Chapter 191

Just as Sousuke was troubled by the "shuraba" situation, Tessa discovered a new situation: Kugayama Takuma actually had a transmitter implanted in his arm.

Under Chidori Kaname's suggestion, Sousuke put Takuma's arm into a running microwave for a few seconds, thereby destroying the transmitter.

After calling for help from the Tuatha de Danaan, Sousuke took the group and transferred to Jindai High School, attempting to delay until reinforcements arrived.

But unfortunately, no one expected that Takuma, with his hands cuffed, would use techniques like a street rat to stealthily steal Chidori Kaname's mobile phone, thereby notifying his A21 companions of his location.

Jindai High School was gradually surrounded by A21 members in the dark of night. As luck would have it, Tessa and Chidori Kaname left Sousuke's side to go to the restroom at this critical moment, resulting in them becoming hostages of A21.

High-intensity floodlights illuminated the field usually used by the softball club, and Sousuke was forced to conduct a hostage exchange there with A21.

"I'll release one on my side first, and then when you release Takuma, I'll release the other."

The A21 member said truthfully, then let Sousuke make a choice. "Which one do you choose to release first?"

For Sousuke, this was an extremely simple choice. Considering Tessa's low athletic ability and Chidori Kaname's excellent athletic nerves, Sousuke requested to release Tessa first.

A wise judgment, but for some reason, Sousuke always felt an inexplicable sense of irritation in his heart.

Tessa, who was released first, also glared at Sousuke. "This is an insult to me, Sergeant Sagara. Do you think I wasn't prepared to face that kind of situation?"

"Please scold me later. For now, please retreat to a safe place."

Sousuke requested Tessa to step back, but Tessa insisted on staying by Sousuke's side.

Next was the exchange of Chidori Kaname and Takuma.

Under numerous gun barrels, the two hostages who were released simultaneously walked toward each other.

Just as Chidori Kaname and Takuma were about to make contact, Sousuke suddenly smelled a familiar scent, and his spirit jolted.

This is... the smell of ozone!

ECS!

Had the reinforcements arrived?

But unfortunately, two AS that suddenly appeared in the field in invisible mode and simultaneously controlled Chidori Kaname and Takuma were not the M9s Sousuke was familiar with after contacting the ECS, but a type of unit he had never seen before.

At the same time, a group of well-trained mercenaries controlled the A21 members one by one.

The two A21 members remaining on the softball field responsible for the hostage exchange were preparing to make a final resistance, only to see Saina appear on the scene at some point.

"Arakawa, do not put up a pointless resistance. The situation has changed; put down your weapons for now."

Under Saina's persuasion, the A21 members present, although hesitant, ultimately followed Saina's instructions.

"Phantom... Why would this type of unit appear here... I shouldn't have heard of any troops equipped with this type of unit yet."

As a high-ranking member of Mithril, Tessa looked in shock at the Phantom that appeared on the softball field.

She had only seen the Phantom AS in Mithril's top-secret files; she never expected to see the real thing in this place today.

"Colonel, I will create a commotion later. Please find a way to escape from here."

Seeing that the situation on the scene was not right, Sousuke whispered to Tessa.

Although the hope was slim, he had to make a final attempt.

"No, Sergeant Sagara. The enemy and our situation are unclear right now; don't act rashly."

Tessa hurriedly stopped Sousuke.

"Oh, Sousuke, it's better if you don't act rashly right now."

Suddenly, a voice somewhat familiar to Sousuke and Chidori Kaname came from the Phantom.

"How is it possible... Teacher Li Boyong."

Sousuke muttered in shock. Just two days ago, he had patiently listened to the teachings of the owner of this voice and had sincerely expressed his admiration and gratitude to the other party.

"Teacher Li Boyong..."

Chidori Kaname, who was held in the hand of the AS, also looked in shock at the Phantom that had grabbed her. She couldn't believe Sousuke's judgment at all, but the somewhat frivolous voice coming from the Phantom was indeed very similar to Teacher Li Boyong.

Soon, the Phantom's cockpit was opened, and Li Boyong, dressed in an AS pilot suit, appeared at the neck of the unit.

"Yo, you two, dating at school so late, and caught in the act by me. This really puts me in a difficult position."

Li Boyong smiled and teased Chidori Kaname and Sousuke.

"You're lying, right? Why would you, Teacher, be piloting an AS and appearing here..."

Chidori Kaname was closest to the Phantom. By the moonlight, she clearly saw the face of the pilot who had come out of the AS. It really was Teacher Li Boyong.

"Of course, I was patrolling the campus, and then I discovered so many people causing trouble here. I had no choice but to take action."

Li Boyong answered in a playful manner.

And Sousuke, beyond the absurdity, felt a sense of anger at being deceived. He never expected that the enemy was disguised and lurking by his side, and he hadn't been able to see through the other party's disguise and had even trusted the other party very much.

This was simply a disgrace to his mercenary career. Sousuke gritted his teeth tightly, barely restraining himself from making impulsive moves.

"Hey, hey, Sousuke." Seeing this, Li Boyong hurriedly said, "Why such a scary expression? I'm not your enemy. Of course, to ensure you don't do anything stupid, put down your gun now and follow my instructions. Tell me, does what I say make sense, Tessa-chan?"

As Li Boyong's voice fell, his mercenaries began to approach Sousuke and Tessa using cover.

"............"

Tessa, who had been addressed, signaled to Sousuke with her eyes not to resist. Even her nickname was known by the other party, which meant that the intelligence on their side had likely been completely grasped by the other party.

Attempting to resist in this situation would truly be too reckless.

Sousuke looked at the mercenaries approaching from all around and watched their skilled tactical movements, knowing that he really had no chance at all.

Ultimately, under Tessa's persuasion, he put down the gun in his hand and raised his hands.

Seeing that his side had completely controlled the situation, Li Boyong nodded with satisfaction and had his subordinates handcuff the captured Chidori Kaname and the others and take them away in vehicles.

"Now, let's return to the oil tanker first. Once you have persuaded your companions there, I will release them."

Li Boyong said to Saina.

Saina nodded, indicating she understood.

Afterward, Li Boyong entered the cockpit, and the two Phantoms simultaneously hid their figures, following the subordinate's motorcade toward the Aomori oil tanker.

Leaving behind a messy softball field, letting the late Mithril reinforcements look at each other in dismay.

"I say, does this mean even Sousuke failed?"

Leaving the transport helicopter, Kurz checked the situation at the scene and complained.

And Melissa Mao, who was the superior of both him and Sousuke, unhappily hit the other party's ribs hard with her elbow.

It was a time like this, and he was still joking. However, although there were slight traces of a firefight at the scene, it was very minor.

No bloodstains or corpses were confirmed, which meant the possibility of Tessa and the others being harmed was not high for now.

It was just that the footprints of two AS were confirmed at the scene, which surprised her a little.

As an insider who piloted AS, she could tell at a glance that the footprints didn't look like any AS she knew.

"What should we do now? The other party hid their tail very well when they left. Currently, there is no way to track them."

After completing the preliminary investigation, Kurz asked Mao.

"Report the situation here to the Tuatha de Danaan first and request intelligence support to track the suspicious vehicles coming and going. Before the intelligence comes out, we can only wait and hope that Tessa and the others will be fine."

Mao rubbed her short hair in distress, but she could only make a helpless judgment.