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Chapter 160: Hero
A barrage of missiles landed further in the distance. The Major General in command of the warship intended to use the crudest method possible to cut off their pursuers; even if the relentless firepower only managed to hold back a portion of them, it would be a success.
A black figure braved the flames of war, charging toward Tony's Legion. Upon closer inspection, one could see artillery fire occasionally striking him, but the black figure would only sway slightly before continuing his high-speed advance.
Like an unkillable warrior.
"That figure is..." Tony slowly narrowed his eyes, heavily protected by his many Transformers.
Black Panther, or rather, T'Challa, who had not yet inherited the name of Black Panther. The current Black Panther of the Kingdom of Wakanda should be the reigning king, T'Chaka.
The Black Panther has always been the King of the Kingdom of Wakanda, and also its Guardian. In ancient times, when Wakanda did not possess such advanced technology, the King, as the Black Panther, would go into battle to protect the nation from the attacks of outside tribes.
After their technology developed, Wakanda created a suit of thin armor forged entirely from Vibranium. The cowl was fashioned in the likeness of a panther, and the entire suit was jet-black.
Wearing the Vibranium Armor, the Black Panther could ignore most attacks.
"Black Panther! Black Panther! Black Panther!" Countless Wakandans watching the scene erupted. What an awe-inspiring sight! A lone warrior bravely pursuing the enemy they were powerless against, resolutely charging through the flames of war.
Panting heavily, Black Panther T'Challa roared as he advanced. Intentionally escorted and with a path cleared by the numerous spaceships in the air, he used his Superhuman Physique, no less than that of Captain America, to leap dozens of meters in a single bound, brazenly charging toward Tony, who was about to reach the coast.
"Very heroic. It fits the definition people have for a Superhero perfectly. For a tribal nation like Wakanda, where a primitive and warlike spirit prevails, stepping forward at this moment is undoubtedly the most politically correct decision." Tony remarked coldly, watching him from the driver's cab of Optimus Prime.
"A pity I won't give you the chance to be that hero. What would that make me? The background villain who helps you rake in political capital?"
Bulkhead—the big guy Tony had recently built and embedded with a Core Module—raised the round hammer in his left hand and smashed it down toward Black Panther on the ground, but it was nimbly dodged.
The battered Devastator, which looked like it was about to fall apart, was once again hastily repaired by Tony. It opened its great maw and roared at Black Panther, activating its suction.
Black Panther tried to grab hold of the ground but was ultimately pulled helplessly into the air. The numerous spaceships went wild. Some fired frantically, while others charged forward recklessly, attempting to shield Black Panther.
Another group of spaceships was destroyed.
Unable to bear the strain, Devastator's head was nearly blown in half. It finally broke apart, separating back into the six members of the Constructicons.
"Lieutenant, stop fighting and retreat immediately! Our warships are setting sail!" the Major General shouted into the communicator from the aircraft carrier.
Tony glanced regretfully at the falling T'Challa before finally leading his Legion, rolling and leaping onto the deck of the aircraft carrier.
Wakanda's spaceships did not continue their pursuit, as they knew it was meaningless. They hadn't been able to stop him on the grasslands; with aircraft carriers and warships for Tony to Animate, how could they possibly stop him now? If they truly pushed Tony to the brink, their losses would likely be even greater.
This time, the Military felt they had lost, with over half their troops and more than eighty percent of their carrier-based aircraft gone. Wakanda also felt they had lost; they had failed to annihilate the enemy, and their hidden nation was now exposed to the world.
Footage of this scene was transmitted to Military headquarters, where countless high-ranking officials, drenched in sweat, finally breathed a sigh of relief. Some even wept with joy, cheering loudly and embracing one another.
Though the losses were heavy and the operation a complete failure, it was at least better than being completely wiped out, right? Sixty thousand men, along with four Carrier Battle Groups, buried in underdeveloped East Africa—one could imagine this news would be impossible to hide. People like them would all have to face a Military Tribunal.
Some extremist politicians might even charge them with a crime: crimes against humanity.
With some people returning alive, there was more room to maneuver. For instance, they could downplay the casualty numbers and give the public some kind of explanation, right?
Tony stood at the edge of the deck. Around him, battle-scarred War Machines encircled him. Occasionally, broken pieces of metal would fall off, only to be quietly picked up by the soldiers who had already gathered around.
Some bold soldiers tried to reattach the pieces, but unfortunately, the broken parts could no longer be fitted back on. This, however, did not diminish their adoration for Tony.
Soldier after soldier stared with fervent gazes at the figure before them. He might seem somewhat small in front of the Transformers, but in their eyes, Tony at this moment was brilliantly radiant, more dazzling than the setting sun, illuminating the despair in their hearts and bringing the light of hope.
Gradually, starting with who-knows-who, soldiers began to cheer Tony's name loudly. More and more people joined in, and within this broken army, Tony's name was shouted to the heavens.
Everyone who saw the footage, or had even lived through this war, knew who the real hero was. Who was it that stood at the very front to save them? Who was it that took up the banner when all the commanders had died? Who was it that covered the retreat of the main force during the crisis?
"Tony! Tony! Tony!" the soldiers chanted. They shouted toward that imposing figure, their voices filled with sincere and heartfelt gratitude. Many were already sobbing uncontrollably, tears streaming down their faces as they cheered.
Tony did not respond. He just quietly watched the receding coastline, not saying a word.
"The next time I come, I will completely conquer Wakanda... The next time I return, I will bring a massive legion and utterly overwhelm this country..."
After this incident, Wakanda would surely unleash its full national power to develop its military. The next time he came, the battle would certainly not be as simple as this one. It would be far more brutal, especially since breaking through that indestructible Protective Shield would be a huge problem.
Tony had originally thought that once he reached Level Four, mobilizing a million Transformers to besiege them would be enough, but now he felt that a million was still not enough.
He wanted to completely conquer a high-tech nation and seize its Vibranium Mine. Danger at every step would practically be the norm inside the future Kingdom of Wakanda. Tony even foresaw them planting a massive number of high-tech traps within their homeland.
Especially since they had Weak AI; low-level traps could be completely handed over to the Artificial Intelligence. Moreover, they could also use AI to mass-produce spaceships at an extremely high rate. After all, they had an inexhaustible Vibranium Mine and didn't have to worry about resources.
"If a million isn't enough, then I'll mobilize an even larger Transformer Legion... The next time I come, the number of Transformers I'll deploy will be... one hundred million!"
(end of chapter)
A barrage of missiles landed further in the distance. The Major General in command of the warship intended to use the crudest method possible to cut off their pursuers; even if the relentless firepower only managed to hold back a portion of them, it would be a success.
A black figure braved the flames of war, charging toward Tony's Legion. Upon closer inspection, one could see artillery fire occasionally striking him, but the black figure would only sway slightly before continuing his high-speed advance.
Like an unkillable warrior.
"That figure is..." Tony slowly narrowed his eyes, heavily protected by his many Transformers.
Black Panther, or rather, T'Challa, who had not yet inherited the name of Black Panther. The current Black Panther of the Kingdom of Wakanda should be the reigning king, T'Chaka.
The Black Panther has always been the King of the Kingdom of Wakanda, and also its Guardian. In ancient times, when Wakanda did not possess such advanced technology, the King, as the Black Panther, would go into battle to protect the nation from the attacks of outside tribes.
After their technology developed, Wakanda created a suit of thin armor forged entirely from Vibranium. The cowl was fashioned in the likeness of a panther, and the entire suit was jet-black.
Wearing the Vibranium Armor, the Black Panther could ignore most attacks.
"Black Panther! Black Panther! Black Panther!" Countless Wakandans watching the scene erupted. What an awe-inspiring sight! A lone warrior bravely pursuing the enemy they were powerless against, resolutely charging through the flames of war.
Panting heavily, Black Panther T'Challa roared as he advanced. Intentionally escorted and with a path cleared by the numerous spaceships in the air, he used his Superhuman Physique, no less than that of Captain America, to leap dozens of meters in a single bound, brazenly charging toward Tony, who was about to reach the coast.
"Very heroic. It fits the definition people have for a Superhero perfectly. For a tribal nation like Wakanda, where a primitive and warlike spirit prevails, stepping forward at this moment is undoubtedly the most politically correct decision." Tony remarked coldly, watching him from the driver's cab of Optimus Prime.
"A pity I won't give you the chance to be that hero. What would that make me? The background villain who helps you rake in political capital?"
Bulkhead—the big guy Tony had recently built and embedded with a Core Module—raised the round hammer in his left hand and smashed it down toward Black Panther on the ground, but it was nimbly dodged.
The battered Devastator, which looked like it was about to fall apart, was once again hastily repaired by Tony. It opened its great maw and roared at Black Panther, activating its suction.
Black Panther tried to grab hold of the ground but was ultimately pulled helplessly into the air. The numerous spaceships went wild. Some fired frantically, while others charged forward recklessly, attempting to shield Black Panther.
Another group of spaceships was destroyed.
Unable to bear the strain, Devastator's head was nearly blown in half. It finally broke apart, separating back into the six members of the Constructicons.
"Lieutenant, stop fighting and retreat immediately! Our warships are setting sail!" the Major General shouted into the communicator from the aircraft carrier.
Tony glanced regretfully at the falling T'Challa before finally leading his Legion, rolling and leaping onto the deck of the aircraft carrier.
Wakanda's spaceships did not continue their pursuit, as they knew it was meaningless. They hadn't been able to stop him on the grasslands; with aircraft carriers and warships for Tony to Animate, how could they possibly stop him now? If they truly pushed Tony to the brink, their losses would likely be even greater.
This time, the Military felt they had lost, with over half their troops and more than eighty percent of their carrier-based aircraft gone. Wakanda also felt they had lost; they had failed to annihilate the enemy, and their hidden nation was now exposed to the world.
Footage of this scene was transmitted to Military headquarters, where countless high-ranking officials, drenched in sweat, finally breathed a sigh of relief. Some even wept with joy, cheering loudly and embracing one another.
Though the losses were heavy and the operation a complete failure, it was at least better than being completely wiped out, right? Sixty thousand men, along with four Carrier Battle Groups, buried in underdeveloped East Africa—one could imagine this news would be impossible to hide. People like them would all have to face a Military Tribunal.
Some extremist politicians might even charge them with a crime: crimes against humanity.
With some people returning alive, there was more room to maneuver. For instance, they could downplay the casualty numbers and give the public some kind of explanation, right?
Tony stood at the edge of the deck. Around him, battle-scarred War Machines encircled him. Occasionally, broken pieces of metal would fall off, only to be quietly picked up by the soldiers who had already gathered around.
Some bold soldiers tried to reattach the pieces, but unfortunately, the broken parts could no longer be fitted back on. This, however, did not diminish their adoration for Tony.
Soldier after soldier stared with fervent gazes at the figure before them. He might seem somewhat small in front of the Transformers, but in their eyes, Tony at this moment was brilliantly radiant, more dazzling than the setting sun, illuminating the despair in their hearts and bringing the light of hope.
Gradually, starting with who-knows-who, soldiers began to cheer Tony's name loudly. More and more people joined in, and within this broken army, Tony's name was shouted to the heavens.
Everyone who saw the footage, or had even lived through this war, knew who the real hero was. Who was it that stood at the very front to save them? Who was it that took up the banner when all the commanders had died? Who was it that covered the retreat of the main force during the crisis?
"Tony! Tony! Tony!" the soldiers chanted. They shouted toward that imposing figure, their voices filled with sincere and heartfelt gratitude. Many were already sobbing uncontrollably, tears streaming down their faces as they cheered.
Tony did not respond. He just quietly watched the receding coastline, not saying a word.
"The next time I come, I will completely conquer Wakanda... The next time I return, I will bring a massive legion and utterly overwhelm this country..."
After this incident, Wakanda would surely unleash its full national power to develop its military. The next time he came, the battle would certainly not be as simple as this one. It would be far more brutal, especially since breaking through that indestructible Protective Shield would be a huge problem.
Tony had originally thought that once he reached Level Four, mobilizing a million Transformers to besiege them would be enough, but now he felt that a million was still not enough.
He wanted to completely conquer a high-tech nation and seize its Vibranium Mine. Danger at every step would practically be the norm inside the future Kingdom of Wakanda. Tony even foresaw them planting a massive number of high-tech traps within their homeland.
Especially since they had Weak AI; low-level traps could be completely handed over to the Artificial Intelligence. Moreover, they could also use AI to mass-produce spaceships at an extremely high rate. After all, they had an inexhaustible Vibranium Mine and didn't have to worry about resources.
"If a million isn't enough, then I'll mobilize an even larger Transformer Legion... The next time I come, the number of Transformers I'll deploy will be... one hundred million!"
(end of chapter)
