The next morning, Hikaru woke up late, succumbing to a bout of laziness. Now that he had achieved his research objective, he wanted to relax for a while. As his gaze fell upon the unique, worn-out gloves resting by his bedside, now transformed into an ordinary pair, he couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards them.

Hikaru got up from his bed slowly and savored his morning breakfast, finding solace in the familiar routine. After the last crumbs had been cleared away, he began doing a cleaning spree in his research lab, erasing any traces of his recent transformation breakthrough. Then, he composed a partially truthful report stating that his latest experiment had failed.

Hikaru felt compelled to take these precautions because he knew General Fujimoto did live Orby experimentation. If the Bailey military were to raid this place, Hikaru would be implicated, and his newfound power would be associated with live Orby experimentation, potentially branding him as a criminal. Additionally, given the General's temperament, if he were to learn of Hikaru's successful transformation, he would likely want to exert control over him and even subject him to various experiments.

After Hikaru finished his report, Hikaru decided to test his newfound innate ability inside his research room for the first time. He opted against heading to his usual training spot, aware that the General's subordinates always kept a watchful eye on him whenever he ventured outside the base.

[Phoenix Wings: Activate] (L1 Fire Sovereign innate skill)

Instantly, a pair of ethereal crimson wings sprouts from Hikaru’s back, granting him the ability to maneuver in the sky. Hikaru began to hover around inside his small lab, acclimating himself to his wings. After about one hour of flight, Hikaru descended to the ground and deactivated his [Phoenix Wings]. He then made his way to his usual training spot outside the secret base to engage in his usual training regimen.

Hikaru did this new training routine for a little over a week, while hoping for the General’s return. However, before the General’s return, Bailey Military raided the secret base.

"Dr.p t. kn..s... Drop to your knees!"

Hikaru's senses jolted as he heard shouts from outside his research room. Swiftly, he descended to the ground and deactivated [Phoenix Wings].

Hikaru's mind raced as he heard unfamiliar shouts: ‘It looks like the Bailey Military raided this place before the General could return. Their swift advance to the third level indicates that the General’s subordinates aren’t fighting back at all. Darn it, I was planning to fly away amidst the turmoil, but now surrender seems to be the only option!’

Hikaru sat in a chair, pretending to write a report. Not long after, several armored soldiers wearing Bailey insignia opened the locked door using a key and surrounded Hikaru.

Anonymous Soldier A shouted: “Drop to your knees!” while pointing his blade at Hikaru's neck.

Hikaru obediently knelt on the ground at the soldier's command. The other soldier fitted a collar around Hikaru's neck, tightening it like a pet leash, before callously binding his hands tightly behind his back, rendering him helpless. The soldiers then escorted Hikaru to the ground floor, where he discovered that all of the prisoners and General Fujimoto’s subordinates had also been restrained and captured.

As Hikaru stepped onto the ground floor, his eyes swept over the surroundings: ‘There was no sign of battle as I thought this was unconditional surrendering. Bailey dispatched thousands of soldiers just to raid the secret base.’

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Amidst Hikaru’s contemplation, a figure caught his attention: ‘Is that Colonel Kemal? His heart sank as realization hit him. The military had not only raided the base but had first captured all personnel related to the General at Red Dagger Aran Outpost. There goes my plan B!’ Hikaru planned to secretly visit Colonel Kemal's camp and persuade him to reinstate him into the military.

After about an hour, the Bailey Military finished capturing everyone and confiscated most of their belongings. Bailey Military then led all of the captured prisoners on a march towards the Kingdom, where their fate awaited uncertainly.

At dawn the next day, they reached Bailey Kingdom and were promptly escorted to a holding facility inside the Lion Fortress. The military then sorted the prisoners into different cells. Each of them was then called and interrogated by an army interrogator.

As Hikaru found himself confined within the dim walls of his cell, thoughts raced through his mind like shadows dancing in the flickering light: ‘Darn it, if I had known I'd get caught, I would've stashed all my money on me. Now it's all gone to waste—everything I owned, except for the clothes on my back, has been confiscated.’

Before long, Hikaru found himself escorted to the interrogation room, where he endured hours of questioning. Hikaru told the interrogator as much as he could without compromising himself. He explained how he met General Fujimoto and how he had no other choice but to work for the General to survive the war.

After enduring hours of grueling interrogation, Hikaru finally retreated to the solitude of his cell, where he remained there for approximately three days. Then, in an unexpected turn of events, he was escorted back to Red Dagger Aran Outpost alongside General Fujimoto’s subordinates, a motley crew of around 40 individuals.

In the heart of Red Dagger Aran Outpost, Colonel Miriam Reid, the newly appointed leader, swiftly assembled her soldiers and set out towards the vast plain near the Aran mine. Their arrival was met with anticipation by the Cathunter soldiers, who were led by Colonel Melvin Slater and were supposed to be the adversaries of the Bailey Military.

Colonel Miriam Reid signaled for the Bailey army to stop and approached Colonel Melvin Slater: “Stand down, as promised—these are all of them!” In a dramatic twist of fate, the Bailey soldiers then relinquished custody of Hikaru and his fellow prisoners to the awaiting Cathunter Army.

Colonel Melvin Slater's Response: "Understood, Colonel Reid. We will honor the agreement. Let's hope this temporary ceasefire lasts."

Hikaru and his fellow prisoners were then escorted to the Cathunter detaining facility inside the Cathunter Aran Outpost by the enemy's soldiers.

On the way there, Hikaru thought to himself: ‘What in the world is going on? Why aren't we being prosecuted in Bailey, but instead handed over to the Elvira military? I can't believe Bailey handed their citizens over to the enemy. It's like Bailey's selling us out to the enemy! If it weren't for this damn leash, chaining us together like some twisted net, I'd have escaped ages ago. I need an escape plan!’

Inside the Cathunter detaining facility, the guards systematically unbound groups of prisoners, instructing five individuals at a time to strip down and change into their prison uniforms. After changing their clothes, the prisoners were escorted into the basement. This procedure was implemented by the guards to prevent the prisoners from banding together and rebelling against them.

Hikaru pondered while waiting for his turn: ‘There is an opening in the fort wall. I should seize this opportunity and escape through it when the guards release my restraints. The prisoners are probably detained in the basement, which will make it harder for me to escape later.'

After the second group was escorted to the basement, Hikaru found himself next in line, being part of the third group. The guard began to unbind his restraints along with the other four prisoners in his group.

Hikaru then sprang into action, dashing towards the opening and leaping through it with adrenaline-fueled agility, evading the guards who were hot on his heels. He then activated [Phoenix Wings] and soared swiftly towards the jungle, evading a relentless barrage of arrows raining down upon him. Colonel Slater noticed the disturbance and saw Hikaru fly toward the jungle. Levitating towards Hikaru, he unleashed a barrage of icicle spells. However, realizing that Hikaru was already out of range, he descended to the ground and ceased his attacks. Colonel Slater then ordered some of his subordinates to chase after Hikaru, knowing that he would land at some point.

Colonel Slater mused to himself: 'How intriguing. According to the report I read, this person named Hikaru was merely a military trainee, yet somehow he possesses fiery fowl bloodline. Is this fugitive, Kaito Fujimoto, researching implants?'

Hikaru glanced over his shoulder and saw three squads of Cathunter soldiers were chasing after him. In an attempt to shake them off, he flew higher and crossed over a rugged hill covered in dense vegetation. Three hours later, Hikaru slowed down his pace as he realized he had successfully evaded his pursuers. As he scanned his surroundings, his eyes fell upon an abandoned dilapidated wooden shack near a river. After descending to the ground, Hikaru quenched his thirst with the cool river water before seeking refuge in the rustic shelter of the wooden shack.