Chapter 119: Journey into the Unknown World of the Battle Maiden (Part Two)

What can one accomplish in three months? An ordinary person might earn three months’ salary and think about indulging in a few luxurious spa treatments. A wealthy heir could probably explore countless pleasures, with something new every day, swapping companions and toys at will.

For Zhao Nan and his companions, three months meant something entirely different. They could, for instance, covertly control some lesser-known but immensely wealthy hidden tycoons, or target certain researchers and scheme kidnappings.

Do not assume that in Pandora’s world, the Pandora forces are everywhere arresting criminals. Pandora was established specifically to combat the Nova threat; they fight for the ultimate peace of humanity! The daily maintenance of order is still the responsibility of each nation’s police.

Typically, a wealthy individual only has a handful or a dozen well-built bodyguards. These guards might handle ordinary people, but against Zhao Nan and his three companions, they might as well be insignificant.

Infiltration, manipulation, financial mobilization, kidnapping—these were the daily routines for Zhao Nan and his group after leaving the academy and before finding Dr. Scarlett Ohara.

“We feel like we’ve become some kind of evil organization bent on world domination,” Finina said with a faint smile, holding a TV remote, leaning against Zhao Nan on a luxurious sofa, nostalgically watching the constantly changing channels.

It had been a long time since they quietly watched television like this. Back then, she was just an unattractive girl, and Zhao Nan was somewhere between maturity and adolescence.

“Isn’t that thrilling?” Zhao Nan laughed.

“I think we should give this organization a name,” Finina mused, tapping her lip thoughtfully, staring at the ceiling, visibly troubled. “What would be a good name…”

Though playful, these words were Finina’s way of managing her emotions. The main reason for implanting more sacred marks was to endure these three months. Whenever they could find a moment of calm, both used similar methods to soothe themselves.

Over time, both Finina and Zhao Nan made great progress in controlling their sacred mark powers. Unless in extreme conditions, they could even adapt to regular high-intensity combat.

Three months later, Nitex Academy had long since been repaired, but the academy issued a wanted notice.

Wanted: Original Controller Freshmen—Zhao Nan and Xiong You—as well as two Pandora reserves, Finina and Yan Nan.

They had just enrolled, yet survived the explosion together, making it hard not to associate them with the incident.

Now many were hunting them daily. Yet Nitex Academy did not realize their quarry was far yet close at hand—they were still within Nitex City.

…

Since successfully reassuring Dr. Ohara to remain in the villa’s underground lab for research, the four had stayed there, never leaving.

Periodically, the villa’s owner, the president of Suzuki Heavy Industries, sent out invitations to wealthy guests for lavish balls held at the villa. This earned him the title of “King of the Balls.”

Of course, this was a mere facade. The real reason was that Zhao Nan could use these events to gather more funds through manipulation and confusion skills.

Although this world had super financial conglomerates with power that even terrified some countries, ordinary wealthy individuals were still numerous. Small sums accumulated, and purely for research, the funding was sufficient.

Thus, nights at the villa were filled with revelry, the underground lab was tense with research, and the external pursuit of the four never ceased, shifting from overt searches to covert tracking. Time flew by—over six months.

Xiong You’s request for Dr. Ohara to develop the Pandora Mode system recently made breakthrough progress. This system limited Pandora’s tendency to go berserk from power overload, and also allowed short-term resistance to the freezing suppression barrier.

Originally, this system was conceived after the eighth Nova attack in the future by Aoi and Ye, to prevent more Pandora from going berserk, and was only recently opened. Now, due to Xiong You’s familiarity with the story, he asked Dr. Ohara to start the research.

Dr. Ohara, worthy of challenging Dr. Aoi, managed to develop the system from Xiong You’s conceptual idea, despite the lack of concrete data.

“However, due to many technical issues, mass production cannot be expected in the short term,” she said.

Dr. Ohara was not a miracle worker—this was the best she could do.

Zhao Nan paid no mind; he only needed two systems, one each for Finina and Yan Nan.

—

During the Pandora Mode system’s production stage, Zhao Nan quietly issued another order to Dr. Ohara.

“I need to go out for a while. Doctor, please study the issue of the ‘Baptism’ during this time... The correct research direction is a forced implantation of the sacred mark into the controller’s body without Pandora’s consent.”

“You promised me that once you developed this system, I could start working on other things!” Dr. Ohara protested.

Zhao Nan replied, “This shouldn’t be too difficult for you. Given your skills, it won’t take long. Besides, you don’t have a choice, do you? Unless you don’t want to fulfill your dreams... or want your life to end here. Most researchers have families outside—if you refuse, others will take over. After all, you’ve taught them enough in these past six months to finish my system’s final stages... As for the ‘Baptism’ issue, it’s only a matter of time.”

“Fine,” Dr. Ohara relented immediately.

Zhao Nan smiled with satisfaction.

For this female doctor, only such incentives worked. She had no family; she was alone. If pushed too hard, things could get complicated. And Zhao Nan couldn’t watch her 24/7 or force her to work with skills.

After all, whether using confusion or manipulation, those affected could only perform simple tasks; complex thinking was difficult.

“I and Xiaoyou will be gone for about two days. You and Xiaonan watch Dr. Ohara carefully. If she tries anything…”

“I know what to do.”

After a brief embrace between the two couples, a white helicopter flew overhead. Zhao Nan and Xiong You exchanged few words and immediately boarded.

“After waiting for over half a year, that guy has finally left England,” Zhao Nan murmured, watching the villa shrink in the distance.

“The Bridge family naturally protects their heir strictly; no wonder the full squad of active Pandora troops was sent. But it’s easier once they leave their base. Besides the target, there are many noble students there—they can’t handle everything,” Xiong You said.

“The destination is... Okinawa Island.”

…

…

“Students, this is our study trip destination, Okinawa Island!” The blonde, blue-eyed teacher, dressed lightly, smiled warmly. “Enjoy your summer vacation—sunshine and beaches!”

Before them stood a group of eleven- and twelve-year-olds—still immature children, but the teacher clearly did not slack off. These were heirs of British nobility, especially one among them.

“Louis, aren’t you joining their game?” the teacher tried to use this moment to build rapport with the boy.

“Why aren’t we in the same area as the second-year students?” Louis asked.

“Each grade is separated, Louis,” came the reply.

The blond boy lowered his head, murmured something, then suddenly stood and walked forward.

“Louis, where are you going?”

“You just stay quiet; it’s none of your business where I go.”

…

“That’s the target?”

“Yes, the blond!”

“It’s rare he’s alone. Let’s move.”

“Can’t wait any longer... haha, the blond must die! I love this mission’s name!”

…

“Satylisa!”

“Louis… what are you doing here?”

“I came to see you; it’s too boring over there... Sister, let’s play!”

“This... you… leaving the main group is dangerous.”

“I said it’s fine. Who dares say it’s not!” Louis pouted. “Don’t you want to listen to me and play with me?”

“N-no…”

Satylisa’s expression changed slightly. Looking at her half-brother, she finally bowed her head and whispered, “I understand…”

“That’s good!”

Just as Louis reached out to grab Satylisa’s hand, a terrifying explosion erupted on the distant beach. The powerful blast pushed seawater onto the sand, while explosions continued all around the beach.

“What’s happening!” Louis panicked.

“Young master, young miss, an unknown group is attacking. Please leave quickly.”

Four Pandora appeared by Louis’s side.

These were the family’s bodyguards, so Louis was unsurprised. Pale and clearly shaken, he nodded helplessly.

Then suddenly, the four Pandora found themselves unable to move!

“What’s going on… frozen barrier?”

Surprise showed on all their faces. One shouted, “Where’s the controller?”

“Right here…”

Xiong You laughed heartily, emerging from the swirling dust, casually tossing a person to the ground. “Honestly, your controller is ridiculously weak—knocked out with a single punch.”

“Who are you!”

One Pandora demanded coldly, then her expression changed. “You caused the explosions?”

“Let’s fight. No time to waste.”

Maintaining the frozen barrier and suppressing these four active Pandora was no easy feat. These were seasoned soldiers, not academy reserves. Although not as strong as the academy’s top few Pandora, Zhao Nan could not handle all four plus Louis and Satylisa without help.

“Understood!”

Xiong You grinned, approaching the two frightened, immobilized young nobles.

“This is the ‘Queen Forbidden to be Touched’…”

Xiong You gently pinched Satylisa’s cheek and grinned wickedly. “Touched! Touched... Now it’s your turn, blondie!!!”

(To be continued…)