30: Choice

"No."

At Manhake Camp, in the Dark Annihilation command center, An Lin shook his head and said:

"Setting aside how credible his words are, migrating the entire mercenary group comes at a huge cost. We cannot do this just because of a few words from a Researcher."

"An Yu, as a team leader, you must have your own judgment..."

"My judgment is to trust the Researcher under my command."

An Yu said, expressionless:

"At least so far, his judgment has never been wrong. I have already decided to move the entire 'Dark Annihilation'."

"You..."

An Lin looked at his stubborn daughter and couldn't help but rub his temples in a headache, his tone softening:

"You have to understand why we came here in the first place. It was because there was no more cake to share within the Empire. We paid such a huge price to gain a foothold here; if we give it up now, all our hard work will be in vain."

"Moreover, the Empire is currently in a state of chaos, with large-scale Disaster Zones occurring frequently; it may not be any safer than here..."

"At least we wouldn't have to face the threat from the North Zone."

An Yu interrupted: "As long as the people are still here, Dark Annihilation will still exist."

"Well said!"

At this moment, a man wearing a grey cloak pushed the door open and entered. He crossed his arms and looked at An Yu with an appreciative gaze:

"Uncle Qin supports you. At worst, we start over from scratch."

"Old Qin, why are you saying that too..."

An Lin couldn't help but frown.

"What, is this little bit of family fortune more important than your daughter?"

Qin Mie snorted coldly: "An Yu is Luo'er's only daughter. She is more important than the entire Dark Annihilation combined, including you and me. I cannot sit by and watch her be in danger."

"Fine, fine, the way you put it..."

An Lin couldn't help but smile bitterly: "She is my daughter, how could I not treasure her... Since it's like this, Old Qin, you go with An Yu, and take my son with you. I will stay behind to see how the situation develops; if it improves, you can come back."

"That's more like it..."

Qin Mie's expression softened slightly. Just as he was about to say something else, a series of "beep-beep" alarms suddenly sounded.

They looked at each other and simultaneously glanced at their communicators; it was an urgent message from the intelligence department.

"A large-scale Disaster Zone has suddenly appeared outside the Second Temporary Survival Zone. The Lingye mercenary group is struggling in battle."

"Galaxy Beasts from the North Zone are approaching the Blackstone Star Galaxy."

"Damn it... how could a large-scale Disaster Zone appear there!"

The expressions of the group changed simultaneously.

The Second Temporary Survival Zone was on the only path back to the Imperial territory. The appearance of a large-scale Disaster Zone there meant that until it was cleared, they could not return via conventional routes!

And a large-scale Disaster Zone, even in the past, meant the presence of an S-Class Star River Beast. In the entire Blackstone Star Galaxy, only the Imperial jurisdiction had the capability to deal with it.

Not to mention that all Disaster Zones have increased in intensity now; I'm afraid even that person in the Mining Zone might not be able to win.

"He really was right."

After a long while, An Lin spoke with a dry voice.

"If this were in the past, the Empire would have quickly sent a fleet to handle such a large-scale Disaster Zone. But now, they are overwhelmed internally, and it is impossible for them to manage this place in the short term. We must make other plans."

"What other plans?"

Qin Mie's expression sank. He abruptly turned his head and said: "An Yu, hurry up and pack what you need to take, then leave immediately. Even if it costs me my life, I will escort you out."

"You're crazy, Old Qin. That is a large-scale Disaster Zone!"

An Lin couldn't help but shout angrily.

"Then what do you propose we do! Wait for death? Even if it is an S-Class Star River Beast, if you and I join forces, we might be able to stall it for a few minutes..."

"And what if there is more than one? What if there is an SS-Class?"

"I..."

Qin Mie's mouth opened and closed twice, but he couldn't say anything.

No matter how confident he was, he dared not claim he could stall an SS-Class Star River Beast.

"Beep... beep-beep..."

At this moment, the communicator rang again.

"Hmm? It's actually him?"

A trace of surprise flashed in An Lin's eyes. After calming himself down, he connected the communication, and immediately, the projection of a handsome and aristocratic young man appeared.

"Viscount Kane."

"Mr. An Lin, Mr. Qin Mie, oh, and Miss An Yu are all here."

Viscount Kane had an elegant smile on his face as he greeted them one by one.

"I wonder what business you have with us, Viscount?"

An Lin forced a smile and asked.

This young man was the highest person in charge of the Imperial Mining Zone, from the Arut family, the uncrowned king of the entire Blackstone Star Galaxy.

"I assume you all already know the news about the large-scale Disaster Zone appearing at the Second Temporary Survival Zone?"

"Yes, we just found out." An Lin nodded slightly.

"Then I won't beat around the bush. As far as I know, the Lingye mercenary group has been completely wiped out."

Viscount Kane saw this and spoke directly: "Furthermore, Mr. Leios went to investigate personally. There are at least three S-Class Star River Beasts or more. One of them has strength not even below his."

Once these words were spoken, a trace of shock and disbelief flashed across the eyes of the three.

Leios was the strongest person stationed at the Blackstone Star Galaxy branch of the Transcendent Association, an S-Class Transcendent.

Normally, with the support of powerful technological weapons and equipment provided by the Empire, dealing with Galaxy Beasts of the same rank would be easy. Now, it is actually said that a single S-Class Star River Beast could rival him.

And the Lingye mercenary group was one of the five major forces in the Blackstone Star Galaxy, as famous as "Dark Annihilation," possessing one Double A-Class Transcendent and six A-Class Transcendent.

From the time the incident happened until now, it has been at most a few hours, and they were actually wiped out completely?!

"Viscount Kane, what should we do now? Will the Empire send people to support us?"

At such a time, An Lin couldn't care about anything else and asked directly.

"The Blackstone Star Mining Zone is rich in large amounts of mineral veins; the Empire naturally will not give it up easily."

Viscount Kane shook his head and said: "However, the Empire is currently very short of manpower. It will take at least two months before they might be able to free up a fleet to provide support, so I have a proposal."

"Please speak, Viscount."

Viscount Kane's gaze swept across the three, and he said calmly: "Abandon your current base and head to the Mining Zone together to guard it. The Mining Zone possesses the highest-level defense systems and weapons and equipment in the Blackstone Star Galaxy. If everyone works together, holding out for two months is more than enough."

"This..."

An Lin's expression paused, and he hesitated, not speaking.

Abandoning the base was tantamount to giving up more than half of "Dark Annihilation"'s foundation.

"Fine, I agree."

Qin Mie, who was on the side, spoke up directly.

"Mr. Qin Mie is righteous. What about you, Mr. An Lin?"

"I have no objections either. I will lead the group's personnel to the Mining Zone as soon as possible."

An Lin sighed slightly in his heart and also nodded in confirmation.

This was indeed the only relatively safe path right now.

Seeing this, Viscount Kane showed a satisfied smile on his face:

"Very good, then I will await your arrival at the Mining Zone."