I'm Sorry! (Continued)

They had clearly agreed to wait a few days before attacking, but now they've gone back on their word.

This guy...

"I'll go and teach it a lesson!"

"No."

Maria reached out and stopped Sui, who was about to go and beat the other person up again, and silently turned her head to look.

"Next... it's their time to show themselves."

Run! Run fast!

"Catastrophes has struck!"

From the crowd came panicked cries one after another.

They're like a bouncing ball; once one sound falls, another sound bounces it back up.

Everyone's fears were heightened to the highest level.

The remaining guards were working hard to evacuate the people near the western district, their faces grim.

On the west side of the city wall, the soldiers looked even more solemn.

This tornado, stretching from the earth to the sky, swept up rocks and giant trees.

Its dark brown body swayed restlessly, tearing apart those it had caught in.

The vibrating sound echoed continuously through the air.

The clouds were also stirred up, accumulating into a frenzy of lightning that swept across the sky, followed by a torrential downpour.

A world shrouded in darkness, filled with panicked cries, chaotic crowds, and the silent presence of city guards.

Everything made the entire South River City seem like it was facing the end of the world.

In reality, for the people of South River City, this was tantamount to the end of the world...

"It's spectacular... This is the first time I've seen these people from this perspective."

Since Maria said there was no need to intervene, Sui had no choice but to temporarily stop what he was doing and turn to look at the crowd.

The sight of a densely packed crowd moving simultaneously created a strange feeling, especially since Sui was observing from a human perspective; this new angle only heightened her excitement and curiosity.

Maria, however, was only concerned with the storm in the distance.

"So, you still think humanity can survive this?"

Noticing the worries of those around her, she could only helplessly purse her lips.

The situation is already clear; she has already won this bet, which had no stakes involved.

"..."

Maria didn't speak, but simply lowered her head and looked at the crowd.

Despite the chaos, many people could still be seen trying to control themselves, directing the crowd to find a way forward.

And...

"Ah, that's certainly possible."

Sui looked at the people rushing out of the crowd, who not only didn't run away but instead charged towards the western city wall, and supported his head with his hands.

"There really are people like that... people who rush towards danger even knowing they're going to die."

"... You don't actually think they can win, do you?"

Sui turned her head and looked at Maria beside her, her expression also subtle.

"Having the courage alone is enough for them to take the first step... Isn't that what you said too?"

"Oh, that? I did say that."

Sui nodded. She had indeed discussed this with Maria a few days ago. "But courage is just the foundation. Whether you can grow depends on other things."

"But you've reminded me... Maria, shall we make a bet?"

Sui smiled, leaning against the side, her bright eyes returning to their original form as Great Beast, her face beaming with a radiant smile.

"..."

"I bet these people can't beat the Great Beast... If I win, you'll promise me you'll fight me with all your might, okay?"

"... Then I bet they'll win."

"You know that this choice has a high chance of resulting in a loss, right?"

Fate only favors the brave.

"Ha, that's a strange thing to say... Fate won't favor those brainless brutes~"

Sui curled the corners of her lips into a smile, seemingly confident that victory was already in her grasp.

But...

The light instantly illuminated her profile...

It wasn't the light of thunder, nor the light emitted by Great Beast, but this light suddenly shone brightly, like a flame, illuminating the entire sky!

Then...

"Boom--!"

A roar unlike anything ever heard before erupted.

"..."

The girl paused for a moment, then turned her head in surprise.

Meanwhile, Maria silently lowered the brim of her hat.

"Here we go."

"Everyone! Launch! Shove everything you can into the gun! Even if your arms are broken, grit your teeth and hold on!"

Angri curses rang out, but this time they weren't just standing by and watching.

Everyone could see their captain gritting his teeth, his muscles bulging as he relentlessly loaded ammunition alongside them.

The surging cannon fire nearly shattered everyone's ears... These crude, unmodified large heavy cannons, with each shot fired, would unleash compressed air waves and sound waves that would lash them mercilessly!

But at that moment, they didn't have time to think about that anymore.

Shell after shell was fired relentlessly, at the cost of human lives.

Many people with weaker constitutions were even knocked unconscious by the shockwaves of the artillery fire!

The intense pain forced their ears to bleed.

But their spirit compels their bodies to continue moving.

In the distant urban area, the crowds had not yet completely evacuated.

If the Great Beast were to enter the city at this time, the entire city would be turned into a living hell!

They had no other choice...

They... have no choice but to gamble everything!

"Ah--!"

Angry roars continued to ring out, and every guard was pushing himself to the limit, trying to do as much as possible!

The intense flames shone brightly again and again.

The surging flames, like waves, carried their desires, crashing against the raging storm time and time again!

Let the tornado devour it!

Time and time again!

With the combined force of dozens of giant cannons, the approaching storm actually showed signs of slowing down!

At the center of the tornado, a pair of blood-red eyes vaguely appeared in the sky!

The appearance of those eyes did not frighten them; on the contrary, it made their blood boil even more.

Their efforts were not in vain...

As long as we keep going, as long as we can keep going!

Just as everyone was getting excited, an accident happened.

"Boom--!"

"Oh no! The Type 16 cannon has exploded!"

As everyone could see, right after the first shot was fired, the cannon exploded without warning.

Those closest to those giant cannons were almost instantly reduced to mangled limbs.

Even these are all due to good luck.

Those responsible for aiming and firing might not even find a single speck of debris.

Everyone was stunned by this sudden turn of events.

The surging passion suddenly paused for a few seconds.

This is something that cannot be avoided.

The artillery was designed experimentally and was not initially intended to be deployed on the battlefield so early.

Most of the technicians aren't even good at assembly.

Furthermore, some of the steel was already forged by other craftsmen and was merely for experimental purposes. Therefore, the unexpected occurrence now seems to be to be expected.

But...

At this moment, everyone hesitated.

Looking at the shells in their hands, they were momentarily unable to grasp the fact that if they didn't grit their teeth and keep aiming now, they would still face certain death.

At that moment, a voice that was somewhat unfamiliar to them rang out.

"Load ammunition!"

A loud sound rang out.

Everyone's attention was drawn to it.

Then, to their astonishment, they discovered that the usually cheerful city lord had actually climbed onto the city wall!

"Lord City Lord!"

"Load ammunition!"

Li Zhenfang spoke, his voice loud and clear.

At this moment, he was no longer the long-haired figure Maria usually saw.

He changed into the official robes that symbolized his status, a long sword tucked at his waist, and stood resolutely before everyone...

His gaze was solemn, even though he was over fifty years old and had recently killed his own child.

But even at this moment, he remained upright.

He didn't know if he had done the right thing... He also didn't know if he could still be called a good father.

But he couldn't be bothered to think about any of that.

Now that things have come to this, there is no longer any time for him to hesitate.

"Fellow generals..."

He took a deep breath, gripped his sword hilt with his right hand, and slowly swept his gaze over all the bewildered soldiers on the city wall, silently clenching his teeth.

"This is a matter of life and death for the South River; we have no way out!"

"Relatives, wife, home, and city—all are united in this one act!"

He suddenly drew his longsword.