Chapter 1201: The Despicable Couple Goes Too Far
Holding the phone with an ugly doll charm dangling from it, Eiji followed the directions toward the deepest part of the expansion island.
These expansion islands surrounding the four main islands varied in size but were generally much smaller than the main islands. Comparatively, they were like tiny boats beside a cruise ship.
With all the mechanical soldiers and beastmen defeated, no enemies had appeared for a long time. It seemed the opposing side was nearing their limit.
"From here, you can still see that Deep Sea Tomb, can't you?"
Eiji strolled leisurely across the island, advancing unimpeded.
His gaze even drifted southward from the expansion island to the ocean liner docked at the western island of Itogami Island. Located in the northeast, this expansion island wasn't far from that harbor.
"Seems like they're observing us?"
Moguwa said thoughtfully.
"Nearby surveillance cameras captured the Duke watching us from the deck."
"Hmph, I see."
Eiji responded with a noncommittal hum.
"By the way, how long are you planning to follow me?"
He stopped walking.
His eyes turned toward the empty corner behind him.
"Ara, so you noticed after all?"
The transparent camouflage spell dissipated, and the silver-haired princess appeared before him without any hesitation, completely unashamed.
"Although I know I'm quite charming, wouldn't it be improper for a princess to be secretly stalking someone? What would people say if this got out?"
"Hehe, you misunderstand, Mr.Nangong. I just wanted to lend you a hand."
Lavria covered her mouth with a light laugh, her expression completely innocent.
Someone who didn't know her might actually be fooled by that face of hers.
"Speak like a human."
"..."
Lavria was momentarily stunned, then her pretty face darkened.
"There's something I'd like to ask you, Mr.Nangong."
As if unaware of his sarcasm, she walked up to him as if nobody else was around.
"Back at the monastery, did you refuse to shake my hand, or did you not notice my intention to do so?"
"You guess."
Eiji gave her a smiling reply.
Then he continued walking forward.
Seeing that he didn't refuse her company, Lavria smiled faintly and quickly caught up with him.
"I think someone as sharp as Mr.Nangong couldn't possibly have missed my intention to shake hands."
"So what?"
"So why did Mr.Why did Nangong refuse to shake my hand?"
Lavria blinked, her blue eyes seeming to speak as they showed a hint of mischief.
"Look, I'm somewhat of a beauty, aren't I? Shaking hands with me wouldn't be any loss at all!"
The princess said this with complete confidence.
She truly was a rare beauty. Even by Eiji's standards, while calling her a reincarnated goddess of beauty might be going too far, she could certainly rival the various goddesses of mythology.
Moreover, her status as a princess and future queen was a huge bonus - anyone would hope to get close to her.
Eiji tilted his head and glanced at her sideways.
Lavria lightly brushed her silver hair, showing a confident smile.
"Not as pretty as me in drag."
"???"
Lavria's face filled with question marks.
"You've cross-dressed before?"
"Of course not!"
Eiji flatly denied it.
Luvia narrowed her eyes, her face full of suspicion.
If you've never worn it, how do you know I wouldn't look better than you in women's clothing?
"Hey, watch out! The enemy's final stand is coming!"
Just then, Mogwai suddenly shouted a warning.
As soon as the words fell—
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The rolling shutters of the surrounding warehouses, whose contents were unknown, automatically opened one after another.
From them emerged rows of pitch-black combat vehicles as tall as buildings!
These vehicles stood about seven to eight meters high, equipped with six flexible mechanical legs. Their appearance resembled giant ants covered in lobster-like shells, with oval-shaped bodies housing hemispherical heads, from which extended two antenna-like auxiliary arms.
Over a dozen of these legged combat vehicles moved with the precision of worker ants, immediately surrounding the two in a uniform formation as soon as they emerged.
"What is this?"
Luvia focused intently on examining the vehicles, her pretty face quickly tightening with tension.
"Could these be the 9,000-year-old relics excavated from the 9th Mehrgarh ruins in South Asia at the end of the 20th century? The weapons created by the gods that destroyed countless cities and civilizations—Nalakuvara?!"
"Thank you for the thoughtful explanation, Your Highness!"
As if monitoring the area, the surrounding speakers suddenly activated.
"You are correct! These are the destructive weapons created by the ancient gods to annihilate civilizations on earth, commonly known as Nalakuvara!"
A low, hoarse male voice echoed from the speakers.
"I heard the Nalakuvara stored in the South American museum were recently stolen by beastmen from the Black Death Emperor Faction. So, the one colluding with Beatrice is you, Christopher Gadwin?"
Luvia's expression turned intensely grave.
To think they had just escaped one danger only to fall into another!
The reputation of the gods' weapons was no less fearsome than that of the artificial angels. Moreover, the artificial angels were merely preliminary versions, while these were complete divine weapons!
Christopher Gadwin.
He was one of the former executives of the Black Death Emperor Faction. With both of the faction's leaders now deceased, he had become the highest-ranking official in the group.
"As expected of a princess, always so quick to label others. I can't bear the accusation of collusion. If not for that Ophiuchus acting as a middleman, I wouldn't have bothered with that vampire woman."
"Ultimately, our Black Death Emperor Faction upholds beastman supremacy! Whether vampires or humans, all should be subordinate to beastmen. Every race should serve the survival of beastmen. I won't allow this noble ideal to be slandered as collusion!"
A low, indignant roar erupted from the speakers.
"What kind of logic is that? Who would serve dogs?"
Eiji tilted his head in confusion, his words cutting straight to the heart.
"You so-called 'ists'—all kinds of ideologies on your lips, but nothing but self-interest in your hearts. Preaching insane theories under the guise of universal values? How brilliant! If you're so determined, why not go after the Lost Warlord? Defeat him, and beastmen will surely stand equal to vampires. I'm rooting for you!"
Lost Warlord: ??
Twice now, buddy. Do you have some kind of grudge against me?
Luvia stared at Eiji in amazement.
What sharp tongues!
Damn it, "dogs"!
If I were a beastman, I'd be furious by now!
"Shut up! How could a mere human like you ever understand the plight of us demonkind, hunted since ancient times!"
A roar erupted.
As expected, the beastman opposite had flown into a rage.
"Only by destroying this Demon Sanctuary Treaty-born Itogami Island will the world be plunged back into war, and our beastmen finally have the chance to rise!"
Wow.
Truly a typical [ideologue], always coming up with these outrageous mental gymnastics!
"So you mutts really are no match for the Lost Warlord."
Lavria wore an expression of profound pity, as if genuinely mourning their foolishness.
"He has already succeeded, while you're still struggling on the path. You'll spend your entire lives living in the Lost Warlord's shadow, never able to overturn your fate."