Chapter 264
As we walked down the passageway, the sensation in my legs gradually seemed to return. Moving slowly, I spoke up.
“We’re heading to the landing pad, right? Have you been there already? How is it inside?”
“Hmm… a little? I just took a look. You’ll know when you see it yourself. One thing’s for sure, it’s not dangerous. Though there are some very annoying things.”
Ms. Kali’s tone was ambiguous.
“Annoying things”? I wanted to ask more, but just walking while being supported was overwhelming enough for me.
As we headed toward the large entrance leading to the landing pad, the doors opened, and the dolls on either side flashed their sensors, scanning our bodies once over.
It seemed they were checking whether we were terrorists or not. As expected, the Meredith Family was in control of the landing pad.
Walking a little further, I saw various flying vehicles parked inside compartments of glass structures modified with the crests of different families and visitors standing in front of them, murmuring.
As soon as I saw the closest group of Visitors, I thought I knew what the first “annoying thing” was.
Matilda Sedouforne was glaring in this direction with sharp eyes.
“That bitch…”
She looked as if she was forcefully holding back her itching mouth, wanting to order the escort surrounding her, “Go and slap that bitch’s cheek!' at any moment.
If Iron Dog Invincible Maximus were under her command right now, she probably would order an attack immediately without the slightest hesitation.
However, Maximus is not here right now, and his life or death is unknown as he is engaged in a fierce battle with the chrome monster Rodrick.
Of course, we were heavily outnumbered, and since I was practically in an incapacitated state, if Matilda Sedouforne acted crazy and ordered her escort to charge, there was no telling what the outcome would be.
Because of that, a cold tension flowed between the two families.
I had already let go of Ms. Kali’s support early on and was standing in an awkward stance.
It would be a disaster if I were looked down upon as a cripple who couldn’t even walk properly and suffered an attack from the Sedouforne People.
Under those sharp gazes seemingly measuring our combat power, I deliberately straightened my back and fiddled with my weapon, trying to look threatening.
I wasn’t sure how effective it was. If they backed down, my contribution would be close to zero, and it would largely be thanks to Ms. Kali.
She was an incredible master who could even fight on par with the A-rank ronin Maximus, after all.
Among the Sedouforne Family’s escort, there was probably no expert who could confidently fight head-to-head against Ms. Kali.
Still, the path here must not have been smooth, as Ms. Kali also showed signs of considerable exhaustion, which was probably why she was subtly testing the waters.
I wondered how long this suffocating standoff would last, but unexpectedly, it ended in less than a minute.
Ruumble.
The sliding door at the back went up, and someone else entered the landing pad from the entrance.
A wide, despicable smile bloomed on the faces of the Sedouforne Family Members looking that way, especially Matilda Sedouforne. Seeing the corners of her mouth stretching up to her cheekbones gave me an ominous premonition.
'Don’t tell me! He defeated the Chrome Monster?'
Even if he was an A-rank Ronin, he defeated that named boss? Iron Dog Invincible was that much of a powerhouse?
Finding it incredibly hard to believe, I looked back.
It was true. Iron Dog Invincible Maximus was walking in. The battle with the Chrome Monster must have been grueling, as he was burnt in various places and dripping with blood. His limping gait showed he wasn’t in good shape.
Still, he was relatively intact, all things considered.
Or so I thought, until his full body was revealed beyond the glass structure.
“…!”
Everyone’s complexion changed drastically.
Matilda Sedouforne and her subordinate Escort stiffened their expressions.
On the contrary, our faces brightened up a little. Rejoicing in another’s misfortune wasn’t a good thing, but it was an unavoidable situation.
Iron Dog Invincible was walking slowly.
One of his two steel arms, which seemed capable of piercing and smashing anything - the left one - was missing.
Where his left arm used to be, there was now only a black, burnt, and melted shoulder stump.
The words the Chrome Monster Rodrick Smith had said came to mind.
'It’ll be quite a sight once I rip off those two toy-like scrap metal arms――!'
The Chrome Monster kept his word. Exactly half of it.
He really ripped off Maximus’s arm and destroyed it!
The outcome was obvious at a glance.
Iron Dog Invincible Maximus had lost. In a way, it could be said to be a predicted result.
I didn’t know whether to say Rodrick Smith was amazing for destroying one of an A-rank Ronin’s arms, or if Maximus was amazing for successfully surviving while only giving up a single arm to that infamous Chrome Monster.
One thing was for sure, though: it wasn’t good news for us.
Even missing an arm, an A-rank Ronin was still an A-rank Ronin. His mere presence was enough to make us shrink back. Even if he had exhausted his energy fighting the Chrome Monster, he could easily crush someone like me with his remaining arm.
Despite her saying it wasn’t dangerous, it was quite a serious situation, just as Ms. Kali bit her lip and Alexandra was about to open her mouth with a stiff expression.
Others appeared from behind Maximus.
It was truly impeccable timing. Tears welled up in the corners of Alexandra’s eyes as she looked back.
“Hank!!!!!”
The ones who appeared were two people: security team leader Hank Jameson and electronic warfare Expert Eres Shore, who had been on standby in the guest room.
Only two people had come, but it felt as reassuring as gaining an army of thousands.
The one-armed Iron Dog Invincible joined the Sedouforne Family’s group, while team leader Hank and Eres Shore strode toward us, passing between the aerial vehicles.
The path here must not have been smooth for these two either, as traces of battle were smeared all over them.
“Yes, young lady. I apologize for being late. Are you hurt anywhere?”
When Team Leader Hank knelt and spoke, Alexandra was practically on the verge of tears.
“I am not. I am perfectly fine. Look, I haven’t been hurt in the slightest.”
At those words, Team Leader Hank actually scanned Alexandra up and down, and upon confirming she had no injuries, he smiled faintly.
“It seems so. Kali must have protected you well.”
He said this while looking at Kali Haywood, who stood in front of our companions. Alexandra shook her head vigorously.
“No, Aaron worked hard - not that Kali didn’t work hard, but - anyway! If it weren’t for Aaron, I would have died long ago. He did his absolute best to protect me.”
At those words, Team Leader Hank looked my way with a seemingly doubtful gaze. I felt a little choked up.
Just how much of a piece of trash did this guy think I was? I had suffered like a dog all by myself to bring the nobles' young lady all the way here!
Ms. Kali, who had been watching, chimed in.
“It’s true. I only managed to join them right before the rendezvous point, and until then, the newcomer protected the Young Lady and brought her here all by himself, breaking through formidable enemies like a Communist Mid-level Ninja and the “Chrome Monster”.”
At those words, Team Leader Hank looked at me with surprised eyes and let out a low groan.
“Hmm…”
I was feeling a little triumphant. I was also a bit expectant.
After I had made such a great contribution, what would he say to me? Would he still ignore me? Or would he show even more suspicion that I was a spy from another faction?
“…Good work. Your skills are much better than I thought. And…”
Team Leader Hank let out a sigh and said.
“Thank you for devotedly protecting the Young Lady, and for saving me.”
He was talking about the time the banquet hall ceiling collapsed when I kicked him away to save him from the debris.
“I owe you a great debt. I will do my best to repay it. And… hmm. I probably never seemed like a good superior to you. I’m sure I didn’t. Since I didn’t even consider you my team member right off the bat, the reverse couldn’t possibly hold true either. I thought you were suspicious, but… it was a mistake. I apologize. For doubting and harassing you, and for using violence.”
There was a reason Young Lady Alexandra strongly insisted on bringing you along. I should have thought of you as a trustworthy person to that extent, but I was short-sighted. I apologize to you as well, Young Lady. I dared to doubt the VIP’s judgment and caused trouble.”
Team Leader Hank bowed his head in apology to me, and then to Young Lady Alexandra, with the utmost politeness.
I could feel considerable sincerity from him, his waist bent at a 90-degree angle.
It seemed to be mostly guilt and a sense of duty as a Security Team Leader for making a mistake with his judgment that almost ruined the mission, rather than apologetic feelings toward me as an individual… but even so, I couldn’t help but feel good.
Team Leader Hank was acknowledging me and politely apologizing! I felt so refreshed, as if I had just chugged a cold can of soda.
The developments that followed were the same.
Hank Jameson, having returned to his position as the Security Team Leader serving Young Lady Alexandra from the closest position, stepped to the forefront and confronted the Sedouforne Family.