Stream Vanguard surrounded the "city."
The city was as quiet as death.
The youths who had once arrived for the trials, filled with excitement and trepidation, now stood on the very grounds where they had once assembled and waited... Behind them was a forest of long blades of vengeance.
Due to the climate, the grass underfoot was sparse, leaving exposed patches of sand and dirt, their footsteps rustling continuously.
Not far ahead stood a church on the outermost edge of the architectural complex. It was here, years ago, that they had first laid eyes on Charles Alphonse, a direct descendant of the Alphonse family.
Rusty Sister had mentioned that this church was modeled after Notre-Dame de Paris, with only a few minor alterations and on a slightly smaller scale.
Even so, it still loomed tall and imposing.
"Looks like Alphonse isn't coming out. What about us—aren't we charging straight in?" Old Hugh, still riding the high of the slaughter and eager for more, ran over to ask.
Han Qingyu turned to look at him and shook his head.
"There probably aren't many people left inside, but their combat power is relatively high. Urban warfare scatters formations, which puts ordinary soldiers at a severe disadvantage. If they run into top combatants, casualties will be heavy."
From the sound of it, the first group entering would consist only of their longtime core team, Theodore, and perhaps the newly arrived female top-tier.
The supers and the gun would handle Alphonse, while the rest would either protect Wen Jifei and the gun or deal with any other enemies.
Such a lineup seemed formidable enough, yet the sensation of delving deep into enemy territory with an isolated force still stirred unease.
"Then at least we can go, right?" As one of Stream Vanguard's top combat powers, Black Tooth also ran over, asking anxiously.
"You? You and the others should lead the fighters and keep this place surrounded for now." As Han Qingyu spoke, he pointed to the communicator on the right side of his chest, continuing, "If the need arises, I'll call you. You can charge in then, or we can pull back first."
"Don't worry, it's not very big in there," he added.
The communicator stayed open; during battle, every word Han Qingyu spoke would be relayed through it.
Surrounding the city on all sides, the warriors of Stream Vanguard stood in silence. In this moment, the feeling that their lives were valued was wonderful, but as for putting it into words, they didn't know how, nor were they accustomed to it.
"That's all. If you see anyone try to escape, kill or intercept them. Don't let a single one slip away. Remember, the ones inside are the filthiest of all. Not a single one escapes."
Alphonse most likely wouldn't flee. There were too many eyes watching from the perimeter; if he ran, he would completely lose whatever reliance and preparations he had for a final stand. Others, however, might well try to make a break for it, which was why Han Qingyu had added those words.
His voice faded.
"Yes, sir!" A colossal, unified shout echoed from every direction as the besieging warriors raised their blades and roared.
After that surge of heroic passion—
*Clatter!* Six warriors carried over three large wooden crates, setting them down on the ground beside Han Qingyu and the others.
The crates looked quite heavy. The lids were opened...
"What is that?"
"Full armor! Three suits of full armor."
"...The King really is both fierce and meticulous."
Amid low murmurs of discussion, Han Qingyu began donning the armor, Theodore began donning the armor, and Wu Xu began donning the armor.
The full armor was prepared for the super combat powers, to test whether it could offer some slight protection against one of Alphonse's devouring attacks.
Because the quality of the dead iron was far inferior to Rusty Sister's suit and completely lacked an internal circulation system, it would be useless for anyone else to wear it. The others could only rely on Han Qingyu and the two supers to protect them and ensure they did not face Alphonse directly.
*Click.* *Click.* *Click.*
With three more iron men around, Rusty Sister looked at them happily, feeling quite pleased, even though the full armor worn by Han Qingyu and the others was nothing like hers... Theirs was far uglier.
The full armor of the three looked more like suits of knight's armor. The visor could be flipped up, and the mouth area featured a grated ventilation grille.
"Not bad," Han Qingyu said after testing it, then pushed the visor up to the top of his head.
An unexpected situation arose at that very moment.
*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...* The sound of erupting source energy came from within the city.
Someone came running toward the front, entering the church from the rear.
Before long, *creak*, the balcony doors high up on the church swung outward.
Six die-hard warriors of the Alphonse family strode out, lining up to the left and right.
Then, a figure who appeared to be in his fifties stepped out at a slow pace, coming to a halt between them.
Because of this person's appearance, the crowd—including Han Qingyu and his companions—stood with their heads slightly tilted back, all freezing for an instant.
"Who's that?" some warriors asked in confusion.
"Alphonse?!" murmured Howard, who had been trailing behind Stream Vanguard, utterly dazed.
"It's Alphonse! He came out!" Spectators and reporters who had sneaked along far to the flanks also began chattering in astonishment.
When everyone had assumed Alphonse would refuse to come out and face them, he had appeared. Yet he had brought only six men with him—hardly looking like someone preparing for battle.
"Full armor? What is Major Qing afraid of?" From the high balcony, Alphonse spoke, looking at the iron armor on Han Qingyu.
"Afraid?" Han Qingyu looked up at him, then suddenly smiled. "I just take everything I do seriously. In the past, even if I wasn't great at my studies, I still worked hard to prepare for exams. This time, to kill you, I've prepared just as earnestly."
*He seems so calm,* people thought.
"It seems Major Qing is indeed fearless," Alphonse conceded, then abruptly added, "And so, with complete composure, you swing your blade against the history of Azure."
This statement was somewhat abstract and puzzling. Just as people began to ponder it, Alphonse suddenly raised both hands like a despairing priest, calling out loudly:
"The contents of Pandora's box have finally been unleashed! The stride of Huaxia devouring Azure begins with my destruction!"
This phrasing remained somewhat cryptic, yet everyone understood it—because Azure's wariness and vigilance toward the Huaxia Front and Chen Buer had never been a secret.
So Alphonse meant—the so-called revenge of Major Qing was actually Huaxia purging dissidents, eliminating obstacles, and preparing to swallow Azure whole?
The people in the distance pondered this.
Alphonse cast his gaze over them, scanning Howard's team, the reporters, the onlookers, and those lurking in hiding... Then, in a desolately solemn voice, he said:
"You all came waiting to watch this battle, did you not? My ignorant children of Azure, perhaps deep down, you even secretly hope for their victory?
"And so you wait—waiting for my death, waiting for a new star to rise, merely because he appears to be on the side of justice and holds more value for you and this world...
"Will my death bring you joy? Will you cheer? Until that day comes when your regret is too late."
As his voice fell, the crowds on both flanks fell into silence.
Chapter 568