Chapter 255 : Falling Stones in the Night
The first giant stone fell in the center of Fourth Plaza.
Previously, many falling stones had been hurled at Insolania, most of which were blocked by the interception system, with only ten percent of the stones managing to hit the city.
And usually these stones had lost their massive kinetic energy, so people paid no attention, just planning to use large machinery to move and crush them the next morning.
However...
"H-husband, are you alright?"
"Ah... my, my chest hurts so much."
...
"Mommy? What's wrong with mommy?"
"Someone come help! Someone has collapsed!"
...
Near Fourth Plaza, people began showing strange symptoms one after another... First some people felt chest tightness, then some people fainted and collapsed.
General Guyanis, who was on duty, immediately received the report and sent people to investigate.
However, the result...
...
"What, there are Exotic Decay fragments in the giant stone?"
"Yes, this stone seems to be specially made by the demons, acting as an amplifier. Until we clean it up, it will keep spreading Exotic Decay radiation around."
"!"
...
Such a terrifying attack struck like thunder, catching everyone completely off guard.
Immediately after, the demons launched successive attacks, countless giant stones hurled toward the city, many of which contained Exotic Decay fragments. Getting close, people would feel dizzy and nauseous, vomiting up everything they had eaten that day.
...
Such a devastating attack left the kingdom soldiers at a loss.
Because there weren't many protective suits that could shield against corrosion at close range, and if they wanted to handle the giant stones, they definitely had to cut the stones open before they could be transported and moved.
This way, all soldiers participating in transport would be infected by the Exotic Decay fragments. Even if they didn't become monsters, they would be affected and infected with Black Scale Disease, leaving indelible marks on their entire being.
All of this was truly too terrifying.
...
...
When this sudden attack occurred, Lonis and Elucia were having dinner together... Upon hearing the report, they didn't even finish their meal before rushing out.
"Lonis, come with me."
"Mm!"
...
The girls' immediate response was to evacuate and disperse residents near the giant stones... setting up quarantine zones within a 300-meter radius.
But as more and more stones came flying, this approach quickly became limited. Some stones hit the middle of roads, blocking traffic, while others hit the core of residential buildings, requiring evacuation of many people.
So the best approach was still to crush the stones as much as possible and extract and seal the Exotic Decay cores inside.
However...
...
"Nalonaté, what's wrong with you?"
As always, this blonde little loli came to report to Lonis and Elucia.
But at this moment, Lonis noticed her steps were somewhat staggering, completely lacking her usual lightness and speed. If you looked at the skin covered by her clothes...
"Nalonaté, do you have Black Scale Disease?"
"It's nothing, just got a little injured when crushing rocks earlier. I have royal blood in my body that can resist this kind of corrosion."
Nalonaté shook her head, but her appearance of breaking out in cold sweat couldn't be called "nothing."
Seeing this, Elucia frowned and said to her: "No, Nalonaté, you need to rest quickly. You're only 14 years old now, at the age when your body is developing. If you're affected too much by Exotic Decay, your body structure will undergo pathological changes later."
"I told you, I'm fine..."
Nalonaté seemed to want to keep pushing herself, but Elucia showed no mercy and slapped her chest: "This is an order, you must execute it!"
"Wh-what..."
"You think you're fine, but have you thought about the people around you? If Princess Sethilu and Miss Lingli knew you had sacrificed so much for the country, what would they think? Making a little loli bear such a tragic future—how could they ever be happy again?"
"Uh?"
"So go rest. Go to the Time Shuttle to report. Senior Zhou Mixue should still be on duty there. Have her take care of you."
"I... understand..."
Nalonaté nodded, seeming to understand her current situation.
But she still looked toward the distant city, and complex emotions seemed to flash in her eyes: "But... if you two need to communicate messages..."
"I'll have other methods. You just need to follow orders."
"Thank... thank you."
"Huh?"
"Thank you for being willing to guard this city for me... Really, thank you very much..."
The little loli lowered her head and ran away like that.
...
...
Soon, Lonis and Elucia arrived near a fallen stone.
Not only were cleaning team members in protective suits there, but even Dean Cuibia, who had been studying Exotic Decay power these past few days, was also present.
This woman with golden hair stood at the very front, completely unconcerned that the surging Exotic Decay fragments were only a few meters away from her.
...
"D-Dr. Cuibia! The giant stone has been cut open."
"Mm, next we can seal it with lead boxes."
"B-but these dismantled stone fragments also have mild corrosive properties..."
"Everyone, please let me consider..."
...
So many stone fragments—sealing them with lead metal was obviously unrealistic. But just then, Elucia arrived.
"Dean Cuibia, let me handle this."
"Elucia, you're not wearing a protective suit. Don't get too close to this stone."
"It's fine, Doctor. Let's temporarily pile these stones in the plaza. Their radioactivity isn't strong. As long as you don't get too close, they won't have additional effects on the human body."
"I understand."
"Then, the attacked areas east of here will be left to Dean Cuibia and the cleaning team. I'll send others to handle the attacked areas to the west."
...
...
Thus, Lonis and Elucia rushed almost non-stop to the next attacked location.
Because it was in a quarantine zone with no one else around, Elucia's method of handling these giant stones became exceptionally direct and violent...
"Lonis, get ready. I'm going to use the Red Lotus Hammer."
"Mm... mm!"
With the black-haired girl's powerful strike, the massive fallen stone was smashed open by the Red Lotus Hammer.
Lonis also took this opportunity to quickly step forward and load the exposed Exotic Decay fragments into boxes... Although the power of Exotic Decay was terrifying, Lonis wasn't afraid at all.
Because normal cells would age and become cancerous after dividing a limited number of times.
But Lonis?
She wouldn't age at all, so she wouldn't become cancerous either.
Thus, Lonis and Elucia kept cooperating. Before long, the fallen stones that had crashed into the city district were cleaned up and sealed by the two of them.