186: Chapter 186 Bloodstains

Dark Realm and Li Ming rushed out of the warehouse. The Viper, parked on the flat ground of the military camp, instantly regained command control and turned its turret toward the warehouse.

The top of the semi-buried warehouse rose like a hatch, and twelve mechs stood up in unison from beneath.

Dark Realm set Li Ming down and deployed her rigging, watching as they smashed through the warehouse walls, attempting to break out.

"Hostility is evident, Commander," Logic said. "It should be an automated defense system. For safety's sake, we should..."

*Whoosh! Boom!*

A 75mm recoilless rifle shell flew out, hitting the body of one of the mechs. Another followed, striking a highlighted spot in the center of the mech, which then ground to a halt.

"Dark Realm! Fire! Shoot their highlighted spots!"

"Yes, Commander."

*Boom! Boom!*

Two 381mm armor-piercing shells accurately struck two mechs. Although they didn't hit the highlighted spots precisely, the armor-piercing shells were enough to destroy them.

The two mechs were knocked back by the impact, toppling several others.

Li Ming felt like he couldn't hear anything, but he looked at the last mech emerging and fired all six remaining recoilless rifle shells from the Viper, followed by a burst from the quad 20mm Oerlikon.

This mech also stopped moving.

Touching his ear, he found that it was actually bleeding.

His eardrums had been ruptured.

"Commander?"

Dark Realm turned her head, only to see the blood on the Commander's face. Her already pale face instantly turned deathly white.

She ran over, trying to do something to help, but saw the Nanocloud fly out from Li Ming's clothes again and enter his ears.

"Hmm?... Dark Realm, did you just call me?"

Dark Realm lunged at him.

"Whoa, whoa?"

"Wow... how touching," Béarn said as she rushed over. "Commander, you're... you're injured?!"

"I'm okay..." Li Ming paused. "I mean, I'm fine. It's just a ruptured eardrum."

"That's not a small problem!" Béarn jogged over, connecting her headset. "HQ! The Commander is injured! Please send Miss Vestal over!"

"I said I'm fine... with the Nanocloud here, this is nothing," Li Ming said, holding Dark Realm while opening his headset. "Besides, didn't you hear Helena say I've already been killed once here? I have..."

Li Ming didn't dare speak further because he noticed Béarn's face was also deathly white, then it darkened.

With a sheepish smile, Li Ming set Dark Realm down. "Let's go to the City Lord's Mansion."

Leaning against the Viper, Li Ming's body suddenly blurred and vanished. Then, the Viper's engine restarted, and the drive shaft began to turn the tracks.

A second later, Béarn appeared behind the Viper, reaching out to grab the grille. She forced Li Ming to brake to avoid dragging her down or having her rip the grille right off.

"In such a hurry to leave, Commander?"

"Uh..." Li Ming poked his head out from the roof hatch. "I don't have much time left..."

"At worst, we'll come back next time, or we can do it for you, Commander," Béarn said expressionlessly.

Li Ming looked at Dark Realm.

Dark Realm kept her head down, but following behind Béarn already expressed her stance.

——————

"No problem. The Commander's eardrums have fully returned to normal."

"See? I told you I was fine."

"However, Commander." The somewhat gloomy, long-haired doctor with hibiscus-colored hair held down Li Ming, who was trying to stand up. "I hope you can explain what you just said."

"It's nothing... I just got ambushed the first time I came here. See, I'm fine now."

"It is a big deal, a very big deal." Vestal Meta looked at him. "Commander, although your body appears fine, you were actually injured by the shockwave just now. Yet, for some unknown reason, your body is restoring its functions in an extremely eerie manner."

"It should be the nanomachines...?" Li Ming pondered.

"I see." Vestal nodded. "Then it's not surprising."

Despite saying that, Vestal still wore a serious expression, making Li Ming feel a bit guilty. "Vestal, so... is there something wrong with me?"

"Yes, but for now, it doesn't affect your movements."

"For now?"

"Yes, because the nanomachines are dissolving into your body's structure. It's very peculiar."

"Uh..."

"This is nanomedical technology, very common in our era," Logic answered for Li Ming. "Please rest assured, there are no side effects."

"In that case, I won't worry anymore." Vestal finally relaxed a bit. "Then I shall take my leave. Also, Commander, Miss Glorious wishes for you to mind your words and actions."

"Uh... I understand."

Vestal left.

Li Ming stood up and looked at the two silent girls.

"What are you two dazed for? Get in the vehicle."

Pulling the two children onto his tank, he said, "Why are you two so listless? Come on... cheer up, my little Big Cabbages."

"We're not..." Dark Realm turned her head away.

"Commander, if this continues, the Secret Council will hate you," Béarn said with dot eyes.

Although the Commander himself was the greatest Secret Council.

He opened the hatches for the driver and radio operator, letting the two 'Big Cabbages' sit inside.

"How about this: let's make a three-point agreement?"

"Mmh..."

Li Ming felt he was a bit too excited today, with a terrifyingly high level of initiative. "In a situation like today's, don't worry about whether I'll get hurt. Prioritizing the execution of orders is what's most important, right?"

"Mmh... understood." Dark Realm knew he was speaking to her. "But..."

"I don't often visit the front lines, do I? This is a rare special case." Li Ming leaned on the turret. "I'm treating this like a field trip. What do you think?"

*Stare—*

Well, they didn't think so.

"...Anyway, I'm not very good with words, but... thank you for being willing to accompany me on this ruckus."

"It is my duty to resolve the Commander's troubles."

"Normally, it's not necessary, Dark Realm," Li Ming said. "Béarn, you too. I'm someone who likes to court death, so if possible, please remind me every now and then."

"..."

Béarn's mood didn't seem to improve.

Recalling her personality for a moment, Li Ming sighed inwardly and looked at Dark Realm.

The dark witch who thirsted for knowledge and power, and the silent, reliable 'Cleaner'.

...

...