Chapter 412: Technical Development Bureau

Gao Wen's lips curled upward.

Fish.

Took the bait!

"Go on."

"It may only be used when opposing the World Government, and even then, it cannot be the priority option."

Gao Wen froze for a moment:

"Not prioritize using nuclear weapons... I mean, the Ancient Weapons?!"

"Exactly!"

Vegapunk nodded.

From the moment he saw that Gao Wen could freely command the ley line energy, a faint sense of unease had risen in his heart, growing even stronger upon realizing the scale Gao Wen could control.

Nearly half of Britannias's ley line energy, even if its power still fell short of the Ancient Weapons—in fact, far short—

could still easily erase a city from the map with a single shot; under precision strikes, it could even destroy a nation's cities.

The strategic deterrent effect of such power was already nearly identical to that of the Ancient Weapons.

Moreover, the harm caused by the Red Dragon drawing out ley line energy was no less than the rising sea levels triggered by the Ancient Weapons.

A world turned entirely into desert meant humanity's living space would be restricted and compressed.

Only when he realized this did Vegapunk snap back to reality.

This conversation had been Gao Wen's trap from the very beginning, a trap laid specifically targeting his personality.

But Vegapunk knew all too well that he had no choice.

Since Gao Wen's faction creating Pluton was an irresistible trend, irreversible, the only thing he could do was impose restrictions on Pluton's usage.

At the very least...

ensure to the greatest extent that Knight Gao Wen would not abuse the Ancient Weapons!

"Welcome aboard."

"Doctor."

Vegapunk looked at the hand extended toward him and couldn't help but sigh with emotion:

"The younger generation is formidable."

"Young people these days have too many schemes; even an old fellow like me can't quite keep up, and I fell for your trick before I knew it."

"However."

"It may not necessarily be a bad thing."

Clap—!

Two hands clasped together.

War Taowan, who had just slowly awakened, happened to witness this scene and broke into a silly grin:

"That's more like it, old man!"

"Britannias is the perfect place for you to showcase your talents!"

Vegapunk smiled helplessly:

"You foolish boy, sold out and still helping the seller count the money."

"Hehehe~~~"

War Taowan didn't mind this in the least.

Unlike the complex-minded Vegapunk, he genuinely loved this country beneath his feet.

He loved its people, and he loved those places that made one feel warmth.

Vegapunk shook his head helplessly, took one last look around the consulate, and then followed Gao Wen as he departed.

Half a month later.

The New World.

Outside Britannias.

On a desolate island.

Dragon sat wearily in a valley, beside him Sabo, whose body was stained crimson with blood, and Ivankov, equally disheveled and battered.

Recalling the experiences of the past few days, Dragon's expression turned exceedingly grim.

"Our intelligence was leaked; there is a traitor within the Revolutionary Army; otherwise, the God's Knights could never have executed such a precise ambush."

"Even those two monsters personally intervened..."

Cough—!

Amidst his words,

Dragon spat out a mouthful of bloody froth, then raised his eyes to look at Sabo beside him, saying with concern:

"Although we have temporarily shaken off those monsters, we are not necessarily safe yet; relay the intelligence here to Crow's side, have them evacuate as soon as possible, and simultaneously investigate the traitor."

"Yes, Chief."

Sabo nodded.

Ivankov, standing nearby, pressed further:

"Then what do we do next?"

"Dragon?!"

"Although we have shaken off the pursuers from the Divine Knights, the situation remains extremely unfavorable for us."

Dragon fell silent for a moment.

The emergence of a traitor within the Revolutionary Army meant that all their strongholds faced the risk of being lost.

Under the current circumstances, the most rational course of action was naturally to abandon the journey to Britannias and first return to the Revolutionary Headquarters to oversee the overall situation.

Since this concerned an Ancient Weapon, Dragon had no reason, nor was it possible, to give up so easily.

If the Revolutionary Army held an Ancient Weapon, they would possess the capability to confront the World Government directly.

Once both sides possessed the military power to completely destroy each other, sitting at the negotiating table would become the only means of resolution.

By that time, the situation would become increasingly favorable for the Revolution!

Moreover, the matter concerning Vegapunk was like a thorn stuck in his heart; he would not be reconciled unless he got to the bottom of it.

After remaining silent for a long while, Dragon raised his eyes and looked at Sabo:

"Sabo, you return to the Revolutionary Army first; everything at the main base will temporarily be under your command."

"Me?"

Sabo hesitated for a moment, but seeing the seriousness in Dragon's eyes, he knew he had no retreat left:

"I understand."

"Mm."

Dragon nodded:

"You are the successor I have groomed; in the future, the burden of the Revolutionary Army will fall upon your shoulders."

"This time..."

"... let it serve as a test for you."

"Ivankov, you will assist Sabo."

Ivankov nodded solemnly:

"I understand."

"Mm."

Having settled matters regarding the Revolutionary Army, Dragon rested briefly; once his strength recovered, he rode the gale, skimming close to the sea surface as he sped away into the distance.

Watching Dragon's retreating figure, Sabo murmured:

"Ivankov, what do you think the Chief will feel upon seeing everything in Britannias?!"

"Who can say for certain about such things?!"

Ivankov shook his head:

"It probably won't differ much from our own feelings?! But enough of that; we have more important matters to attend to now."

Under the cover of night.

Two figures, piloting a small boat, slowly vanished over the distant horizon of the sea.

Britannias.

In the outer region of Camelot, within a vast bay, a magnificent circular structure stood there.

With Vegapunk joining their ranks, Gao Wen顺势 established the Technical Development Bureau at the Britannias headquarters.

Vegapunk served as the inaugural Director, Franky took over as Deputy Director, while War Taowan assumed the role of Captain of the Combat Squad within the Technical Development Bureau.