Chapter 258

"Traitor, you can't be talking about me, can you?"

"No, this refers to... spies who betrayed Babel, possibly through the precursor to Rhodes Island, and were bribed by Theresis."

"Theresis ..."

Nana the name, because her manager had deliberately kept her out of the Kazdel Civil War, and the assassin had also been paying attention to one of the warring parties... but the ICA's intelligence network and bribery tactics were not very effective against the Sarkaz, who believed more in bloodlines.

Therefore, Nana's understanding of Therese was very limited. She only knew from her regular communications with her agent that Theresis, having lost Kazdel, was currently stationed in the Victoria capital with his followers, obeying the orders of the Grand Duke of Victoria.

It's quite strange... those are a considerable number of Sarkaz Mercenaries, a large-scale operation. Just how careless do they have to be to let such beings stay in their own capital...?

But since this matter had nothing to do with Nana, she didn't bother to think about it too deeply, after all, the information was just superficial stuff:

"So, this is... a reckoning for... Her Highness Theresa's death?"

"... I guess so... but Ascalon said that when you're around, her attention is almost entirely on you. Also, with you on this ship, the Doctor always subconsciously relies on you too much... what kind of 'master' leads us servants around like that?"

Seeing that Kal'tsit seemed to be considering her feelings and changing how she addressed her, Nana chuckled and wagged her finger.

"No, no, no, your servant is only Kal'tsit. As for me, Nana, I'm probably just a mindless robot vacuum cleaner. If the Previous Civilization saw me jumping around with free will, they'd probably send me back for repairs immediately... no, scrapping me would be a more fitting end for me."

Looking at her palm, Nana slowly clenched her fist:

"Originally designed to kill enemies, this heartless machine has begun to genuinely say that it wants to fight to protect life... The designers of the Previous Civilization would probably just think I'm bugged... Yes, the disguise is failing, and even killing has started to find excuses... I guess I really have broken down."

"But killing does require a reason... On the other hand, saving lives does not."

Kal'tsit gently patted Nana's head, then took out a stack of free mission lists, pulled one out, and handed it to Nana... This type of non-urgent mission is usually assigned to Rhodes Island's partners or free agents in various locations, outsourced to the nearest personnel for handling.

Given that this ship has been given a free mission with absolutely no element of urgency, it seems that Ascalon will have no choice but to go out while cleaning up the Rhodes Island main ship.

After looking at the task requirements, Nana tilted her head in confusion:

"Go to... Siracusa to complete an employment contract for a minor?"

"Yes, simply put, it's to help you relax..."

"I am somewhat aware of Rhodes Island's manpower shortage... but signing an employment contract for Vulpo, who is even younger than Amiya ... Kal'tsit, are you really not after her nine-tailed fox bloodline? I remember that's a fairly influential family in the Higashi ..."

Seeing that Nana, a former assassin, started to overthink things as soon as she noticed anything unusual about the target, Kal'tsit shook her head, dismissing the speculation.

"Regarding Lisa, it was her mother who contacted us, hoping we could provide Lisa with adequate treatment... However, unlike Amiya's Oripathy, which was simply Oripathy, Lisa became the Infected because of a family feud in Siracusa... Clearly, her mother, a gangster, and her father, who had left the Higashi, were no longer able to protect their daughter in that kind of conflict."

Seeing Nana's brows furrowing deeper as she stared at the file, the Black-footed Cat, whose maternal instincts had become increasingly overflowing ever since taking the Doctor back, suddenly clenched her fist and slammed it on the table:

"How could they use such despicable methods on such a young child?! This is no ordinary gang; we must take decisive action!"

"This is a matter for the local families. Nana, all you need to do is go and bring them back... Also, since you know Rhodes Island is short of people, bring back any qualified prospects you see along the way."

"Okay... Ah, but I'm no longer in charge of the Human Resources Department."

Hearing Nana say that, Kal'tsit rolled her eyes at her:

"You still have a referral spot for Elite Operator... Go and prepare it."

Clearly, Ascalon is probably really impatient.

PS: Waaaaaaah!

PSS: Lost Kal'tsit ↑

But in this story, she still has Nana to hug!

8th Spring of Siracusa: 290 Departure ~ Towards Siracusa

"So, that's why you only moved your luggage on this ship and are now leaving again?"

Watching Nana, just like when she went to Ticarondo years ago, carrying a fully loaded medical bag and stuffing her luggage into the SUV...

Because she had been treating refugees with Originium Disease recently, and the endless surgeries had made her lose track of day and night, she finally managed to switch shifts with Gavial. Su Sulo wanted to have a meal with Nana, but then she saw someone about to leave again, and could only let out a helpless sigh.

The situation was so similar to usual, but the person standing next to Nana was now Folinic, not herself.

As a responsible adult, Su Sulo certainly wouldn't be jealous of Folinic, who is still a student... In a way, because Nana is always sent on field missions, she is also considered the child of his students in many medical courses.

But why does Su Sulo always feel uneasy? It's this feeling that she finally has a vacation, and she's been trying so hard to get closer to Nana... but the distance between them is getting further and further away.

"Well... is it better to call it an administrative issue or a procedural issue...? In any case, it's a pretty easy task, you could treat it like a vacation?"

Why is it a question?

Upon asking this question, Su Sulo glanced at Huang, who had been helping Nana move supplies and load them onto the truck with Rosemary in the distance, but had been avoiding eye contact with her the entire time... Su Sulo understood, of course, that as long as they didn't make eye contact, they wouldn't reveal that the other side had gained an advantage in scoring points for getting close to Nana throughout the entire mission round.

Although Su Sulo actually felt that sometimes, whether it was Blaze or FrostNova, the group of friends always liked to compete in strange ways, making it seem like the whole of Rhodes Island knew that Medic had several best friends fighting over a man... It was just like being a fool.

Speaking of FrostNova, Su Sulo glanced around but couldn't find the silver rabbit.

"Where's FrostNova? Didn't she come to see you off?"

"Yelena seems to be undergoing rehabilitation? Oh... she's acting as Rhodes Island's negotiator with Ursus. After all, she'll be dealing with the Chorbokashti here. Compared to the Doctor, who gets so nervous around strangers that he can't say a word, FrostNova is probably a more suitable diplomat right now... What a pity, I was originally going to invite her to Siracusa with me."

When Nana spoke the first part, Su Sulo nodded "uh-huh," thinking, "I see, I see." But after Nana finished speaking, Su Sulo blinked three times before realizing that the last sentence was a bit off:

"Hmm? An invitation?"

"Yes... Although Kal'tsit said she was giving me an easy job so I could rest, working in a place like Siracusa, which is full of gangs, means that, for safety's sake, I should at least go in a small, elite four-person squad."

The main reason is that I rediscovered the joy of having someone handle logistics and chores in Chernobog Nana. In short, the situation of having to face everything alone, like in Raisington City during my childhood, is just too troublesome.

Call it being spoiled by the ICA's logistics or calling it becoming weak, Nana still hopes to have some people around her... friends would be even better, of course.

As Feline uttered a fragile sigh reminiscent of Cautus's, Nana suddenly realized she was being held back by Su Sulo:

"I!"

"Ah?"

Why didn't you invite me!?

Seeing the resentful look in the indigo-purple Vulpo's eyes, Nana tilted her head slightly, feeling the increasing pressure on her arm.

"Su Sulo, aren't you... working...?"

"I'm on vacation now, invite me."

"This... instead of resting properly during this short and precious vacation... you're going on a mission?"

Although Nana really wanted to ask Su Sulo if he was awake, recalling her earlier words, "Kal'tsit said... to let me rest," the Rhodes Island Black-footed Cat blinked and then showed a thoughtful expression:

"It seems... it's not entirely impossible?"

"What do you mean 'seems'? Of course I can! I can definitely do it!"

This is a rare instance of Su Sulo being emotionally agitated; even her way of speaking has changed.

"I'm a local from Siracusa, and the person you're picking up has a healing contract with us, right...? Isn't it reasonable for you to leave me out?" Lu

"... I was thinking Folinic was a fixed teammate... and why bring two medics to a four-person squad... no, with me there will be three medics..."

"Folinic's thesis still needs my review. You don't believe me, but I do? And what kind of medical expert are you...? Killing all the opponents counts as completing first aid for your teammates, right...?"

Clearly, by now, Nana's friends who have been following her closely have a basic understanding of the tyranny and chaos beneath her seemingly gentle and Feline exterior. But even Nana is slightly unhappy about having her true job questioned.

"Hmm! I think I did a pretty good job! Look... I was the one who performed the emergency first aid on Zhuoya, for a fatal injury! This was also the first practical application of that emergency pacemaker program!"

Although I really want to complain about the ratio of time Nana spends as a medical worker to a combatant... as her friend, Su Sulo can't keep this tit-for-tat going on forever, after all, she hasn't achieved her goal yet.

"So, count me in..."

"Okay, okay~ So, I'll reserve your vacation for now using your Elite Operator privileges..."

Hearing Nana mutter, "You should thank me properly," Su Sulo rolled her eyes slightly... This self-proclaimed medical operator had absolutely no idea how busy the Medical Department at Rhodes Island was.

After all, even the newly joined Ptilopsis has been incredibly busy since arriving here. Only Medic, who looks and feels like a medical operator but isn't really one at all, could utter such nonsensical words as "I'll reserve a vacation for you."

If it were Huang, Su Sulo would definitely bet a month's worth of drinks that his so-called vacation would be ruined... But Nana, the position of head of the Trauma Team is too special in Rhodes Island, after all, she is Rhodes Island's last line of defense. Out of respect for his friend's stature and title, Su Sulo only sighed and did not continue the topic of his vacation. Dad

As Nana finished her operation, Su Sulo pulled out her phone from her pocket, which was beeping frantically with some kind of peculiar notification sound. Looking at the red and black title of 'Trauma Team Mission Alert' and the interlaced warning effects, Su Sulo and Nana exchanged bewildered glances.

"... Nana, are you sure this trip is just a trip... and not some hidden mission?"

"I'm sure, otherwise do you think I'd drive a regular off-road vehicle without even a single armor plate, instead of our monster Exploration Vehicle that can navigate Catastrophes?"

"And this special effect..."

"It was Closure who did it. She played a prank on the Doctor before, Warfarin suggested that I take care of her... Is she trying to curry favor with me?"

Looking at the impressive special effects on the Terminal, which made it seem like Rhodes Island was about to explode at any moment, Nana played with the ends of her hair and turned it off speechlessly.

Well... it's actually quite good-looking.

At least the industrial aesthetics of Closure are to Nana's liking, this Columbia city cat.

If the Doctor hasn't been made to cry by the prank when I get back, then I won't bother Closure too much... Hmm, I'll send her a message and tell her to prepare some coupons for the Doctor, since she'll definitely apologize anyway.

Su Sulo, standing to the side, was already showing signs of a deadpan expression at Nana's actions.

"So why don't you stop Closure's prank?"

"... After all, Closure didn't mean any harm... and I think this is an opportunity to get closer to the Doctor."

Therefore, this level of prank feels somewhat acceptable.

Su Sulo neither confirmed nor denied Nana's assessment.

Looking again at Huang, who hadn't yet noticed her secretly boarding Nana's mission vehicle, Su Sulo continued to look at Nana:

"So, how should we arrange the fourth person for the mission? The team currently has three healers... or at least it looks like it has three healers. The fourth person has to be someone who looks intimidating, otherwise it will be troublesome just if the gang's lower-level henchmen cause trouble."

Nana understood Su Sulo's question. Logically, the fourth member of the team should be someone with a commanding presence... Huang, who led the extended chainsaw and was tall and strong, was the first choice.

But... unlike herself and Folinic, whose previous missions mostly involved taking care of the Doctor and Amiya, Huang has been running back and forth in the war zone for a year and a half. Don't be fooled by her seemingly energetic appearance, chatting and laughing with the Little Cat. She hasn't even noticed Su Sulo next to Nana, which already speaks volumes about her fatigue.

Normally, as soon as Su Sulo gets close to Nana, Huang would probably come over and say "brother, brother~" to separate the two of them.

So Blaze is going to rest. Based on her intimidation power, Nana's preferred operator is... firstly, Jessica is fully armed with long guns and short cannons... but compared to Blaze, who still has the energy to come see her every day, Jessica has been exhausted and listless these past two days. Let her rest.

Next up is Mika, the former chief who also underwent special agent training and possesses the skills of Lycoris in Red.

But Nana 'm not trying to nitpick. Mika, while she's definitely strong, she's really not exactly 'intimidating'... The only time you can expect her to scare people is when Mika gets angry and smashes the surrounding buildings or objects with her fist.

There was some shock, but it didn't meet Nana's need for deterrence.

So, as a second-best option, Typhon's abilities are merely adequate, but because of the Sarkaz's unique appearance, he can still be considered to meet the requirements.

Moreover, compared to Jessica, who has been constantly tearing up and complaining of muscle soreness lately, Typhon perfectly fine, wandering around the ship and being led by Elite Operator to greet all the Sarkaz from Rhodes Island. He should be able to handle another field mission.

Watching Nana ask Typhon on the Terminal and finally confirm the fourth person, PRTS seemed to have completed the mission. Su Sulo slightly curled the corners of her mouth, squinted at Huang who had his back to her in the distance, and gave him a subtle smile.

Nana couldn't understand why her friends always wanted to play these kinds of jokes, but a moment later, when Huang saw Su Sulo coming to her door, she did let out a cry of "Eh--?!"

Shaking her head in refusal, Nana now faces Rosemary, who is puffing out her cheeks and tugging at her skirt.

"Nana..."

"Well, it's just a short field mission; calling it a task is more like a vacation."

Medic and Rosemary didn't need many words to communicate; a simple glance was enough for them to complete what was previously a much more complex exchange Su Sulo.

Rosemary reluctantly agreed to Nana's claim that she was the last line of defense for Rhodes Island when Nana was not around... Clearly, for Little Cat, the idea of an external enemy breaking through Rhodes Island and reaching her was still too fantastical.

The Little Cat had absolutely no sense of reality about this; it was the type of cat that wouldn't even consider it.

In addition, the Little Cat also realized that as Elite Operator, she could no longer cling to Nana like she used to... she needed to act more like an adult.

Just as the Little Cat was lost in thought, Nana gently stroked the white cat's ears:

"Don't force yourself, Narcissa can just be Narcissa..."

"Then, Nana, could you please persuade my mother... that we could skip the extracurricular classes?"

"Huh? Well... but I'm the type who gets managed by Cole too."

The two cats glanced at the slightly translucent, even ethereal, white-haired woman who appeared beside them with a smile. As Rosemary's mother and Nana's emotional mentor... Mrs. Cole was far too high in both status and rank.

Rosemary couldn't resist, and Nana was someone who wouldn't resist her at all... Faced with her guardian's complete inability to defy her mother, the Little Cat could only mimic Kal'tsit's sullen face when she was unhappy, before being dragged back to the lounge by Cole's ear.

After all, judging by the time, it was almost time for Narcissa to have her piano lesson.

Besides the piano, Cole has many other instruments to teach, such as guitar, bass, flute, and oboe. Compared to his wife's serious professional musician teaching, Kate's home economics lessons, like proofing dough with Rosemary and kneading bread, seem like a break and a bit of fun.

Nana had no opinion on this and dared not voice it. The assassin could only clasp her hands in silent mourning as the Little Cat was dragged away. Now the Little Cat had to make up for its past laziness.

Namo Sanskrit: What a scene devoid of compassion!

Only Cole can be truly frightening when he's serious, can control this little Feline, who's as free as a cloud.