Chapter 119: Wise People (1/2)
Staring at the screen in a daze, Ivy thanked the runes that kept her in place along with the seatbelt in her mind for the hundredth time. Even though the cabinet twisted and turned, there were shock absorption runes that kept her stable.
'Why is he so good at this?' She wondered as she saw Arthur evade another soldier before dashing toward the door. With a slide, he reached the tunnel that led to the outside world.
They started racing until they reached the end of the tunnel, a fake hill that has been set to camouflage the entrance. The iron doors were closed shut, but Arthur used the offensive runes for the first time as mana guns shot out and destroyed it.
The mecha flew into the air as the forest appeared in front of her eyes, illuminated by the bright spring-sun. With veteran moves, she saw Arthur changed their mobility mode from tires to legs. They started running through the forest and the wilderness as the military alarm rang in their eyes.
***
When Zas heard the alarm, he knew they messed up. After all, they had no time to gather information about the actual schedule of the soldiers guarding the mechas. They had to go in blindly and hope for Arthur to prove himself capable enough.
”Everyone, please gather in the main conference room! General Ro will be waiting there!” Someone came into the hall and announced, starting numerous discussions among the Vetus-rank awakeners. They were gathered here to discuss strategies and formations to defend against the calamity spider, being the elite of the army. Being summoned by the general meant the situation was urgent.
Zas has already taken the time to hinder the work of the cameras by infiltrating the security section of the fortress and switching a few wires and destroying a few artifacts. It would take them a while to find out which wires or runes they need to replace.
When they reached the conference hall, the general was already waiting. His face was grim and his mouth making a thin line, a few beads of sweat above his thin mustache. He was facing the screens where a real-time video was playing.
”Dear sirs, I'm sorry to interrupt your preparations. However, I need to inform you that someone has stolen a mechanical humanoid vehicle.” The general nodded their way and the group shifted their attention to the screens. They showed several mechas chasing after a single target in the distance.
”We have no idea who is behind this. Judging by reports, the people behind this had a runes master and a well-trained mecha-pilot. They can be the same person, but that's highly unlikely.”
As the group watched on, the general resumed talking. The screens showed how the mecha expertly navigated through the terrain and used runes to throw its pursuers off. No matter how they tried, or how much mana they expanded, the mecha was able to evade them last-minute nimbly.
”That's why I've called you over. The mechas are sturdier, but they lack the abilities that would capture the stolen vehicle.” The general seemed reluctant to call the stolen mecha, well, a mecha. As if admitting this was too humiliating or painful. After all, they were the pride and tressures of the kingdom.
”General Ro,” A man stepped up from the crowd. He had dead eyes but a pleasant appearance. It was Zas. ”With all due respect, I think we have better things to worry about than your soldier's failure of keeping the weaponry safe.”
”How can you say that? A single mecha would make a huge difference in the upcoming battle.” A military captain stepped up and questioned. ”Do you want us to turn a blind eye to this?”
”Well, in normal circumstances, no.” Zas shook his head as he appeared regretful. ”However, this seems suspicious. A mecha is a national treasure. Unless a runes master who worked for the encryption company was involved, it would be tough to crack without working for several hours, if not a day.” Zas's eyes were suddenly sharp.
”With all due respect, again, I can't help but sense a traitor in our midst.” His words fell impactful on the minds of the rankers in the hall. The General frowned as well but didn't say anything. ”If we leave the fortress now to retrieve a mecha, I feel like we'd be falling into their trap.”
Some people nodded in agreement to his words and the captain fell silent. After all, it was suspicious how a mecha was stolen. Was there truly a traitor in their midst? If a key was stolen, it would explain how they able to unlock it so fast. It would also explain how they were so well-versed with piloting the mecha.
”Are there any missing pilots?” General Ro turned to the side and asked a man standing next to him. In a hurry, the man checked and answered that there was none in a few moments.
The hall turned chaotic and some voiced out their opinions, supporting Zas. As for others, they said that it was best to investigate every person involved, the present people included. Unknowingly, cracks started to appear between the awakeners and the army, and between those two factions themselves.