Chapter 132

"Well, it's a bit of a hellish joke that a vehicle belonging to a company that deals with the Infected would have an Originium Steam leak."

Franka, habitually known for dampening everyone's spirits, elbowed him. Liskarm looked at Medic:

"So, in other words, we need to prepare for war...?"

"... It seems that battle is inevitable... but we still lack information about who our enemy is, what their attack plan is, what strategies we should use to defend, and how to counterattack."

Liskarm acknowledged Medic's statement, but the girl, Vouivre, looked somewhat dejected, realizing that something might not be right... After all, Liskarm had been harboring a nameless anger ever since Franka was injured.

Seeing that battle was inevitable, she actually had a feeling of 'good thing'... This is clearly not the kind of thinking a proper PMC should have. Liskarm obviously realized this after Medic's reminder... And while the white-haired Vouivre was bowing his head in reflection, Medic revealed a solution to the intelligence problem.

"Let's go ask Patriot... about the possible pursuit from Ursus."

Regarding Medic's statement, Su Sulo has a different opinion:

"Why not just ask the emperor directly? Wouldn't it be more reliable to have that 'Inner Guards' help relay the message?"

Looking at yet another child terrified by the Inner Guards's long-distance teleportation, Medic shook his head:

"Don't overestimate the Inner Guards's abilities... The Demons's non-linear actions are based on the projection of the Warp onto reality, and although the Inner Guards has stolen the Demons's power, he is still a physical being from the base world. Teleporting twice like that, although we don't know the cost, will certainly prevent him from doing it again in the short term..."

"Furthermore, don't overestimate the help the emperor can provide... Ultimately, colluding with outsiders to 'frame' one's own army is itself a weakness... Giving him tokens to execute disloyalists is already the limit of help that position can offer; going any further... would just be giving the Old Nobility Faction a handle against him."

The people present weren't fools. Although they had virtually no connection to 'nobility', they all understood what Medic was saying.

However, not being able to seek help from the Emperor is one thing, but that doesn't stop Medic from contacting the Patriot. After all, constantly sending letters to Saint Petersburg would certainly be used against them, but that doesn't stop the 'Shieldguards' from contacting their 'Captain,' does it?

Amid Medic's nonchalant "Connect Patriot to me," the sound of a ventilator accompanied breathing came from the other end of the line... At first, the Rhodes Island crew, as if suffering from PTSD, thought it was another call from the Inner Guards, but the subsequent sound relieved them; it was the sound of Patriot's power armor life support system operating.

Rhodes Island...

"It's us. Reunion Movement has agreed to go to Columbia. You can contact FrostNova to confirm the relevant terms... We are currently finalizing the route, but resolving the supply issue will take at least three days..."

[Are you... going to source your own supplies?]

"Of course, only by not relying on Ursus can these the Infected legitimately start a new life in Columbia, right...? Getting off topic, I want to know about Snake Scales's actions... Hmm... FrostNova talked to you about 'Black Snake'?"

[About Talulah? I already know everything... And compared to Snake Scales, I heard you're preparing to deal with 'Serpent Head'...]

"That... 'traitorous' Inner Guards... if he lacked respect for that letter opener... well, you're welcome."

With that Little Cat around, I'm not worried about your fighting strength... But even if the Emperor approves, what you're doing will still make you a thorn in the side of the Inner Guards... However, I suppose you haven't lived in Ursus for long, and judging from your nonchalant attitude, I won't dwell on it...

Seemingly hesitant, but soon the communication was filled with the sound of Ursus messengers carrying documents. Patriot quickly sent Medic the information they wanted, but it was of no use to the situation.

[The army controlled by the Snake Scales... or rather, the opposition, consisting of members of the Sixth and Third Army, has already begun its westward advance across the Snowfield in a combat-ready posture. Currently, I and the Fifth Army's new 'Shieldguards' Landship are marching towards the Snowfield...]

[The Emperor has issued an order to completely shut down those illegal mines in the northwestern Snowfield and strengthen the sanctity of the Saint Petersburg's decree. You don't need to worry about the Snake Scales interfering with you... unless they completely disregard my Fifth Army and the flesh-and-blood mining areas that have created countless fortunes for their masters... The Emperor has spoken: liberate them! This is irrefutable proof that those maggots will be utterly disgraced.]

"That's really good news."

[... But this means that those who come looking for you are definitely from the Inner Guards. Whether they're threatening me or simply trying to thwart His Majesty's plans, the traitors will definitely find you... Haven't they bothered you these past few days?]

"... Although I'm also puzzled, it's true that they didn't interfere with us... The Reunion Movement's transfer went smoothly, but it seems the process only went as far as the first supply point."

Seeing Medic with his eyes covered by bandages in the video, the Patriot, though puzzled as to why he could use such 'technology,' had already guessed what Rhodes Island was planning to use against the Inner Guards. After a moment of contemplation, they said:

"I might miss the first wave of battle, but Talulah and the others... FrostNova will help you... I hope you can take good care of them in Columbia... In exchange, I can recommend a Sami guide to you... She can definitely lead you safely out of this turbulent Snowfield."

"This is truly... the best takeaway from this conversation..."

If the previous negotiations were just ordinary intelligence exchanges, then Patriot's proposal was the first time that Medic's lips curled into a surprised expression.

The cat twitched its ears; Medic was a little uncomfortable because its legs were being 'held'.

"How can I contact that guide?"

[Don't worry... she'll come looking for you... after all, you've marked yourself with their mark.]

Patriot made no attempt to explain Medic's strange silence... Captain, no, Wendigo now stood on the bridge of the Ursus Landship, his brand-new power armor on his chest, apart from the ventilator that aided breathing to alleviate Oripathy, which was running continuously, and the golden double-headed eagle gleaming in the dim sunlight.

'Who are you?'

Wendigo posed this question to Feline, who used the bloodline of his own people, but clearly, it wasn't something that could be answered over communication. The former battlefield legend could only bury his doubts and wait for the war to end.

"... Speed up."

"Yes, Colonel!"

The fanatical soldiers responded with fanatical enthusiasm, and then dozens of capital ships with a two-kilometer-long wheelbase received the order. These high-speed Landship, equipped with rams and massive main guns, sounded their horns in unison in response.

Fifth Army, Fleet advance three--!

P. S.: It's already the next day in the blink of an eye... I feel terrible... I'm thinking of just accepting my fate and taking a few days to rest.

PS2: Meow Meow Cat

4th Crimson Warm Winter: 139 How many divisions does Black Snake Serpent have?

Terra is a vast and complex landmass. Even excluding other terrains unrelated to Medic, the Northwestern Ursus Snowfields, the Sami Snow Mountains continuing northwest, and the narrow passage along the mountain ridge turning south leads to the swamp. Adjacent to it is Kazimierz, which borders Ursus for more than two-thirds of the entire territory.

"... But this is not the end. Continuing west from the Kazimierz border, away from the fertile black soil, into the uninhabited wilderness of Columbia... that is the greatest threat to supplies."

Twirling a strand of pure white hair with her finger, the self-proclaimed beautiful girl captain, codenamed Puff, revealed a sinister smile to the person before her:

"In fact, judging from the inquiries above, many people feel that... supplies can be completely resolved in Kazimierz... and the people your little Qi is leading are of no use other than for propaganda, and there are even more hidden dangers in settling them according to the Columbian Homesteading Act..."

"Oh... I guess it's those guys who were scared off by Ursus again, worried that an increase in the Ursus population will lead to Ursus gangs like those in some Mobile City..."

With a crisp clicking sound, the frosted wheel sparked on the flint, igniting an orange-yellow flame that shone a bright light on the slender cigarette. The agent, codenamed 'Eternal Constant,' revealed a cold and aloof face—one that Number Seventy-Seven had never seen before—behind her business smile in private.

"Whether it's conservatism or simply incompetence... our nation is less than a century old, yet our politicians have just as many flaws as those in traditional countries."

"Smoking is prohibited here."

As she spoke, a pearl of light condensed at her fingertips, and she stubbed out the cigarette in her manager's hand with a single finger. Puff glanced at the proposal she had prepared for the Rhodes Island Human Resources Department's special team, then tossed it aside.

"Didn't you say you'd quit? Besides, this is a mission from the Security Bureau, so you should at least pull yourself together."

"... Thinking about going home on the Number Seventy-Seven after the New Year, I'm wondering if I should just quit my job and run away..."

"... What? You put those items in my room with a total price tag exceeding seven figures and you still can't appease our dear Little Seventy-Seven?"

Seemingly pondering the question about the Puff, the manager, with a half-smoked, extinguished cigarette dangling from his lips, stared blankly into the distance.

"Those are the cold-weather gear we missed. Even though we missed the mission, we can still give them to her as winter clothes... What's giving me a headache is that old lynx... Although I said Columbia wouldn't get involved in the White Emperor's affairs, Kal'tsit dumped Nana too quickly... It's like she's just throwing trouble at us..."

"After all, you sent the most renowned Ghost Assassin to her side, and then her most favored leader of Kazdel died suddenly... If Nana hadn't been unconscious the whole time, I would have also said that it was one of our people who did it..."

The manager gave a cold snort to the Puff, not wanting to explain anything.

According to intelligence gathered by her ICA, colleagues around the world are wondering if one of their subordinates was responsible... but so far no one has come forward to claim responsibility, after all, the Sarkaz seem to have really gone mad this time.

The fact that the native demon race rejected the Main War Faction was already somewhat unexpected, but it was also unprecedented for the Main War Faction to turn to the Mercenaries business, and for the regent of Kazdel to start negotiating his employment with Victoria like Mercenaries leader.

"... This is something we can only discuss privately here. That guy who lost his sister is like a mad dog now, biting anyone he can get his hands on. The fact that this Victoria aristocracy would bring along a pack of mad dogs... just shows they're really fearless."

"What about Ursus? That emperor summoned Nana; do you think his plan will succeed?"

"... The mission to Rhodes Island will definitely succeed... Kai (I) and scattered Erlin are the safety rope of this land, and it is the common decision of all of us to support the establishment of her forces."

"But you know how it is with Puff, sometimes beautiful visions can't outweigh the present hardships... I don't say anything about those people in the department copying my 'raising' strategy, but they think that with Number Seventy-Seven not around, sending me to the front line will give them an opportunity to bolster the Main War Faction and balance the internal factions... If that's really what the higher-ups are thinking, then I need to consider whether it's too late to submit my resume to Rhodes Island."

Hearing her agent's words, Puff, who was about to make pour-over coffee with two sets of coffee cups and filter paper, suddenly stopped in her tracks. Then, as she took out the expensive imported Laterano cream, Puff's expression turned to surprise as she looked at her agent.

"It sounds like... someone blew up house Number Seventy-Seven while you were away?"

"... Unleash your imagination, Operator Puff... Why can't it be someone courting death, like Number Seventy-Seven coming back and blowing everyone's houses to the ground?"

Hearing her manager, who doesn't like to joke, say something so provocative, Puff stood there with her mouth agape for a while before recovering.

You'd better tell me this is a joke.

"... Do you think I'm the kind of person who likes to joke around?"

"No, but... why?"

Picking up the coffee handed to him by the white-haired, self-proclaimed 'race secret' beautiful female captain, the manager pursed his lips and said:

"You should understand that the order behind the scenes is often not like it usually is... People often need to establish their authority through practical actions... So, what do you think is the best way to establish one's own voice and control the underworld when Number Seventy-Seven is not around?"

"Someone really blew up the house at Number Seventy-Seven?!"

Seeing the mixture of surprise, curiosity, and admiration for the unknown hero in Puff's eyes, the manager blinked and sighed:

"No... someone blew up Narcissa's... Rosemary's house."

After a brief silence, the question flashed through Puff's mind: 'How could anyone dare to do this?'

But after carefully recalling the Security Bureau's inherently independent nature, where each team operates independently and no one knows what they're doing until they reach a certain level or even for their entire lives, and the fact that the ICA was essentially an organization established by this woman to carry out the Security Bureau's activities... he silently raised his coffee cup.

At this point, Puff basically understood why the agent was looking so worried and had even sought refuge with her.

"In other words, your colleague's men messed up. A bunch of clueless guys attacked the ICA's top star but couldn't find him, so they followed the ICA's publicly known record of betrayal and ended up at the Little Cat's house... Oh, kudos to the brave warrior."

"... Respect for the dead." V

The two coffee cups clinked slightly in mid-air, and the two tacitly refrained from continuing their discussion of the ongoing righteous severance in Columbia... After all, what those people did didn't count, what the Security Bureau said didn't count, and even what Puff and her agent said didn't count... They could only wait and see how Number Seventy-Seven dealt with them after returning home.

On the warship's command platform in front of Puff, the TDD airborne Landship, representing Columbia's most advanced technology, was speeding eastward across the Columbia wasteland. As time ticked by, several wooden drop racks were filled to capacity; transport planes loaded with supplies, fuel, and antifreeze were being launched onto the catapults.

"Flight confirmed, target checkpoint 1. Note that only the signals from the Fifth Army are guiding signals. Do not deviate from the flight path, or those Russian bears will shoot you down."

"Shieldguards, acknowledgment. Target checkpoint 1 confirmed. Call port set to Ursus Fifth Army. We will deliver the package."

... delete

Ursus, Northwest Icefield—Although called an icefield, it's actually closer to the southern grasslands as commonly perceived. (Mio)

Contrary to the stereotypical image of a barren, white Snowfield, this place actually boasts fertile black soil, a complex and diverse ecosystem, and cloudberry berries—known as 'Ursus soft gold' due to their high nutritional value, though they are difficult to cultivate, hard to harvest, and require significant labor. Of course, those things are irrelevant to the battlefield at hand.

The fertile black earth was stained with blood and ash, the scarred steel and arrows, along with the corpses impaled upon them, silently embedded in the ground. They no longer distinguished between Sarkaz and Ursus; they were now being swallowed up equally by the earth.

The earth is equal, but people are not. Even in a seemingly random and uneventful battle, there are winners and losers.

The victorious Ursus, led by several Inner Guards, cleaned up the battlefield, soldiers carrying their Ursus brethren—whose numbers far exceeded those of the Sarkaz— from the mud.

They searched for their identification documents and, incidentally, finished off the Sarkaz corpses to prevent a repeat of previous Ghouls attacks and casualties... Witnessing all this were the 'Emperor's Blades,' the Ursus Inner Guards.

"It's confirmed. The attackers were Sarkaz from Kazdel, and it was undoubtedly a spell from the Carrion Eater Court."

"What are the demons doing in the Snowfield?"

"Judging from the routes we've been able to trace so far, it's clear they have a specific purpose..." Qun

After a long, rambling, and ultimately pointless discussion, the Inner Guards fell silent as they looked at the summarized information. Behind everyone's brief remarks lay intelligence diagrams that could not be fully pieced together... A seasoned Inner Guards, whose protective suit bore the marks of countless battles, new and old, like medals, suddenly burst out laughing:

"... How interesting. Some people know that Rhodes Island is located here, while others don't... Some say that Rhodes Island is southwards, but most say it's northwestwards... Let's put aside that guy who always disagrees with everyone else for now. What's the silent one thinking?"

As his gaze, as if it were a tangible presence, fell upon the silent Inner Guards, this member, whose youth was evident even from his protective suit, lowered his head slightly.

"I'm waiting."

"Wait?"

"I know about Rhodes Island, but not in detail. Besides, its actions here are authorized by His Majesty the Emperor, so I will not comment on it..."

"Its flight path clearly follows Kazdel, or rather, this company itself is inextricably linked to that country. Your silence is highly inappropriate. Don't you want to reconsider?"

"... What are you considering? Are you considering whether the price offered by the Old Nobility Faction is appropriate?"

Although the topic came up suddenly, the Inner Guards around him did not show any surprise, clearly all of them were aware of the Old Nobility' attempt to Emperor's Blades.

The seemingly silent Inner Guards also understood that doing nothing would only give others leverage, so he looked up at the guy who kept spouting information that didn't fit in with the others:

"At least he probably does think that price is good... enough to buy his loyalty..."

The atmosphere cooled down again, and the Inner Guards whose intelligence differed from the others was clearly enraged. He placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and said in a low voice:

"Your accusations are very serious, but you can't just speculate about your colleagues. Let's not even talk about whether you can produce evidence that I accepted bribes... Just considering the difference in intelligence, what does your silence mean? Is it a sign of your incompetence?"

"That's still better than outwardly obeying His Majesty's orders while inwardly disobeying them."

"Enough!"

The Inner Guards's angry rebuke interrupted the verbal sparring between the two, which resembled that of politicians rather than warriors. The other four Inner Guards, who had been temporarily transferred from other districts, also clearly did not want to participate in the topic. They even took a few steps back without making a sound, pretending to be watching the battlefield.

"Whether there is corruption or not is His Majesty's decision, and you should not speak recklessly. The political situation in the Northwest is so deeply entrenched that it is difficult to change... His Majesty has already reorganized the Shieldguards. If you don't want to be held accountable later, you'd better perform well now."

"Remember, our the Dominion is not the Dominion of any nobleman or duke, and those terrifying training and modifications are not stepping stones to sitting back and counting money. We are the blade of Ursus, and the loss of any one of us will be a loss for the entire nation."

"Now that His Majesty has made up his mind to govern the Northwest, the last pureblood Armored Wendigo... that lord is on his way here... If you don't want to become his bait, you'll prove your loyalty to Ursus! Now, go and find out what the Sarkaz are up to!"

"Yes, sir."

As they spoke, no one saw a snake, its head emerging from the shadows, its scarlet eyes casting a glance. With a flick of its tongue, this creature, so out of place in its surroundings, vanished without a trace.