Chapter 293: The Duke from the Capital
Chapter 293: The Duke from the Capital
"Stop!"
"Don't go there!"
"It's dangerous!"
Amidst the near-simultaneous cries of alarm, the pilot of the third Power Armor finally snapped out of his daze and halted his advance, forcibly stopping just beyond the white mist that concealed the Grim Reaper.
However, a single metal leg, half a person's height, was gripped by a large silver-white hand and hurled from the dense fog, smashing into the head of the third Power Armor, instantly tearing open the observation cabin, revealing the cockpit below.
"Help... Save me!"
Amidst the pilot's screams, the ghostly figure of the "Grim Reaper" was also thrown out by the silver-white hand.
As the silver hand crumbled to the ground, Lyon, carrying the little Golden Retriever, leaped into the cockpit, swiftly severing the safety belts that bound the operator and tossing him out through the observation cabin.
"Sit down!"
After untangling the ropes on his back and placing the limp Golden Retriever, who was as flexible as a pretzel, into the pilot's seat, Lyon released his mental power to gather the scattered Incantation Silver that had fallen to the ground when he levitated. Simultaneously, he commanded in a stoic tone:
"Start it up! Hurry!"
...
Running on just two legs was definitely not an option.
With the Power Armor's speed reaching around fifty to sixty kilometers per hour, there was no way he could outrun it on foot. Even if he managed to break through the encirclement, he would still be pursued all the way to the capital, risking exposure of his identity.
Moreover, his physical condition was not favorable. After being bitten by that damn black snake, his demonic anomaly had weakened significantly. The sulfuric scent of the Blood Battle Unceasing that surrounded him had thinned to less than a fifth of its previous intensity.
With only this remaining Blood Battle Unceasing, he needed to preserve it for self-preservation when injured or to replenish his consumption after driving the Incantation Silver. Therefore, he couldn't afford to waste it on running, making it imperative to seize a Power Armor for transportation.
As for not knowing how to operate the Power Armor... wasn't there a little Golden Retriever who could do it?
Seeing the little Golden Retriever sitting in the pilot's seat with a bewildered expression, still not comprehending Lyon's intentions, Lyon, with no time to waste, couldn't help but raise his hand and slap him on the head, immediately issuing a threat:
"Either drive the Power Armor or die! It's your choice!"
?!?!
Finally understanding Lyon's plan, the little Golden Retriever, with tears and snot still on his face, shivered. Then, his face quickly turned red, and he roared with the loudest voice he had ever used in his life:
"I won't drive it!"
"You're dreaming!"
"I swear on the honor of the Ryan family! Even if I die, I, Steven Ryan, would rather die in this cockpit! I'd rather jump out and smash to my death than ever betray my comrades and drive the Power Armor to help you escape!"
What a tough guy!
As expected of my deputy! Upon hearing the little Golden Retriever's courageous roar, the remaining members of the Power Armor squad exchanged glances, and their faces filled with admiration.
What a man!
The deputy, though he was a bit arrogant and always boasting about his Ryan family connections, especially after learning of the impending marriage between the Ryan family and the royal family, had become even more insufferable.
But despite his annoying personality, he was someone you could rely on in critical moments. He would rather be eliminated than collaborate with the enemy, and his backbone was truly unyielding!
...
Wow, he even had a backbone.
Lyon was momentarily at a loss when faced with the little Golden Retriever, whose tears and snot hadn't been wiped clean, yet he still stubbornly refused Lyon's command.
After all, operating the Power Armor was a technical skill that Lyon couldn't master. The control panel was filled with all sorts of messy gauges, and understanding them would require at least a month of study. Not to mention the numerous switches and levers, if Lyon were to take the controls, he might not even find the right switch to start the Power Armor.
"Alright then..."
With a resigned shake of his head, Leon asked, "You keep bringing up the Ryan family and mentioning the Lionheart Duke. Have you ever met him?"
"Of course I've met him," the little Golden Fuzz replied, his face flushing with embarrassment.
Upon hearing Leon's question, the little Golden Fuzz's heart skipped a beat, and his eyes darted around as he spoke, "I once visited the Duke with my family, and he graciously received us. We were even invited to stay for dinner in the main building of the Ryan estate."
Leon stared at him, unamused. "Oh, please. You're saying you had dinner in the main building? I've never even spent a day there. You might as well say you saw me at the tavern, being dragged around by a red-haired woman to drink."
After witnessing the little Golden Fuzz's blatant lie, Leon sighed and asked, "Fine, let's say you've met him. Do you know what he looks like?"
"Of course I do!" the little Golden Fuzz exclaimed.
Noticing Leon's skepticism, he blurted out indignantly, "I know the Duke very well! He was appointed by the previous Duke, and no one had high hopes for him. That pathetic Earl even declared that the Duke's title would rot faster than a cabbage heart."
"But not long after, the Duke stabilized the situation. With his remarkable appearance and eloquence, he gained the favor of the Princess. He managed to secure the Military Department and the Road Administration for our Ryan family..."
"Stop with the 'you' already. Do you recognize this face?" Leon wiped his face, removing the effect of the [Disguise], revealing his true appearance. With a steely gaze, he stared at the stunned little Golden Retriever and said emotionlessly, "Speak up quickly! If you don't, tomorrow's headline in the Morning Sun will be 'Lionheart Duke Attacks the Boarding Tower and Gets Captured!'"
"You... You're a fake!"
After a few seconds of shock, the little Golden Retriever exclaimed, "Once you're captured, your disguise will be exposed. No one will believe you..."
"Here's the Duke's seal."
Calling out to Youha, he produced the Lionheart Duke's seal and tossed it to the stunned little Golden Retriever. To prevent further claims of forgery, Leon directed Youha to search the Mirror World for any items that could prove his identity.
"This is the crown from the day of the investiture ceremony."
"..."
"This is the Duke's official uniform, given by the Ryan family."
"..."
"This is a badge representing the Vice-Speaker's seat in the Upper House."
"..."
"And here's the investiture decree with the royal seal."
"..."
"Will these prove my identity?"
Holding a pile of items bearing the Ryan family's Lionheart emblem, the little Golden Retriever couldn't help but tremble. Leon, his eyes narrowed, patted the little Golden Retriever's face and urged, "Are you sure? If you are, then start the Power Armor! You don't want to see your Lionheart Duke captured for the charge of attacking the Boarding Tower, do you?"
"..."
"Pfft—"
Amid the astonished gazes of the Power Armor Squad members, one particular Power Armor, refusing to cooperate due to the "Iron-Bone Vice-Officer's" orders, suddenly started up with a tremble. It even shed all its detachable armaments and voluntarily disassembled some of its outer armor, reducing its weight to the extreme. Then, at a speed of seventy kilometers per hour, it sped off in the direction opposite of the encirclement, leaving a trail of dust behind!
"..."
"..."
"..."
Wait, I thought it wouldn't cooperate at all? Who's operating that Power Armor? After you're captured, no one will believe you...
(End of Chapter)
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