"How are we getting there?" The Two Rites asked after the call ended.
The Mirage Air Tower was gone, Qi Mu Nanxiong was too far away, and the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier battlefield was in the middle of the ocean—hardly accessible through conventional means.
"I can only ask an ally for help." Shen He pulled another bracelet from his pocket.
Ever since meeting Crystal in the Arctic, he had maintained steady contact with the Inhumans on the moon. The Black Bolt had agreed to an exchange—technology and rare lunar resources for food and supplies from Earth. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement for both the Chaldeans and the Inhumans.
"Crystal, do you have time? I may need to borrow your big dog." Shen He sent a message along with his coordinates.
Within moments, a glowing portal flashed open. Crystal and her massive teleporting hound, Lockjaw, materialized in front of them.
The young Inhuman princess took in the scorched battlefield—the acrid scent of burning metal, corpses strewn across the ground, and Hydra vehicles still smoldering in the distance.
"We're engaged in a war against an evil organization," Shen He explained quickly. "My aircraft was destroyed, and we need to reach the next battlefield immediately. That's why I called you."
"An evil organization?" Crystal blinked. "Like in those old Earth stories? The kind where villains kidnap people and perform experiments on them?"
"…That doesn't sound like a fairy tale at all," Shen He muttered. "Anyway, time is short. We need to pick someone up first." He handed her Lelouch's location.
Lelouch's strategic mind was key to Shen He's plan. If they were to take control of the Helicarrier, his abilities would prove invaluable.
Before they could leave, Jeanne called out, "Master, come look at this."
Shen He turned to see her inspecting several iron crates—battered, but still intact.
The faded white paint on the surface bore the markings SSR·084.
His eyes narrowed. "S.H.I.E.L.D.'s classified artifacts."
These were 084-classified anomalies, objects of unknown origin with potentially dangerous abilities. Clearly, Alexander had smuggled them out for his own purposes.
"We can't leave these behind," Shen He said, summoning the Moon Marrow Spirit Liquid to lift the crates. "Crystal?"
She was staring at one of the crates, a conflicted expression on her face.
"No, it's nothing." She shook her head. For a brief moment, she had felt something strange—almost familiar—coming from within.
Lockjaw's teleportation was instantaneous. First, they dropped off the recovered items at their base. Then, they retrieved Lelouch and warped directly to the battlefield coordinates provided by Maria Hill.
They emerged into chaos.
The sky, painted orange by the setting sun, was filled with aerial combat. Fighter jets darted between missile trails, weaving through explosions. Soldiers in tactical gear parachuted onto the carrier deck, engaging in brutal skirmishes.
Despite both sides trying to avoid damaging the Helicarrier itself, the battle was ferocious.
The moment Shen He and his team appeared, all eyes turned to them.
Then came the gunfire.
A storm of bullets and artillery rounds rained down. The Helicarrier's automated gun turrets locked onto them, spitting out heavy-caliber rounds.
The Moon Marrow Spirit Liquid reacted instantly, expanding outward to form a silver-white barrier. Gunfire pinged off the surface harmlessly.
Still, Shen He knew this defense consumed an enormous amount of magic.
They had to act fast.
"Crystal, fall back." Shen He raised his twin pistols, firing precise shots as he barked orders.
"Jeanne, activate your Noble Phantasm and protect Lelouch."
Violet, eliminate the commandos scaling the ship's edges—they're all enemies."
"Ritsuka, you and I will take down those automated gun turrets."
"As soon as Lelouch gains control over enough troops, we'll advance straight to the command center. Battle starts now!"
Shen He's tactical breakdown accounted for everyone's abilities and ensured their safety. It wasn't perfect, but he was learning, step by step, to command like a true Master.
Jeanne raised her battle flag, whispering a prayer.
Noble Phantasm: "The Lord is Here."
A golden light radiated outward, enveloping Lelouch in divine protection. Bullets and rockets slammed into the barrier, causing only ripples.
Lelouch wasted no time. His Geass activated, crimson rings flaring in his eyes. Every enemy soldier caught in his gaze froze, their minds bending to his will.
With surgical precision, he manipulated his new pawns, using them to turn the tide in their favor.
Meanwhile, Shen He and Ritsuka dashed toward the automated turrets.
"Why do I have to deal with this?" Ritsuka muttered as she plunged her blade into the nearest turret.
The gun platform didn't even appear damaged. Yet, seconds later, it went silent—its 'life' extinguished.
Killing intent radiated from Ritsuka like a physical force. Shen He felt his skin prickle in response.
"You only kill those who intend to kill you, right?" he asked, taking down another turret.
"But this is war," Ritsuka replied coolly, her expression unreadable. "The battlefield is the purest place for killing. Even if you've never met someone before, you can still cut them down without hesitation."
Shen He exhaled sharply. "I get that, but unlike Violet, you don't have any built-in defenses. You need to be more careful."
She didn't answer. Instead, she methodically dismantled the remaining turrets alongside him.
By now, Lelouch had consolidated a significant portion of the Helicarrier's forces, pushing the enemy back with ruthless efficiency.
As the last heavy turret was destroyed, Ritsuka's stance changed.
For the first time, she shifted from a one-handed grip to a two-handed hold on her sword.
Then, in a sudden burst of speed, she broke formation—rushing straight toward the commandos battling Violet.
Gunfire erupted in response.
Ritsuka didn't slow down. Instead, she twisted her body at impossible angles, slipping between the bullets as if she could see the paths they traveled.
Her blade flickered. One clean stroke per enemy.
Blood sprayed in elegant arcs.
Shen He's breath hitched. Is this… self-suggestion?
He had seen Ritsuka train before. She had undergone extensive swordsmanship conditioning, using mental reinforcement techniques to enhance her reflexes beyond human limits.
Now, she was proving something.
She knew Shen He's magic reserves were running low.
She was showing him that he didn't need to worry about her.
She could handle herself just fine.
Shen He clenched his jaw and turned away. "Let's finish this."
With Lelouch controlling the battlefield, Violet cutting through commandos, Jeanne shielding their strategist, and Ritsuka unleashing her killing intent—
The Helicarrier would be theirs soon.