"It failed?"
[That's right, the planned demolition points were dismantled ahead of schedule, and the Great Partition has now been activated; no single city can escape it.]
"Demolish it ahead of schedule? Can't they even hide it properly in a day!?"
[Watch your attitude, Czarny! It was your Armorless Union that went wrong; it has nothing to do with me!]
The call ended, and feeling the mocking gazes of his colleagues around him, Czarny gritted his teeth and remained silent.
According to the original plan-
Pre-placed bombs were detonated in various locations, disrupting the city's connecting hubs.
After separating the city where the commercial street is located in advance, other hubs are destroyed to initiate Great Partition.
Their core industries are all in this city. They separated it in advance and then sent the remaining three out-of-control cities toward their predetermined destination.
The cost of separation is simply shifting two adjacent cities to opposite sides; as for the consequences of doing so...
With communication cut off from the outside world, no one will know about this tragedy; the remaining city, along with all its inhabitants, will be offered as a sacrifice to Victoria.
After Victoria had exhausted the city's value, they would then step in to [redeem] it.
Even if Russell and the others hadn't died, this period of chaos would have been enough for them to completely take control of Kazimierz.
They planned for this for a long time...
The Knights' Arena weakens combat power, Originium Dust in the Commercial District drives away crowds, and money is used to incite riots by mobs in the lower districts.
They even used their trump card that they had been hiding all along!
But why!
As he watched the battle reports continuously coming in from the terminal, Czarny's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot.
The planned demolition site was dismantled ahead of schedule, and the Knights of the Ring still have a large number of combat troops remaining due to the actions of Margaret, Gregor, and others.
Even the Originium dust that was being dispersed from the commercial district of the city was swept away by a sorcerer who appeared out of nowhere!
[Kazimierz curse!] Where did this tiny Grand Knight Territory get so many troublemakers hiding?!
And those competitive riders, don't you know who gave you your livelihood?!
Czarny turmoil, cursing inwardly in an attempt to calm himself.
But just as the Business Federation's spokespeople have always been at odds, when one person makes a mistake, the rest of the teammates prepare for the pressure.
"How ugly, Your Czarny."
A representative of the Feline race looked at the other person with disgust.
"We've gone to such lengths to cooperate with your actions, and in the end, not only have we lost our business, but we're also losing our last remaining reputation."
Czarny did not refute, gritting his teeth and enduring the other party's ridicule.
The Business Federation is never a monolithic entity; companies from various sectors unite into different factions.
The plan was proposed by their faction, and although it had the consent of others, these guys clearly didn't intend to share the blame if it failed.
"Go and [turn yourself in], Your Czarny."
The Feline spokesperson patted him on the shoulder.
"Leave with dignity, and preserve as much profit as possible for your company before you do so; that's what you should do."
"No..."
Czarny raised his head, and his fierce gaze made Feline take two steps back.
We still have a chance.
"Sector Zero! I've deployed a large number of explosives on Sector Zero!"
This was originally intended as a safeguard to Paul and the others could not return, but now it has become Czarny's lifeline.
"It's the connecting point of the Great Partition! If you destroy it... the city can be separated too!"
"... Do you think we're fools?"
Startled, Feline angrily shook her hand.
"Separation? And then what?"
"Your foolish actions led to the premature occurrence of the Great Partition, not to mention the simultaneous occurrence of the massive blackout."
"The control system cannot be accessed. How can you ensure that neighboring cities will make way for the road when the separation occurs?"
"Not to mention, the power systems of these four cities are completely incompatible. Without the main control panel's balance data, it won't be long before they stall and collide!"
After finishing his long speech, Feline, panting, straightened his collar.
"Hmm... That's all I have to say, Your Czarny Charné."
"If you still have any self-respect as a business elite, then do what you're supposed to do."
"As for us, we'll have to decline."
With the Feline spokesperson taking the lead, the other spokespeople also looked around and prepared to leave, making Czarny's face even more gloomy.
Countless images of the future swirled in his mind, and he made a decision.
You can't leave.
The spokesperson for the Feline paused, turned around, and was about to make a sarcastic remark.
"Kill him."
Pfft--
Even Czarny hadn't expected it to be so fast; the blue-green arrow pierced through the spokesperson's skull.
After a brief silence, the other spokespeople cursed in terror.
"Do you want to die too?"
Everyone fell silent, and Czarny, suppressing his fear, looked at Roy was holding a bow and arrow.
He wanted to praise the other person, but then he swallowed his words when he remembered that this bastard had leaked the bombing plan.
Besides, that attack was too fast.
It's like... it was all planned in advance.
Charlene's heart skipped a beat, Czarny she looked at Roy suspiciously, while the latter smiled obsequiously.
Of course, Czarny's guess was accurate.
Roy not only had his sights set in advance, but he also planned to silence the entire group.
If it weren't for the fact that they hadn't found their own partners yet, and that they didn't know how the other spokespeople left, they would have been able to find better opportunities.
He absconded with the money a long time ago!
Unaware of Roy's inner thoughts, Czarny began to consider any possibility of a comeback.
Victoria!
That's right, since the city can't be separated, let's just crash it all into Victoria!
We need to buy time... use Sector Zero!
Slightly relieved, Czarny led the group away.
Meanwhile, on the other side...
[Your Excellency Knight Commander, the riots in various regions have been initially brought under control. Should we continue the offensive?]
"No, prioritize assisting the Engineering Department in restoring power. Have you made contact with the other three cities?"
[I'm sorry... due to communication interference and the obstruction of the Great Partition, we haven't been able to make formal contact yet, but I believe they've already noticed.]
"... Continue to maintain contact, prioritize restoring emergency power to the broadcast tower, protect the public, and maintain basic order."
[Receive.]
Slightly relieved, Russell looked at the troops that were rushing to join him from the other side.
She composed herself and walked towards the girl at the very front.
"Thank you for your hard work, Margaret."
"No, it's my duty."
Russell nodded and looked at the rescue team composed of people from various parties behind the girl.
The old man straightened his body, then solemnly bowed.
"Thank you all for stepping forward in Kazimierz during this time of crisis."
"I am very sorry that, as a member of the Adeptus Sprawiedliwy, I failed to fulfill my duties..."
Everyone was taken aback by this sudden and unexpected gift; even now, they still believe it was just an ordinary riot.
But as Russell explained, the crowd gradually came to understand the situation and became angry and uneasy.
The anger stemmed from the undeserved misfortune they had suffered, while the unease arose from their status as employees of the Business Federation.
Fortunately, Russell never viewed the Commercial Union as one entity.
After offering some words of reassurance, Russell inquired about the progress from Margaret.
"The city was under lockdown, how did you get to the scene?"
"It was Mr. Gregor, he flew me here."
"Fei? Where is he now?"
He is --
Boom--!
Another tremor, but much smaller than the previous one.
After a brief moment of panic, the crowd turned around in unison, and the series of stun blasts from the other side of the street indicated their location.
Boom--!
"Damn it! Is he a robot?!"
C2 Block, located near the Knights' Arena, has always been a bustling area, making it a prime target for thugs.
Thick smoke from grenades and flames burning around the shop.
It was a scene of horrific carnage, reminiscent of the aftermath of burning, killing, and looting.
"No, don't come any closer!"
If you remove the screams of the rioters.
Sizzle--
Amidst the shrill sound of armor scraping against the ground at high speed, the thug who had been sent flying slammed into a fire hydrant on the side of the street.
A high-pressure water jet gushed from the twisted pipe, creating a light rain for the surrounding environment.
Sizzle--sizzle--
Like hot oil dripping into a red-hot iron pot, the raindrops failed to extinguish the flames; instead, they turned into smoke under the scorching heat of the ground.
Consequently, those who were responsible for creating this [red land] are also included in it.
But this did not alleviate the rioters' fear.
The monster vanished from sight, but the spread of the scorched earth never ceased, just like the relentless footsteps.
"Go to hell!"
Out-of-control rioters fired grenades, even though the safe distance was insufficient for them to retreat.
As if blessed by Lady Luck, the grenade hit its target.
The flames and the impact exploded simultaneously, but they did not reach the thugs at the forefront.
"Did you... did you get rid of it?"
The thugs wielding shields kept retreating, while the figure that ignored all attacks and kept advancing put immense pressure on him.
"... I think so."
The grenade-wielding thug swallowed hard. At this close range, even an armored vehicle would be blown to pieces.
Logically, the enemy should be dead.
But... why hasn't the smoke dissipated?
A profound sense of unease gripped the mob, and they silently backed away.
Sparks flew from the broken power line on the ground. Unaware of the shield-wielding thug beneath his feet, he stepped on it and collapsed, convulsing.
At the same time, a crimson light flashed.
A searing pain shot through the air. The shield-wielding thug scrambled away, but in the instant he looked back, his legs gave way and he collapsed to the ground once more.
In front of him, his companion's chest was fully exposed, with carbonized holes clinging to its edges.
Looking through this eerie hole into the smoke, demonic shadows flickered within.
The smoke drew ever closer with the heavy footsteps, but the shield-wielding thugs were no longer able to advance.
When to start?
The rioters stood frozen in place.
Before the cry could be uttered, flames suddenly ignited.
What should have been fine armor providing protection has now become his coffin, his tomb.
The monarch walked through rows of burning torches, surveying the deserters below.
"I... I..."
The trembling mob tried to say something.
Apologize?
Repent?
Or is it a plea for mercy?
"I didn't mean to! I just wanted some food, but they kept stopping me, and I accidentally killed them!"
Gregor remained silent, simply gazing at the shield held by the thug.
The shield, which should have been covered in scars, was spotless, except for a deep bloodstain in the center.
It doesn't resemble boxing, nor does it look like enemy blood left from combat.
Those were marks left from repeatedly striking the head with the shield.
The shield meant to protect us has become a weapon of slaughter.
Gregor remained silent, and the thugs fled in panic.
Just then, a noise came from the street corner.
"Help me..."
"Roar--!!!"
Unfortunately, what lay around the corner was not hope, but the wailing of the corrupt.
Stepping through the mud, the Corrupted Knight staggered forward once more.
The black crystal clusters pierced the body; they were proof of the Business Federation's transformation.
The stench of corruption permeates the air, corrupting those around them and corrupting themselves as well.
Even though his opponent had been brutal in the game, Gregor no longer considered him an enemy.
He was merely a weapon...
Unlike before, the Corrupted Knight who saw Gregor was very quiet.
His chaotic mind couldn't comprehend that the black knight before him was not his brother.
After a brief silence, flames bid farewell to the knight.
By the time Margaret and the others arrived, the streets had returned to calm.
Before the group could even say hello, the urgent ringtone suddenly sounded.
Russell took out his terminal and connected to an unfamiliar communication.
[Your Excellency, Knight Commander, would you be interested in making a deal?]
Hearing the familiar voice, Russell asked, suppressing his raging anger:
"Czarny... is this how you love this city!?"
A brief silence followed on the other end of the communication line, accompanied by heavy breathing.
[If you had just behaved yourselves... none of this would have happened!]
Without giving Russell a chance to continue speaking, Czarny quickly finished explaining the deal.
[I planted a bomb on Block 0. No need to worry about defusing it; the remote control is in my hands.]
[You don't need to do anything else. I don't want to see the city just crash and burn. So all you need to do is tune the engines of all four cities to the same frequency.]
[Don't ask me what I want to do. For one hour, all you need to do is keep the city moving forward.]
[Since you think my way of loving this city is wrong, then show me just how much you love it.]
Just like you never gave us any other choice, this time... you have no choice either!
The call was disconnected, and the street remained silent for a long time.
Russell was breathing heavily, and even Margaret could not hide the anger on her face at this moment.
"These lunatics... they're gambling with the safety of the entire city!"
Even though they couldn't hear clearly before, the rescue team behind them understood the current situation from this conversation.
Do not do as the other party says.
If power repairs are completed promptly and undetected, everyone is naturally happy.
If discovered, the connecting Block 0 will be destroyed, and the four cities will be separated in an instant.
Faced with another choice, Russell felt a wave of dizziness, while the crowd began to clamor.
"Don't even think about it! These guys must be scared!"
"Once I find these thugs, I'm going to hang them all from the lampposts!"
"But what if they can actually destroy Block 0? Are we really going to gamble on that?"
"Are we supposed to do what they say?! What's the difference between Mobile City without a navigational aid and a blind man on the edge of a cliff?"
"Enough!"
A rebuke silenced everyone.
Russell clutched his chest, his voice barely audible, as if squeezed out between clenched teeth.
"Notify the Engineering Department... to tune the engines to the same frequency."
"Your Grand Knight Commander!"
Someone stepped forward in a panic, only to retreat in defeat under Russell's pained gaze.
No matter what they say, in the end, it is Russell who makes the decision.
Some people are outraged by this decision, some are relieved, but there is no doubt...
At that moment, they yielded to this compromise.
Margaret paced anxiously, unsure of where to begin her rebuttal.
Instinctively, she prepared to connect to her grandfather's communication system.
"No..."
As if sensing what she was about to do, Russell stopped Margaret.
"... In this situation, even Cyril can't do anything about it."
Let me bear this guilt alone.
Russell stroked the girl's cheek and said painfully:
"We... had no choice."
"There are options."
A calm voice broke the heavy atmosphere, and everyone looked at the person who dared to speak so arrogantly.
"If you trust me, let everything proceed as usual."
"I... can't gamble."
"It's the same gamble, would you rather trust the Business Federation or me?"
Seeing Russell's hesitation, Gregor had just finished communicating with his brother and finalizing the plan, passed through:
"If you trust me, I swear, until the Engineering Department completes the plan..."
"Even Catastrophe must not separate the city."