Because I Am Surtr

Chapter 34: Why Can't CGs Be Skipped...

Two seconds later, Surtr received her Little Rabbit's charge, the headbutt landing a bit harder than she'd anticipated. She had to ease up slightly to prevent her own recoil from hitting Amiya. As her arms naturally lowered, she gently ruffled Amiya's hair.

Good quality hair, feels nice. Excellent.

This feeling is just like always.

"Sister Surtr, Sister Surtr," Amiya's small head nuzzled against her chest reluctantly before she released her embrace, standing steady and straight. Her pointed Caster rabbit ears twitched happily. "Doctor Kal'tsit said you're coming back to Rhodes Island with us this time, is that true? Is it really true?"

She looked incredibly excited, her young face flushed. The demeanor of Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals' leader was completely gone, replaced by that of a middle schooler.

And she was indeed a middle schooler—only fourteen years old. As one of her mentors, Surtr had always hoped Amiya wouldn't be as mature and composed at this age as she was in the game. At this age, Amiya should be lively, innocent, and full of dreams. Not shouldering a mountain of responsibility with her slender shoulders, making her, the transmigration, feel like a useless piece of trash.

Surtr had succeeded in part. With her protection, the initial move by Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals to inherit the Sarkaz Babel Tower's legacy went quite smoothly. After all, Terra was an unreasonable world, and any unreasonable individuals or forces that interfered with the nascent Rhodes Island's interests naturally had to contend with Surtr's fists.

Her fists were hard. Therefore, when she mentored Amiya, even though she never returned to Rhodes Island's main ship, few fools dared to risk angering her disguised identity—the former Sarkaz Babel Tower member, now freelance mercenary 'Fire Giant King'—to cause trouble for Rhodes Island. To the point that years ago, before she headed north to find Talulah, Amiya, while receiving ample education, was almost turned into a salted egg by her.

But a demon king is a demon king. After breaking free from Surtr's protection, Amiya's talent once again allowed the Caster girl to shine. Rhodes Island's newcomers and Babel Tower's veterans quickly accepted her, and after she capably handled several significant contracts and a few severe emergencies, her leadership position was no longer met with doubt or worried glances.

Amiya, in the end, I couldn't let you live the life a girl your age should. Even if not in Arknights, even here on Terra. A little girl like you should be playing with other girls her age at school.

"Yes, I will be returning to Rhodes Island this time." Surtr nodded, her emotions a little complex, she uncharacteritically displayed some emotional intelligence. She gestured to the side, introducing the white rabbit to the black rabbit.

"This is Yelena. I've spoken with Kal'tsit, and she will also be joining Rhodes Island. She'll be returning to the main ship with us."

Amiya's childishness vanished in an instant.

Her back straightened slightly, the blush on her cheeks and the soft glow in her eyes silently receded. Her smile shifted from 'heartfelt joy' to 'gentle and kind.' Her slightly softened rabbit ears perked up, and her leader's aura quietly returned.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Yelena. I am Amiya of Rhodes Island. Let's work hard together from now on." She extended a friendly hand to Yelena.

Yelena raised an eyebrow, her cool face not accustomed to smiling. She accepted Amiya's handshake, gripping her fingers lightly.

"Frostnova," she replied. "I'll use this codename from now on. I always have."

"Frostnova...?" Amiya tilted her head, a glint in her eyes. "Four years ago, Sister Surtr told me about a famous Yeti princess in the northern Ursus region, whose codename was Frostnova... So that's it. Miss Frostnova, you and Sister Surtr knew each other so early on."

"I'm sure we'll get along wonderfully!"

"Yes, I think so too." Yelena turned her head, giving Surtr a look of unclear meaning.

Surtr didn't quite understand what that meant.

But this situation was common, so she didn't dwell on it—she felt Amiya and Yelena were getting along well, and the first impression between the two rabbits seemed acceptable. This meant her current objective was complete, and the next step was to wrap things up in Chernobog.

Ah... damn it, where's the skip button? Can't these kinds of aftermath CGs be skipped?

"Amiya, how do you plan to handle Chernobog?" Surtr then asked.

The Amiya who, half a minute ago, had been clinging to her like a vine, earnestly corrected her.

"It's not 'handle,' it's 'help.'" Amiya shook her head formally. "Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals is a private medical enterprise. Its aim is to solve various Infected issues and attempt to conquer the century-old problem of Originium Infection. And now, with an infection wave about to erupt, Rhodes Island must contain and prevent it. I already have a plan. And now, all we need is..."

"Doctor, are you there?" she called out loudly behind Surtr.

"I'm always here." A gentle, intelligent female voice then came from a nearby hovering drone. The voice undoubtedly belonged to Persephone. And this piece of trash must be currently playing the role of the 'wise and kind scholar.'

"Nice to meet you, Amiya. I am Persephone. Unfortunately, I don't remember anything from before I woke up in the sarcophagus. However, I have a little girl codenamed 'Red' who told me I'm one of the leaders of Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals. Perhaps you can explain things to me."

Amiya's eyes widened slightly. Not just because of Persephone's words, but because the voice came from the drone, not from beside Surtr as she'd assumed.

"Doctor, you have amnesia...? Sniffle, didn't Sister Surtr explain? I thought you two were so close, Sister Surtr would definitely be by your side immediately... Sister Surtr?"

Her Sister Surtr was twitching at the corner of her eye, speechless, because this clueless person couldn't comprehend that she and a certain trash woman were perceived as 'close' by others.

But she didn't speak, nor did she refute. After all, she and Persephone were indeed friends through thick and thin—many times over.

"The Sarkaz lady beside you was in a state of high activity until ten minutes ago. The crisis in this city was basically resolved by her alone. So I infer she didn't have time to contact me, but my 'handling' of this city should be consistent with hers—this city is about to face a Cataclysm. Timely evacuation is impossible. So the only way to handle it is to avoid disaster and minimize losses."

"Is... is that so?" Amiya seemed a bit embarrassed—like a JK who proudly showed her achievements to her mom only to find out the teacher had graded it wrong—but the dejection lasted only a moment. She quickly adjusted, regaining her composure as Rhodes Island's leader, the only difference being her pointed ears drooped slightly compared to before.

"I understand. Since Doctor and Sister Surtr already have a plan, I believe the Chernobog situation can be handled properly... Doctor, are you in the sarcophagus now? I have an entire Rhodes Island medical team with me. Is there anything we can do?"

Electronic sounds of keyboard typing and machinery whirring came from the other side of the drone. A few seconds later, Amiya received a precise reply.

"A group of injured personnel will arrive at Azaleal Clinic in ten minutes. According to calculations, the clinic's manpower and space will be saturated by then. I hope Rhodes Island's medical team can arrange for them. Also, my understanding of Rhodes Island is still very limited. If possible, could you come to the sarcophagus?"

"No problem, Doctor." Amiya nodded seriously. "I'll be right there, and PRTS also needs to establish a link with you. Is there anything else I must know?"

"That's all. Follow the drone. It will guide you." The drone wobbled, then turned its tail and flew in another direction down the street. Its speed was unhurried, making it a competent guide.

"See you later, Sister Surtr. I'll go see Doctor first." Amiya nodded at Surtr. After getting her consent, she looked at Yelena. "Miss Yelena, would you like to see how Rhodes Island works?"

"Very well, I'll go." Yelena didn't object.

Then, both little rabbits looked at Surtr.

Surtr: ?

"What is it?" she asked.

If there's nothing else, I'm going to do other tasks. This CG has been playing long enough.

"Sister Surtr, you can actually relax a bit..." Amiya started, then shook her head, smiling. "There's nothing else, okay? We'll handle these remaining odds and ends. Sister Surtr, you should rest for a while."

She took Yelena's hand and ran off.

Leaving only a bewildered Surtr standing there, lost in thought. She felt she hadn't understood what these women were up to since Amiya and Yelena started talking. The atmosphere was harmonious, but something felt strange—though it wasn't important, as this sort of thing happened often before, and one more time wouldn't hurt.

"How baffling..."

She turned and left. Within her perception, the wisp of flame attached to Misha hadn't moved for some time. And she intended to go take a look—to see that pair of siblings, and also to see W.

If I'm still on the push tomorrow, I'll consider a second update (:з」∠)

Chapter 35: When the Meat Comes to You...

A long time ago.

A very, very long time ago.

Beneath the night sky, a flame-haired girl and a molten greatsword wandered the vast wilderness. A desolate town, undergoing reconstruction, was gradually left behind as she walked. And left behind with it were feasts, cooking smoke, and wistful thoughts.