Sky-cracking Rider

The delegation leader from Louis Industrial Company ultimately failed to stop them, and ten minutes later, the representatives from all four manufacturers departed together, having agreed with the consulate to head directly to the nearest Dimensional Gate and return to Blue Star.

The reason they didn't go to Red Stone Airport was that nobody knew whether the forces calling themselves the Rebel Forces had taken the airport or not.

If the airport had fallen into the hands of the Rebel Forces, they, as Blue Star People, would be trapped and find it even harder to escape.

It was foreseeable that, in order to withstand the Silan Dynasty's forces sent to quell the rebellion, those rebels would surely use them as human shields, making the Dynasty's army hesitant to act.

-

Half an hour later, a motorcade entered the area of a high-end hotel.

Seeing the motorcade approaching, the hotel security at the entrance let them through, and the crowd in the hotel lobby all gathered at the entrance, craning their necks to see who it could be.

In the end, they saw that it was members of the manufacturing representatives who had just left; however, they looked worse for wear - each one of them was disheveled, their faces smeared with dirt, their spirits wilted, some of them stained with blood that may have been their own or someone else's, and some even missing an arm, stumbling as they walked.

The members of the Blue Star manufacturing delegation left behind at the hotel were all shocked and rushed up to meet them.

"Spring Field Flight Manufacturing Industrial Company, Newlunt Special Vehicle Workshop, Hamburg Consolidated Industrial Company, what happened to you guys?"

"What's going on? Didn't you all leave?"

"Why is someone injured? Are you all right? Where are the others!"

...

Those who had left earlier looked worse than the next, forcing themselves to respond with what little energy they had left.

"We were attacked!"

"Damn it, everyone was attacking us."

"It's all over, all over! I'm the only one left of the entire team."

Less than a third of the group had returned with the motorcade, and as for those who had not returned...

Those who stayed behind in the hotel looked at each other, likely already guessing the answer, as the situation had deteriorated beyond imagination.

The delegation leader from Louis Industrial Company took three steps to greet the last person to exit the motorcade, stopping three steps away to bow deeply.

"BOSS!"

BOSS?

Whose BOSS?

Suddenly, there was silence at the scene, deathly quiet.

Almost everyone could recognize that face; the big BOSS of Louis Industrial Company, Louis Landon.

A top-tier figure who undoubtedly had the status to meet with sovereign leaders on equal footing.

Many couldn't help but gasp in shock, not expecting such a prominent figure to be trapped in Nandu City, the third-largest city of the Zilu Continent.

Louis Landon, flanked by his entourage as he entered the hotel lobby, nodded to the representatives of the various manufacturers, maintaining the composure of a major figure, and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, we need to work together and help each other to get through this difficult time. Please, everyone must stay united."

"Chairman Louis, I'll follow your lead!"

One of the smaller manufacturer's BOSS expressed his stance without hesitation.

The only course of action was to follow the big shot; perhaps that way they might be able to survive.

If they made the rash decision to leave the hotel like the others before them, their fate might not be much different.

"Whatever you say, that's what we'll do! Who agrees, who opposes!"

"I agree too!"

...

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"We at Northern Weapons Industry Group support Chairman Louis!"

Secretary Shen Fei didn't hesitate much; the "herd effect" was magnified at this moment, and sticking together became the only choice.

If the BOSS of Louis Industries had arrived a bit earlier, manufacturers like Spring Field Flight Manufacturing Industrial Company might not have ventured from the hotel and would not have met their unfortunate fate.

Louis Landon said to his personal bodyguard, "Riva, you're the professional, it's over to you!"

Reaching his level of social status and economic strength, there were always matching protective forces around him, no matter where he went. In addition to ten personal bodyguards, there was also a professional combat squad of about twenty people, fully equipped and highly offensive. Together with the bodyguard team, they were responsible for attack and defense, each performing their duties, to jointly protect the personal safety of Louis Landon.

It was precisely because of this level of armed forces that they were able to rescue several attacked corporate delegations from desperate situations, give them brief medical treatment, and bring the survivors back to the hotel.

"No problem, Boss!"

The composed chief bodyguard, Riva, took a step forward and said loudly, "All ability users, line up, including the hotel staff."

Even the hotel staff were pulled in, out of necessity.

Under a destroyed nest, no egg remains intact.

If the guests were attacked, the hotel would not be able to remain unscathed either.

The manufacturers from Blue Star, having come to the unfamiliar Cangqiong Star for a business expo, would more or less send or hire some ability users to protect them.

About a dozen people came forward.

Even the ability users who were temporarily hired could not truly stay out of it at this moment. Those outside the hotel, who couldn't care less if you were an innocent bystander or hired help, would not be courteous in battle.

Louis Landon's chief bodyguard, Riva, counted and then nodded his head, "Not too bad!"

Together with the core members from Louis Industries, they could muster nearly fifty ability users.

Riva's words served as a tranquilizer, making the faces of many look slightly better. Having so many ability users, at the least, meant they should have sufficient means to defend the hotel.

"Then, anyone with military service experience or who has received military combat training, step forward."

Chief bodyguard Riva had no intention of letting anyone off the hook. At a critical moment like this, there could never be too many helpful hands.

This time, even more people came forward, around a hundred and ten or so. This group even included two bosses from the corporate delegations. Although they were not ability users, if armed, they were still capable of putting up a fight.

"Those who have used firearms, step forward!"

"Those who consider themselves brave and are willing to risk their lives, step forward!"

Louis Landon's chief bodyguard kept setting selection criteria, screening everyone in the hotel and organized them into four echelons.

The first echelon consisted of the ability users, who were also the most vital force in repelling external intrusions.

The second echelon comprised former military personnel who would construct the second line of defense, intercepting any that slipped through the first echelon.

The third echelon included quasi-military personnel who, having experience with operating firearms, could fight to some extent.

The fourth echelon was the last-ditch squad. Should the first three echelons fail to stop the enemy, they would have to rely on them for a final, desperate counterattack. Even a humble display of bravery could not be underestimated at certain times.

As for the rest, after the four echelons of selection, they were mostly the old, weak, sick, and disabled; lacking strength and courage. Even if there were a few who appeared young and strong, their lack of fighting spirit meant that forcing them to fight would only disrupt their own formations, so it was better for them to stay at the rear obediently.

Secretary Shen Fei from the Northern Weapons Industry Group wanted to join the second echelon, believing her marksmanship was not inferior to those of retired soldiers. However, her resume showed she had been a teacher and a secretary, so she was ultimately placed into the third echelon.

With a professional in command, everyone in the hotel was too busy constructing defensive positions to think of anything else, gradually setting aside their fear.

The outermost defenses had just been constructed when a large number of meteor showers rose into the sky, streaking across it toward the hotel, so numerous that they seemed to engulf the entire area where the hotel was located.

A sharp siren sounded.

The non-combat personnel outside the four echelons were assigned to a variety of logistical posts, so there was no shortage of people for perimeter vigilance.

A faint light film rose from the top of the hotel building before the fireballs fell, soon enveloping the entire building along with the convention center annexe.

As expected of a top-tier company, their actions were extraordinary, even able to bring out a tactical-level alchemical device. It also happened to be one of the items on display at the business expo, which was conveniently put to use.

The Blue Star manufacturers participating in the business expo were not short of military companies. Many of the exhibits, originally intended for demonstration, could be used directly.

Boom, boom, boom, boom...

The intercepted fireballs exploded on impact, bursting into a sea of flames in midair. The large tactical composite magic shield firmly withstood the relentless spell bombardment. The light film continuously trembled but stubbornly held up.

After almost a minute, the fierce fire-based spell attacks finally ceased.

A bodyguard, his eyes half-closed, perceiving the flow of elemental energy, suddenly opened his eyes and pointed in a direction, shouting, "Found them, that way, a hundred meters away!"

The spellcasters attacking the hotel were right there.