"What's wrong?"
Noticing Gregor's movement, Saria shifted her gaze.
"I ran into an acquaintance."
Watching the familiar figure recede into the distance, Gregor replied calmly.
It's that persistent ghost again, has it even followed us to the Mobile City?
[Should we take him down...?]
A proposal arose in my mind, only to be rejected.
If the other party had malicious intent, it would be easier to resolve, but unfortunately, they just kept watching.
Even in the wilderness, that guy dealt with quite a few bandits who were about to attack them.
Is it protection?
[No... it's probably just an investigation.]
Sensing that no one was chasing them, the Shapeshifter stopped at a distance that was neither too close nor too far.
[Never mind, as long as we don't cause trouble.]
Ignoring the other party, Gregor glanced at the messages in the group chat. None of the brothers could convince the others, but fortunately, they didn't start arguing.
Gregor breathed a sigh of relief, looked at the spot where the Shapeshifter had emerged, and then froze.
In front of the floor-to-ceiling windows facing outwards, a life-sized mechanical doll sits on a chair and waves.
Whether it was his imagination or not, Gregor seemed to see... sweat on that tin head?
"Boss, I want to eat that!"
The scalp was patted, and Ifrit's head drooped down from above.
Fast food is unhealthy.
Saria, who was standing nearby, tried to dissuade her, Ifrit blinked and pointed to a line of small print on the sign.
"Not even a vegetable salad?"
Saria looked in the direction she was pointing, and the sign did indeed say "Fresh Vegetable Salad".
"We've been eating meat for far too long..."
Ifrit shook Gregor's head.
"If all else fails... French fries will do."
"Let's go..."
Gregor led Ifrit forward, and Saria turned to meet the gaze of the Tin Man standing by the French windows.
As the head of Rhine Lab's defense department, she recognized this "famous" Maylander Foundation agent.
Their eyes met, silently conveying a message:
What are you doing here?
Please pretend you didn't see me, please...
[... learn.]
Jingle--
The doorbell rang crisply. Gregor awkwardly squeezed through the doorframe, and the light inside the store dimmed.
Fortunately, the people of Kazimierz are quite accepting of all kinds of strange costumes. The citizens only glanced at them and then continued to focus on their meals.
After taking Ifrit to the front desk to order, Gregor's gaze shifted to the snack shelf next to him.
Aside from the usual desserts, the only thing outside our comprehension was an unidentified meat product.
It's on the shelf, at least... it should be fine, right?
After thinking for a moment, Gregor sent a picture to the group chat and asked a question.
[Gregor: I'm at a fast food restaurant, anyone want a snack?]
[Vera: Some candy, please.]
[Gorth: Do you have hot sauce? Ketchup is fine too.]
[Vane: I want grilled sandworm legs!]
The argument in the group instantly ceased, transforming into a uniform "+1".
Seeing this, Gregor simply emptied the entire shelf, and Saria promptly stepped forward to pay, while the group began looking for seats.
Ifrit ran excitedly toward the location of the Tin Man, only to be grabbed by the scruff of her neck by Saria.
"Do not touch the facilities inside the store."
"Eh--I'm just taking a look..."
The two sat down again, Gregor turned and walked towards where the Tin Man had been.
[Columbia profanity!] That insolent old bastard!
The Tin Man stared intently at the Shapeshifter outside the window, still not understanding why the other was running away.
The moment the little girl's figure came into view, everything connected.
Ifrit
She was an experimental subject of the Flame Demon Project; the Maylander Foundation's archives contain her detailed information.
With her here, the identity of the black-armored knight beside her becomes obvious.
But...
Why is Saria, the head of defense at Rhine Lab, with the "Flame Demon"?
According to the report, shouldn't they be adversaries?
And her hand... It was clearly flesh and blood, yet intelligence indicated she lost an arm in the incident...
The Tin Man's mind raced as he tried to unravel the chaotic situation, but the constant stream of questions only made things more confusing.
More importantly...
[Columbia profanity!] He came at me!
Heavy footsteps sounded behind me, and a few drops of lubricating oil seeped uncontrollably from the metal gaps.
The Tin Man glared angrily at the Shapeshifter watching the show outside the window.
He could have left, but his gentlemanly pride wouldn't allow him to dine and dash.
But the footsteps were still getting closer, Tin Man could only quickly think of a solution:
Reveal your identity? Show that you're just a harmless "retired person"?
But he wasn't sure if he had been "seen" by the Flame Demon back in the outer military camp.
A large hand, capable of grasping its entire head, reached out from one side, and the Tin Man seemed to hear the sound of its own metal head twisting a few seconds later.
Damn it! Re-customizing a head is such a hassle!
With a sigh, the Tin Man prepared to abandon his body and flee.
At the same moment, a large hand reached past the Tin Man and grabbed the communal ketchup on the table.
Tin Man: "..."
Gregor finally couldn't resist pulling his hand away from the table.
The hand hesitated for a moment, then reached back and gently touched the small top hat on the Tin Man's head.
The hat was askew, and both of them were startled at the same time.
Gregor quickly steadied them, glancing back guiltily. Seeing that the two weren't paying attention, he hurried back.
After a tense wait by the Tin Man, the group finally had their meal.
The agents went undetected, and everyone enjoyed a pleasant breakfast.
It was a peaceful morning...
"Mentor, I understand!"
[Wendigo swear word!] What did you understand?!
The tranquil atmosphere of Ursus, the Black Forest, was shattered by a loud voice.
Gorth, who had just finished arguing in the group chat, was met with a shout from Talulah, who turned around with an unfriendly look.
However, due to the eye patch, the somewhat fierce look in his eyes did not reach Talulah's perception at all.
Gorth couldn't help but sigh.
Since the treehouse was built, Talulah has been arriving earlier and earlier.
If it weren't for the two elderly people living in the house, Gorth would have even doubted that the other party would be living here.
"Alright, Little Tal, your tutor is already very tired. Besides, have you memorized all that knowledge?"
"Oh? Sorry, sorry!"
Talulah scratched her hair, her tail wagging restlessly, while Gorth took the opportunity to lie back down on the table.
"You look very tired," Alina, turning her concerned gaze to Gorth. "Did you not get enough rest last night?"
Gorth fell silent. He had been drawing sketches all night and hadn't rested at all.
Although I'm not physically tired, I am indeed mentally exhausted...
But to avoid being lectured, let's just brush it off...
"Hmm... I just didn't sleep well..."
"Lord Gorth didn't sleep all night."
Gorth: "!!!"
Who? Who betrayed me!
Gorth turned his head in surprise, Eno ran past him.
Sasha's outstretched hand froze in place after Gorth's gaze shifted to her, while Eno remained completely unaware of the danger she was in.
"When I got up this morning, Sasha and I went to tidy up the room, and the blankets and everything else were still there."
"Is that so...?"
Alina cast a slightly reproachful glance my way.
Alina knows you didn't sleep all night and is very worried, hoping you won't do it again.
Gorth tried to shrink his body; his enormous form, squeezed into the chair, looked rather pitiful.
For some reason, even though Alina's attitude was always so respectful, the longer Gorth spent with her, the more he felt a strange sense of oppression emanating from her.
As he pondered the origin of this sensation, Talulah's excited voice broke the silence.
"This kind of thing isn't important!"
Seeing that Gorth was lying on the table, Talulah simply leaned on the table and lay down on top of him as well.
"I've been thinking about what you said all night: [that the weapon of criticism cannot replace the criticism of weapons]!"
"Yeah..."
Straightening his chest, Gorth tried to regain his composure.
"So what did you figure out?"
"To defeat the oppressors above us, we need even greater power!"
Talulah replied confidently, and the atmosphere suddenly became awkward.
"Um... and then?"
Talulah, oblivious to the strange look in Gorth's eyes, continued with great interest.
"I've discovered that it's virtually impossible for ordinary people to overthrow those oppressors."
"The reason why those oppressors have been able to maintain the upper hand for so long is simply because of their own powerful strength."
Talulah's eyes were serious, and her words made Gorth consider them carefully.
"I consulted some historical records, and almost all successful cases of resistance involved the leadership of a strong leader."
"However, these records contain very little information about the efforts of ordinary people."
Gorth nodded. This was the difference between this Daichi and his hometown.
The nobles here are not just for show; those who sit at the top all possess formidable power.
"To defeat those oppressors, the power of the people alone is indeed not enough, but..." Talulah her hand on the table.
"Those Infected have this power!"
As she spoke, she became increasingly agitated, and a cluster of flames erupted from the tip of Talulah's horn. Gorth quickly straightened up to avoid burning his eyelids.
"I completely understand what you mean!"
"To overcome these oppressive conditions, the combined efforts of the Infected and ordinary citizens are indispensable!"
"Oripathy is a suffering inflicted upon us by this Daichi, but it is also the sharpest weapon we use to fight against suffering!"
Talulah straightened her chest, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Eno beside her.
"Struggle is the means to unite, and unity is the goal of struggle."
The Reunion Movement should not be limited to Reunion Infected; ordinary citizens should also be targeted!
"Mentor... I understand completely!"
"..."
Looking at the spirited young girl in front of him, Gorth hesitated, wanting to say something but holding back.
Based on the intelligence provided by Vane...
From a purely strength-based perspective, this was indeed a good time for Ursus to revolt.
The defeat in battle, the death of the previous emperor, and the constant obstruction from the old nobles composed of the army and the new nobles composed of merchants.
But Ursus is different from other countries. Throughout its history, it has either been fighting or on its way to fighting.
It's not that we can't stop fighting now, but rather that we're allowing the damage from the "Great Rebellion" to recuperate.
Gorth was certain.
Even if you tie the general public and the Infected together, they'll still be crushed by the army.
As for why the Reunion Movement in the original world line was able to be established and grow stronger, besides the [Deathless Black Snake] that Vane mentioned to be wary of.
Gorth is more inclined to support the new emperor.
As the power of the nobility continued to grow, the pressure they placed on the emperor was considerable.
The emperor obviously couldn't openly confront the nobles directly, so how could he weaken their power?
Reunion Movement: We will rebel against you oppressors! We will fight for the rights of the Infected!
Emperor: I heard you want to attack the nobles?
Things became simpler.
Without the emperor's order, the army could not move out of the country, at least not openly.
Who should deal with the Infected forces of the Reunion Movement?
Noble: You born evil Infected brat! I'll do it myself...
"Mentor? Mentor!"
The loud shouts pulled him back to reality. Facing Talulah's expectant gaze, Gorth calmly rejected the idea.
"The idea is correct, but it won't work here, not to mention how you'll overcome public prejudice against those Infected..."
Seeing Talulah's puzzled look, Gorth tried to make her understand.
"Let me ask you a practical question first: how many ordinary Infected can you kill by yourself?"
"Um, a few hundred should be about right..."
Talulah feigned modesty, but Gorth sighed and offered a more direct explanation.
"So how many people do you think would be needed to replace a mobile warship?"
"..."
Talulah fell silent; she certainly knew what that behemoth was.
How many players can be substituted?
Without the firepower of city defense artillery or the combat power of hero-level units, countless Infected would simply be crushed.
As the initial excitement subsided, a furrowed brow followed.
Seeing Talulah fall silent, Gorth felt a sense of disappointment and frustration.
Although he has no intention of participating in the uprising in the other world, he can still offer some help.
The question given to Talulah earlier was not meant for her to interpret, but rather to help her recognize the truth and then seek help.
But...
Why don't you ask?!
I couldn't resist scratching the table, but because it was so solid, it didn't make a sound.
Gorth: "..."
Tsk... If this silence continues, won't all my efforts from last night be wasted!?
While the two stared at each other, Eno quietly asked Alina for an answer.
"Sister Alina, why does Gorth seem to be in such a hurry... Hmm!"
"Eno!"
Before Alina could answer, Sasha quickly covered her friend's mouth.
But everyone had clearly heard Talulah attribute this eagerness to her own stupidity, and her expression grew even more bitter.
I can't take it anymore!
Gorth suddenly stood up, but before he could say anything, a commotion arose outside.
"Gorth! Your Nursery has yielded fruit!"
Hmm, what's the result?
The words he was about to say stuck in his throat. Gorth walked toward the door, and the others followed.
Pushing open the door, the restless crowd outside fell silent. Gorth asked in a deep voice.
"What was the result?"
"It's your Nursery."
One of the Infected stepped forward somewhat nervously and pointed to one side of the forest.
"I was just about to fertilize the tree this morning when I discovered it was growing fruit!"
"..."
Fruit on the tree?
Gorth was confused; could his vines still bear fruit?
No, no!
Shaking his head, Gorth found it somewhat unbelievable.
If the surrounding trees are not bearing fruit, how can the trees that sprout later on the edge bear fruit earlier?
If we're talking about differences...
Gorth was taken aback and asked the Infected.
Are the trees that bore fruit the ones that were fertilized?
"Um... I think so."
The situation regarding the Infected was uncertain, and voices of volunteerism immediately arose from the crowd.
"My lord, I'll go see right now!"
"No..."
Gorth waved his hand in refusal, his body gradually sinking into the shadows.
I'll go see for myself.
Everyone was stunned by this strange scene. Before their bodies had fully sunk in, Gorth remembered something and hurriedly said to Talulah.
"In the small room next to my room, there's a gift I prepared for you... no, for the Reunion Movement."
Talulah was taken aback, then said awkwardly:
"Mentor, I think I may not have fully grasped your knowledge yet, and new knowledge may be..."
"It is indeed new knowledge, but the kind that brings power. Go ahead and read it without worry."
Gorth's body sank completely into the shadows, and a faint voice echoed back.
"The path to salvation lies within..."
After a brief silence, the crowd, led by the fruit finder, hurried toward the side of the forest.
Alina tapped Talulah's cheek, bringing her dazed friend back to reality.
"Go and see, Little Tal. Our mentor never lies."
"Um!"
Filled with anticipation, the group arrived at the door that Gorth had pointed out.
Upon opening the door, everyone was stunned by the scene before them.
"No wonder my advisor needed so much paper..."
Talulah murmured to herself as she cautiously entered the room.
The other three were equally cautious, not for any other reason than that the room was filled with numerous blueprints.
Pick up a sketch from the ground, even if you can tell from the messy lines that it's a failure.
But its simple shape still impressed Talulah.
[The Siegebreaker]
The Ursus army's war machines, with their heavy armor and powerful artillery, made them Nightzmora for countless enemies.
Under Koschei's tutelage, Talulah learned about this war machine and even saw some of its sketches.
But now, the sketch in her hand...
A brand new war machine, never before seen on the Terra, leaps off the page.
They glanced around in a panic, becoming increasingly stunned.
They were surrounded by all sorts of strange mechanical blueprints.
Each and every drawing is enough to drive engineering masters or military researchers in any country crazy.
Talulah's gaze suddenly fixed on the largest workbench in the center of the room, and the three of them looked over as well.
That was also a sketch.
It's incomplete, and some parts even contain strange annotations from Gorth himself.
A powerful Iron Fist, with a strange, unidentified weapon emerging from behind.
The rough, full-body armor spread out from the side, revealing the intricate internal wiring diagrams.
This is a mech with a distinctly Ursus style.
The blueprints lay quietly in the center of the desk, seemingly unfinished.
The group cautiously approached, Talulah read out a line of small print in the bottom right corner.
Its name is --
"They must have seen it..."
Emerging from the shadows, Gorth looked up at the ancient tree before him.
Several large, silvery-white fruits grew on it, and even in the cold snowfield, wisps of cold air still lingered on the fruits.
Unsure if it was ripe, Gorth did not pick it rashly.
While observing this, there was some concern that he hadn't fully explained things earlier.
The gift in the room was in the drawer; it was a complete copy of the blueprints—the armor blueprints for Soul Knight.
Ordinary firearms are not very effective against Terra, and the firearms in Soul Knight cannot be used without the plugins provided by Vane.
But armor blueprints are different; after all, knowledge is always shared.
To ensure Talulah didn't take too big a step, Gorth specifically chose three relatively old models: [Iron Fist], [Prototype Armor], and [Apocalypse].
Even so, these armors, combined with the already superhuman physical abilities of the Terra natives, still managed to achieve remarkable results.
This is his gift to the Reunion Movement.
When will the high and mighty kings be able to engage in equal dialogue with the common people?
Naturally, this happened after the people possessed power sufficient to threaten them.
After all... equal dialogue is impossible without equal power.
With this in mind, Gorth decided to grant Talulah power.
This power is different from powerful Originium Arts; it requires neither talent nor bloodline.
Even a frail child can become an elite soldier once they are familiar with the controls.
Gorth hummed softly a few times, confident that his student would appreciate the gift.
That is...
"They couldn't have looked at the desktop without checking the drawers first, could they?"
Gorth hesitated for a moment, then immediately doubted himself.
The sketch on the table was a "failed product" he had pieced together from several pieces of armor based on his intuition.
He even deliberately drew inspiration from films and television shows depicting the Prototype Armor nation of Ursus to express his respect for it.
Because of that slightly childish whim, he even wrote his name below in the Ursus language he had just learned.
"But what would it be like if it could actually be built?"
Gorth couldn't help but imagine, after all, it was a part of his hard work.
Although it's a failed product, given the absurd materials of this world, the craftsmanship might actually allow it to be manufactured.
Imagining that scene, Gorth posted a photo of the blueprints in the group chat for his brothers to see.
After a brief silence, Vane was the first to react.
[Vane: This is... Cherno Alpha!?]