Chapter 217

Now, the choice is clearly on their side.

Does Chernobog really lack any violent units?

No! It's just that I still have the ultimate option of violent resistance.

From Chernobog's perspective, the Old Nobility Faction hasn't really made a move here yet; all they lack is a reason... and why is this place so special...? Even Saria knows about the Sarcophagus, so it's clearly not a secret in the relevant fields or among the military's high command.

With the support of Rhine Lab, the Third Army could disregard international and domestic public opinion and take over Chernobog under the guise of archaeological research. This was no longer a matter of 'high probability'... but a certainty.

Although Nana also has the experience that 'one's most understood enemy is naturally one's own enemy,' Marquis Boris and Grand Duke Baikal are clearly not equal 'enemies'...

The two sides have different intelligence, concerns, and means of survival... By exploiting the gaps in their intelligence, they have created a situation where they seem to be able to switch sides repeatedly, but in reality, neither side wants to pay attention to the other. 'Rhine Lab (×) -- Rhodes Island (√)'

As long as she doesn't encounter any special circumstances that expose her lies, Nana feels she has a high probability of achieving her goal by using this method of cross-lying.

"Therefore, I apologize for what happened yesterday, Miss Moore... The Marquis was very angry about my presumption, and he has severely punished me... Thanks to you, I've probably worked for nothing this year. Furthermore, as an apology, I will fulfill all your needs as requested by the Marquis today..."

"Oh? All of them?"

"Yes, all... Of course, please don't make things difficult for me... like forcing me to operate the Sarcophagus at close range or anything like that... If it puts me in a difficult position..."

Nana raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

Although he had been intentionally or unintentionally sending the signal that Rhine Lab had come for the Sarcophagus, Crow's reaction was too... too direct. It was as if he had really been reprimanded by his superiors for his 'unauthorized actions' yesterday.

Just take that with a grain of salt; anyone who takes it seriously is a fool... After all, is a punishment merely spoken words truly a punishment?

But from another perspective, isn't this also a sign that Boris doesn't want to get involved with her...? What kind of intractable problem could make this shrewd nobleman, who made a fortune in Ursus by piloting Chernobog, so anxious and agitated? Nana was genuinely intrigued.

However, these are all minor matters. Compared to these, what is more important is the Doctor and the others who are still waiting outside... As a sign that she has forgiven the Crow, Nana's next request is undoubtedly to visit the Sarcophagus.

This time, the other party did not refuse.

Nana and Saria had previously speculated about the situation around the Sarcophagus, originally thinking they would see a laboratory tightly surrounded by layers of military personnel.

In reality, apart from the outermost layer Sarcophagus about four full-strength squads and corresponding logistics teams... the personnel known as the 'Power Core Guard Unit' provided defense. After passing through the reinforced concrete fortress and the inherent partition doors of the Mobile City, accompanied by Crow and Swallow, Nana and Saria stood easily in front of the Sarcophagus.

Such lax security even brought a few black lines to Nana's face. This level of defense couldn't even stop her own Rosemary, who could only swing Tactical Unit straight up and down using Telekinesis!

He had actually racked his brains for a goal of this magnitude for a full six months, and had even gone back and forth with the Third Army outside the country, putting on a smile while enduring the cold ridicule from the nobles who should have been swept into the dustbin of history.

This feels like receiving an alarm, carefully donning full bomb-proof gear to defuse a bomb, only to discover that the "ding" sound the alarm caller described was actually a microwave oven indicating that the food was finished—utter nonsense.

Even Saria could see Nana's deep disappointment at the empty ancient civilization building. As her assistant, Saria had to cough softly as a reminder: We're not really here for archaeology, there's no need to reproduce even the expression of disappointment so perfectly.

Although Saria had some complaints and opinions after seeing Ursus's careless treatment of the ancient ruins.

"This is the Sarcophagus? It just looks like an empty building..."

"The above-ground structures are only part of the Sarcophagus remains; this place used to be the Sarcophagus Laboratory."

"That lab where Ursus massacred people more than a decade ago? I remember it..."

Even though he was on a mission leading two people on a tour, hearing foreigners speak ill of his country like that made even a seasoned agent's expression falter... Most importantly, this wasn't just baseless speculation, but a real case of the military persecuting its own citizens.

The Crow could only talk about other things:

"Well... but it's said that the experiment was actually controlled by the Kazdel nobles, an illegal archaeological excavation of our ancient ruins... What's more, the mission was carried out by subordinates of warlords who had been corrupted by the Old Nobility, and what started as a verbal dispute escalated into an indiscriminate massacre... Nobody wants to see something like that."

While speaking, he operated the elevator to delve deeper into the Mobile City. From this old Sarcophagus research institute, which consisted of only steel and concrete with not a single piece of soft furnishing left, it was clear that in order to show that he would not continue to study anything related to the Sarcophagus... that is, to show that he would not weaponize it, and also to reassure old Originium energy giants like Baikal, Chernobog had indeed erased the traces of Kal'tsit's group of researchers perfectly in the beginning.

The ultimate target, the Sarcophagus containing the Doctor, is now Chernobog's power core... Nana had been worried that it might be damaged or become inoperable, requiring forced opening of this old civilization's device, but now it sits quietly before her eyes.

The light, projected from an unknown floor, shone through dozens of floors of space, creating a strong Tyndall Effect that made Nana's target somewhat dazed. But as the scarlet 'eye' in the darkness before her lit up, the breathing sound etched into the DNA of every Ursus official turned Crow and Swallow pale.

Yiling Yiqi IV Jiujiu Ba'hi--hu--'

It was no longer time to hide. Even Saria nervously pulled out her enamel shield with a spellcasting unit from the suitcase behind her, the Rhine 'Fortress' charged combat suit radiating the brilliance of the Originium Arts.

Crow's trembling teeth clearly indicated that he had already identified the other party, but out of a sense of final confirmation and his responsibility as the 'person in charge,' he still pulled out an electrified baton from his back. Swallow also raised her crossbow and angrily shouted:

"Who goes there!"

Thump--

The footsteps, not heavy, but certainly resonating in the hearts of the three on guard, sounded as a tall, black figure stepped into the light that had originally been used only to illuminate the Sarcophagus. Their identification was revealed by a specially made sealed overcoat and a helmet with numerous tubes.

Accompanied by the oppressive sound of a respirator operating and footsteps, a battle-hardened Inner Guards, covered in various signs of combat, stopped in front of 'Joyce Moore':

"A year ago I said you'd better never come to Ursus again... Or does your presence here mean Columbia...?"

Watching 'Liberi' fiddling with the ends of his hair, growing increasingly hot beside him, yet his eyes turning cold, the Inner Guards placed his hand on his sword:

"You know, for 'us,' disguise is meaningless... Now, answer your question, Columbia Silver Dancer."

Honestly, at this point, Nana's plan has undoubtedly failed again. Now that she knows her identity has been exposed with Boris, the assassin rubbed her head in frustration. She even had the urge to draw her gun and give him a Judgment.

No matter how Nana considers solutions and explanations, now that the Inner Guards have appeared before Boris's trained agents, Chernobog, whether out of loyalty to Ursus or an exploration of the significance of the Inner Guards' actions, will inevitably no longer see themselves simply as Rhine Lab members.

Remedies? Explanations?

What else is there to say now that things have come to this?

Given the established fact that she would be under constant surveillance, even if she succumbed to the Ursus Inner Guards' ability to attack people through the internet, with the primary goal of taking the Doctor away, her status as the person rescued by the Sarcophagus and the true method of using the Sarcophagus would inevitably be exposed and attract much attention... This is not the future that Kal'tsit needs.

After going through a series of transformations—from a smile, a bitter smile, a silly grin, and finally a grotesque one— Nana ultimately chose to give up... returning to a blank expression.

"Purpose of your visit... purpose of your visit? I'd like to ask you what your purpose is in standing in front of me like this... Are all of you in the Inner Guards brain -Demons? You've been like this for thirty years, always pushing your luck and never showing any coordination or even the most basic diplomatic etiquette!"

"My purpose in coming here? You should know I have no ill intentions just because you saw me go to great lengths to disguise myself and enter the city in such a blatant manner! Even if you wanted to check the list of military personnel and confirm your intentions, you should have come to me privately instead of brazenly standing in front of my partners!"

"What are you doing? Are you trying to force me to choose sides?! Or are you really some kind of demon with underdeveloped cerebellum and an underdeveloped brain, your cerebral cortex turned into the Dominion from absorbing too much Demons, deliberately trying to interfere with me to demonstrate your Ursus chauvinism? If you came here specifically to ruin my plans, then congratulations, you've really infuriated me... Something that could have been resolved simply by waiting and asking a couple of questions, you refuse to do it, you insist on using force, is that how you can demonstrate the dominance of your Ursus Inner Guards? Fine, I'm here and you think it's difficult, so you won't let me do it... then let's not do it at all!"

The deep rumble of the Originium Engine starting was quickly followed by the high-pitched sound of the turbines starting, and the four Tactical Unit removed their tactical camouflage along with Nana as she removed her disguise.

The Eight Gates Originium guns, which were usually considered to be exclusive to the Laterano Pontiff's Gun-Knights, Originium to spin simultaneously, and the black mist that was no different from that around the Inner Guards began to spread... The white-clad Feline, who was slightly bowing his head, even had his left eye become a 'black hole' emitting Blacklight. This was a form of early adaptation to the Inner Guards's 'The Dominion' in the Warp.

Finally, as the Halo of the cross unfolded, Nana drew her Originium Lightsaber and met Saria's gaze with a blank expression.

The crimson Originium illuminated the area, and the lightsaber, along with its Halo, connected Nana's silhouette with the four Tactical Unit, creating a scene reminiscent of an ancient legend of unknown origin. The Angel unfurled its Steel Wings, ready to bestow an equal death upon all who refused to submit to the land's inhabitants.

"Kill all the witnesses, leave no one alive."

PS: Waaaaaaah!

Unaware of the situation, Kal'tsit is still practicing the dance she's going to perform for all the operators for the New Year... mainly for the Doctor (lol) ↑

PSS: Actually, when writing the turning point, I considered whether to write it with the feel of traditional espionage... but I think it's difficult to write the kind of development where everything is prepared and you just sit back and watch how things unfold.

The main problem is a lack of writing skill; I can't capture the tension of a serious intelligence report.

And most importantly, based on that development, it seems... Chernobog might... not be blown up...

Although the atmosphere of war was palpable, I liked the part where both sides ultimately exercised restraint through the protagonist's efforts. However, I always felt that such rationality was unlikely to exist in a feudal empire.

Or rather, it's unlikely to happen in a world Arknights, where information is not readily available and there is no nuclear deterrence mechanism that could ensure mutual destruction.

Thus, the arrogant and conceited Inner Guards directly clashed with Nana... The weapon originally intended to fight against Seaborn was first used to suppress humanity itself.

It's quite ironic, actually.

6th Patriot's Gun: 239 What are you doing to minors?

Mechanical Angel stood on the earth, the ownerless 'The Dominion' burned futilely in space, Black Snow fell slowly, but the eerie Blacklight no longer flickered.

The Sarcophagus, framed by two mechanical shields, was spotless, like a sacred sanctuary. As the Tactical Unit at Nana's waist and ankles completed the replacement of the internal heat exchanger, Saria stopped looking at the now-mad woman chanting incomprehensible words about 'Crow' and 'Swallow'...

Unlike herself, who was protected by Halo on her arm like an armband, the two guards were swallowed up by the distorted space the moment Nana clashed with the Inner Guards.

Saria had many questions she wanted to ask, but she knew she had more important tasks and burdens to bear.

What's the next step?

Ignoring the Halo on her arm gradually evaporating and turning into Halo of light like a ribbon, Saria, after witnessing the deeper darkness of Medic, still believed that the girl entrusted with such an important task by Kal'tsit was not acting rashly out of a moment of impulse.

But for Nana, who is used to explaining everything to others before acting wholeheartedly, the fact that she seemed to see nothing at all and had no extra reaction when she saw something unfamiliar that could cause misunderstandings made Nana worried.

Could it be that there was some bug in the team's resistance module when she used the new equipment, causing Saria, who had no understanding of the Collapse Paradigm, to think she was seeing some other ordinary Originium Arts?

Fortunately, after a quick conversation, it was confirmed that Saria had only postponed her questions and was not Pollution, which made Nana breathe a sigh of relief.

"Thankfully, everything is normal... You didn't ask me at all about the 'abnormal technology' I used, which made me think there was something wrong with your understanding..."

"No, I just think now is not the time to talk about those things. As a member of the team, I still trust your judgment, Captain... But, does this mean that we've severed all possibility of cooperation with the three major factions of Ursus here?"

As she spoke, Saria glanced at the three corpses that were 'burning' along with the Dominion, constantly turning into 'Black Snow' and rising into the air. Then she looked back at Nana was retrieving her external mechanical equipment into her Tactical Unit.

"Should we defend the Sarcophagus to the death next?"

"No, it's safe here for the next three months..."

Estimating the time it would take for the entire surrounding the Dominion, which she had 'occupied,' to be annihilated by normal space, Nana shut down the Tactical Unit that had completed its cooling and hormone regulation. With the help of Cole and Kate, the shut-down Tactical Unit was re-applied with Optical Camouflage and slowly rose and disappeared.

"Regarding Saria, your Operations Department remains unchanged. After leaving here, immediately meet with Boris Earl as a victim, and then cooperate with his actions, reminding him to seal the Sarcophagus and prevent the death of the Inner Guards from escalating into unrest in Chernobog."

"I will assist you with the specific operations from the shadows... As for 'Ptilopsis,' because of the sudden attack by the Inner Guards, she said that since you determined this place was not suitable for civilian personnel to stay any longer, she was sent away from the city and entrusted to a trustworthy partner to recuperate outside the city."

"Understood, that means we need to split up..."

Nodding, Nana sifted through the burning corpse, taking out some of Crow and Swallow's personal belongings... a wallet that kept burning but wouldn't burn out, and a broken but still functional crossbow, and put them into a sealed sample bag... These were originally decorative items she brought along to pretend she was on an archaeological trip, but now they unexpectedly served as evidence of the Inner Guards's death.

"Let's quickly check the statements... Saria, your original reason for coming to Chernobog was concern that the civil war had destroyed the only new energy source currently capable of powering the Mobile City. So you risked coming here during the civil war to investigate. Regardless of whether the Sarcophagus exists in the future, at least we need to confirm the state of this ancient relic while it's still in use... Zero"

"These matters have already been settled with Crow and Swallow, so you can speak frankly. As for the part about the Inner Guards suddenly appearing to stop us, you can also speak frankly, but you need to change the opponent you're fighting to another Inner Guards." (Jiu)

"... Is this feasible?" the neighbor asked.

In response to Saria's furrowed brow and persistent questioning, Nana shrugged, looking at the 'The Dominion' engulfed in flames except for the area around the Sarcophagus. The scene the Dominion one the Dominion devouring another clearly resembled a battlefield after a civil war between two Inner Guards. Qi

"Sure, Boris is all alone and there's no way to verify his identity, and the Imperial Inner Guards is divided into Loyalist Faction and opponents... With no one to testify, what happened here depends entirely on what we say."

"The key question is whether Boris believes it?" (noon)

"It doesn't matter if you don't believe me, just show that your safe departure was thanks to that Halo... That's the truth."

Saria glanced at the 'ribbon' moving without wind on her arm and tilted her head:

"What do you mean by this?"

"In order to explore the unknown territories of Sami, and to utilize the stable system created by the ancient Sami Witchcraft, it may be assigned to members of Rhine Lab's exploration department in the future... Although it is not now, it could be in the future."

Nana's words made Saria consider the consequences of saying that, and she shook her head slightly:

"Given the nature of the Rhine Lab research team, they might not cooperate with you..."

"We don't need their cooperation. What does what the former head of the Rhine Defense Department got from a rival company for his friend have to do with Rhine Lab? If anyone asks, just say it was obtained from Rhodes Island..."

"Wouldn't this make things too obvious?"

Concerned about Saria, Nana changed into her Elite Operator uniform amidst the Black Snow... However, since it was currently summer in Ursus, Nana removed her thermal lining and fleece hood:

"When the Exploration Vehicle failed to enter the country, we were already under scrutiny... It would be suspicious to completely sever ties, so it doesn't matter if some ambiguous relationships are exposed... Anyway, the other party's suspicions won't disappear just because of these relationships."

"Our distance will be very uncertain going forward, and the individual radio will be ineffective in the background noise of the urban environment. I will send you an extra set of codes, and then we will communicate in encrypted form using the Ursus Intercity Network... As for the daily fixed communications, you can decide what you disguise yourself as to send them."

"Casual chats with friends, reports on Rhine Lab, anything is fine... You write the real letter in advance, then add the code according to my codebook, and I can decipher the real communication from your letter using the code... It's not complicated."

Watching Saria nod after checking the instruction manual she had sent, Nana reloaded the 1911, whose magazine was empty. The old magazine and the mottled shell casings were burned to ashes by the collapsing Collapse the Dominion as soon as they fell to the ground.

"Next, I'll make sure no fools venture near the Sarcophagus. I'll leave the task of supervising Boris's quarantine arrangements to you... Refer to the Columbia Laboratory Regulations, 7th Edition, section on Emergency Leakage of Special Hazardous Materials..."

As she spoke, Nana looked at the endless courtyard. The building itself was very sturdy. Decades ago Kal'tsit built the 'outer shell' to prevent accidents from happening to the Sarcophagus during her research. It still protects the residents of Chernobog from the aftermath of the battle.

If this battle had any tangible impact on the locals, it was that before the Collapse Paradigm was smoothed out by reality, the energy transmission of the Sarcophagus might be intermittent due to the uncertainty of time... In simpler terms, it was like inexplicable power Collapse.

This issue shouldn't be a problem for a mature city; it's simply a matter of connecting to power stations in other districts for frequency regulation, or simply transferring some industrial use to civilian applications.

Surely a huge city like Chernobog doesn't lack a backup power source?

... No way?

Letting her thoughts wander, Nana stood in the middle of the black snowstorm, looking at the Sarcophagus protected by four Tactical Unit, and began to wait.

Through the illusion of time caused by the Collapse of the Dominion, in this Black Snow, 'time' and 'space' do not develop continuously as in ordinary space.

This turned the originally tedious wait into an adjustable moment. While time flew by outside and the collapsed the Dominion was completely confined within the Sarcophagus dome... without finding any of those 'extremely inquisitive' desperados, Nana, having left the Tactical Unit with the Doctor and finished copying the data from the Previous Civilization's panel without finding anything amiss, teleported away from the 'Sarcophagus'.

What happened in the Dominion was a fleeting moment, but in the normal world, a full ten days had passed... Instead of worrying about whether Chernobog had been stabilized by Saria during this time, Nana immediately sent a message to the Exploration Vehicle, which she was more concerned about, assuring it that everything was alright.

However, looking at the notification that her phone had no signal at all, and seeing that only a few buildings in the Core City of Chernobog were lit up, with even the police on the streets relying on hand-held oil lamps for illumination, Nana scratched her chin somewhat embarrassedly.

Don't you have any plans for a second power supply system besides the Sarcophagus?!

Should I be thankful that you at least installed a separate Originium generator in the hospital?