Chapter 178: Haul

Words : 1409 Updated : Sep 21st, 2025

Chapter 178: Haul Meanwhile, just as one guardian mecha accepted his fate; two people were facing their own existential crises. Kael didn’t know what to fear or who to fear. Was it right to fear one corrupted guardian tortoise? Or was it proper to fear the very people who have come to save them? But who could blame the father and son, who could only watch as several mechas practically toyed around the fearsome colossal beast that nearly killed them? It was a scene straight out of one’s delusions as the mighty guardian was forced into taking Cannon shots. Straight into the face! And then, not even that long after, was a wailing cry from the same beast as the ice that kept it suspended in animation was cracked open by one weaponless mecha. *CRACK!* *BOOM!* It was a majestic yet frightening sight. Giant blocks of ice falling like an avalanche practically threatened to rush through what was earlier just a dry basin—including where the father and son duo were initially marooned. The entire thing was a questionable move, one that a certain adjutant would have to avoid explaining in the report he would have to make about today’s mission. But it worked, and that’s what was important. Although the guardian beast would likely have a different opinion. Because from the moment it was iced and until it was freed, all that the guardian beast could imagine was burying itself into the soil and never coming out. Ever. Just how did their method even work? Especially against the corruption that had plagued the land, one that even a guardian couldn’t resist even with all its might?! While it sounded like a terribly easy and suspicious ordeal, the premise of Luca’s strategy actually started making sense the moment they saw him execute it the first time around. The issue with the current Purifier was its inability to concentrate on one particular target, as it actually left a trail of dust in its path. But this giant tortoise would need to bathe in the dust if Luca had any hope of purifying the beast. And how long and just how many shots would that take? So, he thought of changing the delivery. And if Guiding Pills worked like this, then maybe the cannon could also be used similarly. Well, Luca hoped it was non-toxic. As it didn’t help that D-29 couldn’t find any information about such a thing. But that was because the Purifier was never meant to deal with colossal beasts. However, who was alive enough to inform one determined Dungeon owner? No one. So, it was definitely not up for discussion. And lo and behold, it got the chipmunk, one giant temporary pet. So, what was there to complain about? Well, nothing on the outside, as Xavier was inwardly thinking of how to compensate Kestrel Point for the sudden disappearance of their Guardian Tortoise. But if anything, this was just a long-term rental, and he was pretty sure he could afford it. Also, shouldn’t there be a discount for actually curing the once hopeless beast? The Crown Prince felt like he had been infected by one little money grubber as he started thinking about things like this. Thankfully, Luca was nice enough to preface this arrangement as a temporary plan. One that was intended to safeguard the guardian from being re-contaminated as they tried to figure out how to deal with Kestrel Point. Because it would obviously be impossible to deal with the entire planet with just Luca alone. How long would he have to circle the entire planet just so he could clear everything out? Therefore, they would have to think of a different way. But that would have to wait until they get their trembling charges back into Planet Nova. Initially, they were actually passed out charges. And for some reason, maybe their extreme hunger may have been trying to help them preserve their lives. It was probably the combination of stress, hunger, and fatigue because the two who had been high-strung since earlier just fainted before they could even escape the clutches of these suspicious people. And by the time they woke up, they would’ve survived several hours of being in the same battleship as these monstrous young men. Fresh-faced young students who were now trying to think of ways to deal with people who had clearly seen everything. Ollie was obviously panicking and wondered if there were ways to tinker with people’s minds. He really wasn’t planning on tinkering with a lot. Maybe just that part about them appearing and disappearing, as well as that giant glacier, oh, and maybe even that entire thing about the cannon. Okay, fine. So, maybe he wanted to tinker with everything! But who wouldn’t when faced with the possibility of massive exposure? Apparently, everyone else. Because it was an eventuality that they would have to face. For this very thing, Kyle, the overworked adjutant, actually prepared nondisclosure agreements that had to be edited repeatedly, as Luca wanted to allow the private clients to recommend their guild to other people. It was the craziest NDA he had made and would likely not work in the grand scheme of things. But for formality’s sake, he just had to do it. However, they would likely rely on sheer terror to plug the mouths of these people. And they really would be plugged but for a totally different reason. For kindness still seemed like an effective stopper. When Kael woke up, he was disgruntled to learn that the Jade Vine they had worked so hard to get had been crushed too badly by the metallic hands of his mecha. It was tragic. They may have survived, but for what? The young soldier was wallowing in self-blame, thinking that if he had just taken the items into his cockpit, he would’ve been able to keep them safe. Was this the plight of the poor, who couldn’t afford space buttons? Maybe? Maybe not. Or was this the payment for surviving? But before the young man could further beat himself up over survivor’s guilt, the automatic doors opened to reveal several people. And the already depressed Kael could only stay on guard as he processed the sight before him. Until he heard an astonished cry, "Brother!" It was a familiar voice, one that often cracked when stressed, like right now. "Theo?" Asked the young soldier, who had to blink several times to check on the authenticity of this person, who sounded and looked very much like his younger brother. But then he got hit on the back and figured he likely wasn’t dreaming as his younger brother continued harassing his already painful back. "Ow! Ow!" "Stop that! What are you? An animal?!" Asked Kael, who had to place his younger brother in a headlock. "You’re the animal! Who even allowed you to almost die like that?" "Wha...What if I failed to look for people who could look for you and Father?!" Theo was rather angry as he recalled how Jax described their conditions when they were found. But Theo didn’t get to continue his spiel because his brother suddenly gripped his hand tightly and said, "Grandma, how’s grandma?" Kael was visibly shaken, and Theo could clearly see it, so he felt like he had to inform his older brother of what had happened while he was out cold. But how? Who would even believe him in the first place? "She’s with Father now. You should see them for yourself." Said Theo, who didn’t know how to describe the events of the last hour. He wanted to do that, too. But with what face would he face them after failing the one task he was supposed to do correctly? However, he knew he would regret it more if he stayed here. He had to apologize. It was just that he wasn’t exactly sure what to feel after seeing his parents and grandmother eating happily like they weren’t just almost mauled to death hours ago. "..." Eh?! "EH?!" Theo figured this was going to happen. But he could understand. Maybe he’ll recover his sanity tomorrow! Grinned Theo, who couldn’t be more grateful for this new lease on life. Meanwhile, as one family was reunited in the best way possible, three bony elders were facing their biggest dilemma as of yet. And if anything, saying the ’biggest’ wouldn’t cut it because this was colossal! A colossal lettuce thief!

Chapter 178: Haul

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