Chapter 283: Cooperation
Chapter 283: Cooperation
Does it mean that there might be backups or something similar on this ship that must be destroyed?
After observing Middle-Aged Joshua's soul state and realizing he wasn't lying, Lyon couldn't help but frown slightly, understanding that he must have seen something in the future.
Most likely, there was something I overlooked, or there was a problem with this ship that led to the outbreak of war in the future. Middle-Aged Joshua, who didn't want this to happen, took the risk of being caught by me again and sneaked into the Boarding Tower to stop me from retreating. He demanded that the entire airship be completely destroyed.
So... is he considered a half-ally this time?
"Don't trust him! He's probably full of crap!"
Just as Lyon was pondering whether to take the advice, the burned man, Tig, narrowed his eyes and said,
"If we blow it up, that bastard will just run away as soon as he opens the door. What are we going to do then? Not to mention the five to eight patrol posts below, there are at least two to three thousand soldiers. Even if I burn myself out, I might not be able to break through."
"Tig is right."
Oliver, the big-bellied man beside him, sighed and followed with a worried analysis,
"When we arrived, this entire area below the tower was cleaned up so thoroughly that there wasn't even a pile of rocks to hide behind. They don't need to get close; with just two rounds of covering fire, they can push us back into the tower.
And the most critical part is that just outside the patrol zone, there's a mechanical force stationed within five hundred meters. The military department's power armor is incredibly thick, with outer, inner, and insulating layers, totaling over ten centimeters when combined. Even small-caliber shells can't penetrate it. At that time, we'll have no choice but to wait for death."
Indeed, this issue is more critical.
Upon hearing their words, Lyon's frown deepened.
The original chaos party might have agreed to raid the Boarding Tower or even blow up the airship because they could rely on Middle-Aged Joshua's Gate of Beyond to evacuate at any time. But now that he has been driven out of the chaos party, there's no chance he will help them.
So, even if Middle-Aged Joshua is telling the truth, if blowing up the airship attracts the attention of that mechanical force, all the chaos party members, except Lyon, might face dire consequences.
"Shall we cooperate?"
After carefully weighing the consequences in his mind, Lyon took a deep breath and chose to trust Middle-Aged Joshua. He took the initiative to extend an olive branch, saying sincerely,
"We'll take care of blowing up the airship, and you'll ensure the safety of everyone on board and us. How about it?"
Although Middle-Aged Joshua and Lyon didn't see eye to eye and had connections with the Aquarius Director, if he could create an anomaly like the Gate of Beyond to save the kingdom, he wouldn't lie about this.
On one side, there were chaos party members who entrusted their lives and fortunes to Lyon, willing to take risks with him. On the other side, there was a war that might last for over a decade, with countless casualties. If they could achieve both, cooperating with him once wouldn't be impossible.
"No way!"
???!
To the chaos party's surprise, Middle-Aged Joshua, who took the risk to come and warn them, leaned against the steel frame of the Boarding Tower, crossed his arms, and laughed coldly,
"Back in the valley, didn't you look down on my decisions and disapprove of my methods of using lives? Well, now it's your turn to make a choice.
In any case, don't even think about cooperating. I will never open the door for you. You either sacrifice them to get the job done or act like a dog, tuck your tail, and slink down. Then, you can watch as the airship returns to Corlock."
"Make your choice! I want to see if you, who look down on me, can do any better than me!"
"..."
"...Damn it!"
"Nathan! Don't go too far!"
"I'll kill you, you bastard!"
After hearing Joshua's taunts, the chaos party's tempers were completely ignited, and the most reckless one, Tig, who was burned, burst into flames and was about to charge forward.
However, just at that moment, the Holy Spirit pendant on Leon's chest flashed, and the eight-meter-tall Tig suddenly froze, forced to stay in place.
"You can't fool me."
After pulling Tig back, Leon frowned and said, "Avoiding the news getting back is one of your most important goals. You wouldn't want to break up with us over such a trivial reason and watch the airship being sent back to Corlock, would you?"
"That's right. I really don't want that to happen."
After calmly acknowledging Leon's judgment, the middle-aged Joshua stared at his eyes, filled with malice, and said, "But I also don't want you to live. I saw what you were planning before I came... You and the Corlock Kingdom can't coexist! If you really let me down from the tower, I will still lose everything in the future! And even though cooperating with you can temporarily avoid war, it will still destroy my kingdom!"
"..."
"They might not understand, but you should know whether I'm telling the truth or lying, right?"
It was all true. He had indeed prepared to let the airship fly away.
Seeing that he was willing to reveal a little bit of the future to "gain trust," Joshua, whose temples had turned white, couldn't help but fall into silence, then asked, "Besides seeing the distant future, you should have also seen what happened today, right? In the 'today' you saw, how did I choose?"
Joshua fell silent for a moment, then turned his head and answered vaguely, "You know the answer yourself."
Indeed... I already know how to choose.
Looking at Joshua hiding at a safe distance and the maintenance door behind him, which was always slightly ajar, Leon couldn't help but sigh. He calmly said, "You open the door for the others. I'll stay behind to blow up the airship."
"Leader?!"
Hearing Leon's words, the chaos party members couldn't help but tremble. Their eyes were filled with emotion, but they also gritted their teeth to stop him, saying, "How about... I stay behind instead?"
"No! We can't agree to that!"
"There might be another way..."
"There's no other option. This is the best choice right now."
After stopping the chaos party members with a wave of his hand, Leon explained with a hint of helplessness, "When he appeared here, it was already impossible for us to retreat safely. There are so many guards patrolling below, and just one firework could attract them all. So, whether we blow up the airship or not, the outcome will be the same.
Instead of achieving nothing this time and still getting surrounded by those guards is related to the resources, why don't we exchange conditions? Let you guys leave safely, and I'll go and take care of it. Right?"
"But you..."
"Don't say 'but.' Just let it go."
After urging them again, Leon spoke softly to reassure them, "Don't you remember? I have immortality. With his half-baked prophet abilities, I can handle it. Don't worry and go!"
(End of Chapter)
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