"The second-in-command actually wanted to dismantle the Motor League?"
Caesar and Lucy were shocked, their eyes widening to the extreme.
The Motor League was the only order in the Outer Ring; every faction and settlement survived in relative peace because of it.
Without the Motor League, the entire Outer Ring would descend into chaos, and bloody conflicts would explode a hundredfold.
At this moment, The Vanquishers—already furious at Lucius's deceit—grew even angrier, nearly wanting to tear him apart.
"Big sister, don't say that! I was young and foolish—I know I was wrong!" Lucius begged Qingyi and Pompey, pleading, "I was wrong, I really was! I only wanted the Vanquishers to do better, I had no selfish motives!"
'Big sister?'
Although she was not young, she disliked the address intensely.
Qingyi's gaze toward Lucius grew colder and more hostile as she continued, "There's also documentation showing he planned with a mysterious organization to destroy the oil-and-gas infrastructure the Outer Ring depends on, forcing the factions to obey their orders. He also proposed blowing up a place called Cinder Lake, and implementation has already begun."
"What!?"
The Sons of Calydon and everyone in The Vanquishers were stunned and glared at Lucius with fury.
Oil and gas are the survival foundation for the entire population of the Outer Ring; if the petroleum network were destroyed, the whole region would be paralyzed.
No faction could survive—motorcycles powered by gasoline and diesel would be erased overnight.
And Lucius had actually conspired with some mysterious group and entertained such a terrifying plan.
Even more terrifying was the question of why that mysterious organization wanted to subjugate the Outer Ring so meticulously.
Undermine the Motor League from within while killing it at the root—what an awful conspiracy.
Lucius was like a hidden viper, ready at any moment to strike fatally at the Motor League; letting him continue in The Vanquishers would have immeasurable, dreadful consequences.
"Boss Pompey, listen to me! I had my reasons!" Lucius shouted desperately.
He knew that if he didn't say more, he would surely die.
"Lucius, you disappoint me."
Pompey looked at Lucius with pain, squeezing his hand harder: "Tell me the name of that faction, and I'll give you a swift end."
His chosen successor—someone he had carefully groomed and who had taken on nearly half of The Vanquishers' authority—now wanted to be his and the Outer Ring's gravedigger; that kind of malice was worse than a backstabbing traitor.
If Lucius lived, he would be betraying the Motor League's trust, betraying The Vanquishers brethren, and betraying Pompey himself.
Pompey had no hesitation: Lucius must die.
"I can't say… they're too powerful."
Lucius struggled and gasped.
Crack!
Pompey's expression was flat as Lucius's neck was easily snapped in two.
This was a line he could not tolerate—Lucius had to die.
Pompey looked a little melancholy, forcing a smile as he said, "Thank you all for letting me know Lucius's true colors in time, so the Outer Ring didn't actually fall into danger. You will always be true friends of The Vanquishers—I stake my honor on it."
"Boss Pompey knows what's right; admirable."
Sol straightened and spoke solemnly.
Nicole, Caesar, and Zhu Yuan also couldn't help but praise Pompey for being able to both take responsibility and let go—an outstanding leader.
"Please, come to The Vanquishers' camp for a gathering—The Vanquishers will host the Outer Ring's heroes with the grandest feast!"
Pompey placed Lucius's corpse on the ground and spoke sincerely.
If Sol and the others had not come today, who knew how long Lucius would have concealed this, and what catastrophic outcomes might have followed.
"That won't be necessary—The Vanquishers have many matters to handle today, we won't take up your time; maybe another day."
Sol glanced at the people behind him and declined the invitation.
"Thank you for understanding." Pompey thanked them again and told Sol, "I'll deliver today's thanks and compensation once I've sorted out The Vanquishers' affairs."
"No need to go out of your way."
Sol looked at the wind-blown Outer Ring landscape and wasn't bothered by compensation.
The city had long since switched to ether-based power years ago, while the Outer Ring still ran on petroleum.
A gap of one—or several—eras; the Outer Ring was poor as could be. Aside from the people there, money and goods meant little to him.
Pompey turned to Caesar and said, "I'll promptly reassign the Motor League's transport routes. I won't allow the Sons of Calydon to be treated unfairly anymore."
"Thanks, uncle."
Caesar scratched his head, a little embarrassed.
Pompey smiled admiringly and asked, "Not trouble at all—that's my duty. Your friends are great—how did you meet them?"
From what he'd seen when he arrived and his subordinates' expressions, he knew Sol's group was frighteningly capable.
He was genuinely curious how the Son of Calydon had met such companions.
"..."
Caesar went silent; Lucy blushed; Piper felt awkward.
Their origin story was embarrassing—if told, they'd never hold their heads up again.
Who would have thought that the way they met Sol was during a bondage play?
"Aha, Sol and I met in an arms organization—call it fate!"
"Our other friends were introduced later by Sol; they're all great!"
Burnice flashed eight perfect white teeth in a radiant smile.
"That's right—exactly!"
Caesar and Lucy seized on the rescue and immediately agreed.
Unexpectedly, at this crucial moment, the most unreliable Burnice saved them.
"I understand."
Pompey dropped the subject and asked, "The Tour de Inferno is about to start—will the Son of Calydon participate?"
"Of course! The Son of Calydon will be champion of this Tour de Inferno!"
Caesar puffed his chest with boundless confidence.
"Young people are full of vigor, but don't be overconfident; The Vanquishers won't give up their dominant position easily." Pompey adjusted his tone and smiled, "If possible, I'd like to personally lead The Vanquishers to atone for the Motor League."
"Then let's see!" Caesar straightened, earnest and confident: "I won't lose anyway!"
Sol, Caesar, and the others mounted their bikes, while Perlman was locked into the trunk of Zhu Yuan's Public Security vehicle.
Just like when they came, Piper drove the big truck at the front while the others followed behind.
Pompey watched their vehicles depart, his gaze lingering for a long time.
There was a mysterious force coveting the Outer Ring and targeting his Vanquishers first—unforgivable.
This matter would not end here; any conspiracy must be repaid in blood!