No one knows what kind of peril awaits Miss Tengyumo.
But Miss Tengyumo is acutely aware that Mr. Jonas Veyten would never miss such an opportunity. Indeed, he must have prepared extensively to seize her once again at this moment.
It's utterly despairing to realize that, even though one can anticipate Mr. Jonas's intentions, the situation has already spiraled beyond redemption.
Miss Tengyumo knows full well the danger of staying, yet she has no choice but to do so. For if she were to leave with only a few dying members of the Fate Organization, Mr. Jonas might have no qualms about pursuing her, while others could escape before the peacekeeping reinforcements arrive.
This is the most optimal solution for now. Furthermore, Miss Tengyumo cannot be certain if Mr. Jonas has the capability to detain her permanently. If he adheres to the Morris Consortium's regulations upon boarding without additional weapons or bodyguards, Miss Tengyumo still stands a chance against him.
Even now, if Miss Tengyumo were to push to the brink, Mr. Jonas might find himself dragged under completely.
However, Mr. Jonas has precisely calculated that Miss Tengyumo wouldn't dare to risk everything. Through the ordeal she endured, he has thoroughly discerned her strengths and weaknesses.
In such a predicament, Miss Tengyumo's thoughts would undoubtedly lean toward minimizing losses rather than risking everything.
Of course, there's also the possibility of Miss Tengyumo making an erroneous judgment due to emotional instability.
But even if Miss Tengyumo truly desired to go down with Mr. Jonas, the members of the Fate Organization would not allow her to make such a foolish decision.
Firstly, the current conflict between the Veyten Consortium and the Fate Organization has not reached a point of life and death; there's still room for reconciliation.
Since it's not a vendetta between the Fate Organization and the Veyten Consortium, these members of the Fate Organization naturally wouldn't willingly sacrifice themselves for Miss Tengyumo's "personal vendetta."
Hence, the idea of going down with the ship was baseless from the start. At the moment the explosion occurred, everything had already been sealed...
And what follows is the cat-and-mouse game.
..............
At this moment, while the peacekeeping forces are rushing full speed toward the cruise ship, they encounter an attack from an unidentified force.
It's not that they're being attacked with real firearms; they haven't suffered any physical harm in the literal sense.
The attack here refers to their communication systems and vehicle control systems being hacked by an unknown hacker.
This situation is immediately identified as the work of a terrorist organization, further confirming the initial speculations of the senior officials of the peacekeeping forces.
However, this is not good news at all.
If the explosion on the cruise ship was merely an accident, such as circuit damage or system failure, the peacekeeping forces would bear only a small part of the responsibility.
But if it's an attack by another force, such as the Fate Organization or other terrorist organizations, then the peacekeeping forces would obviously bear a considerable portion of the blame.
Once the situation escalates into a security issue, implicating so many capitalists from the twenty-five districts, it won't be easy for the peacekeeping forces to extricate themselves from the consequences.
The hackers' attack immediately throws the senior officials of the peacekeeping forces into panic.
For a moment, they are unsure whether to continue advancing or remain in place.
After all, nobody knows if the hackers attacking their communication and vehicle management systems have also set up other ambushes.
If the rescue mission fails and the members sent for rescue are all wiped out, the situation would become even more dire.
As a result, the rescue operation of the peacekeeping forces is further delayed.
Meanwhile, new developments are unfolding on board the cruise ship.
...........
Members of the Fate Organization are gradually withdrawing, while some heavily injured or determined members choose to stay by Miss Tengyumo's side.
To be honest... Miss Tengyumo is not certain whether this group of people can withstand Miss Elyse, the "Black War Goddess." After all, the latter boasts remarkable combat achievements beyond her imagination, and Miss Tengyumo has never witnessed her in action, making it difficult for her to gauge Miss Elyse's strength.
Due to this uncertainty, even though they are fully armed, Miss Tengyumo still dares not to take the initiative.
However, to Miss Tengyumo's surprise, after more than ten minutes, most of the Fate Organization members have already withdrawn, and there's still no sign of Mr. Jonas.
Just as Miss Tengyumo starts to feel puzzled, the Fate Organization members beside her begin to remind her softly:
"Miss Tengyumo, it's time for us to retreat."
Although it's unclear why the speed of the peacekeeping forces' arrival has slowed down, it's undoubtedly good news for the Fate Organization at this moment. With enough time to retreat, they manage to keep the losses within a certain range.
The failure of this plan is primarily attributed to Mr. Larkins of the Morris Consortium. His lack of complete trust in the Fate Organization and excessive self-confidence in his abilities led to the tragedy inside the venue.
However, the losses resulting from the failed cooperation are not solely determined by the degree of error.
While Mr. Larkins bears the main responsibility in this plan, the Fate Organization remains the biggest loser in this operation.
As her thoughts return, Miss Tengyumo can't help but clench her fists and take a deep breath before speaking:
"Prepare to retreat..."
—Bang, bang, bang.
The continuous gunfire startles the Fate Organization members, and some even fall before they can react.
The sudden gunfire in the corridor catches Miss Tengyumo off guard.
However, in just a short time, those Fate Organization members who were already injured have all fallen to the bullets.
Feeling somewhat powerless, Miss Tengyumo finally emerges from cover. A bullet grazes her leg, causing her to stumble.
Seeing this scene, Mr. Jonas raises his hand, signaling to cease fire.
The other Fate Organization members hiding behind cover seem to anticipate Miss Tengyumo's intentions and are eager to persuade her. Just as they are about to speak up, they hear Miss Tengyumo say:
"Let them leave, I'll go with you."
A look of slight surprise appears on Mr. Jonas's face upon hearing this, followed by a smile as he speaks:
"It seems Miss Tengyumo has finally come to terms with reality..."
He pauses for a moment, preparing to continue:
"But have you considered..."
However, before Mr. Jonas can finish his sentence, a bullet accompanied by gunfire flies directly towards him.
Unfortunately, the bullet lands on a pale blue force field.
—The Veyten Consortium's Tactical III Autonomous Combat Drone.
The sudden turn of events surprises everyone present, including Miss Tengyumo. Obviously, this was not the contingency plan she had prepared.
But soon, a figure rushes out from the shadows and charges directly towards Mr. Jonas.
This series of actions leaves no room for reaction for those present.
It's an attack made with a desperate mindset, something that normal people cannot comprehend in time.
Unfortunately, Mr. Jonas is surrounded by people who are anything but normal.
In the moment the figure attacks, another figure jumps out from another
shadow, pressing down firmly on the attacker.
After the man is pinned down, his first reaction is to shout towards Miss Tengyumo behind him:
"Miss Tengyumo, run!"
It's Joab Bud, her deputy.
As for the woman who mercilessly pinned the man down and then sliced his leg when he cried out, Miss Tengyumo knows her.
—Ricciella, her former deputy before this plan began.
"Why..."
Upon seeing the woman, Miss Tengyumo's mind plunges into chaos. She doesn't understand why she would help Mr. Jonas. This question even temporarily makes her forget that escaping now is the top priority.
Upon hearing the girl's question, Ricciella doesn't answer, just purses her lips and averts her gaze towards Mr. Jonas, seemingly asking what to do next.
"It seems Miss Tengyumo's sincerity is lacking..."
Hearing Mr. Jonas's words, Miss Tengyumo seems to realize what's about to happen next, panic filling her eyes.
"No... Please..."
Her tone is pleading, as if a person devoid of all hope is begging the other not to take away her last ray of light.
But Mr. Jonas pays no heed to the girl's plea, merely softly saying:
"Commence."
As his words fall, so does the blade, and the head flies.
As if unable to bear witness, the girl watching her former companion take the life of her current companion gradually loses the spark in her eyes, collapsing onto the ground.
—So, upon seeing your former comrade take the life of your present comrade with his own hands, what are your feelings now, Miss Tengyumo?