Getting into the Swing of Things / Our Fated Meeting

Oute then changed the subject. "Of course, I don't deny that the Chernobog refugees have their value; the more who survive, the better for us."

"While prioritizing objectives, I will try to keep as many people alive as possible."

If an outsider heard this, they might think Doc Otter was just being sarcastic... but I know he's completely sincere. And it's wonderful that he considered the safety of ordinary people!

In addition to sighing, a little secret joy rippled in the depths of Amiya's heart: Such a Doc otter, such... Ott, only I know everything.

"Doc Otter! Hurry, hurry!" The little rabbit snatched Oute's arm and pulled him towards the war room.

The corners of her mouth turned up slightly.

Chapter 221 Getting Better and Better

January 4, 1097, 09:09:42, Operations Conference Room.

"After leaving the battlefield, the obedience of those Ursus militia members decreased significantly."

"The Sarkaz mercenaries can still... control their urge to rob for now."

"Besides..."

"... Anyway, that's... it!"

On the other side of the screen, the Sarkaz girl, with the help of her adoptive parents, hurriedly finished reading her script. The image quality was deteriorating, likely due to the weather.

Finally finished, she seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and immediately shouted excitedly to Hedley and Ines, "How was it? How was my performance?"

It seems to have nothing to do with the climate; it's simply that she can't read her script well.

Ines rubbed her forehead and lightly tapped the camera behind W with her finger, giving a subtle hint.

"What's wrong!? I read it pretty well just now!" The mercenary girl clutched her script, waving it with her back to the camera. "At least I finished reading it! There were so many words I didn't recognize before!"

Even Hedley covered his face in dismay.

"W, that's great," Oute encouraged.

"..."

The Sarkaz girl froze, and even with her back to the camera, a slight blush could be seen on her long neck.

I'm afraid her face could boil water.

Hedley sighed, brought his face close to the camera, and said helplessly, "As you can see, she is not yet capable of handling the duties of a regional supervisor."

"With your help, I believe she can complete the mission," Oute added. "Besides, recognizing so many words in such a short time is already quite an achievement for her."

The Sarkaz girl was displeased again. "Hey! You stinky otter! Who do you think you are!?"

Oute ignored him and continued, "FrostNova, how's the construction going?"

On the other side of the screen, the white rabbit also picked up a manuscript, glanced at it, and said, "The roads have been cleared. According to the Catastrophe forecast, there shouldn't be any major problems with the transportation of supplies in the near future."

Seeing the satisfied expression on Warfarin's face beside her, it seemed that she must have written the manuscript.

"Regarding the unloaded supplies, consumables such as tea, sugar, cigarettes, and alcohol have all been stored, and some tobacco has been provided to the refugees. Food and salt should be fully delivered to the temporary warehouse by tonight. The Originium fuel has been temporarily sheltered under a shed, and Yetis have been assigned to guard it."

"Construction has begun on the temporary loading and unloading dock for the Rhodes Island. Although its lifespan is limited, it is expected to be completed within three days."

"What about the refugees' housing problem? At this temperature, camping in the wild would be deadly."

"Many residential buildings have been cleared and most residents have moved in. The restoration of heating still needs improvement, but we have raised the indoor temperature in some extremely cold buildings to a permissible level using simple Originium stoves."

"What about those Reunion Movement hidden within the population?"

That's another issue.

Due to Oute's influence, only a very small number of Reunion Movement invaded Lungmen. The remaining group scattered during the attack on the Sarkaz mercenaries led by Hedley and Ines. Another small group, with the arrival of the Catastrophe again, followed Rhodes Island's rescue team to Number Fourteen Facility.

Furthermore, since only a very small number of elites participated in the infiltration of Lungmen along with the cadres, neither this group nor the disbanded Reunion Movement members were aware of Talulah's plan to send them to their deaths.

"... They are very grateful to Rhodes Island."

FrostNova did not continue speaking.

Gratitude doesn't put food on the table. After this process, ordinary refugees have become Rhodes Island's potential human resources. However, these Reunion Movement are merely expressions of gratitude.

"Understood." Oute nodded.

In this respect, FrostNova's situation is quite awkward.

After all, she was a cadre of the Reunion Movement not long ago.

If she had even a modicum of political acumen, she should be actively persuading this part of the Reunion Movement to join Rhodes Island. Avoiding any appearance of impropriety is certainly an option. But since she hasn't taken any further action...

He stepped back, giving the stage to Amiya.

Kal'tsit looked at the little rabbit expectantly.

On the screen, Nearl, Warfarin, and the others who were still in Number Fourteen Facility also focused their attention on Amiya.

"According to the Catastrophe management department's forecast, the temperature around Number Fourteen Facility will remain at a low level for the foreseeable future."

Amiya did not reveal the truth about Oute orchestrating the return of Catastrophe, but instead used the term "prediction."

"In addition, Number Fourteen Facility was forcibly detached from the main structure of Chernobog and then ran aground halfway through, resulting in excessively long maintenance time for various structures required for its relocation."

"Heating is essential to ensure the safety of refugees during the upcoming cold wave. Please focus your efforts on repairing or constructing heating systems."

Her gaze was resolute. "Once Rhodes Island's main ship completes the procurement of supplies, it will return to Number Fourteen Facility as soon as possible. Until then, whether you are operators, ordinary staff, refugees, militia, or Sarkaz, please ensure that you complete the preparations while keeping them under control!"

Outside the conference room.

"Amiya, that's very encouraging, but you could add a little material reward in addition to the spiritual encouragement," Oute said calmly.

"Doc Otter!" Amiya glanced at the nun, then secretly took Oute's arm. "You're already tired enough. Why don't you leave all this work to me?"

She had obtained a photograph from some busybodies. It was an aesthetically pleasing photograph featuring Specter, Oute, and Kal'tsit together.

For some reason, both the digital and physical versions of this photo are quite popular throughout Rhodes Island. It's likely that some Elite Operator are fueling this trend out of personal interest.

However, how much do they really believe that Oute is having an affair with Specter? Probably not many.

Considering the different stances of each operator and the time Babel / Rhodes Island, they have different views on Oute's interpersonal relationships.

Those former Babel Sarkaz who remained on Rhodes Island unanimously believed that Otto and a certain prince were the perfect match, and even intended to spread the rumor of the "Mind Flayer."

Other operators from the same era tend to favor Kal'tsit. Both are scholars, and it's said they once worked for the same group, and their personalities are quite similar.

Aside from those who are just curious, almost no one thinks that the Specter, a seafood that suddenly appeared on the island, is a good match.

However, Amiya experienced it firsthand.

While Specter, Oute, Kal'tsit were each lost in their own dreams, plotting their revenge, and still feeling unsatisfied, Amiya woke up halfway through, but pretended to be asleep.

In this situation, Kal'tsit is one thing, but what Specter the right to do that!?

But... is it fair to conflate what that conscious Specter did with this nun now?

Amiya can't do it yet, but she's made up her mind.

"Give it to you?" Oute thought for a moment. "The most urgent situation has passed. It wouldn't be bad for you to adapt and train."

Seeing that Oute had completely forgotten whether or not he should shake off her hand, Amiya was even happier.

Chapter 222 A Fateful Encounter

Looking at the "ragged" girl before him, Wei Yenwu felt somewhat fortunate. Fortunate that he had taken the initiative to visit Rhodes Island's Lungmen office. Out of guilt or cowardice, now that everything was going so smoothly, Wei Yenwu did not ask Rhodes Island to bring Talulah along.

Yes, he had presumptuously designed a bright future for Ch'en and Talulah, just like countless other "fathers." But fate intervened, and when the moment arrived, he hesitated.

Edward Yatrias.

Talulah Yatrias.

Wei Yenwu continued to look at the familiar yet unfamiliar girl, watching her sit at the desk calculating some form.

Incidentally, even though a significant number of people were having a meeting on the second floor, there were still quite a few people on the first floor of the office, but Wei Yenwu selectively ignored them.

Returning to the main point, Wei Yenwu was unwilling to disclose the contract with Rhodes Island. After receiving Rhodes Island's Wei Yenwu, this private visit was ostensibly conducted alone—as for those unsettling "Black Raincoats" figures, what was their relationship with the Governor of Lungmen?

The dragon claw emerged from Wei Yenwu's sleeve, but hesitated for a long time at the edge of the door frame.

"Is there something you need?"

Wei Yenwu ignored him, staring intently at the "Vouivre".

"Vouivre" was still wearing a luxurious yet tattered garment—ragged and full of holes. However, it had been altered into an overcoat by someone with extremely clumsy and awkward stitching.

Talulah, she probably used this as evidence of her sins.

No matter how her loved ones tried to exonerate her, Talulah firmly believed that it was her own weakness and wavering that allowed the Black Snake's magic to succeed. Therefore, she should bear the consequences of all the sins committed by the Black Snake.

Right now, there are two most important things: the Chernobog refugees and the future of the Reunion Movement.

The future of the Reunion Movement is important, but the Patriot have already begun to intervene. The Chernobog refugees, however, need immediate relief—otherwise, they won't last long.

Admittedly, Chernobog, as a major city in southern Ursus, already has a large stockpile of supplies. However, the supplies scattered across various mobile sites will likely have to wait until Number Fourteen Facility is completely settled before any efforts can begin to gather them...

If possible, organizing refugees to simultaneously excavate and collect supplies from Number Fourteen Facility while repairing and improving the heating system would be the best decision. Introducing Lungmen's aid here would actually influence Ursus's attitude towards the Chernobog region...

Without sufficient mutual trust, such actions could easily escalate into friction, not to mention the Black Snake's lingering scheme!

Talulah shook her head, no longer considering any other possibilities.

Human life is more important, and besides, there is no better choice now that things have come to this.

In addition, to ensure everything doesn't go off track, the Patriot also need resupply...

Knock knock knock.

Wei Yenwu took a deep breath, looked at the Dragon Girl, and knocked on the door.

"Please come in. This is Rhodes Island Lungmen Office. They're in a meeting right now. If you need anything, please go to the second floor..." Talulah without looking up.

"... Talulah."

Wei Yenwu called out.

No matter how Koschei planned it, the person who ultimately executed Edward was not the Black Snake.