Author: 唇亡齿寒 / Lips Gone, Teeth Cold

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 62

Alveira dressed in casual clothes, strapped a laser gun to one thigh and a crystal dagger to the other, then nodded at Rose. “Is everyone assembled?”

Rose pressed her ear against the door, listening nervously. “Yes, Zion brought two subordinates, and there are some people waiting downstairs at the hotel.”

“Any movements from the Duke?”

“I just heard that the guard configuration has changed. Many have moved to the floor below, but the specifics are unclear.”

“We’ll go our way,” Alveira said. “Knowing the enemy is important, but without clarity on the Duke’s movements, we can only break through head-on.”

“Yes!”

The princess and Rose stepped out of the luxurious suite, and the two bodyguards at the door immediately blocked them.

“Your Highness, you cannot leave the room at will,” one bodyguard said.

Alveira glared at the bodyguard’s black sunglasses, seeing her distorted reflection. “I’m just going for a walk. Is that not allowed?”

“I’m very sorry, but if you must go out, you need the Duke’s approval.”

“Then you can notify him.”

The bodyguard slightly lowered his head, indicating he would be gone for a moment. He pulled out his communicator, stepped a few paces away, and started making a call to the Duke, his superior, or someone else. Alveira signaled to Rose, who turned to the other bodyguard and casually asked, “Excuse me, what day is it today?”

As the bodyguard was momentarily distracted, Rose kneed him hard in the abdomen. Simultaneously, Alveira pulled the gun from her thigh and smashed the butt onto the head of the calling bodyguard. The bodyguard screamed but wasn’t knocked down. He dropped the communicator, grabbed Alveira’s wrist with one hand, and pressed her neck with the other.

“Rose!” Alveira shouted.

Rose drew her gun, pressed it against the bodyguard’s temple, and pulled the trigger.

Alveira stepped back just in time to avoid the blood splatter. “Warn me before you shoot!” she complained to Rose.

“Your Highness is not a faint-hearted lady who swoons at the sight of blood. You never hesitated when hunting foxes with Earl Darius.”

Rose picked up the bodyguard’s communicator and switched to the team channel. Orders mixed with static came through. “Attention all units, Target B has escaped. Teams 1 and 2, protect the Duke. Team three, pursue Target B. Team four, execute Plan Σ.”

“Target B?” Alveira was puzzled. “What’s Plan Σ?”

Rose shook her head. “It suggests the Duke’s actions were premeditated. We must escape quickly.”

“Agreed. Where’s Zion?”

“Follow me.” Rose discarded the communicator and led the princess to the emergency stairs. Despite wanting to use the communicator to monitor the Duke’s movements, its built-in tracking system was too risky.

The elevators were likely under full control, and the stairs to ground level were fraught with danger. Rose and Alveira headed upward instead, reaching the hotel rooftop. Zion and his two subordinates awaited them in a flying car.

Zion was a tall, dark-skinned middle-aged man from York γ. Formerly a close guard to Marquess Madonna, Darius’ mother, he later followed Darius to the royal palace. After Darius joined the military, Zion stayed with the prince. Loyal and trustworthy, the prince had specially assigned Zion to accompany Alveira, proving invaluable now.

“Your Highness, you’re finally here!” Zion knelt on one knee. “I was about to come down to find you.”

“No need for that,” Alveira said. “What’s the situation?”

“The police are mobilizing,” Zion replied, “but they don’t seem to be after us.”

Even on the rooftop, the wailing sirens were audible.

“Also, the Duke’s private army is gathering secretly. We must leave quickly.” Zion opened the car door. “Do you wish to go to the spaceport ground terminal, Your Highness?”

“No. The Duke will expect that. We must avoid it.” Alveira thought for a moment. “We need to return to the spaceport. We just need to find a spacecraft capable of interstellar travel. Do you know where we can easily find one?”

“Of course, Your Highness.” Zion helped the ladies into the car and checked their seat belts. “The governor’s mansion in Leyting should have several such crafts in its garage.”

……

Joanna, panting, jumped over a green area, toppling several trash cans to obstruct the pursuing police cars. Her flying car had run out of energy and was abandoned roadside, forcing her to proceed on foot. Though slower, she was now a smaller target, allowing her to evade several police searches.

However, it seemed escape was now impossible. The police had spotted her and were closing in, herding her into a dead end. Tall walls surrounded her on three sides, with the only exit blocked by police cars. Unless she sprouted wings or mastered wall-climbing, escape was impossible.

In Joanna Begrel’s life as a space pirate, this was her first time facing such dire straits. Even her imprisonment in Hecate wasn’t this hopeless. If not for her belief in “surviving in desperate situations”, she might have surrendered by now.

“Ah, come on, Lord. You can’t really want to throw your loyal sheep into the lion’s mouth, can you?” Joanna muttered, shaking her head and reaching for the gun at her waist.

The police disembarked. They used their car doors as shields while aiming their guns at the cornered pirate. “Drop your weapon and surrender immediately!”

Joanna’s face showed distress. Was this really happening? End up in Hecate again, enduring its disgusting food and life without freedom? She’d rather die… Leo, where are you? Are you really leaving me to die just because you’re mad at me? If I survive this, I’ll upgrade your memory, I swear…

She slowly drew her gun, raising it in the air to show no resistance, turning the barrel down.

—A flying car rose behind the walls!

Its draft blew Joanna’s red hair, and its engine roar sounded like a hymn of salvation.

The police didn’t expect this sudden change. Some aimed at the car, others fired. Laser beams scorched the car’s exterior. A more accurate shot could have downed the car, but then another flying car dove down, followed by a third!

“Damn it! She has accomplices! She has accomplices!”

“Squad 6 requesting backup! Requesting backup!”

Joanna watched the three flying cars pass overhead with no intention of rescuing her. It was just a coincidence that they passed by thrillingly.

Too coincidental. More than winning twice in Russian roulette at a casino. As if divine intervention heard her prayers and granted a miracle.

As the cars approached the alley exit, Joanna sprinted, shooting down two police officers trying to stop her, then jumped onto a police car, leaping from car to car until she reached the alley exit. Using the vehicles’ height, she made a final leap and tossed her gun.

The last car passed overhead just in time. Joanna grabbed its edge, dangling precariously as it ascended. Lasers whizzed by, some grazing her skin, others piercing limbs.

Joanna endured the pain, shouting to the people in the car. “Help!”

The car door opened, and a blonde girl with a gun leaned out. “Let go!” she ordered.

No way Joanna would let go now! She grabbed the girl’s hand. The girl screamed, almost pulled out, but another person in the car pulled them both back, preventing a double fall.

“Let go!” the girl shouted again. “Or I’ll shoot!”

“Save me!” Joanna replied.

The girl hesitated, biting her lip, finally pulling Joanna into the car with effort.

“Th-thank you.” Joanna collapsed on the girl, gasping.

The girl shut the door, gasping. “You’re injured!”

“Huh? Really?” Joanna felt the pain, knowing she was injured, but the girl’s horrified expression suggested it was severe.

The driver turned. “Your Highness, this person is unknown and was being chased by the police. She must be a criminal. We should drop her.”

The blonde girl hesitated, saying, “But she’s injured!” She turned to Joanna. “Who are you? I don’t usually leave people to die, but I won’t burden myself with a criminal. If you’re really one, I’ll have to drop you.”

Joanna looked at her weakly, thinking the girl was really pretty, but a little familiar. If she said that, she’d be seen as a creepy older woman hitting on her. “I’m the space pirate, Joanna Begrel,” she said, “being hunted by Duke Winnet. If you’re afraid, drop me.”

The girl turned to the other person, dressed as a female bodyguard. “We should drop her. These days, anyone can claim to be Joanna Begrel. The world is going downhill!”

“Who is pretending?!” Joanna roared. “I’m the real Joanna Begrel! Who are you?”

The girl replied righteously, “Alveira Chabais.”

Joanna looked at her seriously, comparing her to the Alveira seen on TV, and finally said, “I better get off myself.”

“Get back here!”

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