Lemuen looked at the vehicles behind them that were no longer hiding their tracks. Those cars looked quite sturdy from the outside; they likely weren't afraid of a head-on collision with their own vehicle. Although everyone said that products from Raythean Industries were bound to be high-quality, unless this entire car was forged from D32 steel, it might not necessarily be able to withstand the siege of this pack of jackals.
"It seems they don't intend to make a move here. They probably plan to force us into the slums or somewhere deserted before they strike. What should we do?"
As she spoke, the revolver was already held in Lemuen's hand. Her eyes were fixed intently on the opposing vehicles, ready at any moment for a fierce and thrilling gunfight with the enemies. At this point, she no longer cared about Lungmen's regulations prohibiting the firing of guns within the city. Given the current situation between them and the enemy, it was more appropriate to strike first.
"Then we shall do exactly as they wish. Lead them to a deserted place, and when the time comes, we'll pin them down and beat them!"
Jeanne glanced at the tracking vehicles in the rearview mirror and slammed her foot on the accelerator. Along with the roar of the Originium engine, the car shot forward. Did these people really think she, a Saint, was so harmless—someone who only sat in a room all day praying for a miracle to descend?
I, Jeanne, will tell you today: do not look down on any member of the clergy, for they all have the potential to crack your skull open.
At this moment, Jeanne was clearly excited by the prospect of a fight; those golden pupils seemed even brighter than usual. In Lemuen's eyes, was the current Jeanne perhaps a bit more "wild" than the normally gentle Jeanne? But there didn't seem to be anything wrong with that. Even Lemuen believed that the advantage in this battle lay with them.
"Then I'll keep an eye on them to ensure they don't use crossbows to fire at us. While this car's glass and body can withstand steel structures, the tires can't stop those crossbow bolts!"
With that, Lemuen casually switched to a more lightweight gun. To stop them from attacking the car, submachine guns or automatic rifles were more suitable than a revolver. Especially the Laterano 47 she was holding now—it was Lemuen's favorite automatic gun to use in this kind of situation.
The Laterano 47
The Laterano 47 was the most common model among the firearm prototypes unearthed in Laterano years ago. It was also the model found in the largest numbers, contributing significantly to Laterano's firearm research. Even today, this antique—whose original name was so worn away it was illegible, leaving only the codename "47"—has been modified into the "Laterano 47," and it remains a style beloved by many Sankta.
"You just keep an eye on them; leave the driving to me. I will definitely take them to a place suitable for you to perform."
As she spoke, Jeanne stepped on the gas again. This car produced by Raythean Industries showcased the performance it was meant to have, instantly becoming like a bolt of lightning flying at low altitude.
But the cars behind were getting anxious now—their vehicles didn't have that kind of performance! So, while calling for reinforcements, they desperately floored the accelerator, trying to catch up or even pull even with the car in front. The despairing part was that the gap between some of these cars was even larger than the gap between an Originium car and a bicycle. Trying to use these average-priced private cars to chase the latest model from Raythean Industries was a worse bet than trying to win an arm-wrestling match against that "oni" (Hoshiguma) from the Lungmen Guard Department. At the very least, you could cheat in arm-wrestling or act pitiful and say a few nice words, and she might go easy on you.
In this chase, another person who couldn't help but want to curse was frantically pedaling a bicycle behind them. Shirayuki felt her luck today had reached a limit; right now, she felt like her legs no longer belonged to her. Her original intention in choosing this "vehicle" was to avoid attracting Jeanne's attention. Plus, in the downtown area, a bicycle was more flexible than motorcycles or cars, which is why she was riding it.
Wei Yenwu was worried that if anything happened to Jeanne, it might cause a diplomatic conflict between Lungmen and Laterano, or even become the fuse for a war. He had specifically dispatched the ninja who was originally responsible for protecting Fumizuki—Shirayuki—to shadow Jeanne's movements in secret and ensure her personal safety during her time in Lungmen.
But what now? If I show my face now, will they think I was ordered by Wei Yenwu to spy on them? And I'm about to lose them!
There was no longer much time for her to think. She no longer had the strength to continue pedaling this bicycle, and it seemed the bike couldn't handle her pedaling like this anymore... After a moment's thought, Shirayuki decided that even if it meant exposing her identity, she had to support Jeanne and her companion. Her primary mission was to protect their safety; covert action was merely an additional condition.
At this moment, the pursuing Shirayuki noticed Jeanne's vehicle heading toward the underside of an overpass. She thought of a plan and stopped near the overpass to wait. Shirayuki knew every road in Lungmen like the back of her hand, so she wasn't in a hurry to chase Jeanne's car. She stood at the edge of the overpass, focused intently on the area below—it was the path Jeanne would inevitably pass through in a moment.
"Little girl, don't do anything rash! Look, you're still so young. Even if there are difficulties, you can get through them..."
A passerby saw Shirayuki standing at the edge of the bridge, slammed on the brakes to park by the roadside, and got out to persuade her. He thought this white-haired little girl was depressed and wanted to jump off the overpass to end it all.
Shirayuki didn't pay him any mind, nor did she look back at the kind-hearted soul. She silently watched the traffic flowing below, waiting for the moment her target appeared. Suddenly, she saw the car she was looking for driving from afar. Behind it were several other cars in pursuit, among which Shirayuki could see the favorite vehicle of gangs—the modified van. These "demon-modded" vans could not only hold more people but could also run at the speed of a sports car.
However, after such modifications, the experience of the passengers inside was hard to describe. It was no longer something a normal person could endure. That feeling, according to those who had experienced it, was like being put into a giant drum washing machine and having the spin-dry option turned on. That "refreshing" feeling was something you'd never forget for the rest of your life once you sat in it once. Or rather, it would be etched into your DNA.
Seeing that the timing was right, Shirayuki leapt from the overpass, falling straight toward the ground below.
"Hey, little girl!"
The person behind, seeing Shirayuki actually jump, rushed forward, wanting to grab her hand before she fell. But how was that possible? Even someone who truly wanted to commit suicide would have almost hit the ground by then; his action of reaching down could only linger uselessly in the wind.
He saw something like a parachute suddenly appear behind Shirayuki. Along with her exquisite control, the white-haired little girl landed safely on a car.
"What the hell is this! Is this a stunt actor hired for some movie? To jump from such a high place and be perfectly fine! This is a bit too ridiculous!"
The kind-hearted citizen passing by was instantly shocked by this landing method that transcended human common sense. If that bicycle wasn't still right in front of him, he would have even thought he had been drinking before leaving the house today, causing him to be delirious and see things wrong... But he didn't dwell on it; he turned and drove away from the scene. He had the courage to care about a suicide, but he, an ordinary person, dared not interfere in something that transcended common knowledge...
Under the overpass, Lemuen had just been wondering why Jeanne suddenly decelerated. To her surprise, a black shadow landed on the roof of their car in the next second! In the following instant, this black shadow, like an agile cat, slipped into the car through the open window. Seeing this, Lemuen immediately raised her gun, planning to strike first.
"Please do not attack! I was actually sent by Lungmen City Ruler Wei Yenwu to protect the safety of you two! It's just that the situation happened so suddenly, I had no choice but to use this method to appear before you."