Chapter 121

Although the Reunion Movement members seemed very nervous, Medic wasn't too worried about Folinic's safety because both Huang and Rosemary were there.

After all, putting aside the fact that Folinic herself is a certified Rhodes Island field team member, just the fact that two Senior Elite Operator are standing there makes Medic feel that it's more important to worry about the safety of the 'Skullshatterer' himself than Folinic.

After confirming the patient's condition one last time and instructing the child, Fidia, to have his friend rest quietly, Medic and Su Sulo prepared to return.

As the Yeti hurried off, the crossbowman, who had witnessed the entire event, spoke up after closing the door for the children:

"FrostNova, don't be hasty. Although Talulah hasn't yet decided to publicly announce cooperation with Rhodes Island, the fact that she hasn't driven them away shows that she at least doesn't want to strain relations."

"Thinking about it that way, this must be the Skullshatterer's personal act... so as long as the Skullshatterer has even a shred of reason, he would never act in the camp. The doctor should be safe!" Er

The crossbowman was soon panting from talking while running, but he still insisted on saying: Three

"FrostNova, you haven't been back for a long time, so you might not know, Talulah now strictly forbids violence in the camp. Right now, only the Assault Squad officers and a few captains have so-called 'law enforcement authority.' If anyone else has a conflict, they can talk it out, but if someone resorts to violence, whoever does it is in the wrong... So you should calm down." —Lin

"I'm quite calm. But Yuri, your tone sounds like... the Phantom Crossbowman are on our side?"

"Haven't we always been on the same side? Although you and Patriot specifically separated us hunters to form some kind of Sniper Squad... the title of Phantom Crossbowman wasn't given to us by the Military Police fighting in the mines... Ultimately, we're all Reunion Movement, an Infected Guerrilla Force."

"Furthermore, the Skullshatterer has been with us for some time now, and she rarely gets angry... This sudden outburst can only be due to a personal vendetta..."

As he spoke, the crossbowman glanced at Medic, who was being led around by FrostNova even as he ran.

"Although... people's first reaction to strangers is to show hostility and distrust... that's wrong, I won't argue. But the principle remains the same: we should be good to those who are good to us."

"In this world, there are very few kind people willing to treat the Infected normally, and even fewer kind doctors willing to help the Infected receive treatment... We can't let the personal vendetta of the Skullshatterer cause us to lose another 'friend.'"

Simple language contains simple power; in the midst of their conversation, everyone returned to the center of the square in the Reunion Movement settlement.

Just as the Yeti who came to deliver the message said, there were quite a few Reunion Movement with different armbands and uniforms gathered here. Medic glanced over and saw at least three different types of uniforms... not even counting W, who was watching the show with the Sarkaz from the 'Disciplinary Department'.

Contrary to the Yeti's fears, the atmosphere here, though serious, was not tense enough to warrant a fight. In front of the makeshift clinic, a beautiful woman in military uniform carrying a black longsword stood in the middle of the group... It was Talulah.

Meanwhile, the first person Medic saw was the 'Skullshatterer' who was only wearing a trench coat over his jacket in the freezing cold.

He was dressed in black clothes, with a thin white T-shirt that looked frayed and scratched against the Snowfield. His leather jacket and Ursus army wool coat were not buttoned up, and his only source of warmth seemed to be a black face mask around his neck... Clearly, that thing couldn't keep him warm at all.

The red-haired Lupo didn't say anything about Medic's arrival. She just tilted her head back slightly, gave a cold snort, and remained silent. She was... very cool.

In contrast, W wore a dress when we first met, but now she wears leather pants.

Her pretty red dress back then almost got blown up along with her left hand; it's a mystery where this rebellious outfit she's wearing now came from.

However, Medic seemed to understand why the Reunion Movement's cadres were dressed so lightly, because even standing dozens of meters away from Talulah, one could feel the warm breeze that dispelled the bitter cold.

Rhodes Island's little black cat once thought her Originium Arts were already outrageous, but when Talulah unintentionally turned the Snowfield, where the average daytime temperature hovered in the single digits, into a double-digit temperature reading close to the beginning of the second, Medic silently repeated three times in her mind 'I'm just an ordinary Feline ', the secret that allowed her to survive as an assassin until now.

Talulah had no idea what FrostNova's guest was thinking at that moment. After seeing the main character return, Talulah looked at the Skullshatterer she had stopped:

"... Alright, the person you're looking for is back... You probably don't need me to repeat the camp rules again."

"Hmph... I understand, I won't make a move in the camp... Being able to talk is enough, I just have a question for Rhodes Island."

It's unclear what happened before Medic returned, but Skullshatterer so obedient, Medic knew that Talulah had already taken care of things.

Just as Rhodes Island's black cat thought Talulah would use the Skullshatterer's actions to make demands on Rhodes Island as well, the silver-haired Dragon Lady in military uniform merely glanced at Medic and his group, then looked at FrostNova:

"Yelena, if you get this close to me..."

"As you can see, I have indeed been effectively treated. Although I'm still in the early stages of recovery, it might still be a bit difficult for me to sit next to you like I did three years ago."

"... It's good that the treatment is effective. Also, what about Patriot?" the Shieldguards said...

She didn't continue, but FrostNova understood Talulah's question and nodded.

"Well, it's a bit outrageous, but the old fogey really is... Let's talk about the details in private."

"Okay, I also have something I'd like to ask you."

Thanks to the tacit understanding between the officers, FrostNova and Talulah exchanged information in a few words. However, when FrostNova, confirming there was no conflict, decided to speak privately with Talulah seemed to feel that leaving so abruptly was impolite. So she looked at Medic again.

"Rhodes Island folks... please keep up the good work... If anything comes up, please contact the on-duty Assault Squad members. I've had Alex temporarily handle things here."

As the unmarked, white-haired Ursus boy with a machete slung over his shoulder and a sour face walked out from behind, Medic smiled and nodded at him. Then he looked at Talulah... Was it just my imagination? It seemed like her attitude had softened considerably overnight?

The silver-haired Dragon Lady seemed to sense the cat's confusion, and then she reverted to her initial aloof and unyielding demeanor.

"Finally, please abide by the Reunion Movement's camp rules... Most importantly, do not harm anyone..."

Medic nodded politely, too lazy to speak to them anymore, and watched the Dragon Lady and the White Rabbit leave.

Clearly, Talulah remains wary of Rhodes Island.

If summoning FrostNova away wasn't part of a plan to take action against Rhodes Island, then it's highly likely that they learned some information about Rhodes Island from the ordinary Yeti and Shieldguards yesterday... Now they're testing FrostNova's reaction.

The advantage of possessing power is that intelligence itself can become a weapon to strike the enemy... Although Medic herself is completely mystical, she has not been exposed after all, and all her combat power is based on Rosemary.

Although FrostNova and the crossbowmen occasionally hinted at Talulah's respect in their words, Medic still habitually applied the survival rules of the urban jungle to this Snowfield, huddled-together organization.

People will only begin to consider the possibility of cooperation once they realize that they cannot get what they want through violence.

This is how gangs in Columbia operate. Medic hoped he wouldn't need to use a knife and gun to persuade them here... and honestly, he didn't seem to have anything in particular he needed their help with.

Good Guy, Medic suddenly understood why he had seemed so confident all along.

However, considering her resume... whether as a Medic or Agent 77... Cat Cat has to work hard and do her best.

Until Talulah and the Twin Stars disappeared down the street, Medic first caught Rosemary, who had jumped into his arms, then looked at Alex, who seemed unhappy, and then at Skullshatterer also had a sour face... Leaving aside W, the static beauty, Medic also put on a business-like smile:

"So... where shall we begin? Should I introduce myself?"

"You mean your introduction, which was clearly a pseudonym? If it's just about how to address someone... you already know."

As he spoke, the Skullshatterer scanned Medic with an appraising gaze, pointed a finger at himself, and then pointed at the boy named Alex:

"I am 'Skullshatterer,' he is 'Skullshatterer'... Okay, introductions over... I'm asking you, Rhodes Island... is it the Rhodes Island I know?"

"That depends on what you know about Rhodes Island. If it's something bad I don't know about, then it might just be a coincidence of names."

"Stop grinning like that! Didn't that woman mention it when we first met?! I'm only asking you, is Kal'tsit that woman, the highest-ranking official on Rhodes Island?!"

Seeing the other person's increasingly agitated aura, Medic's smile slowly faded. In that instant, Rosemary, nestled in the familiar, gentle embrace, even felt as if she had returned to three years ago... Even without rehabilitation, it seemed that as soon as she put away her smile, the cat would revert to that cold-blooded killer state:

"... Please show some respect for my minister... I know the Reunion Movement dislikes nobles quite a bit because of Ursus's national policy, but aside from her noble status as Lord Kazdel, Lady Kal'tsit is also Rhodes Island's expert in treating Oripathy, a Doctor, a renowned scholar in sociology, a master of Originium Arts, a professor of archaeology, and even has a reputation in fields such as historical genealogy, economics, botany, and geology..."

She rattled off a long list of titles, even omitting the latter half of "Medic," but this didn't diminish her disgust for the Skullshatterer; in fact, a murderous intent that shouldn't belong to a doctor was almost palpable in her eyes.

"And you address her as 'that woman' right off the bat, so what are you... Little Biscuit?"

No, no, I can't swear in front of Rosemary, ptooey, ptooey... Just as Medic was trying to remain calm, W, who was watching from the sidelines, burst out laughing:

"Well, Skullshatterer, we've been colleagues for a while, so don't say I didn't warn you, Medic... no, Rhodes Island people are all stubborn, they get stronger when faced with a strong opponent... See this hand I'm using? This is what happens when you're used to talking with explosives... By the way, Patriot encountered something similar, and the entire Shieldguards was almost wiped out. Why don't you take a deep breath and change your tone? Really, it's not hard, just speak nicely, Medic has no reason to make things difficult for you, right?"

Not in the mood for riddles with W, Medic looked directly at the Skullshatterer was pursing his lips, seemingly lost in thought.

Thinking that if all else fails, I'll ask the Little Cat to help connect with Medic, who can read minds, and he's back in business with a smile:

"So, what exactly do you want?"

"Oh, she just wants to find Kal'tsit too~ What else could it be?"

Perhaps W was really too wicked, but Medic didn't have time to watch the Skullshatterer play a staring game with that static beauty. The Reunion Movement had four-digit numbers of the Infected waiting for treatment and registration. She didn't have the time or the Columbia Academy to play games with these cadres.

So the cat chose to be open and honest, which is why it is like a dove.

"W said Kal'tsit is your enemy... If you want revenge, we can arrange a place to settle things once and for all before we leave... But if that was just something you said in anger, and you have any regrets or questions you want to clarify with Minister Kal'tsit, you can wait until our mission is over and then take Rhodes Island's Exploration Vehicle back to the main island with us."

"... You... aren't you going to stop me?"

"Stop? Stop what? It's you who might have a grudge against Minister Kal'tsit, not me... We have no grudges between us, but being implicated is part of the job... So if you insist on doing this, I have nothing to say, but the consequences of doing so... I must make it clear in advance, we will resist with all our might."

"If it's a misunderstanding... then I recommend you personally meet with the Minister face-to-face. That way, whatever your choice, things will have progressed... As a target for revenge, I can't say how valuable the 'Human Resources Special Operations Team' is, but it will definitely cause the Minister unbearable heartache. Do you need me to provide a value list for this Exploration Vehicle?"

The Skullshatterer's speechless expression upon hearing Medic's words was as if he had seen some kind of freak, while W burst into laughter.

"I just realized, Medic, you have a talent for telling jokes!"

"I am seriously considering... His Skullshatterer."

"Stop torturing her. If you're really unhappy with her, just fire your electromagnetic cannons and blow her up, instead of making her listen to your sarcastic remarks... Wait, are you getting revenge for her always talking nonsense, using 'revenge' and 'you f***ing' all the time...?"

"W... there are minors here."

Seeing the Little Cat turn its head and reveal a clear look, the Sarkaz woman, who dared to speak rudely even to Talulah, made a zipping motion over her mouth... Well, it wasn't that she was afraid of the Little Cat or that she was naturally accommodating to the white-haired girl... Absolutely not!

So, ignoring W for now, who's all talk and no action, the little black cat from Rhodes Island smiled, seemingly unsure if Skullshatterer, and said something like, "You might consider my suggestion," before looking at Alex, who was listening to their conversation and had a strange expression.

"Then, it's up to you, Mr. Alex."

"Me? Never mind me..."

Seeing the twitching, waving hand gesture of the agitated little bear, Medic helplessly grabbed its hand, gripping it with a strength completely unlike that of Feline:

"Should I ignore you? But I can't ignore the Originium activity on your face... Don't you even realize that your temper has become abnormally volatile?"

"Wait! Let go! I'm just here to act as a supervisor and messenger!"

Seeing the silver-haired Ursus boy struggling but seemingly afraid of hurting himself, Medic wagged his tail, then put on his mask and gestured for Su Sulo and the people FrostNova had instructed to stay and help him to come forward and hold Alex down.

"But I can't keep a ticking time bomb next to me... Don't worry, it won't hurt... Everyone, don't hesitate, this child's condition is in the late stage of acute illness, hold him down!"

Seeing his 'comrades' betray him and swarm him, Alex tried to run but found he couldn't break free from Feline's grasp.

Even the Skullshatterer hesitated for a moment before joining in holding Alex down, causing the seemingly underage boy to let out a desperate scream:

"Don't come near me! Aaaaaah!"

PS: The circuit is fixed!

Axi returned to her loyal air-conditioned room!

Next, I need to rest well, recover my health, and resume regular updates...

PS2: Meow Meow Cat

4th Crimson Warm Winter: 127 Do you even need to tell me?

Alex... This boy, who gave himself the menacing codename 'Skullshatterer' and seemed to dislike everyone, was clearly in a volatile state due to the Active Originium on his face, even Medic, a doctor who wasn't a specialist in Oripathy, could tell.

Compared to most cases where crystals precipitate under the skin, or even in bones, joints, or internal organs, Alex's facial crystals were clearly caused by an acquired injury, resulting from infection due to delayed treatment of the injury.

As the activity of the Originium increases and the crystallization deepens, the pain in the nerve-sensitive face will become extremely severe... Regarding this, when Medic was disguised as the Bloodfiend, he even deliberately severed the Originium organ and personally experienced the magic.

This is why Medic was already thinking about how to get someone to hold Alex down when he saw him. But Cat didn't expect that he would get such a large response.

It was expected that the Shieldguards and Yeti would listen to him, because they knew they were helping Alex... When the Sarkaz from the Disciplinary Department swarmed forward, W laughed rather tastelessly, probably due to the natural dislike that foul-mouthed people have for rebellious brats, but in any case, since he had already entered the probationary period of the Human Resources Department, it was only natural for him to obey Medic's orders.

But what about you, the Skullshatterer?

You can't just move because you see everyone else doing it, right?

As the Shieldguards and Sarkaz carried Alex into the clinic with heavy, laborious movements, and watched as Su Sulo and Folinic joined up to begin their work, Medic turned his attention back to the Skullshatterer. The cat needed an answer.

"... Perhaps W is right, I might actually want to see Kal'tsit..."

The Skullshatterer clearly knew that his arrival was merely a spur-of-the-moment decision after hearing news of that woman. After she stormed in to cause trouble for Rhodes Island and was stopped by Talulah, his reason returned. Seeing that besides Talulah, the Shieldguards and Yeti were also protecting Rhodes Island, the Skullshatterer knew he had no chance.

But she still had a lot of complaints she wanted to voice, so she kept them to herself.

Although she didn't know what level of Feline Medic was to Kal'tsit, the Skullshatterer knew from her willingness to defend him that they were not on the same side.

But... ultimately, it's because the Skullshatterer himself didn't know what path he was on. (Ling)

She herself ran away from Kal'tsit; she herself cut off her own path.

With his head tilted slightly back, gazing at the sky over the Ursus Snowfield, which had once again turned gray as summer ended, the Skullshatterer bit his lip and asked:

"Did Kal'tsit tell you? She used to have a colleague, a colleague of Ursus', named Ilya..."

"I... didn't look into the minister's past... but the first thing I heard on Rhodes Island was that people here address each other by code names, which is a way of avoiding that painful past."

"But the name 'Kal'tsit' has always existed, hasn't it? She's always been the same, as if she's never changed."

(The narrative regarding the Skullshatterer is clearly subjective; based on Medic's own feelings, the shift in Kal'tsit's emotional tone is quite evident.)

Whether the people are acquaintances or strangers, are they merely work colleagues or friends...?

As time goes by, Kal'tsit will become more and more gentle towards the people she knows, like a angular gemstone being slowly polished to a smooth finish.

From her strictly businesslike treatment to her gentle, quietly caring boss who prepares everything for you... the only thing that might be misunderstood about her is her seemingly tight-lipped approach to everything except when absolutely necessary.

But Medic understands Kal'tsit, because some things cannot be said... This applies to assassins, and it applies to Kal'tsit as well.

If we're really talking about mysticism, then our own agent is way more outrageous than Kal'tsit.

Seeing that Medic seemed to be waiting for his next words, the Skullshatterer couldn't bring himself to fight, sighed and said: