Chapter 32

Haruka walks alongside Perdita as they exit the room, his expression one of quiet concern. Green Arrow approaches them, his eyes scanning Perdita's face.

"How are you feeling?" the seasoned hero asks, his voice tinged with a fatherly concern.

Perdita offers him a small, grateful smile. "I'm doing better, thank you." She glances over at Haruka, her eyes conveying her appreciation for his comforting presence.

Haruka nods, his gaze meeting Green Arrow's. "She was quite distressed earlier," he explains, "but I think the rest has done her some good."

Green Arrow's lips curve into a slight smile. "I'm glad to hear it." He turns his attention to Perdita. "We'll make sure you're well-protected during the diplomatic meeting. You have my word."

Perdita's shoulders relax, some of the tension leaving her frame. "I'm grateful for your assistance, Green Arrow. And for yours as well, Kamen Rider." She looks between the two heroes, her expression sincere.

Green Arrow, however, raises one problem. "Many assassins will be disguised and difficult to identify," he says, his brow furrowing. "We can't have our eyes everywhere searching for enemies. We can only wait until the assassins make their move to attack Perdita, which is risky."

Haruka nods thoughtfully, considering the dilemma. "I may have an idea," he says, stepping forward. "My allies can assist in this mission."

Green Arrow raises an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Allies?"

Haruka gestures to his side, and suddenly, three small robotic creatures materialize. "These are Candroids - specialized machines that helped me scout large areas." He turns to the Takacandroid, the red-and-silver bird-like droid. "Takacandroid, can you show them your abilities?"

The Takacandroid lets out a mechanical chirp and takes to the air, its sleek wings gliding effortlessly. "This one can scout the area, providing us with aerial reconnaissance," Haruka explains. "It has excellent eyesight and can relay information back to us."

Next, he introduces the Battacandroid, a green grasshopper-inspired robot. "The Battacandroid can infiltrate the meeting, moving quickly and quietly to detect any suspicious activity." The Battacandroid demonstrates its agility, leaping across the room with ease.

Finally, Haruka presents the Takocandroid, a purple octopus-like machine. "The Takocandroid can cling to surfaces and blend in, acting as an early warning system. It can also provide support if needed."

Green Arrow and Perdita watch in fascination as the Candroids perform their respective tasks, their capabilities clearly impressing the seasoned hero.

Green Arrow studied the Candroids with a critical eye, impressed by their capabilities. "These little guys are perfect," he mused, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Small, autonomous, and less likely to draw attention. Exactly what we need for this mission."

Speedy, standing beside him, eyed the Candroids with a mix of curiosity and envy. "Did you make these yourself?" she asked, directing the question at Haruka.

Haruka felt a twinge of unease at the question, knowing he couldn't reveal the full truth. "Uh, yeah, I did," he replied, trying to sound casual. Inwardly, he thought, I can't say I just bought them from the system shop.

Green Arrow nodded approvingly. "Well, they're quite remarkable. We'd be crazy not to use them." He turned to the young queen, who had been observing the display with fascination.

Green Arrow turned to the young queen, who had been observing the display with fascination. "We'll need to prepare to escort you to the diplomatic meeting. Let me see if I can connect our equipment to the Candroids' cameras - that way, we can monitor the situation from multiple angles."

Haruka watched as Green Arrow began examining the Candroids, carefully integrating their systems with the Arrowcave's computer.

Haruka feels ready to protect Perdita, and he cannot allow himself to fail. The Candroids' capabilities have bolstered his confidence, and he is determined to ensure Perdita's safety during the diplomatic meeting. Glancing at the queen, Haruka's expression hardens with resolve.

…

Perdita's sleek, black limousine pulled up to the grand entrance of the Mayor's building in Star City. The imposing structure stood tall, its classical architecture a testament to the city's storied history. As the vehicle came to a stop, the doors opened, and Perdita emerged, her regal bearing commanding attention.

Haruka, clad in the Kamen Rider The First armor, stepped forward to hold the door open for the young queen. The silver-green suit gleamed in the afternoon sunlight, its sharp lines and angular design exuding a sense of power and protection.

Perdita gracefully stepped out of the limousine, her gaze sweeping across the gathered officials. The Mayor, a distinguished-looking man in a tailored suit, approached her with a warm smile.

"Queen Perdita, it is an honor to welcome you to Star City," the Mayor said, extending his hand.

Perdita accepted the gesture, her own expression serene. "Thank you, Mayor. I'm grateful for your hospitality."

The Mayor's gaze then shifted to Haruka, his brow furrowing slightly. "And who might this be?" he asked, his tone curious.

Perdita turned to Haruka, a small smile playing on her lips. "This is my personal bodyguard, Kamen Rider," she introduced, her voice carrying a hint of pride.

Haruka remained silent, his posture rigid and alert, his gaze scanning the area for any potential threats. The Mayor regarded the armored figure with a mixture of intrigue and caution.

"Kamen Rider, huh?" the Mayor mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Well, I'm glad to have such a formidable protector for our esteemed guest."

Perdita nodded, her eyes briefly meeting Haruka's through the visor of his helmet. "I feel safer with him by my side," she admitted, her tone sincere.

The Mayor gestured towards the building's entrance. "Shall we?" he said, leading the way.

Perdita fell into step beside the Mayor, her regal bearing commanding respect from the gathered officials. Haruka followed closely, his gaze sweeping the area, alert for any potential threats.

As they approached the entrance, the grand doors swung open, revealing a lavishly decorated lobby. Marble floors, sparkling chandeliers, and polished wood paneling created an atmosphere of elegance and power.

The Mayor guided Perdita and Haruka through the lobby, nodding to the various government officials who had gathered to greet the young queen. Perdita acknowledged them with graceful nods and gentle smiles, her composure never wavering.

Haruka's eyes narrowed as he scanned the faces of the attendees, his enhanced senses on high alert. The Candroids, hidden from view, relayed a steady stream of information to his HUD, providing him with a comprehensive overview of the surroundings.

As they approached the meeting room, the Mayor turned to Perdita, a reassuring smile on his face. "The others are waiting for you inside. Please, make yourself comfortable."

Perdita inclined her head in acknowledgment, and with a final glance at Haruka, she followed the Mayor through the ornate doors, leaving the Kamen Rider to stand guard outside.

Haruka tapped his earpiece, establishing a secure communication link with Green Arrow and Speedy. "Perdita is already inside the meeting with the mayor," he reported, his voice calm and steady.

"Understood," Green Arrow's voice crackled through the line. "Speedy and I are monitoring the situation from our vantage point. So far, we haven't detected any suspicious movement."

Haruka's gaze swept the lobby, his enhanced senses heightened as he scanned for any potential threats. "Copy that. I'll keep a close eye on things from out here," he replied, his fingers tightening slightly around the Shotriser holstered at his side.

Speedy's voice chimed in, his tone laced with a hint of concern. "Be ready, Kamen Rider. We can't be sure if the assassins have given up their pursuit."

Haruka nodded, even though his teammates couldn't see the gesture. "I'll be on high alert," he assured them, his focus unwavering.

The Candroids, stationed discreetly throughout the lobby, relayed a constant stream of information to Haruka's HUD, allowing him to maintain a comprehensive understanding of the situation. So far, the attendees appeared to be engaged in cordial conversation, their body language relaxed and their expressions neutral.

Haruka's gaze shifted towards the ornate doors leading to the meeting room, his senses attuned to any subtle changes in the environment. The weight of his responsibility to protect Perdita weighed heavily on his mind, but he was determined to fulfill his duty to the best of his abilities.

As the minutes ticked by, Haruka remained steadfast in his vigil, his eyes scanning the area for any sign of trouble. The Candroids continued to report no unusual activity, and Green Arrow and Speedy confirmed the same from their vantage point.

Haruka took a deep breath, his posture unwavering. He knew that the calm before the storm could be deceptive, and he was prepared to spring into action at a moment's notice to ensure Perdita's safety.

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