The plan was a massive success, and Sean was in excellent spirits.
He sized up the rest of the loot in the warehouse and waved a hand. "Back to the city."
Luo Xi's lips moved, but no words came out. She just stared straight at Sean.
Noticing her expression, Sean shrugged. "I know what you're thinking, but I told you from the start: this thing can't take your people away."
"Why?" Luo Xi actually believed him, but she still held on to a sliver of hope.
In such a good mood, Sean refrained from his usual teasing. He explained patiently, "First is the distance. It's too far from the Iris Hive. The Academy themselves have never taken this big guy on a long trip."
"Running into one or two flying frenzy beasts is one thing, but what if we hit a whole flock on the way? You can run; the airship can't."
"Second, what do you miss most about your home?"
Luo Xi blurted out, "The flowers and the rainbows."
"Right, rainbows." Sean pointed upward. "You can see rainbows in your hometown, but have you seen a single one since you came down the mountain?"
"No... it's just the iron-gray Vile Canopy."
Sean nodded. "Your hometown is at a high altitude—high enough to sit above the Vile Canopy. And I know far more about the Vile Canopy than you do."
He pulled Luo Xi to the porthole and pointed at the Vile Canopy outside, hovering almost directly above their heads. "Nobody knows where this thing came from, but it scrambles all electromagnetic waves and leaks toxins."
"Paradise City started using various prosthetics and modules decades ago, but even now, not even the Company can build long-distance communication devices. Or rather, even if they built them, they'd be useless. Besides, all electronic instruments fail the moment they enter the Vile Canopy."
"If this big guy went in, it would fall out of the sky in under five minutes."
Following this detailed explanation, Luo Xi finally understood.
Her expression visibly dimmed.
Sean just chuckled. "I told you, it's a partnership. You completed your mission perfectly, so naturally I'll help you."
"Now?" Luo Xi looked at him with anticipation.
Sean shook his head. "Not yet. I don't have the power or the influence right now, and Paradise City isn't chaotic enough."
He casually threw an arm around Luo Xi's shoulders. "No need to rush. You've verified things yourself; I haven't lied to you."
She swatted his hand away in annoyance and twirled a lock of her hair. "Keep your paws to yourself. There really isn't a single good person in Paradise City."
"How would a good person survive in Paradise City?" Sean smiled nonchalantly. "Time to head back."
As they stepped out of the warehouse, Moza came forward. "Boss, what should we do with the Academy personnel on the airship?"
Looking at Moza and the others, Sean revealed a chilling smile.
He patted a guard's shoulder and announced loudly, "Keep the technicians. As for the rest of the prisoners—hey, as a reward, every brother here gets to pick a prosthetic they like, and then—"
His pale hand waved dismissively. "Throw the people you picked them from overboard."
The men Moza had rallied were all die-hard loyalists. One by one, they began to laugh.
"Thanks, Boss!"
Moza shook his head, his face entirely expressionless.
The boss was still too naive after all...
Too merciful... Judging by the numbers, they would only be tossing half the prisoners overboard.
Anyone who dared to attack should be prepared to pay the price, no matter who they were.
The steel behemoth in the sky slowly began to turn. During the maneuver, small black dots plummeted from the hull, one after another.
Screams and pleas for mercy were shredded by the howling wind.
Tall classical buildings, statues and fountains in a massive plaza, students rushing by clutching books. A gigantic flag stood at the forefront of it all, bearing an emblem of two abstracted hands.
One hand was traced with glowing energy veins, while the other was outlined with metallic circuit boards.
This was the Academy, where high-and-mighty students came to study the most advanced knowledge of Abilities and the highest-end prosthetic modifications.
Anyone of any age could enroll, provided they could afford the annual tuition of 200,000 credits.
Working fourteen consecutive hours in the most dangerous suburban factories yielded a high daily wage of 200 credits.
Theoretically, you could work for a thousand days straight without eating or drinking, and then obtain a precious ticket to admission.
Of course, if you couldn't pay the tuition the following year, you would have to pack your bags and leave.
Deep within the Academy, inside a certain giant building, a friendly and intimate tea party was taking place in a room marked as the Director's office.
A man with a mustache sat at the head of the table. He took a sip of black tea and offered an impeccably elegant smile.
The other men and women present were dressed in luxurious clothes, similarly savoring their tea and pastries.
A gentleman leaning on a bronze cane set down his teacup and smiled. "Getting to drink Director Morgan's prized black tea already makes this trip worthwhile. But of course, Mr. Henderson, you must tell me where you bought these new pastries."
Director Morgan also looked over with a smile on his face.
The man known as Mr. Henderson laughed heartily. "Hahaha, Bureau Chief, didn't expect that, did you? This is a new product from Barr's Bakery."
The Bureau Chief asked in surprise, "Barr? Isn't that right near my house? Hahaha, to think that fellow didn't inform me first when he developed a new product. I'll have to go give him some trouble."
"Haha, Barr is going to pee his pants tonight. Though, speaking of which, the prices at Barr's Bakery have been going up lately," Mr. Henderson complained with mock dismay.
The Bureau Chief's wife immediately asked, "Oh? How so?"
Mrs. Henderson picked up where her husband left off, grumbling, "They say they used some new breed of beast milk, so a single small cake costs five hundred credits. If it were just our family having afternoon tea, I'd almost be reluctant to buy it."
"Mrs. Henderson, you're being too modest. Besides, only good pastries are fit to pair with Director Morgan's excellent tea."
"That's only natural. Director Morgan, please excuse our behavior."
The mustached man smiled as he cut a piece of the small cake and placed it in his mouth. A moment later, he revealed a look of admiration. "Delicious. If I could taste a piece of this every day, it would be truly perfect."
"It's a trivial matter. If Director Morgan wishes it, I'll just have Barr make them fresh and deliver them to you every day."
"You're too kind, Mr. Henderson."
Both host and guests were thoroughly enjoying themselves, and the atmosphere in the room was completely harmonious.
Suddenly, a knock rang out at the door. A student in uniform walked in and whispered a few words to Director Morgan.
He stood up. "Something has come up unexpectedly. I am truly sorry."
The gentlemen and their wives all stood as well. "Please, go attend to your business."
After stepping out of the office, crossing a few corridors, and entering a conference room, Morgan's brow instantly furrowed.
"The airship hasn't sent its scheduled communication beacon?" he asked rapidly.
"No," a technician said, shaking his head. "The squad we sent out hasn't sent a signal either."
"Have we sent anyone to check?"
"The Head of Discipline set out with a squad. They should have already left the city by now."
"Good. Notify me the moment there's any news."
Just as he spoke, someone knocked on the conference room door.
A panicking man immediately ran over upon seeing Morgan. "Director Morgan, the airship... it's entered the city..."
"Entered the city? Without orders from the Academy, what are they doing coming into the city? What nonsense!" After his instinctive reprimand, Morgan's brow furrowed. "Is it not our people?"
"Also... there are words written on the airship! It's currently flying toward Dirty Street in the west of the city!"
"What does it say?"
Faced with the questioning, the messenger revealed a terrified expression.
Morgan's expression turned cold. "Speak."
"It... it says... Thanks to the Academy for their charitable deed to Paradise City."