Chapter 404
Just now, a Sarkaz Sorcerer in the city sensed a large number of people gathering at the Scrap Processing Factory.
Ordinary citizens wouldn't gather this many, so it's highly likely that they're some people with ulterior motives.
In order to test the true power of the City Defense Cannon and obtain valuable data for future battles against various Duke, five hundred of them volunteered to act as bait, coming to keep the enemy in check.
They will only leave once the engineers at the rear have finished debugging and given the order to retreat.
However, the sorcerer only mentioned a large group of people, without specifying the exact number, and the general didn't mention it either. It seems that this group of Deep Pool Soldier must be the same one.
"..."
Seeing that the other party was unmoved, Mandela was speechless and slightly tightened her grip on the staff in her hand.
She stared at the other person for a moment, then spoke again:
"We, the Deep Pool, promised your king and general that we would not set foot in the Central City District Londinium. In exchange, you shouldn't be blocking our way here. Or are you demons all treacherous and untrustworthy, never knowing how to keep your promises and doing whatever you want?"
The Sarkaz Leader, tasked with a mission from General Manfred, was naturally not going to easily give way.
"I am City Defense Army. I won't let outsiders trespass. If you want to get in, you'll have to step over my dead body!"
No sooner had the words left his mouth than someone in the Sarkaz group suddenly screamed in pain as a rock struck his forehead, causing blood to gush out.
At the same time, someone in the Deep Pool team was also injured, collapsing to the ground before even seeing what the flying object was.
The Sarkaz Leader was furious and took a fighting stance:
"Damn it, you dare to scheme against us?"
The Deep Pool Soldier refused to take the blame and immediately refuted this:
"Didn't you guys attack first?"
The Sarkaz Leader didn't care about any of that and gave the order:
"Fire! Fire! Those who dared to shed our brothers' blood will pay with even more! Leave no one alive here!"
Mandela was completely numb, not knowing how things had developed to this point. He had a constant feeling that someone was watching him from the shadows, as if they were observing him every moment.
She looked around and saw no one else besides the yellow sand and rocks.
Could it be that these demons staged this whole thing to frame them for launching the attack first?
"Tsk, this is simply outrageous!"
Mandela's act of showing weakness was already the biggest concession he could make.
Who would have thought that these Demon Race, having gained an advantage, would turn around and try to pin the blame on them?
If the leader finds out, he might use himself as an example to quell the Sarkaz's anger.
Being ordered to commit suicide by Ablana, whom he admired and worshipped most, would make Mandela feel extremely resentful.
She spent so many years learning Originium Arts, but this wasn't the ending she was looking for.
"Damn it, those damned Demon Race! Remember, you struck first. We're not pushovers to be slaughtered. Charge! Kill them all! Slaughter every Sarkaz here! We absolutely cannot let them tell any of the Demon Race's leadership what happened here!"
The Sarkaz Leader fought and retreated, quickly organizing five hundred soldiers to retreat to the pass. Relying on the narrow terrain, they blocked the many Deep Pool Soldier outside.
"Quickly, go and inform General Manfred!"
Seeing that some members of the Sarkaz group had fallen behind and seemed to be preparing to return to town to report to their superiors.
Mandela's eyes widened; she was genuinely anxious.
No! I absolutely will not allow my remaining life to be ruined by you damned Demon Race!
"Die!"
Mandela widened her golden eyes and unleashed her proud Originium Arts. Suddenly, a massive wall of earth and stone rose from the ground at the rear of the Sarkaz forces.
Um?
Not only was Shi Lei surprised, but everyone else who witnessed her abilities also found it incredible.
Could this Originium Arts for manipulating rocks originate from the same source as Doctor Zhongli's?
You should know that when stone pillars are piled up, they become a stone wall; there isn't much difference between the two.
Texas, Mudrock, and Xi Jian all had different expressions. They had only been in relationships with Shi Lei for a few days; could it be that their harem was about to expand by another member?
The three of them peered through the hole, their gazes sweeping over Mandela as if they were using a magnifying glass.
Feline has adorable ears, wears an off-the-shoulder top, and white knee-high socks. Most importantly, Mandela has a broad chest. Her petite figure is wrapped in a slightly sensual brown robe, creating a striking contrast.
Oh no!
Shi Lei's favorite features are long legs and a broad chest, something all three of them have personally experienced.
Mandela may not have very long legs, but her chest certainly meets the standard.
Could it be that we really need to add another member? How will Shi Lei allocate his time then? Two days each for Texas, Mudrock, and Xi, and one day for Mandela arrives last?
Just as the three women were lost in thought, Shi Lei withdrew from the hole and asked Feline, who was not far away:
"Miss Horn, were all the things you said about Mandela's actions in Little Hill County true?"
He now has three top-notch girlfriends and is already very sexually fulfilled. He has no romantic feelings for Mandela, this Deep Pool Feline.
The reason I say this is because I think the ability to manipulate Rock-type Pokémon is rare, and perhaps it could be trained into my next Familia.
However, if what Mandela did in Little Hill County is true, then no matter how qualified he is, he won't be accepted.
Otherwise, why raise an ungrateful child who will cause a lot of trouble later? Why invite unhappiness upon yourself?
The horn-wielding man's chest rose and fell with his breath, staring intently into Shi Lei's eyes as he spoke earnestly:
"I swear in the name of Victoria, every word I have said about Mandela is true. If I am lying, may I, Rita Scamanderos, be struck by lightning and die a horrible death!"
Having received such a confident reply, Shi Lei abandoned the idea of taking Mandela as a member of his family.
Now, let Rhodes Island take over.
June 23, 9:47 AM
Lontinim Sadien District, Command Center.
"Reporting, General, there's a disturbance at Entrance 404! We've lost contact with the Suicide Squad; they're engaged in close combat with the enemy. Do we need reinforcements?"
Manfred, clad in armor, stood atop the wall:
"No need. Sending more men will only increase casualties. What's the progress on the debugging of the City Defense Cannon?"
"Reporting to the General, it will take approximately ten more minutes to complete the setup."
Manfred frowned upon hearing this and commanded:
"We can't wait any longer. The Suicide Squad is limited in size and probably won't last that long. If the enemy escapes, their sacrifice will be meaningless. Go and notify the engineer immediately. I'm only giving him five minutes. If we don't hear the cannon fire by then, he knows what the consequences will be."
"Yes, General!"
As the messenger departed, Heredrey, who had been on good terms with W and Ines, emerged from the shadows:
"General, should I go to the scene and take a look?"
"What, are you worried they'll fail?"
"No, their courage is beyond question. I just wanted to go to the scene in person to confirm things and reduce any potential variables."
Manfred did not answer directly, but instead raised his binoculars and looked into the distance.
His camera gradually moved from Entrance 404 to the endless yellow sand outside the city, his thoughts seemingly returning to the past:
"Heredrey, what do you think of the battlefields of Londinium compared to Kazdel?"
"General, I cannot comment. However, at least the two sides in the battle are not all compatriots."
"You must have hunted wild animals before. Sometimes, even though animal traps and snares are conspicuous, prey will still step on them if they are placed in the path where wild animals are sure to drink water."
Look at the city beneath our feet; it's a giant steel jungle.
We can't defend every entrance into the city, but we can ambush large numbers of enemies at locations where they can pass through. We'll bombard them with the City Defense Cannon as soon as they appear; that's the most efficient way."
After saying that, Manfred handed over the binoculars.
After a moment's hesitation, Heredrey took it and, following the general direction, saw a sudden surge of stone walls.
"Wait a minute, I've seen that move before. If I'm not mistaken, it should be that Feline Sorcerer from Deep Pool, right? But aren't you Cooperative Relationship? Why are you using them as test subjects for your artillery barrage?"
Manfred didn't take it seriously, and looked into the distance, saying:
"Ha, do you believe that our alliance with Deep Pool will last forever? Not only us, but Deep Pool itself knows that we will inevitably stand on the opposite side for some core interests. Since everyone knows that the alliance will not last long, there is no need to take it too seriously."
Heredrey, since you've met that sorceress of the Deep Pool, you should know she's a madwoman who'll stop at nothing to achieve her goals. Your His Highness's plan is nearing completion; it's better to deal with this unstable factor sooner rather than later.
We need to focus more of our efforts on the Grand Duke outside. If the Deep Pool come looking for trouble, just say that the sorcerer struck first. As long as we can get rid of her here and leave no evidence, that's fine."
Heredrey lowered his binoculars and stared silently in the direction of Entrance 404 in the distance.
He already knew how cruel war was back when he was a mercenary in Kazdel.
Showing mercy to the enemy will come at a terrible price. Specific examples need not be given to outsiders.
Judging by the time, it's almost been five minutes.
Londinium outskirts, Entrance 404.
The Sarkaz and Deep Pool Forces were evenly matched in numbers, and the fighting was fierce.
To prevent the enemy from tipping them off, Mandela used every means at his disposal to block off their retreat with a large-scale stone wall.
Sarkaz and his men were no pushovers either, relying on the advantageous terrain to repel attacks time and time again.
The two sides not only fought, but also exchanged words:
"Damn traitor, keep coming!"
"You damned Demon Race, you just wait! If I don't teach you a lesson today, I'll change my name!"
"Hahaha, if you write it backwards, it's not that you betrayed the country, but that the country betrayed you?"
Seeing the commotion escalating, Mandela knew that continuing to drag things out would be extremely disadvantageous for him.
Once a Sarkaz patrol arrives to provide backup and learns the reason for their conflict, regardless of whether Mandela initiated the conflict, she will be accused of starting it.
"Go to hell!"
In an instant, Mandela's aura surged, and a brown shield made of rubble appeared around his body.
She charged into the enemy ranks with her staff, more ferocious than many of the guards.
"Stop her! Stop her!"
The Sarkaz Leader screamed at the top of his lungs for his still-fighting comrades. They had already stalled here long enough, but they didn't know when it would end.
It'll be soon, it should be soon.
"Just hang in there a little longer, it'll be over soon!"
But when he looked around, he saw only the dead and wounded. Of the five hundred-man Suicide Squad, only three out of ten remained.
Mandela failed to grasp the meaning behind the words, her expression growing increasingly cold as she led the Deep Pool Soldier into the pool.
"It's really over. You're finished!"
Just as they were about to achieve final victory, a deafening cannon blast suddenly rang out from inside the city.
"Bang!!!"
The sound was so loud that it could be heard even on the outskirts of the city.
The Sarkaz Leader seemed to hear heavenly music; his blood-soaked lips twisted into a maniacal laugh.
"Haha, you're finished, you're finished!"
A strong sense of unease welled up within Mandela, and he instantly understood why the enemy had been waiting for reinforcements to arrive.
Because they hadn't prepared any reinforcements at all, these Sarkaz who were deliberately causing trouble were just coming to their deaths!
"Retreat! Retreat quickly!"
Before Mandela could lead his team out of Entrance 404, a violent explosion engulfed the entire area.
"Boom!"