Tower of Overturn

When Russell returned to the cockpit with Amirus's clothes in tow, he could clearly feel the airship vibrating as it descended.

"This wound..."

As the pain became increasingly evident, Russell hissed and took in a sharp breath of cool air.

Because he had hit the wall when he was repelled earlier, Russell could still feel numbness in his hands. The injury on his back seemed to have worsened from the impact.

Blood sped up its flow, the dark red traces spreading gradually, soaking Russell's clothes.

Just looking at the bloodstain made it seem like the injury was very serious.

But it was indeed just a flesh wound. The bullet had sheared off a small piece of flesh, but had fortunately not damaged any bones, with blood loss and infection being the only real concerns.

Without avoiding Russell's gaze, Amirus took the clothes and directly put them on inside the cockpit.

Russell politely shifted his gaze away.

It was only then that he noticed the assortment of bits and pieces that had appeared on the desk beside Amirus.

They must have been the bandages and hemostatic spray that Amirus had found in the cockpit while Russell was looking for clothes.

"Let me handle it first."

The Old Elf said so, showing Russell the brand on the spray: "This is Ampule Biological Medical's 'No.5 Pain Reliever'. It sterilizes, stops bleeding, and prevents infection while also instantaneously numbing the wound tissue to block out pain."

"Oh, I've heard of this..."

Russell nodded: "It seems to be specifically designed as a countermeasure for strong acid weapons and flamethrowers."

Turning his back to the Old Elf, Russell removed his shirt. It had almost stuck to the wound, causing him a wince of pain as he peeled it away.

The Old Elf skillfully peeled the fabric bits stuck to Russell's wound, sprayed four or five times in succession, and then picked up the dressing and medical bandages to bandage Russell up.

His movements were so adept and swift, and he spoke to Russell in a very relaxed tone: "Hmm, but it can also be used on gunshot wounds. Although it's not as effective as the 'Healing' series, for an injury of this degree, such early treatment is already sufficient.

"Later, I'll treat you again, and you should be mostly healed by tomorrow morning."

"Huh?"

Russell paused for a moment.

Was he supposed to accompany Lord Amirus after disembarking the airship?

"What, do you have other places to go on Happiness Island?" Amirus asked back, somewhat surprised.

"... Not at the moment."

Russell told the truth.

Although he knew his uncle was a Director of the Tianen Group, Russell didn't even know what he looked like, where he lived, or his name.

Moreover, from what Russell understood, his uncle was a married man. Not only that, but he even had a daughter... and the daughter was already in her teens.

From the uncle's remarks, Russell felt that the family relationship did not seem very harmonious.

After learning this, Russell was even less willing to trouble his uncle's household. It wouldn't be good to cause a family argument.

——Since he needed his uncle's help to arrange a job for him, Russell decided he should minimize any trouble he might bring elsewhere.

That was the right etiquette.

Even though he would be provided with accommodation after officially starting the job... right now, he indeed had nowhere to go.

Russell had planned to find a hotel to get by for one night after landing. At the very least, he wouldn't have to sleep in the park like a stray cat.

After reporting to the Tianen Group tomorrow, he would naturally have a place to stay tomorrow night.

But...

"Since you have no place to stay, you might as well come with me. My private medical team can treat your injury in the shortest amount of time, ensuring not even a scar is left. Consider it an insignificant gesture of recompense."

Amirus spoke in a gentle tone, slowly continuing, "No matter where you need to go tomorrow, I can ensure you're delivered there on time. Be it a Floating Car or helicopter... if you want, I can also lend you one for transportation."

To say 'lend' was actually to offer it.

It was merely a more tactful, more acceptable way of expressing the offer.

"Scars don't really bother me…"

Russell murmured, managing a wry smile: "But as for gifts, let's not. It's enough that you offer me a place to stay and something to fend off hunger for the night."

Although Russell had indeed saved Amirus's life, he knew in his heart that he hadn't really accomplished anything—it was Bad Day who was the true hero.

Scrounging for a meal was one thing... but to cheekily ask for presents would be taking it too far.

However, Russell did not outright refuse the elder's kindness: "As for accommodation and treating the wound, I'll be in your care then."

As they chatted, the elder had finished treating Russell's wound and was wiping his blood-stained hands with a handkerchief.

And at that moment, with a sudden burst of vibration and shake, the airship landed on the ground.

Before leaving the cockpit, Amirus pulled out a data cable from behind his ear, inquiring to Russell, "Shall we exchange contact information first?"

"Sure…"

Russell nodded his head.

From his prosthetic left arm, he uncovered a dust cap to reveal a row of different types of interfaces and took the data cable Amirus had pulled from behind his ear, plugging it in.

In front of Russell, a green frame emerged, with text flashing rapidly:

[Warning: Physical Link Attempt in progress…]

[The connecting party has set the connection rules to - conservative mode]

[This physical link will not unlock data exchange permissions]

[This physical link will not unlock administrator permissions]

Following that, Amirus's personal card appeared.

Amirus (ARMILUS-10/3) Senior Permission User

[Thoth Spiritual Energy] Director, Head of the Third Research and Development Department

[Thoth Spiritual Energy's Happiness Island Branch] General Manager

The above was Amirus's personal portrait. As Russell's thoughts shifted, he could toggle left and right through three images: upper body frontal, upper body profile, and full body frontal.

Below were three buttons:

[Follow] [Report] [Save to Category]

If higher-level permissions were enabled, additional options such as "Data Exchange," "Information Management," "Contract Management," and "Memory Management" would be available.

And as Russell clicked on Follow, he watched as the "Follow" button quickly changed from a "Following" state to "Mutually Following."

After a moment's hesitation, Russell still added Amirus to the "Commander" category of friends.

"There aren't many who have my business card, so I won't be blocking on my end."

Amirus added to Russell, "If you need anything, you can contact me at any time. I will reply when I am free."

The method of adding friends was very strict.

Aside from a face-to-face physical link, the only other way to click "Follow" remotely was to know the individual's personal identification code. Other than trusted real-life friends, probably only supervisors who knew the personal identification code could do that.

Russell followed Amirus out of the cockpit.

Although his wounds had been properly treated and bandaged, the bloodied appearance still looked quite frightening.

The passengers who were about to disembark were startled at the sight of him, yet they did nothing.

They did not strike up a conversation with Russell or inquire about what had happened to him, nor did anyone take photos or point fingers. Instead, they pretended as if they hadn't seen him and treated Russell as if he was air.

Their attitude of avoiding him as much as possible, along with the shock and fear hidden in their eyes, caused Russell to pause.

...What are they afraid of?

And just then.

The rumbling noise of a helicopter came from not far away.

Accompanied by the overwhelming shadow of its approach, three armed helicopters appeared unannounced and closed in on the airship that had just landed.

Just seeing these helicopters stunned Russell—

The two larger helicopters on the sides didn't appear remarkable. Their matte black paint, if flown at night, could probably sneak undetected into the darkness.

However, the smaller helicopter in the middle… was plastered in an attention-grabbing pink primer, akin to a pain car.

[Energetic Little Glass][Did you feel happy today][The secret to happiness is a beaming smile] and various other slogans in different colors and cute typefaces were printed on the helicopter.

It also had an expensive-looking set of laser devices on each side, projecting the logo of "Tianen Daily" that was large enough to be seen clearly from all four directions, about half the size of the helicopter itself.

Russell had never seen such a sight on Chongguang Island.

At sunset, the pink helicopter hung high in the sky, with dazzling projection light shining from it, making it appear like a neon pink sun.

The other two larger helicopters landed first on either side.

They hovered in the air at a certain distance from the ground, lowering rope ladders.

The powerful downdraft from the helicopters forced the passengers who were trying to leave the airship back inside, with many screaming and scattering away from the door, retreating to their seats. Amirus grabbed Russell's shoulder, signaling him to stand behind him.

"...Are these people here to pick you up?"

Russell summoned a virtual keyboard with his thoughts and tapped rapidly in the air with his right hand, sending a private message to Amirus using the freshly added friend.

"Not at all."

Amirus chuckled softly and replied with a message: "These are just media journalists that I called in.

"As for the other two helicopters, they are a close escort prepared for this little journalist by Tianen Daily to ensure 'proper interview attitude,' 'clear interview content,' and 'safety of interview personnel'—the three principles of interviewing."

Following that, Amirus added another line.

"This is to protect her while also urging her to be as objective and responsible as possible in her reporting."

...Media, journalists?

Russell turned to confirm the equipment on the three armed helicopters.

Aside from the slightly smaller one in the middle, the other two appeared equipped with missiles, rockets, 25mm autocannons, and even anti-fortification bombing weapons. And even the mini helicopter in the center was fitted with multiple machine guns and anti-tank missiles.

——Together, the three helicopters boasted twelve gun barrels just in machine guns alone.

Russell's expression was somewhat nuanced.

Are all journalists on Happiness Island armed with such "long-range and short-range firepower" when interviewing subjects?