Chapter 167

"And considering that you are all symbols of the city's order itself, I would like to remind you... it's best not to have any thoughts like 'we support Atlas because he has more supporters'... It seems that our isolation is simply because our supporters are unwilling to use power in such a vile way."

"But if we're going to 'fight,' then let's be frank! As a 'Ghost,' my purpose here is to cut away the rotten flesh of the nation and allow the city to grow healthily again... You mustn't make yourselves mistaken."

Seeing that everyone was tense yet thoughtful, Nana reverted to her 'Angel' appearance and put on her usual professional smile:

"Then, I will complete the formalities for the children's departure within one business day. Lycoris has now withdrawn from this war, except for myself... So if you find any Atlas harassing my children again, I don't ask for leniency, but at least... please enforce the law impartially."

"Well then, good morning... I'll continue dealing with the mastermind behind Atlas."

The crimson sphere pulsated in unison with everyone's hearts, clearly indicating that the police Rapid Response Force's commander hesitated in the face of such a high-threat spell. No one on this land could ignore the threat of a Bloodfiend, and Nana walked out of the police station under the threat of a dozen or so automatic rifles.

As the Bloodfiend's magic faded, the striking blonde girl in red, fully armed, vanished before everyone's eyes... Let's leave aside the fact that the sheriff, who had been working overtime for the past few days and couldn't arrive on time, angrily berated the reporters who had come on the scene, saying, "You're making this up!"

After all, Nana was using Optical Camouflage specially supplied by the Columbia Homeland Security Bureau. Although it was unusually difficult to achieve as a form of magic, and the user had to remain completely still to perfectly demonstrate its stealth capabilities...

But not all the police officers in the station are as perceptive as Typhon. If the officers initially waver and panic because of Nana's disappearance, then trying to search for Nana had already avoided the police station entrance, would be pure wishful thinking.

Because the equipment was very conspicuous, and because there were still more than a dozen Takina, Lycoris Takina, in Nana's blood space... it was only natural that Nana did not immediately continue her work from last night.

Using Optical Camouflage along the eaves of the shops on the street, even if someone noticed the subtle movement of the color blocks, they would probably just think it was their own hallucination. Only after Nana found a temporary safe house for Lycoris was the girl finally able to be let out for some fresh air.

"I... I thought I was going to be silenced..."

While Takina's matter-of-fact reaction, Nana still puffed out her cheeks in displeasure:

"So I've always been curious about how other people see me... Also, holding your breath should be a required skill for Lycoris, right? It's only been fifteen minutes."

"... Do you want to hear what you're saying?"

As she spoke, Takina skillfully took out handheld oxygen cylinders from the medical supply box in the safe house and distributed them to the others. When Takina, whose face was flushed from holding her breath, was considered one of the better performers in the group, Nana frowned, comparing her own anaerobic capacity to the situation.

"The Lycoris have gotten weaker... Is it because of the branch school?"

"No, no, no, it's just that you're the one who's being ridiculous."

As he spoke, he quickly pulled out the weapon case from the safe house. Since it was just an ordinary safe house, the only weapon case contained a bunch of ICA standard firing pin pistols and bullets scattered in a biscuit tin. There were only two spare magazines for each gun.

As for the tactical swords of the Imperial Guards that were carelessly piled up in the closet and the crossbows whose lethality was highly questionable... Nana simply ignored them.

As the girls gradually regained their mobility, Nana also made an assessment of the children's current condition.

The good news is that there are plenty of handguns, and the bullets are the new 9mm Etch Rounds. While the Lycoris safe house isn't as luxurious as Nana's own setup, it's more than enough for the girls' current situation.

As for the bad news...

"Well, although our offensive capabilities are quite limited, let's leave it at that for now. From now on, you'll have to act on your own... In two days, Lycoris School will send the Lycoris students who have seen the true face of the 'Ghost' to the Landship for 'export'... As personnel within the area, you must catch that train that allows you to legally leave the country within two days, so that you can become Rhodes Island employees through official recruitment channels."

"... This safe house is equipped with a van; about ten people can squeeze in..."

"The question then becomes how to safely return 'alone'."

Seeing Nana scanning everyone's faces, Takina, who had recovered, tried to smooth out the wrinkles in her uniform but failed. She still stepped forward and said:

"Everyone here is a graduate of Lycoris Combat Division, so don't underestimate us."

"Well, I didn't mean to underestimate you all..."

As Nana spoke, she pulled out a stack of smoke grenades and flashbang grenades from her waist belt:

"In short, I'll share some of my tactical equipment with you. Even if you encounter a skirmish, please use it without hesitation... As long as you reach the academy's territory, someone will come to your aid. Nagisa is already waiting for you."

Naturally taking the car keys from Nana, Takina took on the responsibility of distributing the items... The medicines and ammunition in the safe house, the disguise clothing that was different from the school uniform, as well as the food, water, and even a short shower time... were all carried out in Takina under Takina's arrangement.

Lycoris in blue is called 'Second-in-Command', but in reality, she does all sorts of command and coordination work... Without a doubt, Takina is flawless in her job. A dozen people are crammed into a safe house originally meant for four people, and the use of equipment is so well-organized that there is hardly any feeling of crowding.

"Looks like everyone's alright."

Nodding in satisfaction, Nana then slung her backpack over her shoulder again, opened the window, and prepared to activate the Optical Camouflage and leave.

"Wait a minute, senior!"

"Ah?"

Looking back at Takina, who had spent some time in the police station and, despite still possessing youthful energy due to her young age, had lost the dashing charm she had when they first met... the long-haired black-haired girl's eyes now held a complex expression, seemingly both reproachful and slightly coquettish:

"Nana- senpai, you're not planning to leave me behind again, are you?"

"Takina wants to continue working with me..."

"I am your guide."

"But you should have noticed, you can't actually keep up with my pace... Even Typhon, a theoretically safe long-range sniper, almost died last night... Is that okay?"

Clearly, hearing the news that Typhon, that monster sniper with a theoretical attack range of ten kilometers, had almost died, truly shocked Takina. But this Iberia girl with a Higashi name almost instantly hardened her gaze... How to put it, Nana didn't dislike this kind of child.

"Alright, tactically speaking, having more people means having more options... I'll try my best to avoid a situation like Typhon's happening again... After all, this equipment is for that purpose."

After bidding farewell to the white-clad Lycoris, Takina had already arranged a schedule for them. Although there is no such thing as a foolproof plan in the world, in order to protect them as much as possible... Takina chose a route for them that was close to the streets of the Continental Hotel.

Even Atlas wouldn't recklessly challenge two different orders in a city... Besides, Nana had already 'greeted' them at the Hotel on her way there, so it should still be within a safe zone.

Using her blood-stained space again, Nana brought Takina to the underground parking lot where she had parked. After driving, Nana activated an underground equipment storage point near her. Because it was underground, it served not only as a warehouse but also as a base.

After replenishing the tactical equipment distributed to the white-clad soldiers, Takina was finally able to be armed again.

"... It really exists, the legendary treasure trove of 'Ghost'."

"Actually, it happens occasionally, like auction houses auctioning off deliberately stored goods or something..."

Perhaps because she no longer harbored such strong 'hostility' towards this senior, Takina unexpectedly discovered that she could actually hear a hint of resentment in Nana's tone.

After recalling the recent television news, Takina, with a strange expression, inserted Nana spare ICA-made Beretta M9 into her holster.

"... Could it be that the 'spy warehouse' that was on TV is yours?"

Seeing Nana purse her lips and look like a dead fish, Takina didn't know whether to laugh or comfort her, and could only force out a strange smile with her eyes slightly narrowed:

My condolences.

"... Let's get down to business. I'll confirm one last time: are you going to join me? The enemy might be more formidable than you expect..."

"Unexpected? I don't think there could be any surprises in fighting Atlas. I've seen most of their fighting styles and tactics over the past two years."

"Then... what if it's not Atlas? I'm going to fight the guy who's suspected of being the mastermind."

"This makes it even more imperative for me to go."

Seeing that the woman with long, straight black hair took away the most expensive fully automatic Laterano Gun from her collection without any hesitation, Nana could only sigh and say, seeing that her mind was made up:

"Alright, let me tell you what I've found so far... First, what I can confirm is that Atlas's target... the so-called 'dealing with the supporters of the Ghost's might not be a lie..."

Listening to Nana's description, Takina rubbed her hands together as she looked at the AR15, which consisted only of the receiver.

First, take out the highest-grade buffer tube from the unopened high-end accessories, select a stock that fits your shoulder, and then remove the expensive, high-sensitivity, low-resistance micro-switches.

The spell circulation rate of this thing not only affects the spells attached to the Etch Rounds, but also the failure rate and rate of fire of the Firearms Arts... Takina didn't hold back and chose the best and most expensive one as soon as she got her hands on it.

Or rather, if Takina couldn't even distinguish between good and bad basic Firearms Arts parts, Nana would just knock her unconscious and throw her back to school.

Takina, gun in hand. "Because you've been targeting Lycoris and the ICA, you've only been honest in your actions... and you've determined their tactical objectives based on their actions... so you think they're targeting you, not that person? Why?"

Seeing that Takina had chosen the gun type, Nana took out an ammunition box and a quickloader:

"I don't know, but during the search targeting the agent, they must have used a lot of illegal methods... When Typhon and I went to look for him, they crudely used a method to silence him, which is indirect evidence..."

"So, you mean that while you failed to provide that person with legitimate evidence to regain control of the narrative, you were also silenced at a crucial juncture?!"

"... Yes, but why do you look so surprised?"

As the 5.56mm military-grade armor -Etch Rounds were shoved into the loader, and the handle turned, countless rounds began to collide and become orderly, Takina avoided Nana's gaze, even her lips twitched slightly:

"No... it's just that after discovering you're not as outrageous as the rumors say... I feel a sense of relief."

"I'm just an ordinary human being... Humans make mistakes, humans encounter accidents... The world doesn't revolve around you alone, and the so-called invincible strategy doesn't exist..."

As she spoke, she glanced at Takina, who was selecting gun barrels, and lined them up to grab the longest one... Nana sighed and slapped her hand away, then took out a long gun barrel, also a standard sixteen-inch Victoria barrel, from a hidden compartment. It was packaged in an ornate wooden box.

"556, 16 Victoria inches, chrome-plated inside, with a lightweight carbon fiber overlay, it cost three figures in Lungmen Dollar when I bought it... I've never used one of these before..."

Although she spoke of reluctance, the assassin handed it to Takina without any hesitation. And while Takina was still absorbed in the novelty, Nana took out her magazine pouch:

Which magazine do you use?

As she spoke, Nana's eyes lit up as she held up the sixty-round drum magazine and the one hundred and twenty-round saddle-mounted double drum magazine she had bought in the past. Like most of the equipment here, Nana had just piled them up here after buying them and had never used them.

Takina, however, ignored Nana's sparkling eyes with a blank expression and reached into the magazine box to select a very serious-looking item.

"HK30 Steel Magazine?"

"This is the most reliable magazine for this type of automatic Firearms Arts... Senior, you too, since the enemy is dangerous, don't give me those toys..."

Watching Nana puff out her cheeks and start loading the magazine, Takina picked up the suppressor and began installing the gun light, red dot IR multi-function indicator, and a 4x to 6x rapid-fire optical sight that Nana had somehow placed beside her... the packaging and price tag were still intact.

"... Can't the price of a precision-machined optical sight be lower, given that it costs four figures in Columbian Dollar?"

"You yourself said it's a precision optical sight..."

While speaking, she began to correct and reset, and after a brief silence, Nana finally decided to reveal the situation that also made her uneasy: covering her face.

"The enemy is someone I have connections with..." (Doctor)

"A contact of Ghost? An ICA colleague seems unlikely... So it must be a government colleague related to that person... Columbia agents?"

Nana nodded. "Not only that, they... have the same faces as me... and based on the analysis of Typhon's injuries, the principle behind the Firearms Arts silencing spell he used is the same as mine... Based on this, they might be... Replicant of me."

Even the continuous firing of the calibration gun paused for a moment, but quickly returned to normal:

"I had no idea Columbia's technology had reached this level. You actually participated in such a dangerous experiment?"

"I don't think this is a level Columbia could have reached on its own... As for the experiment... I have no similar memories... no, I should say I don't have any very distant memories." (Wife)

He carefully packed the magazines he had prepared for Takina into his own matching bullet-carrying vest, then checked the walkie-talkie Terminal, turned on the active noise-canceling headset, and rang the frequency... After snapping his fingers twice near the microphone to quickly put it into recognition mode, he finally searched his inventory for the best-preserved heavy-duty power strip and plugged it into Takina's device.

Typhon's injury had quite a shock to Nana, so this time when she took Takina out, Nana made sure to use everything she could to help.

The girl with long, straight black hair remained silent for a long time after hearing Nana's emotionless narration. It wasn't until Nana had adjusted all her equipment that Takina realized she had unconsciously hugged the newly assembled automatic rifle to her chest.

She realized she had never bothered to learn about these 'chiefs'... whether it was the martial arts faction she initially disliked, or this legendary 'Ghost' now.

I was just judging the other party on my own, presumptuously attaching my own imagined labels to them... Even the style of the mission was just a crude judgment based on my limited cooperation with the other party.

In this light, even my supposedly perfectly prepared, specially certified team-leading operation... doesn't it all seem like a child rolling around and making a ruckus on the ground?

What exactly am I trying to prove?

His own strength? He can act on his own without Red Robe's guidance? He went to fight a clone that might be a 'Ghost' just to confirm his abilities with Little Raiden?

Was I... truly carrying out the mission seriously, or... merely acting recklessly with the indulgence of that person?

Looking at Nana beside her, who was helping her with the final preparations, Takina suddenly realized that she was doing something very dangerous.

It was clearly that person who had specially found the 'Ghost' for me, yet I had such a distrustful attitude at the beginning... That's probably why that person sent me away to leave with their political enemies.

"Takina?"

A soft call brought the girl with long, straight black hair back to her senses.

Looking at the heavy ammunition pouch in the other person's hand, Takina thought for a moment, then bowed slightly and put it on herself.

Compared to...

Lingches private VIII "Huh?"

"I mean, before I was first taken to the police station... I was mentally complaining about 'you leaving me standing there like that, is this some kind of Ghost?'... I even gave you the cold shoulder before... I'm really sorry."

Speechless at Takina's erratic remarks, Nana put headphones on her and then added a spell to the headband material to deflect small-caliber bullets:

"It's okay to say bad things in your heart... As for before, I thought you simply treated all the red-clad people the same... After all, you had the same expression when you looked at Little Raiden... So, what's going on? Why are you suddenly so sentimental?"

"I... suddenly wondered if I was qualified to fight the clones with you... What if I get killed as soon as I show my face?"

"... It's hard to say..."

As Takina's expression gradually turned aggrieved, Nana smiled and gently smoothed her long, jet-black hair, as dark as the night sky.

"However, I will protect you as much as possible. After all, your manager has entrusted you to me..."

While speaking, he helped Takina put on the prepared waist belt, but unlike himself, Takina's waist belt was not a magic grenade launcher, but an MP7 holstered in her waist holster.

"Okay, that makes everything ready."

As she spoke, Nana glanced at her watch. It was five o'clock in the afternoon, and the sky was already dark.

"I didn't expect going to the police station and coming back to prepare would take so long... and now it's evening again."

Seeing the blonde girl smiling at her, Takina pulled the bolt halfway to confirm that the gun was chambered and nodded.

"I'm ready. Should we continue following the chain of evidence you mentioned to find evidence of the mastermind's involvement?"