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Time ticked by, second by second. Even Chaporos could feel the tense atmosphere, beads of sweat involuntarily forming on his forehead.
He knew all too well that the moment the battle erupted, he would be the most vulnerable. Against these three, he stood no chance of survival.
'I'm done for! These guys will definitely kill me first!'
Chaporos's heart pounded in his chest, fear gripping him.
"Of course," Runta suddenly said calmly, just as Chaporos thought the fight was about to begin.
With that single word, the oppressive atmosphere instantly dissipated.
Trens remained smiling, while Jason and Crocodile exchanged strange glances at Runta but remained silent.
Stepping aside, Runta allowed Chaporos and his three companions to approach Yilu.
As they drew closer, Chaporos finally saw Yilu's face. At first glance, his heart skipped a beat.
The woman, curled up with her knees drawn to her chest and her face buried between her legs, radiated a fragile vulnerability that stirred an instinctive urge to protect her.
"I think I've just seen love," Chaporos murmured, his voice dazed.
Even without seeing her face, the aura she exuded was intoxicating, arousing both fascination and tenderness.
His voice startled the woman, who slowly lifted her head.
It was then that Chaporos finally saw her face clearly.
An oval face, cherry-red lips, a delicate nose, large, luminous eyes, and dark hair cascading over her shoulders. Her features blended in perfect harmony, like a celestial being descended from the heavens, pure and untouched by earthly grime.
"I've been struck by love!" Chaporos's heart pounded wildly.
"Enough with the love talk! We need to move!"
At that moment, the three men behind him stepped forward, positioning themselves before Yilu.
Simultaneously, Trens whirled around, his rifle swinging to point directly at Runta.
"Don't move, or I'll shoot you!"
Jason and Crocodile had already positioned themselves in front of Yilu, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Lordling! We're here!"
The long-planned operation finally unfolded completely at this moment.
Jason's trio stepped before Lordling, their faces beaming as they spoke these words.
"We're here!"
The simple declaration immediately drew two streaks of tears down Yilu's pale cheeks. An overwhelming emotion, a mix of gratitude and fear, surged through her heart.
She had desperately hoped her companions would come to rescue her, yet she also knew how perilous such an attempt would be. One wrong move could cost them their lives. She worried for them, not wanting them to risk everything for her sake.
This conflicting emotion had tormented her endlessly during this time.
Even now, knowing they had arrived, she remained anxious and conflicted. Day and night, she had been trapped in this state, the pressure mounting relentlessly.
But at this moment, familiar faces finally stood before her.
And in that instant, she felt the warmth of family. It was as if a towering tree had silently taken root behind her, offering unwavering support—a place to lean on whether she was weary, exhausted, or heartbroken.
"Don't cry. We'll repay them a hundred thousand times over for every tear you've shed!"
Seeing Lordling's tears, Jason felt a sharp pain in his chest, and a surge of fury flooded his heart.
"Fu*kers, Celestial Dragons, whatever! Anyone who dares to wrong you will be wiped off the face of the earth!" he roared, his face contorted into a ferocious grimace.
"Boy, I'm taking my comrades now. Any objections?" Jason suddenly grabbed Chaporos by the collar, sending a shudder through the terrified man.
"N-no, none!" Chaporos stammered, nearly wetting himself in fear.
"Then you're coming with us. Fall behind even half a step or try to escape, and I'll hammer you to death!"
The next words that reached Chaporos's ears plunged him into despair.
"Lordling, from this moment on, you don't need to worry about anything. Just stand behind us!"
"We'll protect you!"
"Let's break through!" Jason shouted coldly.
"Mm!"
Lordling nodded fiercely, her face streaked with tears that dripped steadily onto the ground.
"Let's wash away the humiliation our comrade suffered with the blood of the Celestial Dragons!"
"Any objections? You two!" Jason snarled, his words directed at no one in particular, yet both Crocodile and Trens knew exactly who he meant.
"I must admit, your sudden surge of fervor has swept me up," Crocodile said, lighting a cigar with a sinister grin. "Then let's raise hell!"
"Jason-big brother, I'll follow your lead. And I won't let them get away with what they did to Lordling either," Trens added with a sinister smile, his eyes gleaming with malice.
"Then, right now, it's this guy!" Jason's gaze locked onto Runta.
In his furious state, Jason resembled an ancient Tyrannosaurus Rex, his overwhelming presence instantly weighing down on Runta.
"What a monster," Runta sighed, shaking his head.
At that moment, he was pinned down by Trens' gun, unable to move even an inch.
"But getting out of here won't be easy!"
With a sudden movement, Runta struck a bizarre pose, resembling an ape with bent arms swaying slightly.
"Mr. Runta has been very kind to me lately, Jason. Please spare him!" Lordling suddenly interjected.
"Hmm?" Jason's eyes narrowed in confusion.
"Though Mr. Runta often speaks of despair, his heart is still full of hope, just like mine. He has a spirit that refuses to give up."
"He must be waiting for something, right?" Lordling said, turning to Runta with a warm smile.
Runta's entire body trembled, his expression shifting through a complex mix of emotions.
'What was he waiting for? What could it be? Only he knew the answer.'
After living most of his life, he never imagined a young girl would see through him so easily. Runta sighed inwardly.
Hope, anticipation... how long had it been since he'd felt such emotions?
"Mr. Runta, come with us," Lordling urged. "The answers you seek can only be found outside these walls!"
Runta shook his head, his swaying arms stilling as he abandoned his fighting stance.
"You may leave. I won't attack you."
"Thank you, Mr. Runta," Lordling said, bowing in gratitude.
Jason and his companions exchanged puzzled glances with Runta but refrained from further aggression.
Crocodile lit a cigar, his gaze hardening as he passed Runta. An instinct told him this man was terrifying.
Watching the group's retreating figures, Runta's expression turned complex.
"What have I been waiting for?" he murmured. "I thought I'd never see it."
"But finally... it's here!"
As he spoke, tears streamed down his face.
"Comrades... they really exist!"
"They really exist, Captain!"
"Captain, can you see them? A group has finally appeared!"
"They defy authority, fear nothing, and risk their lives to save their comrades!"
"Pirates... just as you said. They exist for freedom, dreams, and comrades!"
Runta never revealed what he had endured or what he had been waiting for. But we know this: the man had finally found what he sought.
(End Of This Chapter)