NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 359: Attacked Midway
The flight from Moonlight City to the capital would take about six hours. Throughout the journey, Jeremy patiently listened to Bonnie as she enthusiastically described the sights and culture of the capital.
"I'm telling you, I've visited every art gallery in the capital! Each gallery has the most breathtaking works of art. Once we're there, I can take you to see every single one," Bonnie said excitedly.
Jeremy nodded but didn't respond. In truth, he wasn't particularly interested in art galleries or the cultural aspects Bonnie mentioned. His reason for heading to the capital was singular and clear: to confront the threat posed by Kean.
Although he wasn't entirely sure about the events that had transpired recently, Jeremy sensed that Kean had played a significant role in orchestrating them. Since Kean was the one who'd arranged for him to be transferred to the capital, it was clear that he intended to present a substantial challenge.
After talking for a while, Bonnie noticed Jeremy's lack of enthusiasm. She sighed with a hint of exasperation.
"Why are you frowning so much? Do you really think that once we get to the capital, Kean will be able to cause you serious trouble?"
Her question took Jeremy by surprise. He looked at her, puzzled. "Isn't that exactly the case? I was transferred to the capital, and Kean had a lot to do with that. If he doesn't have something planned to challenge me, why would he go to such lengths?"
"True, Kean probably did have a hand in your transfer," Bonnie admitted, "but I don't think he'll be able to pose as much of a threat as you're imagining. The political dynamics in the capital are very complex. The federal government and the military headquarters are deeply embedded with ancient, influential families. These families hold immense power, controlling a substantial portion of both economic and political resources. Under these conditions, every move the Lannisters make is scrutinized by other families. So, even if Kean intends to make things difficult for you, he won't be able to go too far."
Bonnie had a solid understanding of the intricate web of influence and control within the capital, so she didn't initially see the situation as dire.
Jeremy's curiosity was piqued as he listened to Bonnie's explanation.
Although Jeremy considered himself stronger than most people, he was well aware of the complexity awaiting him in the capital. He knew he needed to gather as much information as possible before his arrival.
"Could you explain the relationships between the major families in the capital?" Jeremy asked Bonnie directly.
Bonnie nodded eagerly. "Of course! I'll give you a detailed breakdown of the connections between the capital's most powerful families. And you should know, the Lannisters actually have a lot of enemies. If you can ally with the Lannisters' adversaries, you might even be able to counter Kean's influence."
Bonnie's eyes lit up as she spoke; she was thrilled to finally be of assistance to Jeremy. To better explain the complex family networks, she took out a pen and paper.
Experience tales with empire
"I'll draw out a chart to map the relationships between the capital's main families," she explained as she started jotting down names. "And once you're there, I'll personally guide you and help you navigate. I can even bring you to some of the family gatherings."
Jeremy watched her intently as she began sketching out the family connections on paper, fully engrossed in her every move. But just as Bonnie finished listing the family names, Jeremy suddenly sensed an imminent threat closing in on them.
His face turned icy as he shouted, "Get down!"
Before Bonnie had a chance to react, Jeremy grabbed her, pulling her toward the rear of the plane. No sooner had they left their seats than a missile struck precisely where they had been sitting moments before. The missile's impact completely obliterated the middle of the plane, tearing it apart into two sections.
The front of the plane started plummeting rapidly, while the tail section began spiraling down in a dizzying descent. Thanks to Jeremy's quick reflexes and early warning, he had managed to pull Bonnie out of the line of fire, saving them both from the direct impact.
Yet, even though they survived this initial crisis, it was clear they would no longer be able to reach the capital as planned—they had crashed into unknown territory. Using their unique abilities, Jeremy and Bonnie managed to land safely on the ground below.
They found themselves in an abandoned small town. In front of them lay the wreckage of the plane's tail, which had fallen just moments earlier.
Bonnie was still in shock, struggling to understand why they'd been attacked, especially by a missile. This meant their attackers were human.
"How could this happen? Who would dare attack a plane sent by the federal authorities?" she asked, barely able to believe what had just occurred.
Jeremy, however, remained calm, his tone steady as he replied, "It might have been the Lannisters behind this. If you can think of it, so can they. Eliminating us before we reach the capital is an effective way for them to remove us as a threat."
Although Jeremy spoke with a measured tone, there was a fierce anger beneath the surface that even he couldn't hide. If Kean and the Lannisters had the audacity to do this, he thought, then they shouldn't blame me when I retaliate tenfold.
But no matter how deeply he resented Kean and the Lannisters, now was not the time for revenge. He needed to focus on getting Bonnie and himself to safety as quickly as possible. The fact that this town was abandoned likely meant that monsters or an "instance" were present here.
Jeremy quickly spotted an instance not far from them. Although it wasn't particularly high level, its location on the main road meant they would need to clear it before they could proceed.
"How are you holding up? Are you hurt? Will you be able to fight immediately if necessary?" Jeremy asked Bonnie, firing off his questions in quick succession.
Bonnie shook her head, answering with determination, "I'm fine—I didn't get a scratch. Let's keep moving; we need to let others know we're still alive as soon as possible."
Although Bonnie wasn't sure who had attacked them, she knew they needed to send word to others that they were safe. The last thing she wanted was for her family to be left in worry and uncertainty.
Jeremy agreed with Bonnie's plan; he didn't want his friends to be consumed with worry either. What concerned him most was the possibility that Kean might use this opportunity to target his friends.
"In that case, let's get moving! Once we clear the instance ahead, we can keep going. With any luck, we might find a town with human activity not too far from here!" Jeremy said with urgency.
With that, he and Bonnie pressed forward.
Almost simultaneously, the news of Jeremy and Bonnie's plane losing contact reached both the capital and Moonlight City. In the capital, there was outrage; this was the first federal aircraft in recent memory to be attacked and go missing. Moonlight City, however, was filled with fear and anxiety. When Benjamin learned of the incident, he was taken aback. He could hardly believe that Jeremy and Bonnie had encountered such a dire situation en route.
What's more, he couldn't bring himself to inform his wife, knowing how devastated she would be upon hearing the news. Instead, he summoned Howard and Liam immediately. Both were equally shocked by the news, though they didn't feel the same overwhelming pressure that weighed on Benjamin. They believed that Jeremy's strength was substantial enough to ensure his survival, even in the face of an attack.
"Mayor, I don't think you need to worry too much," Liam said gently. "Jeremy is incredibly strong, and he can protect Bonnie. Don't forget, Jeremy has faced far greater dangers in places like the Tower of Exile—a place far more perilous than our reality."
Benjamin showed no visible reaction, only giving a slight nod in acknowledgment.
Howard, meanwhile, didn't bother with reassurances. His mind was already occupied, analyzing who could have been responsible for the attack. "I don't believe this was the work of apocalypse game monsters," he began, voice tense. "It's highly possible that the attack came from enemies within the federal leadership itself—particularly the Lannisters. They have the most motive for such an assault."
Benjamin said nothing, but inwardly he made a firm resolution. If it truly was the Lannisters who orchestrated this attack, he would spare no effort to bring about retribution.
"We've pinpointed the last known location where the plane was in contact," Liam quickly informed Benjamin. "We can send an elite squad to search the surrounding area immediately."
Benjamin nodded decisively. "Send only our most elite team! If they need any assistance, just let me know directly. The city government will provide full support."
Liam nodded in acknowledgment and hurried out, knowing he needed to arrange the Special Team's deployment without delay.