As the sun dipped below the horizon, night once again enveloped the snow-covered plains of Ursus.
Fireworks lit up the camp in the Black Forest as the Infected spontaneously offered prayers, celebrating having survived another day.
Unlike the tranquil mood of the others, the person being prayed for was pacing restlessly.
"They haven't come back yet..."
Upon sensing again, neither the seed nor the Shadow Wolf showed any abnormalities, Gorth could only conclude that the girls had been delayed by something.
Feeling somewhat relieved, Gorth also had time to comfort others.
"Let's eat first. Talulah and the others are fine; they were probably just delayed on the way."
The two little ones, sitting upright at the dining table, breathed a sigh of relief. Eno raised her hand curiously and asked:
Are you lost?
"Probably not..."
Gorth couldn't quite put his finger on it. The coordinates of the two of them had clearly shown that they were heading towards the forest, but when they reached a certain point, they suddenly turned around.
The current direction is correct, but there's still some distance to go.
Were we really lost, only finding our way after the moon came out?
The atmosphere fell silent, and Sasha raised her hand to propose:
"Let's go look for it; it's easy to get lost in the snowy plains at night."
As a survivor who struggled to survive in the desolate snowfields, Sasha knew just how dangerous those snowfields were.
The biting winds that constantly steal away warmth, wild beasts hunting at night, and most dangerous of all—
Infected bandits.
Knowing their days are numbered, these bandits act without restraint, and with the added advantage of their Originium Arts awakening by chance, encountering them is far more dangerous than dealing with wild beasts.
With this in mind, Sasha also shared her concerns with Gorth.
"Bandits? There's no need to worry about that."
Back in his seat, Gorth began to eat.
Since Alina was not present, everyone's meal reverted to barbecue.
"Talulah is very strong, but she can easily deal with a few hundred bandits on the snowfield."
"Several hundred people? Sister Talulah?"
Sasha found it incredible.
Although Talulah maintained her composure in front of everyone, Sasha had seen her act coquettishly in Alina's arms.
Does that version of Talulah really possess such power?
Unlike Sasha's skepticism, Eno didn't think that much about it.
"So Talulah is that powerful? Aren't you afraid of the Infection Patrol?"
"A few black bugs are nothing to worry about!"
Seeing Alina's worried look, Talulah confidently patted her chest.
"Don't worry, Alina, we can take care of this small number of people in a flash!"
Be careful...
Watching the flames rushing towards the convoy, Alina couldn't help but sigh.
Contrary to what Gorth had guessed, the two were not lost.
On their way out of town, a stream of cars pulled in, and Talulah, recognizing the Infection Patrol insignia, quickly led her friends to take cover.
The two had intended to leave, but then they heard wails of agony coming from inside the carriage.
Not wanting to affect the town's residents, the two waited until the convoy had finished resupplying before catching up.
Upon reaching the vast snowfield, Talulah could no longer contain herself.
The sturdy steel was sliced open like butter, and the locomotive and carriages separated.
Before the other Infection Patrol could react, the wall of fire surrounded the convoy.
"[Ursus curse!] Who are you?!"
"The one who'll take your life!"
People overlapped each other, like goods being arranged.
The Originium crystals and the congealed blood complemented each other, creating an eerie black hue.
A dozen or so people were crammed into the cramped carriage, and the one at the very bottom... had already stopped breathing.
Some people remained in a struggling posture—there was no doubt they were still alive when they were put into the car.
Seeing the horrific scene inside the carriage through the gaps, Red Dragon's rage grew even stronger.
"Wait a minute, Little Tal! Leave at least one alive!"
The shouts of his friends brought him back to his senses. The crew members in the driver's cab had not yet recovered from the impact, and their captain beside them had already been reduced to charred remains.
The Infection Patrol only shouted as if waking from a dream when the charred, burning corpse fell onto their laps.
"Wait! I... I'm just a driver! I'm innocent!"
"Shut up!"
The scorching air filled their lungs, and the Infection Patrol coughed painfully, curling up in pain.
Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Talulah walked into the carriage.
"Fellow countrymen, you are safe."
Talulah responded with weak groans; the remaining Infected were not in mortal danger.
To ensure they were able to work, the Infection Patrol did not injure their main bodies.
Relieved, Talulah warmed everyone's bodies with her flames.
Turning around, the distressed Infection Patrol officers were constantly eating snow.
Talulah dispersed the surrounding flames and said coldly:
"What about the other convoys? How many Infected have you actually taken away?!"
"I... I don't know..."
Enduring the excruciating burning pain, the Infection Patrol officers cried out:
"This is my first time here. I didn't arrest anyone; I just drove for them."
You think I'd believe your nonsense!
Talulah her sword even higher, eliciting screams from the Infection Patrol members:
"The Far North Central Mining Area! All I know is that they were originally going to be sent there! I really only know... cough! cough cough!"
She collapsed to the ground in agony, and the Infection Patrol officers tried to grab Talulah's legs.
"Please, please believe me! I've never done anything wrong before!"
Seemingly feeling that the information wasn't enough to save their lives, the Infection Patrol officer ripped off his mask.
Talulah there, stunned.
The voice, hoarse from burns in his lungs, belonged to a young man.
"I know this is wrong... but nowhere is bread and mead lying around! Driving for them is my only way out!"
"Please! I'll never do it again..."
"..."
Talulah remained silent, observing her reaction, and the Infection Patrol found a glimmer of hope.
He ripped open his shirt, pulled out a necklace from inside, and opened it with trembling hands.
"Look! These are my family members!"
The photo shows a smiling family of four.
A kind-looking middle-aged couple, an Infection Patrol officer in front of them, and a baby laughing with its mouth wide open.
"I only recently joined the Infection Patrol. Everyone's struggling financially... I'm doing this for my family's livelihood!"
Remembering something, the Infection Patrol pointed to the Infected inside the carriage.
"You can ask them! I really didn't do anything!"
"I was just delivering goods! I really was—"
"You know perfectly well what you're delivering."
Talulah's voice was devoid of emotion; the flames rising from below illuminated her body, but cast a shadow over her eyes and brows.
The Infection Patrol officer fell silent, staring blankly at the girl, already understanding his fate from her words.
"Why..."
Why! Why! Why! Why!!!
He grabbed some snow from the ground and threw it at the Red Dragon, only to be met with mist that evaporated in mid-air.
"You ignore those nobles who treat human life like dirt! You ignore those officials who embezzle public funds! You ignore us when we are bullied..."
"But why!!!"
The Infection Patrol tore at his face, blood flowing into his eyes.
"Why now of all times! Why me of all times!?"
The fire is burning, people are roaring, and the wind is howling.
Alina watched her friend nervously from the side, while the Infected silently observed the girl.
Everyone is waiting for an answer.
"I will go."
The Red Dragon declares thus:
"Whether it's nobles who disregard human life, corrupt officials, or bullies who oppress the common people."
I will crush them.
Talulah never closed her eyes as she stared at the Infection Patrol officers' contorted faces.
"I will settle accounts one by one, no matter how long it takes, even if it costs me my life."
"But this is by no means revenge, but rather a matter of justice."
The Red Dragon raised its sword, and a ring of fire enveloped the two people in the center.
I'm so sorry.
Talulah's usually cold face softened.
"I was unable to help you when you needed it."
What a hypocrite...
The Infection Patrol officer had intended to say that, but hesitated when he met those eyes.
He had seen that look in the eyes of a Laterano messenger spreading the faith.
Unlike the angel's devotion to God, he saw resilience in the girl's eyes.
This guy is telling the truth.
Just as he was recovering from this shocking fact, the next sentence brought him back to reality.
"But I cannot forgive you on behalf of those you have hurt."
Their expressions, which had just calmed down, twisted again Infection Patrol, realizing there was no hope of survival, angrily lunged at the girl.
But how could this battered body possibly keep up with the Red Dragon's reaction speed?
Flames quickly enveloped the humanoid figure in the air.
Strangely, tranquility came before the excruciating pain.
The flames no longer burned as before, and the team members felt a sense of familiarity.
So warm...
In stark contrast to this warm sensation, the team members' bodies were rapidly disappearing.
Kill the opponent before the pain is felt.
That was the Red Dragon's insignificant mercy.
Unexpectedly, this feeling spread to the team members through the flames.
In his final moments, he actually laughed, even though the laugh was so bitter.
If only you had come earlier...
"Feel sorry..."
The girl spoke again, but it was unclear who she was addressing.
The flames died down, the cold wind carried away the dust, leaving only a lingering thought in my heart.
In my next life, I don't want to be born in this country again...
"Why didn't I want to be born in this country...?"
Talulah savored the memory, letting out a soft sigh.
"Ursus, what have you done to your child?"
"Little Tal..."
Looking at her friend in front of her, Alina felt a pang of heartache.
Given the path the girl is about to take, this case is by no means an isolated one.
The night is too long...
"I'm fine."
Talulah shook her head and took Alina's hand.
Let's go home.
"... Um."
Coming to their senses, Talulah and her companion took stock of the vehicles that were still usable.
On their way to the Black Forest, Talulah and her companion learned the whole story through conversations with the Infected.
"The road to the Black Forest has been blocked?"
Alina covered her mouth, her face filled with terror.
"So the reason for the decrease in foot traffic during this period is..."
"Everyone has been arrested."
Talulah tried to control her emotions, but the occasional bursts of anger betrayed her defeat.
I will save them.
"Little Tal!?"
Alina nervously grabbed her friend, fearing that the other person would act impulsively.
The Far North Central Mining Area, one of the largest mines in Ursus.
Unlike small mines, this place was guarded by the military, making it impossible for anyone to breach by manpower.
Understanding her friend's concerns, Talulah comforted her:
"Don't worry, I won't act impulsively."
"As for the mine... I'll try to contact Mr. Patriot."
Seeing that Alina still seemed somewhat skeptical, Talulah sighed:
"I'm not stupid, why would I think of going against the army to rescue people?"
Achoo!
"Who!?"
In the Far North Central Mining Area, the patrolling guards vigilantly observed their surroundings, only to be met with complaints from their companions.
"Alright, stop being so paranoid, it's probably just that Qu beast again."
"The Qu beast wouldn't cause such a commotion."
The guards remained vigilant, shining searchlights as they approached the corner.
The scene heightened everyone's tension, and they all reached for their weapons.
When the guard suddenly shone his light at the end of the corner, all he saw was an unexcavated rock wall.
"What? I knew you were being overly cautious."
A companion put his arm around the guard's shoulder and led him toward the exit.
"This is a mine shaft; it's perfectly normal to hear some noise."
The lights gradually faded, and after an unknown amount of time, the dazzling searchlights came on again.
[The deserted rock face]
"Looks like I really misheard..."
The guards emerged from around the corner and couldn't resist patting the leader on the back of the head.
"I told you it was just your imagination, why won't you believe me?"
"It's always better to be careful."
The guard bared his teeth; clearly, his companion had struck with considerable force.
"Haven't there been quite a few Infected going missing lately? What if they're hiding somewhere...?"
What are you thinking about?
His companion slapped him again and dragged the guard outside.
"Those Infected; they probably all self-destructed and turned into Originium dust. It would be a miracle if they could be found."
"As for hiding... unless they can become invisible, who can hide right under our noses?"
"That's true..."
As the lights faded into the distance, darkness returned to the mine.
After an unknown amount of time, a slight noise broke the silence.
"Alright, they're gone."
Why did you suddenly sneeze?
"It must be the Lord of the Forest's response to me!"
"It's starting again..."
The dark mine was deserted, yet eerily, voices could be heard talking.
The sound originated from the rock face, which had been confirmed to be deserted.
A hand reached out from within, and the rock wall swayed gently, slowly dissipating like mist.
"These Originium Arts are so convenient; I almost thought I was going to get caught."
The weathered-looking miner waved back.
"Let's go, this place is no longer safe, we need to find a new base."
"Before you leave, you should at least thank the Lord of the Forest for his kindness."
A slightly annoyed voice came from the darkness; the miner rubbed his head, looking troubled.
"Alright kid, once we get out of here, I'll definitely find a doctor to fix your head."
"Alright, Rellkin, they've done us such a big favor, so what's wrong with showing some appreciation?"
Another miner laughed and joked, reaching out into the darkness.
Strangely, despite having no support, the person seemed to be suspended in mid-air as if supported.
"Praise be to the Black Forest Lord! Is that what he's called?"
The miners laughed and looked at the young man whose figure had been revealed.
"Kevin."