NOVEL NEXT Chapter 117: That Is All?
[Night Time.]
Sunny's gaze moved deliberately from Vancouver to David, then to Star and her four soldiers, before he finally shook his head:
"No... We can't take you back to our nation." He gently caressed Ellen's hair, who was already asleep, her head resting on his lap.
Vancouver's brow furrowed. "Why?" he asked.
Sunny's tone turned serious, his eyes holding an unwavering intensity. "Look here. As of this moment, you are one of the biggest criminal the Star Nation is after. I don't care about any backstory or anything, but if Matilda gets news you're with us—that we're keeping you safe and feeding you—she will instantly declare war without hesitation, using the excuse that we're harboring a traitor under our roof." He met Vancouver's gaze directly.
"I'm sure my sister already told you we aren't strong enough to face the Star Nation."
"Yes, she did. She also said you're angry with Matilda and want her down," Vancouver countered.
"That's true," Sunny admitted. "But I can't just rush in there like a fool. With what I know of the Star Nation's military power, it would be suicidal. You know what I mean."
Vancouver fell silent, his thoughts churning. The god wolf was right. Taking them in would only make them an enemy of the Star Nation, and knowing Matilda's ambition, she would go all out to take down the Beastify Nation and rule their territories.
"What about Lady Morgana?" David asked, his voice breaking the tense silence.
"....?!"
The entire group turned to David, surprised by his interjection.
"You know Morgana?" Sunny asked, a flicker of genuine surprise in his eyes.
"Know her? She's my godmother... Well, she's a close friend of my late mother, so she took me as her godson," David explained.
'That old woman who has lived thousands of years actually took someone as her godson?' Sunny's mind raced as he studied David.
'If she cherishes him, she would have been out there searching for him. Or maybe she knows where he is but refused to help? The second option suits her more.'
"No... Morgana formed an alliance with all the nations. She won't assist anyone against any of the nations," Vancouver stated.
"Well, unless that nation crosses her, which has never happened in decades."
"And why is that? Is this Morgana that powerful?" Alexandra asked, her confusion evident.
Vancouver, David, Star, and Sunny exchanged glances, then all turned to the four soldiers.
"Fifty years ago, if I remember correctly," Vancouver began:
"The Wendigos led thousands of their ships to attack the galaxy. On the way, they destroyed one of Morgana's transport ships. No one knows what was inside, but we all suspected it was some food or something she was hiding. Anyway, when Morgana got the news, she alone went against the Wendigos' thousands of ships and single-handedly turned everything into dust... She did this with one single move."
"...?!"
The group's faces turned pale as they listened to the chilling story.
"Yep, the nations were terrified by her strength, so the alliance was created. It states that Outermost must always be peaceful, and anyone who attacks that planet will pay the penalty," Vancouver said with a faint smile.
"You could say she's the hidden Queen of the criminal-infested planet. That's why all the criminals rush toward it. Remember, you can kill each other inside, but a major force or attack won't be allowed."
Sunny listened intently to Vancouver's words, his gaze falling to Ellen, who was now in a deep slumber on his lap. He suddenly looked up at Vancouver, his expression hardening.
"I said we won't take you, but that doesn't mean we are not allies." His words were calm and deliberate, causing the others to turn to him.
"I have another planet which is completely hidden. Only my most trusted people are on it... You two will stay there and help control things. Although my Commanders have this job, they will be busy training the soldiers, so both of you will stay low on that planet."
David and Vancouver looked at each other, both speechless, but Sunny wasn't done.
"And David, I heard you are an inventor... I will need your skill to work," he said.
"Really?" David's eyes brightened with hope.
"Yes... Do you have any invention on hand?" Sunny asked.
David hesitated for a few moments, then pulled out the small, circular object he had shown Morgana.
"This is my latest invention... It's one of a kind," he said, displaying the item to everyone.
"What? That will never work," Vancouver stated flatly.
"It will!" David quickly defended his invention, a defiant edge to his voice.
"Okay... What are its uses?" Sunny asked, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.
"This baby here is still incomplete. When I finish it, this weapon will have the power to wipe out a legion of Wendigos," David declared proudly.
"Really? It's that powerful?" Star exclaimed in surprise.
"Of course, I invented it—"
"—Narrate how it works," Sunny cut him off, his voice firm.
"Oh, right. Right!" David's expression grew serious. "This is actually a flying drone... This is the first."
"A flying drone?"
Everyone raised a skeptical eyebrow.
'How can a flying drone wipe out a legion?' Mia thought, mirroring the doubt of the others.
"Let me explain... This is the core, the most important part of it. Once this drone is complete, it will have complete resistance to physical attacks, which means no bullets, missiles, or bombs can take it down," he said with a confident smile.
"Not only that, it will have its own automatic weapons, any type you need to be added to it, missile launchers or anything." He continued, his voice picking up speed.
"The best thing here is, your Cosmic Brain will be the controller, meaning you only need a thought for them to fly and kill." His smile turned into a wide grin.
"Best thing ever, it will also have an assassination mark, meaning once you mark someone, nothing will stop the drone until that person is put down... Just imagine having hundreds of these!" he asked, his gaze sweeping over everyone.
"....?!"
Sunny was stunned. If such a thing could be invented, he would be the first to have control of them. Not only the powerful defense but the assassination part blew him away.
"How much money is needed for one?" he asked, his voice low.
David's gaze lowered to the ground. "A lot of the resources aren't easily found in any stores, and those who sell them make sure to place a huge amount..."
"Just jump to the point. How much?" Sunny pressed.
"The total amount... you'll need at least 10 billion to build one," he said, his tone shaking. "I... I don't know if it's enough," he added.
"If it's enough?! You're saying just one of these things will take more than 10 billion to build?!" Star yelled at him.
"That is all?"
"...?!"
Sunny's calm question drew all their stunned gazes toward him.
"Okay then. You will have all the money needed for one. Prove its uses to me, and you might get to build more."