Chapter 294: 293 The Duke from…

"Stop!"

"Don't go over there!"

"It's dangerous!"

Amid several nearly simultaneous shouts of alarm, the pilot of the third powered armor finally reacted, halting his advance just before the white mist concealing the Deathbringer.

Yet a metal thigh, nearly as tall as a man, was seized by a silver-white hand and hurled violently from the fog, crashing into the third powered armor's head and violently ripping open half its observation cabin, exposing the cockpit beneath.

"Save… save me!"

Amid the pilot's screams, the ghostly figure of the "Deathbringer" was also flung forth by the silver hand.

As the silver hand dissolved and fell to the ground, Li Ang had already leapt into the cockpit, swiftly severing the pilot's safety restraints with a series of slashes and tossing him out through the observation cabin.

"Sit down!"

After unfastening the straps on his back and shoving the trembling, jelly-legged Xiao Jinmao into the pilot's seat, Li Ang released his willpower to gather his scattered silver incantation metal while giving a cold command:

"Start it! Now!"

…

Running on foot alone was impossible.

Facing powered armors moving at fifty to sixty kilometers per hour, his own flesh-and-blood legs simply couldn't keep up; as long as even one powered armor remained intact, he'd be chased all the way to Wang Gong, risking exposure of his identity.

Moreover, his stamina was insufficient—after being bitten by that damned black snake, his demonic anomaly had been severely weakened; the sulfurous aura forming the 【Unceasing Blood War】 around him had thinned to less than one-twentieth of its former strength.

He needed to preserve even this meager residue of 【Unceasing Blood War】 for emergencies—either to save himself when injured or to replenish his depleted silver incantation metal after activation—so he couldn't spare any for running. He had to seize a powered armor for transport.

As for not knowing how to operate one… wasn't there a capable Xiao Jinmao right here?

Seeing Xiao Jinmao sitting dazed in the pilot's seat, still not grasping his intent, Li Ang—out of time—slapped him hard on the head and threatened:

"Operate the powered armor! Or die! Choose!"?!!

Finally understanding Li Ang's intent, the snotty-faced Xiao Jinmao shuddered, then his still-fair face flushed crimson as he roared back with the loudest voice he'd ever used:

"I won't!"

"Give up!"

"I swear by the honor of the Lyne family! I, Steven Lyne, would rather die in this cockpit—or jump out and smash myself to pieces—than betray my comrades by operating a powered armor to help you escape!"

Such grit!

No wonder he's my adjutant!

Hearing Xiao Jinmao's fierce roar from afar, the remaining members of the powered armor squad imagined themselves in his place—and each face softened with admiration.

True man!

Though the adjutant was obnoxious—always bragging about the Lyne family, constantly name-dropping his lineage, and practically lifting his tail into the sky after learning of the Lyne family's impending royal marriage—he was insufferable.

But though he was a nuisance in daily life, he was utterly reliable in critical moments: he would rather be killed than cooperate with the enemy—his spirit was unbreakable.

…

Well, this one's got spine after all.

Faced with the snotty-faced Xiao Jinmao who still refused him despite tears and snot streaking his face, Li Ang was momentarily at a loss.

After all, operating powered armor was a technical skill—he couldn't handle it himself. Just deciphering the chaotic array of gauges on the dashboard would take months of study, let alone the countless switches and control levers—he'd probably struggle to even find the ignition switch.

"Alright…"

With a weary shake of his head, Li Ang asked:

"You're always going on about the Lyne family and your Lionheart Duke—have you ever met him?"

"I… of course I have."

Hearing Li Ang's question, Xiao Jinmao's heart faltered, his eyes darting nervously as he replied:

"I once… accompanied my family to visit the Duke, and was personally received by him. That day, I was even invited to dine with him in the main hall of Lyne Manor."

"…"

Spare me. "Personally received"? And dined in the main hall? I've never spent a single night in that place. You might as well claim you saw me in a tavern being force-fed wine by a red-haired woman.

After giving the lying Xiao Jinmao a flat stare, Li Ang asked:

"Fine, assume you've met him… then, do you know what he looks like?"

"Of course I do!"

Seeing Li Ang doubted him, Xiao Jinmao's face flushed red as he snapped back:

"I know the Duke intimately! He was named heir by the former Duke, when everyone doubted him—even that worthless count declared the Duke's title would rot faster than cabbage.

But within no time, the Duke stabilized his position, won the Princess's favor through his striking appearance and eloquence, and secured for our Lyne family control of the Military and Road Administration… um… you… you you you!"

"Stop saying 'you'—do you recognize this face?"

Li Ang wiped his face, dispelling the 【As If】 effect, revealing his true visage, then narrowed his eyes at the stunned Xiao Jinmao and threatened coldly:

"Hurry up and start it! If you don't, tomorrow's headline in the Morning Sun will read: 'Lionheart Duke Arrested for Assaulting the Boarding Tower!'"

"You… you're a fake!"

After a few seconds of shock, Xiao Jinmao shouted:

"Once you're caught, your disguise will be useless—no one will believe you…"

"Here. The Duke's seal."

He called to Xiao Jinmao, pulled out the Lionheart Duke's seal, and tossed it to the dazed boy. To prevent further claims of forgery, Li Ang directed Xiao Jinmao to scour the Mirror World and retrieved every document proving his identity.

"This is the coronet from my succession ceremony."

"…"

"This is the Duke's official robe issued by the Lyne family."

"…"

"This is a badge designating the Deputy Speaker of the Shangyi Academy."

"…"

"And here is the imperial edict of succession, bearing the royal seal."

"…"

"Do these prove my identity?"

Watching Xiao Jinmao tremble uncontrollably, clutching a pile of items bearing the Lyne family's Lionheart crest, his mind completely frozen, Li Ang slapped his cheek and urged, eyes narrowed:

"Are you sure? If you're sure, start the powered armor now! You don't want your Lionheart Duke arrested for storming the boarding tower, do you?"

"…"

"Puff—"

The sound of the steam engine rumbled to life. Before the stunned eyes of the powered armor squad, the unit that had been immobilized by the "iron-willed adjutant's" refusal now shakily, then steadily, powered up again.

Moreover, it shed every removable weapon, even deliberately detached parts of its external armor, reducing its weight to the absolute minimum, then surged away at seventy kilometers per hour, fleeing far beyond the encirclement!

"…"

"…"

"…"

Wait—weren't you refusing to cooperate? Then who the hell is driving this thing? Your ghost now?