Chapter 172

This is not to say that Chen's swordsmanship is worse than Shirou's, but rather that the difference is caused by the different ways of attacking.

Of course, the weapons are different too.

While Hoshiguma was studying the situation at the scene, Chen had already directed the others to begin cleaning up the area.

Meanwhile, Shirou above had already cleared the area, making the situation less terrifying.

"You devil..."

The infected person beside him held his right hand, which had been pierced by an arrow from Shirou, and said in a trembling voice.

"... Who gave you permission to do bad things? I know the plight of the infected, but that's not a reason for you to attack ordinary people at will or even plan to attack the Knights of the Round Table."

Upon hearing the other person's words, Shirou paused slightly, but quickly resumed his actions, dispelling the arrow still stuck in the other person's hand with magical energy before bandaging it.

It saved him from the secondary injury of pulling it out, but it was pretty useless anyway, since he would definitely be unable to use his right hand for the rest of his life.

Shirou felt no remorse whatsoever; he believed that wrongdoing should be punished.

These people should have considered the consequences when they took action.

"They were clearly protecting the infected... and now they're working for Lungmen? Ah, just as that person said..."

The infected person's eyes began to glaze over, and he muttered to himself.

"...?"

Upon hearing the other person's words, Shirou was initially puzzled, but quickly understood what they meant.

Given that the other person's race is Ursus, they must be an infected person from Ursus, right?

But Shirou felt that something was not quite right.

The other person seemed to be in bad shape, but they weren't in such a bad state just now; he even helped bandage them up.

Why is this happening...?

Wrong!

Suddenly, Shirou realized something and began to analyze the other person's body using Magecraft.

However, without needing analysis, Shirou could see what the other party looked like at this moment.

He was breathing rapidly, his face was pale, and there was even white foam at his mouth...

This is clearly caused by taking special medication, and the feedback from the analysis also confirms this.

"Chen! Be careful, they have drugs in their mouths!"

Upon discovering this situation, Shirou immediately contacted Chen via communicator. As for the person in front of him, there was no way to save him.

It was discovered rather late; perhaps there would have been a chance if it had been noticed immediately?

Seeing the other person's wide eyes staring intently at him, Shirou thought of what the other person had just said.

Who is that? The one who gave Wei Yanwu information about his Projection Noble Phantasms?

According to what Isv and the Emperor revealed, it seems that someone deliberately conveyed to Wei Yanwu the information that he was related to the immortal Black Serpent.

Fortunately, this attempt to sow discord did not succeed; he was merely targeted by Wei Yanwu for no apparent reason. However, the timely arrival of the boss prevented the situation from deteriorating into something incomprehensible.

"For the sake of the infected's... survival, you... traitor..."

Seemingly noticing the struggle on Shirou's face, the infected person used the last of their strength to make a sound.

"I am not the person you are describing, you..."

Seeing that the other person still treated him like someone else, Shirou sighed, hoping that at least the other person could die in peace.

Unfortunately, before he could finish speaking, the other person's eyes had already dimmed.

Shirou paused, the words he was about to say caught in his throat, before continuing:

"... You've mistaken me for someone else."

Staring into the other person's wide eyes, Shirou said the last thing he had to say.

Because of the dense Originium crystals covering the opponent's body, Shirou did not touch the corpse carelessly.

It wasn't that he was afraid, but rather that infected people could potentially become the next source of infection after they die, so wearing proper protective gear before coming was the safest option.

"Shirou, how are things going on your end?"

After staring into the corpse's eyes for a while, Chen's voice brought Shirou back to his senses.

Shaking his head, Shirou's gaze never left the other person, and he took a few steps back to pick up the communicator.

"Please send someone up to handle this."

Shirou spoke into the communicator.

"Understood. We've stopped some people from taking the drugs. Shirou, you can come down and get some rest."

Although Shirou didn't say it explicitly, Chen already understood what he meant.

After Shirou reminded her, she had the Knights of the Round Table gag the people and remove the drugs.

However, it was too late. Some people had already taken the medication. Because they arrived in a hurry, no medical staff were arranged, so there was no other way.

Because the communicator was always on, Chen could hear Shirou's conversation clearly, which is why she insisted that Shirou come down and rest.

It's definitely unpleasant to watch someone die in front of you, even if that person is a criminal.

When Chen first saw it, she was genuinely upset, but she forced herself to get used to it.

"Um."

This time, Shirou did not refuse; there were other more professional people available, and he was no longer needed to help.

Staring blankly at the busy members of the Knights of the Round Table, Shirou was momentarily dazed.

Everything happened so fast that he felt like his whole body was falling apart after he calmed down.

The intense, focused battle he had been engaged in for a short period had left him somewhat exhausted.

As for the last infected person's words and actions, they still had some impact on Shirou.

Aside from seeing the Reunion Movement members survive on the snowfield, this was the first time Shirou had witnessed the Infected fighting desperately.

Although he had heard about it a long time ago, seeing it with his own eyes still made him realize that the infected people were indeed having a very difficult time on this land.

But that doesn't give them the right to vent their resentment on ordinary people at will.

Shirou skillfully separated these emotions; he sympathized with their plight but still hoped they would receive the punishment they deserved.

Let's pray that they can eventually reach that world without Originium.

Standing on the rooftop, Shirou gazed up at the somewhat gloomy sky, lost in thought.

For Shirou, this incident is over.

But for the Knights of the Round Table, this incident was a harbinger of someone wanting to extend their claws toward Lungmen.

Although no one knows for sure who it is, most people in the know have a guess.

Koschei of Ursus, the immortal Black Serpent.

Although the Black Serpent appeared to be dead, Wei Yanwu felt that it wouldn't die so easily.

He thought he was prepared, but the Black Serpent still managed to slip through his defenses.

Moreover, the informants he had placed with Shirou had indeed tied up the escaped individuals, and the mastermind was currently being interrogated by Black Cloak's side.

The information extracted from them was not very important. It is estimated that these people were just cannon fodder, sent to scout ahead and cause some trouble.

The only thing that is certain is that these people all harbor resentment towards Shirou.

Rather than harboring resentment towards Shirou, it's more accurate to say that she harbors resentment towards someone who is just like Shirou.

Infected people... no, I should say that humans are such wicked creatures, taking the benefits given to them by others for granted, but one day when they are suddenly taken back, they begin to resent others.

Shirou was just lucky; he didn't encounter that type of person. Most people were willing to understand him and even help him.

As for Shirou's extraordinary combat prowess displayed in recent battles...

"White Snow, you're saying his ability is something like copying?"

With his hands and mouth empty, Wei Yanwu looked at the white-haired woman dressed in black in front of him and asked.

"Yes."

Wearing a mask, White Snow nodded expressionlessly and spoke in a flat tone.

She had been assigned by Wei Yanwu to follow Shirou for some time now. She started tracking him after he left the Penguin Logistics dormitory in the morning and continued until he returned to his dormitory after work.

This was also Wei Yanwu's instruction. After all, it was that penguin's territory, and he didn't intend to make things difficult for White Snow.

Gathering intelligence from those outside is enough.

Every few days, White Snow would come over to tell Wei Yanwu about Shirou's every move.

Although it seems like it was discovered in just a few days, the other party even placed tea and rice balls in the corner every day.

She reluctantly accepted it out of a desire to avoid waste, and cleaned everything up and put it back on the other person's desk before they left work.

As time went on, her wariness of Shirou gradually decreased.

This guy is just simple; he wants to help people in need whenever he sees them.

He is a very simple and kind person.

And the food they cook is delicious.

"Let's put our abilities aside for now, lest that penguin kick us out again. Tell me about the strange thing Shirou did during that battle—how strange was it?"

After a quick glance, Wei Yanwu didn't seem particularly interested in Shirou's abilities.

He wasn't anyone to Shirou; he only needed to know what Shirou could do. The underlying principles were beyond his understanding.

He only needs to thoroughly understand all information about his enemies.

"First of all, the target is unusually calm during the battle. He can effectively defend and counterattack when faced with sudden attacks, and he is indifferent to blood and screams."

Upon hearing Wei Yanwu's words, White Snow truthfully recounted what had happened back then.

At that time, Shirou was quite calm, swift and skillful when he took action. White Snow guessed that if he wasn't worried about the people behind him, Shirou could have used other methods to wipe them all out.

Moreover, Shirou's mentality was too good. Even White Snow would feel a little uncomfortable when she saw that scene, but Shirou was still able to clean up the battlefield and talk to people without any expression.

She didn't see him after that, so she chased after the fleeing infected and handed him over to Black Cloak.

"Hmm... I understand. You don't need to collect any more information about him anymore. Go back to your previous work."

After listening to White Snow's words, Wei Yanwu thought for a moment and then spoke.

The main content collected was largely the same, mostly about Shirou helping others or worrying about others.

This is accompanied by an evaluation of Shirou given to him by someone carrying a dragon-headed cane.

Wei Yanwu was now certain that the other party was not someone who harbored hostility towards Lungmen.

At least until he makes an excessive decision, the other party will not be his enemy.

If the other party's acting skills are truly good enough to fool the Rat King and the Emperor, then he has nothing to say.

Furthermore, Chen, Swire, and Hoshiguma all have a very high opinion of Shirou.

Wei Yanwu currently has no reason to push this powerful figure to the other side.

Although he's one of those penguins' people, if handled properly, he might become a great asset to Lungmen.

In this way, Chen's taking over his position can be considered as filling the manpower shortage.

"Understood. Princess Wenyue also asked me to tell you that she has found and disposed of the hidden tobacco. Please hand over the pipe as well."

White Snow didn't say much about Wei Yanwu's arrangements.

She will do whatever task the other party assigns her.

This was also Princess Wenyue's idea; she seemed very interested in the people who cooperated with Officer Chen in searching the Slums.

Princess Wenyue was the person she devoted her loyalty to, and also Wei Yanwu's wife.

He doesn't usually get involved in government affairs, but he does manage the current Governor of Lungmen Wei Yanwu.

For example, things like tobacco and alcohol.

Perhaps this is a little bit of fun between the two of them? White Snow, who always acts as the middleman, sometimes thinks so.