In the bar inside the Shishapangma Fortress, Li Youde and Colonel Chen Ma were sitting together chatting.
"It's finally over... I didn't expect it would be such a big sacrifice."
"Hopefully the sacrifices are worth it."
"Actually, it's not easy for us to live until now to witness the reunification of the major forces."
"Yeah... I hope we can all live until the end of the war."
Chen Ma picked up the wine glass, took a sip, and asked, "What are you planning to do in the future?"
"We will prepare to return to the universe after one more day of rest. The defense of Mycenae is now empty and we must go back. Of course, I would also like to ask you to help us speak and approve our use of the fortress's liftoff orbit."
Chen Ma nodded: "No problem, I'm not boasting. With our launch trajectory, it only takes a week to prepare a huge battleship before and after it goes to the universe!"
Li Youde toasted a glass of wine and said, "That's great! Otherwise, it would take a month to find other methods."
Chen Ma waved his hand, and the two clinked glasses and drank. There was another table not far from theirs, where Edward, Luke, Natasha and Zhang Lei were sitting. Zhang Lei asked Luke: "Luke, how many more days can you stay?"
"We have to leave tomorrow. The war in Europe is still tense."
Edward patted him on the shoulder: "When will the new European Union enter the universe? Remember to come to Mycenae to play with us!"
Luke looked troubled: "The universe...isn't everything different in a gravity-free environment? You still have to do a long time of training to go to the universe..."
Edward patted his chest and said, "What are you afraid of? I didn't do any training when I entered the universe, and I felt very comfortable."
Natasha complained at the side: "Yeah, you vomit a lot."
"Tsk! Don't tear me down!"
"Where's Lin Ao? How is he?"
As soon as Zhang Lei said this, the good atmosphere that Edward had managed to create disappeared instantly, and everyone was silent. Edward was still hesitating whether to say it or not. Natasha felt that she had to tell Luke anyway, so she said:
"Lin Ao suffered a huge blow this time. He was paralyzed yesterday due to blood loss. After a night of blood transfusion, I could only stand up and walk a few steps when I went to see him today. It's so pitiful..."
Natasha also had the experience of having her lover killed, and she felt for Lin Ao's pain, and her words were very desolate and sympathetic.
Several people were speechless until they parted ways to say goodbye.
…
"How's your recovery going?"
Anton brought a bag of snacks to visit Lin Ao. He could tell at a glance that Lin Ao looked much better than the day before yesterday.
Although Lin Ao still looked sad because of Elizabeth's death, he didn't want everyone to worry about him, so he deliberately squeezed out a smile to welcome Lieutenant Anton.
"Thank you, Lieutenant, for coming to see me. I am more energetic today than yesterday. The doctor said that I can return to the team in two days."
"Don't be anxious, just take good care of your health."
Anton placed the condolence gift on Lin Ao's bedside table, took another look at his condition, and said, "The reason why you are so ill this time is because of the ability you told me before, right?"
"Well, the doctor said it was excessive blood loss. But it's just the loss of blood that won't paralyze me. I think it's still a side effect of the ability to activate."
"It's a double-edged sword...you should avoid using it."
"This is beyond my control... I also understand now that every time I am stimulated, I feel that time slows down. Elizabeth's death stimulated me too much this time, and the side effects after the end of my ability will be even greater."
"...This is not a gift, but some kind of curse! I remember that Dr. Hohenheim always used to do physical examinations on you when he was on the ship. At that time, I thought he was just looking for trouble. Now that I think about it, he might know something."
Lin Ao shook his head: "I don't think the doctor knows. He is just doing things based on his own intuition based on what the Moore Chamber of Commerce has done. Speaking of which, when President Thomas met me, he specifically mentioned that he expected me to wake up. It was too weird. Already…”
"The Moore Chamber of Commerce... I can go back to the universe in a few days. Once I'm in the universe, I can ask Li Youde to go to the 'Shang'. Then you can ask Thomas?"
"No...I don't think that's a good idea."
Anton took out a banana from the bag, peeled one for Lin Ao and handed it to him, saying: "You can still buy bananas here, but they are not from the earth. They seem to be transported from the agricultural satellite of the Chang'an Cooperation Organization. The Earth's."
This was Lin Ao's first time eating bananas. This fruit was not uncommon a hundred years before he was born. However, as the earth's environment continued to deteriorate, the banana fruit was almost extinct. It took scientists many years to breed new varieties. , but the output of new banana varieties on Earth has always been very low, and they are basically fruits enjoyed by the rich and powerful. Even though the bananas produced on Earth do not taste as good as those produced in the universe, they are not big in size.
In fact, Lin Ao had no appetite for anything now. After swallowing a few mouthfuls of banana, he suddenly asked: "Where is Zhuge Daozi?"
Anton was afraid that he would ask this. Now Lin Ao only gets excited when he mentions Zhuge Daozi. He didn't want Lin Ao to fall into the whirlpool of hatred, but he really couldn't stand the torture in Lin Ao's eyes.
"...According to the information I know, he is currently in the HER-occupied area of India and seems to be preparing to return to the universe."
"Thanks."
Anton said earnestly: "Lin Ao, don't focus solely on avenging Elizabeth. I have been a soldier longer than you. I came from the fighter era. I have seen many people carrying hatred, and their fate None of them are good...Hate is a very heavy stone. If you don’t hold it all the time and move forward, it will be difficult.”
"Thank you, Lieutenant."
Anton sighed, stood up and prepared to leave. Before leaving, he thought of something, dug in his pocket and threw an epaulette to Lin Ao.
"What's this?"
"You have been in the army for so long and you still don't know the epaulettes? This is for you, you have been promoted to second lieutenant!"
"Eh?!"
"In view of your performance during this period...but I can tell you, don't expect to surpass me in military rank!"
Anton threatened jokingly.
…
The Red Knight felt uncomfortable. His limbs were chained by heavy shackles, which made it almost impossible for him to find a comfortable position in the small cell. And according to HER's convention, the energy of the battleship will not be distributed to the cells on the ship. The only light source for the entire cell is a palm-sized peek window on the cell door. The light in the corridor will shine into the cell through the peek window, which can There isn't much light coming in.
He has been imprisoned here for several days, and no one has come to see him. According to some sounds he heard and his own guess, the Wuhou class who imprisoned him is preparing to go to space, and may be sending him to New Rome. Conduct a trial. This cell is currently surrounded by iron walls. If Zhuge Daozi has a conscience, he might find himself a desk and chair with a safety belt when he breaks through the atmosphere. If he doesn't care about himself, he will definitely die here when he breaks through the atmosphere.
The Red Knight thought that the assassination of Manfred was true, but Elizabeth's death had nothing to do with him and was framed by Zhuge Daozi. If he had the opportunity to say something to Manfred and make him believe that he was wronged, maybe everything would turn around, even if the Red Knight was not willing to beg for mercy from his enemy. But will Zhuge Daozi give him this opportunity? Imagine that from the time you met Zhuge Daozi in the military academy, you unknowingly regarded Zhuge Daozi as an easily manipulated young master, and expected to use him to quickly rise to power to accumulate strength for his revenge. Unexpectedly, the person who was finally plotted was the Red Knight himself.
Thinking of this, the red knight could only smile bitterly. Just at this moment, there was the sound of footsteps in the corridor outside the cell, belonging to only one person.
"You avoid it."
"yes!"
It was Zhuge Daozi, and the red knight would definitely recognize his voice. He sent away the guards guarding him.
The red knight said angrily: "Are you going to lynch me?"
The red knight could only see half of Zhuge Daozi's face through the window. His tone was the same as usual, but his eyes seemed to be looking at a dead person. : "Me? I don't dare. I'm here to tell you good news."
"good news?"
"You can choose to stay in this cell for a few weeks and be sent to New Rome for execution; or as a warrior, enjoy one more fight before being executed."
The red knight smiled and said, "You are so kind. Who are you fighting with? You won't let me fight with my former subordinates, right?"
Zhuge Daozi sneered: "I don't have such a bad taste. Don't worry, I will accept your former subordinates as long as they are not involved in your childish revenge plan. As for your opponent, he is someone you like very much, Ten Swords 2 Lin Ao from Unit No. 2."
"You...not only killed Elizabeth, but you also didn't let Lin Ao go? Didn't you let go of any of the chess pieces you used?"
"Do you accept it?" Zhuge Daozi said.
The red knight laughed loudly and said, "Hahaha! Thank you, you are indeed the ideal opponent for the final battle. But if I win, what will happen to you?"
"Of course you are reporting your merits to His Majesty the Emperor. As for whether he will not kill you because of this, I don't know. So, you agreed?"
"accepted."
"Hehehe... Very good. I am a person who keeps my word. I said I will install a laser knife on your body, and it will be installed. I have arranged for technicians to modify it, and you can enjoy your last A battle.”
"Aren't you afraid that I will run away if I win?"
"I won't let you escape."
"How are you sure Lin Ao will fight me."
"I have my own way. I will allow you to check and adjust the body before your duel. Okay, have a good rest."
"Wait!!"
The red knight stopped Zhuge Daozi who was about to leave:
"Zhuge Daozi, what are you going to do? No matter what, there is no need to kill Elizabeth!"
Zhuge Daozi looked at the Red Knight in the dark cell through the spy window, and said coldly: "Do you know why you lost? Because you were too soft-hearted. You wanted to assassinate Manfred, but you couldn't bear to do anything to his daughter. .You have been with Princess Mary for a long time. If you had made good use of her, my plan would never have gone as smoothly as it did now. But you actually sent her back? How ridiculous! It was your incompetence that killed Boris Wait for someone willing to follow you!”
"...You haven't answered me yet about your purpose."
"Purpose? At first, just like you, I wanted to take revenge on Manfred, who killed my mother. But as time goes by, I am no longer interested in revenge. Now I just want more rights. Okay. Goodbye! Goodbye, my friend!"
Zhuge Daozi left, and the red knight leaned against the cell door and remained silent for a long time. After a while, a faint voice came from outside the door:
"Your Excellency Red Knight, I believe you."
The sound came from the guards guarding the Red Knight.
"Oh? What do you believe in me?"
"You are innocent. You are the reason why I am willing to join the army. I do not believe that you will betray the empire. You will definitely be acquitted."
The red knight smiled. He wanted to tell the guard that his treason was true, but Elizabeth's death had nothing to do with him. But he didn't do that. He wanted this young man who admired him to do something for him, something he just thought of.
"Thank you, would you like to help me with something?"
"Um...I don't dare let you escape."
"No, you misunderstood. I hope you can pass a message to me."
"That's okay, I'm happy to help."
"Thank you. I know this is risky. But what I want to say is very important. Please inform Lieutenant Colonel Taglis and ask him to protect Princess Mary!"
"I'll find a way."
"Thank you."
The red knight breathed a sigh of relief, but he still couldn't calm down. Even though he was already like this, he was still trying to protect Princess Mary. His intuition told him that Zhuge Daozi would definitely not let Mary go. Although Taglis did not have much contact with him, the Red Knight knew that this person's talent and judgment of the situation were extraordinary. He believed that only Taglis could do this. arrive.
