Chapter 185

'Although, I still want to say that Mom isn't good enough... and not just Mom, I'm not good enough either... ultimately, you're too focused on those of us who are already dead.'

"... But Kal'tsit doesn't think I'm having an episode when I talk to you anymore, does she?"

'No, you're having an episode... A person with amnesia, after finding documents about their past, actually starts to doubt the fact that their past might have been happy... You're seriously ill, Nana.'

'Shouldn't a normal person immediately be overjoyed and go find that girl named Diana? She's Zero's friend, and also a researcher... Even if we take a step back, she's still an extremely excellent researcher, right? Should we consider bringing her back to Rhodes Island?'

'Not only is it hard to rekindle your past relationship, but it's also difficult to find someone besides Kal'tsit who can help manage your physical condition.'

"But... I'm not Zero after all... I'm Nana, and those things from the past... are truly in the past for me now; they're 'other people's' business."

As she spoke, she got out of the car at the intersection completely blocked by Atlas. Looking at the veteran ahead, who, although from Atlas, was wearing a government road administration uniform and vest, Nana leaned out and asked:

"Excuse me... what's going on up ahead?"

"This is Catastrophes warning zone. Ordinary citizens should not approach it further and should take a detour."

Seeing that the other person seemed to have been recruited by the city government, Nana tilted her head and then showed the authentication projection on her watch:

"But I'm not an ordinary citizen; I'm a senior agent of the Homeland Security Bureau. Now, please tell me the situation on the front lines..."

After confirming Nana's 'identification' with some doubt, the road administration officer reflexively stood at attention and saluted.

"Yes! Atlas is currently engaged in combat with the out-of-control experimental subjects in the National Laboratory!"

"I can hear it... the gunshots are really loud..."

Nana just said it casually, but she didn't expect the other person's expression to become inexplicably awkward.

"Actually, those gunshots..."

After quickly explaining the situation to Nana, both Nana and Kate, who always tried to stay close to Nana even while they were talking Nana, were speechless.

"... The ammunition transport vehicle was captured... is that why the battle hasn't ended?"

"Yes, yes... I'm so sorry..."

"Well, you guys just need to do your best... I have other tasks to complete, let me go."

"But... we're currently in battle, there's a possibility of friendly fire..."

"No problem... Also, you should receive the ceasefire order soon."

As she spoke, Nana tugged at her gloves and still-neat suit, and took out the personality maintenance device that had been used on the white-clad cats before... Nana was going to use this to restore all the remaining Artificial Angel who had fallen into the city to normal.

PS: Waaaaaaah!

PS2: It's been a while since I wrote about the Ghost cats in detail... But even though I didn't, just assume that Cole and the others didn't approach Nana because she was busy.

After all, even if they don't talk to Nana, they can still talk to Rosemary to relieve their boredom, so there's no situation where the author not writing about them would mean they would actually become quantum Ghost... The same applies to the new four little ones.

Incidentally, even if Nana ignores them, it doesn't stop Cole from secretly hugging Nana and acting cute when he's annoyed by Rosemary... But because it's very embarrassing for his family to see this, both Cole and Kate only do it when they're alone with Nana.

5th The Laytonson's Ghost Assassin: 201 The Day Scar of Trimounts

As Nana began infiltrating Lycoris School layer by layer to catch the Little Cat, most of the girls were focused on their combat duties and had their backs to Nana, so the Ghost Assassin took them all in without hesitation.

However, because the personality maintenance device Nana uses is a single-person device that can only be adjusted one person at a time, and considering the high-intensity operation and charging issues, it will likely take some time for Nana to finish capturing the fifty-odd people whose Halo were highlighted for her.

Meanwhile, at the Trimounts headquarters of the Maylander Foundation, an unexpected member arrived: the President of Columbia, who had deviated from his itinerary for the day.

Although he is the president, those unaware of the truth often mistake him for the vice president who appears at the same time.

It wasn't that there was anything about the elderly man in the suit that was misunderstandingable; rather, most people wouldn't think that the dove on the vice president's shoulder represented the pinnacle of power in Columbia.

After all, compared to being called 'gods', the physical Beasts, and the 'Beast Lords' who have gained intelligence over time but whose appearance remains no different from their beast kin, are always far more inconspicuous.

"I've heard about what happened. Has everyone arrived?"

"Yes, Your Excellency..."

"... You all look disheveled. What happened?"

Watching the man helplessly accept a tissue from someone to wipe the tea leaves and glass shards from his head, the president turned to look at the black-haired woman who hadn't given him a second glance since he entered the room, as if she was one of the parties involved in the conflict.

Her long, black hair, usually styled in a high bun, was now disheveled and being tidied up. Since a meeting was imminent, the woman quickly styled it into a single ponytail. Then, without a word, she picked up her glasses, took out a handkerchief to wipe them, and put them on. Finally, she smoothed out the wrinkles in her coat from the argument, and the agent's confident smile returned to normal.

"It's nothing, it's just that someone suddenly brought up something from decades ago... I've explained the original report from the Applied Division lab many times already. The awakening of No. 0 Prototype was based on its own AMa System and emotional resonance, but some people think I concealed the experimental content from the Applied Division back then, which led to the failure of the Archaeology Division project..."

"That's ridiculous. You weakened the No. 0 Prototype's strength yourself, claiming it was out of control, and you deleted its emotional drive, citing the risk of it going berserk. Now you're saying it's my fault that the Artificial Angel you created is far less powerful than expected? Just because I took the original records, you're saying the hard drive I gave you was secretly modified? Why don't you mention that I strongly opposed the Artificial Angel project when I was still a researcher in the lab?"

Hearing the agent's evasive explanation, another person, whose forehead was also wrapped in bandages and from whom medical personnel were removing shards of glass embedded in his skull, stood up abruptly, bleeding profusely.

"What a vehement opposition... If it weren't for your Applied Division forcibly altering the cryo-sealing of No. 0 Prototype back then, causing the awakening rate to increase by 250,000 times, there would be no need for so-called Artificial Angel..."

"Shut up--!!"

Previously, when the manager yelled at people like that, he would casually smash their head, leaving them bleeding. But since there were no teacups left on the table to use for smashing, the manager could only express his anger with his eyes.

"You really have the nerve to say that... Back when the Applied Division was still trying to maintain the seal, who initiated the stimulation experiment without explaining it to us? And then, because your stupid No. 0 Prototype suddenly awakened, who was it that abandoned us there?"

"That guy has probably been dealt with by Nana by now, so I won't bring up the incident where he pushed me in front of the No. 0 Prototype back then... But besides lacking a sense of responsibility, you don't even have the most basic caution of artifact researchers! The Applied Division keeps patching up the old civilization's security system, while the Archaeology Division can easily raise the alert level by three levels... What? Do I have to praise you?!"

Seeing the two men, who were no longer working in the lab, getting emotional as they reminisced about the past and started looking for weapons, the vice president, who had been silent all along, coughed twice. Then, several bodyguards in black filed in and occupied various corners of the room, and the two men... or rather, the two groups of men, finally maintained the standoff at the level of a staring contest.

The agent then patted the junior student behind him who was silently picking up a stool to throw at him... who is now the head of the Applied Division of the National Laboratory... With the two presidents present, it is clear that something important has happened. Let's see what the higher-ups have to say.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's normal for conflicts to accumulate in work and life, but allowing these conflicts to continue to grow and escalate into partisan struggles or even armed confrontation is absolutely unacceptable, even in our country where martial spirit is highly valued... Do you truly have any sense of responsibility as Columbia citizens?"

Seeing both sides seated again in the conference room, the Vice President glanced at the documents in his hand and continued:

"The Maylander Foundation once said during its investigation of Rhine Lab that research organizations in Columbia are now divided into various factions... I originally thought this was a phenomenon unique to private companies, but I never expected to see similar scenes in a top-tier state-owned facility like National Laboratory..."

"However, let's postpone that for now. I have another purpose in gathering everyone here today... Tin Man Agent, please tell me about the current situation in Raisington City."

With a few clanging sounds of metal, the 'non-human' wearing a cowboy hat entered the venue:

"President, Vice President... and all my colleagues, whether I know them or not, please allow me to summarize the final results of your factional struggles and policy differences."

"The Raisington City is currently under a state of emergency due to Catastrophes. The city government, military and police, as well as the temporarily hired Atlas Mercenaries, are completing the final cleanup of the rampaging targets... The known casualties and damage to buildings are countless. The economic losses caused by the shutdown and disruption of logistics in the city today alone are approximately 270 million Gold Yuan, with more than 3,000 long-haul trucks delayed and tens of thousands of orders affected."

"What's more terrifying than the economic losses is the decline in public trust. Currently, there are numerous questions about the Laisenton government's capabilities within the Intercity Network. 'It was supposed to be a Catastrophes warning, but Firearms Arts and explosions could be clearly heard in the city...' Some analyses even suggest that 'the government never issued a Catastrophes warning in the first place,' since the 'Catastrophes' warning was issued by the Rhodes Island Landship docked there..."

"But the decades-long debate over the right path has finally come to a conclusion. Zero... no, AMa-77 successfully and completely crushed the Artificial Angel legion without ICA intelligence support, and handled all the situations encountered in the operation properly... Hmm? Excuse me, let me check my messages."

"Oh... Latest intelligence: Our senior agent Nana executed the head of the Archaeology Division department, an officer of the Artificial Angel Instruction Corps, and the Artificial Angel personality editing administrator with minimal collateral damage at approximately 3:20 PM this afternoon..."

Where is her emotional alarm?

"No signs of rampage were found... Furthermore, according to the Artificial Angel who witnessed the execution of the head of the execution department, he himself stated that he would not rampage again... Congratulations, Eternal Constant —Lady Diana Ivy Walter, the Applied Division has won the final victory."

Hearing the Tin Man's rather sarcastic summary, Diana reluctantly turned to glance at the First President.

"No, the Applied Division did nothing... Without His Excellency the President's Non-Entropy Adaptation Theory, Zero would never have been able to derive the formula for synthesizing the Memory-Erasure Drug... We have to thank the President for his support."

It seemed that the agent's reluctant remarks triggered something; the previously silent president, dressed in a suit and wearing the Columbia presidential insignia, had a dove perch on his shoulder.

"I was the one who took AMa-77 out of the base and kept it in the laboratory. Your decision to use it as a research project is just your personal choice... and whoever I support will win, that's only natural."

"But we are here to resolve the ongoing disputes between you and to reach a final judgment on those inappropriate actions. Unfortunately, due to the sensitivity of your work, you are unable to hire lawyers, and your crimes cannot Judgment under existing Victoria law... Your actions have seriously crossed the line."

"Everyone is here. Take all members of the Archaeology Division away on the pretext of endangering national security, and have their work records thoroughly examined one by one in cooperation with the special agents of the Melander Economic Association."

Watching the men in black suits quickly subdue their old rivals who still wanted to say something and leave, the agent knew that the important part was yet to come.

"As for you... you will also be subject to investigation by the Maylander Foundation agents. Don't worry, I have no intention of shutting down two departments of the National Laboratory all at once... After all, you are indeed more conservative than them... I don't dislike conservatism, although I don't like it either. Because it means that most of the time you may achieve nothing."

"But compared to the experimental facilities that have already been taken over and cleared out, your achievements have an even more unsettling element... Diana, it's about time. Thirty years have passed, the game is over... Now, give me back AMa-77."

As the pigeons came to her seat and looked down at her, Diana sighed, then grimaced when she felt in her pockets and discovered that all her belongings had been taken during the meeting.

Seeing this, Ho'olheyak, who had been wearing a strange smile since the fight started, took out a cigarette case and a lighter from her pocket and placed them on the table... those were originally Diana's things.

"If you want it, you'll have to come and get it yourself... That's what you told me back then..."

"You're still bothered by Zero's departure... but she's been with you all these years..."

"That's not the same, Your Excellency. Zero and Nana are not the same... As for AMa-77, that's another term altogether. You clearly understand all this, yet you always seem like a machine."

"Because my father is always like this, I also have to try my best not to let excessive emotions affect the operation of Columbia."

"You're called 'mechanical' precisely because you're too obsessed with so-called rationality... Besides, if you summoned me to Trimounts to make Nana listen to you, things might not turn out the way you want."

"... I originally thought the Applied Division wouldn't be as reckless as the Archaeology Division..."

"I didn't do anything. It's just that, so far, quite a few people have tried to win over Nana... but very few have succeeded... Even Nana's main job is no longer as an ICA employee. As a senior agent, she has the right to choose her own areas of interest."

"... Did someone actually succeed?"

"Yes, so Your Excellency, it's not a matter of whether I want to give it up or not... Nana is currently working for Kal'tsit, and Nana, who was using the alias Medic on Rhodes Island, was reportedly handed over to that 'Doctor' not long after arriving at Rhodes Island."

"That person... but as far as I know, that person was seriously injured in the Sarkaz Civil War, and AMa-77 isn't a medical specialist. If I ask Kal'tsit for it..."

"Go ahead and try. If you can bring her back to the ICA, that would be wonderful... After all, after meeting Nana, the three Non-Entropy Adaptation System experimenters who had a good relationship with her in the past Number Seventy-Seven Laboratory also agreed to go to Rhodes Island to live."

"Non-entropy-adaptive experimental subjects... you let them leave?"

"Their mission has been successfully completed, and their lives will no longer need the constraints of the laboratory... Please rest assured, they are all good girls, aren't they?"

Watching Diana smile and exhale a puff of smoke, the President remained silent for a long while before continuing:

"The ICA's preferential treatment will not be revoked; there are still many international affairs that need your help."

"Of course, the ICA will accomplish its mission, Your Excellency."

Watching the Vice President bow slightly to him amicably before leaving, he then departed with the President Dove and his bodyguards. Amidst the cheers of the Applied Division team behind him—"Is it over?" "We won!"—the agent's smile remained enigmatic.

She had originally intended to raise a glass in celebration, but she had used the glass to throw at someone, so she could only raise her hand in the air, as if bumping fists with the person who was no longer beside her.

"... Zero, you are free."

"Oh, Lord Eternal Constant, don't forget I'm still here... Don't say anything I shouldn't hear!"

Diana glanced at Liberi behind her, whose smile was even more annoying than hers, and gave a soft snort.

"Don't you still have work at Rhine Lab... or is the Meland Foundation planning to continue working with me?"

"Of course, the investigation into everyone isn't over yet. We'll need to carefully consider the filing of the case and your victory speeches. However, speaking of Rhine Lab... I wonder if the rulers of the ICA would be interested in accepting a contract as a weak, helpless, and pitiful historical and cultural consultant?"

Seeing the manager's disgusted expression, Ho'olheyak happily wagged her tail:

"After all, I can't be in two places at once, but suddenly the person I'm focusing on at work has disappeared. It's really difficult for me, all alone... It's just finding someone, it should be easy for the ICA..."

"Missing? Is it that reclusive commander?"

"No, no, no... Although I think she's definitely involved, the people who went missing this time were an ordinary staff member and the head of Rhine Lab Defense Division ~"

"That woman who's harder than a rock? Fine, I'll have my men keep an eye on her."

P. S.: Waaah, I've been stuck on this for three hours... and I'm being strangled by the deadline again.

I probably wouldn't be able to write this kind of political drama... I shouldn't force myself to do it in the future.

5th Laytonson's Ghost Assassin: 202 The Noisy Rhodes Island

Rhodes Island is a little bustling today.

The Reunion Movement members had just finished a farewell dinner with those who had decided to disembark when, accompanied by a piercing Catastrophes alarm, an ambulance bearing an Originium Pollution warning sign, which had set off earlier, finally returned to the boarding ship.

As Rhodes Island Medical Department responded methodically, the Reserve Action Group members, who also served as caregivers, pushed the stretcher to their positions and began transferring the patient. Su Sulo, who got off the stretcher, quietly explained the situation to Warfarin and the others who had arrived.

Although they arrived in an ambulance, the doctors' serious yet unhurried expressions were reassuring, and everyone continued with their own tasks... While some noticed Nagisa, this strange race with Liberi wings and Halo, there were just too many strange occurrences on Rhodes Island, so everyone just glanced at her without paying any more attention.

On the contrary, Sankta's dark Halo and the gun in his hand made the Infected around him, who were originally from military units, a little nervous.

Fortunately, thanks to Huang Da Mao's reminder, the Executor kept his gun pointed downwards and slung over his shoulder, so this minor issue was no longer a problem.

"Confirmed successful escort of the target team to Rhodes Island. Question: When will I be able to meet with the parties involved in the Loken Watertank Incident? Besides the mission given by the Pope, the priest's will also need to be carried out..."

"Um... Nana hasn't returned yet, I'm sorry... Also, regarding my situation, can we talk about it after Seia is safe? We'll stay on the ship and won't leave, so you can rest for a bit."

Seeing the troubled look on Nagisa's face, the Executor stared at him silently for a few seconds, then glanced at the Sankta Halo Nagisa had displayed during the battle to escape the city:

"I understand the meeting has been postponed. Based on Laterano's Sankta Administrative Privilege Standard, I will confirm the above issues with you again in twelve hours. Please ensure that communication is possible."

"Furthermore, I would like to know whether Rhodes Island can now fulfill the liquidation agreement signed with Laterano Notary Office... According to Articles 2, 4, and 8 of the agreement, I will receive various forms of support from Rhodes Island, including accommodation, bathing, and food, until the relevant contracts concerning 'Nana Ivy' are fulfilled. Does Rhodes Island still recognize the validity of the agreement?"

Seeing the topic suddenly veer towards his own company, Huang, who had just signed the ambulance usage form with the Logistics Department, looked completely bewildered and asked "Huh?" for a while before finally realizing what was happening.

"Is that so? I'm sorry, Executor, could you give me a moment to confirm? Ah... until I've confirmed, why don't you all go to the rest room and rest a bit? Weren't you supposed to be busy with the evacuation?"

"Miss Seia's condition is serious but not urgent, and Mr. Executor, you can wait a little while for Nana to return."

"As for the rest area, let's use the Human Resources Department's rest area for now. I still need to hand over some tasks... Jessica ~ I'll trouble your Blacksteel Squad to take everyone to rest. Mr. Executor, please rest assured, Nana is a very efficient person, and she will go back to the Human Resources Department's rest area when she returns... That's her office area on Rhodes Island."