Chapter 928: Calm Confrontation
As Lin Sanjiu raised her hand and forcefully blocked the incoming meteors with the Defense Forcefield, amidst the splattering white light, she also heard several low footsteps behind her. She found herself surrounded by members of the Munitions Factory, while her closest companion remained inside the tall tower in the sky. Just as Percival Levin's shadow was about to flash across her field of vision, she hurriedly slapped a small box against her chest and shouted, "Stop!"
Including the previous time she used it in the Natural Reserve, she only had one remaining opportunity to make use of the ability she stole from the Number One Lifeform, the ability to make people obey commands.
True to form, Percival Levin abruptly halted his steps, and the faint glow emanating from his arm quickly faded away. Unfortunately, this ability could only target one person. While the Defense Forcefield lit up on Lin Sanjiu's back, some ability or something else managed to forcefully penetrate her protective shield.
Her consciousness was instantly drained significantly by that strike. The pain pierced through the Defense Forcefield, causing her to involuntarily gasp.
"Tell them to stop!"
Percival Levin raised his eyes, a look of resistance flickering in his dark eyes. "Stop," he eventually said, as if even he could hardly believe it himself.
The footsteps stopped not far behind her, and she could almost imagine the expressions of the Munitions Factory members.
"I am not your enemy," Lin Sanjiu gasped, slowly walking to his side, whispering softly, "Tell them."
"She is not our enemy."
"Have them disperse," Lin Sanjiu said, looking up at the slender tower in the sky. At this moment, there was complete silence within the tower, quietly floating in the night sky. No, she couldn't force them to retreat. These members of the Munitions Factory were on the edge of suspicion and obedience. She had to make them continue to obey. "No, let them continue with the original plan, spread out and remain on guard, awaiting further instructions."
Percival Levin complied and, as per her instructions, placed a hand on her shoulder and patted it—as if they were old friends. The hesitant footsteps behind them eventually dispersed, except for the leader who glanced at Lin Sanjiu a few more times, seemingly concerned about her uniform.
"Listen carefully," Lin Sanjiu said in a low voice when she confirmed that no one could hear her. "Believe it or not, I truly have no hostility towards you."
A faint crease formed between Percival Levin's eyebrows.
"Or rather, I have no hostility towards the person who split you apart," Lin Sanjiu stared unwaveringly into his deep, dark eyes, unsure of his current state—whether he was still "fake flesh and blood" or nearly as human as Septimus. "I know your identity, I know Luther, I've met Septimus, and I know that Twelve wants to kill me... If it weren't for the fact that you're also one of the Twelve personalities, I wouldn't care about your life or death."
Percival Levin still furrowed his brow, attempting to speak. After realizing he could still talk without receiving any commands, he paused cautiously before speaking.
"Why?"
"Regardless of whether you have the concept of death or not, I guess there are still many things you don't like... like being stabbed through the heart or being turned into a Special Item. If I hadn't intervened, you probably wouldn't have liked the outcome tonight." Lin Sanjiu glanced hurriedly at the Command Tower in the sky.
Following her gaze, Percival Levin also looked at the Command Tower. He pondered for a moment and asked in a low voice, "I understand. The intruder is Silvan, right? I've been waiting for him to return since he disappeared, but I didn't expect it to be so soon. So... you don't want me to die at his hands because you know Luther and Septimus. Although you came here together, you each have your own goals."
That's also why Lin Sanjiu initially planned to come alone. She clearly remembered that Silvan had investigated him and found that Percival Levin was a person who had "no past and appeared out of nowhere." She wanted to protect Percival Levin and then follow him to find Luther. But she didn't dare to risk letting Silvan know that Luther was the source of the barrier between him and the Munitions Factory.
Even though he had a slightly... peculiar attitude towards her, she didn't think she had the privilege to make him give up the Munitions Factory and abandon the fight against the 12-personality system.
"Yes." Lin Sanjiu exhaled and glanced back. She could feel eyes occasionally falling on her back from a distance. "I'm not really sure what Silvan's goal is... but I'm certain that those who oppose him, like you, won't be comfortable. Do you really think your strength can contend with his?"
In the face of this provocation, Percival Levin remained calm. In fact, his attitude seemed even more composed than before as he stared directly into her dark eyes. "No. He may have never revealed his true strength... because he has never had the need to."
"So let's make a deal." Lin Sanjiu followed up on his words, "You take me to find Luther... and I'll help you get through tonight."
"You seem too confident in your friend." The man in front of her waved his hand as if dismissing the suggestion. "I alone can't stand against him, but now, the Munitions Factory as a whole stands before him, while he is just one person."
"You're wrong," those few words seemed to leave him momentarily stunned. Lin Sanjiu looked at the Command Tower and withdrew her gaze. "He's not alone."
"Even if... you're added to the mix..."
"And you."
Percival Levin looked at her as if momentarily lost for words. Lin Sanjiu turned around and gestured with one hand. By now, more and more members of the Munitions Factory had gathered in response to the alarm, surrounding the Command Tower tightly. Several leaders were issuing orders from a distance, seemingly preparing to organize personnel to ascend the tower. With the increasing clamor and the radiating light, it seemed that no one was paying attention to Lin Sanjiu anymore. If all of this had happened a few minutes ago, she would have tried to find a way to infiltrate the tower—back then, she didn't know where Percival Levin was, so she had to stick close to Silvan. But now, she didn't need to do that anymore.
"Have you seen your companions here?" she whispered. "They're all crowded together, thinking their backs are facing their own people... I just need to command you to start killing, and within two minutes, you'll relieve half the pressure for Silvan."
These few words finally cooled Percival Levin's expression. He thought carefully for a few seconds, raised an eyebrow, and asked quietly, "I don't understand, why don't you just command me to tell you his location?"
Lin Sanjiu looked up and glanced at him. "Tell me his location?" She chuckled softly. "Are you testing me? I know more than you think, so I'm well aware that I need someone to lead me there in order to reach his position."
Percival Levin nodded silently, letting out a low sigh. "Then why don't you command me to take you there?"
"You should be able to figure out that all abilities have limitations." Lin Sanjiu had no intention of hiding it. "The limitation of my ability lies in... time and usage count."
Naturally, she could command Percival Levin to lead her there right now, but she couldn't leave her companion behind in the midst of the battle—even if that person was Silvan.
"I understand. How long can it last?"
"You know very well that I can't tell you." She shrugged, feeling a faint residual pain from her back. "Just know that at any point before this chaos ends, you may have the opportunity to act against the people of the Munitions Factory. Besides, I can't think of any disadvantages this trade would bring to you... unless you're worried about the 12 finding out?"
A small smile curved the corners of Percival Levin's mouth, forming a barely perceptible arc. "Sounds intriguing, but I'm curious, how can you guarantee that I'll keep my promise afterward?"
"Let's put it this way," Lin Sanjiu smiled back at him. "Consider it an investment in your reputation... and investments come with risks."
She didn't expect him to believe her, but she also didn't want to reveal her trump card too early. She still intended to save her final "command" opportunity for Percival Levin. This statement made him silent for a while, until he suddenly revealed a set of neat, white teeth and whispered to her, "Deal."
Before she could breathe a sigh of relief, he asked, "So what do you plan to do now? He's in the tower, and you're down here... Even if I agree to your deal, I can't help you create an escape route for you. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't be able to do it."
"It's simple."
Lin Sanjiu summoned a 【Mask】 and de-cardified it, handing it over to him. With just two words, Percival Levin almost without resistance put it on, transforming into an ordinary-looking middle-aged man whom one wouldn't pay much attention to.
"Now, what you and your companions need to do next is the same," she crossed her arms and whispered, "I'll be waiting for him to come down. When I see him break through the encirclement, you can lead the way for me."