『 [ Thanks, bro. ]
Seeing Skott finally compromise, Stelle said with a chuckle.
[ Well, honestly, at least you're not as annoying as that woman. ]
[ 'Bro?' Just do the inspection! ]
Skott shouted at Stelle with disgust, then stepped aside.
[ This lady… is really something! ]
Lingsha had settled Skott so easily, which opened March 7th's eyes. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Alright, alright, the hard rock blocking our inspection is gone."
Stelle: "Now we can finally see what's shipped in this container."
March 7th: "Please don't let a bunch of Borisin jump straight out of it!"
March 7th: "Just thinking about that scene is terrifying."
Furina de Fontaine: "Terrifying indeed."
Furina de Fontaine: "Everyone in the video is standing way too close."
Furina de Fontaine: "It would be bad if they got ambushed."
Yanqing: "No worries, with me here, I will definitely protect everyone's safety."
Yunli: "Oh, please."
Yanqing: "Curse it, are you questioning my strength?"
Yunli: "What else?"
Yunli: "Who was it just now that almost let a few stray Borisin escape?"
Yanqing: "Nonsense! If you hadn't suddenly shown up and distracted me, I would have slain them with my flying sword long ago!"
Yunli: "I couldn't tell, but your stubbornness is even sharper than your swordsmanship!"
Hu Tao: "Uh… why are you two arguing again?"
Stelle: "Stop arguing, stop arguing."
Stelle: "No need to panic with me here."
Stelle: "Once my bat is out, whether they are Borisin or whatever, they'll all have to lie down!"
....
『 Under everyone's witness, the heavy doors of the container holding the inspection sample were slowly opened.
Then, a tall, wolf-shaped mech, radiating a cold and grim metallic sheen, appeared before everyone.
[ This is the IPC's cargo? ]
Looking at the mech in front of her, Lingsha frowned and stepped forward to examine it.
[ Listen up, for any damage caused by the inspection, I will file a compensation lawsuit against your prestigious commission… ]
Seeing Lingsha tapping and probing the mech, Skott quickly warned. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
March 7th: "Ah?"
March 7th: "What on earth is this?"
March 7th: "A robot?"
Welt Yang: "It looks like an armed mech modeled after the Borisin…"
Welt Yang: "It doesn't look like anything friendly…"
Aventurine: "Professor, the Intelligentsia Guild actually built something like this."
Aventurine: "Did you know about this?"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Should I know?"
Aventurine: "How would I know?"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Therefore, I do not know."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "After all, I never research such subjects."
Topaz: "This big guy looks quite formidable!"
Topaz: "Could it have used some unethical technology?"
Jade: "Since it's a mech modeled after the Borisin, perhaps it also inherits some of their traits?"
Jade: "But I am more curious about whether this thing was actually made by the Intelligentsia Guild."
Furina de Fontaine: "Um… if my eyes aren't playing tricks on me, I think I just saw some electrical currents flash across this big guy…"
Furina de Fontaine: "It won't suddenly start moving, right?"
Dan Heng: "Normally, since it's in transit, its power supply should have been cut off…"
Stelle: "You said it yourself, 'normally'."
Stelle: "But now we're inspecting cargo at the port, and we've unboxed this kind of thing."
Stelle: "I think things have already started to go abnormal."
Paimon: "I bet… this big guy will definitely move."
Paimon: "Just like the Ruin Guards we always run into…"
Lumine: "This thing looks highly destructive at first glance!"
Lumine: "I hope it doesn't move!"
....
『 After Lingsha groped around the unknown mech for a moment, a series of strange mechanical whirs suddenly rang out!
Then, everyone saw the wolf-shaped mech's eyes glow with a crimson red light—it had actually activated!
It began to drag its massive body step by step out of the container, kicking up clouds of dust with the gust of wind generated by its movements.
[ Oh no! ]
[ It's moving! ]
[ Shut it down! ]
Seeing this, Yanqing drew his sword in an instant and blocked the path in front of Lingsha. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Holy crap…!"
Stelle: "Just as expected!"
Stelle: "It moved after all."
Himeko: "To think they didn't even cut off its power source during transport."
Himeko: "The intention behind this cargo really leaves room for imagination…"
March 7th: "Looking at it this way, the Borisin attacking this IPC transport fleet wasn't a coincidence."
March 7th: "After all, these mechs clearly have some connection to the Borisin."
Boothill: "Heh, things are pretty obvious now."
Boothill: "Some lunatics from the Intelligentsia Guild probably captured some Borisin for experiments."
Boothill: "And modified them into mechs like this."
Boothill: "Which then invited the Borisin's retaliation."
Boothill: "Verdict: just dogs biting dogs."
Furina de Fontaine: "If that's the case, then for the Xianzhou Luofu, it's actually good news."
Furina de Fontaine: "Because this proves that the Borisin attacking the Xianzhou just now was indeed an accident."
Furina de Fontaine: "After all, their original intention was only to attack this transport fleet…"
Paimon: "Then here comes the question: who on earth were those bad guys disguised as Cloud Knights just now?"
Hu Tao: "Can't guess…"
Hu Tao: "Does the Xianzhou Luofu have other enemies besides the Borisin?"
Stelle: "Could it be that Lord Ravager Phantylia is back again?"
Stelle: "After all, last time she disguised herself as Miss Tingyun and didn't reveal her identity until the very end."
Stelle: "So this time, is that Foxian Phantylia, or is the Cloud Knight captain next to her the one?"
March 7th: "Oh my god, if Phantylia is really making a comeback, that would be another huge disaster!"
Lumine: "Is another battle of Emanators about to take place?"
Lumine: "But if it's a three-on-one this time, they'll win, right?"
Paimon: "No, no, if we add Mr. Dan Heng, it should be three and a half against one!"
Paimon: "They will definitely win!"
Hanabi: "Hehe, aren't you guys being a bit too optimistic?"
Hanabi: "What if the Lord Ravagers are actually coming as a group for a picnic this time~"
Hanabi: "Let me tell you, some Lord Ravagers are definitely not to be trifled with."
Stelle: "Wow, the Lord Ravagers are coming out in full force, huh?"
Stelle: "What's next?"
Stelle: "An all-out war of gods right on the Luofu?"
Stelle: "And then the Hunt and Destruction personally descend to clash?"
Stelle: "To be fair, I don't think things should develop into something so fantastical."
....
『 [ How is there such a surprise hidden here… it really gave this lady quite a fright. ]
After a brief moment of panic, Lingsha immediately regained her composure.
She drew her weapon, preparing to face the enemy.
Meanwhile, Stelle, March 7th, and the others had already drawn their weapons and charged forward together with Yanqing!
A moment later, with a heavy thud of the mech crashing to the ground, the group's coordinated beatdown successfully subdued the out-of-control wolf-shaped machine.
[ Phew… you guys were going to leave this kind of thing at the Luofu docks for days? ]
[ That's way too dangerous! ]
Looking at the fallen giant, March 7th let out a sigh of relief, then glared angrily at Skott.
[ This… this really has nothing to do with us! ]
[ It must have been you guys who accidentally triggered the cargo's defense protocol just now! ]
Skott shook his head frantically, trying to make excuses.
[ Since things have come to this, it's better not to shirk responsibility. ]
Dan Heng said, looking at Skott with an unfriendly gaze.
[ I really didn't know how this thing started moving… I can swear to the Amber Lord! ]
Skott stomped his feet, shouting emotionally.
[ Enough. ]
[ Miss Xikui, please take a few Cloud Knights and escort these IPC guests to the Skyfaring Commission first. ]
Yanqing couldn't take it anymore and prepared to have Skott taken away for custody first.
[ Understood. This way, please, Mr. Skott. ]
Xikui nodded and looked at Skott. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
March 7th: "Luckily, we had strength in numbers and beat this big guy down directly."
March 7th: "Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable."
Jiaoqiu: "Tsk, its combat style indeed shares many similarities with the Borisin."
Jiaoqiu: "Especially that near-frenzied characteristic…"
Jiaoqiu: "But what catches my attention more is… does this kind of machine possess that extraordinary regenerative trait of the Borisin?"
Moze: "Judging from how cleanly it was defeated, no."
Feixiao: "How could the traits of the Borisin be so easily integrated into a machine?"
Feixiao: "Perhaps this batch of machines is merely an initial experimental prototype."
Stelle: "Now Skott, as the main person in charge, is probably going to take a huge fall."
Stelle: "All I can say is, being a corporate wage slave really isn't easy."
Furina de Fontaine: "Judging by Skott's reaction just now, unless his acting skills are absurdly good!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Otherwise, he really shouldn't have known what was going on."
Jing Yuan: "If it is proven that he was indeed unaware, the Alliance will not make things too difficult for him."
Jing Yuan: "But as for this batch of cargo, if the IPC or the Guild wants to take it away, it won't be that easy."
Topaz: "That's a headache for the Guild's side; it doesn't have much to do with the IPC."
....
『 This time, Skott didn't offer any resistance because facts spoke louder than words.
So he shook his head and followed the Cloud Knights away in low spirits.
[ Honored guests, after a preliminary inspection, it is indeed as the craftsman feared—there are organic tissues hidden within. ]
[ I can't even tell if it's ingenium or biological in nature. ]
At this time, Lingsha also investigated the fallen mech and reached a preliminary conclusion.
[ Why do you say so? ]
Hearing Lingsha's words, Stelle asked curiously.
[ The core of this device is what they call 'wetware' in industry slang. To put it simply, this machine operates with a kind of biological nerve as its control center. ]
Lingsha didn't answer the question; instead, Kongqing from the Artisanship Commission did. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Silver Wolf: "Meaning, this big guy might be driven by the brain of some creature?"
Lingsha: "Not necessarily a brain, it could also be other organic tissues."
Stelle: "Ugh, just thinking about it is disgusting."
Stelle: "Why make this kind of stuff? Can't they make something normal?"
Stelle: "Also, compared to ordinary mechs, its performance didn't seem that impressive?"
Qingque: "With all due respect, other than looking more ferocious, it feels like it's not even as strong as an Aurumaton."
Stelle: "I agree, when an Aurumaton gets angry, its spears hurt a lot!"
Stelle: "But this guy feels like all show and no substance."
Dan Heng: "Perhaps just as General Feixiao said, this batch of mechs is only an experimental product and is not yet perfected."
Dan Heng: "Their performance can't be called good either."
Dan Heng: "But even so, placing this thing in front of ordinary people makes it a formidable, lethal weapon."
Dan Heng: "It needs to be disposed of properly!"
Hu Tao: "So does this thing have anything to do with the Borisin?"
Hu Tao: "Is the organic tissue inside actually from a Borisin?"
Lingsha: "To know this, we need to conduct specific laboratory tests."
Lingsha: "Although we currently infer a high probability of a connection to the Borisin."
Lingsha: "But that is still only an inference."
....
『 [ I need to take some samples for the Alchemists to analyze, then we can determine the source of this organic tissue. ]
After staring at the mech in contemplation for a moment, Lingsha said to everyone.
[ Why would the Intelligentsia Guild employ such unethical technology? ]
[ To manufacture new weapons? ]
Dan Heng felt that the Intelligentsia Guild's purpose in building this thing was rather suspicious.
[ No matter the purpose, this might be the very reason why the Borisin attacked this vessel. ]
[ No wonder the IPC people were unwilling to let us open the container for inspection. ]
[ I will contact the Ten-Lords Commission and ask the Judges to come and assess the situation. ]
[ According to the regulations, prisoners and weapons involving dangerous organisms should be transported to the Shackling Prison for containment and further handling. ]
[ After all, that is the safest place on the entire Luofu. ]
[ Mr. Craftsman, please go with the Cloud Knights to explain the situation to the Judges. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
March 7th: "Eh?"
March 7th: "It's actually going to be contained in the Shackling Prison? Is it receiving such high-level treatment?"
Yanqing: "This happened so suddenly. At this special juncture, it's better to be cautious."
Paimon: "The Shackling Prison… that sounds like a scary jail."
Paimon: "Just hearing the name makes Paimon shiver all over…"
Paimon: "This place must be terrifying, right?"
Hanya: "Terrifying?"
Hanya: "Hmm… how should I put it?"
Hanya: "The Shackling Prison itself is not terrifying. As long as you haven't committed any heinous crimes, you are destined to have nothing to do with that place."
Hanya: "However, the criminals contained within can indeed mostly be described as terrifying."
Hanya: "In fact, the word 'terrifying' is probably far from enough to describe those high-profile convicts."
Houhou: "I… I heard before that in the Shackling Prison, there are even super demons imprisoned who kill without blinking."
Houhou: "He… he can even wipe out the population of an entire planet!"
Lumine: "Uh… that does sound pretty scary."
Lumine: "Fortunately, Teyvat doesn't have such a scary place."
Furina de Fontaine: "A prison?"
Furina de Fontaine: "Is it similar to the Fortress of Meropide?"
Wriothesley: "Oh, my dear Lady Furina, you really flatter our Fortress of Meropide."
Wriothesley: "The Fortress of Meropide is at most an abandoned place of exile; it can't hold ruthless characters who can wipe out the life of an entire planet!"
Hu Tao: "Too absurd, it's simply impossible to imagine what such a major convict would look like…"
Jiaoqiu: "Could it be that the demon you speak of is the Warhead of the Borisin… Hoolay?"
Houhou: "Hoo… Hoolay?"
Houhou: "Ugh… it seems… yes, that's him!"
Jiaoqiu: "Heh, as expected, it's that beast."
Mualani: "The Warhead of the Borisin?"
Mualani: "Is that the leader of the Borisin?"
Mualani: "I didn't expect the leader of the Borisin to be imprisoned right here on the Xianzhou Luofu!"
Mualani: "Ah! In that case, does the Borisin attack that just happened… have another explanation?"
Mualani: "Do the Borisin want to rescue Hoolay?"
Stelle: "Oh my god, don't say… it really feels like there's such a possibility!"
....