Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!-Chapter 823 - 593 Purge Eternal Night City_2

"No problem, I understand." The blond man laughed heartily. "We've long been aware of the situation in your city. Once this crisis is over, whether you choose to relocate or continue living here, the Alliance will provide you with resources and protection. The choice is entirely yours."

The tires rolled over the eternal permafrost, crossing vast plains. Guided by the beacons at the city gates, the convoy, with headlights lit, drove into the city.

In fact, even before entering the city, Bai E had already furrowed his brow, an expression of seriousness on his face.

In the vehicle, Ares, who had been closely observing Bai E, leaned closer, avoiding others as he whispered, "What did you notice?"

"A lot..." Bai E answered softly, his tone heavy.

The dense, intricate images came flooding in. Even before truly setting foot in the city, he could already feel waves of cold-blooded and malevolent energy emanating toward them.

"Be extra cautious."

"Understood." Ares nodded, turned, and issued orders, "The target city may already have turned into a bug nest. Everyone, remain highly vigilant about every Eternal Night City resident you come into contact with. When carrying out any action, ensure groups of at least two and maintain visual contact at all times. No one is allowed to act alone."

"Yes, sir!"

The convoy slowly drove through the steel gates of the city.

Unlike any other city, Eternal Night City had dramatically scaled back its defensive perimeter, pinning its hopes on holding out in a defensive battle. Its outer walls appeared to be entirely forged from steel. Even the gates for entry and exit were made of heavy metal alloys, opening and closing at a painstakingly slow pace.

Having received prior notice of the diplomatic mission's arrival, the upper echelons of Eternal Night City were evidently ecstatic about the updates relayed by the mission as they approached the city.

At the very first announcement of the alliance proposal from the Imperial Capital, Eternal Night City had unanimously approved the idea of forming an alliance.

Years of holding out against the Bug Race in this remote, forsaken corner had left them feeling like they were teetering on the edge of a cliff, ready to plummet into an abyss at any moment.

Given their dire straits, no situation could possibly be worse than their current predicament.

But the possibility of joining the Imperial Capital's ally network—with the hope of the capital sending forces to eliminate the bug nests, or even just allocating a sliver of additional resources—was a tremendously joyful prospect for the city as a whole.

Yet, the top brass of Eternal Night City, who had merely been clinging to this "clutching-at-straws" hope, never expected to hear such an unbelievable piece of news following the competition—

Their warriors had performed outstandingly in the competition, not only seizing command of the regional cities but also securing for Eternal Night City one of the five seats in the Supreme Council of the Alliance.

To gain a thorough understanding of every city joining the Supreme Council, the Imperial Capital had even sent a dedicated diplomatic mission to evaluate Eternal Night City and prioritize aid based on its circumstances.

Upon hearing this, Eternal Night City's leadership practically emptied the city to welcome the approaching "diplomatic mission" from the Imperial Capital.

...

The convoy slowly advanced along the steel boulevard. To create additional barriers for the bugs, a freezing ring of icy river encircled the steel city walls.

A broad steel bridge was the only passage across the frigid waters.

Far off on the steel bridge, in the unlit shadows, countless figures appeared to be standing silently, secretly observing the so-called "diplomatic mission" from the Imperial Capital.

To Ares, the prying gazes felt almost tangible. The blond man snorted coldly, sending a profound wave of vital energy rippling outward.

To normal humans, this surge of vitality might not seem like much.

But to the bugs, creatures driven by insatiable lust for flesh and blood, this vibrant life force was nothing less than a direct provocation.

For Bai E, the endless malevolent shadows surged toward them from all directions, as if ready to devour the fragile convoy in one fell swoop.

The terrifying desire to consume wove itself into a heavy, all-encompassing net, smothering the air.

And yet, in reality, all seemed harmonious and peaceful.

At the far end of the bridge, countless bright lights illuminated the scene as Eternal Night City's higher officials stood under the glow, appearing as if bathed in sunlight.

The moment the convoy arrived and its passengers disembarked, these officials hurried forward in unison to greet them.

"Welcome, honored guests from the Imperial Capital, to Eternal Night City to oversee our efforts!"

The Eternal Night City diplomatic corps, warned to avoid any slip-ups, advanced with complex emotions to meet their counterparts from the capital.

Having witnessed the recent events involving those warriors, the diplomat now viewed everyone in Eternal Night City with deep mistrust.

The mere thought of traveling alongside those warriors made the diplomat shudder.

'This is terrifying!'

'Who knows how many of these people… are bugs?' Their gaze swept across the figures coming to greet them before forcing a professional smile. "The Imperial Capital takes the plight of Eternal Night City very seriously. This delegation includes top-tier experts from various fields. We are committed to resolving your current crises at their core and securing long-term development for your city."

"Clap clap clap!" Applause erupted.

"The warriors who earned such recognition for Eternal Night City are still in the Imperial Capital, conducting exhibition matches to demonstrate their prowess to all cities in the Alliance after securing the Supreme Council seat."

"Clap clap clap!"

"However, given the long and exhausting journey, we hope arrangements can be made for the delegation to rest promptly."

"Of course, no problem! Eternal Night City's Logistics Minister waved a hand, saying, "Taking care of each esteemed delegate from the Imperial Capital is our utmost duty!"

Regardless of what schemes might be lurking among the bug-infiltrators hidden in the crowd, the officials of Eternal Night City outwardly maintained utmost deference.

After enduring so much hardship, they clung to this stroke of seemingly providential fortune with humility.

Finally settling down and gaining a brief reprieve within the city, the Vanguard Squad began preparations for their next steps. Bai E and Ares summoned the Eternal Night City diplomat responsible for coordination.

"No matter the method, you must bring the influential figures of your leadership here to meet us one by one. We must first confirm their identities before making our next move. Understood?"

"Understood!" The diplomat nodded earnestly. "I guarantee the task will be completed!"

"Good. Go."

Despite the seemingly traitorous nature of his actions, the diplomat, recognizing their importance for the city's future, fabricated irresistible pretexts to bring Eternal Night City's top leaders, one by one, under the roof where the Imperial Capital's delegation rested.

"I've heard you wish to discuss something with me in private? May I ask what it's about?" The City Lord of Eternal Night City approached Bai E and his companions with visible unease.

In these troubled times, humans rarely turned against each other.

Furthermore, given Ares and his team's unmistaken identity as Imperial Capital envoys, it never crossed the City Lord's mind that the diplomat's summons were purely a lie.

When the City Lord arrived, Ares looked toward Bai E with anticipation. "Is it this one?"

Bai E carefully sensed for a moment, then gently shook his head. "No."

...

"How about this one?"

"No."

...

"And this one?"

"Take them down!"

...

Due to the vast informational disparity, Bai E's extraordinary senses allowed them to sweep through nearly all of Eternal Night City's leadership in record time.

Facing the detained high-ranking officials of Eternal Night City, the blond man beamed at them as he began his introduction. "I am Ares, also called 'War God.' Call me whatever you like. For now, I must inform you of a matter concerning the very survival of Eternal Night City!"