An Escort Team of Half a Sarkaz Legion?

However, Logos had not even brought up the possibility of Victoria falling apart before Vina, the Crown Princess of Victoria. Still, after a brief hesitation, Vina immediately joined the discussion.

"Theresis cannot possibly fail to understand that. And by now, they must know that we are waiting to receive Director Chen Qi and the others."

"That means if our rescue plan proceeds as scheduled tomorrow, it will only become more difficult. We must prepare to face a fully armed, fully prepared Sarkaz legion in Londinium."

"—Including two kings of the royal court," Logos said grimly. Though he possessed strength comparable to the kings of the royal court, it was only enough to protect himself.

He had some confidence in holding back either the Bloodborne Archon or the King of Scavengers alone, but victory was another matter. At the very least, he would certainly be seriously injured.

But what if both kings of the royal court attacked him together? Logos did not know how long he could hold out, or whether he could last until everyone rescued Chen Qi. Besides, the others would still have to face Manfred and Theresis, along with whatever high-level combatants their intelligence had failed to uncover...

"...Dr. Kal'tsit's previous message said that she will send another elite Rhodes Island team to meet us tomorrow."

ACE looked at everyone before offering his opinion. "If they move quickly, they will arrive tomorrow night. If Director Chen Qi has not been released by then, we will proceed according to the original plan once the reception team arrives."

"There are quite a few people from other factions around us... Clearly, they share the same objective as we do." As a sniper operator, Scout had investigated the surrounding area while everyone else watched the show. He spoke calmly.

"There are several rather significant figures among them... I think that if fighting breaks out, we can act last and use their strength to rescue Director Chen Qi amid the chaos."

"—Then it is settled for now. Does anyone object?"

ACE nodded, and the landship quickly finalized its course of action. What they did not know was that the same scene was playing out in two other places around Londinium.

"Everyone, remember this. Tomorrow, wait for movement inside the city first. Once unrest breaks out, we will slip into Londinium amid the chaos." Ablana issued her orders to the people of Deep Pool.

"I will use my Originium Arts to eliminate the Sarkaz soldiers on Londinium's walls. Then, using their corpses, I will operate the city defense cannons and strike every enemy. That way, we can seize the initiative in the chaos."

"So before the city descends into disorder because of other factions, we cannot move. We cannot afford heavy casualties, so we must act amid the chaos. Understood?"

"Yes, Leader!"

Elsewhere, the five Emperor's Blades also discussed their strategy after finishing the show. Yet they arrived at an almost identical conclusion.

"With our strength, facing two kings of Kazdel's royal court is still rather difficult, unless the five of us spread demonic energy throughout all of Londinium and turn this place into a city of death."

"Though that would accomplish our objective, we would cease to exist as well. We are prepared to die for Ursus, but we should complete the mission with as little loss as possible. That is a plan of last resort."

"We previously discovered Rhodes Island and Deep Pool forces lingering nearby. They will surely lose patience first. Once they begin attacking the city, we will infiltrate amid the chaos."

After discussing it, the five Imperial Guards felt that even sacrificing themselves for their country should not be a meaningless death. They could still be useful in the northern frontier in the future; throwing everything away in Londinium would be too great a loss for the Ursus Empire.

Thus, after internal deliberation, the three factions reached almost the same conclusion—wait. Wait for someone to lose patience and attack the city first, then rescue or kill Chen Qi with minimal losses.

And so, a strange balance emerged. No one intended to take the initiative in rescuing him. Perhaps only when Rhodes Island's second reinforcement team arrived could this deadlock be broken...

"Director Chen Qi, does the ending of this time's Yes, Prime Minister still leave some suspense? Do you plan to film a second season?"

Inside Londinium at that moment, Theresis asked this question. Naturally, he could see that Yes, Prime Minister had far more potential than this. Chen Qi had ended it so abruptly; he must still have more in reserve.

However, Chen Qi had spent the past week constantly learning from Theresia how to deal with Theresis. He did not hide anything and immediately replied.

"If I were to film it... then naturally, there would be more, Your Highness the Regent. But for now, it is only an immature idea."

"I still need time to develop it. Perhaps in the future, I will ask you to film the second season of Yes, Prime Minister. I simply have not figured it out yet."

"—You may remain in Londinium until you figure it out." Theresis immediately revealed his thoughts, making his first genuine attempt to persuade Chen Qi to stay.

"Londinium is large enough. The Sarkaz can protect you and your troupe, even until we return to Kazdel."

"—Your Highness the Regent, if a screenwriter only sees the scenery of one place, he cannot write a good script."

Chen Qi laughed helplessly and made his refusal perfectly clear. He immediately explained.

"Besides, repeatedly writing the same subject matter can easily become boring. The work itself will become as dull as reheated leftovers. I need to seize this bit of inspiration and make several other works first. Perhaps then, I will feel interested in returning to the field I am confident in."

"I think that if I ever get the chance to film a second season of Yes, Prime Minister, I will certainly ask Your Highness the Regent again."

"Why?" Theresis found that somewhat strange and asked calmly, "You could clearly give this subject matter to other actors."

"—Naturally, because audiences will always prefer the original cast."

Chen Qi explained with a smile. Theresis had clearly never considered that, but Chen Qi continued.

"Audiences like familiar faces. I am also a director, and I need to consider the audience's experience. Sometimes, when the cast changes, the same show will never feel the same again."

"Therefore, I will certainly ask all of you to film future installments of the Yes, Prime Minister series. After all, a combination as perfect as Your Highness the Regent and the others can probably not be found anywhere else in this world."

By now, Chen Qi's meaning was clear—if he remained trapped in Londinium, he would have no inspiration. Theresis should release them quickly, so they could continue working together properly in the future.

Of course, Chen Qi had not forgotten to give Theresis a promise. If Theresis needed the power of the Yes, Prime Minister series in the future, he could only turn to Chen Qi and the others to make it. That would force Theresis to do his best to keep them alive for the sake of future cooperation.

As for everything else... it could only depend on tomorrow. Chen Qi looked at his abundant prestige points. One season of Yes, Prime Minister had earned him nearly seven hundred thousand prestige points. Especially during those days when all of Victoria, even all of Terra, was watching, his prestige points had poured in.

But now, Yes, Prime Minister had been banned across the board. Only the residents of Londinium could watch it. Though the prestige points from high-ranking figures elsewhere were considerable, filming still generated the most returns when ordinary people watched it in large numbers.

Therefore, Chen Qi was still somewhat dissatisfied with his nearly seven hundred thousand prestige points. But... when the moment truly came, he would not mind stacking all of them into strength. At the very least, that would be better than the Art Troupe suffering casualties.

It was simply not necessary yet... Though Chen Qi was a hoarder, he knew when to put resources to proper use. It was not time yet, but when it truly was, Chen Qi would make his decision.

Meanwhile, after Theresis saw Chen Qi off and watched him leave, the Confessor appeared at Theresis's side again and could not help asking.

"General, have you decided? Keep him, release him, or kill him?"

"...He is useful." Theresis pondered for a moment before ultimately standing by his decision. He said calmly, "Not only must he not be killed, he must also be used by us in the future."

"But if he remains alive, other factions will inevitably fear and covet him. We need a way—a way to bind his fate to the fate of the Sarkaz."

"And we must show sufficient deterrence to make the other nations hesitate to act... That deterrence cannot be military strength. The Sarkaz are not yet prepared for all-out war."

"—What is the situation outside?"

"There are five Imperial Guards from Ursus, Deep Pool, and people from Rhodes Island." The Confessor immediately answered, "The entire city is on alert. They have not made a move yet."

"They truly think highly of us. If they attack together, even we would likely be drawn into a stalemate." Theresis smiled faintly. Yet at that moment, with everything under control, he already knew what to do.

He had already thought of a way to bind Chen Qi's fate to that of the Sarkaz...

Chapter 63: An Escort Team of Half a Sarkaz Legion?

"Everyone, are you ready? Theresis has informed us that he will soon take us out of Londinium. Load all the equipment onto the landship, put on your gear, and prepare for any unexpected situation."

It was not until evening the next day that Chen Qi received word from Theresis that they would soon leave Londinium. Chen Qi hurried back to the troupe and immediately spoke as he looked at the group, who had long been prepared to relocate.

"Theresis said he will send people to escort us out of the city, all the way beyond Londinium's borders. If he does not go back on his word, then once we leave Londinium's territory, we will probably encounter forces from every faction."

"The Rhodes Island people will likely be waiting to receive us there. Remember, once we leave Londinium, no matter what happens, follow Rhodes Island and run immediately. Do not give them a chance to catch us."

Although Theresis had told Chen Qi exactly how many people were waiting outside, Chen Qi had actually known what kinds of monsters were waiting for them since yesterday through his Mini-map.

So it was no wonder Chen Qi was unusually nervous. Though he had great confidence in the Art Troupe's combat ability, if Deep Pool and Ursus attacked at the same time, even with Rhodes Island's help, Chen Qi could not guarantee that the Art Troupe would avoid casualties.

After all, Theresis had indeed said he would let them go. But once they left Londinium, the Blood Pact would be over. Chen Qi believed that if Theresis could ensure they left Londinium's territory safely and did not turn around to hunt them down afterward, that would already meet his expectations.

As for the road ahead... they could only take it one step at a time. At least for now, Chen Qi could bring the Art Troupe to Rhodes Island first, ensuring they reached the next stop safely.

He could also let Rhodes Island study the "Oripathy Cure" he had obtained and see whether there was a way to use it on everyone in the Art Troupe. That was Chen Qi's ultimate reason for going to Rhodes Island.

"In any case, we will follow the Sarkaz escort team this time. I will walk at the very front. If they are coming for me... then I will stand at the front myself. Their weapons will be pointed at me, not at everyone else."

"When that time comes, my safety will depend entirely on you, Captain, Sister Talulah."

In a conflict where Imperial Guards were the basic unit of combat strength, no one in the Art Troupe besides Patriot and Talulah was qualified to join the fight. Not even FrostNova.

To keep the conflict from affecting everyone else as much as possible, Chen Qi chose to expose himself. It was better for them to target him, the one with the system, than let the rest of the Art Troupe suffer.

"I and my Shield Guards will protect everyone." Patriot, now equipped with more refined gear and with his Oripathy suppressed, replied haltingly but firmly.

"I will protect you. Definitely." Talulah nodded. Back in her military uniform, she looked valiant and imposing as she answered with a resolute expression.

"You had better protect your lover well, my daughter. This time, far more people are watching him outside than you imagine."

At that moment, Koschei's voice appeared in Talulah's mind once more. He spoke with a hint of teasing.

"As far as I know, after the final two episodes of Yes, Prime Minister aired, Ursus changed its strategy as well. They are no longer coming solely to kill him. Their first priority is now capture, and only if that fails will they kill him."

"How do you know that?!" Talulah's heart skipped a beat. She instinctively questioned him in her mind, but Koschei merely smiled and replied.

"I have my own methods, foolish daughter. Though your lover has rendered me incapable of resisting, the fragments I scattered across this land can still transmit information to me."

"And it is not only the five Imperial Guards outside Londinium... An organization called Deep Pool has gathered its elites outside, waiting for you. The moment you leave Londinium, they will swarm upon you."

"Deep Pool? What is that?" Talulah felt as though her head was not enough to process all this. Chen Qi had never told her any of this, so why did Koschei know everything so clearly?

"An organization similar to the former Reunion Movement, though their leader is clearly more ambitious." Koschei briefly summarized Deep Pool and smiled faintly. "They were originally nothing to fear. Their leader is not even as capable as you, my daughter."

"But what worries me is that their leader has also come to 'seduce' Chen Qi."

"Seduce?" Talulah froze slightly, and Koschei immediately answered.

"That is right. With only you, Buldrokkas'tee, and Rhodes Island's assistance, the five Emperor's Blades may not be able to defeat you, but they will certainly inflict severe losses."

"And when all of you are exhausted, if Deep Pool emerges to strike, will you still have the strength to fight? At that point, if that 'leader' who wants the boy uses the benefits she offers to tempt him into submission, what will you do?"

"—Chen Qi is not that kind of person!" Talulah was startled and immediately refuted him. "He would never do that!"

"He would, because he values you, my foolish daughter." Koschei shattered Talulah's hopes and said calmly, "For your sake, he would do anything."

"And if he truly goes with Deep Pool while you go with Rhodes Island... then what follows will not be so easy to predict."

"Though I do not think much of that leader's character or methods, when it comes to women... she surpasses you by several streets, my foolish daughter."

"And the worst possibility, my daughter, have you considered it? Once the Sarkaz escort you out of Londinium's territory and declare the Blood Pact concluded—they can turn around and seize you again. Theresis covets your lover no less than anyone else."

"To keep Chen Qi, he will do many excessive things while still fulfilling the Blood Pact. Chen Qi is too useful. For that, I have no doubt that he could even give his own sister to your lover."

Of course, that was under the premise that Theresis knew his sister had been revived, and that he understood exactly how deeply she agreed with the idea that "Chen Qi is extremely useful to the future of the Sarkaz."

Koschei could tell that the princess was already doing as he had described. She had made the corresponding resolve as well. If Chen Qi truly made such a request, Theresia would absolutely agree gladly for the continuation and integration of her race.

"So what you must do is protect your lover well. If you do not want him to be taken away, forcing you to share him with several women in the future, then you had better protect him with everything you have this time."

"...I do not need you to teach me how to act, Koschei."

However, after hearing so much information, Talulah instead became much calmer. Her eyes swiftly turned firm as she replied.

"I will protect the person I love. Absolutely."

"Very good. Maintain that resolve."

Koschei smiled faintly. He had done all he could by reminding his daughter. But just as he was about to say something else to her, he suddenly sensed... a sound from afar.

This sound... Koschei frowned slightly. Alarm bells immediately rang in his mind, and he sensed that something was wrong.

"...An army is approaching?"

"What?" Talulah had clearly not yet reacted, but at that moment, she too heard the waves of footsteps coming from afar.

Very soon, the members of the Integrated Cultural Troupe saw a fully armed Sarkaz force slowly approaching them in the distance. Leading them was none other than the Regent—Theresis.

The Sarkaz legion quickly used its numerical advantage to surround the entire Art Troupe from both sides. Everyone in the troupe was instantly on high alert. Patriot and the Shield Guards took the lead in raising their weapons at once, poised to strike.

Even Chen Qi found the tense atmosphere surprising. Yet he did not see any hostility from the surrounding Sarkaz or from Theresis before him on the Mini-map.

They still appeared as unchanged "gray" neutrals. With that in mind, Chen Qi immediately told the members of the Art Troupe behind him.

"Everyone, do not be nervous! If Your Highness the Regent wanted to harm us, he could have acted long ago. He would never wait until now!"

As Chen Qi's words fell, perhaps because they found his reasoning sound, or perhaps because they trusted him, Patriot and his Shield Guards slowly lowered their weapons. Before Chen Qi, Theresis, once more clad in armor, walked over with an unchanged expression and said calmly.

"As expected of Director Chen Qi. To make such a calm judgment even under these circumstances... If I were suddenly surrounded by so many people, I fear I could not remain so composed."

Theresis walked step by step until he stood before Chen Qi. Behind him stood the Bloodborne Archon and the King of Scavengers, two kings of the royal court. If Theresis had assembled this lineup specifically to kill Chen Qi, then even after joining his sister in death, Chen Qi could brag about it for a long time.

"Director Chen Qi, according to our agreement, the escort team is already here. We will now escort you and your troupe out of Londinium."

"...Escort team?"

Chen Qi froze for a moment and instinctively pointed around him. Theresis nodded slightly, his tone still calm yet certain.

"Yes. These people, myself included, are the escort team that will see you out of Londinium."

You pulled out half of Londinium's combat strength! You call this an escort team? I would believe this was a force meant to fight the Imperial Guards, Deep Pool, and Rhodes Island!

For a moment, even Chen Qi was stunned by Theresis's actions. He was starting to lose track of what Theresis was thinking... Was he truly going to use this force to confront Rhodes Island, Deep Pool, and the Imperial Guards outside the city?

If this turns into a fight... damn it, should I tell Chen Huijie and the others to calm down and run as far away as possible? If they fight, won't this start the first Terra World War?!

Meanwhile, at the palace in the distance, after Theresis had taken away most of the Sarkaz elites and left only some Confessors along with Manfred to command the remaining half of the Sarkaz forces defending the city, Theresia stood high above the palace, watching the scene now that no one was monitoring her.

At that moment, a faint smile appeared on Theresia's face as she murmured to herself.

"This is what I meant, Director Chen Qi. Now, the moment when you will receive the protection of my brother, and even of the Sarkaz race itself, is not far away."

"You will become a friend of the Sarkaz. In the future... I look forward to the day when we will once again rely on your strength to change the Sarkaz and allow them to rejoin this world."