Love, Gun, Cupid

Lin Jiade was overjoyed: "This is great!"

"Its appearance is that of a golden armor."

Lin Jiade was overjoyed: "Such a good thing?!"

"You can see the price yourself..."

Kapok handed over the phone, and Lin Jiade saw that the equipment was still priced at 15000 dinars even after the cost price was reduced by 76%. He chuckled dryly.

Mu Mian misunderstood his meaning and said, "It is a bit cheap. If I had seen this price at first glance, I would have thought I bought a fake. But this is a monkey version of the unpowered exoskeleton armor. Its performance is not as good as the first-generation police unpowered exoskeleton armor that the Fuxing City Police Department's Special Tactics and Rescue Service Team just phased out."

Its only advantage is its high energy reserves, while its other performance is far inferior to its competitors. However, I think it is very suitable for you, both in terms of combat needs and price.

Even a serious, high-level magic researcher would find a power armor purchase painfully expensive. Even if you took all of Jasmine's savings and sold both of your houses, it would probably only buy one leg… Such a luxurious toy is best left as a dream.”

So this is already the cheapest option?

Lin Jiade definitely needs it. With the energy reserves it provides, Gladiolus can cast spells better, and this thing also increases his combat power to some extent.

For the sake of a bright future, Lin Jiade gritted his teeth, raised his head, and said, "I'll buy it!"

"If you're sure, I'll contact the warehouse. This kind of equipment requires approval procedures. After approval, it needs to be handed over to the logistics team for personalized modifications to ensure that people don't associate it with the official power of the Empire."

"How many days, how much?"

“The payment of 15000 dinars will be made in three installments at rates of 20%, 70%, and 10%, with each payment made no more than two months apart.”

"So, in other words, the payment can be completed in a maximum of six months?"

"Ah."

This relieved Lin Jiade. Just a few days ago, he had told Jasmine that he had another partner. Now, it was difficult for him to ask Jasmine for money. If he spread it over six months, his internal life calculator would kick in and find that it wasn't enough. But by then, his relationship with Jasmine would probably be good enough for him to ask for money.

Lin Jiade, Lin Jiade, is it really a good thing to be supported by a woman? The young man blamed himself inwardly, thinking he should take less next time.

That was settled. When the two arrived at the martial arts classroom, the others hadn't arrived yet. Lin Jiade asked, "What about the information about Jianlan?"

"This can be given to you for free: The Empire consists of two systems. One is the everyday world as you see it as an ordinary person, where propaganda machines and magic together weave a cradle of ordinariness, happiness, and lies."

The other set is the inner world as seen by those with extraordinary powers. You probably already have some idea of ​​what this world is like.

In the Otherworld, the highest ruler is called the Emperor. The Emperor is not chosen by bloodline, but by ability, and is the strongest person. Because of this, the selection of the Emperor is often uncertain, and the Emperor sometimes cooperates with and sometimes opposes the Senate, which inherits power and authority through bloodline.

Thirty years ago, after the last emperor died in the final war against the alien civilization, some of his generals defected to the Senate, while others chose to ally with the local power factions, namely the continental lords of the thirteen continents, ushering in a period of great vacancy in the inner world of the empire.

These two groups nearly tore the Empire apart, and the shadow of civil war loomed over the Empire and its thirteen colonies. It is said that even the Celestials were embroiled in conflict.

The tragedy of the Baker Street Squad is one of the manifestations of the chaos of the Great Void, when they were sent to a planet to carry out a special mission behind enemy lines during the last months of the Emperor's life.

After that, records about them in the imperial archives were lost, and even their personal information was reduced to a small fraction. They were victims of history, forgotten by all.

Now, they have reappeared in the Empire's sights as traitors, and the Empire, instead of sending its high-end forces, has opted to use the "Baker Street Squad," composed of civilians, to deal with them.

"...Captain, should I sympathize with them?" Lin Jiade asked.

"I'm saying this to tell you not to hold back. Thirty years of hatred can't be resolved with a few words after the battle."

"Will we also be purged and abandoned, Captain?"

"Don't worry, I've already planned your future. After graduation, you can use what you've learned to serve your hometown, fight crime, and build your community. You'll live your life as an unsung hero of the city, enjoying good treatment, and people will be proud to know you," said Kapok.

Lin Jiade's eyes lit up: "Really? That's like a fairytale life. Can I... have it?"

“I assure you,” Kapok’s voice softened, “it’s more accurate to say that a magic researcher like you is only suited for fairytale-like positions, fairytale-like careers, and fairytale-like lives.”

Lin Jiade was overjoyed, but Jianlan's eyes were full of worry. The identity of a magic researcher seemed like a curse. Possessing power meant being bound to be plagued by anomalies. Could their lives really be like a fairy tale?

On November 1st, during the 8th Mirror Realm Expedition, Lin Jiade had just landed when he heard deafening cheers from the north. They rushed over and saw that the land north of the town had been leveled, and three small magic circles nested within a medium-sized teleportation magic circle had been successfully completed. In the soft light, supplies from the Empire's homeland arrived.

Chapter Ninety-Three: The Rescue Battle (Part 1)

With only 30 magic researchers who are not skilled in engineering and the unqualified laborers conscripted from the town, it is as difficult as expecting Boruto to work up a sweat.

As a compromise, the first phase of the large-scale teleportation magic circle project involves creating three smaller magic circles. Every half hour, a total of 45 kg of supplies will be ejected from these circles. These supplies will consist mainly of finished products or modular components that have undergone preliminary assembly, which will further enhance the teleportation capabilities.

The Empire sends supplies here through white glove companies. At the same time, the elderly, weak, sick and disabled people used to control the town's labor force are sent to the Empire's mainland first, then arrested on the grounds of illegal border crossing, and actually transferred to planned reserves.

"Once the magic circle's throughput capacity reaches the standard of those small commercial companies on colonized planets, victory will be firmly in our hands. I can't wait to follow Mr. Cyrus back to our home in District 37."

Nabu looked at the magic circle expectantly, his face clearly showing his desire for a vacation. Lin Jiade asked curiously, "Do you all live together?"

"Ah, after all, we served in the army together, fought in battles, were captured by the enemy, became fellow prisoners, and then escaped together, drifting for several years before finally returning to our motherland."

We've already been through thick and thin together, so after we went back, we all bought houses in Mr. Cyrus's hometown. We live together, sharing those moments of unity, determination, and courage... Ah, that's what Mr. Jedin said; he's our team's sharpshooter."

Lin Jiade wanted to continue working as a cook, but an urgent combat order was sent to his phone. He said goodbye to Nabu and went to the rendezvous point marked by the Kapok.

“What happened?” he asked.

"Yesterday, after we withdrew to the Empire's homeland, the squad that remained here used drones to discover a settlement of Mirror Realm creatures with energy fluctuations at a distance of 37 kilometers."

After obtaining Lao Can's consent, they operated the drone to crash into the settlement, and the sensors transmitted the last ripples back here.

Surprisingly, the labyrinthine structure formed by the Mirror Realm creatures was hollow, concealing other settlements beneath it. One of the buildings bore a striking resemblance to the one in the town.

"Is this the headquarters of that pale-skinned woman?" Lin Jiade asked.

"Yes, the squad that stayed behind made the same judgment, so they sent a squad from District 20 to scout ahead. However, they lost contact when they arrived in the vicinity."

"Shall we go and rescue them?" Lin Jiade asked.

“Or collect their bodies,” Kapok replied.

Lin Jiade didn't have much of a relationship with the people in District 20, but they had been comrades-in-arms after all, so he felt a little uncomfortable for a moment. After checking the equipment, he saw that the mobile vehicles that had been allocated had also been sent here.

"Really? We're going to go by bicycle?" He was dumbfounded.

"Motorcycles and other vehicles exceed the current teleportation magic circle's throughput capacity."

Kapok, Lin Jiade, and Star Flying Fish were able to ride bicycles fairly well, but for Yuki and Arcturus, whose sizes made riding bicycles quite painful, they awkwardly sat on the back of Star Flying Fish and Kapok.

Lin Jiade glanced back and saw Jianlan lightly land on the back seat, sitting sideways with her hand half around his waist, looking like she was walking towards the crab with the Snow Woman.

He slammed on the pedals, and the bicycle shot forward, nearly throwing him off. He frantically regained his balance and saw magical runes flashing on the bicycle. It turned out that the bottle-like thing on the bicycle frame was Amanda Stone, supplying the energy needed for the magic imbued on the bicycle.

After getting used to it, Lin Jiade took the lead and rushed out. Soon after, a small drone equipped with a reconnaissance module, which was transported from the Empire's mainland in the form of a component, flew over them, providing them with vision and guidance.

Soon, the sophisticated life detection device on the drone locked onto the location of Buck's team. They were all still alive and fighting off their pursuers in the complex terrain outside the maze.

In addition to District 18, the District 15 team was also dispatched—except for their captain, Lao Can. The District 15 team was responsible for the rescue part, while the Kapok team was responsible for the protection.

The two squads arrived almost simultaneously, and the enemy reacted just as quickly, disappearing into the maze without a trace. Judging from their attire, they were probably wanderers carrying fragments of Korobochka's soul.

Squad 15 provided emergency treatment for Buck's team. As the leader, Buck was the most seriously injured. His own blood mingled with the blood of his enemies, and his gaping wounds were proof of honor, sacrifice, and bravery. While his wounds were being treated, Buck lay there without uttering a sound.

Lin Jiade understood why District 20 chose a dog as its captain; it was because the dog deserved the position.

Squad 15 placed all members of Squad 20 on the back of bicycles, while Squad 15 provided protection from behind. At a distance of 20 kilometers from Robinson Town, Lin Jiade suddenly laughed, and his laughter echoed in the squad’s public channel through the built-in communicator in his helmet.

"Why is the Emperor of Lin laughing?" Arcturus asked.

"I laughed at that woman for not understanding military strategy. The terrain here is complicated, and half of our manpower is needed to take care of the wounded. We only need to ambush one force..."

Before he could finish speaking, the drone hovering above them exploded in flames. On the hillside to his side, a Mi-Lin tire man appeared in his field of vision. As the man raised his longbow, arrows rained down like black raindrops onto the two squads ahead.

"Prioritize attacking the wounded, damn it!"

Lin Jiade heard someone curse on the public channel. As he braked, the Star Flying Fish accelerated forward, and Yuki jumped out of the back seat. The Star Flying Fish drove into the convoy of the 15th District team, raised its arm, activated its pacification magic, and a golden shield unfolded above their heads, withstanding the barrage of arrows.

"Interstellar Flying Fish, protect the wounded! The rest of you, follow me and deal with the archers!"

Mian gave the order, and Yuki aimed at the target on the hillside, drew her bow, and shot an arrow. A few seconds later, she was suppressed because the opponent's traditional longbow, although not as powerful as her compound bow, had a very fast rate of fire.

“Get closer before you fight,” Yuki said, straddling Lin Jiade’s back and slapping him on the back. “This bicycle is magical; it can still go up even with me on it.”

So, Lin Jiade carried Yuki, and Mumian carried Arcturus. The two bicycles raced up the hillside. As they got closer, the enemy's target became clearer and clearer—a Mi○Lin Tire Sprite that moved nimbly across the rocks came into Lin Jiade's sight.

Chapter 94 Rescue Battle (Part 2) (Bonus Chapter)

Upon first glance at the enemy, Lin Jiade subconsciously categorized it as a diamond elf. In his mind, diamond elves all had goddess-like looks and figures, the kind of people who would be tempted to inject their seed into someone even if they knew she was their great-great-great-grandmother.

“Miss Yuki, are they from your clan?” he asked.

"What kinship? Look at her long, silvery-white hair, look at her crescent-shaped eyes, she's a genuine diamond elf!"

"Don't lie to me."

"Why would I lie to you?" Yuki's voice was somewhat frantic. "This is the first time I've ever seen a diamond spirit like this!"

Regardless of the reason why the other party became a mutant that exceeded the average standard of the race, they are still enemies. Therefore, Arcturus removed the rocket launcher on his back and launched smoke grenades to compress the enemy's movement range, while Yuki drew his bow and released the release device the moment the enemy emerged from the smoke.

The thick, black arrow hurtled toward the enemy. The cross-sectional area of ​​the diamond elf meant that Mi○Lin could not completely dodge the attack. And after it hit, the spell attached to the arrow could cause secondary damage.

Before that, a figure holding a shield appeared in front of the diamond elf Mi○Lin. The moment Yuki's arrow struck the shield, it made a "thud" sound, and sparks flew as the arrowhead rubbed against the embossed patterns on the curved surface of the shield.

The arrow shattered, and several wind blades struck the shield. The shield-wielding warrior stood firm, like a wall in front of the archer behind him.

As if in provocation, the Diamond Elf cast another spell down at the team with wounded soldiers below. Mumu said in the public channel, "You guys go first, we'll hold them off!"

After saying that, Mu Mian slammed down the pedal, with Lin Jiade following closely behind. Jian Lan helped him take out a talisman from his pocket, and in Yuki's vision, the talisman suddenly floated into his palm.

"A single stroke cleaves in two, the Ruyi Divine Sword!"

He released his right hand from the handle with his left, shouting a shameful statement. Yuki cast a spell behind him, and feather decorations like those of winged cavalry appeared behind Lin Jiade.

Mio Lin's diamond elf's barrage of arrows landed heavily on Lin Jiade's vital points, but Yuki's magic infused Lin Jiade with martial virtue, and the flowing wind enveloping the bicycle deflected all the arrows, allowing him to fight his way to the enemy.

His sword slashed towards the enemy's neck, the feel as smooth as an M&B. A second before the blow landed, another enemy behind him trembled. Lin Jiade froze, abandoning the easy victory before him, and turned to attack the shield-wielding enemy behind him.

“It’s taunting,” Jianlan said. “He can force enemies within a certain range to direct their attacks at him.”

How long will it last?

"It varies from person to person."

"Swearing on the court!"

As Lin Jiade turned around, she saw Arcturus dismount from behind Kapok. She let out a roar, and the rocket launcher in her hand transformed into a battle axe. She carried it on her shoulder and charged towards the enemy shield-wielding warriors. The axe blade struck the shield, and a sickening metallic buzzing sound spread.

The two remained locked in a stalemate, neither gaining the upper hand. Lin Jiade, turning around, saw the shield-wielding enemy's back aimed at him. He immediately drew his sword and delivered a righteous backstab. At that moment, behind him, the diamond elf's arrow flew toward Yuki's back.

Lin Jiade's sword tip pierced the neck of the shield-wielding enemy, leaving only a faint white mark. Before Mi○Lin's diamond elf arrow could hit Yuki, it was cleaved in two by the slashing sword of the slashing cotton tree.

"The ghosts of the Baker Street Squad?" Kapok glanced at the two enemies. "State your names... if you still consider your past glorious."

This name naturally refers to the registered name in the Magic Register, and the Diamond Elf Mi○Lin said in a melodious voice, "93."

“A liar,” the shield-wielding warrior replied.