Chapter 53: Clinging to the Strong Arm

Chapter 53: Clinging to the Strong Arm

Unsurprisingly, Rong Mi seized the wolf's claw in his grasp.

The young man then lifted the wolf effortlessly, kneading its paw and inspecting its mental domain to reassure it.

After doing all this, he tousled the wolf's fur messily and finally let out a sigh of relief, relaxing his body.

Rong Mi could envision the aircraft that had taken Yu Tiantian away engaging in an aerial chase with the security team's vehicles.

The capital planet's urban structure was intricate and vast, a complexity that Rong Mi had never seen during his interstellar nomadic days. The airspace was filled with numerous flying vehicles, while the ground level bustled with pedestrians.

The young man believed that in such a cityscape, it would be challenging for the security team to catch up to Yu Tiantian's aircraft.

For Yu Tiantian could fire without hesitation, while the security forces dared not.

They couldn't risk harming the crowd, nor could they push Yu Tiantian into a corner where he might take desperate measures, endangering innocent civilians in the process.

Rong Mi sensed Yu Tiantian's approximate location, aware that he was still occupied with evading pursuit and wouldn't return to his base until he confirmed the situation was safe.

Rong Mi: "We can't rush this."

As he pondered, he continued stroking the wolf.

The young man's palm rubbed in circular motions across the wolf's fur, massaging its head before playfully tugging at its erect pointed ears.

Ayin: "..."

The Silver Wolf, being used as a stress-relieving toy by Rong Mi, flicked its tail and instinctively tilted its head aside.

Rong Mi became aware that wolves were sensitive about their ears and disliked constant touching, so he apologized sincerely and changed his approach. He began to gently massage the wolf's neck, then its spine, and the center of its shoulders with just the right pressure.

The wolf closed its eyes in contentment, letting out a soft whine as it relaxed, resting its chin on Rong Mi's wrist.

Behind Rong Mi, Thunderclap Lion leaped over the ground fissure and approached the young man slowly.

Its expression was no longer as restless. Clearly, after Ellen had awakened, the lion, through their Star Beast Contract, sensed that its owner was temporarily safe.

The big lion nudged Rong Mi's leg, and the youth paused his massage on the wolf, freeing one hand to pat the lion affectionately.

Rong Mi: "Someone will come to pick us up soon."

Through the massive hole in the corridor window, he had already spotted the approaching security and guard crafts heading their way.

Wolf: "..."

Wolf shot a somewhat disgruntled glance at Lion.

Perceiving the proximity of the incoming crafts, it straightened up, becoming alert, and turned to face the newcomers.

"Nice to see you again," said the officer who had taken Rong Mi's statement at the guard station earlier. He hovered his craft outside the broken window with a mix of admiration and exasperation on his face. "Can you make it up here?"

With Wolf in his arms and Lion following behind, Rong Mi boarded the guard craft for the routine questioning.

The officer wasn't alone in the craft; members of the investigation team, who had hurried over, were seated behind him.

One of them nodded at Rong Mi and said, "We don't have many questions about your actions."

As he spoke, his gaze shifted to Sander.

Given Ellen's unaccounted-for whereabouts and the security breach within the research institute, the investigators were on high alert, suspecting that Ellen might have played an unknown role in the explosion.

Not long ago, both Ellen and Sander had been interrogated due to the ice butterfly imprint left in their mental domains.

The investigators wished to take Lion back to the military for a thorough investigation.

Lion took a cautious step back, positioning himself behind Rong Mi, peering over her shoulder at the investigators with defiance.

"Lion can communicate, but he doesn't speak our language," Rong Mi signed off on her investigation report, soothing Lion by rubbing his head. "We're not its owners and can't fully understand its actions. You won't get much useful information from interrogating it."

"Let me take Lion away. If there's a need for Sander's cooperation, just inform me," he said calmly and naturally. "If you're worried, put a regional alarm bracelet on it, one that would trigger an alert when it leaves this area."

"…Alright then." After considering Rong Mi's reasoning, the investigator agreed and placed an alarm anklet on Lion.

The aircraft carried Rong Mi back to the third ground level, landing outside the Academy of Sciences Research Building.

Exiting the aircraft, Rong Mi saw the Academy's guard captain stepping out of another investigative team's vehicle.

Beside him stood a military officer, clearly there to assume the role of the guard captain and take charge of the operation.

The guard captain, with a grim expression, handed over his authority. Upon seeing Rong Mi, he stepped forward.

Having just fought alongside Rong Mi, the guard captain was now quite familiar with the young man's demeanor.

He chuckled at himself and said to Rong Mi, "This time, you've been a tremendous help! Have they promoted you yet from above?"

"Not entered the military department yet," Rong Mi replied with a smile. "Saving it for now."

"I'd forgotten that you have Admiral Lu Yi's special authorization," the captain of the guards remarked with admiration. "Truly impressive."

Unlike me, this time, it'll probably end with a fine and a suspension for reflection.

Recalling the assault today, I realize my judgment was riddled with flaws.

The emergency elevators and the suddenly activated security bots were issues for more advanced defense systems, not his concern. However, the guards' handling of an unexpected attack left much to be desired.

The Academy tower soared over three hundred levels, spanning across three ground floors. However, when the initial explosion occurred, they had only sealed off the third level above ground, leaving the first and second floors unattended.

When he realized that the attacker might have fled to the first ground level, he still didn't make the best decision. By the time he decided to collaborate with the security team to seal off the building, it was already too late.

The head of the guards shook his head. "Seems like I've been too complacent."

Rong Mi nodded without any mercy.

"But if you want an easy life, there are plenty of ways," the young man continued. "You were in the army before. Many civilian mining fleets would be willing to have you."

"If you want to stay on the capital planet without going out to space, there should be quite a few mecha or starship clubs around here."

The head of the guards let out a sigh.

Perhaps the adrenaline rush from flying straight into the Thunder Lion's lightning barrier without weapons earlier had stirred up some memories. He rarely reminisced about the past.

"I left the army and distanced myself from the war zone not because I was afraid of the Ice Butterflies and wanted an easy life."

If he had only sought a peaceful existence, he wouldn't have chosen to attend military school and join the army back then.

"It was really because the garbage unit I joined was so unfair in its assignments. I even offended a high-ranking officer soon after I joined. Fighting Ice Butterflies day and night, but not earning any credit for it – staying there was truly…"

Assuming the burden of the original owner's guilt for disappointing the First Legion's Commander, Rong Mi nodded understandingly.

"You're right, we need to change our surroundings or find some support," the young man recalled Lu Yi. "Someone upright in their ways, who comprehends your motives and backs your decisions, clearing the path for you at the top ranks of the military."

Captain of the Guards: "..."

The Captain rolled his eyes. "Does such a support even exist?"

Was that just a leg to hold onto? That was a soulmate... no, wait... a comrade-in-arms that one would struggle to find anywhere in the world!

Rong Mi blinked, confirming, "Oh, they do."

He smiled, subtly gesturing towards the screen displaying Lu Yi's special authorization, then feeling a bit too boastful, he coughed awkwardly and waved goodbye to the Captain.

"It's getting late. I'll take my leave now. Talk next time."

Captain of the Guards: "..."

The Captain fully grasped Rong Mi's meaning.

He gazed at the young man's retreating figure, silent for a moment before stroking his chin thoughtfully.

... Come to think of it...

... It seemed he wasn't entirely without options if he wanted to return to the military.

Though he didn't have the kind of ultra-powerful ally Rong Mi had mentioned, it was clear from her uninhibited actions within the Academy of Sciences that she had someone watching her back.

Moreover, the young man was currently enjoying great popularity and held a high reputation within the military.

The Head Guard: Following Rong Mi might actually be a feasible plan!

*

Rong Mi was completely unaware that she had become the subject of such contemplation.

It was very late into the night.

He knew Lu Yi had been waiting inside the aircraft for quite some time, so he quickened his pace involuntarily.

The area surrounding the Academy of Sciences had been completely sealed off, with laser warning barriers erected outside the building. The smoke from the aerial explosion had yet to fully dissipate.

In the dark of night, the few remaining aircraft veered away from this area, recently marked by disaster.

Across the street, Lu Yi's black aircraft stood out with its deep red tail lights, as if awaiting Rong Mi's return.

Yet, Rong Mi's brow furrowed slightly.

The lit tail lights indicated that the aircraft was not parked but preparing for takeoff.

It was inconceivable that the Admiral would depart without a word.

Rong Mi crossed the street and approached the side of the aircraft. Just as she did, a soft glow emerged beneath the black craft, and the lift thrusters ignited, lifting it slowly upward.

The wolf howled.

It had sensed that there was someone else besides Lu Yi within the aircraft.

Rong Mi: "..."

Disregarding that the aircraft had already risen to waist height, she reached out and forcefully pulled open the hatch.

A soft click echoed from the black aircraft's door lock as it verified fingerprints automatically, unlocking for Rong Mi.

The person seated in the pilot's seat inside swiftly turned their head outward, seemingly surprised that someone could unlock Lu Yi's aircraft externally. Their expression was one of utmost astonishment.

This individual was dressed in a gray military casual attire, with a ponytail, and one hand still gripping the aircraft's control stick.

Their palm remained on the control stick, pulling it down to its limit, accelerating the aircraft upwards.

Sander, right behind Rong Mi, immediately stood up straight, letting out a low growl. He clung to the aircraft's floor with his two front paws, digging in tightly.

With the lion's massive build and strength, he tilted the aircraft to one side.

Rong Mi exerted force with her arm, pushing off downwards, using the momentum to pull open the hatch and climb onto the ascending aircraft.

The lion leaped after her. Its considerable weight caused the aircraft to lurch downward, nearly crashing.

Inside the starship, the wolf positioned itself between Rong Mi and the pilot.

It kept a watchful gaze on the starship's driver, ready to react at any sign of unusual movement.

"Your piloting skills could use some improvement. Lu Yi's aircraft isn't so unstable that it can't even carry a lion," Rong Mi casually closed the hatch and gazed directly at Lu Tianxing.

"The least you could do is increase the power a bit," the young man said coolly, with a hint of sarcasm. "Surely you know to push the throttle forward, don't you?"

As he spoke, he glanced around the interior of the aircraft, noticing Lu Yi leaning against the seat on the other side.

The general had his head against the cabin wall, his brow furrowed, eyes closed. Unconscious, deep in slumber.