238: Chapter 238 A Storm is Brewing

"The situation is looking a bit grim."

Looking at the reinforced defense system of the Northern Ring Line, the previously loose defensive fortresses had been taken over and strengthened. Hidden gunmen were also concealed in the buildings across the ring line; the defensive strength was by no means as fragile as that of the previous third-rate troops.

"Their regular army has arrived. I didn't expect their response to be this fast."

Elsa lowered her binoculars. "Let's leave here quickly. It won't be good if there are snipers."

"...Alright, let's withdraw. Notify everyone to be on high alert; I always feel like something isn't right." Li Ming agreed.

Elsa nodded in agreement.

The two of them quickly went downstairs and headed back.

"What do you think they're preparing?" Li Ming asked, trailing half a step behind her.

"I don't know... I'm worried it's that kind of..." Elsa closed her eyes. "Strategic weapons. Although I don't think a ragtag bunch like us is worth such an effort from them."

"The situation is different now," Li Ming replied. "We defeated a massive number of Federal Army troops, enough for them to take us seriously."

"That's true..." Elsa acknowledged. "But so much mechanized equipment... it's beyond imagination."

"Maybe they intend to have a decisive battle with us?" Li Ming shrugged. "But they might actually have the strength for it... In terms of street fighting alone, we have too few people and lack enough heavy firepower to cover all the war zones."

"Indeed..."

Her expression looked so cold in the light filtering through the ruins, just like when they first met.

"I need to return immediately to formulate a plan, as well as a suitable... backup option."

"Don't be so pessimistic..." Li Ming was about to say something when she interrupted him with a wave of her hand.

"The current situation doesn't allow me not to overthink, Li Ming... This is so that more people can survive..."

"More people..." Li Ming narrowed his eyes. "I'm going to handle some things. When you get back, tell Maria that she should handle dinner. I won't be back tonight; I suddenly thought of some things."

"What are you going to do at a time like this?"

"...The same as you, so that more people can survive."

——————

Li Ming returned to his old hideout once again.

The tank chassis covered by a tarp appeared before him once more, next to the drone cabinet where the drones were stored.

"Zheng-chan?"

"I am here, Commander."

"I feel like I haven't spoken to you in a long time."

"I can feel your fatigue, Commander. Even if you don't come to find me, I am always here whenever you need me."

"Thanks."

Li Ming pulled back the tarp; the brand-new turret had already finished its calibration.

Considering that Li Ming didn't even have a need for onboard crew, Logic had specifically modified the internal structure of the chassis into a miraculous "one-man crew" setup, providing a relatively spacious ergonomic space within the characteristically low Soviet-style hull to serve as a temporary spot for a person.

The unmanned turret was equipped with two 2A42 autocannons and four externally mounted, captured TOW anti-tank missiles. At the same time, smoke generators and anti-infantry grenade launchers were installed around the turret.

Three antennas were added to the turret for interfacing with the command system, and a drone remote control system was also installed inside the hull to facilitate commanding drones in combat.

The ERA was confirmed to be intact once more, and the transmission mechanism had also been upgraded by Logic. After being equipped with a NATO power pack, it could move forward and backward flexibly, no longer suffering from the -4 reverse speed.

Patting the hull, Li Ming tossed the tarp aside and headed to the next location.

——————

"...This person you're looking for..." Hans scratched his head. "Your description is too vague; we can't accurately pinpoint which person it is."

He looked at the two children in front of him, one in blue and one in pink. Their clothes were somewhat similar to kimonos, but like an enhanced anime version.

They carried umbrellas on their backs (which were actually part of their rigging), and their height only reached Hans's chest. However, for two such strange girls to appear in this godforsaken place and stand before him unscathed was a bizarre thing in itself.

He rubbed his brow. "Is there a more detailed description? And why are you looking for him?"

Ikazuchi thought for a moment. "He is our husband. We heard the broadcast he made in Houston and rushed over."

"Broadcast?..." Hans immediately knew who it was. "You must be talking about Li Ming, right?"

Li Ming! Yes, Li Ming!

Ikazuchi and Inazuma were stunned for a moment, and the description that was previously blurred into just the three words "Commander" suddenly gained more detail.

"Yes, we are looking for him," Inazuma replied. "To tie him up and take him home to get married."

The corner of Hans's mouth twitched violently. What kind of wild things were these two underage kids saying?

"Getting married? My god..."

"Hans, what happened?" Elsa appeared behind the two Ship Girls. "And who are these two?"

They turned around and glanced at Elsa, who was wearing a combat suit and had an art style completely different from the soldiers in the garrison.

"We are looking for Li Ming," Ikazuchi said.

"Li Ming?" Elsa narrowed her eyes, and for some reason, she suddenly had a bad premonition. "Why are you looking for him?"

"To take him home," Ikazuchi replied.

"Uh... what are you to him?"

"Wives."

"...Huh?!"

——————

Hobby Airport.

"As expected, an explosion of this magnitude can't completely destroy things like tanks and wheeled combat vehicles." Li Ming nodded. "Zheng-chan, repair as many as you can and give them the full unmanned modification."

"Understood."

Logic faithfully executed his order. "But, Commander, are you thinking of having an all-out fight with the Donkey Party?"

"Who do you think will be left in the whole city capable of fighting after the Omniscient One's weapon is activated?"

"...You're right, Commander." Logic was silent for a long while. "I'll check the air composition immediately."

Li Ming sat on a Leclerc tank, waiting for Logic's reply.

"I've discovered an unknown... virus. Let's classify it as a virus for now. It seems this is it, as it's everywhere in the nearby air, although most of it has already become inactive."

"Tsk..." Li Ming's expression darkened. "It's over..."

"Commander, if you care about them... find a way to take them to a relatively safe place."

"I'll give it my best shot, but I can't guarantee anything..." Li Ming thought about their personalities and shook his head. "If only I had discovered it sooner."

"It's alright, Commander. This is just a trial."

"But for the people here, this is pure suffering. I can choose not to care about others, but to be honest..." Li Ming gave a bitter smile. "Indeed, I do like being close with beautiful girls."

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