A Scientific Urban Detective.

Chapter 1086 Encounter at Sea

Academy City proceeded with its "Daihasei Festival" activities as usual, and citizens and tourists alike enjoyed the lively atmosphere without being affected by the outside world. However, the Academy City leadership and well-informed individuals had already sensed the shadow of "war" creeping towards them.

The Roman Catholic Church's hostility towards Academy City has become so obvious that it is no longer concealed.

The recent conflicts have resulted in losses for both sides, but have only exacerbated the existing tensions between them.

Now, taking advantage of the topic of the "Avignon Massacre," the Roman Catholic Church is launching a new wave of anti-school city protests around the world.

They even seem to be organizing a new century's Crusade.

However, Academy City is still holding the "Daihasei Festival," and it is impossible to enter a state of war before the seven-day event ends.

That is why every bit of combat power is so precious under these circumstances; especially Level 5 espers—of course, it's impossible to let them leave Academy City.

If it weren't for the inconvenience of transportation, Academy City would probably have sent a plane to bring Lin Wuming back long ago.

However, if he could use an airplane, Lin Wuming would have returned to Academy City long ago. Why would he be wandering aimlessly between European countries like this now?

Three full days have passed since the battle with the Right Flame, which destroyed Avignon.

Over the course of three days, Lin Wuming, in a wheelchair, traveled with the Amakusa group through various European countries, heading towards the English Channel.

With one city sacrificed, the whole of Europe united and showed unprecedented positivity.

Not only did they close their airspace, but with the covert instigation of the Roman Catholic Church, they even issued arrest warrants for Lin Wuming and the Amakusa-style group across various European countries.

This move added a lot of trouble to Lin Wuming and his companions' "escape journey".

Fortunately, it's just "trouble".

The main reason for the strong reaction from European countries is fear – after all, it is a “human nuclear bomb” capable of destroying an entire city in an instant, and no one wants one of their cities to become the next target.

Therefore, most of the wanted notices and pursuers targeting Lin Wuming and his group were actually aimed at "surveillance" and "expulsion." Their primary demand was to prevent these dangerous elements from causing trouble within their country.

As for a direct confrontation... without deploying regular troops, no rational commander would issue such an order.

Of course, a few stubborn troops or those directly under the command of the Roman Catholic Church may choose to launch a direct attack.

Therefore, the journey was quite eventful, but fortunately, with the saint Kanzaki Kaori overseeing things, they always managed to escape danger without incident.

After three days of forced march, Lin Wuming and his group finally saw the sea.

Next, all that's needed is to go through the underwater tunnel to return to England—the current base of the Amakusa-style forces, which are also allies of Academy City.

"I wonder what that guy Aleister is up to," Lin Wuming couldn't help but complain. "So much time has passed, and I still haven't seen Kazakiri Hyouka come over!"

Although flights are suspended, communication signals cannot be blocked.

Therefore, Lin Wuming already knew about Aleister's plan—he planned to send Fuse Wind Slash to support him.

However, the reinforcements have yet to arrive, and it's unclear whether something has happened at home.

"It seems we won't need that scientific angel's intervention anymore," Lin Wuming thought to himself as he headed towards the underwater tunnel.

If all goes well, I should be able to board the plane back to Academy City tonight.

If all goes well...

"Your Highness, something's happened." Isaaki and Ushikata, who were scouts ahead, returned to the group. "The underwater tunnel has been attacked by terrorists; apparently, a section has collapsed."

"So the only option is to cross by sea?" Kanzaki Kaori frowned, then turned to look at Lin Wuming.

To be honest, Kanzaki Kaori wasn't surprised by this—if it was a terrorist attack, it would indeed be somewhat unexpected, but even without such an unexpected event, she didn't think her group would be able to escape smoothly through the underwater tunnel.

This is the final hurdle; an accident is almost inevitable.

“Going by sea is fine too, it just will take longer,” Kanzaki Kaori said. “We have a boat.”

“I’m fine with anything,” Lin Wuming replied. “As long as I can get to my destination.”

When it comes to matters of travel, Lin Wuming always readily accepts good advice.

So the Amakusa group immediately took action, launching a boat—a speedboat made from enlarged paper boats—in a secluded corner of the beach.

"Don't worry," the member in charge of casting the magic assured Lin Wuming, "the paper boats are the medium for casting the spell. These boats are absolutely sturdy and will not be easily damaged unless they encounter a naval battle."

Half an hour after setting sail, Lin Wuming's group of "paper boats" encountered a huge fleet made of ice.

“An unexpected thing has happened…” Amakusa-style Ushifumi sighed, rubbing his forehead. “Damn it, it’s that Queen’s fleet!”

Lin Wuming's mental energy swept over the unconscious girl Wuhe beside him, and he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Looking back, the purpose of my trip to Europe was to find clues about the "Queen's Fleet".

Unexpectedly, after going around in circles, we ended up meeting at this very moment...

The two fleets met by chance and had already spotted each other; it was too late for them to retreat or escape.

Not to mention, with the Saint Kanzaki Kaori and the esper Lin Wuming in charge, the actual combat strength of the "Paper Boat Fleet" may not be weaker than that of the other side.

However, the fight might be a bit more complicated – it would require boarding maneuvers.

“That largest one should be the fleet flagship,” Kanzaki Kaori said, standing at the bow without a trace of fear. “Ushifumi, you lead everyone around them.”

"Huh? Your Highness, we can join the battle too..."

“No need,” Kanzaki Kaori resolutely refused. “The timing is not right. It’s not the time to fight them. I’m just holding them back. I’ll catch up with you after I achieve my goal.”

“This won’t do, Kanzaki-neechan,” someone suddenly spoke up from afar. “We must destroy this fleet, or at least the person controlling this spirit suit.”

A genuine yacht suddenly appeared, speeding towards them through the sea fog.

"Tsuchimikado? What are you doing here?" Kanzaki Kaori looked surprised when she saw the boy in the floral shirt steering the ship.

"Well, it was just a coincidence, wasn't it?" Tsuchimikado Motoharu spread his hands and shrugged. "I was just diligently completing the mission, right, Kamiya?"

Accompanied by Tsuchimikado Motoharu's loud calls, a boy with black, spiky hair emerged from the cabin.

Lin Wuming's mental energy swept across, creating a void in his right hand, as if it had been erased.

"Touma Kamijou, you're here too?"

(End of this chapter)