Chapter 156 Chapter 156: Beast Lord - Gawain
Chapter 156: Beast Lord - Gawain
After a brief and pleasant mealtime, the Doctor and Kevin headed to the Elite Operator lounge together, which led to the events that followed.
.....
"Kevin?"
"Teacher!"
FrostNova, who had been feeling rather bored, immediately perked up. The Elite Operators also rose to their feet one after another. Even the newer generation of Elite Operators, such as Blaze, were no exception.
Although Rosmontis didn't know Kevin, seeing everyone stand up, she had no choice but to follow the crowd, not wanting to appear too conspicuous.
"Long time no see."
Kevin nodded slightly as a greeting, but everyone clearly didn't mind his indifferent reaction.
Anyone who knew him understood that Kevin was usually like this.
Especially those already familiar with Kevin, like Ace and Scout, who even gathered around him, chatting and laughing.
"I originally thought you had reached retirement age."
Kevin looked at Outcast. This Sankta lady had aged considerably since the Babel days, and the sharpness in her eyes, once like the firearms in her hands, was gone.
"Retirement? Maybe in another year or two. Anyway, it's coming soon."
Outcast didn't know where she could go after leaving Rhodes Island. Having stayed for so many years, she felt a bit reluctant to retire.
She smiled carelessly. She'd take things one step at a time.
As everyone chatted, the heavy atmosphere in the lounge earlier vanished completely. It seemed everyone had relaxed considerably because of someone's arrival.
Rosmontis didn't understand complex matters, but the smiles on everyone's faces didn't lie. Since the war began, everyone hadn't laughed so freely in a long time.
"Alright, let's end the casual chat here for now. The combat briefing will begin shortly. It's time to put an end to this war."
The Doctor put his hands in his pockets. Even in the most pessimistic scenario estimated in the plan, there was absolutely no outcome named "failure."
——————
"...The above is the operational plan for this Londinium mission. Squad leaders, please convey tactical instructions to your respective team members after returning."
After the meeting adjourned, people walked out in small groups.
On Rhodes Island, there were basically no long-winded, tedious meetings. The Doctor always summarized key points into the most concise and clear tactical requirements and then disseminated them to the squad level.
There were even numerous contingency measures for unexpected emergencies.
But this time was a bit—
"...Too brief!"
There were too many points to criticize; Yato didn't know where to start.
"The Doctor always has his own plans. We don't need to worry unnecessarily."
"While that's true, tactical instructions like 'After the Shard is attacked, follow the team and begin sweeping from the periphery. Do not fall behind.' seem a bit too straightforward, don't they?"
The problem was, this wasn't just one squad's mission; it was the task for all remaining squads except for a few carrying out special missions...
So, who will attack the Shard?
Rely on those Dukes who have already "tactically withdrawn"? Or on the Rhodes Island landship, which would be nothing but a sitting duck under the Catastrophe attack from the Shard?
Numerous questions gathered into large clouds of doubt in their minds, leaving them utterly perplexed.
Unlike the regular operator squads, the Elite Operators were practically ready to pop champagne. Wasn't it just following behind Kevin and picking up scraps? They were very familiar with this kind of work.
No need to risk their lives, no life-threatening dangers—where else could they find such a good job on the battlefield?
Siege carried a weapon wrapped tightly in long strips of cloth on her back, not a single gap visible. She entered the flow of people, her brows furrowed with deep worry. She didn't even have time to ponder the oddities in the Doctor's orders.
"King's Sigh... Does it really possess the terrifying power described in legends?"
Whether it was Duke of Caster or Allerdale, their actions and words all proved the authenticity of those legends.
But during these days on Rhodes Island, Siege had tried every method: ancient Aslan ballads, Victorian incantations, even Yan's blood recognition ritual...
Yet King's Sigh remained completely unresponsive, as if telling her through practical experience that this was merely a token symbolizing Victorian royal authority. Compared to other weapons, it was at most sharper, more beautiful, harder...
Apart from symbolizing legitimacy, Siege found no other utility. It wasn't even as handy as the Glasgow Gang's sledgehammer...
Thud!
Lost in her thoughts, Siege wasn't paying much attention to her path and bumped head-on into someone. The collision between a solid chest and an Aslan iron head resulted in Siege staggering back two steps.
"Oh, sorry."
She looked up and apologized. However, upon closer inspection, she realized she had never seen this person on Rhodes Island before—neither his clothing nor his appearance...
Siege's guard had just risen but immediately dropped again because another person was accompanying the white-haired man—it was the Doctor!
"A friend of the Doctor's?"
A guess silently formed in Siege's mind. She shifted her steps, intending to make way. But at that moment, the white-haired man called out to her.
"Can you come upstairs with me?"
His gaze was strange; he wasn't looking at Siege but at a spot slightly behind her.
"Don't worry, Siege. Kevin is trustworthy."
After a brief exchange of glances, the Doctor understood that Kevin must have noticed something unusual.
"...Alright."
Siege didn't want to refuse the Doctor's request; his assurance was still credible.
……
Rhodes Island bridge deck, top level.
"Can you tell me now?"
Siege wasn't really in a hurry; otherwise, she wouldn't have paid attention to such a vague invitation.
"Come out."
Under the astonished gazes of Siege and the Doctor, Kevin crossed his arms and stared at a specific spot behind her. But there was clearly nothing there.
"Clumsy concealment."
He always disdained those who hid their heads and tails. What threat could bugs that didn't even dare show their faces pose?
A wisp of flame bloomed in his palm. The gorgeous form of Judgement of Shamash perfectly matched most people's aesthetic tastes.
Kevin raised Judgement of Shamash; his meaning was already clear. But the one behind Siege clearly wasn't prepared to "drink the penalty wine."
Under the astonished gazes of the Doctor and Siege, a tuft of brilliant golden fur appeared first, followed by a head, a torso...
It was an incredibly majestic creature—a lion!
But an ordinary lion couldn't possibly be this large in size, let alone look so divine and magnificent.
"Human, I don't understand how you discovered me, but that's not important. However, your attitude truly lacks respect."
The massive golden lion spoke in human language, its tone carrying dissatisfaction. After all, being forced out under threat and coming out voluntarily were completely different concepts.
Beast Lord - Gawain
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts!