Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 1762: Codename: The Twin Eclipses: Part-3

Ssssnnnngggg~

The convoy of massive transport trucks accelerated as their anti-gravity propulsion arrays emitted a low hum. Above them, colossal military mech-suits hung beneath heavy-lift drones as they advanced in perfect formation toward the heart of the military district… Delta Tower.

“Come on! Move it faster!! We don’t have all day!” one of the guards stationed before the military gates barked impatiently.

Armed soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder with pulse weapons gripped tightly in their hands while autonomous drones hovered overhead, projecting layers of scanning grids that swept across every truck from top to bottom before clearing them one by one under exceptionally tightened security.

“State your name and identification.”

The guard extended his handheld scanner toward the truck driver, verifying both his biometric signature and digital identification before allowing him to proceed.

“Move! Keep the convoy going!” another guard shouted, waving the next transport forward as each truck advanced in disciplined succession.

Behind those towering gates…

Something enormous was unfolding.

When the final truck rolled to a halt beneath the scanner frame, the driver stepped out and joined the inspection queue. Meanwhile, the vehicle continued forward automatically along the magnetic guidance lanes, requiring no driver as it positioned itself beneath a cluster of hovering drone scanners.

Brilliant blue beams cascaded over its frame, tracing every inch of metal while streams of diagnostic data flickered across the drones’ optical sensors.

Ssssssnnnnn!

The truck slowly approached the final checkpoint.

Then…

A humanoid life signature was detected beneath the vehicle.

[Unauthorised Biological Signature Detected.]

Instantly, the entire checkpoint transformed into a crimson battlefield of flashing warning lights. Emergency sirens echoed through the military compound as every nearby mech-suit activated simultaneously, their optical visors igniting with cold red light while heavy weapons locked onto the truck. Automated defence cannons rotated toward the target, ready to erase the intruder the moment confirmation was received.

Yet when the drones rescanned the underside of the vehicle…

Nothing?

The life signature had completely vanished.

The guards exchanged confused glances, unable to understand what had just happened.

“False positive… but maintain fail-safe protocol.”

Although the alert was dismissed, the truck was no longer treated like the rest of the convoy. Instead of being cleared immediately, it was diverted toward a secondary inspection facility for a complete forensic scan. After all, a false detection of that magnitude had never occurred before.

Meanwhile, several streets away, hidden within the shadow of a narrow alley, Young Aether silently watched the scene unfold.

“Thank goodness I slipped away the moment the scanner detected me…” he muttered under his breath, letting out a quiet sigh of relief. His expression softened for only an instant before his eyes narrowed toward the towering entrance.

The entire perimeter had become even more heavily fortified after the alert. Entering unnoticed now was practically impossible.

“What do we do now? Is there another way inside?”

^Analyzing… Accessing visual feeds… Mapping security infrastructure…^ RIN AI replied as countless streams of data raced through the smart glasses, reconstructing the entire security network into a three-dimensional tactical model.

^The Energy Diffusor is no longer a viable option. Unless your objective is to announce our presence to every security system within Delta Tower, I strongly advise against using it. Current mission failure probability: 98.37%. Initiating alternative infiltration simulations… Scanning structural vulnerabilities… Searching for exploitable variables…^

Young Aether remained silent, patiently waiting for the AI to complete its calculations. His gaze drifted back toward the inspection zone before lifting toward the sky, where the enormous mech-suits continued undergoing aerial security scans while suspended beneath the heavy-lift drones.

Something definitely going on here.

‘If this is the war they were planning… why? Why have they decided to deploy this technology now?’ Young Aether wondered, his brows knitting together in confusion. Until now, the Empire had only deployed low-grade mech-suits, and even those had nearly wiped out his people. But now…

These were advanced military-grade machines.

How were his people supposed to survive against them?

What had changed?

His confusion slowly gave way to a chilling calm. His fingers curled into tight fists as countless possibilities raced through his mind. Whatever was happening, he had to stop it before it spiralled beyond anyone’s control.

If everything went against his expectations… then he would have no choice but to confront them directly, even if it meant becoming Jonathan’s enemy.

‘Wait… Is this why Jonathan has been so busy these past few days?’

His eyes widened slightly as the unsettling thought surfaced.

‘No… he probably doesn’t know about this. He would’ve told me everything… right? I mean… he even hurt his own wife for my sake…’

Young Aether forced himself to believe it. Jonathan had always been honest with him, or at least he wanted to believe that. Perhaps his friend had simply been occupied with something entirely different.

Yet despite every excuse his mind desperately constructed…

His heart had already accepted the answer.

^We need a bigger distraction,^ RIN AI stated.

Young Aether fell silent before giving a slow nod.

“Something similar to that day… right?”

^Correct. Your movement speed exceeds the average response latency of their security units by approximately 412%. A temporary diversion lasting 2-3 minutes would provide sufficient time to infiltrate the compound undetected. Unfortunately, this is Delta Tower, the Governor’s primary command centre. If he found us, our survival probability declines to… statistically embarrassing levels. I recommend avoiding that outcome.^

Young Aether remained silent for several moments.

He knew RIN AI wasn’t exaggerating.

He still wasn’t powerful enough to face the Governor head-on. Charging in recklessly would be nothing short of suicide.

That was precisely why he hadn’t even released Genome Beta yet.

“We need a distraction powerful enough to force the Governor out of Delta Tower… don’t we?”

^Affirmative. According to every available record, the Delta Governor has almost never left the tower personally. If we intend to draw him outside, we need something capable of threatening the entire division, not a mere district.^

“Hmm…”

Young Aether rested a hand beneath his chin, deep in thought. After a few seconds, a sly grin slowly spread across his face.

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

^Interesting… It appears our tactical simulations have reached the same conclusion…^

“Hehe~ Nice.”

The corner of his lips curled upward as he turned around to leave.

Then…

^…Wait. Hold on. What exactly are you thinking? My predictive model has just informed me that there is an 87.43% probability we are not thinking of the same plan. Knowing you, that percentage is likely increasing.

Explain yourself before I have to recalculate my expectations… again.^

Young Aether’s lips twitched uncontrollably.

“…Fuck you.”

Without another word, he sprinted away from the military district, accelerating toward Jonathan’s apartment.

Before putting his plan into motion…

There were two people he had to protect first.

Sasha and Maiuri stood before Young Aether with puzzled expressions, watching as he arrived carrying several bags filled with food.

“What’s all this for?” Sasha asked curiously as she rummaged through the bags, pulling out the food one item at a time like an excited child peeking into the grocery bags their parents had just brought home.

“Is my cooking really that bad that you had to buy all of this?” Maiuri asked with a slight frown, folding her arms across her chest as she gave him an annoyed look.

Young Aether smiled and shook his head.

“Of course not. Your cooking is great. It’s just… you’ve been taking care of me for so long, and I’ve never really had the chance to repay your kindness. So I bought a few things for both of you… I hope you like them.”

As he spoke, a faintly guilty expression crossed his face.

Maiuri studied him for a moment before letting out a quiet hum and giving a small nod.

Before long, the three of them gathered around the table and began eating together.

!~Ding~!

[Warning: Poison Detected]

Without changing his expression in the slightest, he calmly continued eating as though nothing had happened.

Several minutes passed.

“Yaah…” Sasha yawned, rubbing her eyes as exhaustion suddenly washed over her. “Why am I so sleepy…?”

“That’s strange…” Maiuri muttered, frowning as she rubbed her heavy eyelids. “I just woke up not long ago… why do I feel like I could sleep again?”

Young Aether offered a gentle smile.

“How about we go for a drive?”

Maiuri frowned.

“Why?”

“I don’t know… just to get some fresh air. We’ve been stuck inside this apartment day and night. A short drive might help us clear our heads. What do you think?”

Maiuri looked unconvinced and was about to refuse.

Before she could answer, Sasha immediately nodded with sparkling enthusiasm.

“Of course! I seriously hate staying indoors all day and night!”

“See?” Young Aether chuckled. “Let’s go.”

Soon afterwards, the trio left the apartment in Jonathan’s vehicle.

Young Aether quietly occupied the passenger seat with his eyes closed, appearing perfectly relaxed.

Maiuri kept both hands on the steering wheel, but her head gradually began dipping forward before jerking back up every few seconds as she struggled against overwhelming drowsiness.

As for Sasha…

She was already sound asleep in the back seat, her mouth hanging wide open without the slightest concern.

[Operator Consciousness Lost.]

The vehicle’s emergency safety system activated instantly.

Control shifted seamlessly from the steering wheel to the autonomous driving core as the car smoothly reduced its speed while the vehicle carefully manoeuvred itself onto the roadside before coming to a gentle stop. Hazard lights immediately began flashing in steady intervals.

For several long moments…

Nobody moved.

Until…

A pair of ice-blue eyes slowly opened.

A wicked smile curled across Young Aether’s lips.

“Not bad… it worked much faster than I expected.”

^…You’re welcome?^

“Haha.”

Young Aether let out a quiet chuckle before leaning over to examine both of them. He checked their pulse, breathing, and body temperature one after another.

Everything appeared perfectly normal.

There wasn’t even a slight elevation in their vital signs.

“How long until the sleeping dose wears off?”

^Approximately six hours. After that, I will administer microscopic doses through the vehicle’s climate control system to maintain unconsciousness. Their sleep cycle will remain completely natural, and before you ask… no, I am not going to accidentally kill them.^

Young Aether nodded in satisfaction before lowering his gaze toward the transparent vial resting quietly in his hand. The colourless liquid inside appeared completely harmless, yet it had effortlessly rendered both women unconscious within only a few minutes.

“If the plan falls apart and everything goes wrong, keep this vehicle driving along the highways near the border. If everything inside Delta City is destroyed, your highest priority is taking both of them somewhere safe.”

^Command acknowledged.^

A soft mechanical click echoed from inside the dashboard as a concealed compartment slowly slid open. Young Aether carefully placed the vial inside before the compartment sealed itself shut with another quiet click.

^The sedative will be dispersed through the ventilation system at mathematically optimal intervals. Their vital signs will remain perfectly stable, and every dosage falls well within acceptable biological parameters.^

“Good.”

Young Aether stepped out of the vehicle before suddenly stopping beside the driver’s window. He lowered himself slightly and quietly looked at the sleeping faces of Sasha and Maiuri. Neither of them showed the slightest sign of discomfort as they breathed peacefully, completely unaware of what he was about to do.

“Make sure nothing happens to them. If a Hell’s Gate appears anywhere nearby, don’t hesitate for a second. Take them as far away from it as possible and keep the vehicle moving. If it remains parked for too long, someone might become suspicious.”

^Understood. Autonomous driving protocol has been activated.^

The vehicle immediately came to life as it produced a soft hum. Every door locked automatically while the windows shifted into privacy mode. Maiuri’s driver’s seat gently reclined into a comfortable sleeping position, allowing her body to rest naturally, while the onboard surveillance system activated every internal and external camera simultaneously.

After completing a rapid environmental scan, the self-driving system smoothly guided the vehicle back onto the highway before disappearing into the endless stream of traffic.

Young Aether silently watched the vehicle until it completely vanished from sight. Only after confirming that it had safely left the district did he lower his head and glance toward the ring resting upon his finger.

“Are you absolutely sure you can protect them by staying beside me?”

^As I explained before, my operational network extends throughout the entirety of Delta City. You may think of me as remaining beside them while simply communicating with you through a remote channel. Operationally speaking, there is no meaningful difference.^

Young Aether scratched the back of his head before giving a small nod.

“Alright… I’ll leave them to you.”

^Then stop overthinking and proceed with the mission. I’m genuinely curious whether your plan is brilliant… or simply another spectacular example of human recklessness. My predictive models currently refuse to decide.^

A sly smile slowly spread across Young Aether’s face as confidence filled his icy blue eyes.

“Then watch carefully. I promise you won’t be disappointed.”

With a single step, his figure disappeared.

***

One entire district of Delta City still remained buried beneath the scars of destruction.

Towering skyscrapers had collapsed into twisted mountains of steel and shattered concrete while heavy engineering machines tirelessly removed debris piece by piece. Rescue teams continued searching every ruined structure despite already recovering the majority of the victims, and countless construction drones hovered overhead, projecting holographic maps that identified unstable sections before demolition units dismantled them.

However, among the countless damaged buildings, one hospital remained almost completely untouched.

The facility had been transformed into a heavily fortified military zone.

Standing near the main entrance, a black-suited officer calmly addressed the soldiers under his command as they prepared for another routine security rotation.

“As always, nobody enters this perimeter without proper authorisation. Remain alert at all times because whatever is being contained inside this hospital is not something any of you would ever want to see escaping into the city.”

His voice remained calm and composed, yet every soldier instinctively straightened their posture after hearing the warning. Although they had received the same briefing countless times, nobody dared question the seriousness behind those words.

“Understood, sir.”

The black-suited officer gave a slight nod before continuing to assign patrol routes and surveillance sectors.

Just as he finished issuing his final instructions, a loud argument erupted near one of the outer checkpoints.

“Sir, you cannot enter this area! It has been designated as a Restricted Zone!”

“But I know Mr Laman! Please, just let me speak with him for a few minutes!”

The officer immediately turned toward the source of the commotion after hearing his own name mentioned. His sharp gaze quickly settled upon a handsome young man being restrained by two security officers who refused to allow him any farther.

‘Wait… isn’t that…?’

Recognition flashed across his face almost immediately.

“Return to your assigned positions,” Laman instructed his subordinates before calmly walking toward the checkpoint himself.

The young man’s expression brightened the moment he saw the officer approaching.

“Mr. Laman! It’s really me!”

Laman stopped only a short distance away before carefully studying the young man’s face for several long seconds. The familiarity slowly returned to his memory as he finally spoke.

“Aren’t you the young man with…. Squadron Two’s Commander?”

The corners of the young man’s lips slowly lifted into a dangerous,

“Indeed. I’m glad you still remember me.”