Chapter 2703: Chapter 1828: Chaotic Conspiracy
The architecture of the Mechanical Church differs from that of the National Religion. It follows a rational and highly utilitarian style. Unlike the National Church, there are hardly any idle people around here. Under the pilot’s control, the fly-car slowly landed on the platform. Duanmu Huai, along with Mary and Mianmu Zuoniao, disembarked and arrived at the entrance of the Holy Shrine.
Looking at the wide-open doors, Duanmu Huai raised an eyebrow, then reached for the Chainsaw Sword hanging at his waist (which he had "borrowed" from the Emperor).
"Something’s not right."
"Not right?"
"The oil men never leave the doors wide open."
Duanmu Huai lifted his head and nodded towards the front.
"They usually keep the doors closed, and only those authorized can activate the Contemplator to open them."
As Duanmu Huai spoke, he glanced to the right of the door, and sure enough, there was a Contemplator present. Clearly, it was meant to open the gate, but now it was shut down.
Duanmu Huai reinitiated contact.
"Lumiaire, we’ve arrived at the Holy Shrine of the Mechanical Church. Nobody’s here. Can you find any clues on the network?"
"Nobody?"
Lumiaire’s voice sounded a bit surprised.
"But my readings show that all the equipment is functioning normally without any issues."
"Hmm, that’s the biggest problem."
Duanmu Huai drew the Chainsaw Sword and gestured to the two people.
"Let’s go in. There’s definitely a trap inside."
"Are we really going in?"
Mary seemed a bit surprised.
"So we need to see what kind of trap these guys have set up for us."
Duanmu Huai shrugged his shoulders.
"Unless they’ve set up Thermite Bombs here to try and blow us sky-high... well, honestly, that possibility isn’t entirely low. But rest assured, we’re not going to die."
"I hope so."
Mary could only sigh helplessly at Duanmu Huai’s words, gripping her cane and staring ahead. Meanwhile, Mianmu Zuoniao, who had been listless along the way, found her eyes gleaming at Duanmu Huai’s words.
"So, teacher, can Zuoniao take action now?"
"Almost."
"YEAH—————!"
Upon receiving Duanmu Huai’s approval, Mianmu Zuoniao cheered exuberantly, like a child who had just found their favorite ride in an amusement park, and excitedly bounded up the steps, walking through the wide-open metal doors with no concern about encountering a mine attack or similar threats.
Perhaps she simply doesn’t care.
Duanmu Huai and Mary also followed behind Mianmu Zuoniao, entering through the dim gates.
The corridor inside was silent, typically populated by Mecha Servants handling cargo transport or red-robed monks maintaining the Mecha Spirit, but there wasn’t a single person to be seen here—oh, that’s not right. There is half.
In front of Duanmu Huai stood five figures roughly the size of Oga, mostly converted into mechanical devices. Duanmu Huai instantly recognized them as slave workers used by the Mechanical Church for patrol and vigilance, now staring at him as they collectively issued a sound.
"Scan complete, target locked, immediate elimination."
Truthfully, this turn of events did not surprise Duanmu Huai at all. However, Mianmu Zuoniao’s movements were swifter than Duanmu Huai expected. The girl lowered her body, and as the word "scan" was still being pronounced, she darted forward like an arrow, seeming utterly uninterested in whatever these slave workers wished to say.
Alright, to be fair, no interest is required.
Soon, two slave workers raised their hands, their limbs modified into Plasma Cannons and Heavy Bomb Guns, attempting to target Mianmu Zuoniao.
Though the firepower of these slave workers could match a platoon, they revealed their main flaw against Mianmu Zuoniao—the slow reaction and stubborn mechanical need to aim before firing. As they raised their weapons, aiming at Mianmu Zuoniao, she had already swiftly dodged from her original path with an S maneuver, accelerating once again.
Before the barrage ended, Mianmu Zuoniao had positioned herself in front of the two slave workers, easily stabbing the Sharp Blade into the modified neck joints of one, turning it, and moments later, the worker’s head soared sky-high like a basketball while its uncontrolled body collapsed.
In an instant, Mianmu Zuoniao had taken out the two slave workers responsible for the long-range attack at the rear, while the other three rushed towards her. Mary initially wanted to step forward to help but was stopped by Duanmu Huai. He knew that Mianmu Zuoniao was more than capable of handling these slave workers, and that the girl had been itching for a challenge—during the investigation at the factory, Duanmu Huai noticed Mianmu Zuoniao’s eager gaze towards the workers, indicating that her body, though lacking Mary’s Golden Pupil, seemed aware of the workers’ corruption.
Yet, she obediently refrained from attacking. Duanmu Huai decided to treat this as her reward.
Mianmu Zuoniao wasn’t wearing armor or protective gear but remained clad in her casual school uniform. Truthfully, this attire offered no protection, and any live weapon could shred her to pieces. However, her astounding boldness and equally bizarre movement technique compensated for this deficiency.
In Duanmu Huai’s eyes, Mianmu Zuoniao was akin to a warrior with Agility, relying solely on evasive defense where attacks were all misses. Of course, the downside was apparent—if she were touched, Mianmu Zuoniao would undoubtedly be killed.
This included the Chainsaw Glove and Chainsaw Sword used by these slave workers.
Nevertheless, Mianmu Zuoniao seemed utterly undeterred, twisting her body deftly, using a movement style similar to what Duanmu Huai had observed in the Martial World—(given her frequent sparring with the Little Dragon Girl at the Tribunal, she may have indeed picked up a few tricks)—dodging those mechanical and rigid attacks effortlessly. Moments later, she scattered the remaining three slave workers into pieces with her Sharp Blade.
Thank goodness, these guys were modified so extensively that there’s hardly any flesh left, avoiding any revulsion.
"Well done."
Duanmu Huai nodded approvingly at Mianmu Zuoniao. She sheathed her Sword with a grin and flashed a V sign at Duanmu Huai. It seemed disassembling those slave workers had somehow alleviated her anxiety and unease.
"Let’s keep moving forward."
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