Lucian and the other two arrived near the Disruptor, where a Midnight Ranger sentry was keeping watch.
Yangyang presented her credentials: "Outrider squad, Yangyang. General Jiyan sent us as reinforcements. What's the current situation?"
After verifying the credentials, the sentry replied, "A few minutes ago, a Tacet Discord surge suddenly attacked and seized the artillery below."
"A few soldiers are still holding their ground at the artillery. To prevent the Tacet Discord from advancing further into the camp, we were ordered to seal off this area…"
The sentry urged anxiously, "I'll open the passage for you three. Please, hurry and reinforce them!"
The three rode the cargo elevator upward, arriving near the Disruptor, but the area was nearly overrun by Tacet Discords.
Lucian fought his way up, his movements sharp and fluid, swiftly dispatching and absorbing the Tacet Discords.
A severely wounded Midnight Ranger soldier lay slumped beside the artillery, barely clinging to life.
"General… is that you…?" His body was covered in wounds, his breathing ragged.
Rover spoke firmly, "We're reinforcements sent by the general."
The dying soldier managed a faint smile. "Is that… so… That's… good…"
"We knew… this cannon… was crucial…"
"We held our ground… didn't let the Tacet Discords… take it…"
Yangyang tried desperately to treat the soldier's injuries, but his condition was beyond hope.
Summoning his last ounce of strength, the soldier pulled something from his chest. "This is… the repair key… Please take it…"
"I… might not last… till victory…"
"Please… you must… defeat that monster…"
Rover: "We will win."
"Thank… you…" With those final words, the soldier's eyes slowly closed, his breath stilling.
Yangyang's expression trembled, tears glistening in her eyes. "…We will win. Rest in peace."
Working together, the three cleared the surrounding Tacet Discords and bought time for the Disruptor's recharge.
Just then, Jiyan and Jianxin arrived.
Jiyan: "You've worked hard."
He looked up at the sky. "…The rain has stopped."
As soon as he spoke, Baizhi and Mortefi sent a communication.
Baizhi: "General, the effects of the Retroact Rain are gradually fading. We've detected a sharp decline in Tacet Discord numbers in Norfall Barrens."
Mortefi: "The Disruptor is also fully charged and ready to fire. However…"
"Firing the Disruptor requires massive energy expenditure. If it misses…"
Jiyan cut him off. "…This is our only chance."
Jinhsi's communication chimed in as well. "Everyone, can you hear me?"
"As the Magistrate, I've secured authorization for the Disruptor's deployment using my authority."
"The immense energy required, the risk of a misfire, the rationality of this decision—I take full responsibility for all of it."
"The outcome of this battle rests solely on my shoulders."
Lucian cleared his throat and interjected, "Actually, I can guarantee the Disruptor won't misfire."
"But I have to be the one controlling it."
The group was stunned. Rover was the first to speak. "I believe you."
After a moment, Jinhsi also smiled. "As my intelligence officer, I naturally trust your abilities. In that case, Lucian will control the Disruptor's firing direction."
Since the Magistrate had spoken, no one else objected.
Lucian gave a slight nod. "Thank you for your trust, Magistrate."
Jinhsi continued, "General, Rover, Lucian, and all soldiers—press forward without hesitation."
"May you traverse the long night and return victorious."
Jiyan: "…Thank you for your trust, Magistrate."
Jinhsi: "You flatter me, General. From the beginning till now, we've shared the same goal…"
Jinhsi issued the order: "All units—provide unconditional support to Rover, General Jiyan, and Intelligence Officer Lucian. Disruptor firing is authorized!"
Lucian leaped onto the Disruptor, adjusting its aim toward the shield.
The shield was enormous, but even without sharpshooting skills, Lucian was confident he could hit it.
The real challenge, however, was determining the firing position to breach the statue after the shield was down—something he'd need to assess firsthand.
As the Disruptor's barrel glowed, ripples of orange-yellow light gathered at its mouth. The next moment, a blazing laser shot forth.
The shield was struck without fail, dissolving gradually to reveal what lay beneath.
Of course, Lucian's role was merely auxiliary—the true firing mechanism relied on the coordinated efforts of multiple departments.
After all, the Disruptor was a complex military weapon; Lucian alone couldn't operate it fully.
Jianxin gazed ahead at Norfall Barrens, where the Crimson Vanguard and Midnight Rangers fought in tandem, holding a slight advantage.
However, the closer they got to the statue, the stronger the Tacet Discords became, making further progress difficult.
She clasped her fists. "The Tacet Discord assault is relentless. Someone must hold the rear." The source of this content ɪs novel✦fire.net
"Everyone, trust this humble Daoist—press onward."
With that, Jianxin rushed to the frontlines, joining the battle.
Jiyan: "Now, we can truly approach Ovathrax.'"
"Very well. Let us advance through Norfall Barrens and close in on it."
Lucian cleared his throat again. "Actually, I have another way to get up there quickly."
Rover's eyes lit up. "You mean…?"
She recalled when Lucian had helped her transform into a 'Jué.'
Lucian nodded slightly. "Exactly."
He patted Jiyan and Yangyang's shoulders. Suddenly, a blue light screen appeared before their eyes.
"Lucian is using Transformation Magic. Accept?"
Without hesitation, the two chose to accept. The next moment, four 'Jué' soared into the sky.
Jinhsi: "…The Sentinel has been found. And there are four of them."
As the Magistrate, however, she could tell these weren't real 'Jué'—just an illusion created by some mysterious technique.
True 'Jué' wielded supreme authority, but the ones Lucian and the others had transformed into lacked such power.
The four 'Jué' ascended swiftly, reaching the highest point of the Suspended Ruins, now dangerously close to the statue.
Without this ability, the journey would've been far more arduous.
But before they could observe for long, Tacet Discords closed in from behind.
Jiyan's voice turned cold. "As expected—the closer we get to this statue, the stronger the enemies become."
He raised his spear, ready to clear the surrounding Tacet Discords to give Lucian space to fire. But Yangyang stepped forward before he could act.
Yangyang tightened her grip on her weapon, determination in her eyes. "The Tacet Discords summoned by the Threnodian are endless. Someone must stay behind to secure the firing zone and escort the others into the statue."
"General, I understand your thoughts. But compared to you… I believe I'm the more suitable candidate."
"Defeating the Threnodian is a wish we all share."