Chapter 871: Chapter 853: Playing Games

Having one Sky City collide with another Sky City–such an order had never appeared in the entire history of Sky Cities. It was fundamentally impossible. Given the slow speed of Sky Cities, they couldn’t even crash into a cluster of clouds, let alone have the ability to ram into another city!

But what other Sky Cities couldn’t do, Thunderhawk City could!

Thanks to modifications, Thunderhawk City’s speed had more than doubled compared to ordinary Sky Cities. Not to mention, Thunderhawk City’s Defensive Net was exceptionally formidable. Even if it collided with the opposing city, it wouldn’t matter. It was with this dual guarantee of speed and defensive power that Monte dared to issue such an order.

Under his command, the once-stationary Thunderhawk City abruptly accelerated, reaching its maximum speed in a short time. Like a moving mountain, it charged straight for the opposing Sky City!

This completely scared the opposing side out of their wits. Thunderhawk City exceeded all expectations, leaving them with no time to think. They immediately ordered evasive maneuvers, narrowly avoiding collision. Yet even so, the Defensive Nets of both cities clashed.

The moment the two Defensive Nets collided, they simultaneously exploded with light. Following this, the opposing Defensive Net shattered inch by inch, while Thunderhawk City only experienced a slight tremor.

After this encounter, Thunderhawk City brushed past the other city and flew away.

“My Lord, they’re still chasing us.”

Having returned to Rocky, Monte recounted the earlier events, emphasizing that, although they broke through the blockade, the opposing side hadn’t given up and was still pursuing them.

“If they want to chase us, then let them chase. Slow down Thunderhawk City’s speed; don’t let them lose track of us.”

Rocky smiled faintly and replied in an unhurried tone. Monte, receiving his command, promptly went to carry it out.

“Rocky, what are you up to?”

“A little gift for Marshal Mannstein–a gesture to help him fish out the unstable elements in his troops. Consider it my uninvited compensation.”

“You… you really have a playful streak, don’t you?”

Upon hearing Rocky’s explanation, Liliya could only shake her head helplessly. She could clearly feel that Rocky was merely toying with the opposition.

With Thunderhawk City’s speed, they could have easily vanished after breaching the blockade. No Sky City would be able to stop them. However, Rocky didn’t choose to leave. Instead, he deliberately slowed Thunderhawk City down, as if he were afraid his pursuers couldn’t keep up. If this wasn’t teasing the enemy, then what was?

Still, Liliya understood Rocky’s reasoning. Since the pursuing side was still trailing them, it meant they weren’t planning to give up. If things proceeded as expected, more Sky Cities would eventually join in to block his path. These Sky Cities were likely the ones secretly opposing Marshal Mannstein. By pulling all of them out into the open, Rocky would actually be doing Mannstein a favor. After all, while these events initially served to undermine Mannstein, they could also be used to weaken Mannstein’s adversaries.

Events unfolded precisely as Rocky anticipated. Half a day passed, and the single pursuing Sky City turned into two. By nightfall, two became three. The next day, when Rocky inquired again, there were six “tails” trailing behind.

Six Sky Cities in pursuit of Thunderhawk City–this was clear evidence of their determination. Naturally, Thunderhawk City’s deliberate lingering in the battle zone played a role. Yet, Rocky remained interested and amused, finding the entire situation quite entertaining.

By this point, while Rocky was thoroughly enjoying himself, his presence had caused a significant stir in the Myriad Snake Battle Zone. More Sky Cities continued to arrive in an attempt to block him. Rocky, however, felt reassured by the fact that none of these incoming cities belonged to the Kafka Empire.

Of course, that made sense. The day prior, Su had already contacted her father and then reached out to Marshal Mannstein. This was no longer a minor skirmish within a battle zone; the Empire’s upper echelons were already aware of the situation and deeply concerned.

The Empire’s upper echelon–what sort of people were they? This situation and its implications were so layered even Rocky and Liliya could analyze them clearly. These officials, seasoned in the art of political machinations, saw the bigger picture. Orders were promptly issued forbidding any Imperial Sky City from intervening with Rocky.

Even without explicit instructions, the Empire’s City Lords would never obstruct Rocky’s path. All of them commanded Rune Battleships–a mark of their stature. Each City Lord was a major figure who understood the significance of Rocky’s relationship with the Empire. Instead of confronting Rocky, they were trying their best to stop those planning to pursue him.

In no time at all, Rocky’s mere presence stirred unrest throughout the Myriad Snake Battle Zone. Hidden undercurrents that had been brewing rose to the surface, leaving many tense–everyone, that is, except Rocky.

Sticking to his initial plan, Rocky headed straight for Karina’s Mist Mountain City, paying no mind to how many were pursuing him. On the contrary, whenever it seemed he might get too far ahead, he deliberately slowed his pace or even circled back a few times. As a result, a journey to Mist Mountain City that should’ve taken three days stretched into five.

“Rocky, that guy–he can’t seem to stay out of trouble wherever he goes.”

Being in communication with Rocky the entire time, Karina knew he was arriving today. She even knew the exact time and had climbed aboard her Rose City to await him. As a member of the Allied Forces, Karina had naturally heard of Rocky’s antics.

Unlike Rocky, Karina was visibly more concerned. As someone deeply embedded within the Allied Forces, she understood better than anyone how murky the waters of this coalition truly were. The Allied Forces weren’t simply a group banding together to form an army–the underlying currents were vast. Previously, their consecutive victories had masked these tensions, but with recent setbacks, hidden dangers had gradually surfaced. Amid such instability, Rocky’s theatrical disruptions had made the entire situation more volatile, and there was a chance even Rocky himself might get pulled under!

This was the last thing Karina wanted to see.

While Karina anxiously awaited Rocky’s arrival, an unexpected sight appeared–an entire Allied Forces fleet! Nearly a dozen large Sky Cities suddenly emerged on the horizon!

What was going on?

The presence of such a massive fleet left Karina stunned. She hadn’t received any notification of troop movements.