Chapter 145

Seeing FrostNova's strange behavior, Medic gave her a reminder... and it was only after this incident that White Rabbit realized that this was not a matter of life and death for the two of them, and besides, they were just doctor and patient.

"Ah... sorry, you're right, I just... didn't realize it."

As she slightly averted her gaze, FrostNova realized that she had never shown Medic any of the affection she had been trying so hard to suppress.

FrostNova initially thought it was just the suspension bridge effect caused by her rescue and her dependence on her deceased mother, but... now that Medic has clearly stated that the two of them may be separated for a period of time, FrostNova feels that the emotions she is suppressing are not so simple.

But one thing is certain: whether judged from a warrior's perspective or FrostNova's own viewpoint... Medic is a trustworthy person... if only she weren't so busy... if only I could understand her more clearly.

The cat was completely unaware of the White Rabbit's inner thoughts; she simply proceeded with her work schedule step by step... well, the part she could talk about:

"Afterwards, I'm going to Raisington City. Besides the Reunion Movement's permission to expand, some Sarkaz who hope to settle in the new environment will also go there to adapt to the city... That's my and Rosemary's hometown... I originally planned to take the little one with me, but this time during the infection test, Rosemary was seriously Pollution by the Demons, so Minister Kal'tsit asked her to stay on the ship to check on her."

Is it serious?

No, it's not serious at all.

To be honest, even Rosemary's Pollution report was a pre-arranged 'false alarm,' a deliberate operation by Medic to ask Kal'tsit to prove that the Little Cat had indeed remained on Rhodes Island.

Nana wouldn't take Rosemary to that dangerous concrete jungle, a city that, thanks to Nana's efforts, was once the safest in all of Columbia... but has now become a battlefield for the ICA and its enemies.

Because of the Thought Chain Ring, the Little Cat knew that Nana was going to fight without him when Nana first had this idea... As someone who believed he possessed the power to help Nana, the Little Cat naturally disagreed with this outcome.

The child didn't understand how hard-won Rhodes Island's international status was, nor did he understand how obvious his magical characteristics were.

She simply didn't want to be separated from Nana... This was a child's most basic wish.

But because it's Thought Chain Ring, Nana's concerns are also clear to Little Cat... Aside from the impact on Rhodes Island, and the political issues like 'cyborg victim children being employed as government staff in internal affairs'... Ultimately, Nana just believes that Little Cat is still unable to protect himself.

Rosemary disagreed with this and vehemently refuted it... In the end, both sides compromised, and Nana borrowed Rhodes Island's training room, saying that as long as Little Cat could handle danger on her own without relying on her family, Nana would take her to that home that would surely become a battlefield.

Because it was a test of the Little Cat's individual abilities, Andy and the Little Cat's brothers did not participate this time. Without the other 'eyes' and 'hands', the Little Cat's operation of telekinesis was like a small horse pulling a large cart... It could move, but whether it could stop after it started was another matter. Of course, this refers to the inertia system of the Rosemary Tactical Unit.

In short, after spending a whole night disciplining the Little Cat, and taking advantage of Kal'tsit's announcement of a full ship inspection, a fresh excuse was born. Medic... Nana will then head to the target location alone.

As for the Ghost Assassin 'suspected to Sankta's on the desk of a big shot... well, she'll remind people of her.

Now, Nana paid FrostNova's cafeteria bill, citing the reason that "you'll need more money when you go to the Pioneering Zone." As the hostess, she sent the seemingly drunk, flushed-faced White Rabbit back to her dormitory on Rhodes Island. Afterwards, Nana sought out Kal'tsit again.

She needs to complete the handover of her work at Rhodes Island before she can begin dealing with the assassins.

"... So, the final group that went together included Sister Mary from the Welfare Department, Frostleaf from the Disciplinary Department, Eileen, the Sarkaz representative... Are they not letting Alfred go?"

"Ah Fu did some things that worried everyone, and he's currently being held under house arrest by the children..."

At this point, Nana recalled the old man who was being held captive by Aili and Xiya, not even allowed to sleep, and could only manage a bitter smile. Even the usually calm and collected assassin girl couldn't help but manage a smile: Seven

"That's his own fault. Eileen said she'll finish all the work and there's nothing to worry about."

"You all know what's going on. So, your work and commitments here at Rhodes Island... aside from helping Reunion Movement with the procedures for the Pioneer Corps, all that's left is arranging for the non- Oripathy Sarkaz to live in the new environment... Did all the Sarkaz say they wanted you to arrange their lives in the city?"

"No, it's just that even after I made that promise, most of them don't seem to care much about city life... Some said they'd continue to explore the land with the Reunion Movement. As for those with combat capabilities, I asked them if they'd be willing to join Rhodes Island..."

Following Nana's words, Kal'tsit produced Mudrock's file:

"... The Child of Earth and Stone... the Reunion Movement has also picked up an extraordinary figure..." Nine

"She... she really is from the Court..." (Wife)

Shaking her head, Kal'tsit didn't make a definitive statement:

"Knowing how to use techniques doesn't define one's allegiance. Even among the Sarkaz, bloodlines aren't the same binding force they used to be... I'll handle the aftermath of her, W, and Lyudmila... the Skullshatterer. Quite a few of them have wanted me to give them an explanation from the start..." Hiss

Seeing Kal'tsit's emphasized tone, Nana tilted her head: Group

"I can help..." (flirting)

"You should go back to your own business with your agent. Ultimately, many people come to me just to get the truth... and you... I think that woman probably already told you about the problems you're facing during the day... Even from my perspective as an outsider, I can tell that the obstacles that woman is encountering this time are probably from higher up..."

"The Columbia government?"

Kal'tsit glanced at Nana strangely, but then remembered that Nana's personality meant she wouldn't care about the organization's structure... So, even though this information might be inappropriate, Kal'tsit still revealed the ranking:

"Maylander Foundation."

"Melander ...I remember that was when he helped Narcissa ..."

"Guess who was the first person to support Loken?"

Nana was still somewhat incredulous at Kal'tsit's question:

"... Isn't Melander the Children's Protection Foundation?"

"You have a few misconceptions... First, don't personify the organization. An organization made up of people cannot have only one voice. Just like SWEEP has opinions about the Human Resources Department, but that doesn't affect your future cooperation or your current tasks. It's normal to have friction and different opinions because you have different perspectives."

"So don't deny the positive role of the children's rights fund... The initial support for Loken came from the Meland Scientific Progress Fund, which was the original name of the Meland Foundation... Later, with the support of the government, several investments were completed, which led to the establishment of the Maylander Foundation and its various sub-foundations."

"Compared to the history that goes back to before the founding of Columbia, all you need to know is that Columbia's highest scientific research award is called the Meland Award."

"As for the Meland Children's Rights Protection... that's a relatively recent development. It was created as a separate unit to address the rampant child labor problem and to cope with the technological transformation that demands increasingly higher levels of education in factories."

After taking a sip of water, Kal'tsit, who hadn't given such a long explanation in a long time, sighed with satisfaction, then looked at Nana:

"To put it simply, the relationship between the Maylander Foundation and Columbia is similar to that between the ICA and the Security Bureau, but it is not essentially a disposable tool like the ICA... rather, it is a tool used by the government to covertly regulate the social structure."

"So, the fact that this entity is targeting agents means..."

Seeing that Nana's thoughts were starting to slip again, Kal'tsit helplessly raised her hand to stop this Ghost Assassin who might really turn into Ghost if she went all out.

Although Kal'tsit knew from the report that Nana had come into contact with the Cyclopes's precognitive spell... Kal'tsit felt compelled to add further details because Nana was so quick to view everything from the most pessimistic perspective.

"Remember what I just said? Don't personify the organization... The operation of the Melander is not based on the decisions of any one person. Even if it is the will of Columbia, the most behind-the-scenes entity is just issuing targets and then letting the Foundation itself make fine adjustments... It is the result of macro-control by hundreds of thousands of people in conjunction with millions of people and the organization."

"But it is undeniable that, following the accident three years ago, the ICA's status in Columbia has risen significantly... Indeed, some people have begun to see the Eternal Constant as a threat... But that person is definitely not the mastermind behind Columbia, nor is it Columbia itself... After all, the ICA is also part of Columbia."

With Kal'tsit's explanation, Nana stopped asking questions.

She recalled the director's assurances when she agreed to join the Homeland Security Bureau... If the so-called senior agent truly possessed the combined privileges of investigation, Judgment, and law enforcement, then why did the agent need her, and not the ICA's help?

"... The ones supporting those discarded gloves, is it the Maylander Foundation?"

"I never said anything like that, and regardless of whether Melander was behind ICA's predicament or not, there's only one thing you need to do... isn't there?"

Nodding, Nana picked up the document that Kal'tsit had signed and prepared to leave... However, when she looked down to check, Nana noticed that there was an extra name that shouldn't be there in the list of accompanying persons.

"Kal'tsit, why Typhon's name on the document? Her bow itself is one of the sources of Demons Pollution; logically, she shouldn't be allowed to leave Rhodes Island..."

"... because she needs you..."

Without looking up, Kal'tsit looked at the report describing Nana's dissolution process after entering the Dominion, the final exposed dark green skeleton, and the images taken by the Exploration Vehicle, and said without raising her head:

"Don't you know that child has been having nightmares lately?"

"... So, should I come along too?"

Without saying goodbye, without any deliberate notification, everything was arranged perfectly... While everyone on Rhodes Island was still immersed in the joy of returning to their daily routines, Nana quietly changed her personal status back to field duty in the PRTS system.

Then, the people on the waiting list gathered at dawn the next day, and the black-haired Feline started the small, unmarked long-distance bus.

Perhaps because Nana had put away her jet-black longbow, the purple-haired girl sitting in the passenger seat looked empty-handed. She didn't realize that when she looked around, her eyes looked pitiful, like those of a small animal, like a frightened mouse, completely insecure.

The projection of that Demons in reality, after being covered, sealed, and reinforced by Nana's 'The Dominion,' is now placed in Nana's shared weapon box like an ordinary item.

Regarding the foolish question posed by her co-pilot this time, Nana said without looking up:

"If Kal'tsit hadn't told me you were having nightmares every day while I was busy, I wouldn't have known you were so severely Pollution..."

"... Alki said that if I set those things as my goal, I'll be able to adapt sooner or later..."

"But you're clearly not used to it now... why? Because you changed your pillow?"

Typhon pondered for a long time, Typhon Nana's somewhat joking remark, before uttering a word that greatly surprised Nana:

"Perhaps it's because I left Sami... Anma, that Snowfield that sheltered my land and my mother... she only exists in Sami."

Just as Nana was wondering if Typhon was referring to some kind of Sami primitive belief, and whether her poor sleep was due to a lack of security caused by her being too busy and completely letting her act alone in the new environment... Typhon seemed to remember something and reached into his pocket:

"However, I brought with me Anma's love—you see, she is still watching me... So even in dreams, even if I am hunted like prey in another world, I will not easily give up that bow."

"... Okay, I understand... Let's put it away for now."

Rubbing her eyes, Nana focused intently on what was ahead.

If Typhon doesn't put away that snowball that keeps looking at her through another world, Nana feels like she's about to be put away by him.

"Huh? Oh..."

Just as Typhon thought he had offended Kitty Teacher, a moment later, loud sirens blared in the distance, and several Originium Steam- powered vehicles suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Nana glanced in the rearview mirror, then looked back at the curious crowd:

"Although it's a bit late, the timing is perfect..."

He slammed on the accelerator, and the Ursus military vehicle unleashed its powerful acceleration, leaving the inexplicable chase far behind. Medic, still dressed as a doctor, smiled and said to the group:

Welcome to Columbia.

P. S.: After looking at it over and over again... I still feel that this arrangement is a bit rushed...

But the focus now is definitely on Nana's own Columbia killer line.

Thus, Typhon, representing the inner quest for Demons, Mary, representing Laterano's attention to the Columbia Rosemary incident, and Frostleaf, representing the Columbia problem itself, are all included... It seems no one has been forgotten...

Well, Cole has always been the one to stay by my side, so he doesn't participate in the discussion.

PS2: Meow Meow Cat

Woof woof cat. jpg

5th Laytonson's Ghost Assassin: 155 City Rhythm

When most people hear the Columbia, their reaction is probably one of overflowing gold frenzy, rapidly advancing technology, and the beginning of a dream... As an immigrant nation, it's perfectly normal for it to have a wide appeal in its external propaganda and immigration strategies.

But for someone like Nana, a Columbia who travels from country to country, if she were to go to Columbia, she would inevitably encounter rampant gang crime, endless veteran disputes, and a constant stream of courier salespeople... and, of course, Columbian Replica Gun that anyone with a bit of magical ability would try out.

Starting with the production of the first replica of the Laterano Gun at the Barren Base of the Blacksteel Landship, the Columbia government has been promoting Firearms Arts extensively for quite some time in order to catch up with other countries in terms of magic or various war techniques.

Not only do police stations across the country offer preferential treatment such as priority recruitment for Firearms Arts users, but the sounds and figures of Firearms Arts are also frequently seen in gang fights.

Unfortunately, upon seeing the car that suddenly appeared and the lone police car chasing after it, Nana knew she had immediately encountered classic Columbia trouble.

The sudden acceleration, with everyone gasping at the pressure of the accelerator floored, Nana reached the ears of those in the back seat:

"Everyone, sit down. It looks like something's attached to us."

"Wh... what!?"

"Are police cars chasing a suspect? Should we move aside?"

A panicked Mary, a puzzled Frostleaf, a silent Eileen with her head tilted, and a bewildered Typhon... Clearly, none of them are used to the fast-paced life of the city; even the pace of an attack here is three times faster than in the wild.

"Well, that depends on whether they're coming for us... Eileen, raise your shield."

Upon Nana's command, the maid sitting in the back seat immediately pulled out a folding shield with the Ursus symbol from the storage compartment on the back of the front seat; it must have belonged to the previous owner.

The maid had been playing with this thing for quite some time along the way, so she immediately unfolded it and used it to block the direction of the carriage door.

Nana braked and moved aside. The windows of the police car and the van that passed by were covered with anti-spy film, Nana couldn't see anything... Correspondingly, the other side also seemed to be spying on Rhodes Island, obviously also checking something, but they only saw the indifferent heterochromatic-eyed Feline, whose back window was completely blocked by a shield.

However, the two cars ahead immediately began to slow down, a behavior that made their nature clear even if no one was visible.

Subconsciously, Nana began adjusting the vehicle's route to prepare for the upcoming confrontation, while she herself started to wonder where things went wrong... and when the black-haired girl looked down and saw her Rhodes Island uniform, Neko suddenly realized what was going on.

Since the 'Ghost Assassin' ultimately handed over the mission target to Rhodes Island, his other identity was also inevitably implicated, right?

"Medic?"

"Hmm... Although I know the situation in this city is bad, the fact that they specifically brought a police car to deal with us shows they've invested quite a bit."

With a dance-like motion, the pedals were pressed, and then the gear shift was quickly completed with the right hand. After being modified by Reunion Movement, the Ursus military vehicle emitted a deep roar.

As the van drew closer and even opened its door to reveal four or five armed men wearing black hoods, Nana saw one of them holding a double-barreled shotgun and about to raise it. She pursed her lips, turned the steering wheel, and rammed the heavy military vehicle into the van's rear wheels.

However, as the van spun out of control, several people were caught in the wheels, while others clung to the hood, screaming in terror... When Nana noticed that one of them was even holding a megaphone, she began to wonder if she had misunderstood... that they weren't actually that hostile?

But this thought only flashed through her mind; after all, the other party had already pulled out a gun, yet they claimed to have no malicious intent... As the police car angrily pulled closer as well, Nana immediately adjusted the armrest of Typhon's chair:

"Little Typhoon, lie down."

"Ah?"

While puzzled, the little hunter immediately lay down with the backrest... Although she couldn't understand many things due to her limited knowledge, Typhon was even stronger than Frostleaf in terms of execution.

As the passenger in the police car fired shots at the Ursus military vehicle, Nana glanced at the lead bullets that hadn't pierced the glass of her makeshift vehicle and lowered her opinion of the other party by another notch.

Of course, you could say the other side didn't expect it to be an armored vehicle that had been properly retired from the battlefield, Nana didn't care about that.