261: Turning Point of Fate 1

Lanka Tower, outside the Commerce Conference Hall corridor.

The roar of explosions echoed at the end of the corridor, fire and smoke intertwined, painting the once magnificent passage in a somber hue.

An old Imperial noble officer sneered, raising his orbment rifle, its muzzle aimed at Liberl Guard's last line of defense.

"Charge! Kill them!"

The soldiers behind him let out a fanatical roar, over twenty soldiers simultaneously raised their weapons, submachine guns spewing fire, bullets raining down on Liberl Guard's position.

Liberl Guard's defensive line continuously retreated under the dense firepower, the glow of their orbment shields flickering erratically, several soldiers were already injured, blood dripping from their uniforms onto the carpet.

"Hold steady!" Colonel Julia Schwarz's voice rang out through the communicator, her voice calm and firm, "Second squad, fill the gap on the left flank! Third squad, prepare for orbment healing magic!"

"Understood!"

Liberl's soldiers gritted their teeth, holding their defensive line with all their might. The orbment shields flickered continuously under the intense firepower, several soldiers were already injured, their uniforms stained with blood, but they still did not flinch.

"Bang!"

A bullet penetrated a weak spot in the shield, directly hitting a soldier's shoulder. He grunted, stumbling back a few steps, but was quickly pulled back to the defensive line by his comrade.

"Healing magic ready!"

A soft green light illuminated the injured soldier, his wound healing at a visible rate. But even so, the defensive line continued to waver under the enemy's fierce assault.

Princess Crois stood inside the conference hall, the sounds of gunfire incessant, her slender fingers tightly clutching her skirt.

"Your Highness," Grand Duke Albert said in a deep voice, "it's better to sit and wait. Worrying now is of no benefit."

Princess Crois shook her head: "I'm truly sorry, I can't be as calm as you."

Her gaze swept over Osborne and Rocksmith, who stood in the corner, their expressions seemingly solemn, yet their eyes gleamed with a light she couldn't comprehend.

What were they... waiting for?

Dieter slowly opened his eyes, pulling himself out of his memories.

His gaze swept over Osborne and Rocksmith, the corners of his mouth curving slightly into a contemptuous and mocking smile.

You think your plan is flawless?

You think everything that happens today will go according to your wishes?

You think that by secretly letting up, you can allow the terrorists to break through the defensive line?

Truly, ridiculously naive.

His eyes held undisguised ridicule, as if he were watching a clumsy performance.

Osborne seemed to sense his gaze, a flicker of gloom passing through his eyes.

Behind the terrorist front line, a masked man crouched behind cover, his submachine gun already overheated, its barrel glowing a dull red.

"Not much ammo left," he whispered to his companion beside him, "prepare for the final assault."

His companion nodded, taking the last high-explosive bomb from his waist: "For the true Republic!"

Just as he was about to rush out and detonate the bomb in front of Liberl Guard's defensive line.

"Boom!!!"

A deafening roar came from behind them, the terrifying shockwave directly throwing several terrorists into the air.

Also flying through the air was a metal door they had locked.

"What?!"

The masked man snapped his head back, his pupils suddenly contracting.

From within the dust, a massive white figure slowly emerged.

It was a tactical mech they had never seen before. It was pure white, with a streamlined shell that had no seams, and the emblem of the Interstellar Peace Corporation was emblazoned on its shoulder armor.

Its head was a smooth, curved visor, without facial features, only a cool blue light band running across it, like an icy gaze sweeping the battlefield.

"Arrived at mission location."

A mechanized voice emanated from inside the mech, devoid of any emotion.

The next second, its arms unfolded, revealing two miniature laser cannons in its palms, their muzzles glowing with a dangerous blue light.

"Target locked."

"Mission start."

The Bai Ze Mech's arms lifted, the hum of the laser cannons charging making the air itself tremble.

Blue laser beams, like the scythe of death, instantly pierced through the chests of several terrorists.

Their bodies fell, but the tissue and blood near the wounds had already vaporized in the high heat, not a single drop of blood reaching the ground.

"Retreat! Retreat quickly!"

The old Imperial noble officer's face instantly turned pale, and he fled frantically backwards. Although he couldn't understand what had just happened, he knew this was something that could easily kill him.

The terrorists ran quickly, but the Bai Ze Mech was even faster; its leg thrusters spewed blue flames, catching up to the fleeing enemies in an instant.

"Target group fleeing, potential for expanded collateral damage. Mission updated, leave none alive."

The mechanized voice sounded again, and the laser cannons charged once more.

The Bai Ze Mech's laser cannons charged again, blue light coalescing at the muzzles, like a star about to explode.

"Annihilation protocol initiated."

The mechanized voice was cold and calm, as if announcing a perfectly ordinary command.

Laser beams precisely pierced the vital points of every terrorist. One shot to the left chest, one to the right, and the final shot directly to the brain.

The terrorists didn't even have time to scream; parts of their bodies vaporized in the high heat, leaving not even a trace of ash.

Liberl Guard's soldiers stared in stunned silence at the scene, their weapons unconsciously lowering.

Julia's pupils contracted slightly; she had never seen such an efficient killing machine.

What... exactly is this technology?!

The Bai Ze Mech's movements were without the slightest pause; it walked with steady steps towards every fallen body.

If the charred remains left after being pierced by laser beams could still be called "bodies."

"Initiating battlefield cleanup protocol."

Its voice was still mechanized, yet carried a hint of merciless "iron blood."

The laser beams lit up again, performing a final confirmation on every possible "survivor."

Such as those with relatively intact torsos.

Liberl's soldiers instinctively took a few steps back, as if fearing that this cold machine would also include them as "cleanup targets."

Inside the conference hall, Dudley quickly walked over to Dieter, whispering: "Mayor, the battle outside has ended."

His voice held a hint of disbelief: "One 'person,' assuming it's a person, annihilated all the terrorists."

A flicker of understanding passed through Dieter's eyes, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly: "Is that so?"

His gaze swept over Osborne and Rocksmith, whose expressions had become exceptionally grim.

It seems the Corporation's 'insurance' has taken effect.

He stood up, straightening his suit: "Gentlemen, it seems the crisis outside has been resolved."

"How about we go take a look together?"

Princess Crois was the first to respond: "Good."

Her voice carried a hint of curiosity and wariness.

Grand Duke Albert nodded, following behind her.

Osborne and Rocksmith exchanged glances, a hint of gloom flashing in their eyes, but ultimately, they followed.