Transporting such a massive fortune safely back to Atraria from thousands of miles away seemed an impossible task.
After pondering for a while, Marshall Malone spread his hands in frustration. “I can’t think of a way. Moving such a huge treasure back to Atraria without attracting attention is impossible.”
“Indeed,” Ripley agreed, looking equally helpless. “We’d need a lot of vehicles and machinery, not to mention numerous support personnel. Where would we find all that?”
“We can’t rely on people from home; it’s too far. Even if we could solve that problem, how would we keep it a secret with such a large operation?”
Bonnie Hale smiled bitterly. “I think it’s simply an impossible task.”
As everyone racked their brains for a solution, someone suddenly sneered, “Don’t bother. You won’t be taking even a bit of the treasure!”
Leo and the others turned toward the voice and saw seven Westerners standing on a suspended passageway on the opposite cave wall. They had appeared unnoticed.
These people, both old and young, male and female, all had cold expressions and exuded a murderous aura. They were all powerful Espers.
Leo narrowed his eyes and said calmly, “If I’m not mistaken, you are the guardians of The Reich’s Treasure, the last remnants of The Iron Guard, right?”
A gaunt old man among the seven spoke coldly, “You’re very clever. Not only did you guess our identity, but you also found The Reich’s Treasure.”
“But let me tell you, sometimes the smarter you are, the quicker you die. Today, none of you will leave here alive.”
“Do you have the strength to keep us here?” Leo sneered.
The old man smiled sinisterly. “Let’s find out.”
“Old man,” Marshall Malone scoffed, “stop boasting. If you’ve got the guts, come at us.”
“Attack! Leave no one alive,” the old man ordered sharply.
The other six Westerners immediately leaped down from the passageway, murderous intent blazing, charging straight at Leo and his companions.
“Wait!” Leo shouted urgently.
The old man raised his hand to signal a pause. “What is it, Atraria boy? Are you scared?”
“Scared?” Leo laughed. “I’m just worried that a fierce battle might destroy the treasure. You wouldn’t want that, would you?”
The old man considered this and then said impassively, “Boy, what do you suggest?”
Leo shrugged. “Set up a barrier. Can you do that?”
“Of course!” The old man waved his hand and chanted a spell.
Instantly, a sky-blue Inner Space barrier enveloped everyone in the cave.
“Attack!” The old man ordered again without hesitation. The six Westerners charged at Leo and his companions.
Leo glanced at Bonnie Hale and said, “You stay back.”
Then he smiled at Marshall Malone and Ripley. “Each of us takes two. How about it?”
“No problem,” Marshall Malone and Ripley shouted confidently and charged forward with Leo, each intercepting two opponents.
Leo’s two opponents were distinctive: one was a typical German Reich man-tall, muscular, with a cold expression and high cheekbones, clearly of pure Ariane Bloodline. The other was a stunning young woman-tall, slender, vibrant, with blonde hair and blue eyes, also of pure Ariane Bloodline.
Leo raised an eyebrow arrogantly and said in English, “Names?”
“Wade Booker,” said the man.
“Nina,” said the woman.
Leo introduced himself directly and then beckoned them with contempt. “Come on.”
The two lunged at him-Wade like a raging lion and Nina like a nimble leopard, both exuding powerful Esper energy.
Leo stood motionless.
Wade threw a punch, generating a swirling electric light that roared through the air like thunder.
Nina slashed her right palm through the air gracefully, unleashing an icy storm that seemed to devour everything in its path.
Leo smirked disdainfully and formed hand seals at lightning speed.
Boom!
With a thunderous roar, a powerful light sword materialized from Leo’s Spiritual Power and slashed down mercilessly. The barrier trembled violently from its sheer force.
Wade and Nina were stunned by Leo’s terrifying power.
In an instant, the light sword struck Wade and Nina. Amidst their agonized screams, the electric light shattered and the icy storm dissipated. Both were sent flying, blood spraying from their mouths.
Concerned about Marshall Malone and Ripley’s battles, Leo decided to finish Wade and Nina quickly. He summoned a Talisman while they were still injured.
Two bolts of heavenly lightning descended upon Wade and Nina as they struggled in mid-air.
Despite their severe injuries, Wade and Nina refused to give up. They roared defiantly and managed to halt their fall mid-air, unleashing their strongest combat techniques in a desperate bid for survival.
Countless small lightning bolts exploded around Wade, forming a powerful thunderstorm field. Meanwhile, Nina generated a blizzard capable of freezing anything instantly.
The heavenly lightning clashed with the thunderstorm and blizzard in a fierce battle. The violent winds caused the barrier to expand slightly.
Taking advantage of this moment, Wade and Nina landed on the ground.
Just as they thought they had a moment to breathe, they felt a deadly aura approaching rapidly from behind.
Terrified, they tried to turn around but it was too late.
Two surging waves of golden light struck their backs like tidal waves.
Amidst their screams, Wade and Nina were blown to pieces within the barrier.
Having succeeded in his attack, Leo wasted no time using the Earth Concealment Technique to rush toward Grover and Asher, who were fighting Ripley.
Grover and Asher were as strong as Wade and Nina-too much for Ripley alone.
They had already gained the upper hand against Ripley, who was retreating with bloodied lips.
Just as they were about to press their advantage, they sensed a violent killing intent behind them.
Startled, Grover and Asher abandoned their pursuit of Ripley to face this new threat.
But Leo didn’t give them the chance. He unleashed two waves of golden light that engulfed Grover and Asher like tidal waves.
The barrier shook violently as Grover and Asher were torn apart by the golden light.
Meanwhile, Marshall Malone was battling two Espers named Jacob and Rudy-a sixty-year-old man and a young man in his twenties.