Chapter 159: The Hunter Guard's Immense Value!
The black train that Lucci and Tama had been following for several days, like other trains, actually had a name: the 'Kotetsujyo'. It was the only 'Iron Fortress' in the entire nation painted black.
Inside the train.
"I am truly humbled that the General-sama's son himself is leading the way for us," Ayame, who was following behind Mima Amatori, said sheepishly.
Beside her were the gold short-haired woman, the blue-clothed samurai, and the grey-green haired youth that Lucci had noticed. The red-clothed little girl, however, was nowhere to be seen.
"We severed ties long ago; we are no longer father and son," Mima Amatori explained his situation with his Father frankly as he led the way.
"How could that be... Oh, right, there's a strange matter we wanted to discuss with you."
"Hmm?"
Mima Amatori seemed quite interested in the word 'strange'. He stopped in his tracks, turned around, and asked softly, "Please tell me about it."
After exchanging glances with the grey-green haired youth, Ayame spoke in a gentle tone, "It's like this. When we passed by Yashiro Station, we heard something there that was almost like a mythical legend."
"They said that a few days ago, 'Black Smoke' attacked their Station. Just as everyone was falling into despair, a 'God of Sand' who could manifest as yellow sand and control Sandstorms appeared, defeated it, and even swept away all the Kabane with it. Before leaving, he took Governor Tian Jiang with him..."
The grey-green haired youth continued, "We checked, and there were indeed clear traces of battle in that place. Especially the Mountain Slopes on both sides of the Track had their tops sliced off, as if cut instantly by a sharp Blade. This is consistent with the accounts of many Soldiers at Yashiro Station!"
"Yes, just as Ikoma said, although it sounds quite fantastical, there is a sense of reality everywhere there. There are simply too many Residents who claim to have seen that 'God of Sand'."
Ayame nodded and said, "Even a roasted chicken stall that the 'God of Sand' visited was packed at the time. The spot where that 'God of Sand' sat was even covered with a large umbrella to shield it from Wind and Rain, treating it completely as a place where a Deity had lingered."
"Something like that happened..."
Mima Amatori lowered his head and fell into thought. Speaking of strange things, he actually had one on his end too. One of his Cadres named Uryuu had reported that recently, several Rice Balls and Bamboo Tubes used for water had gone missing.
It wouldn't be strange for something like this to happen on a regular Iron Fortress, as people always tried to sneak extra. But their Hunter Guard was under militarized management, and the quantity of Rice Balls and Bamboo Tubes was strictly monitored.
Because of this matter, several Soldiers had been interrogated along the way, but nothing was ultimately found out.
Most importantly, he had great confidence in his Sixth Sense. These past few days, he constantly felt as if he was being watched...
On the other side.
Lucci and Mata temporarily separated. The former hid in the shadows, communicating with the Star Gate Base via Transponder Snail, while the latter went to observe the City's Environment to see if there was anything noteworthy.
"Someone emitting a Kabane Aura?"
Senior Director Addison on the other end of the Transponder Snail heard Lucci's Report and immediately recalled a plan that the Biochemical Research Institute had reported not long ago.
"Wait a moment, I'll have Dr. Fritz come over right away. I believe he'll be very interested in what you've said!"
With that, he didn't hang up the Transponder Snail but directly used another Transponder Snail on his desk to call Dr. Fritz, then quickly and clearly explained the Situation.
[Bang!]
As expected, in less than five minutes, Professor Freeze, who wasn't far from the location, pushed open the Office door and rushed in. He then snatched the Handset from the former's hand and shouted excitedly, "You really saw Living People emitting a Kabane Aura? Are they the kind with clear consciousness?!"
"Yes, and not just one, there are four. Two men and two women, and they..." Lucci described the Physique that Mima Amatori and the gold short-haired woman had displayed again.
"Hahahaha!"
Upon hearing this, Professor Freeze burst into ecstatic laughter, shouting, "I knew it! I knew my idea wasn't wrong!"
"I just didn't expect that the people of this World have already mastered the Technology for mass-producing Kabane Warriors. Although there's a slight regret, this also saves us a lot of Time and energy."
"Let me tell you, although I don't know you, you must keep a close eye on those four people. At least ensure you can bring one back!"
Lucci, who was far away at Shiori Station, observed his surroundings vigilantly while speaking softly into the Transponder Snail, "Understood."
"Oh, right. Since four Kabane Warriors appeared there at once, it means there must be someone who has mastered the relevant Technology. Look carefully to see if there's anyone who looks like a Scholar or Researcher!"
"There is indeed one."
Lucci recalled some of the personnel in the Hunter Guard who had unique attire and temperament.
An image quickly surfaced in his mind: a middle-aged man with the same grey-green hair color, but styled neatly swept back like a pompadour. He wore a clean White Robe and had a small device around his Neck that was a Gas Mask combined with Night Vision Goggles, giving off a punk-like vibe.
When the 'Kotetsujyo' had stopped along the way, he had seen this person following Mima Amatori several times. His temperament was very similar to the Scientists he had met.
"Hahaha, that must be him. Keep an eye on him. His Value is even greater than those Kabane Warriors. Of course, since there are two of you, try to bring them all back!"
Dr. Fritz cheered excitedly. At this moment, Senior Director Addison interjected, "Lucci, since you have high-Value targets there, I will Order other CP9 Teams to converge in your direction."
"We have already obtained the Map of this Nation. Based on the location you just provided and the Intelligence about Mima Amatori, they are likely heading to Kongokaku, where the Shogunate Capital is located."
"Then your next stop is very clear: Iwato Station, the last Station before Kongokaku. I will have them head there in advance!"
Lucci nodded and said expressionlessly, "Understood."
"Wait, wait a minute!"
Just as both sides were about to hang up the call tacitly, Dr. Fritz stopped them, saying quickly, "Did you mention to Councilor Addison earlier that you sensed a Mental Source filled with Negative Emotions?"
"Yes."
"It was a Mental Fluctuation that caused intense Fear and Killing Intent to surface in my Heart just by using Observation Haki to sense it!" Lucci said in a deep voice. He was also very concerned about this matter.
"Then there's no mistake. There must be a 'Core' of 'Black Smoke' inside the Train. Mima Amatori must have captured hundreds of Kabane alive and locked them up to feed it!"
"What are 'Black Smoke' and 'Core'?" Lucci asked, confused, but quickly understood their Concepts under Dr. Fritz's explanation.
"It seems the Hunter Guard has too many things of great Value. It's simply a Treasure trove. Your decision to follow them was absolutely correct!" Senior Director Addison said with a smile.
"I will immediately Report these matters to the Home World and see how the Lords there want to handle them, especially this Mima Amatori, and the Young Commander you mentioned. Like you, I also sensed Political Value in her."
"But your first Mission and second Mission are to keep a close eye on Mima Amatori and that Kabane Researcher. After you rendezvous with the other Teams at Iwato Station, await further Orders!"
(End of Chapter)