Several potions appeared in Simons's hands.
He swiftly loaded them into the special repeating crossbow on his left arm.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The mechanism fired in rapid succession, launching the potions toward the locust swarm. Before they even reached it, they transformed into enormous fireballs.
Just as they had devoured the ships of the East Coast's Mystery Side earlier, the fireballs engulfed the locust swarm.
Simons had not relied on a transformation potion alone to impersonate Charles.
The custom repeating crossbow on his left arm and the special potions he had concocted were what gave him confidence.
Watching the flames engulf the locust swarm, the terrified crowd felt a little reassured.
But before they could breathe a sigh of relief, the buzzing rang out again.
The locusts had actually broken through the blazing barrier!
Fire was useless!
Everyone froze, then sank into even deeper despair.
This time, even Simons and the "Messenger" looked grim.
Simons had played every trump card he had, yet none of them had worked.
Although the "Messenger" had not used his own trump card, he knew perfectly well that if flames like Simons's could not hurt the swarm, he could do nothing either.
With an utterly bitter smile, the "Messenger" looked at Simons.
"I'm sorry!"
That was what Simons said.
He was not speaking only to the "Messenger," but to everyone else present as well.
Even though he knew such an apology meant nothing.
Compared to a life, any words were weightless, without the slightest substance.
But...
This was the only thing he could do.
The beating of the locusts' wings did not completely drown out his apology. It could still be heard intermittently.
Some people heard it, and some did not.
Those who heard it looked dazed.
Those who did not looked the same.
Facing