Chapter 248

Chapter 248: Don’t Underestimate the Bait

In an instant, a stunning smile appeared on Victoria’s beautiful face.

Like a fleeting bloom, it flashed and vanished, yet left an indelible mark.

Though devoid of any affection, this smile ignited an inexplicable jealousy in Idak’s heart.

What was that gladiator named Blade doing here?

Did he come for Victoria?

One was a human from the Lower Realm who’d clawed his way to the Sky Arena’s hundredth floor through bloodshed—popular but undeniably inferior in status to Idak, a true People of the Heavens and escort captain.

The other was the unassuming yet formidable heiress of the Rothschild Guild, a jewel atop a golden crown, far beyond his reach.

Their relationship could be politely called employer and guard, but in truth, it was schemer and bait. Once used, that gladiator should’ve been discarded.

Surely, if he had any wit, he’d have realized Victoria’s true motives by now.

Then why was he here?

And why did Victoria wear that radiant smile upon seeing him?

These tangled thoughts shattered the traitor’s usual composure.

He’d gambled everything, even planting bombs on engines as insurance beyond her brothers’ plans, determined to eliminate all risks.

Yet now this gladiator threatened his perfect betrayal.

Victoria belonged to him!

“Stop gawking!” Idak roared at the Tiger Shark guards. “Shoot down that Skyship! Kill Blade before he reaches us!”

The Rothschild Guild knew Blade’s reputation. The Sky Arena dominated the Sea of Clouds, and his slaying of the “Bloody Killing Sword” Batolun was legendary.

With Midi, the arena’s rising star, commanding the enemy Skyship, the guards tensed. In close combat, none could match him.

Their only chance was to destroy his vessel mid-air.

The two Tiger Sharks held position while six Arrow Fish-class Skyships surged toward Midi.

From above, the confrontation mirrored Arad’s naval battles—but this was aerial combat.

Both fleets halted just beyond cannon range.

Not from fear, but necessity: Skyships were fragile. While Tiger Sharks and Unicorns-class vessels boasted some armor, most prioritized speed over defense.

Meanwhile, cannons and armor-piercing artillery grew deadlier by the year.

Flimsy hulls, volatile magic crystal fuel, and overpowered engines turned every Skyship into a flying powder keg.

In Arad Calendar 988, three main cannon shells could obliterate an Arrow Fish-class vessel.

Only with heavy armored cruisers would prolonged naval-style battles become possible. Now, skirmishes ended in seconds.

Two ships had already become fireworks. Even outnumbered six-to-one, Midi’s firepower could annihilate them all—especially if he rammed them, guns blazing, in a final explosion.

To maximize their numerical advantage, the Rothschild Guild’s Skyships didn’t engage Midi in close-range cannon battles. Instead, their true killing strategy lay in wave attacks launched by Vanguard ships.

Using Vanguard ships as arrow feathers for continuous strikes.

Using Skyships as rear support.

This remained the standard aerial combat tactic of the era.

Engine roars erupted one after another, soon merging into a turbulent ocean of sound. Swarms of Vanguard ships poured from the Arrow Fish Skyships’ side hatches, resembling angry hornets preparing to sting.

Each Arrow Fish Skyship carried twenty single-seat combat Vanguard ships – equal conditions for both Rothschild Guild and Midi.

Within moments, the Guild fully deployed one hundred and twenty Vanguard ships.

Organized by their mother ships into six twenty-ship units, they formed sharp triangular formations resembling bloodthirsty spears aimed at their enemies.

Midi’s forces appeared pitifully thin by comparison. His twenty combat Vanguard ships adopted a sparse star formation – a defensive rather than offensive arrangement, their scattered positions resembling disorganized sand grains against the Guild’s precise formations.

More conspicuously, a lone crimson Vanguard ship hung forward from the main group, creating awkward distance between itself and the others.

"Hmph! Lund claimed this Blade possessed aerial combat talent?" Idak sneered. The veteran gunner needed no binoculars to identify Midi piloting the lead red ship through his expert eyes. "This formation’s unfit for serious combat. Flaunting himself ahead of the pack? Clear signs he can’t handle large-scale battles – just petty skirmishes."

Even if Midi were skilled, twenty against one hundred and twenty meant certain defeat. Numbers and strength guaranteed absolute victory.

Victoria and old steward Lund reached similar conclusions. Their flicker of hope now seemed as fragile as a candle in a storm. Bitter helplessness filled Victoria’s heart – she wished Midi would flee this hopeless fight, yet secretly yearned for him to stay like a chivalrous knight.

Reality offered only cruel waiting.

As Victoria wrestled with despair, battle commenced.

Against all expectations, Midi’s twenty ships attacked first.

The Guild reacted instantly. Six triangular formations – two high, two mid, two low – converged from multiple angles. Though dispersed, their firepower would focus like sunlight through a lens upon reaching range, annihilating Midi’s forces in the first clash.

Even maximum counterattacks might destroy one formation, leaving five to shred the remaining ships. The unprotected Arrow Fish Skyship would then become defenseless prey.

But as both sides accelerated toward combat range, unexpected movement occurred.

The crimson Vanguard ship suddenly surged ahead, abandoning its nineteen companions to charge alone against the enemy armada like a knight’s suicidal charge.

"Never underestimate bait," Midi whispered, cold light flashing in his jet-black eyes.

His Dragon Sealing Sword hummed faintly. Golden-red light veiled the crimson ship like silken threads – Ghost Cry skill: Demon Shadow Step.

No ordinary technique – this was Demon Shadow Step enhanced by awakened power, accelerating both pilot and machine.

The crimson Vanguard ship became a blazing comet streaking through gunfire hell.

Unstoppable.