Chapter 2013

"Where exactly?" Gab asked.

Estelle rummaged through her desk and pulled out a sheet of paper. She hastily sketched the

topography of Tripe and then superimposed the constellation of the Big Dipper, aligning it with the

corresponding locations. "It should be around these spots!" she said, her voice heavy with certainty.

The positions of two stars, Alkaid and Mizar, had shifted slightly, a detail whose significance was

unclear.

Jonathan and Gab exchanged a glance, squinting slightly, their tone icy. "Triceratops, such grand

ambitions!"

Seven cobalt bombs had been strategically placed around the borders of Citadel, the Mystoria

Federation, and the remote region of Silver Valley, areas mostly uninhabited yet secretly harboring

Triceratops's military bases.

Four bombs were placed to the northwest, and then the pattern shifted, with three more along the

border with the Mystoria Federation.

Gab studied the locations of the four bombs, double-checking the local geography. His voice turned

grave, "Triceratops isn't aiming at me."

"Hmm?" Estelle raised an eyebrow.

"Look at the positions of Alkaid and Mizar. If I'm not mistaken, the real target of their threat is the entire

coastal line of C Country!"

Estelle's expression darkened. "How dare they? What's their endgame?"

"It's clear that Triceratops isn't acting alone. We all know who's backing them," Gab stated.

Gab was stationed in Silver Valley, at the northwest juncture between Tripe and C Country, guarding

the C Country border. Yet, there were those still relentless in their efforts, using Triceratops to threaten

C Country.

Estelle and Jonathan's expressions turned somber. Jonathan's voice was frosty as he spoke, "So the

microwave weapons were a decoy. Bernard's real project was the cobalt bombs. Does Raiden know

about this?"

If they were developing cobalt bombs at the twelfth floor underground, then Raiden would likely have

objected to his and Lambert's descent.

So, was Raiden out of the loop?

"It's hard to say. Bernard might be coordinating remotely with Triceratops, handling only the theoretical

aspects. Considering the current situation, it seems they've already succeeded," Gab surmised.

Estelle declared, "No matter what Triceratops is planning, we must destroy those seven cobalt bombs.

We can't allow such a threat to linger!"

Gab turned to Jonathan. "We need to move quickly. We'll split up tomorrow. You take out the three

bombs at the Mystoria border, and I'll handle the other four. Triceratops will soon catch on to us. When

Raiden moves out to back them up, and he's away from Zion, that's Estelle's chance to hit the twelfth

floor underground and take out Bernard!"

By now, Bernard's fate was sealed.

Jonathan paused for a moment, "Are we sure the twelfth floor underground is safe?"

Gab nodded confidently. "Bernard is too valuable to Triceratops for him to rig him with explosives. He

also wouldn't easily destroy the twelfth floor underground; after all, the microwave weaponry is another

key project of his. Don't worry."

Estelle looked at Jonathan, her expression earnest. "Jonathan, you said we stand side by side."

"Jonathan!" Estelle grasped his hand, her eyes clear and determined. "Trust me!"

Jonathan's hand tightened around hers, and he nodded slowly, "Alright, but wear the necklace I gave

you. If anything happens, your safety comes first." Coոtent of Drąмąոovеls.cоm

Estelle nodded solemnly, "I will!"

After all, Raiden was the only one who could pose a threat to Estelle and knew their identities.