Chapter 797: Those Who Lay Down Their Arms Should Not Take Them Up Again |
"Xandar, accept your punishment!"
Ronan grips his universal weapon, the war hammer, and strides towards the forefront of the bridge.
Behind him, the floor collapses in a wave-like pattern. Members of the Guardians of the Galaxy fall to their knees, except Star-Lord, who still struggles to stand but no longer has the strength to stop Ronan's advance.
They had prepared multiple contingency plans for unexpected situations.
Yet they had never anticipated such a vast disparity that instils a profound despair.
From the beginning, Ronan was never serious.
He lifted his universal weapon lightly and then heavily slammed its handle onto the ground.
Then, the Power Stone embedded at the top of the war hammer released a world-destroying purple energy.
If not for his desire to let them witness Xandar's destruction, the energy Ronan had released earlier could have easily killed them over and over with just a slight increase.
A voice, mad with frenzy, transmitted clearly through the ship's speakers into the Xandar palace.
Ronan stands at the edge of the bridge, looking at the thousands of golden warships interlocked in a massive net, his eyes wild with insanity, his heart surging with murderous intent. He raises his war hammer, releasing a stream of purple fiery energy.
Boom! Boom, boom, boom!
The purple energy released from the war hammer top ignites the golden net instantly like a dragon's breath, setting the twilight sky ablaze.
The twilight sky roils with waves of fire.
Debris from the warships falls like remnants of fireworks, tracing fiery streaks across the sky.
If one disregards the humanitarian perspective, this scene could undoubtedly be described as beautiful.
Especially from the topmost tower, where the streaks of fire in the far-off dusk under the setting sun indeed possess a modern artistic beauty. If a painter were present, they would indeed be overflowing with inspiration.
"You...aren't you going to stop him?"
Maika leans on her hand, her dark eyes flashing with confusion.
The situation is quite severe now. The Nova Corps and the mercenary Ravagers are retreating. Although they have inflicted heavy losses on the Dark Aster's forces, the main issue of stopping the mothership's descent remains unresolved.
If Ronan successfully lands on Xandar, everything is truly over.
The balance of victory heavily favours Ronan in the strategic overview.
He is not intervening now. Does it mean he truly intends to let Ronan destroy the planet?
"No, it's not time yet."
Lord looks calmly outside, "Don't worry, as long as I'm here, I won't let Ronan destroy Xandar."
"You... Lord, what exactly are you waiting for?" Even the naive would understand by now, and Maika, not being foolish, keenly suspects that the Lord is waiting for something to happen before intervening.
"Maika, I don't want to hide it from you."
Lord's eyes are deep, his tone unyielding, "But this matter is too significant, and knowing too much can be dangerous, so I cannot tell you the truth. Please trust me, do not ask, do not be curious, and do not investigate, okay?"
"Am I not even qualified to know?"
Maika's eyebrows furrow slightly, sensing the gravity in his words.
"Not right now."
Lord pauses, meeting Maika's worried gaze with some reluctance, and sighs, "Unless... you reach the levels of a monk or Aizen."
"I understand, but I won't give up."
Maika's gaze dims momentarily but quickly recovers, her smile warm, "Someday, I hope to stand by your side and share even a bit of your burden."
"Okay, I'll wait for you."
Lord laughs heartily, though not taking her words entirely seriously.
"They can't hold him back anymore," Maika notes.
Lord sighs with a hand to his forehead, "There's been another complication."
In the brief interlude of their conversation, the Dark Aster finally breaks through the defences and successfully lands on the surface of Xandar.
However, unexpectedly, Star-Lord and the others did not appear.
This means someone must act to delay Ronan's destruction of Xandar.
"Although I'm not sure what exactly you are waiting for, it seems you are hesitant to act due to some constraint, am I right?" Maika suggests.
"Correct, I cannot act for now." Lord does not deny it, regretfully adding, "If I act now, the commotion might be too great, potentially alerting others prematurely, so I can only sit here and cheer them on."
"Then... can I?"
Maika's eyes sparkle curiously as she looks at Lord, seemingly excited by the prospect.
"You..."
Lord is momentarily taken aback, having not considered this.
But thinking it over, he's refrained from acting partly to avoid significant disturbances that might fail to draw out the origin of the Twin Blossom's aura and partly to lure someone. If he worked, that person wouldn't show.
However, considering the situation has changed and someone needs to restrain Ronan, the Twin Blossom remains the priority. Even if that person realises his presence, it's unavoidable now.
After consideration, Lord nods, "Then I'll have to ask you, Maika."
Maika bites her lip, fingertips brushing her temple hair as she smiles coquettishly, "No need to thank me, just compensate me later, and don't trick me this time."
"Sure, I won't trick you."
"Then I'm off."
Maika begins to rise, intending to teleport away, but Lord catches her hand. Warmth spreads from his palm like a hearth in winter, flush her whole body with heat. She freezes, cheeks reddening, heart pounding uncontrollably.
"Promise me, try not to kill."
Lord's gentle voice floats from behind, "Since you've decided to lay down the sword, it's best not to take it up again."
"…Yes."
Maika's heart warms, her response barely audible.
The killer, Hachirou, is dead. The living Maika is merely a skilled healer from the Fourth Division, having decided long ago to abandon her blade. If she takes it up again, there is no turning back.
Lord's reminder is clear.
You are not Hachirou; you are Maika, Captain of the Fourth Division.
Once the sword is laid down, there can be no turning back.
