Chapter 248

The problem is that the Student Council these days is just a gang that protects and obeys the Student Council. They no longer share the common identity of being students, and outsiders who want to join must go through a series of... 'tests'.

Or to put it bluntly, descriptions like 'making things difficult' or 'testing compliance' better reflect their actions.

Even if you ask the Student Council before you leave, those 'cadres' Student Council have something to say... Nowadays, which of those student groups that separated from the Student Council didn't survive on the supplies provided by the student union? You say you're not satisfied with the Student Council's arrangements and want to leave, then leave, we're not stopping you.

But now you suddenly say you want to come back, how are we supposed to know if you're here to cause trouble or have some hidden agenda...? Isn't it normal to put you on hold for a while, give you some tasks, and see if you're willing to dedicate yourself to the organization?

This concern didn't just start with the Student Council; the entry requirements for those extreme cliques are increasingly outrageous. The Student Council simply didn't initially provide valuable items like 'medicine'.

Although Huang's account was quite objective, Nana knew that the conditions for the Infected to 'explode' were neither difficult nor easy... For Originium Crystals to activate to the point of exploding, either the explosion site itself contained a large number of the Infected corpses, but Huang's description indicated that it was a valuable resource warehouse, so it was unlikely that there would be the Infected corpses stored there.

Therefore, the source of the explosion can only be another possibility: it was caused by an acute Oripathy forcibly activating an unfamiliar Originium Arts, resulting in a rapid increase in Originium activity...

This process itself exacerbates the already painful rejection reaction in the Infected, and is also closely related to the individual's emotions.

"... So, was it a tragedy caused by the warehouse guards' harassment, the patients' lack of understanding of their condition, and the objective fact of the shortage of supplies...? Were there any injured?"

"No, all five people died on the spot. We and the Student Council members arrived at the scene at the same time. Liskarm and Franka used the Blacksteel BPRS program, along with Weedy, to complete the initial treatment of the scene... but due to the lack of equipment, we could only stop there."

"Initial treatment cannot stop the spread of Originium Pollution. Although there is a ventilation system, the underground of the Mobile City is basically a closed area. Staying there for a long time will increase the probability of Oripathy exponentially. Have you told the Student Council about this?"

"Yes, they were arguing when we left..."

Even without Huang's reminder, Nana only needed to concentrate slightly to hear the heated discussion among the students gathered in the open space in the distance.

Although it was supposed to be a discussion, the children were, after all, emotional. Not many of them actually proposed any action. Most of the "leaders" were criticizing everyone they could in this matter, while a small number were venting their anger and cursing... As for the children who just cried silently, they were the type who were less likely to cause trouble.

Nana frowned slightly at the chaotic scene:

"Didn't you tell them about the official shelters?"

"I did say that, but they were already arguing fiercely about whether to leave or not, and now they're probably just overthinking things... But this way of blaming others first, putting everything else aside, is typical of an elite family's child; they're just like their parents."

Nana felt only annoyed by Huang's mixed feelings. The way these people argued and shirked responsibility was exactly the type of person Nana hated most. And all they talked about was the Pollution supplies... It was one thing for no one to care about the dead patients, but what about the other children who were guarding the warehouse?

It's one thing if outsiders don't care, but are even our own people just 'pawns'?

This elite family in Chernobog... doesn't seem to be much better than the traditional Ursus aristocracy.

After a moment of frustration, Nana, without turning her head, said something that puzzled the others in the group:

"You're watching me, aren't you...?"

Just as everyone was wondering, the sudden rhythmic breathing sound sent chills down their spines, and they all raised their weapons... Of course, after seeing Nana's ready-to-follow gesture, they managed to control themselves.

Everyone watched warily as the tall Ursus soldier emerged from the darkness.

You kick, order, dance, three, Ba, wife, art, hiss—hoo—

With that rhythmic breathing, how could anyone not know who it was?

"The Serpent Lord has ordered that I will comply with all your reasonable requests."

"Then you can stand next to me... Jessica, fire a warning shot."

Jessica executed Nana's orders flawlessly; in fact, her physical reaction speed even surpassed Nana's own. Before Jessica could react, Nana had already pulled the trigger and emptied the entire magazine of the MCX.

The loud gunshots, without silencers, were no less deafening than the previous explosions, instantly silencing the heated argument among hundreds of people... Nana didn't know how many of these young people understood the symbolic meaning of the Ursus 'Inner Guards,' but the regular military uniforms, the Ursus rank of colonel, and the fully armed Sankta troops who had clearly fired warning shots... no matter how young Nana was, these members of the Ursus Student Council wouldn't consider her a 'peer.'

"Quiet down! Because of your disregard for your comrade's health and your improper handling of the sick, your classmate is dead, and the spreading Active Originium dust could easily infect you with Oripathy as well... My teammates have already informed you of the location of the official shelter, so why are you still here?"

Amidst another minor commotion, the previously bickering "cadres" pushed and shoved each other until finally, a white-haired Ursus girl was thrust into the spotlight... Nana knew her; Huang had mentioned this girl when recounting the events. She was the president of the Ursus Student Council, supposedly from a New Nobility family that funded the construction of Chernobog.

She was not a student at a public college, but attended a prestigious private school... However, due to her family background, she had participated in many high-level gatherings with her family, which made her appearance widely known among the children of the elite.

Through this connection, she became a member of the Student Council simply by arriving with the refugees. With her approachable attitude and ability to act as a buffer between local and foreign students, she was elected as the president of the Student Council after Student Council autonomy became a reality.

Despite this, Miss Natalia Andrei Rostova was just an ordinary high school student. She was not a genius with extraordinary talent, nor did she possess any talent that made people bow down in worship. She was only trusted because of her politeness and fairness, and she barely maintained order in the largest student camp, the 'Student Council,' by relying on the fact that everyone was willing to follow her arrangements.

Even if the world needs weapons these days, and she carries a harpoon gun that she probably found in some museum, it doesn't mean that Natalia has the strength to truly face off against a battle-hardened warrior like Nana.

Moreover, there was an Inner Guards standing next to Nana at the moment, whose eerie appearance was unsettling and far too much for a child to bear.

But in Nana's eyes, with all the other 'cadres' unconsciously backing away, the girl in this position who was looking away from her... could be considered someone who could barely shoulder the responsibilities of a 'leader'.

Tell me, what are you shouting and cursing about?

"... Everyone... everyone just... cannot reach a conclusion yet..."

"When will you reach a conclusion? What if someone else contracts Oripathy, or the next person driven to desperation is forced to self-destruct because of your disunity? How will you handle that then? Will you, like the rebels, blame everything on the victims themselves?"

Nana's words caused all the students to look away. A large part of the reason they were making such a fuss was that someone was shouting that it was all the Infected's fault... Clearly, even though Chernobog did not belong to the Old Nobility sphere of influence, the discrimination against the Infected left over from the previous emperor was not entirely non-existent.

Nana was merely confirming whether the children could still act together. After ascertaining that only a very small number of them were indignant about her statement, the white-haired girl with a mercury-like halo above her head nodded to the Inner Guards beside her.

"According to that person, protecting the children is also part of 'stopping the bleeding,' right...? Can I entrust them to you to take care of?"

"Send them to the subway shelter that the Chernobog Military Police have expanded themselves, is that fine?"

"On my way here, I was attacked by criminals who may be involved in human trafficking... I was worried that it might be dangerous for the children to travel alone, so your presence has been a great help."

"... Even though you say that, after I leave, others will follow you."

"Don't get in my way, and I'll take that as a sign of your sincerity."

"Oh? That's what the 'Angel' said?"

Sitting in her luxurious office, Kashena looked at the Inner Guards who came to report, a slight smile playing on her lips.

Before the woman, who appeared to be composed of only black, white, red, and gray, lay a crystal ball that seemed to be used for divination. However, what was displayed inside was a scene of the Grand Duke Baikal meeting with the head of the Inner Guards and the Nobles' Army outside the city.

The negotiations, which should have been very important, seemed to hold no appeal for Kashena. Just as Nana was speculating about Black Snake's motives, Black Snake was also wondering why the Angel of the Old Covenant had appeared in Ursus so mysteriously.

"Don't... get in the way? So she didn't come to Chernobog for any business arrangements after all... If we knew what required her personal visit, then the balance of power regarding both the Angel and Lord Kal'tsit would likely lean more towards Ursus..."

As she spoke, Kashena looked at a clue wall in the office, which was covered with the Rhodes Island squad's movements in Chernobog over the past year, as gathered by the Inner Guards... Among them, a dark-haired girl who looked somewhat sickly and was being chased by the Cautus children caught Kashena's attention.

After all, this was the only person who truly appeared out of thin air in Chernobog.

Could it be you... Doctor?

Playing with the pen in her hand, Kashena added an entry from her past investigation of Rhodes Island:

"Or should I call you... the Demon of Babel?"

Looking at the newly taken photos on the clue wall and the path leading to the Sarcophagus, Kashena licked her lips.

She hadn't felt this kind of longing for love in a long time.

"Let's go see the Sarcophagus tomorrow."

P. S.: Waa...

Okay, that should be enough of the setup... Next up is the final contract, that 'blood money'.

The Chernobog's Blood Money: 279 Man-made Disasters & Catastrophes

Terra, December 24, 1096 – Christmas Eve, Christmas is just around the corner.

You came and went through endless shelling, and now Chernobog, shaped like cheese gnawed by animals, seems to have come back to life today. Hiss.

To be more precise, it suddenly began its death throes.

It was like a person covered in wounds suddenly moving, spurting blood or pus... With signs of human activity reappearing on the surface of Chernobog today, the previously regular small-caliber artillery bombardment once again fell on the city.

What was initially thought to be the prelude to another artillery barrage turned into a sudden, sporadic shelling that ceased abruptly.

Although Nana received information from Ms. Dalia that the Chernobog Military Police would be on high alert internally, the Chernobog railway-based artillery did not fire upon her own home.

The invasion of Chernobog by the Nobles' Army was already a fait accompli, and given that Chernobog was now practically unsafe, this unusual situation naturally stemmed from an even more unusual reason—the intervention of the Inner Guards.

Black Snake kept her promise to Nana and began to intervene in the war.

To the average person, this would probably be a very ridiculous thing.

With the Old Nobility Faction now engaged in genuine armed resistance, the Ursus Inner Guards, representing the Emperor's will, contacted both sides in the conflict, informing them of the unsustainable living conditions of the civilians living underground on the battlefield... and demanding a temporary ceasefire between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, allowing the civilians to leave the battlefield.

Normally, let alone the Inner Guards, even if the emperor himself were to arrive, he would only be greeted by the cannon fire of the Third Army of the Grand Duke Baikal.

However, the mediator was not the emperor and the New Nobility Royalist Faction demanded reforms to the Ursus system, but rather the most deeply rooted old-school noble among the traditional Ursus Nobility, whose lineage could be traced back to the founding of Ursus, Grand Duke Koschei.

Using the pretext of 'avoiding unnecessary bloodshed in Ursus,' the two elite squads of Inner Guards were a formidable force.

As the signal flare representing a 'temporary ceasefire' rose into the distance amidst the dust of the small military vehicle, Boris, whose eyes were now sunken and seemed ready to devour anyone, was completely ignored by Koschei, and he couldn't help but show a momentary blank expression in the core command tower.

"... What is that?"

"Yes, Your Excellency, this is a signal to discuss a temporary ceasefire."

The special agent beside Boris confirmed that he wasn't dreaming. This nobleman, who a year and a half ago could still maintain the operation of his mansion and a respectable life, had now shed his cumbersome Ursus Nobility military uniform, was treated coldly by the military police when traveling by car, had no servants to iron his clothes, and his only food was zombie meat frozen in a strategic cold storage at some unknown time. Even red wine could only be drunk sparingly once every two or three days. Boris, his face contorted with rage, slammed the pencil in his hand onto the city map in front of him:

"What the hell is demanding a temporary ceasefire?! Who demanded it? And who approved it? Was it those idiots in the municipal government? Or those traitors in the City Defense Force?!"

"This... I'm sorry, our people are verifying it."

"Damn it!"

He slapped the map in front of him again, which was already covered with markings. This detailed map of Chernobog marked all the reactionaries and foreign military personnel killed by the Chernobog Security Committee in the city since the start of the war a year and a half ago.

"We've spent the last year figuring out how to counter the rebel spies, and they're already talking about surrendering? Ha... Now? Right here? In this strategic balance of power, handing my city over to that fat pig?! They can forget about it!!"

As Ursus's spittle-flecked profanity ended, Boris pointed with a trembling hand at his personal guard:

"Go! Contact those traitors and ask them what they want!?"

"Yes!"

In the low-pressure response, Boris, who still holds supreme command over the Mobile City's infrastructure, quickly received a reply from the Second City Defense Army... the former captain of the Ursus Police Department's Rapid Response Force.

"... Transferring refugees? That's what Loban said?"

Seeing his agents nod affirmatively, Boris frowned as he looked at the battle map marked with multiple colors.

As a 'businessman' who neither flatters the emperor nor fawns over the Old Nobility, and who seized the opportunity to take over Chernobog and run it to its current scale, Boris is not lacking in tolerance.

In reality, despite the fact that the municipal government and the military and police systems were affected by the Sarcophagus Pollution incident and their own poor performance, the municipal government and the military and police showed an attitude of only obeying orders and not following instructions from the mayor.

But Boris, who holds ownership of 60% of the city's heavy industry system and the keys to mobile permits for nearly a hundred districts in Chernobog, remains the city's nominal and de facto master.

Most of this hardware was built with Boris's support, and the ownership of its systems is undoubtedly materialistic... and will not change just because the municipality and the military and police suddenly become hostile towards him.

During this year and a half, Boris also reached a new tacit understanding with his old subordinates: the city government and military police would continue to resist external forces, while the mayor's secret service would silently eliminate those who offered passive resistance or could cause the city's utter destruction.

Despite holding only a marquess title, Boris, who studied abroad and has a clear understanding of the changes taking place on Earth, has built Chernobog into what it is today through decades of active attention to scientific and technological advancements.

This city is not like those backward areas in the north, where even wireless payment is not available for tax collection.

Chernobog's military strength was not lacking either. In fact, Chernobog had fought against an entire army group for a full year and a half, demonstrating its formidable military prowess. Moreover, relying on its large defensive artillery, Chernobog Military Police achieved even greater results than their opponents.

After all, no matter how much the firepower of a warship is enhanced, compared to the difference in the load-bearing capacity of its running gear, the caliber and power of city defense guns and naval guns are exponentially different.

Boris believes there is only one reason why the battlefield situation is so tense: the government and the military and police are becoming increasingly alienated from him.

If it weren't for the fact that the loyalty of the municipal government and the military and police was no longer trustworthy, and that they feared the loss of the Core City Mobile City link would lead to their immediate defection, he would have already separated from Chernobog Chernobog sent all those outdated warships into the sky!

Even though Chernobog remained stagnant for over a year, the high-speed warships destroyed by the city's artillery had erected twisted graves in the wilderness.

Boris believes that the current situation is undoubtedly a matter of mutual forbearance between him and Baikal; whoever cannot withstand this continuous bleeding first will be skinned alive and torn apart by the other.

Compared to the rebels whose supply lines stretched from the far north all the way to their southern region, Chernobog, with its independent production and agricultural modules, clearly had a more prominent advantage in self-sufficiency.

While it's true that a disused Mobile City is just a sitting duck for the fleet, does your Third Army dare to appear within direct fire range of my city's defensive artillery? It's as if your own city's defensive artillery doesn't have the means to be placed indirect fire... Otherwise, did those steel graves in the wilderness just spring up out of thin air?

But... but!! Why the ceasefire now?!

Who is making unauthorized peace with the rebel forces of the Old Nobility?

The thought that he was still enduring the bloodshed while those traitors and fools were squandering the city's instinctive victory filled Boris with rage, and even his eyes turned bitter.

"Why bring up the issue of transferring refugees all of a sudden? Doesn't Loban suspect that this is a trap set by the other side?"

"A trap...?"

"Nonsense! Our Chernobog Military Police selection process has always only accepted local residents. That means there will definitely be family members of combat personnel among those being transferred... Our opponent is the Third Army, and their fleet has been avoiding us. What if they bring the families of our military and police onto their ships? Will we engage in the ensuing artillery battle or not?! Can't you even figure that out?!"

Boris didn't ask why Loban believed him. After all, even if it wasn't a possible conspiracy, he wouldn't allow the citizens of Chernobog, a city with public colleges and compulsory high school education, to wander off to other places.

Regardless of the circumstances, Chernobog's foundation is built on a complete industrial system. Even if the surface tourism facilities are completely demolished, as long as there are the underlying equipment and skilled workers, Chernobog can be rebuilt as many times as it wants.

Therefore, Boris ignored Loban's reply regarding the so-called 'Life Corridor'.

"Tell him not to be stupid... The industrial area of the mobile organization is obviously safer than the desolate wilderness. Also, find out who is encouraging the citizens to leave... What Life Corridor? Who would fall for that?"