Chapter 263

269. Chapter 269 Who Is the Prey?

"The other party requests communication."

Talin issued a reminder, drawing everyone's attention.

Shanduola pondered for a moment, then decided: "Connect."

"Understood."

Talin complied and performed the operation.

The video call connected quickly.

On the large screen, two familiar figures appeared, one on the left and one on the right.

They were Vina, the three-point witch of the Flaming Metal Trading Company, and the Scholar of the White Tower Alliance.

"Shanduola, long time no see."

"The Scholar" held a large tome in the left hand, waved with the right, and greeted politely.

"Shanduola, didn't expect this, huh? We meet again, and in this manner."

This time Witch Vina was not wearing the three-point gear, but still wore a tight-fitting space survival suit.

While speaking, she made a forceful gripping gesture, her expression extremely fierce.

It seemed they could easily capture Shanduola and her starship.

Shanduola snorted coldly: "You think you've got me?"

"The Cloud Rainbow" is isolated and helpless.

The two fleets attacking from left and right are the standard configuration of the Wizard World's star fleet: one main combat warship, three auxiliary warships, and one supply ship.

In terms of numbers, it's one versus ten, a huge disparity.

But the configuration of the "Cloud Rainbow" is that of a flagship.

In terms of combat power, among the various grades of star frigates of the Sage Legion, it is second only to the Star-Annihilating Fortress.

Facing two main combat star frigates simultaneously, it is in no way inferior.

Even if the enemy has six auxiliary warships coordinating, Shanduola is confident she will not be at a disadvantage.

However, the enemy's arrival is suspicious; it's still unclear whether they have further reinforcements behind them, and the battle situation is uncertain.

Moreover, Shanduola hasn't yet figured out how their whereabouts were leaked.

Therefore, she does not prepare for a head-on engagement, choosing to maneuver instead.

"Cut communication."

"Full speed ahead."

Shanduola issued orders in succession.

Talin executed them immediately.

The figures on the screen disappeared, returning to normal, showing a real-time image of the space around the "Cloud Rainbow".

One of the "Cloud Rainbow's" three main engines, the conventional engine, kicked in at full power, accelerating the ship to light speed.

The fleets of the Flaming Metal Trading Company and the White Tower Alliance, under the command of Witch Vina and Scholar Silvarno Latorre respectively, pursued in tail chase.

There was already a long distance between the two sides.

The Yunni travels at the maximum speed of conventional navigation—light speed.

If the two fleets do not activate their jump engines or warp engines, they can never catch up to the Yunni.

However, the jump mode cannot precisely control distance, and the warp mode cannot flexibly adjust.

Each has its pros and cons; using them for pursuit does not necessarily block the Yunni's path exactly.

For safety, after the witch Vena and the scholar Silvano consulted, they jointly decided to pursue in this manner for a period of time.

Consume some of the Yunni's conventional power reserves, then take corresponding action depending on the situation.

"Something's off."

In the Yunni's cockpit, Shanduola spoke, as if muttering to herself, "How did they find out my whereabouts?"

Soon, Shanduola's face flashed with annoyance, not letting the micro-legion members avoid, she directly told Taling: "Contact Lady Lisandela."

"Understood."

Taling received the order and immediately sent a communication request to the emergency contact, Lady Lisandela.

At an operation station on the left, Lin Ke heard that name, his gaze deep.

"Oh, my dear daughter, are you in trouble again?"

Lady Lisandela's appearance appeared in the cockpit as a holographic image.

She glanced around, her gaze lingered on Lin Ke for an extra half second, then fell on Shanduola, opening with an exaggerated, syrupy tone.

Shanduola kept a straight face and coldly asked, "Are you using me as bait?"

Lady Lisandela made a frown-and-clutching-chest gesture, looking very sorrowful: "Oh, my daughter misunderstands me like this, it truly breaks my heart."

"Be normal!"

Shanduola looked at her mother, who always does as she pleases and never cares about others' opinions, a drama queen, as if three black lines were hanging on her forehead.

"All right then."

Lady Lisandela answered affectingly, then immediately composed herself and calmed down: "I didn't use you as bait; this is your third uncle's idea."

"What does that mean?"

Shanduola calmly pursued the question, without immediately blaming.

Compared to her own mother, Shanduola undoubtedly trusts her third uncle Fulisite more.

Lady Lisandela replied:

"Didn't he send people to scheme against the Flaming Metal Merchant Guild and the White Tower Alliance?"

They also want to retaliate in kind now, to redeem the captured personnel.

Your third uncle said, instead of passive defense, it's better to reveal a weakness.

It just so happens that you need to continue that mission, so he arranged for the subordinate organ of the Supreme Council to leak your whereabouts.

Carrying out a mission issued by the Supreme Council isn't as simple as just submitting a mission report.

What time to depart, by what means from what route, and at what time to arrive at which section of the mission site—Shan Duo La had reported all of these in advance.

After completing these advance reports and later submitting the mission report, only then can the task be considered completed.

Shan Duo La knew that with her third uncle Fu Li Si Te's skill, having the Supreme Council's subordinate organ leak information smoothly without raising suspicion was not that difficult.

The difficulty lies in how to make the strike squads sent by the Blaze and Metal Consortium and the White Tower Alliance not be sage-level legions.

The myriad stratagems involved cannot be fully described in a few words.

Shan Duo La didn't overthink this matter; instead, she pondered what her third uncle Fu Li Si Te aimed to achieve by doing this.

After thinking for a while and finding no clue, Shan Duo La bluntly asked: "What does my third uncle hope to achieve?"

"How would I know?"

Lady Li Sang De La naturally replied, "Even if I knew, why would I tell you?"

Shan Duo La gritted her teeth, nearly having her defenses broken by that remark.

After calming her emotions a bit, Shan Duo La inquired: "How do you think I should respond to better cooperate with my third uncle's plan?"

"Just respond however you want."

Lady Li Sang De La's attitude was completely indifferent: "As long as you don't die or get captured alive, that's enough."

"What if I kill them?"

Shan Duo La suddenly blurted out a murderous remark.

Lady Li Sang De La did not answer immediately, but instead stared fixedly at the pretendedly calm Shan Duo La.

The mother and daughter locked gazes for a long time.

Shan Duo La unconsciously gripped the armrests on both sides of her seat with both hands, her back molars clenched tightly, stubbornly refusing to look away.

Even though it was only a holographic projection, the gaze of a sixth-level sage was hard to endure.

The pressure was as deep as an abyss and as vast as the sea, extremely heavy.

"Good."

Lady Li Sang De La praised, "This is my daughter."

Saying this, she withdrew the pressure from her gaze and solemnly promised: "If you can do it, go ahead and kill. Any subsequent trouble, your third uncle will definitely block!"

"Mm."

Shan Duo La responded calmly, then manually cut off the communication.

She leaned back, took several deep breaths, and gradually recovered from the tense state of her heartstrings from the earlier stare-down.

After relaxing a bit more and making sure her voice wouldn't tremble, Shan Duo La spoke: "Let's hold a brief meeting so everyone can discuss how we should proceed if we decide to counterattack."

The members of the micro legion all turned their chairs to face Shan Duo La, who was seated in the captain's chair.

For a moment, no one spoke first.

"Lin Ke, you speak."

Since no one spoke, Shan Duo La called on someone, first picking Lin Ke.

"I haven't yet mastered interstellar combat command, so I won't mislead everyone."

Lin Ke spoke frankly, without pretense or random moves. In both the elementary and advanced academies, whether it was the curriculum arranged by the institute or the materials he looked up himself, Lin Ke had hardly ever dealt with interstellar combat.

Upon coming to the institute's main campus for further study, Lin Ke only then elected to take the strategy and tactics research course.

Two months have passed, and this course has only had four lectures, with content still limited to frontier development in other worlds, rear-area raids, and forced landings.

As for the interstellar combat portion, it will not be taught until after a further wait.

Admitting one's shortcomings is nothing to be ashamed of.

"I understand even less."

Mo Li, sitting beside Lin Ke, without waiting for Shan Duo La to call on her, immediately expressed her stance.

Lan Ni had just been promoted to second-level wizard and had not yet formally begun advanced study; her situation was not much different from Lin Ke's and Mo Li's.

Di Fu Ni and Fu Li De are still at first-level wizard; let alone speaking or discussing, even whether they can strictly carry out interstellar combat orders is a question.

Six scions of major families from the institute's main campus have been second-level wizards for several years already, and they are not unfamiliar with directing interstellar combat.

But before, it was only minor skirmishes, more like a joke.

Unlike now, where a slight mistake could mean life or death.

Each of them became careful in speech and action, daring not to speak casually.

Seeing this, Shan Duo La instantly felt the pressure on her shoulders increase.

Even a micro legion of just twelve people, including herself, is this difficult to command.

A sage-level legion composed of several hundred wizards—wouldn't that be even more difficult?

"Ugh..."

Shan Duo La pondered for a moment, without pressing the members to speak, and instead ordered Ta Ling: "Draft two plans and assess their feasibility. First, full speed ahead to shake off pursuit; second, hold position and counterattack to annihilate the enemy."

"Understood."

Ta Ling received the order.

Soon, the two plans were submitted, displayed on the main screen and the small screens at each station.

Lin Ke, like the others, carefully read the two plans drafted by Ta Ling.

The first plan: activate the warp drive at full power, enter warp travel mode, and swiftly reach the mission world.

Feasibility: 95.999%;

Second plan: first, use the Yunni's powerful attack to concentrate fire on one fleet, aiming to destroy it outright, even annihilate it.

Translation: "The second plan: first, use the strong attack power of the 'Yunni' to concentrate fire on one of the fleets, aiming to destroy or even annihilate it in one go;"

Need to keep punctuation? We'll translate faithfully.

Then, use the Yunni's high mobility to engage the other fleet, waiting for its attack system to finish cooling.

"Then, use the high mobility of the 'Yunni' to engage the other fleet, waiting for the 'Yunni's attack system to finish cooling."

Feasibility: 65.45%.

"Feasibility: 65.45%."

Linke does not know what model Talin used for the estimate.

"Lin Ke does not know what model the tower spirit used for its estimation."

Given his current ability to freely send and receive inspiration, and the sudden fortune-sensing that erupts, the accuracy remains very high.

"From his currently unrestricted ability to send and receive inspiration, and the burst of fortune-sensing, one can infer that the accuracy is still very high."

So, Linke is now curious about the specific content of the attack plan that Talin did not list.

"So, Lin Ke is now curious about the specific content of the attack plan that the tower spirit did not list."

This involves the detailed configuration of the Yunni.

"This involves the detailed configuration of the 'Yunni'."

The plan proposed by Talin and its feasibility estimate can only serve as reference; they cannot be used directly.

"The plans devised by the tower spirit and its feasibility estimates can only serve as reference; they cannot be used directly."

This bit of common sense, Sandora still possesses.

"This bit of common sense, Sandra still possesses."

At present the situation is still fine, not urgent, so there's no need to rush a decision.

"At present, the situation is still fine, not urgent, so there's no need to rush a decision."

Sandora rested her chin on her right hand and began to ponder deeply.

"Sandra rested her chin on her right hand and began to ponder deeply."

In the starry sky.

"In the starry sky."

Lady Lyzandra stood alone in midair, blocking the two sage-level legions of the Blaze and Metal Trading Company and the White Tower Alliance.

"Lady Lysandra stood in midair alone, blocking the two sage-level legions of the Blaze and Metal Trading Company and the White Tower Alliance."

Moments later, two sixth-level sages appeared before Lady Lyzandra.

"Moments later, two sixth-level sages appeared before Lady Lysandra."

The three faced off.

"The three faced off."

Though outnumbered two to one, Lady Lyzandra struggled a bit but did not lose her momentum.

"Though one against two, Lady Lysandra was somewhat strained, yet she did not lose her momentum."

Sound cannot travel directly through a vacuum.

"Sound cannot propagate directly in a vacuum."

As a sixth-level sage, how could she possibly fail to resolve such a minor inconvenience?

"As a sixth-level sage, how could one possibly fail to resolve such a minor inconvenience?"

Lady Lyzandra's voice reached the two of them.

"Lady Lysandra's voice reached the two."

The sixth-level sage of the Blaze and Metal Trading Company grunted: "Your Rivorsoth Institute is really overbearing! I recalled my own fleet—do you also have to interfere?"

"The sixth-level sage of the Blaze and Metal Trading Company grunted: 'Your Ruovosith Academy is really too overbearing! I recalled my own fleet, and you still want to interfere?'"

The White Tower Alliance's.

"The White Tower Alliance's."

Lady Lyzandra remained completely calm, smiling: "Just wait a moment; someone else will come to negotiate with you."

"Lady Lysandra showed no panic, smiling: 'Just wait a moment; someone else will come to negotiate with you.'"

"Huh?"

"'Hmm?'"

◆￠o

The two sixth-level sages frowned in unison.

"The two sixth-level sages furrowed their brows in unison."

Moments later, Dean Frister's silhouette quietly appeared, greeting warmly: "Long time no see, you two."

"Moments later, Dean Freist's figure quietly appeared, warmly greeting: 'Long time no see, you two.'"

"Hmph!"

"'Hmph!'"

The two sixth-level sages, who had previously suffered losses under Dean Frister, both snorted coldly, unwilling to engage.

"The two sixth-level sages who had previously suffered losses under Dean Freist, in unison gave a cold snort, unwilling to engage."

Dean Frister took no offense, chuckling as he brought up the past:

"Dean Freist took no offense, chuckling as he exposed his own shortcoming:"

"Yes, I admit I asked my second sister to tamper with the cognition of the commanders of those two fleets."

"'Yes, I admit, I asked my second sister to tamper with the cognition of the commanders of those two fleets.'"

Making them deviate from their set course, leading them to believe their mission was to hunt down my niece's Yunni.

"'Making them deviate from the set course, they came to believe that this mission was to hunt down my niece's 'Yunni'.'"

Bullying the weak with strength—this is not good.

"'Bullying the small with the big, that's not good.'"

I sincerely apologize.

"'I sincerely apologize.'"

After a pause, Dean Frister shifted tone: "However, now that I know your whereabouts, retaliation is certainly impossible. How about we three families change our approach to resolve the dispute?"

"After a pause, Dean Freist shifted tone: 'However, now that I know your whereabouts, retaliation is surely impossible. How about we three families change our approach to resolve the dispute?'"

"What way?"

"'What method?'"

The people of the Blaze and Metal Trading Company—whether apprentices, official mages, or sages—regardless of their original temperament, tend to speak and act impulsively, but their minds...

"The people of the Blaze and Metal Trading Company, whether apprentices, official mages, or sages, regardless of their original temperament, tend to be impulsive in speech and action, however brainless."

This sixth-level sage didn't even consider whether there might be a trick; he was immediately intrigued and posed the question.

"This sixth-level sage actually didn't even consider whether there was deceit, felt moved, and directly posed the question."

The White Tower Alliance's sixth-level sage, well aware of his ally's temperament, reluctantly swallowed his words after the other spoke.

"The sixth-level sage of the White Tower Alliance, well aware of his ally's temperament, after the other spoke, helplessly swallowed his own words."

In his heart, he did not want things to fall into Dean Frister Diomande's rhythm.

"According to his true feelings, he did not want things to fall into Dean Freist Diomande's rhythm."

What does "changing the way to resolve the dispute" mean?

"What does 'changing a method to resolve the dispute' mean?"

It sounds nice.

"That sounds nice."

Changing the way is just to gain an advantage!

"Changing a method just to take advantage is the real goal!"

Dean Frister glanced at the White Tower Alliance's sixth-level sage, whose expression looked somewhat constipated, and smirked inwardly.

"Dean Freist glanced at the White Tower Alliance sixth-level sage whose expression looked a bit constipated, and secretly smiled."

Choosing an ally is not easy?

"Choosing whom to ally with is not good?"

And yet he chose the Blaze and Metal Trading Company, whose members have somewhat problematic minds, as an ally.

"Yet he chose the Blaze and Metal Trading Company, whose members have somewhat problematic brains, as an ally."

No wonder the White Tower Alliance has been producing more and more deviants lately.

"No wonder the White Tower Alliance has been producing more and more deviants in recent years."

Maintaining a warm expression, Dean Frister smiled and said:

"Maintaining a warm expression, Dean Freist smiled and said:"

"You weren't complaining that the last match ended too absurdly, were you?"

"'You aren't complaining that the last match ended too absurdly, are you?'"

"Now the opportunity has arrived: two fleets are besieging a warship."

"'Now the opportunity has come; two fleets are besieging a warship.'"

"On the battlefield, your two sides hold an overwhelming advantage."

"'On the scene, you two families far outweigh the advantage.'"

"Let's see how this battle turns out."

"'Let's see how this battle turns out.'"

"Is it that we cheated last time, or is it that your new generation truly lacks strength?"

"'Is it that we cheated last time, or that your new generation truly lacks strength?'"

"If you win, I will personally send the personnel back."

"'If you win, I will personally send the people back.'"

"If you lose, you will return the way you came, then use magic stones and supplies to ransom the captives."

"'If you lose, return the same way, then use magic stones and supplies to ransom the captives.'"

"How about that?"

"'How about that?'"

"'Fine, let's settle it like that.'"

"'Okay, let's settle it like that.'"

As soon as those words were spoken, the sixth-level sage of the Blaze and Metal Trading Company immediately agreed.

"As the words fell here, the sixth-level sage of the Blaze and Metal Trading Company immediately agreed."

The White Tower Alliance's sixth-level sage subtly put on a pained expression.

"The White Tower Alliance's sixth-level sage covertly put on a pained expression."

Speaking of which, as a sixth-level sage, it's not hard to control one's irritable temperament.

"Speaking of which, as a sixth-level sage, wanting to control one's irritable temperament is not difficult."

Why won't you?

Now it's fine, you've completely fallen into Fu Li Si Te's trap, right?

Sign or not sign the contract?

Fu Li Si Te struck while the iron was hot; it would be best to settle this sooner.

Not signing.

The Sixth-level Sage of the Flame and Metal Merchant Guild decisively replied, "What's the use of signing that?"

White Tower Alliance. It stipulates that after battle begins, the three parties may not, in any way, provide assistance to their own warships or fleets.

No problem.

Dean Fu Li Si Te readily agreed.

The Sixth-level Sage of the Flame and Metal Merchant Guild curled their lip, offering no objection.

A blank contract crafted by a Ninth-level Grand Sage of the True Spirit Wizards was taken out by Dean Fu Li Si Te.

After the two inspected the blank contract, they wrote down the terms.

Then shall we begin?

After signing the contract and achieving the goal, Dean Fu Li Si Te smiled and asked for opinions.

Let's start, hurry back to rest.

The Sixth-level Sage of the Flame and Metal Merchant Guild said impatiently, "Dragging it out wastes time."

White Tower Alliance, let me see your trump card.

Fu Li Si Te's smile widened: "Trump card? What trump card? With Linke Grand here, his alone could blast two fleets."

Upon hearing that, the Sixth-level Sage of the Flame and Metal Merchant Guild immediately glared at Dean Fu Li Si Te:

Why the hell didn't you say that earlier?