Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva

Chapter 328 97: City Under Fire

The underground world dripped with water, with occasional slight tremblings from above, as if large machinery was passing by, mixed with the distant, muffled sounds of explosions and sporadic gunfire, which then returned to silence.

Sitting atop a pile of boxes, Deloris leaned against the edge of another crate, her eyelids gently closed in deep sleep, her black hair draped over her, revealing a glimpse of her pale neck and shoulders, looking vulnerable and evoking pity. The high-born young lady in this dark and damp underground setting seemed completely out of place, her beautiful dress stark against the dust-covered crates and sacks.

The others either rested with closed eyes or sat below looking at Lebyon's projected map, making marks, planning how to depart from this place.

The Red Hats who were originally here were now moving as quietly as possible, transporting supplies from other hidden corners and attempting to assemble some new firearms.

At noon, the two groups discussed their next move. Although Tilan and her party were reluctant to get involved in the two sides' conflict, they now had to consider some form of cooperation; being unfamiliar with the area, they indeed needed the help of the local "Red Hat".

"I save you, you owe me some benefits," he had said at the time.

Thus, Tilan's group agreed to assist, providing a part of their strength during the process to protect the underground base and the safety of "Red Hat" himself.

At the moment, Xie Lian and Guluo followed "Red Hat" to the surface to scout the situation, while the rest stayed underground to rest and recuperate.

On the surface, "Sun Burning Energy" headquarters.

A vast, rust-stained steel jungle stretched out, with pipes and valves occasionally rumbling, various raw materials flowing within, industrial waste gases billowing, and a faintly pungent smell permeating the air.

Some individuals wearing gas masks and protective suits patrolled the area, armed with guns, on guard against the enemy who might come to cause destruction, while inside the sturdy steel fortress, the executives of "Sun Burning Energy" were discussing matters.

"Since the oil depot exploded last night, the opposition has started to move, first with sporadic conflicts in the north, followed by the blockade of Lebyon's external passages. It's hard to believe that these are unintentional acts or impulsive decisions," a man with short brown hair reported, his neat red-black uniform and the overlapping diamond-shaped badge on his collar indicating his mid-level status within Sun Burning Energy.

"This doesn't need analysis; it's obviously aimed at us. Now that the main force has been deployed, it should be time for a decisive battle," Maxizha stood up at the corner of the conference table, speaking with agitated emotions.

However, the second son's words did not cause much ripple among the many mid- and senior-level attendees who remained silent, their gazes fixed on the man at the center of the conference table.

In contrast to Maxizha, this man appeared much more mature and composed, his face square, his red-black uniform tidy and fitting, exuding a soldier-like air.

"Sit down, Maxizha," he said, his gaze still on the slowly changing projected map in front of him, his voice carrying weight.

"Err..."

Seeing that no one responded to his outburst, Maxizha reluctantly took his seat. He might be the second son of "Sun Burning Energy," but in terms of prestige and actual ability, he paled in comparison to his elder brother Brod; the age difference of nearly 7 years sometimes made Brod seem more like a strict father than a brother.

"Black Hammer Heavy Industries' movements are strange; they haven't launched a large-scale attack from the start, as if they were probing and searching for something, which is not their usual style," Brod analyzed slowly, looking at the situation on the projected map.

"Our informants over there reported that last night, Black Hammer Heavy Industries seems to have suffered an assassin attack. Kujin's youngest grandson sustained serious, life-threatening injuries, while the eldest son, poised to be the successor, was targeted by a sniper and is currently under treatment."

"Was it our doing?" Brod lifted his head, his cold gaze sweeping across the room, creating a palpable sense of pressure.

"No, it wasn't done by our people," they replied. Although there was a tendency for conflict between the two, the situation had not escalated to such a critical point, and reckless action would not be wise.

"This means someone is stirring up trouble," Brod spoke gravely.

"A confrontation with 'Black Hammer Heavy Industries' is inevitable, but the presence of a third party lurking in the background makes the process dangerous."

"But who else in Lebyon could act as a third party?" someone wondered aloud. Apart from the remaining two industrial corporations, there were no other entities in Lebyon with significant power; the disparity between them and the top two was too vast.

"What is the current status of other powers in the Northern Second District?" Brod closed his eyes, pondering.

"Since Jielou City left, that area has been in disarray, with various gangs rising, but generally only numbering between 50 to 100 members, lacking clout, and still engaged in infighting. It's unlikely they have the capacity to interfere with our matters."

"As for Sun Burning City... they suffered heavy losses in high-end combat power due to last year's raid on Jielou City and have been in a consolidation phase ever since. Withered Tree Garden remains preoccupied with improving economic crops; they recovered some funds last year due to the cultivation of watermelon seedlings that can grow in wastelands, and are now busy expanding production without the spare attention for others."

"Improving economic crops, how...," Brod shook his head.