378 The Great Escape [Part 1] A week had passed since Tiona's scouting mission, and it was now time for Thirteen to implement the strategy he devised once and for all. Gathered on the deck of the Aircraft Carrier was none other than his 69th Battalion, as well as the Valkyries, who would create the distraction while he dealt with Evuvug up close and personal. "Once again, you will be facing a horde of monsters numbering in the tens of thousands," Thirteen stated. "But it will be very different compared to what happened in the Port near the Rigel Continent. Back then, we weren't prepared for it, but now, we are." The teenage boy scanned the faces of everyone, and he could sense that some of them were feeling very anxious. Their anxiety was valid, especially since what they were about to do today was something that no one in their right mind would do. Attacking the territory of the Brain Beetle Evuvug and doing their best to survive. "I want everyone to remain calm," Thirteen stated. "You will face countless flying insects, but none of them are fast enough to catch up to the Gyrfalcons, so your safety is ensured. Also, fly high, and stay at that altitude. "As long as you do that, you will not be affected by Evuvug's Mind Control. Lastly, pay close attention to my orders. If I tell you to retreat, all of you will retreat. I don't want to lose anyone in this expedition. Enough lives have been spilled during the battle at the Dvalinn Port." Thirteen then glanced at his six captains, who would be leading the 69th Battalion to battle. "Lead them well," Thirteen ordered. "Our training for the past week should've been enough to make you understand what you need to do and what you shouldn't do." ""Yes, Sir!"" Thirteen then glanced at the Rigel Continent, which was barely visible from where he was. The Battleships were currently twelve miles away from the nearest land to prevent the Brain Beetle from targeting them. They would stay there to provide support fire and help the Wanderers escape as soon as they were to receive the signal from Thirteen. Currently, there were a total of Fifty Battleships and Four Aircraft Carriers participating in this mission. The Central Government had decided to lend their hand, and the Grand Marshal would even personally mobilize to assist the Wanderers in battle. Arthur would also join the battle, but he would not be coming with his grandson to fight the Brain Beetle. His purpose on the battlefield this time was luring the stronger insects away from their Master. Only Thirteen, Tiona, Hans, Rocky, Giga, Blacky, Hercules, and the three Valkyries would join him in this mission. Aside from the three Valkyries, the teenage boy had already shared a Martial Ability with Hans and the others, so they wouldn't be too affected by the power of the Brain Beetle. At most, they would feel an extreme headache if the Brain Beetle were to try to force its control over them. However, Thirteen already got this covered. He would momentarily disable their pain receptors so that they wouldn't feel any pain. As for the Valkyries, they would fall under a type of hypnosis once the Brain Beetle targeted them. In that state, they would only listen to Thirteen's orders, rendering the Giant Bug's ability useless. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦 After giving the order to sortie, hundreds of Gyrfalcons and Pegasi flew from the Carriers and took formation. Lawrence rode on his Silver Dragon, while Arthur rode on a Flying Serpent. Hans rode on a Giant Hawk with Thirteen, while the three Valkyries flew beside them. Although the mount of Lawrence and Arthur were eye-catching, everyone's eyes were captured by Christopher's mount. When they saw it, they simply didn't know what to say. The chubby boy was currently riding on top of a Blaze Skunk, which was on top of his Roc. The Blaze Skunk was holding onto the custom-made handles on the Roc's back, which Thirteen had asked the engineers of the Leventis Family to make. If something unexpected were to happen, Cristopher was ordered to deal with it, which was the reason why he had the most unique setup among the Wanderers. When they finally flew over land, Hans' giant hawk dived down from the sky and flew just a few meters above ground. They were the ones who would tell everyone to retreat once they felt the effects of the Brain Beetle's mind control. "Release the payload," Thirteen ordered through his communicator. After giving out his orders, the Wanderers all dropped metallic cylindrical objects from the sky. This was their gift for the bugs, who were currently hiding deep underground. The moment the cylindrical objects hit the ground, they detonated, releasing powerful sound waves that traveled a mile deep underground. A few seconds later, countless bugs rose to the surface from the ground and angrily screeched toward the sky. These sound waves might not have dealt any damage to them physically, but it felt like being suddenly subjected to a rock song played in a loudspeaker with full volume. As if stirring the hornet's nest, the beetles, who resembled giant ladybugs, all rose toward the sky in an angry fit. Their numbers were so numerous that the sky darkened the moment they reached their maximum flying altitude. The 69th Battalion all aimed their Assault Rifles and fired at will. The enemies were too concentrated and countless, so even if they blindly aimed in front of them, their attacks would hit something. The Brain Beetles were fast, but they were not fast enough to outspeed the Gyrfalcons and the Pegasus, who were fast-flying monsters. The metallic spheres kept on releasing powerful sound waves, which was increasing in intensity with each passing minute. Soon, the sound waves were able to reach two miles deep, which was its limit. But that was enough. The activity had already alarmed the entire nest, and soon enough, Rank 4 and Rank 6 Beetles appeared. While the Wanderers were doing their best to fight their enemies at a safe distance, Thirteen, Arthur, and Lawrence frowned. It had already been five minutes since the fight started, yet there was still no sign of the Brain Beetle. Rank 6 Sovereign Beetles had already appeared to join the battle, but the presence of their King was nowhere to be felt. Five more minutes passed, and Thirteen came to a realization. The Brain Beetle didn't plan to join the battle, which made him feel conflicted. "Rocky, let's go," Thirteen ordered, and the Magma Bal-Boa swallowed his Master, alongside Hans and the Three Valkyries who were seeing Rocky for the first time. Thirteen wasn't worried about them knowing about Rocky's existence because he had already made them drink a serum that would make them forget everything that they had seen since the operation started. Right now, his priority was to deal with the Brain Beetle while everyone was fighting in the skies. As Rocky dug deeper, the people who were currently inside his mobile fortress had already dressed in their heat-resistant suits. Tiona was digging in front of Rocky and leading him to the place where she had last sensed the Brain Beetle. Thirteen was sharing Tiona's senses, and through their connection, he confirmed that the Brain Beetle was still deep underground, not moving from its location. However, aside from the Brain Beetle, Tiona had also sensed the presence of five strong monsters, and they seemed to be guarding their leader. He had already prepared for such a scenario, which was why he brought Giga, Hans, Blacky, and Hercules with him. Rocky was now a Rank 7 Sovereign, so he believed that they had enough strength to face the Brain Beetle and its guardians. A few minutes later, Rocky broke through the underground cavern where the Brain Beetle was staying. As soon as he appeared, five Monsters who looked like giant larvae all raised their heads and faced Rocky at the same time. The Magma Bal-Boa didn't flinch and ejected everyone from his mobile fortress. Thirteen's gaze landed on the Giant Beetle, who was at the very corner of the cavern and making minimal movements. "Kill them!" A psychic order echoed across the cavern, and the Giant Larvae all attacked at the same time, intending to kill the intruders to protect their Leader, who was still recovering from laying a golden egg a few days ago. "Everyone, I'll leave them to you!" Thirteen ordered. Hans, Giga, Rocky, Blacky, and Hercules, all attacked one of the Larvae and fought them individually. Thirteen, on the other hand, ran with the Valkyries toward the Brain Beetle, whose body glowed faintly.