Naturally, should they choose to cast aside all restraint, individuals such as Cristoforo and Scar possessed the capability to slay or capture Ciaccona.
However, the predicament lay in the fact that the Rover had already made his position manifest. If they were still unable to grasp the implications of those words, they would scarcely deserve the status they had attained.
Both Cristoforo and Scar were intimately acquainted with the Rover's temperament. Should one target him directly, he might be inclined to treat the encounter as a game.
Yet, should one dare to strike at those he held dear, the repercussions would be far more catastrophic than any assault upon the man himself. A thunderous suppression… total annihilation… leaving not a single shred of opportunity for retaliation.
This was particularly true now, following the Rover's recent ascension in power. Whether it was the Overseers of the Fractsidus or the Crownless, they were all acutely aware that they stood no chance of victory against the current Rover.
Had it been the Rover depicted in the video, the pressure would still have been immense, yet it would not have left them feeling quite so utterly powerless as they did now.
.....
[ At that moment, the footage in the video resumed playback.
It was revealed that upon Phrolova's appearance, Scar should have maintained an absolute advantage.
Yet, Scar abruptly ceased his assault and began to voice his grievances to his teammate.
Scar: "Sigh. Did we not agree before coming that you would leave the time to the Rover and me?"
Phrolova: "I trust you have not forgotten the premise of that condition: no improvisation… and no causing unnecessary trouble."
Evidently, Phrolova was entirely indifferent to Scar's complaints. Her appearance, her stance, and even her words were, in a sense, rather provocative.
Scar: "Heh, don't be so eager to defend your fragile—Perfect Movement!"
Scar: "I know my limits. I am well aware of what should and should not be done; I require no reminders from you."
From this exchange, it was clear that Scar was visibly dissatisfied with Phrolova's intervention.
Nevertheless, despite his irritation, he found himself powerless against the woman. Thus, he proceeded to conduct a farewell ceremony with the Rover.
Scar: "It seems this date… must come to an end here."
Scar: "However, I hope you remember my warning."
Scar: "I wonder, in the end, will you choose the gift that descends from the heavens, the transparent nature of a public trade, or a high-stakes gamble where everything is cast upon the altar…"
Scar: "You are a clever man. I trust you will not reach a decision lightly."
Scar: "We shall meet again soon."
Having spoken, he opened a portal and departed the scene alongside Phrolova.
Yangyang: "They're escaping… should we pursue them?"
Rover: "…Forget it. With their strength unknown, we possess no advantage in a pursuit."
It was evident from this that, during this particular period, the Rover's martial prowess was roughly on par with Scar's; in fact, relying on his unique abilities, Scar might have even held a slight edge.
Having suffered a setback within Scar's spatial domain, the Rover had grown more cautious.
Furthermore, with the addition of the enigmatic Phrolova and the precariousness of Yangyang's safety, he would naturally not gamble the lives of his companions on an outcome he could not guarantee.
Subsequently, after the Rover and Yangyang's party finished unraveling the clues provided by Jinhsi, the Rover—as if following a prior arrangement with someone—ventured alone into the depths of the Frontier… into the archival database of the Borderlands.
"While I wait for her to keep her appointment, I might as well see if there is any useful data to investigate," the Rover mused.
As he spoke, he produced his Pangu Terminal. However, just as he attempted to access the records, a familiar voice drifted from behind him.
Scar: "My thanks for leading the way, Rover."
Scar: "This truly is a marvelous place. All-encompassing, possessing everything one could desire."
He spoke with an ease that suggested he had returned to his own hearth, surveying the surrounding arrangements with a leisurely gaze.
Scar: "It truly makes one want to excavate every inch of this place, from the inside out… and then reduce it all to ash."
As he spoke with such affection, Scar spread his arms wide and spun twice in place.
By the time he finished, he had already closed the distance to the Rover. Seeing that the other man offered no reaction, Scar, acting like a slighted consort, summoned a card and pressed it directly against the Rover's throat.
Scar: "You don't seem the least bit surprised by my appearance, Rover."
Scar: "I wonder… why is that?"
Yet, facing Scar, the Rover merely allowed a faint smile to curl his lips before leaping instantly from the spot.
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh! Accompanied by the piercing sound of frost-laden thrusts cutting through the air, the Scar who remained in place was instantaneously frozen solid.
The scene shifted, revealing two women—one in white, one in black—standing at the entrance.
The frost ability had originated from the woman in black: Sanhua's Great Red Lotus.
Simultaneously, the maiden in white summoned seven Temporal Dragons, condensed from the power of chronos.
The identity of this maiden in white was, undoubtedly, the Magistrate of Jinzhou, Jinhsi.
Scar: "So, it was a trap."
Confronted with this scenario, Scar remained composed, his confidence in his own abilities preventing any hint of panic from crossing his face.
He summoned another black card, erasing the frost that bound him, and began to fend off the onslaught of the Temporal Dragons.
Though Scar could hold his own for a short duration, the Magistrate remained silent, relentlessly summoning more Temporal Dragons.
Eventually, in a momentary lapse of reaction, Scar was violently seized; five Temporal Dragons clamped down firmly on his arms, his legs, and his throat. ]
[ .....]
〜Exposure Chat Group〜
Residents of Jinzhou: "Yes! That's it! The Magistrate is invincible! Jinhsi cheers"
Jiyan: "Although they are both at the level of a Tsunami, and Scar's spatial abilities are indeed troublesome… in terms of pure combat efficacy, he is naturally no match for the Magistrate."
Iuno: "Are the members of the Fractsidus truly all lunatics? How did he dare to storm the Jinzhou Frontier alone? ⦍SpeechlessJinhsi.jpeg⦎"
Carlotta: "Indeed, if he weren't a madman, he could never have done such a thing! ⦍FrowningJinhsi.jpeg⦎"
Chat Group Members: "Go for it, Magistrate of Jinzhou! Break that card-slinging bastard's hands so he can't play them anymore! ⦍ShoutingJinhsi.jpeg⦎"
Tacet Discord Army: "The Fractsidus deserve to die. You must succeed, young human Magistrate!"
Scar: "…(Is no one going to speak up for me?)"
.....