At this moment, the savage aura radiating from Xiao Feng was utterly unfamiliar to all who beheld him. Yet, everyone understood the torment in his heart—after all, Ivy and Turner had emerged from the same sanctuary alongside him, fighting side by side until now, bound by life and death.
In the end, Xiao Feng spared only Duke Luke; none of the others' pleas moved him. Thus, all seven dukes met their fate by his blade. After dispatching them, Xiao Feng forcefully drove his long knife into the earth, then turned to the tombstones of Ivy and Turner, declaring, "I will capture the Black Dragon sooner or later, and you will witness with your own eyes how I avenge you." With that, he turned solemnly and departed.
Rice ordered several soldiers to tidy the scene, and the group headed back to the military camp.
As they walked, Rice spoke to Old White, "Don't you think Xiao Feng's actions were a bit excessive?"
Old White sighed deeply, "I know this boy well—he values emotions above all else. If it were you lying in that grave today, Xiao Feng would seek vengeance for you as well."
"Bah, you old codger never say anything flattering, always cursing me early," Rice retorted.
"Better to die early and be freed. Look at the scars on Xiao Feng's body. Though healed now, do you know the agony he endured? These burdens should never have fallen upon him."
"Hm, you have a point. But the greater Xiao Feng's power, the heavier his responsibilities. If he were an ordinary boy without any abilities, neither of us would have let him fight. It's precisely because he possesses extraordinary powers that he must undertake such dangerous tasks."
Alice, nestled in Old White's embrace, listened silently to their conversation. She understood the weight behind their words and couldn't help but glance tearfully at Xiao Feng's solitary retreating figure—a silhouette so achingly lonely.
...
Far across the Earth, in city H, beneath the towering temple, a helicopter bearing the insignia of the Allied Forces descended slowly onto a vast plaza. Unlike an armed gunship, this was a transport aircraft.
The cargo door opened, a ladder lowered, and several figures hurried down, struggling against the fierce wind whipped up by the massive rotor blades.
Yet, on the temple's entrance platform stood a pristine white lounge chair beside a small table adorned with drinks and rare, vividly colored fruits. A sunshade languidly unfurled, shielding against the fierce summer sun.
Reclining there was a slender woman clad in a white bikini, her otherwise unremarkable figure rendered even more delicate by the minimal attire. Yet, beneath this fragility lay an unmistakable allure. Her silver hair framed a face mostly concealed by oversized sunglasses.
She lounged lazily, basking in the exquisite sunlight.
The noise of the helicopter's landing stirred her from slumber. Her blue eyes behind the dark lenses fixed sharply on the descending figures, a formidable pistol with a barrel over thirty centimeters long materializing in her slender hand. The weapon gleamed silver, impeccably crafted—its power clearly rivaling that of an automatic rifle.
Raising the oversized handgun with slender arms, she took aim at the approaching bowed figures and fired without hesitation.
She neither knew nor cared who these people were—only that they had disturbed her precious moment, and thus, their lives were forfeit.
The bullet, comparable to a rifle round, spun fiercely through the air.
With a sharp ding, it struck the man's head, igniting a spark but leaving only a faint mark.
The Black Dragon furrowed his brow. Having seen the woman raise her weapon, he shouted, "Full beast-mode defense!"
Watching the seductive woman wield her massive pistol, Black Dragon could not discern her target, so he commanded his men to assume their defensive transformations. He harbored no doubt she would shoot—he knew enough of her reputation.
Athena, the goddess of wisdom, possessed unparalleled mastery over firearms, and within her resided a formidable supernatural power unseen by the world. Yet, she rarely needed to wield her powers; simply her gun was enough to execute her will.
Lying on the lounge chair, Athena, frustrated that her first shot failed to kill these intruders, switched her pistol to automatic and unleashed a furious burst upon them.
Yet, the bullets merely tore through Black Dragon and his men's clothing, causing no real harm.
Aware of Athena's status, Black Dragon restrained himself from open confrontation. Approaching her, he smiled wryly and said, "Miss Athena, have you fired enough? If not, feel free to load another clip—we'll let you shoot until you're satisfied."
Athena glared angrily at the strange strangers, especially their eyes scanning her body. She snapped, "What are you staring at, you bastards? Believe it or not, I'll gouge out every one of your eyes!" With that, she pulled a cover over herself.
"Since Miss Athena isn't interested in shooting anymore, we'll be on our way," Black Dragon said.
"Hold on! Do you even know where this is? This isn't some place you can just come and go as you please!"
At that moment, a duke behind Black Dragon frowned in anger. "You've already fired, what else do you want? Show us some respect..."
Black Dragon immediately slapped the duke across the face, twisting his head aside. "Shut your mouth!"
Blood trickled from the duke's mouth. "Yes..." Though resentful, he dared not defy Black Dragon's authority.
Seeing Black Dragon's harsh discipline, Athena did not press the matter further. She reclined once more, picking up a glass of juice from the table, sipping the sweet liquid through a pink straw. "So, tell me—what exactly are you here for?"