Chapter 252
Before the veteran vanguard of the Old Nobles' Army could make such a sarcastic remark, the assassin, wielding two swords and covered in blood, simply stepped forward:
"Go ahead."
They charged into the enemy ranks like dancers rather than warriors, putting on a grand performance... Although they were the enemies of these dead, the Hundred-Battle Vanguard couldn't help but feel pity for them.
After all, dancing with death is a level too high for ordinary people.
Seeing that the Sankta girl was advancing faster than their own squad and completely ignoring them, another officer from the Hundred Battles Vanguard whispered to the Knight:
"Maybe we should run... This girl is really weird..."
"Run? Now? You must be joking."
Glancing at the increasingly intense natural Catastrophes outside the mansion, the veterans gripped their weapons and caught up with Nana again... Although they didn't say it, after witnessing her brutal behavior, everyone felt it was better to honestly fulfill their promise.
They didn't think they could beat that little guy who called himself Mercenaries, but whose swordsmanship looked suspiciously Gaul.
Wielding her weapon, Nana advanced along the way, ignoring the surrendered soldiers who had laid down their weapons and huddled together. She instinctively rushed into the room where Loban was, only to be stunned by the scene before her.
A father, bound to a chair and weeping in anguish; a girl collapsing in a cramped cage, her blood slowly seeping out; an unfulfilled promise; unrequited feelings... How similar these scenes are!
In contrast to the dazed Nana, the Hundred Battle Vanguards, as unrelated parties, continued to fulfill their duties according to the contract... such as checking on the wailing wounded, or opening the cage to check on the condition of the fallen girl.
"The injury was caused by Spell Transfiguration Arts. There was no physical projectile, but it was a penetrating wound... Her heart and left lung were completely pierced... My condolences... At least she didn't die in pain."
Seeing Zhuo Ya being carefully turned to lie flat, blood still gushing from her wounds and mouth and nose, her eyes seemingly staring at Zhuoya, Nana's vision went black... But in that moment of darkness, doubts arose in her heart.
Is there really no other way?
A strong smell of blood filled the air, a mist of death looming over her. Despite her ruptured heart and massive lung bleeding, Zhuoya's blood flow did not stop. It must have been less than 180 seconds since her heart was pierced.
The probability of brain death is... slightly low.
Emergency plan... establish extracorporeal circulation, rebuild the heart structure, drain the blood from the lungs, and administer Overheal if necessary...
No, there's no equipment here... everything's with the Exploration Vehicle...
But is it really completely impossible?
Didn't you... prepare a similar contingency plan?
Give it your all.
The black-haired girl's calm command reappeared in Nana's mind. The moment Nana regained her senses, her black hair suddenly turned pure white, and her skin lost all its color. The mercury-like Halo first boiled violently as if about to explode, then turned into bright red blood and solidified into a thorn-like shape.
"Get out of the way!"
Upon reaching Zhuoya, Nana, without saying a word, reached directly into the 'corpse's' chest wound.
"Hey, she's already... wait... you... you're the Bloodfiend?! But this Halo is..."
"Quiet down... and tell Loban to shut up too."
Indifferently ignoring the noise around her, Nana is now trying her best to adapt... and then transform the extremely destructive Bloodfiend's blood control ability into the possibility of restoring the dead girl to health... That's right, use magic to simulate it, and use human power to construct that non-existent external heart.
With her eyes closed, Nana witnessed the complex flow of blood in the human body. The blood flow that was circulating there intensified Zhuoya's blood loss reaction. After tasting Zhuoya's blood, Nana blinked and manipulated her arteries to connect with the other person... At the same time, the blood of all the dead in the entire mansion seemed to have a life of its own and flowed toward Nana.
However, such blood was obviously not suitable for direct emergency treatment. Nana took out a butterfly knife and cut open the artery in her neck, then connected it with the sea of blood in the mansion. The bright red magical light then followed the connection between Nana and the sea of blood, illuminating the interior of the mansion, which had been without power due to the Catastrophes.
With no time to pay attention to the curses of the veteran warrior beside her, Nana used several spells that she would never normally consider to maintain Zhuoya's vital signs. Now that everything was ready, she manipulated the accumulated blood to remove it from where it shouldn't be. The next step was to reconstruct the heart and lungs.
Is it about to begin?
Through Nana's combat recorder, Nana teammates could naturally see Nana rather absurd and unprofessional first aid procedure. But at this point, Folinic from Rhodes Island's Medical Department and Rhine Lab's team couldn't say anything more, since everyone hoped that Nana could successfully save the life of this girl who had a close relationship with them.
"... Yes, let's begin. The same procedure applies to Huang's emergency defibrillator. That magical chip was designed by me... If I can't do it, then no one can..."
Taking a deep breath, the green healing spell light flickered first, then suddenly turned into a torrent... Not only Zhuoya, who was physically connected to Nana, but even Loban, who was still tied to the chair, noticed that all of his external injuries had completely healed.
"Wait, is this overdose? Everyone back off! Back off if you don't want weird limbs or other body parts!"
The Colombian National Strategic Security Department requires a special magical Terminal to maintain its operations. The Overheal spell, called 'Survivor Protocol,' comes and goes quickly... Nana stared intently at the girl in front of her for the next few seconds. As Zhuoya woke up and immediately began to convulse, Nana could only put her free hand into the girl's mouth to prevent her from biting her tongue, while picking her up... trying to comfort her and help Zhuoya resume normal breathing.
[Something's not right... The healing spells don't seem to be properly regulating her bodily signals! Nana, use electric shocks!]
Saria's words made Nana, who was still checking the items in order to see where the problem was, suddenly realize the truth. She then immediately began routine first aid.
Recreating the emergency pulse current with magic is a delicate craft, but fortunately, Nana herself carried the baton that could adjust the current, so the possibility of failure in the end did not happen to Zhuoya.
Although the girl looked very weak and in pain due to the damage to her heart and lungs, the fact that she was in pain was still proof that she was alive.
"Alright... I'll give you another injection of painkiller, then you can rest."
As the brown-haired girl's breathing returned to normal, Nana finally withdrew from the Bloodfiend's mimicry.
But as the crimson thorns turned back into the mercury-colored moonlight Halo, those veteran warriors stood pressed against the door, looking as if they would rush into the outside world to escape the Catastrophes at the slightest movement.
"Um... are you done? We didn't see anything... Well then, we're leaving! Goodbye... oops, never again!"
Watching the battle-hardened vanguards flee the room as if their lives depended on it, Nana made no attempt to pursue them. After all, in her the Warp perception, she could sense an Inner Guards waiting on their inevitable path not far away... Since Black Snake was willing to help her keep their secret, whether they were killed or recruited was their own business.
"So, you're a Medic from Rhodes Island, right...?"
Loban had also regained his composure, and now he looked at the baton in Nana's hand with a complicated expression:
"I didn't expect... Ah, no... I'm like them, I didn't see anything... But... thank you."
The man, still tightly bound by ropes, lowered his head and added:
"Thank you so much... really..."
"Alright, you haven't seen Rhodes Island since the Sarcophagus incident... A passing Sankta Mercenaries saved your daughter, just remember that..."
Nana was about to get up and leave after speaking, but looking at the Ursus girl lying on the blood-stained carpet, as if she had experienced some kind of cult ritual, Nana added:
"Also, although Zhuoya's heart and lungs have been repaired, a fatal injury is still a fatal injury... People with normal Ursus constitutions will likely still suffer from aftereffects... We should take her to a proper hospital for a checkup later... After all, this is only emergency treatment, and I don't know what the follow-up will be."
"... I understand. So, what are you going to do next?"
Regarding Loban's doubts, Nana looked out the dark window; that direction was undoubtedly where the Central Control Tower was located.
"Let's put an end to everything."
Although Nana's departing figure against the backdrop of the raging winds of Catastrophes looked incredibly cool when she said goodbye to Loban, it was clear that the enemy already knew about the fall of the mansion... and the safe underground passage had also been cut off.
That's the barrier gate of the Mobile City; it's practically impossible to destroy it by conventional means... Nana rarely encounters situations like this, but when she does, she misses her Little Cat and her four floating giant swords.
"... Or should we wait until the Catastrophes is over, find some clean clothes, and then take the Doctor directly through the Safe Corridor to leave?"
After all, Boris didn't even know the names of the Mercenaries who had taken over the 'mansion,' so leaving by abandoning his own vehicle wasn't out of the question.
Just as Nana was pondering this, the Inner Guards... led the few veteran soldiers who had just fled into the room.
"Miss Silver Dancer, the Serpent King has prepared a gift for you."
Looking at the suit set unfolded in the other person's hands, especially the combination of a black suit jacket, red tie, and pleated skirt, it was hard for Nana not to wonder if the other person was showing off to her.
Upon seeing the girl place her hand on the hilt of her gun at her lower back, the Inner Guards quickly took a half step back.
"Please don't overthink it. The Snake Master simply said that, according to your custom, we will grant you freedom of movement."
"So, does Black Snake really know what I'm going to do?"
"The Serpent King has already answered your question... It's merely the removal of a foreign object from Ursus's body; you are free to move about. Also, aside from Zhuoya, whom you are currently pursuing, her friend, the girl named Radrovna Alexandra Scaya, along with several other victims of human trafficking, have been rescued by our colleagues... They will be sent to Rhodes Island or other humanitarian aid facilities to start their lives anew, so please don't worry."
Hearing the other party's attitude of "I'll give you whatever you want," practically begging her to leave in a grand sedan chair, Nana touched the suit jacket they had brought her. Although it wasn't her usual cashmere style, the velvet fabric suited Nana's stereotypical image of Ursus Nobility as extravagant and vain.
She didn't want to have anything to do with Black Snake anymore, but on the one hand, the Doctor suggested in the earpiece that she 'accept it,' and on the other hand, she tugged at her disguise, the special agent uniform soaked in blood was indeed very uncomfortable.
"Alright, I appreciate Black Snake's favor... I'll finish my work as soon as possible and then leave."
Watching the Inner Guards lead the unfortunate group away, Loban, carrying his daughter, followed Inner Guards. They didn't say where they were going, but with the Black Snake's help, the contract did indeed... seem to be completed?
If they continue to invade the central tower as incited by the Black Snake, then the city, and the civil war in Chernobog, will likely end in a victory for the Nobles' Army.
Although Nana still dislikes the Noble Faction, Black Snake did provide considerable assistance in this operation...
He then fulfilled the contract and reclaimed the Doctor.
The mission was accomplished, and they even brought back part of the Sarcophagus as a bonus... To say that they gained nothing would be a lie.
So... let's accept the fact that this city has fallen into Black Snake's hands.
After quickly freshening up using the mansion's facilities and changing into the suit and uniform Black Snake had sent, Nana began loading new bullets into the magazine... As the natural Catastrophes outside gradually subsided, the location of the Central Control Tower reappeared in view.
This kind of behavior shouldn't be known to anyone other than the Doctor... but if the combat recorder is turned off, everyone will probably be even more worried.
Whether it's Blaze, Saria, Folinic, Amiya... will everyone accept someone who doesn't practice medicine to save lives, but instead specializes in taking others' lives?
Nana was unaware that she felt her future remained bleak.
But even so, she still had necessary things to do.
"Boris ...I did indeed send you to your death."
PS: Waaaaaaah, cat e
Woof woof cat. jpgr
PSS: There was supposed to be a Main Control Tower invasion operation later on... but having written this far, I feel like I've covered everything I need. (Sigh)
It seems unnecessary to write about how Boris died... his death seems utterly insignificant. Furthermore...
This volume, after a period of interruption, most importantly, sees Nana's true self exposed due to the Doctor's orders, and the resulting contrast with others... seemingly achieving its goal...
Let's all vote here!
If everyone thinks Boris's death wasn't a big deal, we'll quickly enter Lungmen, and then Nana should go pick up the Little Fox to board the ship.
7th Chernobog's Blood Money: 284 It's important to me without you (
For Nana, clothing is an accessory that is part of her 'mask'.
If Rhodes Island's 'Medic' is like a patient and warm-hearted young mother who, due to an accident, involuntarily brought her Little Cat to Rhodes Island... then the moment I, dressed in a suit and uniform, touch a weapon, my mind involuntarily cools down, and I revert to the demeanor befitting an ICA Silent Assassin.
This isn't to say that [disguise] will cause a sweeping stylistic change to Nana's consciousness, but when different faces appear in front of people who shouldn't be there, the life of Killer Number Seventy-Seven is completely thrown into chaos.
Assassin, doctor, agent... the once clearly defined masks are now blurring and merging together, forcing Nana to confront something she had never cared about before—what exactly is this so-called 'self'?
Employee of Columbia National Laboratory? Freelancer affiliated with the international organization ICA? Homeland Security Bureau agent? Rhodes Island operator? Catastrophe Messengers from the Contingency Contract?
Nana uses far too many masks, and this operation in Chernobog has exposed far too many of Nana... to the point that she's now unsure how to face her friends... and her enemies.
Ultimately, all these identities are still "her," and there is no such thing as "fake" among them.
What troubled the girl was simply that she couldn't wear multiple masks on her face at the same time—confusing her identities, she didn't know what identity she was living as now.
Fortunately, she still knew what she needed to do.
Taking advantage of the lull in the Catastrophes, Nana headed to the Central Control Tower and unexpectedly found herself feeling quite novel.
The feeling of killing for a mission is different from killing for one's own needs. In the former, the agent will explain the target and the damned reasons behind it in detail, while in the latter... Nana just feels 'need'.
To keep Rhodes Island's irrational actions hidden forever, and to silence the Black Snake, who is now a temporary ally... if necessary, enabling the citizens of Chernobog to activate the city separation module to avoid Catastrophes could also be considered a benefit of this action. However, Nana knows that she is not acting on this basis, so such a reason would only make her feel like a high-sounding excuse, trying to get rid of the pretext that she killed a non-mission target for some purpose.
Although she knew no one would reprimand or report her for this, the assassin's heart still skipped a beat due to her principle of 'self'.
This feeling is somewhat like a child in a storybook doing something bad behind their family's back for the first time. Although it's described that way, Nana is definitely not a 'child'; she feels she must take responsibility for her actions.
If I were to act recklessly and arbitrarily, I would probably become an even more wicked being than an 'Angel'... In that case, how would my manager and everyone else view me?
With a sigh, she untied the parachute strap bracelet and used the pass she found at the mansion to open the access gate to the Central Control Tower. Although Boris's personal guards had increased their so-called vigilance, the checkpoint was just five meters away from the door, which was far too close for Nana.
As the blue magical light formed a shield, the 'Survivor's Protocol' instantly demonstrated to the Royal Guard the true value of a top-tier caster. Most of the crossbow bolts fired were dodged, and the few that hit the head were shattered by the magical shield.
The metal arrows merely grazed Nana's seemingly delicate face, leaving only a blue shield and metallic sparks, without leaving a single mark on her skin. Only one arrow, aimed at Nana's fiery emerald eyes, was caught by the girl and forcefully broken in two.
Even in her pure rational state as a 'Silent Assassin,' knowing that an attack of this level couldn't break through her shield, Nana still didn't want anything to threaten the safety of her eye... Even though Nana had never avoided similar situations in past missions.
Clearly, Killer Number Seventy-Seven and the current Nana Ivy are quite different. However, looking back now, Nana still feels bewildered by her own changes.
Like a blank canvas that has been filled with color at some point, how will she now view the works known as 'Nana Ivy'?
"Attack--!"
Before the guards could even utter a sound, the battle was over. However, as a more trained and disciplined force than the mansion's security personnel, the staff monitoring the gate sounded the alarm even though they hadn't issued a warning.
As faithfully recorded by the camera, Nana pressed the elevator button to go to the top floor, then turned around and destroyed the surveillance equipment at the top of the door as if she had discovered something.
"So, how am I supposed to explain this to the Doctor...?"
Muttering this under her breath, Nana installed the explosives she had collected from the guards into the elevator. After glancing at the elevator panel that led directly to the top floor and the first floor, she pressed the button for the top floor and then turned and headed towards the stairs.