Chapter 1374 - Bitter Struggle (2/2)

Before the operation began, Rhode had already assigned Lapis her task. He knew that after he attracted the attention of the Chaos Core, the amount of Chaos attacking the defensive lines would decrease dramatically. Thus, he requested Lapis to strike at the right time and plant the Plane Destruction Bombs.

That way, when he returned, she could activate the Plane Destruction Bombs right away to stop the Chaos that was trailing him, at the same time sealing Chaos entirely on the outside, ensuring that they wouldn’t invade their world. However, Lapis didn’t expect that she would have to fulfill her mission so soon.

“Are we really going to…”

“We’re running out of time, Lapis. Don’t forget that it’s Rhode’s orders!”

Marlene knew what Lapis was hesitant about. One of the features of the Plane Destruction Bomb was that it couldn’t be dismantled after installation. Due to this feature, it was like putting a nail in the wall of ‘space’ after installation. Moreover, there was no way to remove the nail and it could only be detonated. Not only that, but also the longer it was left in space, the more unstable it would be.

According to Lapis’s calculations, even if it wasn’t timed after the installation, its stability period was only 24 hours at most. After 24 hours, space would instinctively reject foreign objects, and the affected Plane Destruction Bombs would become increasingly unstable and might explode at any chance.

Back then, in the Darkness Capital, Rhode and the others were around to guard the place and everyone was together within the safe time. That was why Lapis wasn’t worried. But it was different now. Rhode was nowhere to be seen. No one knew when he would get out of the core. If she were to plant the Plane Destruction Bombs and he hadn’t returned after 24 hours, things would get perilous. Who knew; maybe he finally broke free from Chaos and the Plane Destruction Bombs detonated at the same time. In that explosion… Things would surely be lively.

That was why Lapis was extremely reluctant to carry out the order. She was hoping that she could at least contact Rhode and install the Plane Destruction Bombs after hearing back from him. This way, at least he would be able to escape safely. As for the Plane Destruction Bombs, Lapis could control them except for the countdown timer. As soon as she saw Rhode’s return, it was possible for her to detonate them by remote control.

But that also meant that Rhode had a 24 hour buffer. If he didn’t return within 24 hours, he would face the threat of the detonated Plane Destruction Bombs.

“No, Miss Marlene. There’s no word from Sir Rhode yet. If I were to plant the Plane Destruction Bombs now, it would be too dangerous for him!”

What surprised Marlene was that this time, Lapis was determined to disagree with her approach. Of course, Marlene also knew that it was dangerous for Rhode. But the problem was that she had other considerations of her own. The interference from Chaos was too great that she couldn’t contact him using spiritual communication. If Rhode still couldn’t be contacted on his way back, wouldn’t it be too late to reach him after he entered the Void Territory?

Both sides had their own reasons. It wasn’t that Marlene was unconcerned about Rhode but these were his orders. And while Lapis knew that, she trusted her own judgment more. Now that Chaos was in full retreat, a fool would also know that Rhode wouldn’t be able to make it back as easily as he predicted. Not to mention, the amount of Chaos he would encounter on his return alone would be several times greater than expected.

This might prolong the time required on his return as well. On the other hand, Lapis had her own reasons too. Previously, when Rhode created the plan, he didn’t predict that Chaos would retreat all at once, so the plan had to be changed now. As a technician, she was responsible for the technical aspects of the whole plan. She wouldn’t do anything that could potentially be dangerous to him.

“Yawn…”

At that moment, a yawn broke the tense atmosphere. Everyone turned around and saw Orchid Heart, who leaned against the wall, yawning and looking helplessly at the others.

“My junior sure is loved by everyone… Lapis, your views are right. But Marlene, you aren’t wrong either… Tell you what, Marlene. I’ll contact Rhode. Even though it will take some time, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem. If nothing surprising happens, I am 80 percent sure that I will be able to reach him. Lapis, in the meantime, you and Marlene will go ahead and set up the Plane Destruction Bombs for other areas and wait for my orders.”

“Huh?”

Upon hearing her words, everyone was stunned.

“Miss Orchid Heart, you are able to contact Rhode?”

It wasn’t surprising that Marlene asked this question. Although she was Rhode’s card spirit, there was no way for her to contact him through the spiritual communication. In that case, it was even more impossible for Orchid Heart, who was a phantom guardian, to reach him. But why was she so confident of her chances?

“Should be fine.”

In response to Marlene’s question, Orchid Heart yawned once more, before looking at the crowd with a lazy smile.

“After all, we’re members of the same guild. So at least… The guild mailbox should still be working.”