Chapter 117

As the Yeti princess, her face slightly flushed, picked up her enamel mug, the Rhodes Island members around her all covered their mouths and smiled to varying degrees.

Before FrostNova's ears turned completely red, Medic used the last fry to wipe the hummus clean. After wiping his hands clean with the towel Miss Eileen handed him and thanking her, Medic took out his notebook.

"FrostNova, don't wander around after you finish eating. The morning's treatment isn't finished yet... Huang, when you and Su Sulo go back, ask Jessica and Liskarm if Franka, the patient Franka, needs to bring her own food or just take turns."

"Also, I went to ask Ah Fu a lot about the Demons Pollution last night... The detailed notes have been entered into a special read-only file in PRTS. It has been confirmed that it is safe for everyone to read the file as long as there is no source of Pollution... I will also relax the reading restrictions later. FrostNova, you can take a look too."

"Ah... okay."

As the Yeti princess blushed and pondered whether her treatment had been too intense, Medic glanced at the time displayed on the projection screen not far away and frowned.

"Rosemary went out to play again without having breakfast... I mean, went on a cruise?"

"No, the Little Cat got up with us... Then we separated from Jessica. The Blacksteel Team went to the cockpit to check if there was any problem with the autopilot, while we followed Medic to the cafeteria... Oh yeah, where did the Little Cat go?"

Seeing Huang's belated realization, Medic looked around. Folinic, who used to always be by Su Sulo's side, was nowhere to be seen... Fortunately, she hadn't disappeared. After Medic sent her a text message, she quickly replied, adding that the Little Cat and the Little Fox were also there.

[Little Fox?]

[That Mercenaries who calls herself Frostleaf... Senior, didn't you give her a rather sentimental weapon? I've noticed some Sarkaz in the Punishment Department and Welfare Department are giving her strange looks, so to avoid leaving her alone, I'm taking her and Little Cat with me.]

Looking at Folinic's reply, Medic tilted his head:

So, what did you and the Little Cat go about?

[Rosemary went to find the A4 Action Group with the Tactical Unit... We're in the weapons workshop now... They're working on your idea of hiding guns in the Tactical Unit.]

[...]

[Please don't use dots, seniors, just speak your mind.]

[I only mentioned it briefly... I know this plan is feasible, but it's a different matter from actual renovation...]

[Actually, it's alright. I saw Durin others excitedly sketching out a lot of blueprints, as if they had a burst of inspiration... If you're really interested, just come and see for yourself.]

Seeing that the other party had sent another gray and white girl scratching her head emoji, Folinic replied with a few dots. After seeing that her senior, who was also her superior, had sent her today's task list and then didn't seem to respond, Folinic glanced at the time required for Medic's scheduled 'FrostNova Treatment', and then continued to look at Durin was dancing around in the center of the workshop.

"So, Little Cat, none of your requests are reliable~"

"Didn't we say before when we installed the optical observation system that the more complex something is, the easier it is to break down?"

"Even Little Cat your spell core 'Rosemary's Embrace' is in your backpack, the Tactical Unit itself is meant to fight against enemies and their weapons. When you use it, you also need to consider the damage your Originium Arts will cause to the tactical equipment entity."

"The observation module itself uses a camera as a modification platform... It may not be much in terms of the Human Resources Department's budget, but it doesn't matter if you put it into battle... After all, it's just an entry-level digital SLR camera. It may be hard to get in Ursus, but there are plenty of them in Columbia."

"But Medic's Guardian Gun is different! As far as I know, that thing... its price... if it were auctioned, it could potentially sell for the price of a small Landship like the one we're standing on!"

"Now you want me to install this kind of thing on Tactical Unit, while also taking into account combat, the Guardian Gun, and ensuring its combat performance as Tactical Unit itself... This is something that can't be done with pre-battle modifications."

"I suggest we leave this kind of thing to professional craftsmen when we get back... like Sister Vulcan, it would be better to handle it."

"Right now, unless Medic herself agrees and provides written proof that she gave her consent, let's discuss Rosemary's own Tactical Unit modifications... How about having Sister Durin add some Little Cat decorations to your shield?"

Seeing Durin, who was slightly shorter than her, smiling as he tiptoed and gently rubbed her cat ears, Rosemary, clutching the gun case made by Ah Fu for Medic, puffed out her cheeks as she pondered how to persuade Durin.

While the old Ranger and Black Horn, who was helping transport Tactical Unit to the workshop, were laughing and watching the spectacle, Frostleaf, carrying a greatsword and wielding a halberd, looked at the sketches drawn by Durin and selected one:

"Actually, given the current conditions, this is probably the most feasible way to change it... However, as Durin said, this modification also basically means saying goodbye to your own use of Rosemary as an earthquake generator."

"In other words, after the modifications, aside from the long-distance observation module which you can use as a telescope, you'll basically never need these two units, Little Cat..."

Taking the sketch handed to him by someone who looked to be his age, the Little Cat asked unwillingly:

"Isn't it really impossible to have both? Equipment that my sister and I can both use..."

"If we let the professionals consider it, they might be able to find a solution... but most of the time, we have to make trade-offs."

Following Durin's example, Frostleaf gently rubbed the Little Cat's ears, then quietly withdrew her hand.

Overall, the feel of these cat ears is definitely not as good as my own big fox ears... but these are Rosemary cat ears... a cat that can cause an earthquake... if I have another chance to rub her ears, can I really resist rubbing them?

As Frostleaf got caught in an endless loop of 'Should I rub it?', 'Just a little rub!', 'Should I rub it?', 'Just a little rub!', and as the Little Cat herself started to feel uncomfortable and tried to dodge their hands, Folinic showed her conversation with Medic:

"The senior has agreed... Durin, you can go ahead and do it."

Hearing what Folinic said, Durin, wearing a leather apron and cut-resistant work gloves, quickly hopped over and asked repeatedly to confirm:

"Really? Let me make this clear, the Laterano Gun is expensive, but the Tactical Unit aren't cheap either... This kind of modification requires dismantling the original earthquake unit, and there's no going back."

"Medic said that identifying the Demons Pollution is crucial, and she even allowed you to use the Exploration Vehicle's main observation system to further enhance the aiming accuracy of the modified Tactical Unit... Although this modification makes it different from the 'hammer' Rosemary wanted, which two people could use together to smash the enemy with double the force... But I also think Medic is right. Compared to four 'hammers,' having two more... perhaps giving you a clearer view is the key to allowing you to unleash 'Heavenly Punishment' from a higher distance."

Seeing Folinic, who had always taken care of her, explain things this way, Rosemary's wavering was quite obvious... After holding on for about three seconds, the Little Cat twitched its ears and nodded:

"Since my sister has put it that way... then the observation system also needs to be modified?"

At this point, Rosemary began to ponder what exactly the subjective aiming spare part of the Exploration Vehicle was... and at that moment, Durin had already started laughing:

"Don't worry, I'll just tell you the effect. As long as it doesn't exceed your control, you can silently kill your opponent from a distance where they can't see you!"

"... Similar to the effect of my sister's Laterano Gun? My sister can kill targets three thousand meters away."

"A mere three kilometers! Our Exploration Vehicle's main optical sights and electronic systems can mark small civilian vehicles ten kilometers away in clear weather and unobstructed terrain! Think about it, you're ten kilometers away... even without operating your precious Tactical Unit, and forgetting about those valuable guidance weapons with Orundum electronic systems, you could simply uproot a tree, perform precise calculations, and then launch an attack!"

"Aha~ Here comes the little flying stick!"

Listening to Durin's animated description, the Little Cat's mouth slightly opened, and its expression immediately brightened...

She seems to have awakened some extraordinary attribute.

"Achoo--!"

Looking at Medic, whose hand was almost touching her body but suddenly made a strange sound and turned its head away... FrostNova, who was taking off her coat and 'treating' herself in the small room, tilted her head and then realized that the little black cat in front of her was sneezing.

"... Am I too cold?"

"No, your body temperature should have returned to above 20 degrees Celsius... This is probably not your problem."

Rubbing her nose, Medic decided to wear a mask next time she treated FrostNova... She almost sprayed it all over her.

Seeing this, the Yeti's princess did not press the matter further.

She simply grasped Medic's hand, which was pressed against her waist, through her clothes, gesturing for her to look out the window. In the distance, white strips of cloth fluttered in the wind on the treetops... In the customs of Yan, this was a custom called 'hanging mourning' when someone had died.

Those the Infected within the Reunion Movement use this as a sign that they are 'dead'.

This is the mark of the Reunion Movement territory.

"We've arrived. The Reunion Movement's settlement... is just ahead."

P. S.: After eliminating the Tree Scar, I've clarified quite a few things... Thus, the outline and setting puzzle for this volume are now complete... Next up... a massive update?

But anyway, it's still a temporary measure...

Of course, I wrote a lot of outlines today, but I'm too tired to continue... I'll take a nap and continue.

PS2: Meow Meow Cat

Cute cats↑

4th Crimson Warm Winter: 122 We came for only three things!

The Reunion Movement settlements are essentially refugees who, persecuted by the policies of the Old Nobility of Ursus, and harassed by the garrison or Infected Enforcement Squad, were forced to take refuge in the materially scarce Snowfield.

From Medic's perspective, they all fall into the category of political persecution... essentially no different from Ah Fu and others who were expelled and arrested by the Military Commission.

These people, who were once urban office workers, rural farmers, or engaged in other occupations, have now taken up arms and donned the cloak of the Reunion Movement.

Clearly, the predominantly white color scheme was designed to facilitate operations in the Snowfield, and it also served as a good reminder to Medic that, regardless of their past identities, they were now 'The Guerrillas,' a military resistance organization openly rebelling against the legitimate government.

Since it is a military organization, it is normal for its style of operation to resemble that of the military.

FrostNova said that from the settlement's own defensive facilities, the visible and invisible sentry posts outside the settlement, to the patrol routes arranged every day according to different weather conditions... the military training of the Reunion Movement was designed by Patriot, and even the Reunion Movement's initial instructors were people from the Shieldguards.

However, unlike elite units like the Shieldguards that still strictly adhere to military regulations, the Reunion Movement is more like an army in that only its training methods are at the military level.

Based on FrostNova's description, her ideological education, especially her sense of belonging to the organization, is not very strong... Talulah's attitude towards others basically shows that she adopts a laissez-faire approach, allowing others to go and establish their own independent faction if they are not satisfied.

This also explains why, even with the Reunion Movement holding such a dominant position, there are still so many different the Guerrillas... or rather, bandits, on the outskirts of the Snowfield.

As the Exploration Vehicle continued to advance, the number of outposts began to increase visibly.

During the Exploration Vehicle also encountered several visible outposts located not far from the road. Because Medic wanted to make a polite first contact, the little black cat from Rhodes Island ordered the vehicle to slow down and approach.

To show that it meant no harm, Yato also sounded its horn in accordance with internationally accepted signals.

But the sentries themselves seemed quite uncooperative. After the vehicle came to a stop and the Medic team entered the outpost, aside from the fact that the entry process itself required moving several wooden fences, the calls from Rhodes Island went completely unanswered.

Pushing open the unlocked wooden hut, the interior was a mess.

The scattered supply shelves indicated that the sentry had left in a hurry, and the unusually empty table made Medic suspect that there used to be a mobile radio there... Based on the amount of wood in the stove and the steaming tea on it, Medic could even imagine the sentry frantically calling out through the radio, then packing it up, hurriedly carrying the radio on his back, stuffing some supplies into his pocket, and leaving immediately.

The year-round snow cover on the Snowfield makes tracking footprints very easy...

"So, should we go after them?"

Glancing at the extended chainsaw in Huang's hand, and then at the four enormous shields floating around the Little Cat... Medic began to wonder if the members of his action team looked too ruthless, which was why the Reunion Movement was so wary.

FrostNova, however, refuted Medic's view: 2

"After all, most of the people in the Snowfield come from impoverished backgrounds, and they assume any large vehicle is related to the government... Moreover, Rhodes Island has never aired any advertisements in Ursus before, so nobody knows what you guys do... Therefore, just to be on the safe side, they will directly notify the Reunion Movement headquarters... After that, Talulah will probably come in person." —Shan

"So that means we can meet right away? That's great."

Watching Medic's men put the knocked-over cans back on the shelf, the others followed suit. They quickly tidied up the outpost, paying particular attention to the firewood and fuel near the stove and its air intake... After confirming that everything was normal and there was no fire hazard, Medic helped close the door, and everyone returned to the Exploration Vehicle.

"What I'm most worried about right now is avoiding misunderstandings during our contact... FrostNova, you know, the time she met Patriot almost resulted in both of them being seriously injured, I'm a little traumatized..."

Medic spoke while petting the Little Cat. The reason she didn't let Rosemary take flight was because she was worried the Reunion Movement members would overreact... mainly because she was concerned their reaction would stress the Little Cat as well... fins

This is the stress reaction of a perfect war sorcerer, a product of Columbia's most advanced technology, created at the cost of five lives... The Shieldguards are probably even more worried about this than the Medics.

So the Shieldguards adjutant who had always been by FrostNova's side nodded in agreement:

"So, FrostNova and I will be with you the whole time... Although the Captain isn't here, and the Yeti, due to their unique membership, hold a relatively independent position in the reunification process and don't have much say, they can't be wrong about the Shieldguards' shields..."

"The most important thing is the first contact. You Rhodes Island people shouldn't say anything... It's normal for Reunion to show some offensive capabilities; just leave it to us."

Seeing FrostNova's sincere expression, Medic readily agreed and told Blaze and the others to put away their weapons... mainly Blaze's chainsaw, which looked even more ferocious than Rosemary's Tactical Unit.

By the way, Medic is currently only accompanied by Little Cat and Huang, while Su Sulo and Folinic from the medical team have gone to help the Infected in the vehicle with follow-up examinations.

Franka is still under observation in the Blacksteel Team. In order to take care of Franka's mental state, Liskarm has also been granted a temporary leave from Medic.

Jessica took over the operation of the Exploration Vehicle's weapon system... Based on Medic's personal experience, users of Firearms Arts are also adept at using things like naval cannons or city defense cannons... Moreover, Jessica has the trump card of activating the 'Halo,' so Medic is very confident in entrusting the safety of the Exploration Vehicle to her.

Meanwhile, the A4 Action Group, with Medic's approval, began a full-scale upgrade of Tactical Unit Number Five and six... This was an urgent upgrade undertaken to meet the need for large-scale reconnaissance of Demons Pollution.

Due to the necessity of using the Tactical Unit before its modification was completed, Durin reassembled the disassembled camera components... Cat had clearly heard Durin's muttered words before Medic's departure, "Luckily, I was prescient not to throw away the outer shell."

However, because the Originium Dust shooting mode is very power-intensive, this thing was eventually hung around Rosemary's neck... and connected to the Tactical Unit when needed to ensure sufficient power.

In the short time it took Medic and FrostNova to exchange a few words, the Little Cat had already taken out its wired camera and snapped photos all around them.

At first, Rosemary did try to take wide-angle photos of scenery to prevent Pollution... but gradually, because it was boring, Little Cat also started to take photos with the goal of 'looking good', just like in textbooks and magazines.

Such an unusual scene appeared before the eyes of the Reunion Movement's sentinels—in front of a huge vehicle, a wealthy young lady, under the care of the medical staff and a burly-looking bodyguard, leisurely held a camera and looked around.

Behind them followed even more muscular... Shieldguards? And the Yeti princess... FrostNova herself?!

As the strange group returned to the massive wheeled Landship, the sentry belatedly picked up the microphone and continued his report:

"... Also, Shieldguards and FrostNova are with the invaders..."

Things are also seven or eight, Lingqi Laughing...

As the Exploration Vehicle continued forward, the Medic team encountered many more obstacles along the way.

Although none of these things were powerful enough to stop the Exploration Vehicle from moving forward, the group was extremely cautious due to previous incidents of being blocked by Demons Pollution.

After experiencing situations such as a car running over someone but the person nearly falling into a ditch, stepping on a spike trap designed for small vehicles, and being lured into the depths of the forest by a false road sign while driving Rosemary... Medic and her team were left frustrated and empty-handed, with nothing but a messy outpost or tent.

The Reunion Movement's sentinels seemed determined to carry out the delaying operation to the end, and Medic finally understood their mentality: they were the type to do bad things and run away... But would this be effective?

FrostNova even told me the location of your hometown... So why all this trouble—setting up traps and roadblocks, and putting up fake road signs...?

However... to show that he wasn't there to cause trouble, Medic patiently cleared all the outposts they encountered along the way. Because FrostNova had been with him the whole time, and the entire process was recorded by the combat recorder, Medic unknowingly laid the groundwork for the conversation that followed.

Of course, Huang found it boring to always be cleaning up other people's messes, but fortunately, Rosemary's attention was entirely on the camera in her hand... After being taught by Medic what 'composition' and 'golden ratio' are, even Little Cat with only a high school education can take decent photos.

As darkness fell, Medic neatly arranged the scattered bottles and jars from the last outpost.

"This should be the last warning cabin..."