Mr. Rat of the Steam World

Chapter 97 Lonely Old Dog
The roar of the armored engine faded into the distance, and the heavy iron gate of the manor hung askew on its frame. Flames still licked at the broken wood and debris deep within the ruins, crackling softly.

On the lawn, the survivors watched the steel behemoth disappear into the dust, leaving them bewildered and looking at each other.

"...It's over just like that?" The fashionable young nobleman was pale, his legs still trembling.

The young couple still clung to each other, their fingers intertwined so tightly their knuckles turned white. It was probably an unforgettable experience for them.

The manor's butler, trying to appear calm, directed the surviving servants to clean up the mess. The salon was definitely ruined, and he had to arrange for a good carriage as soon as possible to safely transport these shaken guests away.

The wiry man then casually asked Afra, "How did you contact the army? They arrived pretty quickly."

Afra flicked her slightly disheveled skirt, revealing a tired yet serene smile, without elaborating: "Special channels."

The sharp-looking man gave her a deep look and couldn't help but sigh, "No wonder she's General Biden's daughter."

Professor Al, who was leaning against the side panting, sighed and grabbed his hair in distress.

"It's a pity I can't say, I'm dying to say it."

Lu Ran wandered around, looking here and there, and just happened to come up to Professor El.

Listening to what this guy has been saying these past two days has been quite interesting, to be honest. At least it shows that there are indeed some inexplicable things in history.

Even the megalithic tower and Stonehenge are still guarded by people, as if they are afraid of being seen.

Lu Ran was thinking of visiting them sometime, but both places were in different cities thousands of miles apart, so he couldn't go for the time being...

Seemingly drawn in by Lu Ran's thoughtful expression, Professor Al stopped his rambling, adjusted his glasses, stared at Lu Ran with curiosity, and suddenly remarked.

"Such a smart little guy is a rare find."

Mattia's voice came from the side: "Why do you say that?"

Her face was still pale, but she was much more lucid. She struggled to sit up a little and reached out her uninjured left hand, her fingertips trembling slightly, to touch the small patch on Lu Ran's back that had been rubbed raw by stone chips.

"injured?"

Lu Ran snapped out of her thoughts and was startled by what she saw. She quickly ran to the side on her short legs.

Professor Al explained with a smile, "The eyes of any living being are like a window; instincts, thoughts, intentions, and even hidden emotions are revealed through them..."

Mattia's expression shifted slightly: "Then what did you see in that little guy's eyes just now?"

Professor Al chuckled, then changed the subject, spreading his hands in a somewhat comical manner.

"Just kidding, what can you tell from the eyes of a gray rat?"

Mattia listened to Professor El's joke and shook her head helplessly, but she did feel much more relaxed after hearing it.

Just then, Lu Ran, who had jumped over from the other side, felt a sudden jolt in his heart and subconsciously activated the system.

[Biotechnological Inspiration for Enhancing the Potential of Rat Colonies - Completed]

Is it over in Territory Two?
Even though she knew this day would come, the unexpected surprise still made Lu Ran feel extremely excited.

What kind of biotechnology?

Super soldier?

It's still a longevity potion.

Lu Ran's anticipation grew stronger, and he spun around on the grass several times.

"Squeak!" (It's done!)
This small commotion immediately caught Afra's attention. Her tense nerves relaxed, and she couldn't help but bend down and extend her hand to Lu Ran: "Traitorous rat? That's not good, you're so happy that Perez's manor burned down?"

Lu Ran raised her little head, without any intention of explaining. She glanced at her with bright eyes, then with a graceful leap, she precisely slipped into Afra's open evening handbag, leaving only a small tip of her tail sticking out and swaying playfully.

Afra chuckled, shook her head, and carefully closed the zipper of her handbag.

Before long, the frightened horses were calmed and led back, and the few usable carriages were harnessed. After a brief farewell to each other, everyone boarded their carriages, arranged by the steward.

The wheels rolled over the gravel road, heading in their respective directions home.

……

Biden's estate.

The setting sun painted the horizon a warm orange-red, its afterglow lazily spilling across the garden. Bella lay listlessly on a flat, large rock, her chin resting on her front paws. She sat there like a lonely old dog, lost in thought.

Even though he finally got the cloth bag he had always wanted, a gray-brown leather shoulder bag with a strap and saddle structure designed specifically for large dogs.

But after the initial excitement, it just got really boring.

There's no Big Brother Mouse, and no Little Brother Mouse either...

As the maid passed by, she called out to it, "Bella, come here!"

It merely wagged the tip of its tail symbolically before sinking back into the melancholy typical of an old dog. It even stretched out its paw and listlessly fiddled with the buckle on the bag on its back, opening it only to clumsily snap it back on.

Just as the last rays of the setting sun stretched its shadow long, and weariness was about to overwhelm it—

"Clang... Clang..."

A familiar sound, like wheels rolling over gravel, came clearly from the direction of the manor gate.

Bella's previously droopy ears perked up instantly, turning towards the source of the sound like sensitive radar.

The stunned silence lasted only a brief moment.

The next second, as if struck by a huge electric current, Bella's eyes widened suddenly, her pupils dilating rapidly with extreme surprise! All her melancholy and laziness were instantly thrown to the winds!

"Woo...wooo?!"

Bella sprang from the rock with a whoosh! Her once fluffy white fur was flung about by the violent movement, tracing a bright arc in the air. She then landed, kicking up a cloud of grass and dust.

The carriage had just come to a stop in front of the door, and the coachman was about to get off.

“Ooooooooooooo!!!”

A huge white ball of fur suddenly pounced in front of the carriage door!
The car door was pushed open from the inside.

"Bella! Quiet down! You almost bumped into me!" Afra slapped Bella's big head, which she was nudging towards her, with a mix of exasperation and amusement. The maid Hela couldn't help but chuckle as well.

Bella completely ignored the scolding, her huge tail whipping around Afra's skirt. Her gaze didn't linger on Afra for even a second, scanning every corner of the car like a searchlight, finally fixing on the exquisite evening handbag that Afra was hiding beside her.

Sure enough, my gaze met right at the gap in the zipper of the handbag, where two bright black eyes were peeking out.

In an instant, Bella's eyes lit up dramatically, and her huge paws excitedly pawed at the car door again, while a happy gurgling sound rolled down her throat.

Lu Ran turned his head away speechlessly, silently rubbing the tips of his ears that had been shaken by Bella's howl, and muttered a helpless complaint in his mind:
Stupid dog...

Afra didn't notice these details. Seeing her overly excited dog, she thought it was because it missed her, and happily reached out to rub Bella's fluffy head.

"Okay, okay, I know you're in a hurry... let me off the bus!"

Before Afra could even touch it twice, she saw Bella, who had just been sitting in front of the carriage sticking out her tongue, suddenly dart off in one direction.

Upon closer inspection, it seemed to be chasing a small gray figure.

"what?"

Afra was startled and subconsciously looked down at her handbag. Sure enough, the gray squirrel that had been inside had disappeared.

Look at the direction the dog and the mouse are running.

Afra was initially exasperated, but then sighed resignedly, "...Is it really that fun?"

However, considering that he had been tired all day, he quickly greeted Hela.

"Hela, quick, I need to take a shower."

……

On the other side, Lu Ran had already been picked up by Bella and tossed back, landing comfortably in the shoulder bag on her back.

Bella asked excitedly, "Where to first, Baker City or..."

"The stone house... there are no plans for the time being... in that case..."

"Target: Baker City, full speed ahead!"

(End of this chapter)