Chapter 102
"Yes, so even if it meant killing them, we did it... a last resort... and now we're moving along the path they came from..."
"Are you worried that the Pollution is just ahead?"
W's words made all the Mercenaries tense, especially Mary, who was next to Nana. This big orange cat, who was used to being surrounded by Sarkaz, even gripped her weapon tightly, which was an obvious sign of insecurity among non-combatants.
Nana's next words silenced everyone listening to the team's radio:
"If the Pollution is really up ahead... that's good. But if we can't find it anywhere, then things will be troublesome."
After that, silence enveloped the entire team.
As Nana silently closed her eyes for a short rest, feeling the ever-present halo above her head regardless of the weather, the assassin girl felt she might need to keep an eye mask or something similar in her wardrobe...
Just as she was boredly listening to Mary clicking and unloading bullets as she practiced using firearms, a figure invisible to non- Sarkaz Sorcery users suddenly appeared beside her. Nana, who had finally managed to catch up on some sleep in the car, woke up with a frown.
"W..."
"Huh? Pollution has appeared?"
"No... I have something to ask you... Your the Guerrillas Patriot, he's the commander of the elite Shieldguards in Ursus, right...?"
"That's right... he's still Sarkaz."
She adjusted her posture to avoid looking too lazy, but after hearing Nana's next words, the girl in the red dress with the white triangular scarf hanging down slowly frowned:
"The race is Wendigo... They're using a halberd? They're wearing deactivated power armor, and their secondary weapon is a shield with the Reunion Movement symbol... The skull of Ancients Elafia is exposed... No, is that a helmet shaped like a skull?"
"You saw him?"
"... I guess so..."
Her tone was somewhat conflicted, and Nana's expression was hard to describe. After all, what she had heard from Cole, the retelling of Rosemary's experiences, and the misfortunes of her subordinates... combined with her current goals, made it difficult for anyone to bear.
"The Patriot's Shieldguards has hijacked a Rhodes Island Exploration Vehicle, and I've received... a signal from my adopted daughter..."
"... Oh ho... No equipment was used at all... Is this the Witchcraft that Grandpa Ah Fu was talking about?"
Muttering to himself, 'Did I underestimate those guys from the Court?', W turned around again at that moment:
"So, how do I put it? Let me first clarify that the Patriot's stance is first the Shieldguards, then the Reunion Movement, and lastly the Sarkaz... His actions have nothing to do with me, and I'll remain... very honest and trustworthy."
"... I know, after all, the Patriot probably don't know about my side... Rhodes Island itself is here to investigate... and even help the Infected... It's more convenient to take them under control cleanly and efficiently, and the PEP alone on the vehicle is enough to make it worthwhile..."
"What's harder for me to say is... the whole process was rather dramatic... wanting to escape the Pureblood Court of Kazdel, only to receive an extremely scarce supply of medicine because of the Court's actions... it seems like they were caught up by the past they wanted to escape..."
"Wait a minute?! Why did the Patriot overtake your car?"
"... The Court officer, seemingly a colonel... his name is..."
"Is it Manfred?!"
W's words made Nana and Cole confirm the information in their minds again. As Nana nodded, W's static beauty mode, which she had maintained the whole way, instantly broke down. Her grinning face looked exactly like the mouth of some Sarkaz Bloodfiend split into three parts.
"Aaaaaah! Manfred... He actually came to Ursus in person? I thought the Court was full of cowards... I never expected... he actually followed us!? Good... very good..."
"... Obviously, you have a grudge against that guy... but I still want to advise you to calm down... or do you want to fight him with both hands broken?"
Nana's comment, "If you're not calm, I'll break your hand so you can calm down," immediately made the white-haired Sarkaz click his tongue and sit back down in his seat.
"Hey! Aren't we allies? I don't know how reliable your intelligence is, but Manfred is Theresis's most trusted subordinate... He's probably the guy who commanded the decapitation strike at Babel... I heard Rhodes Island suffered significant losses because of that. Isn't he our common enemy?"
"... However, I have not received any permission or order to wage war against the Military Commission..."
Seeing W's puffed-up, red eyes filled with the stubborn determination of 'If you won't go, I'll go myself,' Nana sighed and continued:
"Besides, his goal is probably to track down the Bloodfiend I disguised as, as well as Ah Fu and the others I took away... If he doesn't give up the mission easily, that guy will find Snowfield sooner or later. You can wait until your injuries have healed a bit before figuring out how to deal with him..."
"But more important than your business is that I urgently need you to tell Patriot not to mess around in my car... The person in that car is as important to me as Theresa is to you... If you don't want me to change the mission to wipe out the Reunion Movement at the last minute... then you'd better tell Patriot immediately that he's targeting his allies!"
Seeing that Nana's eyes were even redder than her own, W blinked and then said with a somewhat aggrieved expression:
"... Okay... you're right... However, our vehicle radios are all small walkie-talkies... and since we're in the mountains, it's still very difficult to contact Patriot over 100 kilometers away... Let me finish!"
Reaching out, W grasped the small hand gripping her shoulder like a vise and shook it, trying to stop her from squeezing so hard. She grimaced and said:
"Further ahead is roughly the Yeti's territory, and the Yeti's leader is Patriot's adopted daughter. My equipment can't handle it, but FrostNova definitely has something to say about it... They often coordinate brilliantly in harsh environments, and I suspect they have some kind of Witchcraft connection similar to what you just described..."
"... This is really good news..."
Seeing Nana release him, W rubbed his shoulder, then sighed and picked up the radio to instruct the convoy to speed up while simultaneously contacting 'Yeti'... It seems that Nana's side is indeed more anxious than Manfred's.
Beyond the snow line that Nana was worried about, the huge corridor outside the Exploration Vehicle, which was previously far from being manned, was now filled with fully armed Shieldguards. The occasional explosions that had been heard before had completely ceased...
These guys, specializing in field warfare, land warfare, and even boarding operations, and with considerable experience in seizing large vehicles like Landship, took advantage of the moment when everyone on Rhodes Island was focused on Manfred removing the Witchcraft mark on Rosemary. And right off the bat, they took hostages—the very thing 'Medic' found most difficult to handle...
[Sorry, by the time I noticed, Durin was already in their hands...]
"No... it's alright... is anyone hurt?"
[No... it's probably also related to the fact that we didn't... or rather, we weren't able to resist?]
Hearing Ranger Black Horn's report, the vehicle's armored roof was armed with Firearms Arts, but almost as if Durin had been taken hostage, he was immediately surrounded by paratroopers. Jessica, whose Halo was almost exposed, was dressed in Medic's Rhodes Island uniform and attire, constantly trying to calm the restless blue lights in the sky:
"That's good... Little Cat, you heard it too... Everyone's alright, calm down first..."
[Yes, I'm calm... The standoff has lasted for over three hours, and the battlefield is almost set up... Wait for me, N... Medic, I'll rescue you right away.]
In the sky, lightning lashed outwards from the incandescent morning star, its ionized atmosphere releasing a distinctive odor of ozone. The Guerrillas, who had been arguing about whether to move the medicine and goods to their own vehicle or simply seize the small Landship, were now witnessing an artificial black cloud gradually forming around the dazzling blue arc star as the sky's temperature rose due to plasma radiation. Coupled with the rampant lightning and thunder, everyone felt as if they were being engulfed by Catastrophes.
Ignoring the fleeing committee members who were somewhat overwhelmed by their own predicament, and with no time to direct the attack that had entered the ship's hull but was being fiercely resisted by the intense heat... the towering warrior, wielding his halberd, simply looked up at the Little Cat whose tail fur was standing on end, glaring at him menacingly.
"... What follows is a very calm personnel exchange... If they dare to harm you, I will repay them tenfold... no, a hundredfold!"
As six Tactical Unit pointed towards the ground, the Catastrophe Cloud took shape... Black Snow, accompanied by the storm, sliced through everyone, while blue lightning bolts began to strike the ground one after another.
The tall birch trees and interspersed coniferous forests gradually burst into flames amidst the deafening thunder, with occasional flashes striking the shield positions that formed the battle line.
The distant cries of pain from their comrades, amplified by the Thunder, caused the rapid deployment force holding hostages to frantically pull at them. Meanwhile, for Rosemary, who had been watching closely, each short gasp from Durin unconsciously intensified her buildup of power... Then, Thunder, even more in keeping with the nature of the Catastrophe Cloud, swept across the sky. The spell units were fully charged, and the Tactical Unit were poised to unleash their power, ready to tear this entire tundra apart at any moment.
"Now, let them go..."
"... This is what I should be saying... Dispel your spell, Little Cat..."
"Release them first!"
The Little Cat in the sky can make childish noises like a spoiled child, but the Patriot cannot entrust the safety of the entire Shieldguards to the fickle mind of a child, which is more unpredictable than the southern weather.
He didn't even understand why things had taken such a sharp turn for the worse when the Shieldguards had already taken control.
If the cause of the incident was that I overlooked a young and talented sorcerer, then her spells were far too fast and too large in scale.
Azure Thunder pierced the sky, and a dark storm drew ever closer... Patriot had only ever seen spells with the potential to spread to such a scale with Talulah, that princess, and on the battlefields where they charged towards the tower...
As for the demand from the Little Cat in the air, Patriot silently raised his halberd, and in the light of Thunder tearing through the sky, the rusty halberd pointed at the only star in the black storm:
"... Possessing power, yet lacking any magnanimity...?"
"... Trying to make me lift the spell... I won't fall for it. Power is the only guarantee for this conversation... If you don't let everyone leave the car, then I'll keep you here forever... Prepare to pay for what you've done."
The storm suddenly subsided, followed by rolling thunder from all directions, and flashes of light from the storm clouds began to gather towards the center...
Thinking that 'we haven't actually done anything yet,' Patriot gripped his halberd tightly. Accustomed to silence and never knowing how to communicate with children, this man could only hope that he could shoot down the young sorcerer in the sky...
Just as the opposing forces reached their peak, Patriot suddenly saw a white-haired female Dead Soul grab the Little Cat that was about to attack... The similarity in their faces made Patriot realize that they were related by blood.
Seeing the other person lose focus for a moment, Patriot subconsciously prepared to throw his weapon into the sky... but then, the ice flower-shaped amulet on his shoulder against his cheek emitted a flash and a cool sensation.
"... Not an enemy?"
The Little Cat twitched its ears in confusion, and Patriot lowered his halberd... Then, the Shieldguards- bearer adjutant who had led the assault on the Exploration Vehicle, along with a communications soldier carrying a radio, charged into the battlefield, which was covered in Black Snow and clouded by Catastrophe Cloud:
"Captain, a call from 'Yeti'! 'W claims Rhodes Island is an ally, and includes a sorceress with a danger level of' Dragon Lady '...'"
"This... we've already seen it..."
Standing up straight, Patriot glanced again at the interaction between the Dead Soul and the Little Cat. Seeing how obedient the Little Cat was to its 'kin,' Patriot pondered for a moment before waving his hand.
As white ribbons fluttered in the storm, a short whistle sounded... a signal to end the battle and not to harbor any hostility.
The Shieldguards, who had been scattering around after being struck by Thunder, were immediately sent back to Durin, Ranger, and Black Horn, who had been lounging outside. Huang, who had repelled three waves of enemies at the key gate, also opened the emergency airlock, allowing everyone outside the vehicle to return inside.
On the roof, Jessica breathed a sigh of relief as the brightness around the Little Cat gradually returned to normal. At the same time, Franka and Liskarm, who were guarding the roof gate, climbed out.
"It seems... to be over?"
"It seems so..."
"I think we need to teach Little Cat how to negotiate in battle... Even if she's Kal'tsit- designated annihilation operator, isn't the chance of her teammates being wiped out in the process too high?"
Regarding Fuyuki (8) Ba Ling Liu Yi Lanka's complaints, 'Medic' smiled helplessly:
"... This situation is special after all... Even a war sorcerer like Little Cat can't manage three battlefields simultaneously... But, as expected, keeping it secret and simply requesting a conversation with Feline... won't be accepted...?"
Seeing Jessica's conflicted expression, still disguised as Medic, Liskarm touched the deep dent in his skin where the paratrooper captain had slashed him and said:
"No, Medic shouldn't be associated with 'Halo' at all. Jessica, you were right not to expose yourself... Instead, we should trace the root cause of this attack. If we had detected the enemy's approach from the beginning, we wouldn't have put such a heavy burden on Little Cat..."
After saying this, the three fell silent again... Qi
Franka looked at her thermite unit, but her gaze drifted to the distant battlefield where the Little Cat were fighting:(
"If I had that power..."
PS:)
Rosemary: I am the approaching storm!
After finishing this chapter, I suddenly realized this reference; I'll have the Little Cat learn how to wield the Yamato in a bit!
Perhaps we could also prepare a transformation system for the cat, just like the one the rabbit originally had... How about giving her a transformation device? (Thinking...)
PS2: Franka's enhancement quest is about to be released... Although I haven't decided yet whether to enhance Franka or Liskarm... After all, 'Medic' hasn't been touched yet, right...?
PS3: I've decided not to write about the Demons in detail for now. The Snowfield Roguelike expansion is about to be released, so there's no need to risk being betrayed by speculating about Yostar's settings... After all, it's a free Yostar... V
Let's turn our attention back to the Inner Guards... The indescribable is hard to write about, but the Inner Guards is a very concrete and vivid character.
PS4: Waa...
The cat fell down... I always feel that the cats drawn by this artist have a certain... indescribable allure.
4th Crimson Warm Winter: 107 is going to have a house swap.
"... Big sister, the Shieldguards communications officer has confirmed that they received our message."
"Yes, my 'signal' was indeed sent... so..."
Putting the 'amulet' back in his pocket, the silver-haired Cautus looked up ahead:
"... Is it about time to release my men?"
As he spoke, the white-haired Cautus frowned slightly, and the scar on his nose distorted slightly with his owner's awkward movements... Not far away, W watched the Yeti princess being so humble, his expression filled with amusement:
"See what I told you? I said you should keep your men in line... But the Yeti is still of good quality. My bunch of ruthless men are already meeting their ancestors."
"... Although the Guerrillas don't really care about the casualties on the Mercenaries side, they still heard that your men died at her hands and assumed you were kidnapped, which is why they swarmed in..."
"Well... that brings us back to our earlier topic... why did our dear missionary answer so honestly, 'I killed them,' when you asked 'Where are the others?'"
Faced with the gazes of both the White Rabbit and the Sarkaz beauty simultaneously looking at her, the Angel cat, who had just applied medicine to the shoulder joint of the last Yeti that attacked her, tilted her head:
"Because there's no need to lie about this... If anyone still has grievances, we can simply resolve these issues directly."
After saying that, she exchanged a glance with Cole had returned from checking the situation in mid-air. After learning that no one from Rhodes Island was injured, the assassin, who had been expressionless just moments before... but whose temper was evident from her words, finally relaxed her tense nerves.
She had just prepared herself to take the 'Yeti' hostage and negotiate with the Patriot after the Little Cat's attempt to steal clothes from her failed.
"Ultimately, it was those Mercenaries who insisted on fighting even after I expressed my willingness to negotiate. People always have to pay the price for their choices... As for you, it was because the cause of your attack was a misunderstanding, and I tried my best not to use excessive force."
Seeing Nana's expression, as if Yeti had just won something, FrostNova Cautus was about to say something, but the shouts of the Sarkaz unloading their supplies interrupted her.
"... This is..."
"W said that her mission included resupplying you..."
"So, did W give us this... or did you give it to us?"
Seeing the White Rabbit's extremely subtle probing, Nana sighed softly, feeling somewhat exhausted. She felt she hadn't yet recovered from the tension of her girls facing the legendary 'Chorbokashti'... However, right now she still had to appease the person in front of her... her adopted daughter.
"... I know what you're worried about... W is still Mercenaries under your command. My conflict with W, and even my later cooperation with her, have had no negative impact on you... or the Reunion Movement... If you need it, I can swear to God that I have no ill will towards the Reunion Movement..."
"Then forget it. After all, oaths prove nothing... As for whether you have ulterior motives, we'll judge for ourselves."
Nodding, Nana stood up, tilted her head slightly, and looked directly into FrostNova's eyes, saying:
"Well then, out of courtesy and for the sake of cooperation, let me reintroduce myself... I am... a messenger for those Sarkaz refugee groups, currently escorting them across the Snowfield..."