Chapter 100

Rosemary, perched on Shirou's back, couldn't do anything, and the surrounding gazes were rather glaring, so she pulled up the hood of her coat and asked Shirou.

When Rosemary spoke, Shirou could clearly feel her breath being blown into his ear.

It's a little itchy, but still within an acceptable range.

"Hmm, you understand... Rosemary, you're so smart."

Shirou himself is not afraid of infected people, so he doesn't think it's a big deal if people find out that he has Oripathy drugs.

He didn't care about the stares of strangers. If they kept their distance from him out of concern that he was infected, that would suit him just fine.

He originally wanted to say that Rosemary knew at a glance that it was a medicine for Oripathy, and wanted to praise her for being very knowledgeable.

But then I thought about it again, and it seems that Rosemary must be someone who frequently uses medicine for Oripathy, which is why she knows so much about it.

So Shirou quickly changed his tune.

"I use it often, so I know it."

Rosemary didn't care about these things at all. After all, most of the people she knew were using blockers, so she didn't think it was anything shameful to talk about.

"..."

Compared to Rosemary's straightforwardness, Shirou's side is much more conflicted.

He didn't dare linger on the topic, worried that he might say something inappropriate and hurt someone's feelings.

"Ahem... Tell me about Rhodes Island, I'm quite curious."

After thinking it over, Shirou decided to start with Rhodes Island.

The main issue is that we've heard too much about the dark history of big black cats, so it's time for a change.

"Rhodes Island? Let me think..."

Upon hearing that Shirou was interested in Rhodes Island, Rosemary tried hard to recall anything about Rhodes Island.

"Rhodes Island is a pharmaceutical company with many people researching Oripathy. Dr. Kal'tsit is the leader among them, and Amiya is the leader of Rhodes Island."

Rosemary pieced together what she could still remember and told Shirou.

It's not convenient to take out the terminal to check right now, otherwise she could definitely explain it more clearly.

"A leader? And what about you?"

Shirou was also curious about Amiya, since Rosemary had been confusing his name with hers.

However, since the person he was talking to was Rosemary, Shirou tried his best to steer the conversation towards Rosemary.

"I am Elite Operator of Rhodes Island, mainly responsible for handling some difficult tasks. Blaze is also Elite Operator."

Rosemary thought for a moment and then said.

"Huh? Isn't Rhodes Island a pharmaceutical company? How did this bring up operators?"

Shirou stopped and uttered a soul-searching question.

I just learned from Rosemary that Rhodes Island is a pharmaceutical company, and many people there are working on the problem of Oripathy.

Then now Rosemary suddenly says she's Elite Operator of Rhodes Island, and even Blaze, whom they're looking for, is one.

The art style changed a bit too quickly, Shirou didn't react for a moment.

"It is a pharmaceutical company, but some problems need to be solved in other ways. Some of our operators are helping Rhodes Island with some work while receiving treatment."

Although she didn't know why Shirou was so excited, Rosemary still added a little something.

"Hmm... So the Rhodes Island operators are trading work for Oripathy treatment?"

After the explanation, Shirou roughly understood.

After all, it's a pharmaceutical company, and they're in charge of Oripathy.

Most of the patients are infected, meaning they are capable of using Originium Arts.

So it's perfectly reasonable for them to have armed forces, right?

...Even Shirou himself found this answer a little strange.

113 Rhodes Island uses and abuses child labor.

"Well, if you put it that way, that should be fine too."

Upon hearing Shirou say that Rhodes Island operators exchange work for opportunities to treat Oripathy, Rosemary nodded in agreement.

"It feels a bit fantastical... but I think I understand. What exactly do these Elite Operator do?"

It took Shirou ten seconds to accept the fact that Rhodes Island, the pharmaceutical company, had armed personnel.

After all, Penguin Logistics, where he worked, not only delivered goods but also handled intelligence, security, and armed support.

So this is perfectly normal, right?

"There are many things to do, but usually I work with other Elite Operator, and most of the time I deal with some rather large infected creatures."

Rosemary reflected on what she had done since becoming Elite Operator.

She remembered that it was mostly dealing with giant infected creatures, smashing hard targets in the way... basically all destructive missions.

"Dealing with giant infected organisms?"

Upon hearing Rosemary's words, Shirou frowned slightly.

The Ice-blasting Originium Crawler he dealt with in the Ursus Snowfield were the so-called infected creatures, and the so-called giant infected creatures were indeed huge, just like their name.

During the long delivery trips to and from the destination, Shirou used it as a telescope once or twice, and found it more oppressive than ordinary infected creatures.

Moreover, these giant infected creatures possess stronger abilities. Exusiai mentioned that if she really had to choose, she would rather charge into another wave of Ice-blasting Originium Crawler than confront a giant infected creature.

Even if she uses up all her Etched Ammunition, she might not be able to break through the defense.

It's worth noting that Exusiai is considered one of the main damage dealers in the Texas group, but she still has little chance against the giant infected creatures.

And is the Rosemary on his back mainly used for this purpose at Rhodes Island?

"Wouldn't this be considered employing child labor?"

Shirou now strongly suspects that Rhodes Island uses and abuses child labor.

"Hmm... I don't know? But I don't dislike this kind of life."

After hearing Shirou's words, Rosemary thought for a moment.

The main reason I became an operator was because I wanted to control my own power, which is why I was recommended and participated in operator training.

Then, without realizing it, I became an operator of Rhodes Island and a backbone of the Rhodes Island.

Most of the time, she carries out missions with other Elite Operator, and she is quite satisfied as long as she can help everyone on Rhodes Island.

Although some people feel that her condition is not suitable for serving as Elite Operator, Dr. Kal'tsit said that only after she becomes Elite Operator can she remember and become better.

So she is also working hard.

"Don't you hate it? Hmm... I know, just do what you want to do."

It was only then that Shirou realized that he was no longer in the place he was familiar with.

What he considers incorrect may be commonplace here.

Shirou himself has been asked many times why he always does these thankless and arduous tasks.

On the one hand, he felt guilty and felt he should do it; on the other hand, he felt happy when he saw the smile on the face of others after helping them.

"... Well, even if you're not good at it, as long as you try your best to do what you want to do, you'll definitely be rewarded."

Rosemary paused for a moment after hearing what Shirou said.

She felt like she'd heard those words somewhere before, but she couldn't remember who had said them to her.

This feeling is awful; it's like I've grasped something but haven't actually grasped anything.

"You're so sensible... I wish Exusiai and Croissant could be as sensible as you."

Seeing how sensible Rosemary was, Shirou realized that comparing Rosemary to the brat from Penguin Logistics was a mistake.

There's no point in comparing them; Rosemary's confusion stems from her personal circumstances.

As for Xiong Tianshi and the others, they simply wanted to do it, so they took action immediately.

However, Shirou was no longer afraid, since he had already grasped the weaknesses of the two. At most, it would just be a minor skirmish, which he could handle.

"Are you a friend of Shirou?"

Upon hearing two unfamiliar names, Rosemary asked.

She had just been talking to Shirou about her own things, so Rosemary felt she should also ask Shirou some questions to make it fair.

It's just that it's hard to get a terminal now, so how much she can remember depends entirely on herself.

"They are friends and colleagues at work."

Seeing that Rosemary had brought up a new topic, Shirou offered a brief explanation.

"Work? Shirou, what is your work?"

Rosemary asked curiously.

"It's a bit complicated, but the main job is probably as a housekeeper, and occasionally I'll be involved in some long-distance delivery tasks."

When it comes to his work, even Shirou doesn't know exactly what he does.

However, the most crucial task is still taking care of everyone at Penguin Logistics, and that's beyond question.

He didn't mention the Fuyuki Store, mainly because it wasn't appropriate to bring it up.

"... What is a housekeeper?"

A question mark appeared above the kitten's head.

"It's a job that involves taking care of people, like cooking, washing clothes, and cleaning."

Shirou patiently explained.

"I see... So what about long-distance deliveries? Shirou, you're also in charge of the messenger's work?"

One of her doubts was resolved, and Rosemary felt she had learned something new.

I don't know if it will work.

However, Shirou just mentioned that he occasionally participates in long-distance delivery missions, and the only profession that involves delivery is that of a messenger. So, Shirou's main profession is housekeeper, and being a messenger is just a side job?

Thinking about this, Rosemary felt that something was off, as if switching them would be the normal thing to do?

"I guess so. I work for Penguin Logistics. If you need Rosemary, you can ask Penguin Logistics to help deliver the mail."

Even Shirou himself wasn't entirely confident calling himself a messenger, considering he'd been with Penguin Logistics for so long but had only delivered goods a handful of times.

"Hey... Penguin Logistics."

Rosemary is a memorable element when it comes to Penguin Logistics.

She remembered that Dr. Kal'tsit had mentioned that Penguin Logistics was a logistics company in Lungmen. Compared to other logistics companies, Penguin Logistics would do anything as long as the money was right, including delivering goods related to Originium.

They are one of the potential partners for Rhodes Island.

However, she seemed to remember that Penguin Logistics had a somewhat ambiguous reputation in Lungmen.

"Don't think about it for now, check if this is the place."

Before Rosemary could think, Shirou gently swayed his body to let Rosemary confirm that he hadn't gone to the wrong place.

"I've never been here before, so I don't know."

Rosemary shook her head and said.

"... Okay, let's go take a look first."

What else could Shirou do? Of course, he took Rosemary and went over there.

Shirou's Magecraft enhanced eyes scanned the surrounding buildings, and he noticed a pattern on the door of one building that matched the one on the back of Rosemary's uniform jacket.

The address matches; that should be Rhodes Island's office in Lungmen.

It wasn't as big as Shirou had imagined; it was just a small house, and even looked a bit dilapidated from the outside.

It is a building with a strong Slums vibe.