Beginning with the Ubume Bird-Chapter 524 - 20: The Off-Tune Fairytale

"Damn it."

St. Yves was dumbstruck.

He recognized the apprentice from the clock shop who had been the first to be eliminated in the arena, and he recognized the silver armor slumped in the co-pilot’s seat, an ominous premonition quietly rose in his heart.

In the midst of the pursuit, a guard from the arsenal steeled his heart, picked up a yellow gunpowder grenade launcher, aimed it at the steam car in front, and pulled the trigger.

"Hiss!"

The steam car agilely twisted its body, causing the grenade to miss and explode behind it, but the shockwave of the explosion still caused the entire steam car to uncontrollably fly at a low altitude for a while before it heavily landed.

"Unlucky."

Li Yan sighed.

A tracked vehicle powered by steam could reach speeds over a hundred kilometers per hour with the aid of the Tri-Orb Device. Considering the condition of the roads, this was an unimaginable level of technology. But compared to Li Yan’s mobility, which was now on par with a humanoid mobile suit, the steam car’s speed was sorely lacking.

If not for the fact that many parts of the "Unicorn" were scattered across the car and hard to gather, he would have already shaken off his pursuers.

Yes, Li Yan had dismantled the Unicorn. To be exact, he had taken apart the part that connects the back steam engine to the helmet, but both armors and greaves could operate independently and were not damaged.

Of course, it was worth it. The many classic models of personal gear in the Royal Arsenal were often the most representative technological achievements of their eras, highly beneficial for Li Yan, but he was just one step away when the guards from the arsenal came in support. Li Yan had no choice but to seize a steam car and make his escape, and during the chaos of the chase, Jane’s "Unicorn" suffered the consequences.

"Your Special Expertise: Magic Dynamic Technology has increased to 60%!"

You have comprehended the derivative skills of Magic Motion Technology: [Basic Magic-tech Mechanical Maintenance] [Tri-Orb Reforging Technology]

"Esteemed Walker, please note that the forging process of any Tri-Orb Device must be completed within Feather Stem-Bingzi 128. However, there are no such restrictions for the reforging of already completed Tri-Orb Devices."

A whooshing sound reached Li Yan’s ears as another grenade came flying.

Taking a deep breath, he twisted the wooden handle, and the car swerved, narrowly avoiding the grenade and letting the explosive aftershock push the steam car into the mansion’s railing.

In the blur of the night, amidst the chaos, the steam car, propelled by overwhelming force, smashed the wooden railing and charged straight toward St. Yves and Michael like a bull in heat!

To dodge the out-of-control steam car, St. Yves scrambled out of the way, but in his haste, stumbled over a stone and fell on his butt, while Michael, who was from a blacksmith background, also rolled awkwardly to the side.

"Watch out!"

Li Yan called out as he picked up two high-top greaves of the "Unicorn" from the car and threw them into the manor’s attic window. In the time it took to do this, the guards driving the steam car had surrounded all three of them.

"He has accomplices?"

The pursuing guard was furious. At first, he thought the thief was simply desperate, but he didn’t expect to find two more suspicious figures, lurking beneath the princess’s room in the dead of night.

"Get out of the car! All of you, raise your hands, right now!"

Dozens of gun barrels were aimed at Li Yan in the car, as well as at St. Yves and Michael.

Facing the gun barrels, St. Yves’s face darkened, and Michael looked bewildered.

"I am the son of the Minister of Military Affairs, St. Yves Maratoga."

St. Yves shouted loudly.

Bang!

Upon hearing the sound, the guards instinctively looked up.

A lithe figure burst through the window, leaping down from above amid flying shards of glass, a dozen meters high.

Two bursts of white steam erupted from beneath Jane’s boots. After rolling on the ground and emerging unscathed, she sprinted forward, striking the front line of three guards and, like a fierce leopardess, dove into the steam car with Li Yan—but immediately turned with a mix of shock and rage, demanding, "What have you done to my ’Unicorn’?!"

Li Yan shrugged, "It was an accident, Your Highness."

With barely repressed fury, Jane managed only to put on her right arm armor in time. She swung her fist, repelling several guards who stubbornly rushed forward.

Someone attempted to shoot at Li Yan; before they could pull the trigger, Jane hit them with a net shooter, leaving them entangled and helpless.

The commotion and noise soon attracted the personal guards responsible for detaining Jane. They wore red-striped military uniforms with gold-tasseled high boots, carrying rifles and grenade launchers, followed by clunky steam soldiers and steam cars. Amidst sharp whistles, they gathered like ants, growing more numerous.

St. Yves’ eyes flicked to Jane and he called out, "I’ll hold them off! Your Highness, you go first."

Unexpectedly, with a turn of her hand, Jane shot a net, trapping both St. Yves and a group of guards under it.

"You’re the epitome of a gentleman, sir. But I cannot let my decision bring shame to your family. Forgive my rudeness; this is for your own safety."

Someone in the royal guards shouted.

"Your Highness, you cannot go out. This is your father’s order."

Without a second thought, Jane replied, "My respect and adoration for my father have always been consistent. I believe there will come a day when he will be willing to accept my ideas. But I think I’ve been too passive in the past. I should take the initiative to strike."

With that, she nudged Li Yan with her elbow, "Turn the car around."

"I’ll try."

Li Yan pulled the lever. The steam car swung around, trying to break through the protective line of the royal guards.

Jane lifted her arm armor, and several grenades landed precisely at the feet of the burly single soldiers, exploding thunderously. The defensive line immediately loosened, and seizing the moment, Li Yan drove the steam car like a fish breaking through a net, escaping to freedom.

"Wait, Jane, take me with you."

Mayor Michael waved his hands and shouted.

When Jane in the car heard him, she hesitated for a moment before yelling back, "I’m sorry, Michael, I must keep my promise. Besides, you’re an only son, I can’t let you take such risks."

Michael opened his mouth but eventually fell silent, his shoulders slumping despondently.

"Pursue."

The steam car brigade jostled each other, trying to intercept Li Yan and Jane.

But Jane threw several grenades with her launcher toward the pursuers, exploding right in front of them with precision, forcing the royal guards to slow down unless they wanted to pass through flames and shrapnel.

Amidst the successive explosions, the boxy steam car sped ahead, driving away from the Royal City. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"You’re quite something, Your Highness."

Li Yan kept his eyes on the road ahead.

"I will keep my promise. Stealing the Unicorn from the Royal Arsenal, I hope you’re not just relying on luck. Let me tell you upfront, I don’t like deadweight on my journey."

"Whatever you say."

Li Yan glanced at Jane.

It wasn’t until the two of them were sitting in one car that Li Yan surprisingly realized that the Steam Princess "Jane" and her performer "Dorothy," despite having the same face, were completely different in demeanor and temperament.

In the fairy tale, Jane, with her professional Royal Navy training, carried herself with a straight back, her every movement exuded a heroic and breezy bearing. But the Dorothy who charmed the stage with easy laughter and elegant movements held a grace and allure that made it impossible for anyone to confuse the two.

This "Dorothy," was she a mere observer like Saint Yves and Michael, or was she an active participant like Li Yan?

Meanwhile, Li Yan’s card was undergoing an astonishing change. What was once an ordinary piece of white paper had turned into an embossed gold card. "Clock shop apprentice," "proficient steamworker," "Steam Convention Eliminee," "deranged thief," all these titles were squeezed into the corner, with the largest line boldly proclaiming "Lead role in ’Giant Lake.’"

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The curtain slowly fell, and Dorothy, along with other actors, bowed to the audience.

The applause and cheering were still enthusiastic, but the atmosphere was somewhat peculiar.

Mayor Michael clapped his hands, but his brows were furrowed, and he looked like he had something to say but hesitated to speak.

Dorothy’s theater performance was as high quality as ever, with impeccably executed chase and action scenes. But...

Some whispered among themselves.

"Why did that Liang get so much screen time?"

"I thought Michael would help the princess get back the single soldier."

Li Yan listened to these discussions expressionlessly, then stood up and left.

Dorothy on the stage maintained her composure, gracefully handling all sorts of questions. However, when Li Yan left, her gaze barely perceptibly fell upon him.

"Miss Dorothy, what are your expectations for the reception of this performance of ’Giant Lake’?"

A reporter with a notebook and pen below asked Dorothy.

"Who cares about such boring matters?"

Dorothy’s voice was low, and the reporter didn’t catch it clearly. He blinked and looked up, asking, "What did you say just now?"

Dorothy withdrew her gaze and said with a smile to the reporter, "This will be a story, like none before."