Chapter 126: Deep in the Wilderness

The Harmony sped across the wilderness, tearing through the swirling sandstorms like a rampaging monster. A mutant creature attempted to block its path, hoping to force the iron beast to a halt, but in the next heartbeat, it was sent flying by the Harmony’s immense momentum. With a single mournful howl, it collapsed into the desert wasteland and fell silent forever.

"So, we're heading deep into the wilderness to find a mysterious structure?"

Eluka didn't even glance at the carcass of the mutant she had just struck. The young girl had grown accustomed to this life; she gripped the steering wheel tightly, stepping on the gas to plow through anything that dared stand in her way. The feeling of being unstoppable was intoxicating and exhilarating. Eluka finally understood why the female drivers before the Great Cataclysm were said to be able to slaughter gods and demons alike if they blocked the path. This act of driving a powerful machine to carry out relentless slaughter and destruction was absolutely magnificent!

"That is merely one possibility."

While watching the elven girl sitting blankly on the sofa, Vallen replied casually. "Half of it is based on deduction. If my hypothesis is correct, we will soon find news and records regarding her. Perhaps we might even discover why she ended up in this state."

"Um... Commander? What if we don't find it?"

Hearing Vallen’s response, Kurona, sitting on the other side, raised her hand timidly to ask. Vallen gave a crisp and decisive answer to her inquiry.

"Then we will keep looking until we find a clue... So, you had better pray that my deduction is correct."

Upon hearing this, Kurona shrank her head, saying nothing more. She hugged her small teddy bear tightly, closed her eyes, and began to pray.

"Commander, it seems we have some trouble."

Just then, Eluka spoke up.

"Oh?"

Hearing Eluka’s words, Vallen looked up toward the front. Soon, he understood what she meant by trouble.

Not far ahead, several battered trucks were roaring forward. Surrounding them, a dozen off-road vehicles pursued like a pack of wolves hunting prey. Gunfire rang out intermittently, and some of the pursuers were even holding RPGs, laughing and jeering as they aimed at the vehicles ahead.

"Looks like the Caesar Legion has found another prey."

Watching the scene, Vallen couldn't help but sigh. This was a classic tactic of the Caesar Legion; they used this method to corner small caravans passing through, pushing them until they reached the brink of collapse. To the brutal bandits of the Caesar Legion, this was a game they never tired of, and it appeared they had found new playthings.

Soon, one of the trucks had its tires shot out, swerving and flipping onto the side of the road. A man in rags jumped out of the cab, waving his hands and shouting something at the bandits. Before he could finish, a bullet blew his head apart. His body swayed like a clown for a moment before collapsing, lifeless.

"Do you want to avoid them?"

Seeing this, Eluka remained unmoved. They had seen such scenes all too often in the wilderness. The rule was that less trouble was better than more; unless the other party targeted them, they usually just drove away. In this world, morality and order had long since crumbled, and chivalry was no longer a principle or spirit worth advocating. To most, such intervention was merely a path to certain death.

But Vallen’s thinking was always different from the majority.

"No, let’s go up there and wipe these guys out."

"Huh?"

Eluka was stunned by Vallen's answer, but having known him for so long, she understood his temperament well. She didn't say another word, simply nodding.

"Understood, Commander."

As she spoke, Eluka reached out and pressed the red button on the steering wheel.

"Disengage optical camouflage."

The bandits of the Caesar Legion had never imagined that an uninvited guest had been silently tailing them. Thus, when Eluka disabled the Harmony’s optical camouflage, revealing its silver-white, sleek, and futuristic appearance to everyone, almost all of them were startled.

"What the hell is that cursed thing?"

Looking at the silver-white, wheelless, and eerily silent machine behind them, the bandits of the Caesar Legion—who could barely count to ten—were stunned on the spot. The Harmony required no wheels, and being electric, it made no sound at all. The sight of such a massive object trailing them in total silence terrified the bandits. They hurriedly turned their guns and began firing wildly at the Harmony.

Unfortunately, their attacks were insignificant to the Harmony. Its electromagnetic barrier could withstand rocket fire, let alone mere bullets. However, Eluka had no intention of using her beloved car to test its durability against small arms. Upon realizing they were under attack, she decisively chose to retaliate.

"Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump!"

The rapidly spinning laser machine gun erupted again. Under Chris’s absolute targeting, streaks of crimson laser light flew across the sky like arrows, piercing through the Caesar Legion’s bandits and their vehicles alike. In less than ten seconds, all the off-road vehicles in front of the Harmony exploded into fireballs. The bandits riding them were reduced to charred meat, leaving no trace behind.

"See, that feels great, doesn't it?"

Watching a bandit frantically try to escape in an off-road vehicle, only for Chris to shoot the fuel tank—sending both man and machine flying into the air before they crashed to the ground and were swallowed by flames—Vallen whistled triumphantly.

"Remember, Eluka: in this world, being a hero is always more interesting than being a villain."

"Why, Commander?"

"It's quite simple," Vallen replied with a faint smile.

"Because as long as you choose to be a hero, you get to kill a lot of people."