and half the escorting soldiers had boarded the train. Two officers led the remaining soldiers in inspecting the train from end to end, ensuring nothing could go wrong.

Beside Pittman, Hom, the person in charge of White Sand Mining, could not help smacking his lips. "Honestly, this is probably the one shipment nobody in the world would dare rob..."

"But it still requires tight security. Lunatics like those from The End of All Things will always exist," said a young female knight with a single ponytail, a shapely figure, and a valiant bearing. "Especially since it needs to change transportation midway. There's no such thing as being too careful."

Pittman smiled and glanced at the knight. "Miss Margarita, don't be so tense all the time. Men don't like ladies who are stiff as rocks."

Margarita's expression remained solemn. "I am a knight first, and a