Chapter 221

"Hmm, I see. I understand."

Upon hearing Shirou's explanation, Rosemary pondered it with a serious expression.

She only saw the surface; she didn't know how to actually operate it. But it's true that the stronger an ability is, the harder it is to control, and the more side effects it has.

"Don't overthink it. Just hold onto the blade in your own hand. There's no need to keep eyeing the swords in other people's hands. They're ultimately someone else's."

Seeing Rosemary frowning in thought, Shirou chuckled and said.

At the same time, he fixed the faulty connection on the communicator, checked it with Magecraft to make sure there were no problems, and then started assembling it again.

"Yes, I know."

Although I didn't quite understand some of what Shirou was saying, I did understand the last part about Rosemary.

Some things ultimately belong to someone else, not to you.

"..."

Looking at Rosemary, who was earnestly trying to understand, Shirou found her rather endearing.

Is it really right to let such a young child stand here?

They should have been at an age of innocence and romance, but instead they found themselves standing on a cold and ruthless battlefield.

Shirou understood perfectly well that this was an inevitable outcome.

As Huang said, the rights of those infected should be fought for by those infected themselves.

I understand, but I still feel a little uncomfortable.

So he tried his best not to think about these things and treated Amiya and Rosemary as adults.

However, whenever the two of them occasionally showed expressions befitting their age, Shirou would still be pulled back into this thought.

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Shirou immediately opened the communicator and said:

"This is Shirou. Is there any sound?"

"Yes, the communicator has been restored?"

Chen was somewhat surprised to hear Shirou's voice. She was on her way to him when the communicator was suddenly restored?

I repaired it during a break, so it should still be usable for a while. I'll have to take it back to a professional for repair or replacement.

After a brief explanation, Shirou got straight to the point:

"When I entered the target building, there was no sign of anyone inside except for the explosives. Rhodes Island is currently... interrogating those people to see if they have any other information."

Halfway through his speech, Shirou even turned his head to look at him.

Ace, Scout, Blaze, and Amiya were interrogating each other with very kind expressions, which didn't seem like torture at all.

"Okay, it's alright. Hoshiguma, the Knights of the Round Table, and I will be there soon. You're still near the target building, right?"

After receiving the information from Shirou, Chen finally understood the current situation.

Given the current situation, it's definitely not a problem for the Knights of the Round Table to directly intervene in the Slums, after all, they've taken on such a huge undertaking.

And it certainly won't just be the Knights of the Round Table personnel; people from the Slums will definitely come too. After all, an entire area has been bombed; how could no one possibly come to check on the situation?

It was supposed to be a simple operation... why did it become so complicated?

At this moment, Chen only felt a headache about the current situation.

At least Shirou was alright, and this good news calmed her somewhat irritable emotions.

Although Shirou just reported that he was safe, that kind of communication method is nowhere near as reassuring as a direct phone call.

"Yes, we'll reorganize things here. We'll contact you if there's any further news."

Shirou replied, and after receiving Chen's response, the communicator went silent again.

After hanging up the communicator, Shirou quickly tidied up his equipment.

After taking off his tattered Knights of the Round Table tactical jacket, Shirou was now only wearing a short-sleeved shirt and a red Holy Shroud wrapped around his right hand.

That short-sleeved shirt is basically now considered obsolete after this operation.

Is that something very important?

Just as Shirou was checking if the tactical jacket was still usable, Rosemary asked from the side.

Turning his head, Shirou realized that the other person was asking about the Holy Shroud on his right hand.

"Hmm, it's something very important. Why are you suddenly asking this question?"

Looking at the Holy Shroud in his hand, Shirou answered Rosemary's question.

This is indeed a very important item, after all, it may be the last connection to the past, and it is also a tool for activating Mystic Code.

Fortunately, this thing is much sturdier than ordinary clothes, so there's no need to worry about it getting burned through like that coat one day.

"It's nothing, it's just that it's a bit conspicuous, that's why I asked."

Rosemary blinked and said.

As for Shirou's current attire, that red Holy Shroud is indeed very eye-catching.

"Hmm... I understand."

Hearing Rosemary's words, Shirou still put on the tattered tactical jacket.

Although it was tattered, it could at least provide some shelter.

I don't know if it's just my imagination, but Rosemary seemed a lot more reserved than last time?

"Gulp... Shirou, why did you only join this operation?"

After thinking for a while, Rosemary finally came up with the next topic.

Her purpose in being sent here, besides resting, was to talk to Shirou as much as possible and improve his impression of her on Rhodes Island.

Although she didn't quite understand, Huang said that as long as she talked to the other party more, that would be fine.

That's why she kept trying to find topics to talk to Shirou.

This puts the kitten in a difficult position.

"Why did you participate in this operation? Hmm... because it's the Knights of the Round Table's job?"

Shirou answered the question.

"If it's just the work of the Knights of the Round Table, why do you work so hard, Shirou?"

Rosemary was clearly dissatisfied with the answer, after all, Shirou had been working way too hard along the way.

There must be other factors involved.

"Is it wrong to work hard...? Okay, okay, stop looking at me like that, let me think about it."

As soon as Shirou opened his mouth, he received a stare from Rosemary, making him feel uncomfortable. He could only raise the white Shirou and surrender.

For some reason, when the other person stared at him with that kind of gaze, he felt as if his conscience was being attacked.

"Why are you working so hard...? It's mainly because you're angry about what those people are doing, isn't it? It's unreasonable to oppress infected people just to vent your own dissatisfaction?"

After thinking for a moment, Shirou said.

"Is that so? Shirou, you're such a kind person."

Seeing the expression on Shirou as he said those words, Rosemary felt that he probably wasn't lying.

He's done so much for complete strangers, Shirou must be a good person, right?

"I wouldn't call it that, I just did what I thought was right."

Faced with Rosemary's sudden praise, Shirou felt a little embarrassed.

"Is that so? But in my opinion, Shirou, you're such a great person!"

Rosemary even made a big gesture, seemingly to emphasize her idea.

"... Thank you for the compliment, I'll accept it."

Looking at Rosemary's appearance, Shirou smiled helplessly and said.

"Ah! What are you guys talking about? You seem to be having a lot of fun. How about I join in?"

Suddenly, Huang leaned in and hugged Rosemary.

"Have you finished your questioning?"

Upon seeing the sudden appearance of Blaze, Shirou glanced in Amiya's direction and discovered that the three of them were still working diligently.

Based on Shirou's current understanding of Hoshiguma...

Could it be that they were too bored and simply handed everything over to Ace and the others?

"Not yet! But we've successfully persuaded a few people to hand over the intelligence. After all, those people were almost killed as expendable pawns. Anyone would be upset in that situation. They just want to say a few good things to the Knights of the Round Table to reduce their penalties."

In response to Shirou's question, Huang answered directly.

"Oh, is that so? That went pretty smoothly. But Huang, isn't this just slacking off? Is that really okay? Amiya is still working, you know?"

Shirou thought about what Huang said and found it quite reasonable with no major problems.

Now all we need to do is wait for Amiya and the others to extract useful information.

As for Blaze... Shirou reasonably suspects that the other party is slacking off.

"Ahem... I always feel Shirou you and Amiya get along really well, you two are quite similar when it comes to urging others to work... But I was called here to rest by Amiya, not because I wanted to slack off!"

Hearing Shirou's words, Blaze was reminded of the days when Amiya made her work overtime on Rhodes Island.

Although bunnies are cute, they're not cute when it comes to working overtime!

Although Shirou looked really cool when he saved her, she wouldn't stand for it if people said she was slacking off!

"Oh, I see. I was mistaken."

Seeing Huang's strong defense of himself, Shirou nodded to indicate that he understood.

Whether it's true or false, he doesn't know, and anyway, it doesn't matter.

"Don't look at me with that suspicious look! I did manage to find out a little bit of information, but I got too excited while asking and roasted someone, which is why I was called over here."

Seeing the suspicious look in Shirou, Huang had no choice but to throw out more of the truth to persuade him.

She definitely didn't want to be labeled as someone who slacked off in the other person's mind! She really didn't slack off!

"Roast the person..."

Upon hearing this truth, Shirou's lips twitched slightly.

So, someone over there escaped the scorching heat of the big fire, but couldn't escape the slow, simmering heat of yours?

"That's not the point. The point is that those people never intended to conduct their transactions here. This place was just a smokescreen from beginning to end. Their real transaction location wasn't even on the ground."

Huang abruptly changed the subject, disregarding whether Shirou wanted to hear it or not, and directly revealed some of the information he had just obtained.

"Not on the ground...? Could it be in the sewers?"

Upon hearing Huang's words, this option popped into Shirou's mind.

"You guessed it! They weren't trading on the surface, but in the underground sewers of the Lungmen Slums!"

Seeing that Shirou had successfully steered the conversation into another topic, Huang continued.

207 Pineapple Mouse

"Underground waterway..."

As he repeated it, Shirou felt it made perfect sense.

After all, given the environment, it was indeed the best place to trade things that couldn't be done openly.

Who would go into the sewers for no reason?

Moreover, any sound from that side will have a very noticeable echo, so the problem can be detected immediately.

Moreover, being there would prevent them from being surrounded by a large number of Knights of the Round Table personnel.

It's definitely a great black area, it's just that the environment is a bit...