Chapter 138

Before her, the mountains and starry sky returned to the darkness of Sami. Under the lamplight, her breath turned into white vapor... Medic looked around, and the unresponsive looks of the others made her realize that her 'Foresight' this time was just a fleeting moment, like usual.

But the White Rabbit's gentle tugging made Medic realize that his unusual behavior wasn't entirely unnoticed.

After nodding back to FrostNova to indicate that he was alright, Medic took another deep breath, recalling the information he had gained from this Foresight:

"... handle it properly..."

Medic's initial plan was to eliminate the culprit by materializing the Black Snake from the Demons without interference... However, with the Inner Guards intervening and Medic not intending to completely break with Inner Guards, the plan to make the most of the Inner Guards' corpses was no longer suitable.

After all, that veteran Inner Guards was a bit difficult to deal with, and their attitude did not allow Medic to use him as some kind of material.

Afterwards, considering the Ursus tradition of the Inner Guards, the Medic, while preparing for the funeral, entrusted the responsibility of cleaning up the Pollution to the Sami land... In this way, while getting rid of trouble for themselves, the Inner Guards also received sufficient courtesy, and the matter was thus concluded.

But... Kal'tsit's words in her Foresight put Medic in a difficult position.

After all, relying on natural remission to deal with Pollution is hardly a proper solution.

If we cannot use these Pollution and allow them to vanish in the embodiment of the Black Snake... then the only proper way left is... the Inner Guards method.

Using itself as a cage to absorb and monitor Pollution... Originally, this plan was intended to deal with the potentially overly powerful Demons Black Snake.

But since things have come to this, let's forget about the Black Snake... Let's change the order: first take control of the Dominion, then figure out a way to materialize the Black Snake.

Mepajiu()Phosphorus si Mio dic made this decision.

What is she doing?

Seeing the black- Feline walk around his colleague's corpse twice, as if in prayer or something else, the young Inner Guards asked this question.

"Can she really handle the Pollution properly?"

"... If she says it's possible, then we'll see... Regardless of whether she'll Collapse and unleash something terrifying, at least the Pollution will be reduced, even if it's just a little bit..."

Squinting, the battle- Inner Guards kept his hand on the hilt of his sword.

The stronger a warrior is, the more they resist Pollution, and the more powerful the abominations they become. The Inner Guards, who had already executed several of their colleagues who could no longer hold out, naturally understood this.

Perhaps it is precisely because they understand that they are so full of anticipation... Those young people have no idea, nor do those inactive the Infected in the distance... If he hadn't guessed, they were witnessing the birth of a new hero.

The Originium activity was adjusted for FrostNova one last time. Because there was a possibility that he could not return, Medic treated this treatment as the final one for FrostNova.

The complete loss of Originium activity, along with a slight Sarkaz seal... This series of events has left FrostNova in an unprecedented state of weakness. It is likely that even if White Rabbit actively uses Originium Arts within this week, she will not be able to react at all.

This is also to prevent any additional casualties that might result from accidents during the ritual.

"Medic?"

"... FrostNova, your treatment is finished... Talulah, I'll leave the White Rabbit to you."

Talulah took the still-unsteady FrostNova with a bewildered expression. She sensed something was off about the atmosphere but didn't ask any further questions.

Then, Medic looked at Su Sulo and Folinic:

"Afterwards, I may fall into an unconscious or other state. If chaos or hostility occurs, you must retreat immediately... Although the probability is small, if there is any change in command, Su Sulo will take over the subsequent command of this team, and Captain Yato... I hope that you will bring everyone back then."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

"Hoshiguma, Liskarm, Franka..."

"Wait a minute."

Her eyes twitched as she raised her hand to interrupt Medier's "aftermath" (a euphemism for her to handle matters after her death), and Huang, carrying her extended chainsaw, swished her tail with a gloomy expression:

"You're going to do something dangerous next, right?"

"Yes."

How confident are you?

"Eighty percent."

"I can't live without you?"

"Yes, this is an optimal choice based on our ideologies... I have no fear... and to achieve the predetermined amount of Pollution elimination, the more pronounced one's emotions, the less Pollution they can withstand. If it were you, Huang, it would probably take two hundred of you to reach the predetermined goal."

Whether sighing or amused by Medic's description, Huang paced back and forth anxiously for a while, his lips twitching, before finally meeting Medic's gaze.

"So, your self-destructive tendencies have returned, haven't they? You're having another episode..."

"This is simply the best course of action for the current situation... Relying on natural Pollution mitigation could trigger a future catastrophe that could engulf the entire land, just like being careful with open flames in a forest. There is nothing wrong with my actions."

Even so, seeing Huang's anxious face, clearly trying to find a reason to refute himself, Medic stepped forward, stood on tiptoe, and rubbed Huang's cat ears.

Even in such a cold, snowy mountain, Big Cat's tears wouldn't freeze; she was just that kind of person who freely radiated passion and emotion.

"... If you don't come back, I'll bring you back to Rhodes Island even if it kills me."

"If that's really the case, you don't actually need to bring me. You can just stay in the lounge and look at my medals."

After comforting Huang by nuzzling him, Medic looked at Liskarm and Franka. Although the fat fox stepped forward worriedly and said that she had experience with high Pollution loads and might be more suitable, Liskarm also said that she could do it if needed... but Medic still refused.

She had vowed to protect everyone, and since Medic was still alive, she wouldn't let anyone else get involved in areas she wasn't confident in.

A devout believer should put their faith into practice. Although Medic was unable to see the priest one last time due to her injuries and the need to care for her Little Cat, she never forgot what her mentor had taught her.

[... Minister... Banner III Ling Si IX Seventh Generation]

"Jessica ...reaffirm our vows..."

[... When the world falls apart, we will stand up...]

"Well, it was me this time... You might take the initiative to step forward next time... But I'm here, so you'll have to wait until next time."

Taking out the night-sky-colored knife, Medic began to consider where to make the incision without causing any disruption. As a vision of the future flashed through his mind, Medic continued:

"Speaking of which, does Jessica plan to grow her hair long?"

[Eh... Eh?]

"Grow your hair long... Jessica would look beautiful with it."

[Nana...]

Taking one last deep breath, Medic glanced at the family of cats who had somehow appeared around him.

The closest person to him was Cole, the white-haired lady who remained as dignified as ever; her calm words were always an important source of comfort for Number Seventy-Seven.

[Even with an 80% success rate... it's dangerous enough for you, isn't it...? Of course, we have no reason or right to stop you... but aren't you going to say goodbye to Narcissa?]

"... Need not..."

With a flick of the blade, a rift in the Warp was torn open, and the Warp known as 'The Dominion' surged forth, engulfing Medic.

"This isn't a farewell, so there's no need to say goodbye."

The onlookers, Inner Guards, moved in surprise, some stepping forward, others back; they could easily see what Feline was doing.

She is actively absorbing the Dominion; she is trying to become Inner Guards without the help of any drugs or equipment.

In the pitch-black mist, the heterochromatic eyes, blue and turquoise, gazed at the shimmering starry sea: Si

"I will not become a memory."

P. S.: I've set a goal to finish the temporary version before my birthday.

PS2: (Woo woo cat)

4th Crimson Warm Winter: 146 Deep Within (

A black mist obscured the starry sky, and even the special exploration lights capable of illuminating thousands of meters became blurred.

To control the Dominion, one must first unleash its full potential, a process that, in the eyes of most, is called uncontrolled Pollution.

"... This is insane... to conquer the Dominion without any support at all?"

Xixi nervously looked around, but everyone around him was focused on the center of the black mist. Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, the young Inner Guards could only bluntly offer his suggestions to his seniors.

"To contain the Dominion, one must first undergo the Dominion trials... There are neither heavy infantrymen here to help eliminate the entities of fear, nor special containers to prevent the Dominion's leakage... Sir, do you really believe she can 'handle it properly'?"

"... Even if we fail, however many the Dominion are destroyed, that's how many the Dominion will be properly dealt with..."

Moreover, even if it gets completely out of control, it's not necessarily a bad thing.

After all, this was a task that Rhodes Island had taken on voluntarily, and if they couldn't complete it, it would be their own responsibility... What had been worrying him was that international public opinion would completely overshadow the fact that the Ursus Inner Guards had been annihilated due to the Demons Pollution.

Although allowing allies to undertake something that would require Ursus's utmost effort and even guarantee a low success rate might seem unfair to the Emperor, and if things were to spiral out of control, damage to the Emperor's authority would be inevitable.

But this is ultimately a development that benefits Ursus. Since they consider themselves the dark side of the country, even if the Inner Guards harbor resentment, they will not take the initiative to stop it.

To offer this brave soul some care within his power, and to cover the escape of the remaining Rhodes Island members when the entity of fear appeared and things spiraled completely out of control... This was his final act of kindness as the Emperor's Blades to these outsiders.

Leaning on his sheathed saber, the battle- Inner Guards watched the situation unfold, and as if reminding the Rhodes Island crew, said:

"... Mentally speaking, it is truly admirable that you were able to stay conscious until the 'transformation' stage without the support of drugs and equipment... However, 'fear' is the instinct of all living beings. Without fear, there is no such thing as 'courage'... If you want to have your own the Dominion and become the master of Demons, you must have a clear understanding of what you fear, because you need to 'nourish' your the Dominion."

Hearing the reminders from the Inner Guards outside, Medic, enduring the black mist and feeling as if he were constantly melting, was completely bewildered.

Fear... what exactly is fear?

The assassin known as Number Seventy-Seven has no memory, no origin, and no concern for where she will go... Both her background and her way of being determine that she is certainly fearless, or rather, she herself is the very fear of her target.

Does Number Seventy-Seven really have anything to worry about or fear?

Even in the so-called Foresight ending, the inevitable deaths did not cause her any emotional fluctuation.

But... fear... well, the Kitty Killer might actually have something it's afraid of.

Opening his eyes, Medic looked through the pitch-black mist at Cole and Kate, who were ethereal and seemed to be radiating white light, holding his hand with concern... Even though he suspected that he would become Dead Soul through Bruce family's magic even if he died, Rosemary... Narcissa's life was still worrying.

Even with the self-awareness Little Cat Cole has no past and most likely no future, Medic is still afraid of being separated from Rosemary, even though he has no fear of death.

No... am I afraid of being separated from Rosemary, or am I afraid of being separated from Cole?

As he pondered, his breathing became increasingly noisy. The feeling of melting seemed to be real; the Dominion had altered the natural order of this region. His blood boiled within him, and his internal organs ceased to provide the necessary functions for survival. The distorted pressure pumped the fused flesh and blood everywhere along his limbs, but upon exhaling, he realized that he had merely exhaled a cloud of black gas.

"... This is... your fear?"

Seeing the figure formed from black mist that appeared to be Feline, the Inner Guards, who were already prepared for battle, uttered a questioning voice.

"They... have no intention of fighting..."

After sending FrostNova back to the car, Talulah, who was still panting from rushing back, also made the same judgment, but only Talulah had such leeway.

The fog of the Skullshatterer had already enveloped the area around the Exploration Vehicle. W frowned, holding the remote control, pondering whether to press it or not. Skullshatterer, who had recently acquired the Originium explosive launcher, nervously placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. Meanwhile, the three heavy-armored officers of the Reunion Movement — Big Adam, Big Bob, and the tall, taciturn warrior known only as Mudrock —gripped their chainsaws or warhammers, ready to eliminate the enemy at any moment.

In terms of vigilance, the Rhodes Island team was no less vigilant... However, with the Little Cat's soft murmur, Huang and the others were all taken aback.

"... Mother..."

"Eh? That... the black one... is that Rosemary's mother?"

"Birth mother?"

Having some knowledge of what the two had gone through, Su Sulo quickly reacted, then looked at the shadowy figure who was simply holding Medic and showed no hostility whatsoever, and sighed.

"... Is this what you fear... Medic..."

"Cough cough cough--!!"

As the sounds of Medic's painful coughing and vomiting echoed through the thick fog, Folinic anxiously stamped her feet. She glanced at the Inner Guards several times and saw that they all seemed calm and collected. Seeing that they indeed had no intention of taking advantage of the situation to attack Rhodes Island, Folinic then shouldered her medical equipment and prepared to rush towards the 'The Dominion'.

Looking at that equally brave figure, the battle-hardened Inner Guards belatedly nodded and shouted:

"Medic, you only have three minutes to enter... Out of respect for those who bravely confront Demons, I will ensure your safe departure."

"... Instead of wasting time on these polite words... tell me how you should help your senior!"

The Inner Guards didn't seem to care about Folinic's hostile gaze. As the Dominion continued to Collapse within reality and the enemy's body, the Inner Guards remained silent. Only the seasoned Inner Guards, who had witnessed similar scenes countless times, fully understood what was happening:

"Help? How can I help... From a physical entity to a non-physical one, using her own body to contain the Demons, constructing the Dominion with her own will... All the Inner Guards have gone through this process, and whether they succeed depends entirely on her will... External interference is mainly aimed at the rampage of the Dominion during the Collapse, but her fear entity is very stable. All you can do is provide pain relief and help her keep her will clear."

"... Okay! Painkillers injected... Is there anything else I can do...?!"

After realizing what had happened, Folinic found herself already gone from the Dominion filled with black mist. Just as the girl was about to question why the Inner Guards had grabbed her by the collar and was pulling her away, Su Sulo ran over in terror, clutching the Arts Unit:

"Folinic! Your hand!!"

Looking down, Folinic, whose body was dripping with black liquid, realized that in the short time it took to prepare and inject the medicine, her fingers seemed to have become 'grown' together with the syringe.