Chapter 1015: When Fortifications Meet Flying Pests


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    Erik and June squeezed through the tiny gaps in the manhole cover, emerging into the city streets. Theirpound eyes adjusted quickly to the daylight, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings.


    <This ce is different from New Alexandria, > June said.


    The city stretched out in front of them,bining old-world charm with military fortifications. Unlike the magnificent skyscrapers of New Alexandria, the city''s skyline was humble. There was nothing that couldpare to something like the Red Pce, but honestly, the tallest building here couldn''tpare to the smallest in Frant''s capital.


    Most buildings were no taller than four or five stories, constructed of concrete and bricks. Narrow cobblestone streets wound between them, asionally opening into small squares or marketces.


    There were some public buildings there, whose architecture hinted at a rich history. It couldn''t be otherwise, since this was an ancient city. It wouldn''t find itself at a crossroads, otherwise.


    The buildings had ornate facades and intricate stonework adorning them. There was even a clock tower, followed by many but smaller churches, whose spires punctuated the skyline.


    Despite its smaller size, the city still covered a considerable area. But not so much as to trouble Erik.


    <Yeah, but I wouldn''t live here even if I got paid to do so. This ce is too far from anything worthy of attention. I bet you can''t even find a decent market here.>


    <Well... maybe. But the ckguards chose toe here for its strategic importance.>


    <That''s because our artillery makes it impossible for them to ship the goods by air. These ancient roads are the only things worthwhile about this ce.>


    Indeed, ancient highways, relics from the pre-Thaid era, stretched out from the city like spokes on a wheel.


    Modern military additions contrasted with the city''s historical charm. Sandbag fortifications and gun emcements dotted rooftops and intersections, while hastily erected barricades blocked streets.


    Erik and June noticed that the city''syout seemed to thicken in one area, likely the one having themand center. The streets were also filled with civilian and military traffic, with people moving with urgency.


    <Well, at least they didn''t kill people for no reason.> There wouldn''t be citizens in the city if it had been otherwise. Though it was clear, there weren''t many around.


    The two intruders kept flying around. At that point, the scope of this strategic location became clear.


    <The ckguards chose well,> Erik said.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    As if to underscore his point, a convoy of trucks rumbled into view, their cargo holdsden with supplies. Soldiers swarmed around them, efficiently unloading crates and redirecting them to various parts of the city.


    As Erik and June hovered, observing the city''s bustling activity, they noticed an unusual pattern emerging. While convoys of trucks continued to pour in, unloading their cargo. The people seemed tense; Mira and Amber were right. There was something big going on.


    Soldiers scurried along the city walls, their eyes scanning the horizon for some unseen threat. On rooftops, teams assembled anti-aircraft guns, their barrels pointed at the sky. They were going to be repurposed to kill thaids.


    That became clear at that point given the fact the ckguards were worried about ''increased thaid activity''.


    It was just that Erik expected it was because of his and the Chimaeric Demons'' actions instead. It looked like one or more flying thaids wereing this way. Otherwise, it wouldn''t make sense for the anti-aircraft guns to be pointed at the sky.


    Even civilian buildings weren''t exempt from the preparation, as people climbed onto them, with binocrs able to make the wielder see at kilometers, nestled on their noses.


    <Do you think it is some kind of flying thaid that ising here?> June asked, his tiny form darting between two agitated soldiers.


    <My guess? Yes. Probably something bigger and nastier than the usual Zephyrwings or Galewings.>


    <But why here? Why now?>


    <Not sure,> Erik said. <But for the ckguards to be this agitated, the situation must be serious.>


    They watched as amander barked orders, directing more troops to reinforce the city''s perimeter.


    <Whatever''sing,> Erik continued, <it''s got them scared. And that worries me. We''ve seen ckguards face down some terrifying Thaids before, but this... this is different.>


    <Should we abort the mission?>


    <No,> Erik said. <If anything, this makes our job more easy, because if the thaids are really attacking this ce, we must capitalize on the situation. Jerry went to lure more thaids. If we make a double attack, we might be able to destroy this ce, instead of just sabotaging it.> Erik and June flew closer to a group of military officers huddled near a makeshiftmand post. The two insects perched on a nearby crate, their tiny bodies unnoticed.


    "Sir, reports confirm the flock is heading here," one officer said. "Estimated time of arrival is two hours."


    Themander cursed under his breath. "What is the situation with the anti-air defenses? We can''t let them breach the city walls."


    "We ced everything we have, sir, plus, we are on our way to deploy mechas."


    <A flock of flying Thaids?> June''s thoughts reached Erik. <We were right then...>>


    <It couldn''t be otherwise. It looks like destiny really wants the ckguards to be wiped out by


    this.>


    The two officers kept talking.


    <Should we split up? I could scout the city; look for weak points we could exploit when the


    attackes.>


    Erik considered for a moment. <Great idea. You go ahead and search around. I''ll stay here and try to gather more intel. I want to find out who''s in charge of this ce.>


    <Understood. Be careful, Master.>


    With that, June zipped away, his tiny form soon lost in the bustling crowd. Erik remained, hispound eyes fixed on the officers as they pored over maps and barked orders.


    As Erik listened, he learned more about the city''s defenses and the growing panic among the ranks. The name "Colonel Vance" was mentioned several times.


    <This Colonel Vance must be the one running things here,> Erik thought to himself. <If we can take him out during the chaos of the Thaid attack... Of course, after having taken all the information we need from him...>