Geno's words gave everyone present a fright.
Break out? How could they break out?
Taking a group of the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled to break out—wouldn't that just be throwing their lives away?
Fortunately, Geno quickly offered an explanation.
"We aren't taking everyone; just a few of us will charge out."
"What do you mean? You're going to abandon the residents here?!"
Nekomata's face instantly collapsed into a grumpy cat expression. She couldn't believe that Geno would actually abandon the people here just to save his own skin!
"That's not it. There is no meaning in us wasting away here. Vision Corporation has blocked news from Canvas Alley; the outside world knows nothing about this place."
As he spoke, Geno turned his gaze toward Eous, the only one who could contact the outside world.
Although Eous (Belle) could carry news out of the Hollow, this would undoubtedly expose her identity as a Proxy. Furthermore, without substantial evidence, Vision Corporation wouldn't admit to anything.
"We must bring out evidence that the residents here are trapped. Only then can we attract public attention and force Vision Corporation to stop moving against the residents."
Geno had thought it through clearly. As long as they brought the evidence out of the Hollow, they would have enough power to bring down Vision Corporation. Only when Public Security intervened could all the residents here be saved.
"But if we leave, won't the residents here be in even more danger?"
Nekomata raised a doubt again, but Geno was already prepared.
"That is why not everyone is leaving. A few people need to stay behind to protect the residents."
Saying this, Geno looked toward Nicole's group—or more accurately, toward Anby among them.
"Anby, can I entrust this mission to you?"
As the former captain of the Silver Squad, her strength was unquestionable.
Of course, she alone wouldn't be enough; Billy would also stay behind.
"Leave it to us. Not a single resident here will come to harm! I swear it by the name of the Starlight Knight!"
"Corin... Corin will also stay and help!"
Billy wore a solemn expression, making a very serious guarantee to the group, while little Corin at his side also indicated she would do her part.
Thus, the breakout team was decided.
Nicole, who had collected all the residents' appointment letters; Eous (Belle), to lead the way; and the main combat forces, Geno and Nekomata.
"Meow wants to stay!"
"No can do. I can't charge out with two people just by myself. Besides, as a Canvas Alley local, you are the most suitable person to be a witness."
Although Nicole had combat capabilities, she lacked mobility in the face of a hail of bullets. It would be too strenuous for Geno to carry two people on his own.
Moreover, Nekomata, who claimed to have grown up in Canvas Alley, was indeed a qualified witness.
"But..."
"It's fine. Trust us, Nekomata. When this is over, I'll treat you to mackerel."
Anby patted Nekomata on the shoulder. Geno was right; the agile Nekomata had a much better hope of successfully leading Eous and the others to break out than they did.
Although they hadn't known each other long, she believed Nekomata wouldn't drop the ball.
"Don't say such flag-raising words! I get it, meow! Meow will bring reinforcements back!"
Seeing that even Anby said so, Nekomata couldn't argue further.
Although she was still very worried about the residents here, this was indeed the best solution available right now.
"In that case, let's set off immediately."
Once preparations were made, Geno and Nekomata took Nicole and the other towards the east side of Canvas Alley.
That was the weak point he and Nekomata had found during their reconnaissance during the day, where the troop presence was thinner.
Arriving at the defense line and hiding behind cover, Nicole subconsciously swallowed hard as she looked at the groups of fully armed Vision guards.
"Didn't you say there were fewer people here? Why are there still so many?"
Although there were fewer personnel compared to other directions, there were still over twenty guards on patrol who hadn't participated in the search for residents inside Canvas Alley.
"We still have to go. Pay attention: in a moment, I'll take the lead and attract the guards' attention. You guys seize the opportunity to rush past. Be quick."
Before Nicole and the others could react to how Geno intended to attract attention, Geno immediately stood up and theatrically placed his hand on his wristband.
"Transform!"
As Geno's voice fell, his entire person was enveloped in armor formed of Ether crystals, once again turning into that Ethereal Knight form.
The explanation he used to fool Belle earlier was still useful now, and it just so happened to satisfy his own little hobby.
Shouting a catchphrase to transform or something—that was simply a man's romance!
"Hah!"
Letting out a dramatic, hero-esque sound, Geno leapt up and landed right in front of the guards.
"Who goes there?"
Seeing the guards cooperate so well by voicing the lines of small-fry villains, Geno's spirits rose high.
"Just a passing Starlight Knight. Remember that!"
After saying this, he charged forward and began wrestling with them.
Behind the cover, Nicole and the others were still in shock over Geno's transformation.
"He transformed! The Starlight Knight is actually real?!"
"How is that possible! It's just a specially made prop! Quick! Let's follow him!"
Eous (Belle) offered an explanation, hurriedly beckoning the two to sneak past from the other side.
Meanwhile, at the front, Geno was struggling somewhat as he tangled with the guards.
Unlike the situation on the train earlier, the environment this time was open, which was much more favorable for the use of firearms.
Hiss~ Where are you shooting! Is the aim of these guys any good or not?! Why are they aiming exclusively for the kidneys?!
Feeling the pain of bullets striking his body, Geno was extremely grateful for the ability he had mastered not long ago.
If he had used his raw Ethereal body to tank the hits, he would have been covered in wounds long ago.
But even if the enemy couldn't break his defense, he couldn't clear them out immediately either. He could only do his best to tangle with them and buy time for Nicole's group.
"Bad news! Someone escaped!"
Geno, who was in the middle of tangling with the guards, suddenly heard someone shout, and his heart sank instantly.
Nicole and the others were spotted?!
Looking over, sure enough, for some reason the three had stopped just as they were about to enter the Hollow, and there were several guards near them.
Even worse, Geno's superhuman vision clearly saw that one of the guards was holding... a rocket launcher!
"Crap! Are you kidding me! Using a cannon to hit mosquitoes!"
Frightened by this scene, Geno couldn't care less about the surprised gazes of the guards around him. He immediately activated Thanatos's flash ability and headed toward Nicole's group.
Seeing the rocket about to hit Nicole and the others, Geno's figure suddenly appeared in front of them, forcefully tanking the deadly blow.
With a loud boom, Geno felt as if he had been rammed by the Hundred-Ton King all over again. The bones in his entire body felt like they were going to shatter, and the Ether crystal armor fell to the ground in pieces.
If not for the protection of that thing, Geno would probably be lying on the ground in pieces right now—a chunk here, a chunk there.
____
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