Gun of Ashes

If you want to leave and break through the encirclement, you have to raise the platform to reach the surface, but this would inevitably mean battling these Demons, and perhaps even that mysterious Plague Doctor.

What about retreating? If they return to the interior of the research area, they might resist for a while using the labyrinthine terrain, or even find an empty corner to hide themselves in denial.

Unlock the blockade? As long as they unlock the blockade, they could flee Black Mountain Hospital from another place, but this would allow the Demons to fully infiltrate the entire research area and Black Mountain Hospital would officially fall.

”Arthur, Gawain has not failed yet. If we can hold on until he deals with the Demons in the mild symptom area, we still have a chance to survive.” Percival’s voice echoed again.

”Blue Jade! Red Falcon! Take Eve and Owes, along with the others, and retreat back to the interior of the research area. Find a way to survive, while we and Percival will confront the Demons here, kill them all... or be killed by them.”

In this extreme environment, this was all Arthur could come up with.

Black Mountain Hospital is different from the Perpetual Motion Pump; its main research focus is human brain and spirit, not machinery. The corridors of the Perpetual Motion Pump were pre-designed, with tracks allowing the Armor of Original Sin to move, which the research area lacks, preventing the Armor of Original Sin from entering the research area deeply. They can only stay here to fight.

”Bluebird! Swift! Lead the soldiers to cover me, find a way to escort me there!”

Arthur extended his hand again, pointing to the blue-armored armor at the end of the rain curtain.

Everyone sprang into action, even the always silent Night Owl, who piloted his armor to kneel, while the leg machinery was damaged by the Demons’ bites, making it difficult for the armor to stand.

This was the same Sword Dancer from the previous battle with Lorenzo, Night Owl pointing the intact parts of his external armor forward, turning the entire armor into a temporary fortress, protecting the soldiers behind him and allowing them to fire from behind his steel.

Then he took the last armor musket from the weapon rack behind him, waiting for the moment to fire.

Percival also sprang into action. As the Knight Commander, the First Generation Armor he piloted became the strongest combat power available and the only hope of victory.

After the Perpetual Motion Pump developed lacquered antimony, this substance was used in many areas, one of which was the armor propulsion system, and the fuel tanks carried by the Sword Dancer contained lacquered antimony.

No high-mobility advance was needed anymore; the Demons would rush in without Percival needing to charge. Possibly to lighten the load on the armor, she removed the last two fuel tanks from her armor.

At this moment, the road behind them shook violently, with howls of Demons accompanying it.

Surrounded, the Demons in the research area followed the scent of living beings here.

”Change route! Forward!” Arthur shouted immediately.

Several paths led to the lift area; the escape group couldn’t go back the way they came but could advance from another entrance, yet the Demons were ahead.

Everyone made the necessary decisions; Night Owl, who had just squatted down, swiftly stood up, the armor swaying but still striving to grab the remnants of armors, blocking the path of the Demons’ invasion.

The group began to run towards another exit, while the Demons dropping down had already crossed the center of the large lifting platform.

The cold wind sounded, the heavy shadow swept over their heads, fuel tanks were thrown into the Demon group, followed by a precisely fired aluminothermic bomb hitting them, igniting the lacquered antimony-mixed fuel, instantly engulfing most Demons in a sea of flames, and the heat wave dispersed the rain, almost knocking everyone down.

Behind them, the First Generation Armor retained its throwing posture, with Bluebird holding the aluminothermic rifle under that towering figure.

”Keep running!”

Percival’s voice sounded in the communicator, followed by the First Generation Armor dragging its Great Sword and rushing towards the center of the large lifting platform, the sword blade trailing and sparking dazzling flames, then slashing down like thunder.

The sound of metal tearing mixed with gunfire, the whole situation turned into a large-scale battle, countless bullet heads carrying burning flames crossed paths, weaving together.

Like the end of the world, the sky was rolled into gray-black, and a cold heavy rain poured from it.

Blue Jade and Red Falcon were at the front of the group, needing to find a way to get these two important figures out, getting closer to the exit, a scene of a possible tearful farewell, but Arthur didn’t even glance at Eve.

Arthur knew clearly, barring any surprises, this might be the last look, but he didn’t dare turn back, as if fearing something.

He forced himself to look in another direction, due to the change of route, Arthur grew closer to the blue-armored armor, and after escorting the escape group, they could directly proceed to capture the armor and continue fighting.

”Won’t you say something?”

During the advance, Blue Jade suddenly asked Eve in a low voice.

Eve seemed somewhat puzzled by what she asked, while Blue Jade didn’t look at her, instead staring at the approaching Demons, using the aluminothermic rifle in her hand to drive them back.

”Just don’t regret it,” Blue Jade said something seemingly nonsensical again.