"I-it's not a loss!"
"This is just a temporary truce!"
"A-after all, preparing for the Hellfire Ride is the most urgent thing right now."
"Becoming the leader can be put off for later."
"Proxy, let's talk business."
"This morning, the other Phaethon said that currently, data on the Outer Ring's Void is insufficient."
"It will affect your performance inside The Hollow."
"Although you have a powerful helper like Aya, there's strength in numbers."
"Lately, we will go into The Hollow with you to gather data."
Lucy pondered.
"Actually, I have something I need your help with too."
"The vehicles for the Hellfire Ride still need some modifications; we need to get the necessary materials first."
Bernice explained the vehicle's condition.
Just then, Wise drove back.
"Belle, Aya, I'm back."
Wise greeted them.
"Good work, Brother."
"Let's go, I'll help you debug the HDD."
Belle smiled and prepared to head to the vehicle.
"No need, I just tested the voltage and network speed here."
"The HDD's operating status is perfectly normal."
"Fairy and Eous are both very excited to be in the Outer Ring, but it is a brand new environment after all."
"It will take some time to adapt."
Wise explained.
"For the sake of the Hellfire Ride, let's practice with the current work first."
Belle pondered.
"Are we starting now?"
"Then we'll go get ready first."
After saying that, Lucy and Bernice left.
"I'll go get my blade."
"After all, we're heading out to The Hollow in a bit."
Hoshimi Aya nodded and returned to where they stayed last night to retrieve her Cursed Blade.
Upon her return, she saw Lucy, Lighter, Caesar, and Bernice each waiting for her on their own vehicles.
"Aya, sit behind Bernice."
Lucy pointed to the seat behind Bernice.
Lucy's vehicle was filled with Bangboos.
Eous was sitting at the front of Caesar's vehicle.
"Aya, don't worry."
"I drive very steadily."
Bernice gave an 'OK' gesture.
"Alright, let's head out then."
After saying that, Hoshimi Aya sat on the back seat of Bernice's bike.
Once confirming everyone was ready, they drove off.
...
On a main road.
Caesar and the others' vehicles sped past.
"Hmm?"
Hoshimi Aya suddenly felt some ill-intentioned gazes.
"Belle, Caesar, Lucy, Lighter, Bernice."
"It seems we're being watched."
"I just sensed some unfriendly gazes."
"However, I didn't see anyone."
"Maybe they're watching us from behind."
Hoshimi Aya looked around.
But she didn't see the source of those gazes.
"It's fine, let's keep going."
"If they dare to come, with our lineup, there's no need to fear them."
After saying that, Caesar accelerated into a sprint.
Seeing this, the others also accelerated!
Once they were sure the group had left, three Thiren on vehicles appeared on a hilltop not far behind them.
"The Sons of Calydon people really did come."
One of the Nekomata said.
"Let's go, follow the plan."
The largest Monkey Xiren said, and then they leaped down with their vehicles, landing on the road and pursuing the group ahead.
After they left, on a higher slope.
A tall woman watched the scene through binoculars.
"Interesting."
"Infighting between gangs?"
"Perhaps this can be utilized."
The tall woman watched Hoshimi Aya, who was sitting on the back seat at the very front, through her binoculars.
However, because the distance was quite far, Hoshimi Aya didn't notice her.
But Hoshimi Aya did notice the three behind them not too far away.
Although they kept some distance, Hoshimi Aya still spotted them.
But Hoshimi Aya didn't say anything, mainly because she saw that yellow Nekomata.
If she warned them early, that famous scene might be gone.
And in the story, they aren't exactly bad people.
For now, the only bad person is that Lu-whatever-his-name-was.
...
Inside The Hollow.
"Belle, Aya, and everyone from the Sons of Calydon."
"Can you hear me?"
Wise asked while adjusting the equipment.
"I can hear you here."
Hoshimi Aya touched the earpiece inside her ear on top of her head; it was specially made for her.
"This mission is to collect data from The Hollow."
"Belle, you should be very familiar with the process."
Wise said, explaining the mission.
"Got it, it's pretty much like that time with Billy."
Belle nodded; although there was a small accident back then, it went relatively smoothly.
"Don't worry, Proxy."
"We won't be like that senior, making you get chased around by Etheralss."
Lighter said in a teasing tone.
"Speaking of which, I've been curious for a while."
"Is there a reason why Lighter keeps calling Billy'Senior'?"
Belle asked curiously.
"Oh, that's because our Motorcycle Clan teams in the Old Oil Well District all have a position called the ever-victorious champion."
"Lighter and Billy are the ones who do that."
"The Founding Overlord set the rules: any team joining the alliance must act with integrity."
"Generally, the Overlord steps in to mediate disputes."
"But if the Overlord isn't around or the two sides can't reach a settlement, they use the old method: a duel."
"That's when the ever-victorious champion needs to step up."
Caesar explained to them.
"The boss is right."
"The ever-victorious champion carries the honor and disgrace of the entire Motorcycle Clan."
"We usually also serve as the leader's bodyguard."
"It's just that with the boss's strength, she doesn't really need protection."
Lighter explained.
"How did Big Daddy put it again?"
"'A monarch needs neither the strongest nor the smartest.'"
"'They only need the magnanimity to unite everyone.'"
"But in our Sons of Calydon, I just happen to be the strongest."
Caesar said proudly with her hands on her hips, looking very proud of this fact.
"Hmph! You have the nerve to say that?!"
"It's because you're always so impatient and jump into the fray."
"Lighter's workload has never been full, so I had to have him help with other things."
Lucy said crossly.
"Hahaha, Proxy, Aya, I won't lie to you."
"Actually, for a long time, I thought Lighter's job was just doing chores."
Bernice explained her view of Lighter with a laugh.
"Oh well, what can you do when our Head Housekeeper is so good at calculating every penny?"
Lighter sighed.
"Alright, that's enough small talk."
"Let's head out quickly."
Belle reminded them.
"..."
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