Chapter 222: The Temporarily Tranquil Moonlight City
With Bonnie and Ritchie successfully eliminating the monsters that had attempted to approach the Portal, the exit of the Portal was finally secured.
Meanwhile, Jeremy was stationed at the very heart of the military base, ensuring that no issues would arise at the entrance of the Portal.
Soldiers trapped within the military base continuously passed through the Portal, reaching a secure location not far from the base.
As time progressed, the vast majority of the soldiers had successfully evacuated the perilous military facility.
However, with the departure of the soldiers, the last line of defense had been breached by the monsters lurking in the instances flanking the military base.
As the final bastion was compromised, General Howard's aide hurriedly addressed Jeremy, saying, "The overwhelming majority of the soldiers have already evacuated, there are no remaining troops to assist us in our defense.
Let us execute the final plan, simply transport me and the soldiers surrounding me!" The urgency in the aide's tone was palpable.
He understood that if Jeremy's actions were not swift enough, they would soon face an onslaught from a horde of exceptionally high-level monsters.
Jeremy nodded in acknowledgment and then extended his left hand.
"Just grasp my hand, and have the soldiers around you take hold of yours!"
Although General Howard's aide was uncertain about Jeremy's reasoning for this approach, he complied without hesitation.
After all, without Jeremy, they would be utterly incapable of resolving the crisis they faced.
The aide firmly grasped Jeremy's hand.
In that moment, Jeremy activated his talent, The King of Time and Space.
The entrance of the Portal suddenly expanded severalfold, enveloping Jeremy, General Howard's aide, and the surrounding soldiers entirely.
As soon as the enlarged Portal stabilized, Jeremy promptly activated it.
He and the soldiers nearby swiftly traversed through the Portal, arriving at their designated location.
Just as Jeremy and his companions vanished, a multitude of monsters surged forward, racing toward the very spot where they had been standing moments before.
Jeremy and the last few departing soldiers even caught sight of the distinct forms of those monsters.
When Jeremy, the aide, and the final group of soldiers emerged from the Portal, it sealed shut entirely.
Jeremy, drenched in sweat, collapsed directly beside his comrades.
The aide, standing close to Jeremy, hurriedly caught him, preventing him from falling to the ground.
"Are you alright?! Please, don't scare me like that!"
General Howard's aide questioned Jeremy in a tone filled with astonishment.
Simultaneously, he urged the soldiers around him to retrieve the supplies they had brought along.
At that moment, Bonnie and Ritchie also witnessed the scene unfolding before them.
With expressions of concern etched on their faces, they hurried to Jeremy's side.
After utilizing some of the supplies, Jeremy's condition improved slightly.
Though his complexion remained exceedingly pale, he was at least able to steady himself and engage in conversation with the others.
"You need not worry about my condition. The reason I collapsed earlier was merely due to the excessive energy I expended while maintaining the transport portal. After using some supplies, I should be able to recover."
While Jeremy spoke with a tone that suggested fatigue.
The others observed that he had indeed regained some semblance of vitality.
"Have all the soldiers exited safely? Did they encounter any danger while here?" Jeremy directed his gaze toward General Howard's aide, as well as Bonnie and Ritchie.
The aide hastily responded.
"All the soldiers have exited safely! Moreover, I have already conveyed this wonderful news to General Howard! He is extremely pleased and will soon return to Moonlight City. Upon his return, he will personally express his gratitude to you."
Upon hearing this response, Jeremy smiled and nodded appreciatively.
Seizing the opportunity, Bonnie added, "Ritchie and I eliminated the monsters that attempted to approach the Portal exit. Therefore, the soldiers waiting at the Portal have not encountered any danger."
Jeremy cast a gentle gaze toward Bonnie, and his smile brightened even further.
"You both did exceptionally well! I always knew you were worth believing in!"
Jeremy offered his praise to Bonnie and Ritchie.
Both Bonnie and Ritchie broke into smiles at his words. Jeremy's commendation was immensely significant for them, as it bolstered their confidence.
After chatting for a while, Jeremy directly addressed the group.
"Since we are all temporarily safe, we should promptly return to the city center of Moonlight City. It is there that we can truly feel a sense of security. After all, monsters are quite scarce in the city center of Moonlight City.
Here, we still run the risk of encountering aimless wandering monsters. If we attract the attention of stronger monsters during our battles with these creatures, we could very well find ourselves faced with unforeseen dangers."
Jeremy's reasoning was naturally met with agreement from all present.
Thus, the group hurried back to the city center of Moonlight City at the fastest speed possible.
Benjamin, as the mayor of Moonlight City, had already been informed of the situation by Howard.
Consequently, he had prepared a very spacious area in the city center to serve as a temporary military base.
When General Howard's aide, along with Jeremy and a substantial contingent of soldiers, arrived at the location Benjamin had prepared, they were greeted by Benjamin, who was stationed there.
Upon seeing the group, Benjamin promptly approached Jeremy and General Howard's aide with an air of urgency.
"I believe I have a general understanding of the situation. The vast stadium you see before you is the temporary quarters I have arranged for you. Until the new military base is completed, you may reside here temporarily."
Benjamin addressed the aide of General Howard.
The aide nodded appreciatively in response.
"Thank you very much for your assistance! We are all exceedingly pleased with the location you have provided."
Hearing this response, Benjamin smiled and nodded in acknowledgment. He then shifted his gaze toward Jeremy and Bonnie, who stood behind him.
"I have heard that the soldiers within the military base were able to successfully escape due to your assistance. Your help is not only crucial for General Howard, but it is also immensely significant for me and the entirety of Moonlight City."
After expressing his heartfelt sentiments, Benjamin proceeded to recount in detail the recent events that had transpired in Moonlight City over the past couple of days.
Jeremy began to understand why Benjamin was so deeply concerned about the safety of these soldiers.
In the last two days, a series of instances and high-level monsters had emerged in Moonlight City.
Although the vast majority of these instances and monsters appeared in the outskirts and rural areas of Moonlight City, several instances and monsters also manifested in the city center itself.
Benjamin had to muster all of his subordinates to barely manage the elimination of these instances and monsters.
Had the soldiers within the military base been completely annihilated by the monsters, Benjamin would have been unable to guarantee the safety of the outskirts of Moonlight City.
"So, by your account, the current situation in Moonlight City should be quite stable, correct? After all, you mentioned that the instances and monsters in the city center have been largely dealt with."
Jeremy inquired of Benjamin at that moment.
Benjamin nodded in agreement. "You are indeed correct, however, the stability of Moonlight City at this moment is merely temporary. My subordinates have previously conducted reconnaissance in the outskirts of Moonlight City.
Some of the high-difficulty instances that have descended upon the outskirts of Moonlight City have already allowed their monsters to materialize in the real world. These monsters are exceedingly powerful.
If we do not swiftly eliminate these creatures, they will undoubtedly pose a significant threat to Moonlight City.
Benjamin laid bare the worst news he had received.
Upon hearing Benjamin's words, Jeremy slowly nodded in understanding.
He could surmise what Benjamin meant, the mayor was undoubtedly hoping that he would take prompt action to eradicate the high-difficulty instances and monsters in the outskirts of Moonlight City.
However, Jeremy felt that he must take some time to recuperate.
During the recent operation, he realized that he was not yet fully acquainted with the abilities of The King of Time and Space.
Moreover, even after activating The King of Time and Space, he found it challenging to wield the corresponding powers with ease.
"You are correct in your assessment, I will ensure the safety of Moonlight City in the forthcoming operations. However, I also need to take some time to recover, as I sustained some injuries during the recent mission."
After Jeremy finished speaking, he immediately turned his gaze toward General Howard's aide.
The aide promptly responded, "Indeed! Jeremy has truly exerted himself to rescue us. Throughout the operation, he expended an immense amount of energy. Therefore, I believe he should take some time to recuperate."
Since General Howard's aide had already stated this, Benjamin chose not to press the matter further.
"Very well, then, please return and rest as soon as possible. I hope you can restore your condition swiftly and assist us in ensuring the safety of Moonlight City."
Without a moment's hesitation, Jeremy replied, "That is my duty! I will certainly do my utmost to recover as quickly as possible!"