Chapter 128

Talulah hadn't expected to talk so much with the Emperor, just as she hadn't understood what Medic's so-called 'contingency plan' against the Black Snake was all about... But the problem was that the Emperor seemed to understand; he even sent over the letter opener that the late Emperor had used to force his subordinates to commit suicide.

It was essentially a token that symbolized "seeing the object is like seeing the person" and also carried the meaning of "commit suicide, and I will preserve your glory."

Clearly, Talulah no longer needs to fear the Inner Guards coming to her door... It's hard to say whether the Inner Guards are more afraid of the Undead, the Black Snake, or the current Emperor.

In terms of Medicaid's approach, the Inner Guards itself is more terrifying.

Although Talulah seemed completely unsurprised by the elusive nature of the Inner Guards due to Black Snake's upbringing... when the rhythmic sound of the respirator started up beside her, Cat and her team were on edge.

Although Medic has already entered the information about the Demons abilities he learned from Ah Fu, such as 'Nonlinear Movement,' into PRTS, knowing something and actually seeing it are two different things.

While Blaze and Liskarm were nervously exchanging glances and communicating how to deal with the sneak attack, Medic's focus was probably still on the underlying logic of its 'teleportation'.

"... a 'The Dominion' that Collapse into physical space because of observation... and observation itself is not limited to 'vision'...?"

Sighing, Medic finally understood why Ursus's Inner Guards, despite not being particularly combative, always seemed to lack something, yet were always more elusive and unpredictable than their counterparts.

In silence, the group boarded the vehicles prepared by Qi Qi and slowly chased after the Exploration Vehicle.

"So, everything's cleared up?"

FrostNova's question made Talulah's expression turn serious again, and as the silver-haired Dragon Lady turned her gaze back to Medic, Talulah's displeasure was undisguised:

"Sir Patriot has confirmed the cooperation with the Council... but Medic, I've never heard you mention anything about dealing with Black Snake."

"Because this idea of mine was something I just came up with."

Cat glanced back innocently, wondering what the Dragon Lady was so angry about... Was it because she was annoyed at being a bystander while being directly involved? Thinking this, Cat handed her notebook to Talulah, while the Dragon Lady frowned as she looked at the 'Demons' trait recorded by Rhodes Island.

"We learned of the Black Snake's existence from you, and before that, I was researching how to deal with the Demons Pollution in order to eliminate that Inner Guards..."

"I remember you told the Emperor... you wanted to use Sarkaz magic..."

Nodding, the cat turned its head, pawing at the fabric back of the chair. Its heterochromatic eyes, which had never shown any obvious emotion in front of Talulah, slightly averted their gaze at this moment.

"It's the Cyclopes's 'Foresight' spell... In terms we might be more familiar with, it should be called divination, or prophecy... Talulah, you just saw it too, the Inner Guards's 'non-linear movement'."

"You mean... teleportation?"

"That wasn't teleportation; it was created through the cognitive Collapse between the Warp and the real space... Emmmm, simply put, you can think of him as finding us by following the telephone line."

Seeing that Medic was explaining things to her very earnestly in a way that FrostNova could understand, Talulah's dissatisfaction visibly subsided. But this did not resolve her doubts:

"What does this have to do with you dealing with the Black Snake?"

"Because they are essentially the same."

Reaching into his waterproof notebook, Medic flipped to the section on 'Collapse' that he had previously noted down, and pointed out the most crucial part to Talulah:

"The Inner Guards, through being 'observed' or in a state of being known, used the Dominion within his body, or rather, the 'Demons,' to achieve instantaneous teleportation in the real world... Of course, I believe that assimilating one's physical body with the Dominion for a period of time is certainly not an easy task, but that's not important..."

"All we need to know is that sufficient observation can materialize the Demons, and the Demons's own the Dominion can contain more than just itself... It can assimilate tangible and even intangible things... It can even materialize fear."

Listening to Medic's explanation, Talulah suddenly had a premonition of a heart attack:

You wouldn't be thinking of...

"Yes, only the untouchable is terrifying. When fear becomes tangible, a reality that can be crushed, cut, and exploded, it becomes less frightening... However, that was just my initial assessment when I thought the enemy was just the Inner Guards. Now, I realize that dealing with just the Inner Guards who's holding you back isn't enough."

"As long as Black Snake is still active, he can keep promoting his ideas... coercing and bribing the next Inner Guards, the one after that, all while using the gimmick of 'for Ursus' to operate behind the scenes..."

"And now, Talulah... I have obtained the Emperor's authorization, and we will effectively squeeze out that the Dominion. And after confirming that we can forcibly Collapse the 'The Dominion' through cognition by using the Cyclopes's 'Foresight,' don't you think this is a perfect opportunity to resolve that thing within you?"

Talulah wasn't incapable of understanding Medic's explanation, but seeing this Little Cat talking so eloquently about something that was merely theoretical, Talulah had already witnessed the incomprehensible nature of the Black Snake, and now, looking at this little black cat from Rhodes Island, her mental state was truly worrying.

"... I suddenly realized that you're actually quite the crazy type... Even though the abilities the Inner Guards might use are already recorded in the notebook, how can you be so confident that you can handle him?"

"Talulah, you're overthinking it. The Inner Guards only have those strange abilities... If they didn't release the Dominion through self-destruction, Inner Guards strength is just so-so... Didn't you injure him very easily yourself?"

"... Then... what about the Black Snake? What if it really becomes a monster after being corrupted by Demons..."

"Thinking like this means you're constantly afraid of Him... However, a strong impression increases the success rate of the Collapse... You can continue doing this."

Talulah's remaining worries were choked back by the cat's nonchalant response, her eyes shifting between concern and doubt... Finally, as everyone in the vehicle gradually saw the Exploration Vehicle's communication mast again, the silver-haired Dragon Lady seemed to give up and leaned back in the not-so-comfortable chair:

"I don't understand. Is the Cyclopes's magic something like the fortune-telling stalls you can find anywhere under the overpass back in my hometown? Your actions have already exceeded the requirements for Rhodes Island operators! How much money did you get from the Emperor to go to such lengths?"

"Fight to the death? No... I'm just completing my mission normally. The Inner Guards are blocking my way, so I have to deal with Inner Guards. But just dealing with the Inner Guards doesn't seem to be enough, so I'll take care of Black Snake as well."

As he spoke, Medic took his notebook back from FrostNova, then turned back, thought for a moment, and continued:

"If I had to pinpoint a reason... it would probably be for Rhodes Island's ideals..."

"Ideals? That kind of thing..."

Frowning, Talulah realized her words were inappropriate and promptly shut her mouth. It had been a long time since she had thought about what 'ideal' meant.

This made the silver-haired Dragon Lady inwardly mock herself. When exactly did she begin to accept that all 'ideals' were deceptions and unrealistic things?

Is it because of the Black Snake's sophistry? Or is it because of those self-serving the Infected always put themselves before the group?

After realizing that she had even tacitly accepted that the 'Light of Ticarondo' might be a hoax, Talulah fell silent... She felt quite... ashamed of her first reaction that 'the emperor also believes this, so the credibility of this matter is at least 50%'.

Medic, who had been monitoring Black Snake Mind Link, remained silent on the matter.

After all, in Medic's eyes, Talulah was just an ordinary young woman.

Her current doubts, suspicions, indignation, and sullenness all stem from the fact that she hasn't experienced enough.

What was that quote from Cole again?

I hope she doesn't become a boring adult too quickly.

The cat, who was already an adult but still looked like a child, remained silent.

Finally, it was FrostNova, who was originally the coldest, who broke the deadlock between the two:

"So, Talulah, are you going to do it?"

"... What kind of gas is that? (The rest of the text appears to be unrelated and possibly machine-generated gibberish.)"

"The Black Snake removal surgery? If you really don't dare touch that Black Snake... just say so, and Medic won't force you, will they?"

Medic nodded naturally in response to FrostNova's questioning gaze.

After all, if the Black Snake really does cause trouble, it might be FrostNova, Patriot, or even the Emperor and the Ursus Council who will be in trouble. In any case, it will have nothing to do with Medic, the Columbia.

She diligently completed her order... As for the customer's fate, she understood and respected it.

Cats are always like that.

In response to FrostNova's question, Talulah nervously fidgeted with her fingers and pursed her lips:

"I... I don't know."

"It's okay. Often, people only realize their choices when faced with a situation... And confusion itself is a choice... All I, Erlingba Wulingjiu, can do is choose to move in the direction I believe is right... But, is right necessarily correct? Not necessarily..."

During the conversation, Huang drove back to the Exploration Vehicle and saw FrostNova returning with Talulah and the others. The Reunion Movement cadres, who had been waiting in the garage for a long time, also gathered around.

"Talulah! Are you alright? Are there any pursuers?"

"There's no smell of sulfur... and judging from her troubled expression, she probably hasn't encountered any combat..." Shan

"Well, after all, Talulah doesn't think when there are enemies around~ She's an instinct-based warrior, you know."

The presence of an unfamiliar Medic officer instantly lightened the mood, and seeing Talulah's face gradually turn crimson, Alina, though not a combatant but a teacher and the settlement's liaison, intervened to bring the out-of-control situation back on track.

"Talulah... the people in the settlement are all very uneasy... what was the result of contacting Patriot?"

Seeing that everyone had quieted down, the silver-haired Dragon Lady forced herself to stop thinking about the Black Snake and instead smiled: (The last part is a fragment and doesn't translate directly.)

"There's no problem with Patriot. He... has contacted his former superior... and will provide us with even more assistance later..."

The Dragon Lady's words immediately relieved everyone, but the atmosphere didn't last long. One of the onlookers muttered under his breath, "I'll leave it at that."

"Their former superiors... weren't they nobles? The Patriot... are they planning to be recruited?"

Perhaps it was because he was used to talking to himself in the wilderness, but the garage of the Exploration Vehicle wasn't very big, and the structure itself was designed to amplify the volume so that the man's words could be clearly heard by everyone present, and the atmosphere instantly froze.

"Who just said that?! Was it you?!"

The first to lose his temper was the Skullshatterer, and as the atmosphere suddenly changed, the Rhodes Island members who came to pick up Medic also quietly gathered around to see how things were going.

The person dragged out by the Skullshatterer initially waved his hands in panic, but then, as if resigned to his fate, said in a somewhat dejected tone:

"No... yes, okay, I said it... was I wrong?! You yourself, the Skullshatterer, often say that cooperating with nobles can't be anything good! What?! You accepted the benefits from those hired by the Emperor, and forgot why we don't even have a place to be buried after we die?!"

"You (Ursus curses)--? Who am I talking about, and who are you talking about?! I don't believe those who are connected to the corrupt aristocracy. Does Patriot have any connection with those corrupt aristocrats?! Don't you have any idea who you were protecting before?!"

"... But I remember, a person who was a good person before may not be a good person in the future... Didn't Talulah say that before, and then wipe out a squad that deserted from us?!"

Seeing things spiral out of control, Talulah was initially at a loss, but after she came to her senses, the girl who seemed to be troubled by her youth vanished instantly.

With an expressionless face, the Dragon Lady placed her hand on the hilt of her longsword. At this moment, Talulah had reverted to the warrior of the Snowfield. Although she already knew that the Reunion Movement was on edge due to the persecution by the Black Snake, seeing someone doubt Patriot's loyalty simply because he met with Patriot without considering his long-standing principles... made Talulah extremely angry.

"But that squad did indeed intend to betray our location to the Infected Enforcement Squad. I remember clearly when the Assault Squad caught them red-handed misusing the radio..."

At this point, Talulah stepped forward, the red dragon's eyes extremely imposing, as if burning with flames:

"His Patriot is a former Ursus soldier and the founder of the Snowfield Guerrillas. In recent years, he has protected countless the Infected with his actions and liberated countless compatriots from the forced labor in the mines without any security... The Shield of the Infected is well-deserved and its reputation is evident to all."

"I didn't know that judging whether someone has made a mistake has become something that can be determined by conjecture... You clearly don't know why Patriot went there, nor do you know why he went to see the nobleman he hates the most... If you insist that Patriot meeting with a nobleman might lead to him becoming bad, I can only say that you are too superficial... If you really care about such things, why did you join an organization led by nobles?"

"... noble?!"

Seeing the other party kneel down as if by reflex, Talulah's disgust was even more undisguised. She didn't even know if she hated the other party for who he was or for the country that had created such a foolish people who had no bottom line and no ability to think.

Talulah took a deep breath, straightened her military uniform which she had never changed, and then drew the longsword that was clearly not something an ordinary family would have.

"Or do you think I'm just an ordinary person?"

No longer looking at the person pointing at herself with a ferocious expression, yet unable to utter a single word... Talulah thought that if the other party could continue with his shameless remarks, she might think more highly of him... After all, being able to be so unable to distinguish right from wrong is a skill in itself.

The fighter, who believed she had been battling Ursus all along, looked around, then at the few who refused to meet her gaze, and called them out one by one:

"Andrei, you joined six months ago. You were injured at the mine, and Alina used our homemade liquor to disinfect and bring down your fever..."

"Leonid, you joined eight months ago. At that time, you and Ivan were being chased by the Military Police. I heard about you from the surrounding villages, and then it took me two weeks and the Yeti to find you in the Snowfield. I used fire to keep you warm, and we continued this all the way."

"Vadim, you joined us because you were sick and had nothing to eat, and no one was willing to take you in for work. At that time, you ate enough food for five people by yourself. I risked my life to go to the Mobile City to buy food for you... Do you think there were any noble connections involved? If you could get food like that, would you eat it?"

"And Tatyana, Viktor, Valentin, Vitaly... Don't you all need me to remind you that judging a person should be based on what they have done, not on something as simple as their reputation?!"

Talulah's reprimand wasn't loud; after all, one doesn't need to shout to be heard in a garage...

The silence that followed was deafening.

Seeing that none of these guys wanted to meet her gaze, Talulah fell silent as well, then looked at the other officers:

Do you also have questions for me?

"Hmm... yes..."

The first to step forward, a seemingly impatient burly man, tensed nervously on the chainsaw in his shoulder, then scratched his head sheepishly.

"So, can we finalize the trip to Columbia?"

"... Um, that's not what I meant..."

Seeing Talulah transform back into a troubled young girl, W chuckled.

"What else? Do you think the people here who are nominated for leadership positions really care about your status? Compared to that, the matter of Columbia is more important... Didn't you yourself have us collect opinions overnight? What? You made us work overtime and then say you don't have to do it this way? Talulah, you should watch your backside when you say that!"

Seeing W start toying with the bomb remote, Talulah's expression was one of utter amusement and exasperation. As for the others... aside from the Skullshatterer signaling his men to take note of and control those ungrateful bastards, none of the other officers paid any attention to the matter.

Seeing Talulah surrounded by the cadres, holding a thick stack of 'Opinion Collection Results' and looking at him with pleading eyes, Medic, who was holding Rosemary, tilted his head in confusion.

The cat was confused; what did this have to do with it?

Rhodes Island will not interfere in the internal affairs of the cooperative organization...

Thinking this, Talulah, who considered the person most capable of helping her with her paperwork, picked up the child and turned to leave.

As for Talulah's request for help... Medic hopes she can discover the office software built into PRTS as soon as possible.

Thus, the Exploration Vehicle began to accelerate.

Along with Nana's tragic fate, which she has yet to witness...

PS: What will happen Talulah her noble status? Aside from the fact that she herself cares a lot about it... originally, no other officers cared about it.

Although the original script by YJ was that Talulah was no longer subjected to psychological torture by her own people because of Patriot's support... I'm just saying this because she was tortured by Medic, so I can explain it in detail.

PS2: Meow Meow Cat

Woof woof cat. jpg

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