The Queen Who Fights Back (by Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 169

Chapter 169

Columbus was completely floored.

He never imagined he’d run into Nova here–the War Queen who once ruled the battlefield.

He felt the urge to burst out laughing at the heavens, but he gritted his teeth and suppressed it.

At this moment, Columbus looked absolutely deranged.

“Hey, punk, stay the hell away from Nova–and keep your grubby spit off her!” Yellowcat shot back.

Yellowcat bent down, stuck out his right index finger, and poked Columbus on the forehead.

That single, unremarkable finger somehow kept Columbus’s massive body totally at bay.

He didn’t let Columbus so much as brush up against Nova.

Nova and Yellowcat never let their guard down.

Before heading out to the Battle of Mula, Yellowcat had already done his homework on everything going down there.

On the way, Yellowcat even gave Nova a heads–up that Columbus was about to show up, too.

So when Columbus actually appeared, they weren’t the least bit surprised.

“Alright, alright, my dear goddess, it’s my fault! Sorry, sorry!” Columbus said, laying it thick with mock humility.

He sprang up so fast, you’d think he was an over–trained puppy trying to please.

He gave a sly chuckle, and when he finally clocked Yellowcat standing guard by Nova, he lit up like he’d found a fellow troublemaker. “Well, look who it is! Didn’t expect to see you here, Kitty!”

“Who are you calling Kitty? Looking to get dropkicked?” Yellowcat shot back.

With two quick steps, Yellowcat launched herself in a flying kick.

The kick landed hard and true, like getting smashed by a steel door right in the chest.

Lucky for him, Columbus wasn’t some weakling. He threw up an X with his forearms, braced himself, and stumbled back a couple steps–but didn’t go down.

To Nova, their wild sparring was just how old friends greeted each other.

But to the students–Mavis, Eric, and Vivian–they looked as if they’d just seen a ghost, wide–eyed and frozen in place.

Of course.

What really made them feel like they’d seen a ghost was when Columbus called Nova “dear goddess“-with that half- mocking, half–worship tone.

And then he flat–out declared that, with Nova here, this crazy–hard 5S–level mission was going to be a joke. Like they were just messing around and playing house!

Could it really be that easy to win… just like that?!‘ the students thought, almost in disbelief.

“This is a 5S–level mission! We’re not just playing pretend here!” Eric couldn’t help blurting out.

Someone in the crowd couldn’t help but speak up.

For a split second, the air went dead silent.

Even Mavis, usually so composed, couldn’t hide her shock–her lips parted slightly as she stared.

Columbus was an elite warrior, so when someone like him spoke up, his words naturally carried some weight.

Setting aside the question of when Nova ever got acquainted with a top–tier fighter like Columbus…

What on earth had Nova done to make a guy like that think this 5S–level mission was no big deal?

‘A 5S–level mission, just playing house?‘ the students all stared in disbelief.

‘Anyone could tell–that’s just impossible!‘ ran the thought through everyone’s mind.

“That’s impossible!

“If even Mavis and Eric can’t pull it off, how could you possibly…” Vivian stammered, her voice trembling with disbelief.

She stared at Nova, her eyes wide with shock, barely able to get the words out.

She still seemed lost, not quite comprehending the situation.

By contrast, Columbus’s crew just opened their mouths in slight surprise and gave their yellow mustaches a little twitch- nothing more. Compared to the panicked college kids, these guys looked like they had everything under control.

One of the guys, his wild hair a tangled mess that hadn’t seen a wash in ages–and with flecks of dried blood right at the ends–walked straight up to Nova, eyes narrowing skeptically at Columbus.

“Columbus, you’re not pulling one of your usual pranks on us, are you?” he asked.

Columbus dabbed at the sweat on his brow and grinned. “Oh, I’ve got the guts to pull your legs, sure–but when it comes to my dear goddess? No way, man. I’m not that desperate to die young!”

“That’s real business with her–messing around is a death wish, he thought, keeping that part to himself.

“Hey, my goddess, where’s your War King’s Medal? Why not pull it out and let these guys see for themselves?”

“Listen, I’m not joking around here–Columbus never bluffs when it comes to this!” he declared, planting his feet square and looking every bit serious.

Proud and confident, Columbus straightened his back, radiating the imposing presence of a true warrior.

The War King’s Medal wasn’t just some shiny badge–it was the ultimate sign of who really ran the battlefield.

All over the world, fewer than ten people had ever earned one, and each of them was the undisputed ruler whenever they stepped onto the front lines.

Like this time–Brandon from the Orian side, a true legend, was squaring off against Nova and her Uria side crew.

Columbus and his team were practically scared stiff just thinking about Brandon–because he was one of those rare monsters who actually held a War King’s Medal.

“The War King’s Medal!”

No one needed an explanation–everyone here knew exactly what that medal meant.

At Columbus’s hint, all eyes snapped to Nova.

But here’s the real kicker–the War King’s Medal isn’t just for show.

On the battlefield, if you whipped that medal out, even the top general had to back down and let you call the shots, no

arguments.

Everyone was on edge, watching and waiting.

Waiting to see how things would really play out.

Nova just kept standing there, taking her sweet time–almost like she was ignoring everyone on purpose.

“My Goddess? What are you waiting for? Don’t keep us hanging!” Columbus piped up, raising his voice playfully.

He waggled his eyebrows at her, shooting her a quick, sly signal to hurry her along.

Finally.

Nova gave her answer.

“Lost it,” she replied flatly.

She wasn’t lying.

Before she wound up in Devil’s Isle, Nova got betrayed–someone gave up her location, and the international police went crazy hunting her down.

To avoid getting locked up, she had no choice but to ditch the medal.

She dumped that War King’s Medal–the one thing that proved she ruled the battlefield–in a safe place and bailed.

To this day, she still hasn’t gotten it back.

Because after Nova managed to escape Devil’s Isle, Ray Hale sent his people to lock down that place tight–like it was Fort Knox. No matter what, she couldn’t get anywhere near it.

“What? You lost it?” Columbus shouted, his eyes bulging like cannonballs.

He looked so stunned, his eyeballs nearly popped out of his head.

Vivian couldn’t help it–she let out a loud “Pfft!”

“I was seriously buying all your hype, but now you tell me the most important thing–the medal–is actually gone? For real?”

“Is she just some actress you hired for the part?”

“You probably promised her a big payday to play along with this entire charade, didn’t you?” Vivian shot back, her words laced with mockery.

She’d been anxious as hell a moment ago, but now all she wanted was to just crack up and laugh out loud.

Mavis and Eric traded glances–though it was Mavis whose icy stare really said it all.

Unlike Vivian and her constant foolishness, Mavis never bothered herself over her little sister. Honestly, Vivian had always been a wannabe rebel, with zero discipline and even less ambition.

They might’ve both come from a legendary line of warriors, but Vivian? She never once acted like she belonged.

Mavis was born with an iron spine; the kind of pride that made her cold, precise, and never anything but put–together.

Chapter 169

The only ones she looked down on were arrogant, clueless weaklings. But real strength? That always got her respect.

Right then, Mavis’s brows furrowed hard–she was visibly shaken.

Something about Nova….

…radiated that unnerving composure only the real powerhouses ever had.

So Mavis just stayed silent, unable to say another word.

For Columbus’s crew, Nova not having the War King’s Medal was exactly what they expected–they didn’t even bat an eye.

The guy with the wild, grimy hair–looked like it hadn’t been washed in at least a month–was called Bulruce.

He strolled over and clapped Columbus on the shoulder. “Next time when something comes up, don’t lose your cool so fast.”

“Pick your weapons and get ready–battle’s not over yet!”

He didn’t bring up Nova at all.

Obviously, that was all too clear.

To them, only the War King’s Medal mattered.

Out on the battlefield, those so–called brave warriors never gave women a second glance.

As far as the muscle–bound men were concerned, women were just another trophy to be bagged after the fight was won.

After Bulruce gave him a quick pat on the shoulder, Columbus just stood there with his head hanging, fumbling for an excuse but couldn’t even get the words out.

“BOOM!”

In an instant.

A deafening explosion tore through the air–so much louder than anything before that all those earlier quake–like blasts seemed trivial by comparison. The shockwave shook the whole place, echoing everywhere.

The explosion was intense–the shock rocked the armory so hard that every rifle, pistol, and submachine gun rattled dangerously on the racks…

…and then, just like that, crashed to the floor in a clattering mess.

The blast sent everyone reeling, barely able to stay upright as the whole place trembled beneath them.

“Wh–What just happened?” someone blurted out, panic clear in their trembling voice.

Cold sweat popped up on foreheads all around.

Just then, a guy burst through the door, his desperate screams ringing out like the omen of utter defeat–each word sent a wave of panic crashing through the room.

“Brandon, the Orian side’s legendary champion, has us surrounded! They’re breaking through!

“Our squad’s about to be crushed!

“We’re all about to get captured! The frontline commander already ditched us! Everybody, get out while you still can!”