Chapter 202

"Please have a seat, Amiya. We need to confirm the guest list a little..."

While Little Green started using the stylus to operate the PTRS Terminal, Little Peach looked around and saw that her younger sister and Rosemary were busy, then whispered in Amiya's ear:

"By the way, if Amiya finds out that Shiro really can't do it well, please help her... Although we all know she really wants to cook for Lord Medic on her own... but wasting food is unacceptable."

As she spoke, Little Peach made an X with two fingers in front of her:

"Wasting food is unforgivable. Even if Lady Medic forgives her, the Speaker will not... Eat every meal properly; this was Lady Theresa's teaching before she left!"

Even Amiya was momentarily stunned when she saw that Little Peach would actually mention that person.

Rabbit always forgets that the two Sankta girls disguised as Feline are actually Theresa's subjects... And whenever she realizes this, her abilities unconsciously trace back their memories, allowing her to experience the battlefield of Kazdel.

Home was burned in the civil war, and parents and family members were all gone... The memory called 'Sarkaz' will linger in your heart for a long time.

Amiya, who has been trapped by this power ever since, has no idea how to break free... Fortunately, Amiya is not alone.

As the familiar voice rang in her ears, that inorganic voice belonged only to Xiao Feline, who had also experienced sadness, but who, no matter how you looked at her, was as happy as a dog, free and unrestrained, like a cloud.

"... Awu Qiba Baling Qiliu Mia... has come to her senses."

That was the Little Cat who responded to everyone's expectations with the most 'normal' possible reaction, Amiya's friend... a close friend and family member who had supported each other for four years.

Unlike her efforts to adapt to the 'misfortune' of the outside world... she has experienced pain that ordinary people cannot endure, and now she exudes a lazy aura. She is a contradiction between the ordinary and the extraordinary, and she has extremely self-defined standards for dealing with people... She is a person with a great sense of 'transparency'.

To say that Rosemary 'transparent' refers to both the easily understood nature of her lazy disposition, which is readily apparent, and the elusive quality of her character, which, just when you think you understand her, you always find that there is still a thick, transparent barrier between you and her.

It's as if Rosemary herself is transparent.

The very existence of 'Rosemary' is proof of the evil on this land... Amiya has shared her experience countless times over the past few years, the grief of losing her entire family in just two hours.

So, Amiya is always greatly encouraged when she sees Rosemary going to class, studying, eating well, and sleeping well, day after day.

Yes, even a child like Rosemary is still striving to live on this land, so what reason do we have to stand still because of the suffering of others?

"Sorry, I was just spacing out for a second..."

Amiya smiled at the cat, then looked at the kitchen knife the cat handed to her, completely bewildered.

"This is?"

"Come help me."

"Didn't you say you were going to prepare the New Year's dishes yourself?"

"... When Little Green was calling the Medical Department, Sister Folinic said..."

"Agent Folinic? What did she say?"

"She said... she's with Nana right now, the surgery is over... they'll be there soon."

Seeing Rosemary's serious expression, Amiya glanced at the messy, seemingly chaotic kitchen counter... and thinking that since the surgery was over, Dr. Kal'tsit would be arriving soon, Amiya's expression gradually turned serious as well.

"Amiya, you wouldn't want to show Kal'tsit that you're leaving me all alone in front of the oven, would you...? It would lower her opinion of you."

"... Although I don't think that kind of thing will happen, it's a different story if Dr. Kal'tsit and the others come to eat soon."

Taking the kitchen knife from the cat, Amiya took off her coat and put on an apron, giving Rosemary a serious glare as she did so:

"Looks like you've escaped unscathed in handling the banquet catering alone... But don't forget, I'll report to Dr. Kal'tsit by the next workday after the New Year that you got a bill for 20,000 Lungmen Dollar from Operator Jessica... You'd better submit an expense report to Medic and Dr. Kal'tsit."

"... At least postponed until February next year, right?"

You might as well hope I forget... Dream on!

Saying this, Amiya stopped bickering with Rosemary and rolled up her sleeves, her ears perking up:

"Alright, Rosemary, it's about time you announced the banquet menu... The guests are starting to arrive."

"Um... I can help too."

This is Jessica after recovering from her rampage. Although she is not good at cooking, she is still struggling with what constitutes 'sincerity'... So when she overheard the cat and rabbit whispering that the original rehearsal was about to turn into a forced performance, Jessica, with her tail held high, became determined to contribute her share.

Meanwhile, on the other side, although still young, Little Green, who had been forced to become reliable because her older sister was unreliable, also came over with Terminal:

"... I told Sister Eileen about it... Sister Eileen said she'd get Sister Lycoris and the others from the Information Department to come help right away... Also, Sister, don't just stand there, come and lend a hand too."

"... Help with what? I think it's already enough that I'm not causing you any trouble... Or, if there's any badly cooked food, you can ask me to help you finish it off... I can eat it all!"

Watching her silly older sister in her pink uniform uttering shameless words while even giving a Little Green -up in front of Rhodes Island's CEO, Xiya suddenly felt extremely worried about her and her sister's future.

However, with the arrival of Eileen in her maid outfit, and seeing the perfectly poised maid immediately integrate into the work in the cooking area, Little Green couldn't help but sigh, at least the quality of tonight's dinner probably wouldn't be a problem.

"... But did I call that many people?"

Seeing that not only were familiar members from the Human Resources Department present, but even Huang and Su Sulo's colleagues had come to the break room, Little Green volunteered to act as a doorman while carefully double-checking the list...

Indeed, aside from the named and accountable members of the various independent departments within the Human Resources Department, Elite Operator from the Medical Department, Engineering Department, and even those from the Rhodes Island Operations Team whom Little Green Lv didn't recognize at all, all arrived here.

Just as Little Green was beginning to question her life amidst the confusing list of comparisons, a cold but Little Green -too-familiar voice interrupted the child's doubts.

"Don't worry, these people were all invited by me... or rather, by your Medic sister... After all, the Human Resources Department Training Department's social network is still insufficient to support Medic's interpersonal relationships."

"... Lord Kal'tsit..."

Seeing the child bowing respectfully to her, Kal'tsit wanted to say something, but because the way Little Green addressed her was so ridiculous, Kal'tsit was a little at a loss for words.

The emerald cat, who had just come off the operating table, looked speechlessly at the little one in front of her. With a soft sigh, Kal'tsit turned to look at Folinic, who was pushing the wheelchair, and at the Touch on the protagonist's body.

"Medic... how is she?"

"The reactions are all normal, and consciousness has been confirmed to have returned... I think I'll wake up again soon."

As he spoke, the Touch twitched its ears:

"However, she was clamoring to attend her daughter's banquet right after getting off the operating table... It's hard to believe that Medic was such a cold and aloof person four years ago."

As for her intern teacher's complaints, Su Sulo, who wasn't originally in a position to participate but later went to the observation room to watch out out of concern, pouted:

"Who would have thought? Who was it that was willing to brave Catastrophes to return to the Little Cat's side...? Medic was completely devoted to that White Cat; I thought that was a universally acknowledged fact."

"Well, what does it matter anyway!"

He grabbed the expressionless Su Sulo, equally worried, and patted the Little Fox's shoulder repeatedly, having spent the whole day with Su Sulo in the observation room. (120320748)

"That's just the kind of person Medic is, and Little Cat are indeed lovable... By the way... Dr. Kal'tsit? Dr. Kal'tsit?! What are you looking at so intently?"

Hearing Huang's call, Kal'tsit, after confirming several times that she hadn't seen wrong, turned around with a hint of existential doubt.

What happened to the surplus stock she displayed in the luxury section of the Rhodes Island Supermarket, the kind used to fool the nobility?

Kal'tsit wasn't the only one who noticed the bottle of wine in the main dining table's beverage area; ACE and several other operators with considerable knowledge of wine had already begun pointing and commenting on that bottle of Royal Liqueur.

As a participant in the banquet, Kal'tsit shouldn't have entered the cooking area to interfere with Amiya, Rosemary, and the others. However, after checking the PRTS records, Kal'tsit was able to guess most of what the Little Cat had done that day.

"... As your educator, I originally wanted to talk to you about your views on money... but... let's wait until Medic wakes up and comes to her senses, then let her tell you those things..."

As Kal'tsit spoke, she lifted the Little Cat with its tail between its legs and brought it to the wheelchair. As the Touch beside her saw Kal'tsit nod to her, this magic master, who was no less skilled than Nana, also activated his unique spell... Soon, the short-haired black Feline, still wearing surgical scrubs, was awakened again.

After opening its eyes, the cat looked left and right, and finally, looking at the Little Cat in front of it, compared it with the image in its memory:

"... I... it seems I didn't miss anything again this time... that's great..."

Smiling, she reached out her hand to Rosemary. Surrounded by the Rhodes Island members, Nana's smile was filled with relief and all the tenderness of the assassin girl.

Happy New Year, Narcissa.

PS: Waaaaaaah!

PS: Although it's a bit messy, the perspective did circle around and then return to Nana... Next up are some individual chapters as promised... Although I personally only had Jessica planned for now.

Whose daily life on Rhodes Island would you like to see next?

6th Patriot's Gun: 220 Victoria's ultimate gun (laughs)

December 30, 1094... Two days until the New Year.

Although a company-wide celebration had already been held a few days prior, and Rosemary from the Human Resources Department Training Department even hosted a second dinner at her own expense for company executives and the field operations team, these were, after all, private gatherings. Presumably, similar events will follow in various smaller groups under different pretexts...

Essentially, Rhodes Island Pharmaceutical Company has ceased most of its non-medical operations. Headquarters no longer accepts applications for field missions, drug factories located throughout the region have suspended operations, and safe houses and offices have settled a year's wages and bonuses.

Whether or not they are on the Rhodes Island main ship, the Rhodes Island employees are currently enjoying their annual leave after completing a year's work.

Now, having completed its Collapse Pollution inspections and resupply, the Landship has weighed anchor and set sail eastward according to Rhodes Island's cruise plan. At the same time, Rhodes Island employees are also welcoming the most important event of the year.

For members of non- Rhodes Island Landship, this activity is called 'performance evaluation'... But on Rhodes Island itself, the operations team refers to the entire process of this 'Elite Operator Assessment,' which often requires years of preparation, as -- Elite Promotion.

As the primary written basis for Rhodes Island's PRTS (Performance, Training, and Sales) authority changes and salary adjustments, the Elite Operator Assessment is not based on voluntary participation. It represents Rhodes Island's subjective view of its operators and is a top-down process that comprehensively evaluates their qualifications, abilities, and contributions.

Although Rhodes Island has been established for several years, and there are many active members like Blaze who actively participate in assessments and strive for the title of 'Elite Operator'... for most people, doing their jobs dutifully and then their salary and authority level inexplicably rise is the more common scene at Rhodes Island.

This is largely thanks to PRTS's involvement in Rhodes Island's automated office system and the real-time work status display system... Otherwise, even the workaholic Kal'tsit probably wouldn't have been able to accomplish much.

The task of rating operators and adjusting their permissions and Elite Promotion ranks at the end of the year undoubtedly falls under the responsibilities of the Human Resources Department.

However, since it's widely known that Rhodes Island's Human Resources Department staff basically don't handle personnel matters, in fact, even this year, this performance review is still largely handled by Kal'tsit herself.

Adding to the fact that Medic, who had just regained consciousness, also needed to undergo the deployment of new equipment and capability assessments, taking advantage of the fact that both of them were extremely busy... Having made some mistakes yesterday, resulting in the Rhodes Island drinkers receiving Kal'tsit's collection of Rosemary with great amazement, they were unexpectedly quite free today.

Amiya was called in for the Elite Operator Assessment today... while her usual playmates, Little Peach Little Green, went to the Welfare Department to shine...

As a field operative, Rosemary should have been receiving training from the instructors, but due to the Elite Operator Assessment, all field operative teams were given a day off today.

To avoid her mother's nagging about not doing anything productive, Rosemary, who had been sleeping in the small tent in the rest area until 10 a. m., finally couldn't take it anymore. Little Cat reluctantly got out of bed, quickly washed up, and then drifted off to the training area.

Perhaps because everyone was preparing for the year-end assessments, the training area, which was usually bustling with activity, was unusually quiet today. Rosemary, disguised as someone diligently studying with her Tactical Unit, only heard gunfire from other areas after drifting around a few times. Qi

Firearms Arts... Rosemary is no stranger to them. Lu

Even within Rhodes Island, a land populated by operators from various nations, the number of operators who wield Firearms Arts is extremely limited.

Rosemary initially thought she could see Nana, but after knocking on the door and crossing the barrier, she discovered that the people training in this area were members of the Central Operations Team of the Human Resources Department... or more precisely, members of the Blacksteel team.

Seeing the Little Cat lead the Tactical Unit resembling four vault doors into her area, Franka, who had been keeping a close eye on the surroundings, was the first to smile and wave to Rosemary... And beneath Franka was a blond man named Vouivre, who was doing push-ups with the fat fox sitting on his waist.

Judging from the blonde girl's impressive four-digit count, this fat fox had been slacking off while sitting on someone else for quite some time... The cat waved expressionlessly as a greeting, while on the other side was the source of the gunfire— Jessica and Liskarm, who had been a great help yesterday, were practicing with Firearms Arts at their shooting position.

After all, she had spent a lot of money on him yesterday, so even Rosemary couldn't just leave without saying that she wasn't looking for him... Out of politeness, Cat nodded to Liskarm was practicing with a pistol at another shooting position, as a greeting... and then ran to Jessica's side.

"Sister Jessica..."

"Ah... Rosemary? Are you here for training?"

"... I guess... is that right...? Is Jessica practicing shooting?"

"Um, actually I was testing a new Firearms Arts."

With a smile, Jessica scratched her head and showed Rosemary the messy things in front of her.

Having been exposed to firearms by someone, Rosemary had a fairly good understanding of them. Looking at the weapon before her, whose structure and shape were clearly different from ordinary Firearms Arts... the Little Cat took two steps forward in confusion and read out the file name bearing the Victoria stamp:

"L85A1... assault rifle... Victoria's test mission?"

"Well, after all, the entire land is engaged in the research and development of replica guns... This is a testing project that Victoria commissioned me to do through Blacksteel."

As she spoke, Jessica tightened her gloves, put on her goggles, and made the Little Cat take several steps back before taking out the magazine she had just loaded and installing it.

As for this unique bullpup rifle, Liskarm, also a user of Firearms Arts, was very interested... At the same time, in order to prevent the Little Cat from being accidentally injured, the white-haired Vouivre stood next to Rosemary with his shield.

Seeing her boss's daughter looking at her with curiosity, Jessica smiled slightly and reminded her:

"So, shall I begin?"

Pulling back the bolt, disengaging the safety, and calmly beginning to channel the magic through her fingertips, she then pulled the trigger... With two loud bangs, the seemingly brand-new gun suddenly jammed in Rosemary's sight.

Jessica didn't seem surprised by the situation. She glanced at the gun, pulled the bolt to clear the obstruction, and then fired again.

But with a soft 'click', the Etch Rounds did not trigger.

Puzzled, Jessica removed the magazine to take a look; it was almost full, so the problem wasn't with the magazine itself... After confirming that it wasn't a problem with the feeding mechanism, Jessica pulled the bolt again to eject the suspected misfired cartridge.

Fearing the bullet might not be properly loaded, Jessica patted the charging handle before pulling the trigger again.

Rat-a-tat-tat-tat—this time the gunshots lasted four times.

Even Rosemary, a novice, knew that assault rifles are Firearms Arts capable of continuous fire, and the replica rifle Jessica had in her hand... clearly had serious problems; how could they dare send it for testing?

No... I should say, with the spellcasting process being interrupted like this repeatedly, what kind of mood was Jessica in while working...? Could it be that all weapons testers' tasks involve situations like this?

Seemingly noticing the Little Cat's confusion, Liskarm explained:

"Actually, Jessica's tests were all pretty normal before... I guess today's is an exception..."

Before he could finish speaking, the gun, which had just fired several shots in quick succession, went silent again.