Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 540: Volume 6, Chapter 29: The Legend of Leray (Part 2)

”Do you guys think that guy is crazy or did I hear wrong?” A middle-aged man sitting in the bar with a small national flag tucked into the back of his neck put down his glass in shock: ”Even a Mecha Commander doesn’t qualify, could it be that our Federation has produced a War God?”

No one paid him any attention. The hundred or so patrons in the bar, along with the bartender and servers, all stiffened their necks and stared wide-eyed at the light screen TV on the wall with bewilderment.

A drunken man who had been sprawled on the table for a long time suddenly raised his body and shouted incoherently, ”Uh... impossible...” No one could hear what the drunkard said after that. He only shouted that nonsensical line before he fell headfirst onto the table again, snoring thunderously moments later.

The bar was quiet.

The square and the streets were also quiet.

In the evening city, streetlights flickered on one by one. The speeding cars also turned on their headlights, leaving trails of flowing light on the streets.

Beneath the large light-screen TV beside the street, the crowd stood there like stone sculptures, foolishly staring ahead. Their hands held flags fluttering in the evening breeze.

Everyone looked at each other, finding the expressions on each other’s faces somewhat strange. No one dared to imagine that one day, a Mecha Warrior from the Leray Federation could receive such an incredible evaluation.

This country may have produced many outstanding individuals and might have its own unique contributions in every aspect, but when it comes to Mecha Fighting, Leray Federation is comparable to how Ancient China’s football league was enthusiastically developed yet insignificant.

If we rewind to Old Era 2008 and see Argentina’s football genius Messi sitting humbly in a television studio in China, telling everyone that neither he nor Maradona could even compare to a certain Chinese Super League star, who would believe it?

Anyone who believes that would either be crazy or an idiot. Unless Messi adds, ”That guy is so good, he can kick with both feet.”

That might make more sense.

This country has many people who love Mecha, even obsessed with Mecha Fighting. However, that doesn’t mean their skills are exceptional.

It is well known. The holy land for Private Mechas is the Free Port Alliance. It wasn’t determined by anyone but was shaped by the survival environment there.

There, Private Mechas have broader uses than in Leray. Mercenaries, adventurers, private guards, even pirates and criminal organizations, are all buyers and users of Private Mechas.

In that world where the strong prey on the weak, only strength can bring these desperados power, money, status, and women. Only strength can allow them to live and enjoy everything they obtain. They never disguise their greed for Advanced Mechas and never stop training.

Their life is all about that. Even in peaceful times, they live on the brink of death every day.

Aside from the Free Port Alliance, other countries with extraordinary Mecha skills have advantages that Leray doesn’t. These countries are either in long-term war, undergoing brutal survival of the fittest daily, or have powerful Mecha manufacturers with high technological capabilities.

Most importantly, both the Free Port Alliance and countries like Feiyang, Binart, Chuckna have deep Mech Knight culture and Mecha heritage.

These aspects are precisely what the Leray Federation, located on the southeast edge of the human interstellar map with only 300 years of independence, lacks. This small to medium-sized country, focused only on its economy and indulgence, has never produced a Level 9 Mecha Warrior, nor developed a leading Mecha in the cosmos.

In the field of Mecha, Leray has nothing to be proud of!

In all the past Cosmic Mecha Competitions or joint military exercises, Leray’s Mecha Warriors have typically been synonymous with the underdog units.

Therefore, even if Cosmo mentioned the Federation Hero Tian Xingjian, the Leray people could not accept it. They couldn’t connect this clumsy Fatty with those legendary Cosmic-level Mecha Masters. They found it utterly absurd.

”Unbelievable...” Helen timely voiced everyone’s feelings: ”Mr. Cosmo, how did you come to this conclusion?”

”Didn’t you show that real-time video of the Simulated War Network earlier?” Cosmo said confidently: ”That video is more convincing than my words.”

”I don’t quite understand...” Helen pursued: ”That wasn’t a real Mecha duel, what I mean is, it was only in the virtual network... and you haven’t personally engaged with Mr. Tian Xingjian.”

”My senior has fought him.” Cosmo said calmly: ”He is an outstanding Level 3 Mecha Knight. Mr. Tian Xingjian also used Phantom Stream techniques. The strength he exhibited made me lose the confidence to challenge him just by watching.”

”Are you sure your judgment isn’t wrong?” Helen asked.

”I am a Mech Knight. I’ve been learning to pilot Mechas since I was six.” Cosmo’s voice was filled with determination and confidence: ”Mechas are my second life. I won’t make an incorrect judgment on what I love most.”

”Can I understand your words like this...” Helen raised a slender, fair index finger: ”Mr. Tian Xingjian, like those legendary masters, is a true Mecha Master.”

”Yes!” Cosmo nodded: ”I can’t judge Mr. Tian Xingjian’s Mecha level by Free Port standards. Based on the techniques he displayed before me, I think he might be a greater legend!”