About Talula Taking Me In and Adopting Me

Orson stood there with a face full of question marks as he asked the Abyssal Hunters beside him.

"The mission was a great success, but a certain completely unromantic idiot was a total failure."

"?"

Watching this guy who had absolutely no idea what was going on, the Abyssal Hunters could only shake their heads.

"Big Sis must've been blind..." "What a waste, brothers, we didn't even get a chance to assist." "Orson's a decent guy, but his brain really doesn't work..."

The Abyssal Hunters left with sighs and shakes of their heads, leaving behind Orson, who felt like he had somehow just been insulted for no reason.

Still utterly bewildered, Orson later found Patriot, who was resting nearby.

The settlement they were currently in had become completely different from its original state. Though it was much smaller in scale, its facilities had become far more complete. It was no longer something that could be compared to a village.

Many of the infected warriors from before had voluntarily—or been talked into—going to various villages to improve the infected's reputation while building a network. These people were called "Fire Keepers," a name coined by Orson. As a result, the settlement itself had fewer people now and resembled more of a command base.

"Senior Patriot, Chuanbei Pipa Gao!"

"...?"

Orson handed Patriot a small bottle, and Patriot actually tilted his head slightly in rare confusion.

"A Yan Country specialty. Great for your throat. Even Messi said it was good after taking it."

Hearing Orson's cryptic explanation, Patriot became even more confused. Still, he knew Orson bore no ill will, so he figured he could try it sometime.

—And that was the origin of Patriot regularly posting electronic garbage like "Ten Taboos of Yan Country Traditional Medicine Health Care," "Fifty Little Facts," and "Thirty Rules" in his social circle from then on.

After handing out gifts all around, everyone began this meeting of the Reunion leadership.

"The mine liberation operation went smoothly. Since some people in the nearby villages had family members in that mine, we received the villages' protection and support."

FrostNova's operation to liberate the infected in the mine had gone very smoothly, but Orson found it even stranger that she was so angry.

"The Guerrilla Force is currently the only hidden unit within Reunion that directly confronts the Enforcement Team. Fortunately, more people have joined than expected. Many have joined because they lost family to the Enforcement Team, or because they seek certain ideals and justice. Orson, the Shield Guards, and I occasionally organize tactical combat training for them. We have far more fresh blood than at the beginning."

Patriot was very satisfied with the Guerrilla Force's current growth. After all, he was a general, and he enjoyed discovering outstanding warriors and bringing them into the ranks.

"Most village residents are highly accepting of underage infected. Many older people are willing to adopt children, even infected children. This is important for changing the next generation's prejudice toward the infected, but the premise is... those children must live long enough to have a next generation of their own."

Alina spoke of her recent goal. It sounded full of hope, but the most fundamental issue was brutally realistic.

After hearing everyone's reports, Talula frowned and stared at the map before her, which was already covered in markers.

"At present, we've resolved more than half the problems in the North. Our next main goal is to give Reunion a more legitimate identity. Having the Guerrilla Force constantly meet the Enforcement Team head-on and passively evade them isn't a long-term solution. And only with a legitimate identity can we possibly connect with medical institutions researching Oripathy."

Talula spoke while staring at the map.

A legitimate identity, treatment for the infected...

"Ah."

Orson suddenly thought of something, and everyone turned their eyes toward him.

They were all curious about what this boy, whose research into Originium Arts had advanced by leaps and bounds within just a year and who had already become one of the North's bizarre legends as The Silence of the North, was about to say.

"We'll have to make contact with Ursus cities sooner or later. In that case, I have a pretty good target in mind—"

Orson pointed at a small section on the map.

Mobile City-State Chernobog

After the Rainy Season Came the Season of White Album Again

Chernobyl was a mobile city-state located on the edge of Ursus territory, relatively close to Lungmen, a mobile city-state under Yan Country.

Among the many cities of Ursus, Chernobyl ranked fairly high as a livable city-state. It had not been affected by the previous rebellions and internal conflicts, and had remained stable until now.

But in Orson's memories, Chernobyl was one of the main stages of Arknights Chapters 1 through 7. PS: Orson had transmigrated before Chapter 8 appeared. This city had also suffered a devastating blow.

And then... nothing.

Orson had long since forgotten the specific details about Chernobyl after nearly two years of life on the tundra, but he was certain that if Reunion wanted to infiltrate southward and seek medical supplies and assistance, Chernobyl was still the best choice.

After all, there was a ruthless person buried in Chernobyl who could cook instant noodles with her mouth. Maybe they could use that clue to get in touch with Rhodes Island.

And if he remembered correctly, Chernobyl also had a veterinary hospital, where an old man in leather pants was especially good at fighting.

And there was Matoi Ryuko... no, Oni Seija... no, there was also General Winter and her harem.

Of course, all of this was merely Orson's speculation based on his fragmented memories. The actual situation was unknown now.

After the meeting ended, everyone temporarily shelved the issue of advancing on Chernobyl. They would rest first while considering whether there were any better options.

With some free time, Orson found Alina. She was currently using her left hand to record the contents of today's meeting.

"Commissar, got a moment?"

"If you call me that, I'll encourage Ino to launch a twenty-four-hour high-intensity offensive against you next time, you know?"

"My deepest apologies, Miss Alina. Please forgive one as insignificant as me."

After a brief exchange of fire, Orson was utterly destroyed by Alina.

"So, what is it, Orson?"

After joking around, Alina set down her pen for the moment, stood up, and looked at Orson.

"I just wanted to make sure there's nothing wrong with your Soul Score. Also, Chernobyl might have some good Prosthetic Limbs for sale, so I was wondering if we should prepare for a replacement in advance—"

"You don't need to do these things specifically for me, Orson."

Alina smiled and interrupted him. She extended both arms before her, revealing her pale, slender limbs in full. Only her right wrist disappeared with startling abruptness.

"I'm not dissatisfied with my current situation. Don't dwell on what you've lost. Cherish what you've gained instead."

"Alina..."

Orson fell silent. On one hand, this little deer was simply too gentle, like a lily blooming in the wasteland.

On the other hand, the last one-armed hero who had said something like that was nearly being possessed by the arm that had been stitched onto him... but that guy didn't care!

"Um... Alina, aren't you angry?"

Orson asked Alina awkwardly, and she tilted her head in confusion.

"Angry?"

"Yeah. Because of my influence, Sister Talula changed the way she had always acted in the past. And what we're doing now... don't you think it's a little too... utilitarian?"

Orson was genuinely worried that he might actually be the culprit who would make Talula eventually drive Chernobyl into Lungmen. After all, Sister Talu was getting more and more skilled at acting like that Black Snake from the original story.

Upon hearing Orson's concern, Alina sighed and smiled.

"Idealists, martyrs, realists—I don't really care which path Talula ultimately chooses. I know our enemy is this land itself, but changing the world was never my goal. Because... I only wanted to stay beside that girl who was so strong that it made my heart ache."

Alina spoke slowly, then suddenly thought of something.

"Ah—sorry. Was that way of putting it a little too selfish?"

"No, I'm actually the same. I can't really tell the difference between all the things Sister Talula says. I just worry about her being alone, so I've always stayed by her side."

Orson honestly admitted that he followed Talula for the simple reason that he worried about this young Sankta.

There were many things the two had never been able to chat about before for various reasons. But when Orson spoke with Alina alone like this today, they both suddenly realized—

So you're a Talula fan too!

With a slap, Orson and Alina clasped each other's hands tightly. You snuggle Talula, I snuggle Talula. Rounding things up, that makes us siblings from different parents! Orson had realized that he seemed younger than all these girls who looked so young, especially since FrostNova and Talula could say they were "pushing thirty" in another two years.

"I'll be going now, Alina."

After speaking with the commissar, Orson's revolutionary spirit had become much firmer. He waved contentedly and left the room.

"Mm. Please do your best, within the bounds of taking care of your health."

Alina also smiled and waved goodbye to Orson.

After Orson left the room, Alina looked at the palm of her left hand. It still retained the warmth from Orson's hand.

"..."

A familiar touch, a touch that made her feel at ease.

After chatting with Alina, Orson went looking for FrostNova again. Having been beaten up for no apparent reason earlier, he was very concerned about whether this rabbit had encountered some thorny problem.

"..."

After finding FrostNova, the Casters girl, who was currently maintaining her Originium crystal equipment, looked at Orson with an expression that said, "How old are you?"

"Um, Snow Rabbit, about what happened earlier—did you really not run into any problems during the mission?"

"Nothing at all. I already said it. The mission went very smoothly, more smoothly than any previous one."

"Then... did you gain weight?"

Orson asked tentatively, and then got to taste a snowball turned into ice.

"If you came here to fight, then I'll accompany you to the bitter end...!"

Orson had almost made FrostNova activate Winter Scar Mode on the spot.

"Forget it, forget it... pretend I never asked, okay?"

Unable to understand a woman's heart, Orson waved his hand and said he would stop asking.

"Anyway, take me along next time you go on a mission. Those mines will more or less receive news from the Abyssal Hunters, and their defenses will only grow stronger in the future. My abilities can help."

Orson was somewhat worried about FrostNova. She had often returned to the settlement covered in injuries. This rabbit the snow monsters called "Big Sis" actually cared even less for herself than she appeared to.

"No need. Orson, you have more important tasks, like serving as Talula's guard—"

At the mention of Talula, FrostNova became a little unhappy again, but there was nothing to be done about it. Talula was Reunion's actual leader, so protecting her was only natural.

"Saving the infected is important too. What Sister Talu does and what you do are both indispensable to this continent. She strengthens the hope of those snowland residents in one way, while you personally bring hope to infected people trapped in the mire. At least to me, Snow Rabbit, what you do is just as important."

"...Hah. So you can say pretty things like that too. Is it because you've spent too much time around Alina?"

FrostNova sighed at Orson's words, which did not contain even the slightest pretense.

"Fine, I understand. If you're free for the next operation, I'll ask for your help. After all, having the power of The Silence of the North will indeed make the mission much easier."

At the mention of The Silence of the North, FrostNova hesitated and frowned. Then she looked at Orson and added:

"Speaking of The Silence of the North... do you remember where that name came from?"

"Because I like snoring when I sleep?"

"Of course not! How could a terrifying legend that echoes across the Northern Plains have such an origin? And when you sleep—cough, cough, cough! Anyway, that's all for now. I didn't run into any problems, and I'm not angry!"

FrostNova coughed and left immediately, ending their conversation.

"?"

Orson rubbed his hair as he left, lamenting how hard girls were to understand.

Meanwhile, FrostNova, who had nearly blurted something out, crouched in a corner with a red face.

The Silence of the North—this title had spread from the mouths of several Ursus soldiers who had survived by sheer luck.

And those who had spread the title were eventually hunted down and killed by The Silence of the North anyway. None were spared.

They had originally been the security force responsible for managing a mine. That mine had been FrostNova's first serious defeat after becoming part of the resistance.

They had failed to save the infected, five Abyssal Hunters had died, and FrostNova herself had nearly perished in that sunless mine shaft.

The one who had saved her from there was Orson.

Two Imperial Strata, more than fifty regular soldiers from the Fourth Army Group, heavy armored troops, lines of crossbowmen, caster squads—

He earned the title The Silence of the North in that desperate battle later known as the Silence Campaign. In exchange, Orson's vocal cords were completely ruined, leaving him only able to rely on the vibrations of Originium Arts to produce sound from then on.

After that mission, Orson had not changed at all, and the people around him rarely noticed anything unusual.

But FrostNova had noticed it very clearly. When he spoke, he merely formed the words with his lips. After that, he silently began wearing high-collared clothing that covered his throat.

But what FrostNova found most unbearable was...

"~~~Su Yunjin, how are you going to repay what you owe me here~~~"

Orson's strange electronic voice drifted over from afar. After discovering that he could use Originium Arts to control sound and even create electronic voice effects, this guy had somehow become four times more annoying.