Chapter 96

In the new Siro Imperial Palace, at the joint command center:

Gordon: "Hahaha!! Keep firing, keep firing! The USS Intrepid is a conventional-powered aircraft carrier; even if it's blown up, it's no big deal. No need to worry about nuclear contamination." — Excitedly shouting at the magic mirror.

Lin Youde: "At their current escape speed, the Cheshire Cat can fire at least three more [Bone Spears] before they leave the effective range. If all hit, the Intrepid will either sink or need major repairs." — Delighted, avenging the White Horse's defeat.

Gordon: "Why bother with repairs? If I were the enemy commander, I'd choose to scrap it and rebuild, which would be cheaper and easier."

Sercy: "Do you two still have the nerve to mock and gloat? What if the enemy launches another missile and artillery saturation attack?!" — Worried.

Gordon: "With the EVA-01 operated by Daly, what are you afraid of? It's repairing itself in the smoke, isn't it?" — Pointing to the smoking EVA-01.

Sercy: "Do you think the EVA-01 is repairing itself just because it's smoking? It could be burning up and still smoking!!" — Revealing the truth.

Gordon: "What? Burning up? But it's still standing straight?"

Sercy: "Can't you see that the EVA-02 is secretly supporting it from behind? I beg you to focus on the immediate threat, not the big target (the Intrepid) in the distance!"

Gordon: "If the EVA-01 is gone, it's gone. We can build a new one, but we absolutely can't let Daly die. She now possesses half of the God of War's power. Without her, the Gate of Doom might lose control." — Ignoring his own safety, he ran out of the command center to save Daly.

Zhao Qilang (Sailor A): "Follow quickly!! We can't let this old bastard get hit by stray bullets; our family's lives depend on him!!" — Leading the way, the sailors followed one after another, completely unafraid of the possible aerial strikes.

Lin Youde: "Unfortunately, they aren't real soldiers. They'll be brainwashed and their memories erased when they return." — Sighing.

Sercy: "Do you have time to sigh? Hurry up and stop them! Who will maintain the command center's shield if they all leave? The enemy might take advantage... Wait, the enemy is retreating?" — Disbelieving her eyes.

I (Narrator): "It seems not just you, but the enemy is also exhausted. Both sides are in a typical 'fear of the unknown' situation. The enemy, unsure of the true state of the monsters, choosing to retreat is a reasonable and conservative decision."

---

In the command room of the USS Blue Ridge, the flagship of the Seventh Fleet:

Captain America: "Do we have to retreat?" — Reluctantly.

General Ross: "Yes, the Intrepid is in such a state that its aircraft can no longer take off or land. We will soon lose air superiority; our intelligence is either non-existent or incorrect; those two monsters are still there, occasionally firing new [Bone Spears], and we lack effective countermeasures. The disadvantage is too great; we have no choice. We can still safely withdraw all ground forces with air cover. If we wait, the landing troops won't be able to escape."

Captain America: "But..."

Recon Team Member B: "Report, General. Spy satellites have detected unidentified submarines in the nearby waters." — Providing the final straw.

General Ross: "Hmph, unidentified? Do we have to wait for them to fire at us to confirm they are enemies? Speed up the withdrawal of the landing forces. Leave all heavy weapons and difficult-to-carry supplies behind, destroy them on the spot. The most important thing is to get our people out." — More determined to retreat immediately.

Aide: "What about the tidal tribes we've been developing as guides?"

General Ross: "When will we have time to worry about them? Let them fend for themselves. We've already obtained their abilities..."

Five minutes later, in the New Siro Square, Gordon, with the help of EVA-02, climbed onto the back of EVA-01's neck (the location of the control core).

Gordon: "(Trying the normal way) No, it's all burned. The hatch can't be opened normally. I have to force her out... The core is located from the head down to the lower neck, three meters long and 70 centimeters wide (searching for the exact location)... Here, come out!!" — Using a force field to forcibly extract the EVA-01's control core.

Gordon: "(Opening the control core, a hot smoke rushes out) Cough, cough, cough, Daly! Are you still alive?" — Entering the core, reaching out to check if Daly is breathing.

Daly: "Ah, so comfortable, I was almost cooked alive." — Reacting to the cool air rushing in.

Gordon: "Phew (sighing in relief), just heat shock... I'm glad you're okay." — Tears streaming from his eyes due to the smoke.

Daly: "Gordon? What are you doing here? Shouldn't I still be inside the EVA-01? Where are the enemies? What about New Siro? Where's Mom? Why are you crying?!" — Questions pouring out as she regained her senses.

Gordon: "Don't worry, the answers to all your questions are good news. The enemy has lost the will to fight and is retreating. New Siro is only slightly damaged, and the Empress is unharmed. We've won."

Daly: "Won?" — Stunned.

Gordon: "Why this reaction? Don't you believe it?"

Daly: "No, it's just that too much has happened today, and it's been so dramatic. Initially, our months of planning were used against us, not only failing to eliminate the hidden traitors but also helping Diana counterattack the island. Then, our escape attempt failed, and we were forced to sacrifice for Sercy in the palace. In this desperate situation, we suddenly turned the tide. Now, not only have we repelled the enemy's invasion, but we've also obtained the God of War's power from Ares, and my mother and I have gained true freedom. Everything happened so suddenly and feels so surreal, like a dream. I don't know what expression to have..." — Still in a daze.

Gordon: "Just smile." — Wiping his own tears.

Daly: "Smile? Ha, ha, hahaha..." — Laughing uncontrollably.

I (Narrator): "I understand your feelings, but Daly, pay attention to your image. Your nose and eyes are running from laughing."

---

Back to the present, in the Super Natural Disaster Countermeasures Office:

Gordon: "This is the second half of the [Operation Turtledove] secret file. It contains many sensitive pieces of information (my alliance with the evil god Loki, direct confrontations with the Illuminati, etc.), personally compiled and sealed by the General Secretary. It's the highest level of secrecy (only accessible to the Council of Elders and the Nine Masters). I don't have the authority to access it, so I can only recount it from memory. There might be some discrepancies with others' testimonies..."

Jonathan: "Wait, wait, you mean Bid wasn't chosen by you, but forced on you by the evil god Loki?"

Gordon: "What do you think? If Bid were chosen by me, would I have given him so many suicide missions? One mistake could have cost him his life. I couldn't protect him all the time. He's still alive purely because of his luck (and Loki's protection). That bastard Loki knew five years ago that I would be allergic to liquid kryptonite but never told me, saying it was fate and couldn't be changed. Could I let him have his way? I had to make him uncomfortable first!"

Jonathan: "But why would you entrust everything to your youngest disciple?"

Gordon: "Why not? Although they all have connections, they are all good seeds. With my training, any of them has the ability to take over this department, and I can hand over with confidence."

Jonathan: "Any of them? Won't it affect the balance of power within the organization?"

Gordon: "Of course not. The other two successors, with the help of their connections, will also become influential, achieving a new balance of power. No need to worry about one side becoming too dominant; the organization will only become stronger."

Jonathan: "..." — Stunned by Gordon's explanation, unable to imagine this selfish, ruthless bastard could be so selflessly dedicated to the organization.

Gordon: "So, pass this on to Lei Xiaogu. Tell him to stop playing games. Not only do Wayne and Dent have connections, but Bid does too, though he doesn't know it." — Patted Jonathan's shoulder and left.

Jonathan: "Ah... Ah?" — Responding absentmindedly, suddenly realizing Gordon's words had a deeper meaning, wanting to ask but not daring to, and not daring to use his powers to break through the barriers and force a perception, feeling conflicted.

I (Narrator): "No way, the old man already knew Jonathan was a double agent? How did he find out?"

Page flip, AD starts

Page flip, AD ends