"Enough! You damned vermin!" Unable to endure the insults, Esidisi—weakest of the trio—stepped forward, eager to tear Ray Chu's infuriating mouth apart.
"Don't fall for his provocation, Esidisi!" Kars swiftly halted him, clearly the most authoritative among them. He fixed Ray Chu with a cold stare and declared deeply, "Your sophistry is meaningless. Once we obtain the Red Stone of Aja, we shall evolve into the perfect life forms of this planet, gods of the new era. It's you humans who'll become obsolete."
Ray Chu opened his mouth to retort, but Kars had already lost patience.
He snapped his fingers, and immediately footsteps echoed from outside. A group of German soldiers marched in, dragging Lieutenant Ryan and his team, bruised, battered, and evidently captured after fierce resistance.
Joseph stared in shock at the German officer leading them. "Stroheim?! You're alive?"
Indeed, it was Rudol von Stroheim, whom they had presumed dead in Mexico. Half his body was now replaced by gleaming mechanical prosthetics, cold electronic eyes scanning Ray Chu and Joseph with an eerie whirr. "It's been a long time, you two," he spoke in a synthesized, mechanical tone.
"Not exactly the reunion I was hoping for," Joseph lamented theatrically, covering his face with one hand. "Looks like we're enemies this time, huh?"
Stroheim lifted his chin sharply. "From the moment you chose to stand against the Reich, you became my sworn enemies."
Kars smiled cruelly. "It seems the tables have turned. For humans, camaraderie means everything, doesn't it? Now, you'll watch helplessly as your comrades die."
"You bastard!" Even though Joseph recognized the tactic, dread still clawed at his heart, mirrored grimly by Caesar.
Joseph turned his burning gaze back to Stroheim. "Stroheim! It's because of the Pillar Men that you're like this! Why would you cooperate with these monsters after everything they've done?"
To Joseph, Stroheim's willingness to sacrifice himself back in Mexico had earned his respect; he'd considered him a true soldier.
Stroheim stared deeply at Joseph and answered with mechanical coldness, "The Stroheim you once knew is dead. I am now merely a machine crafted by the Reich's finest technology, obeying only its commands. Even if I must kill those I once fought beside, I won't hesitate."
"Damn you!" Joseph growled furiously.
Lieutenant Ryan, battered but unbroken, spoke up loudly: "Don't worry about us! We were ready to sacrifice ourselves from the beginning. Don't hesitate for even a moment!"
Indeed, they had intended to take their own lives rather than become hostages; their capture had simply been too swift.
"Lord Kars," Wamuu suddenly interjected, clearly displeased, "using these brave warriors as leverage is beneath your dignity as a superior being."
Kars rested his chin on his hand, the usual faint smile still playing on his lips. "Wamuu, I understand your pursuit of honor, but our goal is the Red Stone of Aja. For it, I will sacrifice anything—dignity least of all."
Wamuu hesitated briefly before stating firmly, "In that case, Lord Kars, allow me to be their executioner."
"Wamuu, there's no need to abandon your honor for this."
"No! If you, Lord Kars, are willing to sacrifice honor for our cause, I must have the same resolve. Forgive my earlier insolence."
Kars paused, then finally relented. "Very well, Wamuu. Show these humans the might of our greatest warrior!"
Wamuu moved forward silently, preparing to execute the prisoners. Given his strength, there was no realistic chance of rescue.
"Stop!" Ray Chu suddenly shouted. "Kill them, and you'll never get your hands on the Red Stone."
"Wait!" Kars halted Wamuu instantly, glaring at Ray Chu. "Explain yourself, human."
"Surely you didn't think we'd carry something that precious into enemy territory? The Red Stone of Aja is with our other comrade. If we fail to return safely, she'll destroy it immediately."
Kars stared silently, then suddenly burst into laughter. "Hahahahaha! Foolish boy, did you really think I'd believe such an obvious bluff?"
Ray Chu calmly gestured, invitingly. "Feel free to test if it's a bluff."
Kars raised his hand, paused mid-motion, then lowered it slowly. "Even if it's true, I doubt you'd destroy the stone merely to save a few soldiers."
"You said it yourself: humans value camaraderie above all. The Red Stone is crucial to you, not us."
Kars' eyes narrowed dangerously. "Even if that's true, capturing you would still force your comrade to surrender it."
"You won't get that chance! This battle only ends when one side is utterly destroyed!" Ray Chu pointed resolutely, his determination unshakeable.
Unexpectedly, Wamuu chuckled softly.
"Wamuu!"
"My apologies, Lord Kars. I couldn't help myself."
"Hmph! Laugh if you wish, but nothing changes your dire predicament," Kars snapped. "I'm certain you'd never destroy the Red Stone so casually."
"You're right." Ray Chu's response stunned everyone. Suddenly, he moved into an exaggerated Meditate stance—feet slightly apart, hands raised overhead, palms forward, thumbs pointing back, arching his body with such dramatic flair even his allies blinked in confusion.
"So here's my proposal," Ray Chu continued smoothly. "I'll give you a chance at obtaining the Red Stone easily: let us three fight you Pillar Men in single combat. Win, and the stone—and humanity's future—are yours. Let this battle decide which species deserves to survive!"
"You insolent—!" Yet despite Kars' anger, Ray Chu's bold gamble clearly struck a nerve. With no Red Stone present, Kars had little incentive to fight.
Still, he wasn't easily manipulated. "Unacceptable. How can I trust your word without seeing the stone?"
"Impossible," Ray Chu countered, unwavering. "It's currently with our companion."
"Then summon her. Until I see the Red Stone personally, your words mean nothing."
Ray Chu considered briefly, then nodded. "Fine. Allow these soldiers to deliver the message to our comrade at the front. But the round trip will take two days, and to ensure the Red Stone's safe transport, German forces must cease their assault on Dunkirk."
For Kars, the Germans' advance meant little. His true concern was the stone's safety. After a brief silence, he agreed, "Very well. I guarantee no German attack until your companion arrives. But be warned: deceive me, and the consequences will be unimaginable!"
---
T/N: heh big brain
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
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