BIOLOGICAL SUPERCOMPUTER SYSTEM - Chapter 874: Lucius rescue operation (3)

It took little before the group arrived at the last-floor eastern wing. But the situation hadn’t been simple. There were tons of guards.

Blackguards accompanied some of them, resulting in an unavoidable conflict.

These guys were simply… too much. Too strong, too fast, too cunning. Richard and Caiden were having a lot of problems following Becker, who was the only one who was having a relatively easy time.

Becker was strong, much stronger than most people, to the point he was considered the second strongest person on the planet before the Fierce Lioness.

Though he knew he was the third now. Erik Romano, the son of a trusted friend, took his spot, and likely even the Fierce Lioness’.

His strength was too much. He was cunning to an almost devious level, but that wasn’t all.

The ability to make powerful, but most importantly, smart clones, was too strong of an ability to go unnoticed.

If Erik Romano had enough time, he could flood any country and kill any thaid.

Damn, even freeing the Mur continent didn’t look like a dream anymore. And yet, the changes time brought affected not only his allies.

People were getting stronger, and technology was spreading and advancing.

Brain Crystal guns were leveling the playing field among fighters. Strength would no longer be used to determine one’s social status, but rather riches and technological prowess, much as it was before mana arrived on the planet.

Becker was living through an age of deep changes. But were these going to bring a better future to humanity or not?

“We are here.” The group arrived inside the east wing. There were many cells there, with people almost to the other side of the Acheron River. Becker could even see Charon bringing them to the other side.

They missed limbs, fingers, ears, and eyes. Their bodies were bloodied; signs of torture were unequivocal on them.

Becker didn’t know them, and neither did Caiden and Richard, but they were sorry for them. Though their state meant Lucius was likely in the same situation.

For how long had he endured torture? How much blood did he lose? Could he make it to the exit? Could he fight?

“We can’t waste any more time.”

The group’s search finally led them to Lucius’s cell, a grim and dimly lit chamber that felt more like a tomb than a place for the living.

The heavy iron bars and the thick mana-reinforced walls were cold to the touch, emanating an aura of despair that seemed to seep into their very bones.

Inside, Lucius Romano was almost unrecognizable. He had once been an energetic and powerful man, but now he looked like a shell of his former self.

His hair had turned white, hanging limply around his gaunt face.

His eyes seemed distant and unfocused as if they were gazing at something far beyond the confines of his cell.

Lucius’s physical condition was even more alarming. He was missing both legs, the aftermath of unknown tortures or battles, leaving him a broken figure on the cold floor.

His skin was pallid, almost translucent, and stretched tight over his bones. The sight was chilling.

“Lucius!” Becker said. Caiden and Richard were looking at him with horrified faces.

He looked up at the group with a vacant stare, his once commanding presence reduced to a feeble whisper.

A flicker of recognition appeared in the man’s eyes. Even if he was battered and tired, there was still someone behind those eyes.

“Armand? Richard? What…? What are you doing here?”

“We came to rescue you, buddy!” Becker said.

“What? Why? How? It’s dangerous here… the b-Blackguards are…”

“Don’t worry about them,” Caiden said. “We took care of some of them on the way, while our comrades are taking care of the others.”

Lucius’ eyes regained some energy. There was hope in them. “How did you get here?”

“Your son’s men.”

“My… son’s?” But then something in his mind lit. He understood.

“He broke it…”

“Broke what?” Becker asked. Maybe this was the only chance to ask him questions. What did he learn on the Mur continent so that the Blackguards wanted to capture him? What did he

find?

“The container with…”

As he was uttering those words. A voice suddenly jolted them out of their reverie.

“HEY! HALT!”

The three turned. There was a guard behind them, a radio in his hands.

“Here is Guard Kellan, identification number 5742,” the guard said into his radio, his voice tense with the weight of the situation. “We have intruders in the prison attempting to free the prisoner under Code XJ-09.”

There was a brief pause, a moment that felt like an eternity before the voice on the radio crackled back to life with a sharp, authoritative tone.

“Understood, Guard Kellan. Reinforcements are already dispatched and will arrive at your location shortly. Secure the perimeter and detain any suspects. We cannot allow the prisoner to be extracted. The Blackguards have been notified and are mobilizing.”

However, Caiden immediately arrived in front of the man, and with a swing of his sword, he decapitated the poor man.

“There’s not much time, Lucius. We need to get out.”

Lucius nodded. There wasn’t much he could do. The cell’s bars were thick and sturdy, made of Aclaitrium. Becker was strong, much more than June, and after a couple of tries, he broke the bars, which fell to the ground with a loud noise and awoke the other prisoners.

Caiden lifted Lucius, while Becker and Richard stood guard. Caiden also held a radio in his hands.

“Noah, we have a code red situation! We have been found out. Give the order for your men to open all the doors. We won’t take much before leaving the area.”

“Understood, Caiden. Bring Lucius safe and sound outside. My squads will open a way for you once you get out.”

They couldn’t see it, but Noah was worried. There were too many guards around.

His clone’s squads were ready to attack, but it was going to be hard to kill the Blackguards, and in turn, it was going to be hard to kill those accompanying them.