A Beiyang VF-31 broke through the clouds and dove downward. It then swiftly transformed from a fighter jet into a mecha before slowly landing atop the canopy of a giant tree.
The cockpit opened, and a bearded figure leaped out, landing on a thick branch.
He glanced around and only relaxed slightly after spotting a mark on the trunk. Then he spoke in a low voice.
"Lord Yuji, I've arrived."
He then saw a figure slowly emerge from within the tree trunk.
Upon seeing Yuji appear, the visitor's expression became even more respectful.
The other man was merely an ordinary Intruder, nowhere near his equal in strength. But he was Utsunomiya Taro's confidant, and that alone meant he had to lower his posture.
"Your results have been fairly decent. Lord Utsunomiya and the Great Priest are both quite satisfied, but it's still far from enough! Especially the whereabouts of that rising star who defeated His Highness the Crown Prince—the one the Great Priest asked about. You still haven't found him. Isn't he stationed at your headquarters?"
Hearing Yuji's arrogant words, the mysterious bearded man remained thoroughly respectful. He secretly slipped an A-Rank Plot Point into Yuji's hand as he said,
"Please put in a good word for this lowly one, Lord Yuji. I would be endlessly grateful. Because of his previous performance, Xu Yue has obtained rather high clearance. His location isn't easy to find, but we've already begun taking measures. If he still refuses to reveal himself, we'll find a way to isolate and push him out."
"His rocket-like rise has already made many people dissatisfied with him. They simply don't dare say it because of his strength. As long as we stir things up a little, followers will flock to us."
As the bearded man spoke, his face