Shadows of the Deep Space
Chapter 173: Perplexed (Extra for Alliance Leader Dreaming of Flowing Fire) (Fourth Update)

Chapter 173: Chapter 173: Perplexed (Extra for Alliance Leader Dreaming of Flowing Fire) (Fourth Update)

At that moment, a huge explosion sounded in the distance.

Begfin turned his head to glance at the distant battle zone and remarked with a sense of awe,

"They’re really quick."

Although he didn’t know which academy’s students were engaging with Chilami, the distance suggested that this troop wasn’t far from here.

Bilado quickly suggested to Irelia,

"Lady Irelia, we should be the first ones to arrive. Let’s hurry in now."

"No, I’ve decided not to go in."

Irelia’s voice wasn’t loud, but she spoke with firm conviction.

"Ah?"

Aqua and the others were stunned, disbelievingly turning to look at Irelia.

Begfin was equally surprised and asked with confusion,

"Irelia? We’ve come all this way, why not go in?"

"There are three methods to achieve victory in the league: the first is to see who completes the rescue mission first. The second, to defeat students from other academies, and the third criterion is based on the score obtained from performance and killing monsters after all participants are wiped out. I’ve decided to change our battle strategy, abandon entering, and choose to ambush the students from the other two academies instead."

Irelia briefly explained her strategy.

"Ambushing and killing the other two academies doesn’t sound so good. Why don’t we stick to the plan and secure a win through rescue?"

Bilado asked with a frown.

The others looked at Irelia, waiting for her explanation.

"The reason is simple, the enemy below is quite formidable, and our chances of victory are not high. Instead of clashing with the monsters, it’s better to ambush the other academies. This way, our chances of winning are higher! And don’t feel bad about it—we arrived here first, which naturally allows us to take the initiative and set up an ambush. Plus, they will have to pay a hefty price to get here as well."

Irelia explained to the group.

"If the chances of defeating students from the other academies are higher, then we’ll attack them. I support Irelia!"

Aqua said without hesitation.

"Let’s do it then."

Uluca and the others also agreed, all holding the belief that as long as the commander wasn’t cowardly or making foolish mistakes, they would support them unconditionally.

At this time, Bilado also revealed a sinister smile, saying to Irelia,

"Lady Irelia, I’m best at ambushing and surprise attacks. How about I set it up?"

"Good."

Irelia immediately agreed.

Standing to the side, Begfin had not spoken, but his handsome face betrayed a very puzzled expression. Everyone else seemed convinced by Irelia’s explanation.

But Begfin still felt something was amiss. Knowing Irelia as he did, she was too proud and confident a person to shrink away just because there was a strong enemy below, nor would she opt for a lesser victory to actively block students from other academies.

However, even though he sensed something problematic, he still didn’t speak up to question Irelia’s motives.

He clearly understood Irelia’s character and integrity; she must have her reasons for doing this. And most importantly, they were comrades now, and comrades should not doubt each other.

"We should move quickly. Let’s set off."

Bilado suggested to Irelia.

"Let’s go!"

Irelia waved her hand and led her troop toward the direction of the explosion.

...

Federation Government Administrative Building · Dawn Hall 2.

When Gakels saw Irelia leading her people to the Terra Royal Base, his heart sank to the bottom.

Farren, Alicia, and others revealed excited expressions.

They had a strong feeling that the long-buried secret was about to be unveiled.

However, at that moment, Irelia suddenly changed her tune, and instead of entering the base, decided to block other academies’ students.

As soon as she said this, the Gakels, who had been on tenterhooks, finally relaxed, with a significant easing in their tense expressions.

But naturally, where there are those who are pleased, there are those who are annoyed, and Farren sneered and spoke.

"What has happened to the students of the Imperial Court Academy, lacking even the courage to go down and fight monsters? They’re choosing to gain victory through ambushes; it seems the Imperial Court Academy is nothing special after all." freёwebnovel.com

"Exactly, it’s truly disappointing."

Alicia chimed in with agreement.

However, the Gakels responded with a cold indifference.

"Every Commander has their own considerations. What she needs to ensure is how to win with the least cost. We, as spectators, watching from a god’s-eye view, should not comment too much! Besides, from beginning to end, it wasn’t the Imperial Court Academy students who first blocked the others; seems like it was two other academies who made the first move, wasn’t it?"

"Hmph! Fine, but don’t come crying when your ambush doesn’t work and you knock out your front teeth."

Farren snorted coldly and said no more.

Xiao Lie and the others, seeing the tense atmosphere, kept quiet, quietly watching.

...

At the Peak of the Stars Arena.

The many spectators who saw that Irelia and the others were not going in to rescue but were leading their troops to block Bikong Academy’s forces, immediately exploded in uproar!

"What the hell! The people from Imperial Court Academy are too despicable, blocking Bikong Academy instead of completing the mission."

"That’s not fair play, is it?"

...

At this point, the spectators who supported Imperial Court Academy were unhappy and began jeering.

"Who’s not playing fair now? Oy! Just now, who knows which academy’s students ambushed Imperial Court Academy’s students; how come when it’s your turn, you can’t handle it?"

"That’s right! If you ask me, Imperial Court Academy is doing the right thing, finish them off!"

"Exactly, beat these sneaky bastards!"

...

"Who are you talking about?"

"Talking about you."

...

Many in the audience, riled up, started hurling insults at each other; some even tossed water bottles back and forth.

Seeing this scene, the host Shiva felt like his head was about to explode and hurriedly tried to calm things down.

"Dear audiences, please control your emotions a little. It’s quite normal for students participating in the competition to adopt some tactics to win! Security staff, please escort those few gentlemen out to cool off..."

At that moment, several Imperial Court Sect soldiers clad in Exoskeleton Armor quickly arrived at the most disruptive section of the spectator stands and directly cleared out the ringleaders causing the commotion.

For a time, tranquility returned to the once agitated spectator stands.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let’s continue to watch the league feeds. Now we’ll shift our view to Amonks College. Let’s see how the beautiful young ladies from Rain Capital fight."

The host Shiva directly switched the video feed; if he continued to narrate the scene of the Imperial Court Academy students ambushing Bikong Academy,

he felt that the mood of the spectators on site would become uncontrollable.

...

On the outskirts of Terra Royal Base.

The troops from Amonks College arrived at the south smoothly, looking at the density of Chilami Parasites on the edge of the city, and the Chilami hovering in the sky, their expressions became extremely grave.