Two hours.
The preparation time Persephone had given was two hours—to shelter every citizen of Chernobog in Cataclysm shelters without missing a single detail and ensure everything went smoothly, she needed two hours.
In Terra's world, that time could already be called magical—evacuating a city of several million people while ensuring there were no lapses in order was something that, in any country, would be a pipe dream if the allotted time were less than a day.
So Surtr would not urge her on any further or use unrealistic demands to force her to shorten the time by even a little. That remained true even though, according to information from Persephone and the Cataclysm Messenger she had urgently contacted, the Cataclysm cloud overhead would spontaneously detonate in no more than fifty-three minutes.
"The eruption of the Cataclysm cloud is inevitable, but you can't swing that sword around carelessly. I'll calculate an appropriate model to ensure the aftershocks of the Originium Cataclysm don't fall on the main roads with the highest concentration of shelters. In addition, I'll mobilize the casters in every shelter and have them construct coordinated Arts to create shields, eliminating any errors beyond the calculations."
"So all I have to do is wait here?"
"I'd like to say so, but you probably wouldn't accept a plan where you do nothing for nearly an hour. So I recommend that you go to District B59. A Cataclysm Messenger who signed a contract with Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals is operating in that area. There are also a few minor problems there that need handling. If you don't mind, you could spend a few minutes taking care of some trivial matters."
"You mean there are troublemakers there?"—having heard the tune, one knew the melody. The flame-haired Sarkaz understood Persephone's thoughts and habits perfectly.
And the facts were confirmed as Persephone continued speaking from the other end of the communication. That was indeed the case.
"There are always people who can't see the bigger picture, and there are always people who can't be persuaded with words. Yes, using the drone network, Chernobog's military police, and tactical squads from the Reunion Movement, I drove several unstable elements into District B59. I had originally planned to deal with them using the Cataclysm. There might have been some survivors, but it wouldn't have mattered. However, if you're willing to act, I can open several shelters in that area, saving a few minutes in the evacuation process for the surrounding districts."
"Understood. So basically, leave no one alive, right?" Miss Surtr nodded. She liked this kind of commission—where to go, what to kill, and how many to kill. All three elements of role-playing were present, and everything else she had to do could practically be called relaxation.
She needed to relax. Her earlier thoughts needed time to settle. Depending on the final conclusion, she might even consider viewing the world before her from a new perspective.
"That is for you to decide. You are the one actually carrying out the decision." Persephone replied from the other end. "The messenger's codename is Provence. She is a sniper operator skilled with bows and crossbows. Her skills and mobility are rated 'excellent' in PRTS. So you shouldn't need to take special care of her... Perhaps you know her?"
Provence, the big-tailed wolf, the purple-haired Lupo—Surtr knew that name. In the Arknights of her previous life, she had once been fascinated with researching unconventional ways to use obscure operators. Miss Provence, with her unique mechanics, had occupied a considerable amount of her time. She therefore knew the other's profile and preferences.
She was a good child—kindhearted, devoted to her duties, lively and outgoing, and fond of shopping and cooking. She wasn't very old, either. She had only one year of combat experience. In other words, she had only become an operator of Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals in recent years.
And so, this recollection occupied about half a second of Miss Surtr's thoughts.
"I don't know her, but I've heard of her." Her toes lightly tapped the ground, and the hot air currents stirred by her flames rose and carried her into the air once more. Her gaze shifted, quickly locating District B59. She could vaguely see smoke and fire in the distance, which was presumably evidence of a firefight or the work of rioters.
Several drones followed her, one of them carrying a radio and microphone.
"I know what she looks like, and I know her personality and abilities. Since she's there, I assume she has some reason she must remain?"
She began to move, passing through wind, smoke, and dust. Crossing the city required very few steps for her. After only a brief flight, she neared the airspace above the district and saw a loose blockade formed by drones and several combat personnel. Groups of rioters were rampaging through the abandoned streets.
They laughed wildly, set fires, looted goods from deserted shops, and, whenever they encountered other gangs, either joined them, split apart, or simply opened fire on one another.
A mob of rioters... Civilians and innocents trembled inside their homes. Surtr had no intention of commenting on or judging the rioters. She only intended to deal with them cleanly and efficiently, like sweeping dust from a room.
So she descended at the mouth of the street and revealed herself. She had no intention of going all out in a battle to clear out this kind of trash, so she deliberately made some noise when she appeared. Some non-citizens indulging in looting without paying noticed her as well.
Some ran away, while others lunged at her. A few even drove hunting dogs toward her.
"Mm, that is a very suitable observation point. There's an observatory, and she's hiding inside the facility right now. I tried to dissuade her, but she insisted on obtaining firsthand information about the Cataclysm cloud there. Should I connect the audio so you can speak with her directly?"
Persephone's voice continued to come from the drone at an unhurried pace. Faintly, Amiya's busy muttering could also be heard. It seemed that this awful woman had assigned Little Rabbit quite a lot of work. Still, Amiya sounded as though she was enjoying herself.
"No need. I prefer speaking face-to-face. Just notify her and tell her I'm coming."
Surtr advanced and answered. Beneath her feet, burning corpses stretched from the street entrance for dozens of meters, all the way behind her. She raised a hand, and a barrier shattered before her. A heavily armored rioter wearing a Reunion armband stood stunned behind the wall, holding a great axe. He had originally planned to ambush her at the entrance, but the surging flames engulfed him first.
When someone died quickly enough, they could not even scream.
"Understood. And— as the only companion and rival I currently acknowledge, Surtr, your current mental state is unstable. If you agree, I can spend two minutes conducting a psychological analysis for you."
Surtr stopped briefly and tilted her ear slightly. An area filled with dense heartbeats appeared within her perception. The heartbeats were strong and vigorous; clearly, ordinary civilians were not the ones waiting there.
"...You noticed?" Her tone was unhurried, as though she was accustomed to such things.
"Your eyes are seventy percent indifferent, twenty percent confused, and less than ten percent self-doubting. Something is troubling you. I assume that mercenary who dislikes me said something that left you upset."
Surtr turned her head and saw a high-definition camera mounted on the nearest drone. She leaped over the drone, which had stopped in a suitable position, reached out, and tore an entire concealed door from the wall.
Terrified screams and the sound of fleeing footsteps came from the corridor beyond the door.
"My eyes aren't a pie chart," she retorted casually, without much concern.
"In my eyes, there are very few things in the world that aren't pie charts or statistical reports. You are one of those few. My interpretation of you can only remain on the most superficial level. But when it comes to things you yourself don't particularly wish to conceal, it takes very little effort for me to uncover them." Persephone replied. Yelena seemed to be giving her some kind of report, probably concerning the guidance of disaster victims.
It seemed Persephone had already begun directing people this way.
"Then tell me about these superficial things." Surtr answered as she entered the secret passage. A caster's attack splashed against the flames covering her body, creating ripples. She raised a finger, and the flames tore through the cover and the hidden caster behind it. Beyond the cover, a spacious area appeared before her eyes.
So that was what this was—a Cataclysm shelter. Some people had forcibly occupied it and refused to accept refugees, thereby interfering with Persephone's work.
She glanced sideways and saw several well-dressed Ursus citizens surrounded by capable bodyguards. Beyond those bodyguards stood a large number of rioters temporarily bought with money and promises.
Someone who appeared to be the leader seemed to want to say something to her.
"You think you've missed something, Surtr."
"What did I miss?" As the Sarkaz replied, her hand had already pierced the chest of the so-called 'important figure.'
The bodyguards charged silently with knives and shields. Casters hid in the shadows, stimulating themselves with Originium to release powerful energy surges capable of shaking the entire shelter. Several Bladeworks Masters coated their weapons with flames and curses using Originium dust and blood, leaping from the walls and ceiling in an attempt to enter the girl's blind spots.
Then they faced a sky full of fire.
"You don't know, so you're somewhat impatient. But you really should have missed something. I reviewed every surveillance recording related to you from today. From the way you acted, it wasn't hard to determine that you don't actually care how many people in Chernobog are killed or injured by the Cataclysm. You only care whether they can survive this disaster, as well as ensuring the survival of a few specific people."
"Go on." Surtr left the hall, leaving behind a floor covered in scorched ash and human-shaped burn marks pasted against the walls. The absolute gap in strength could not be offset by burning through one's life. The people who had tried to delay her had consumed only a few seconds while she spoke with Persephone.
"PRTS mentioned the team of Scout operators. After they made contact with you, you forcibly sent them back. But in reality, they could have been of greater use if they had stayed. Clearly, you care deeply about the safety of Rhodes Island's operators. And on top of that, you also care about the people who are about to become operators of Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals."
"You practically took the upper ranks of the Reunion Movement away in one bundle. When you spoke with Frostnova, you mentioned the name of an officer called 'Mudrock.' Incidentally, I've already contacted her, and she's currently signing her employment agreement. It's obvious that you have a special list. What you want to do is ensure that everyone on that list survives safely, or survives and joins your team."
She caught up with them. Some abandoned their companions and fled, while others dropped to their knees and begged for mercy. Someone who appeared to be one of the protected figures took out a pile of bars of gold, jewelry, and coins in an attempt to bribe her, while secretly gesturing behind his back to organize an ambush or escape.
Her flames therefore caught up with every fugitive. Whether they resisted or struggled, wailed or begged, the final result was exactly the same. After all, she had not received a commission to escort the Ursus rabble. As long as they were hostile, they would all be killed.
"You really like prying into people's privacy, Persephone." She pushed open the other door of the shelter and walked back out onto the main street. Several armed personnel stationed at the exit by the people inside charged at her with heavy blunt weapons when they saw her, only to be killed by her one after another.
Persephone's drone continued following beside her.
"Arguing pointlessly is unnecessary, Surtr. If you don't want me to see something, then there is nothing I can possibly see. You should understand that very well, and know that it is the truth. You subconsciously expect to make use of my intelligence. There is no need for you to deny something so obvious."
"I genuinely want to take only your brain back with me now, Persephone. You make me feel like I've lost all face."
The girl replied perfunctorily, her tone flat. She cleared the street from one end to the other, able to tell which were civilians and which were rioters. Voices gradually rose in the distance. The refugees had probably been guided nearby.
Above the sky, thunder rolled within the vortex of clouds. A little interference appeared in the drone's communications, but under the Doctor's adjustments, it soon returned to normal.
"But does face really hold any value for you? Surtr, people care about face because they seek the recognition of others. Do you seek other people's recognition?"
Before you continue