"Red Eye, you..."
Alice trailed off.
She didn't want Shinji to face a monster that might be the Breeding Overlord alone, but she had to admit that she was no longer qualified to take part in a battle at this level.
Hengo was more clear-eyed about it. "Red Eye, be careful!"
After the nuclear strike failed, he knew the monster was beyond their ability to handle. Staying on the battlefield would only get in the way, so he pulled Alice along as they retreated.
The old martial artist nodded at Shinji, then silently started up his aircraft and headed for a distant retreat.
"We're counting on you!"
Arcane bowed respectfully to Shinji.
Shinji waved him off again and urged, "Hurry!"
Arcane didn't hesitate any longer. He followed Alice, Hengo, and the old martial artist, who had already retreated.
The Lantern Bearers stopped after retreating more than ten kilometers.
From there, they could use their equipment to observe the battle, and the distance gave them enough of a buffer to withdraw calmly if anything went wrong.
Alice asked, "Is it really all right to leave Red Eye alone?"
"What else can we do?" Hengo sighed. "Even a direct hit from a nuclear bomb couldn't kill that monster. What can we possibly do?"
The old martial artist suddenly spoke up. "I don't think Red Eye has gone all out yet!"
"What?!" Alice stared at him in disbelief. "How is that possible?! He's already this powerful, and he still hasn't gone all out?"
Arcane asked, "What did you notice?"
The old martial artist shook his head. "I have no evidence, but my instincts tell me he's still just testing the waters!"
Arcane sucked in a sharp breath.
If Red Eye, who had already displayed such power, hadn't shown his full strength, Arcane couldn't