Chapter 77

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The flesh of the demons melded with the steam and machinery, transforming into a godly armor. Knights raced down the flaming paths created by dragonfire, with hordes of demons following close behind, their screeches piercing the air like wolves in pursuit of prey.

Bailao's vision began to blur. His willpower was far weaker than he had imagined. Mechanically, he removed the fire gun from his divine armor and blasted a path of dragonfire across the demon-infested ground. The intense heat scorched the sturdy armor, turning the metal red hot, even slightly molten.

Scalding iron fused the complex mechanical structure together, making Bailao's movements increasingly difficult, as if his legs were frozen. Perhaps the lunatics who designed this divine armor never anticipated that Bailao would endure such a prolonged march through the inferno. Without the demon's life-force-filled flesh to bind and connect the machinery, Bailao would have long since perished in the flames.

Now was not the time to stop. He reached for the weapon rack on his back, but his hands found nothing. The fire gun was spent. In his blurred vision, Bailao saw that the head of the Glorious had not yet reached him.

It was a daunting distance. The demons were always watching, famished and ready to launch a ferocious attack. In his current state, Bailao wasn't sure if he could hold on.

"Blue Jade..." His voice was weak, but soon, Blue Jade's face appeared within the narrow view of his visor. She crouched on his shoulder, her arms wrapped around his helmet in an embrace.

"I know what you're going to say. Keep moving forward. Don't stop." Blue Jade remained calm. The rising flames had set her cloak ablaze, leaving her clad only in form-fitting leather and armor, resembling a dark elf.

Speech had become a struggle, even thinking was hard. Bailao fell silent, gathering all his strength, and then charged out of the fire.

In an instant, countless demons leaped at him like a tide. Their twisted arms clawed at his scarred armor. Some tried to climb up the armor's protrusions, only to be ruthlessly shot down by Blue Jade. The burning thermite rounds left charred holes in their heads, and they fell from the armor, immediately swallowed by the surging black tide.

Almost there. Bailao swung his blade mechanically, cutting down the demons in his path like mowing grass. The armor was so heavy that when he charged, he crushed the demons beneath him like a rhino.

The head of the Glorious was within reach, but Bailao realized the problem. To withstand the demon's attacks, the entire carriage was not only reinforced but also designed to lock from the inside in case of an emergency stop, ensuring the safety of those inside. This protection, however, now became the final obstacle.

How could they open the door amidst the demon assault? If either Bailao or Blue Jade stopped moving, they would be surrounded and killed by the demons.

The thought process didn't last long. Without hesitation, Bailao grabbed Blue Jade from his shoulder. She was initially startled but quickly understood his intention. She tried to stop him, but Bailao gave her no choice. His legs came to a sudden halt, leaving deep marks on the ground, and then he hurled Blue Jade upward with all his might.

She soared through the air in an elegant arc, landing steadily on top of the carriage. Meanwhile, Bailao swung his greatsword, creating a massive arc that forced a gap with the strength of his old-world armor.

Standing as a barrier between life and death, Bailao held the demons back to give Blue Jade time to open the door. There were no words exchanged throughout the process.

Every second was precious. Bailao fought and retreated, the demons swarming over him. His movements grew sluggish as sharp claws pierced the gaps in his armor. The demons gnawed and tore, ripping away pieces of the armor, exposing the intricate machinery within.

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