Chapter 376.2: Surrounded, Ambush, Protect!

The piercing siren surprised everyone.

Richie’s expression also showed his surprise, but it was obviously not the time to hesitate. Even if he didn’t think anyone could pose a threat to the Heart of Steel, he still performed his duty, shouting loudly to his men. "Air raid! Find cover! Fast!"

The soldiers and construction personnel in the camp quickly ran and lay down behind cover.

The dense barrage of 100mm secondary cannons came from overhead and Richie recognized their simultaneous fire.

Crawling behind an unfinished blast shelter, he took out binoculars and looked towards the distant sky. Through a gap in the treetops, he could vaguely see what was going on.

Beneath the clear sky, a line of orange flames was arranged in a row. The thick smoke from the explosions formed an impenetrable wall.

Yet, still, five planes smoking black, broke through the first round of barrage with their skilled maneuvers.

Whatever it was, their fates were sealed. It also seemed like they realized the same point as they stopped twisting meaninglessly and charged straight at the airship. They emptied all the weapons they had before the second round of anti-aircraft barrage arrived.

Their planes were inevitably blown to pieces, but their dozen or so rockets flew at the air ship.

Richie felt a strange feeling rising in him. He felt that the rockets launched by the planes looked pretty impressive... However, it wasn’t too amazing.

In front of the Heart of Steel, such attacks were as laughable as toothpicks against an elephant,

Completely ignoring the dozen rockets, after destroying the remaining five planes, the airship ceased firing and let the rockets fly freely.

But just as they got within 20 to 50 meters of the ship, they hit what seemed like an invisible wall of air.

Most rockets were deflected, and a few exploded on the spot. The scattered debris didn’t scratch the airship at all. The steel fortress in the sky remained motionless, only a wisp of smoke slowly drifting up in the skies that was soon dispersed by the airstream.

Hanging from a parachute, a player’s stared at the scene before him in shock.

The latest rocket developed by Goblin Technology didn’t do any damage at all! Was that invisible air current a shield?

𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Although the explosives were deflected and the debris caused no harm, the smoke from the rockets' explosive death still landed on the airship...

As blood seeped from his belly, he seemed to have already received a fatal wound. However, that didn’t stop him from thinking.

Does this mean that only objects flying at low speed can get close?

Looking at his anti-aircraft gun that he hadn’t opened fire, he eventually took off his VM and camera-equipped headset and tied them to his parachute.

Pulling out a dagger, he made a decisive cut that allowed the airstream to sweep the parachute away as he fell freely into the forest below.

Other players could always retrieve his VM. All of the pilots didn’t expected to return when they left for the mission anyway.

Since he probably wouldn’t survive, being nursed back to half-health and thrown in jail would be the end of him. It was better to finish himself off and come back at full HP.

Elsewhere, in the unfinished camp below the airship, cheers and victory whistles arose.

Richie also stood up from behind the blast shelter. He put away his binoculars and dusted off the dirt on his exoskeleton breastplate,

The next moment, a voice came through his headset. "How are the casualties in the camp?"

The voice belonged to the staff officer.

"No casualties... What just happened?" Richie didn’t even count the numbers, confidently making his reply. He knew that his subordinates weren’t weak enough to die to a bit of falling debris.

"Airplanes!"

A flash of astonishment passed Richie’s eyes as he continued to listen to the staff officer’s report.

"Just a bunch of grasshoppers who just learned to fly. There’s no need to worry... I have a task for you. We found a parachute in the southern forest, send someone to retrieve it." The staff officer eventually concluded.

“The pilot seemed to have committed suicide.” Richie frowned as he responded to the order.

Although he couldn’t see clearly, he definitely saw the pilot cutting off the parachute cords.

The staff officer continued, "I know, but before he died, he hung something on the parachute, we need to find out what it was."

Richie sighed with impatience, "Alright... I’ll find it."

Back in Katin Station.

Next to a wrecked camp, herdsmen knelt on the ground praying. Some were dealing with the bodies on the ground. The village chief of Mudka, with a faded tobacco pipe in his mouth, puffed away, his deeply lined face full of worry.

Sensing the danger, the merchants hurriedly packed their luggage, ready to leave the troubled land. Their frantic manner resembled fleeing refugees.

Mercenaries who hadn’t decided where to go gathered together, discussing animatedly.

"Why did the Army come here?"

"Don’t know... I always thought they were fighting in the north."

"Right, otherwise where would the Bonechewer Clan have come from?"

"These crawling roaches... Wherever they go, there is never any good...”

Tail was fiddling with her VM, trying to translate some valuable clues from the topics those people were discussing. Unfortunately, she failed to hear anything worthwhile.

As she was still playing around, Sisi returned from the direction of the well.

"Tail, get ready to hit the road." She spoke while carrying a jug of water in both her hands. She even carried one on her shoulders. Her exaggerated load made a stark contrast with her physique.

But she appeared unconcerned, hanging the heavy water jugs on the truck,

The water she grabbed was enough to last them a long time.

"Eh? Weren’t we supposed to wait here for Brother Spring Water and the others?" Roshan asked as she took off her armor.

"Yes, but we can’t stay here any longer." Sisi sighed.

Roshan tilted her head to the side, not quite understanding Sisi.

Not answering immediately, Sisi pointed with her chin at a tent not far away where people were watching them closely. The moment they met her gaze, those people quickly looked away.

"You mean, they might sell us out?" Sesame Paste mused thoughtfully.

"After seeing that airship, most people would think so, anyway, I can’t think of anything that can harm it." After a pause, Sisi continued, "Moreover, even if they don’t actively betray us, the Army’s people will definitely come here to inquire about the missing soldiers... A few Dinars could buy them off."

As she finished speaking, distant cannon fire rang out again, causing another stir in the camp.

That was the second time that day. Unlike 2 hours ago, this time several shots were fired in succession.

Looking in the direction where the airship was unleashing its might, Sisi slightly furrowed her brow, a hint of unease flashed through her eyes.

Someone moved faster than her. Tail stretched her neck to look into the distance as she saw tiny black spots emerging from the rolling smoke. She couldn’t help but yell, "Wow! That looks like our planes!”

“Hmm... I guess so.” Sisi looked at the VM screen, where 30 IDs appeared in the nearby player list.

But almost in an instant, only 5 remained online.

"Wait." Tail's face suddenly changed, "Doesn’t this mean someone has already sent the information of the new version onto the official website?!”

Sisi didn’t quite catch on, but beside her, Roshan revealed a dejected expression. Unfortunately, or fortunately for the rest, her expression wasn’t too obvious thanks to her thick fur.

"Damn... We discovered it first. Is this really the time to talk about that?" Sesame Paste’s ears twitched nervously. A strange expression on her face that made it look like she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry could be seen as she quickly added, “Let’s hurry up and discuss where to go next."

Even without the airship, with all the commotion they’d caused earlier, it was no longer suitable for them to stay in Katin Station.

After discussion, they decided to move to the eastern forest area of Lucky Valley Municipality.

It was a valley and it was easy to hide in. Also, it was a good 20 kilometers away from the giant airship.

They decided to wait for the Storm Corps there.

They also planned to retrieve the fallen pilot’s VM along the way as they traveled through the south of Lucky Valley Municipality.

Well... That was if they could find it.

Having decided on their next destination, the group wasted no time. They quickly packed up.

Pointing a gun at Herrick who was tied up like a dumpling, Sisi secured him to the rear of their Electric Mule.

Looking at his face turning pale, she guessed what he feared and she smiled faintly in his direction, "Don't worry, the road here is bad, the car can’t go fast. But if you purposely drag your feet, then you’ll bear the consequences."

Heiric’s throat trembled slightly, but he didn’t say anything.

When he first saw the airship, he fantasized that those people would be so intimidated by the Army’s might that they would let him go.

However... He abandoned all such illusions after no such luck befell him.

These people are fucking crazy!

They simply don’t care about the consequences.

Pleased with the expression on their captive’s face, Sisi tied an extra knot on the rope.

After finishing, she was about to carry the severely injured Luo Hua to the truck with Tail when Kariman approached with his dozen guards.

Stopping her actions, Sisi looked at the people approaching, about to ask what they wanted, when Kariman took the initiative to speak. "Are you heading back to Clearspring City?"

Before Sisi could respond, he continued with an invitation. "We could travel together."

"No need." Sisi didn’t even think before decisively refusing the offer.

Kariman hesitated, then asked, "Do you doubt me?"

Sisi replied bluntly, "No, it’s just not necessary, and besides, we’ve only met less than 24 hours ago, I have no reason to trust you."

Kariman was silent for a moment, then nodded. "I understand... I was presumptuous. And given your strength, you indeed do not need us."

He had only watched the latter half of the previous battle, but it didn’t prevent him from reassessing the seemingly fragile girl before him.

As it turned out, she was an awakener. However, he didn’t give up just yet. Taking a deep breath, he composed his thoughts and spoke again. "I’m sorry I chose to conceal my identity for safety reasons, please allow me to reintroduce myself. I come from the Lion Kingdom of Oasis No.9 but I’m not merely a merchant, I am the king’s son."

"What?!" Sisi paused.

Tail, who was standing beside her, was instantly intrigued. "Oh, a prince! Then don’t you have lots of wives?"

"It’s not as impressive as you imagine." Watching the girl’s surprised face, Kariman guessed what she was thinking even though he didn’t quite understand what she was saying.

He chuckled wryly and continued, "My father has many children, I’m just one of them. Moreover, I’ve voluntarily given up the trials and the right to the throne. Now, I’m just a mere subject."

He paused, then added, "But even though I’ve given up the throne, my loyalty to the kingdom is firm. The Spirit of the Desert can testify to my vow."

Sisi looked at him puzzled. "Why are you telling us all this?"

If it had been a day earlier, she might have been very interested in listening to the dude’s story. However, she had things to do now.

Kariman looked at her seriously as he spoke again. "We have a common enemy, we need your help!"

A flash of surprise crossed Sisi’s face.

Are we entering the main storyline now?!

The next second, a short cough came from the truck, interrupting her thoughts.

Hearing the cough, Sesame Paste, who was closest, quickly ran over. She climbed onto the truck and looked at the injured NPC on the stretcher. She asked in not-so-fluent Federation Language, "Are you okay?"

“Chu Guang...

Cough...

I... Where am I?” His dry lips parted, his voice very weak, like a flickering candle in the wind.

Thanks to Sisi plugging him into 2 bags of glucose and saline, he seemed to be in a much better condition than the day before.

"We’re in Lucky Valley Municipality, about 150 kilometers from Clearspring City. We were planning to wait until your condition stabilized a bit more before taking you back..."

Luo Hua didn’t speak, his gaze shifting from the unfamiliar face in front of him, slowly falling on the VM on her arm.

Seemingly reassured by the sight of the device, he sighed in relief. Then, suddenly biting his teeth, he lifted his heavy arm, revealing the bandages wrapped around his abdomen.

Blood instantly started to seep out.

"Ah, don’t move around..." Startled by his sudden movement, Sesame Paste quickly tried to stop him. As soon as she touched his hand, she found herself holding a blood-stained card.

"... We’ve found it.”

“Found what?" Stunned, Sesame Paste asked subconsciously.

He didn’t explain. With an increasingly weak voice, he mumbled, "Give this... Give this to him."