Book 9: Chapter 21: Internal Strife

“Qin Lun, you’re being too cautious. Honestly, with the Queen of Sandstorm helping us, we really don’t need to target this place anymore. There’s just not much profit left here!” Grant shrugged helplessly, looking at the old building in front of them.

“We still don’t know how many enemies are left in London. Playing all our cards at once isn’t a smart move!” Qin Lun’s eyes flashed as he smiled and shook his head. “Besides, this target remains one of Britain’s most important agencies. After the last attack, their defenses have weakened, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing valuable inside.”

“Qin Lun, are you talking about our Main Plotline?” Grant’s eyes shifted as he guessed one possibility.

“Mhm. After the Main Plotline changed, it required us to kill at least one leader from an Allied Forces Superhuman organization.” A cold light flickered in Qin Lun’s eyes as he explained with a smile. “Grant, haven’t you noticed the difference between the Divine Comedy World and the Quest Worlds we’ve experienced before?”

“Difference? I’m not sure what you mean!” Grant scratched his head in frustration. “I really hate working with people like you and Hill. Always so many twists and turns. Just spell it out!”

“Haha. In past Quest Worlds, even Low Magic Worlds, a plot character’s status was proportional to their power. But the Divine Comedy World is different.” Qin Lun raised a finger. “This world has some decent Superpowered Beings, but its primary path is technological. Secular power is held by ordinary people.”

“Although the world started shifting towards magic after the Space-Time Rift appeared, it’s only been a few decades. Neither the Superpowered Beings nor the state leaders have fully adapted. Most Superhuman organizations are still secret agencies under national authority, and many leaders are ordinary humans.”

“The moment I saw the new task requirements, I knew Shattered Starry Sky deliberately lowered the difficulty after learning of Superstring Space’s invasion. We didn’t actually need to kill Superhuman leaders on the level of Captain America. Killing a few high-ranking leaders of Superhuman agencies was enough.”

Qin Lun looked at the dilapidated building in front of them, still visibly scarred by gunfire. A cold smile curled his lips. “Of course, under normal circumstances, such people have heavy protection, making them just as hard to reach. But this place is the exception. MI7 has already been hit once. Their defenses are minimal now, and they’d never expect us to double back!”

“If you put it that way, this really is a great target! The British are stubborn and believe in Sacrifice. If any MI7 leaders survived the last attack, they’d likely still be here, trying to hold things together!” Listening to Qin Lun, Grant’s eyes lit up, a vicious grin spreading across his face.

“Let’s go. We need to hurry. If the Major takes action first, the big fish inside might escape.” Qin Lun glanced up at the moonless night sky, chuckling softly. “Heh. A dark night for killing, a windy night for burning. Quite fitting!”

…

While Qin Lun and his team launched their second attack on London’s MI7, a fierce argument erupted aboard the Zeppelin battleship floating thirty thousand meters above.

“Major, is it truly necessary to include civilian targets in the strike?” An officer in a Germany Navy uniform, his brow deeply furrowed, looked towards Major Montana seated in the command chair of the bridge. Behind him stood a group of hesitant warship officers.

“Captain Cross, attacking just British carriers and military targets won’t cause enough panic across London. Only by turning London into a burning hell can we best cover our ground assault team!” The fat Major glanced at the captain of The Zeppelin, explaining patiently. “I understand your concerns. But, unfortunately, this is war!”

“Major Montana, we despise the British and are willing to give our all for the Empire’s revival. But attacking civilian targets tarnishes the Germany Navy’s honor. I implore you… please reconsider the order!” A drop of cold sweat slid down the middle-aged Captain’s forehead as he gritted his teeth, standing firm.

“Doctor, it seems Gerthard was right. After all these years, even some of our own have lost their war resolve.” Major Montana sighed, looked briefly at the tense Dr. Shahil beside him, then turned his cold gaze back to the middle-aged officer. “Captain, I repeat: Carry out the order!”

Captain Cross struggled visibly. After a moment, he finally turned to the control console, his finger moving towards a red button—the missile launch key. But his hand stopped halfway. His expression hardened with resolve, and his hand flashed towards a different green button on the console.

“Hiss…” A light sound came from the bridge entrance as the heavy blast door slammed shut in front of the confused guards.

“Cross! What are you doing?!” Dr. Shahil shouted, a mix of shock and anger. But Major Montana next to him merely raised an eyebrow, his face darkening as he fixed an icy stare on the Captain.

“Major, I apologize. I will not execute the order for a full attack on London,” Captain Cross stated impassively. “However, we will still attack British carriers and military targets to provide cover for Captain Hans’ assault team. Afterwards, I will accept any punishment you deem fit.”

“I didn’t anticipate such a development. I wonder how Gerthard will view the Millennium Bug Corps when he returns.” Major Montana closed his eyes, rubbed his face, and sighed, a sense of weariness showing as he chuckled bitterly towards a female soldier standing behind him. “I thought this would be unnecessary. But since he left you as my… insurance measure, I’ll rely on you now.”

“Hmm?” Dr. Shahil followed the Major’s gaze to the female soldier whose face was half-hidden under a large service cap. He looked surprised; Major Montana hadn’t mentioned this, clearly a contingency arranged solely by the other Major.

“Ha! Major,” Captain Cross looked at the female soldier with doubt, “I saw both Lieutenants, and even that Miss Lace, jump with the assault team. I may not be a powerhouse Superhuman, but my body is enhanced. I’m not someone just anyone can handle!” His confidence in defying the order stemmed from believing the fat Major had no real leverage over him now.

“What a hassle. I knew that guy wasn’t being nice just letting me out!” The female soldier pursed her lips in displeasure, took off her cap, and revealed her cold face. It was Pakunoda, Qin Lun’s figurine doll.

After Qin Lun advanced to Second Order, the significant increase in Energy Points affected Pakunoda the most. The figurine lady could now utilize some of her original combat skills, though only basic applications. High-rank Nen skills like “Mind Ballet” were still beyond her reach.

But that didn’t matter. The inherent strength of a High-Rank combatant like Pakunoda, using even basic techniques, was far beyond what Cross could handle.

“Can I kill him?” Pakunoda asked coldly, looking at Major Montana.

“At your discretion!” The fat Major swept his gaze over Cross and the other ex-Germany Navy officers, then turned back to the large screen.

Minutes later, the metal floor of the bridge was slick with blood. Captain Cross, hoisted off the ground by Pakunoda with one hand, struggled futilely like a bug trying to move a tree. He weakly clawed at the Troupe beauty’s hand, forcing out his final words towards Major Montana.

“M-Major… this… this was all… my decision! Please… spare my men. They… they are the future seeds… the seeds of the Empire’s Navy!”

“Seeds? The future Empire Navy won’t need them. The Germany Navy tradition of insubordination must end!” Major Montana looked at the image of London on the screen, a cruel smile suddenly twisting his features. He waved a dismissive hand. “The Empire’s revival demands sacrifices in blood – from our enemies, and from us. Captain Cross… you go first.”

“I’ll be watching you… from the other world… Major… don’t… disappoint us…” The light faded from Cross’s eyes, and his arms slowly fell slack.

Staring at the Captain’s face, now wearing a smile of release, Major Montana was silent for a long moment. He turned back to Dr. Shahil. “Doctor, any new progress on that research?”

“No, not yet. The research time is still too short… and the initial samples we obtained were far too scarce.” Dr. Shahil paused, then understood what the Major was referring to, replying with a helpless smile.

“Major Gerthard was quite willing to provide us with blood samples. But, for some reason, new samples extracted from the Major himself… tests show they’re just ordinary human blood. It seems that ice flame he drank acts merely as a catalyst for life evolution, and it belongs to a hidden trait. Current scientific methods can’t extract it again.”

“So… what we can use… is still the diluted solution from just those few initial drops?” Major Montana frowned slightly, a hint of disappointment in his question.

“Mhm. Even after multiple dilution steps, the substance retains significant corrosive properties… and it cannot be assimilated by soldiers who already have Superhuman lineage. Only ordinary humans can undergo the modification. However… the process essentially forces all cells in the body to evolve simultaneously. Without extraordinary willpower… they would certainly die from the pain. The success rate is very low…”

Dr. Shahil smiled bitterly. “Most crucially, there is only enough diluted solution for one attempt. We can only simulate the modification process; we can’t gather real data. Continuing like this… I doubt we’ll gain much more insight.”

“I see…” Major Montana blinked calmly, then suddenly spoke with a light laugh, “After this operation concludes… prepare the injection for me.”

“Major?!” Dr. Shahiel stared at him in shock. “You… you wish to undergo Superhuman modification?! You always firmly opposed turning yourself into a… Vampire…”

“Heh. I haven’t changed my mind! So-called Vampires are just mongrels mixing others’ Souls and lives within themselves. I am a human. Even if only my brain remained in a jar, my body replaced by machine parts… as long as I retain self-awareness… I remain human.”

Major Montana looked at his palm, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Mine is mine. I won’t allow any other Soul or life to mix with it. However, what Major Gerthard left behind is different. Didn’t you say it’s merely a catalyst for life evolution?”

“Gerthard was right. The future belongs to the Superhuman. Those who can’t keep up will be abandoned by the times. I am not afraid of death… but leading the Empire’s revival requires my existence. Though this body can be replaced infinitely… I can feel life slowly dwindling away.”

“Doctor… by the measure of an ordinary human lifespan… I don’t have many years left. Since Gerthard’s blood still registers as human… I have no reason not to accept this gift of power.”

“But… Major! You would be the first test subject for this modification! The success rate won’t be high!” Dr.Shahil argued, sweat beading on his forehead.

“Haha. Isn’t it all about enduring by willpower?” Major Montana clenched his fist, chuckling softly. “In that area… I am very confident indeed.”