Chapter 286: "Ninti the little angel"

When Pardo woke up, the first thing she felt was the bone-chilling cold, and the sound of heavy rain falling behind the metal wall.

The van drove on the wet road, through the curtain of rain with spotlights, along the dark and deserted road.

Feeling her hands, feet, and mouth being sealed tightly, Pardo tried to free herself with all her might.

However, it's useless.

This bond is too tight, even a magician who is skilled at using tricks to untie ropes, must submit under this professional bond.

All potential for escape was nipped in the bud.

Gasping for breath, and finally giving up on breaking free. Pardo tried to calm down, and she started to close her eyes.

The darkness blinded her eyes, but it strengthened her listeners.

"(What should I do? There's a sound of breathing next to me... It seems like it's children being kidnapped.)"

"(Calm down pardo! Panicking will do nothing!)"

Pardo didn't feel surprised if someone sat next to her. However, she was not the first.

Calming her rapidly beating heart, Pardo tried to focus her hearing again.

"We were lucky to find one more kid before we left. But the police won't be looking for us, right?"

"What do you mean? Isn't it that every time we go to another city to kidnap small children there, we are often chased by the police? What's wrong with you?"

"That's not what I meant boss! We were too brave today! Six children at once, and still no one is suspicious, for some reason this makes me a little scared."

The woman snorted, and after that pardo could hear her laughing out loud.

"So? Why should we be afraid? Do you know why the police still haven't chased us? They're all busy! The world has changed my friend!"

"Azzure City in the south is affected by a mysterious contagious disease, the weather in Benzi City has become so hot that shoes melt when they touch the asphalt, and if you go to the supermarket, you will notice that the prices of basic foods have increased drastically!"

"The world is predicted to end, and the police are being deployed to quell the chaos. You think they will care about us, people who make a living with our own two hands?"

"Instead of worrying every day that I will be punished by heaven for committing too many crimes, I am more worried about how to sell these children. If the red beggar gang won't accept any more fresh blood, then I'll take them to a black market doctor to earn extra income by selling their internal organs."

The man was amazed with a stuttering voice: "As faced by the boss... The boss is always wise."

Through the small talk between the two of them, even though Pardo heard something extraordinary, her thoughts were currently focused on the last two sentences.

Red beggar.

A vile and barbaric gang where most of the members are very cruel thugs.

There was a reason why pardo broke out in cold sweat when she heard this name come out. They are a group of gangs that have very low morals, or have even lost themselves.

Every time a child is kidnapped, one of their limbs will be cruelly cut off, and after that they will throw the child onto the street to beg.

They use other people's [kindness] and [compassion] as a money-making machine.

Pardo has met children from the red beggar gang. Even though she was rescued, her end was still tragic due to a severe infection of her internal organs.

Recalling the girl's hand which was broken and had turned into swollen flesh, Pardo felt nauseous and scared at the same time.

This gang treats humans not like humans.

Biting the cloth in her mouth with all her might, Pardo tried to find a sharp object that could cut the rope.

However...

It's still useless.

She couldn't move freely, and the tight bindings made both her hands and feet turn purple.

After half an hour of effort, Pardo finally accepted her fate.

Maybe, this van has left Twilight City and is heading to the next city.

Hope grew smaller as time passed. Time really is very cruel.

Pardo feels sorry.

"(Sister Aponia, sorry...)"

Pardo had many things to say, but this was all she could say.

Aponia never gave up trying to get her to become a member of the orphanage. Aponia always treated her sincerely when she was having difficulties, and she also cared about her very much.

If there was a list of who should apologize for all the trouble she created, then Pardo would apologize to Aponia sincerely.

It's a shame, this is just an if.

Fear to her own fate, Pardo could only huddle together with the others.

The current her was not a Flame-Chasers but a hero fighting for humanity. She is just a little girl who only longs for the warmth of family, and values ​​freedom.

She, could be afraid.

"What-what is that!?"

"Boss dodge quickly!"

With a shrill scream, the car, which was going straight, suddenly rolled over until it hit the safety barrier.

Good news, they didn't fall off the cliff.

The bad news is, they fall into the sea.

As a result of the impact, Pardo could feel her head bleeding, and her nose blocked by a thick substance. Feeling a sweet taste in her throat, Pardo coughed up blood.

Salty sea water began to seep into the gaps in the car.

Maybe because of the impact, the ties on her hands and feet became loose, and if Pardo tried a little more, she could be free.

But....

Pardo can't do it.

Her body wouldn't move.

"Cough! Cough!"

When Pardo coughed once more, and looked at the dented sliding door above her head reluctantly. Pardo somehow hoped that there would be someone who could save her.

She didn't want to die here.

There were still many things she wanted to do.

She wants to live.

"Click!"

With the sound of the lock opening, Pardo's wish was granted instantly.

"Sister pardo? Sister Yui?"

With a head that was also bleeding, and abrasions all over her body. Ninti, who saw Pardo's tragic condition, stretched out her hand.

"Sister pardo, hold my hand. I won't let you go."

Seeing the hand of hope stretched out in front of her, Pardo also raised her hand, grabbing Ninti's hand.

She didn't know why Ninti was here, all she knew was that she almost died, and Ninti saved her.

"Wuuu~ Ninti I miss you! You are truly my guardian angel!"

"Hm?"

On the other hand, attracted by the loud crying sound, the valkyrie troops approached, and they saw a van slowly sinking into the sea water.

"This Flora, all the Honkai beasts around the area have been successfully eliminated, and I found that there are survivors. I will save them first!"

After finishing making their report, Flora and her team immediately dived into the cold night ocean, rushing to save all the children trapped in the car.