The battle between Rhodes Island and the Reunion Movement had to be forcibly paused following the death of Bonecrusher.
Despite the unexpected turn of events, the Reunion mercenaries still had a crushing numerical advantage. However, after watching the enraged Revi tear apart the assassin, fear quickly spread among the remaining troops.
After all—who would dare face such a slaughterer?
With both sides having lost the will to fight, retreat became the most reasonable option.
Though Revi wasn't exactly saddened by Bonecrusher's death, he was clearly disinterested after the battle. At Misha's tearful request, he not only agreed to spare Bonecrusher's former comrades but also turned a blind eye to Amiya's decision to release the Regicide.
At that moment, all he wanted was to return to Rhodes Island with Misha and finally get some real sleep.
After all, in dreams, anything is possible (seriously).
However, things weren't that simple—
"Those bastards dared to send the Emperor's Internal Guard into Lungmen?!"
Wei Yenwu was rarely this furious, roaring inside his office.
The necklace Revi had brought back completely ignited the anger of Lungmen's ruler. Regardless of how the "Emperor's Blades" had infiltrated Lungmen—whether through some power or method—the fact remained: Lungmen had been breached.
This was no ordinary infiltration by some "Ursus citizens." The arrival of the Emperor's Internal Guard was essentially an act of invasion.
"Which is why I said from the start—Lungmen's defenses are far from secure."
Even Kelsey's expression had turned cold. She had considered the possibility of Ursus's shadow behind Reunion's Chernobog operation, but she never expected the Empire to act with such audacity.
Maybe the secrets Misha possessed weren't the main concern after all. What truly mattered was—
Ursus was ready.
Ready to invade Lungmen.
Misha, and even the exposed Imperial Guard, were just convenient pretexts to justify their aggression.
"Huff… huff…"
Wei Yenwu was breathing heavily, barely restraining his fury. His clenched fists trembled, and his eyes seemed ready to spit fire.
Ursus had gone too far. Did they really think Lungmen was some pushover, ripe for the taking?
No matter how strained his relations with his "cousins" might be, Lungmen remained a nomadic city belonging to Yan.
And Yan—the ancient dragon—had never bowed to any invader.
From the brazen Eastern invasion decades ago, to the war with Columbia ten years back—this ancient power had never shown its full strength. The East was left broken after that war, downgraded to a second-tier city-state. Columbia, after heavy losses, had no choice but to retreat and acknowledge the old dragon's overwhelming might.
Ursus—do you really want to become the next East or Columbia? Or are you naive enough to think Yan will let Lungmen be swallowed up without a fight?
"Ursus's target is Lungmen. Reunion is just the tool."
Revi said coldly: "They don't need to send troops themselves. They just need to manipulate Reunion into attacking Lungmen—then they can intervene under the pretense of eliminating a terrorist group."
"Reunion—how dare they?!"
"You think they wouldn't? Then tell me, who attacked us in the slums? Ghosts?"
"Revi!"
Kelsey stepped in to calm him down as his tone grew confrontational. Revi merely looked deeply at Wei Yenwu, then said:
"I'm not blaming you, Mr. Wei. Truth be told, Lungmen's survival doesn't concern me."
"I've seen what happened in Chernobog... I just don't want Lungmen to end up the same."
Wei and Revi locked eyes—one second, two, five, ten.
At last, the ruler of Lungmen sighed.
"I'll give you—and Rhodes Island—an explanation for the incident in the slums. Let's ensure our agreement still holds."
"Of course," Kelsey answered before Revi could. "As long as Lungmen sees Rhodes Island as an ally, we will fight alongside you as one."
Wei nodded.
"Then, Lungmen needs time—and I'm sure Rhodes Island does too. Escort them out!"
Scene break
"I thought you'd blame me."
On the return trip to Rhodes Island, Revi uncharacteristically didn't bicker with Kelsey.
"Regardless of your tone, what you said was the truth," Kelsey replied without looking back. "Ursus's plot is plain to see. Even if the Emperor's Blades hadn't been exposed, their relationship with Lungmen would remain tenuous at best."
"I just think... their plan isn't that simple."
Revi squinted as he looked out the airship window at Lungmen below. "The Emperor's Blades were revealed too early. Sure, that might be due to the sensitive intel Misha had—but I don't think it was worth revealing their identity, let alone provoking Lungmen's hostility. The truth is, Lungmen is far more vulnerable when unprepared."
"You mean... Ursus didn't actually plan to invade yet?"
"No, that's not what I mean." Revi frowned in thought. "I think Ursus is laying a trap—a plan that ensures Yan can't interfere, while letting them occupy Lungmen easily."
"…What do you mean?"
"I don't know yet. But I get the feeling Ursus doesn't intend to 'invade' in the traditional sense. These bears know better than to provoke the dragon directly… but they're scheming something—something that bypasses confrontation."
"I'll consult the Doctor about this—maybe they can see what we can't."
"Yeah… no matter what, the Doctor is still the best strategist in this world," Revi sighed. "I just hope, this time... she remembers to protect the pawns she moves across the board."
Kelsey furrowed her brows but remained silent. Revi exhaled deeply.
"Mark my words… Lungmen's in trouble. Sooner or later—it'll start in the slums."