Chapter 298: Canard Pars
Although the continuous beam attack lasted for quite a while, under the combined protection of the Ahab Nanolaminate Armor and layered armor, the Huayan still didn't suffer the slightest bit of damage. The surface of the hull only reddened faintly before the color faded away.
Just as the Hyperion Gundam's attack ended, Tolle piloted his Wing Zero White Snow Prelude out of the Huayan.
"So? Are you coming or not? Or do you want to have a duel between Gundams?"
Canard stared at the angelic Wing Zero White Snow Prelude—especially the two Buster Rifles it held in its hands—and grew even more furious.
"A Gundam…! I didn't expect to run into a Gundam out here! You're a Gundam pilot too! Then you must know where Kira Yamato is! Tell me now or I'll kill you!"
"What if he's in hell? Would you go looking for him there too? Want me to send you along to find out?"
"You bastard, all talk and no skill! And you've made your Gundam look so flashy and useless! I'll teach you a lesson!"
Canard immediately raised the Hyperion's beam machine gun and fired at the White Snow Prelude's chest.
Tolle didn't dodge at all—he simply lifted his movable angelic wings in front of him.
The dense beams landed on the wings like a light drizzle falling on an umbrella—completely ineffective.
"Damn it—another one with anti-beam armor."
Then Canard flipped up the Hyperion's backpack weapon and fired the Bragging Beam Cannons in a continuous green beam.
This time, Tolle maneuvered the White Snow Prelude to dodge. Even though Ahab nanolaminate armor could resist beam fire, long-term sustained attacks would still damage the nano-coating.
To protect his precious movable wings, evasive maneuvers were the wise choice.
After a few quick dodges and high-speed bursts, Tolle circled behind the Hyperion.
He delivered a side kick to its back, sending it flying and interrupting its beam cannon attack.
Refusing to accept defeat, Canard steadied his machine and activated the beam bayonet on the machine gun, then charged at the White Snow Prelude.
Tolle still didn't dodge. Instead, he deployed six pseudo–Dwarf Star Funnels from the movable wings.
From six different angles, they all began assaulting the Hyperion at once.
Canard struggled to evade the continuous attacks. Whenever he tried to target one funnel to destroy it, the other five would immediately increase pressure and cut off his attack route.
Even switching back to the beam machine gun did nothing. His beam attacks hit the funnels without causing any visible reaction.
Forced into constant defense, Canard couldn't attack at all.
Watching Canard flail helplessly, Tolle continued to mock him from the cockpit. "Told you you weren't up to it, but you just wouldn't listen. Looks like this naughty kid needs a proper lesson."
"You bastard! If you've got the guts, let me activate Hyperion's photon shield! Then we'll see if you can still act tough!"
"Fine. I'll give you that chance." Tolle recalled the nearly-depleted funnels to recharge.
Honestly, even if Canard hadn't said anything, the funnels would've needed to be recovered anyway. This was a perfect opportunity to grind down his arrogance.
After all, Canard was a product of the Ultimate Coordinator project. Tolle would love to tame him into becoming a subordinate—someone who could fight for him.
But it wasn't time yet. Canard was still too arrogant. Maybe he'd only wake up after young Prayer died saving him.
While Tolle recalled the funnels, Canard quickly activated the Hyperion's photon shield.
Then he started taunting, shouting, "Hahahaha, you idiot! Giving the enemy time to set up their defenses?
Now I'll give you back every word you said—come on, attack if you can! Hit me! Come on, try it!"
"Sigh… such an idiot. Fine, I'll grant your wish."
Tolle raised one of the Buster Rifles and fired at the edge of the Hyperion's photon shield.
A thick yellow beam pierced straight through the shield instantly.
But once the attack ended, the photon shield restored its full coverage.
Canard broke out in a cold sweat. "No way—impossible. That must've been an illusion. Yes, definitely an illusion."
"If you think it's an illusion, I'll try again."
Tolle raised the Buster Rifle in his left hand and fired at the opposite edge of the photon shield.
Again, the beam pierced through effortlessly.
Canard immediately sensed danger and withdrew the photon shield, turning to flee.
"You try running again and I'll turn you into cosmic dust!"
Another destructive beam grazed the Hyperion as a warning.
Canard had no choice but to stop, turn around, and ask, "What do you want?"
"I don't want anything. I'm just doing what you did—robbery.
Get out of your Gundam and surrender obediently. Do that, and I'll spare your life.
Otherwise, I'll destroy both you and your Gundam. Understand?"
"Damn you…" Canard had no choice. He stepped out of the cockpit, raised his hands, and said, "I surrender. Please keep your word."
"Smart. A wise choice." Tolle combined the two Buster Rifles into a double-barrel cannon, then grabbed Canard and brought both him and the Hyperion back to the Huayan.
Canard felt utterly humiliated as he looked at the merged double-barrel Buster Rifle. The destructive power it would have unleashed during that last attack… he could hardly imagine it.
So the truth was clear—Tolle had never been serious from the beginning. He had been toying with him the whole time.