Chapter 268
"No, the armor upgrade service offered by the Continental Hotel is undoubtedly flawless against the strong."
"... Then, please replenish my supply of 300-caliber sniper ammunition. Also, schedule a space-age sorcerer; I need to speak with the ICA and have them contact Rhodes Island."
"Understood. Your remaining budget will be entirely converted into special caliber ammunition... Also, please settle the hiring fee for the space sorcerer here. Communication with the ICA has been established, and we have explained your requirements in the work message section... Please wait a moment; the person you need will be here shortly."
With a wave from the perceptive manager, the room attendants, who had just finished taking everyone's measurements, left the room.
Orders for the new armor-enhanced outerwear Rhodes Island Su Sulo and Folinic, excluding Nana who has her own combat uniform, are already in expedited mode.
After greeting Typhon, and watching Angelina quietly pull Typhon aside to inquire about the arrangements for her friends, Nana, keeping track of the time, picked up the already connected phone from the tray.
Even though they hadn't seen each other for almost two years, just hearing her manager's voice... the mere fact that she was still by her side was enough to put Nana at ease.
As the call continued, that familiar, crisp, and magnetic voice filled my ears:
[Long time no see, Number Seventy-Seven. Just as you guessed, all ICA-related Rhodes Island tagged items will be handled by me. Kal'tsit has already spoken to me on this channel, and I've confirmed your mission objective in Siracusa, Number Seventy-Seven.]
[However, because the ICA's operations in Siracusa are currently in a very complicated situation, I am completely unaware of the current situation surrounding you, Nana... The same applies to Kal'tsit.]
[After discussion, we have unanimously decided to fully trust your professional skills... So, you, who have always been so competitive... what do you need if you contact us during a mission?]
Hearing the other person's voice, which seemed to have already reached a conclusion and carried a slight smile, Nana didn't hide the upward curve of her lips and stated her needs as always:
"I want guns, lots of guns."
PS: Waaaaaaah!
PSS: It's hard to say whether this development is because I didn't get enough of writing that "John Wick" volume... But, since the family is also a gang, naturally they can also engage in "John Wick"!
8th Spring of Siracusa: 302 I'll end it all.
Sankta warriors handle numerous Firearms Arts throughout their lives, and those Sarkaz have fought against them to this day take pride in possessing multiple Laterano Gun. With the emergence of Columbia Blacksteel Worldwide's 'replica guns,' so-called 'Firearms Operator' are no longer rare on this land.
But... even replica guns are still synonymous with high price.
The countries capable of mass-producing firearms and putting them on the market are still only major powers in the core regions, and unfortunately... Siracusa is not one of them.
Even the top henchmen of the family, the "Eradicator," mostly use crossbows, and Valeria, who once worked as a local "Eradicator," has a lot to say about this.
Nana wasn't prejudiced against crossbows; after all, Typhon's giant Firearms Arts in Nana's hands... But, if you wanted to narrate true power, if you wanted to remind the Siracusa family of the power that had ruled them for sixty years, then only 'Guns and Order' could do it.
"I want guns, lots of guns."
This wasn't the first time Nana had requested equipment support from the ICA in Siracusa; after all, her manager knew that the remote and impoverished region wouldn't provide what Nana wanted.
The ICA has considerable experience in deploying Nana's equipment thousands of kilometers away over long distances.
[I see, so it requires remote equipment teleportation... Kal'tsit, I'll send you the relevant spatial spells and precautions via an alternative route. If I remember correctly, Rhodes Island should have casters of that level.]
After a brief silence in the communication, Kal'tsit, whose breathing was so soft, slowly spoke:
[... Using spatial magic to transport equipment requires not only a fixed ritual site, but also at least three Originium Prime to drive the ritual. The officiant needs spatial recognition ability and corresponding adaptability. All of this is just to open a transport window with a diameter of about 100 centimeters, a time limit of 120 seconds, and a target accuracy difference that increases with distance, with a maximum of 100 meters... I won't ask you if all of this is worth it, but... is it necessary?]
"... yes."
With a solemn reply, Nana had already taken off the Rhodes Island coat that only made her look weak and vulnerable, revealing her close-fitting combat suit:
"Otherwise, I might have to wipe out one or two entire families to let the people here know that I'm doing something incredibly foolish."
[I understand. Logos and Misery are setting up the teleportation ritual. It will take them some time to read through the ICA's incantation... Next, I'll switch the channel to Licorice Cafe. After your items are moved out of the Human Resources Department, the Armory Module will be installed at the cafe.]
"... Thank you, Kal'tsit."
[You're welcome. It's just that your call came at a very opportune time... If it had been delayed another day, I might not have been able to conduct a comprehensive, ship-wide planning... I'm being invited to Victoria tomorrow to investigate the aftermath of the Kazdel Civil War... After I leave, command of the Trauma Team will return to the Doctor, and the matter I mentioned to you before should be making progress by then... Amiya and she will both need you.]
"Understood, I'll take Lisa back as soon as possible... Also, I've discovered a... surprise."
As she spoke, she glanced at Angelina, whose body stiffened at Nana's gaze... Nana reassured the young girl, who should still be in high school, with a smile.
"She can definitely help you."
[... I wasn't there, so you can make all the decisions yourself using your Elite Operator privileges. Now, I'm going to confirm the ceremony details. Switch the channel to LycoLyco Café.]
The mechanical prompt of PRTS flashed briefly on the phone in the Continental Hotel, and with the first electronic tone of the call connecting, Nana instantly heard that slightly nostalgic voice:
[LycoLyco Café ~ Are you looking for dine-in or delivery/takeout?]
"Takina?"
[Nana- senpai?! You're back?]
"No, it's just... I need a 'takeout'... The delivery person should be here soon to pick it up, please prepare it as my first priority."
[It's... equipment? Ah... I understand, please explain.]
Despite the instructions, Takina on the other end of the phone took out a pen and seemed to begin writing down a list. However, looking at the 'armor upgrade' reminder from the local Continental Hotel in front of her, Nana frowned slightly.
A defense upgrade that meets the Level 3 ballistic protection standard is a solid level of advanced military protection, typically worn by squad leaders or officers in regular armies.
This means that ordinary small-caliber pistols and low-level armor-piercing spells are completely ineffective.
The WA2000 is fine as a high-power, high-penetration rifle, but for pistols... namely the Silver Dancer and the M1911 Compact, even with the use of a limited number of enhanced ammunition, they cannot penetrate level 3 ballistic armor without undergoing a standing incantation enhancement.
The same applies to the Rhino Guardian Gun's normal fire, but the 'Judgment' shot, based on the genuine Laterano Gun, has a level six armor penetration rating... but the damage from this level of attack is simply too great.
Furthermore, Siracusa is within the Laterano faith sphere, and Nana doesn't want to expose herself to the Vatican because of this Magnum.
Just as the local Siracusa family had considered, the expensive armor upgrades were indeed a major headache for the 'assassin,' but fortunately, Nana wasn't there to kill...
If the previous requirement to kill targets is changed to incapacitating them, then considering the weakness of bulletproof armor being too thin and soft, and in line with Nana's mission in the city to minimize collateral damage and protect important VIPs, an equipment list is quickly drawn up.
"The equipment will be the same firearms we used in Columbia... Although I haven't had time to maintain them since I got back, their parts should be complete... Please have Logos send me the Benelli M4 and ammo packs first, and then send the rest of the equipment in order."
[Understood. So... how many enemies do you anticipate facing? How much ammunition should I prepare for you?]
Hearing Takina's question, Nana watched as the lounge door was pushed open. Three Lupo men dressed as family thugs ignored the waiter's attempts to dissuade them, glanced around, and strode straight toward Valeria... Of course, Nana couldn't stand idly by. Wearing her combat uniform and all her equipment, Nana stood up and stepped between the newcomers and the mother who was holding her daughter warily.
"Prepare based on the maximum number... So, although I've lamented the lack of manners among local gangs countless times today... well, who are you guys anyway?"
"We are Abrians, the family of the woman behind you..."
Halfway through his speech, Lupo, dressed in a suit, slightly removed his hat in salute:
"Ms. Valeria, Mr. Corleone is still awaiting your reply... The medical expenses for Little Lisa's treatment over the next five years have already been fully paid to Rhodes Island, but that gentleman doesn't quite understand why you're staying at the Continental Hotel. Other Eradicator have begun accusing you of betraying your family..."
"They're talking nonsense."
"... It's useless to talk to us about this. The family has already agreed to the government's request to investigate you... The Gray Hall could deliver a verdict against you at any time. As a former friend, I won't resort to violence. I'm just here to ask, are you planning to leave? Or are you coming with me to see the Godfather?"
Before Valeria could answer, Nana, whose height seemed insufficient to make the two people in the conversation look directly at her, waved her hand to draw their attention to herself:
"Before that, let's look this way... I'd like to ask, is that Mr. Corleone the Gray Hall councilor of this local city-state?"
Although this member of the Abria Family didn't know what Nana, dressed as what appeared to be an elite Mercenaries, was doing there, he nodded in response out of politeness.
"Of course, Mr. Corleone Abria—our and Valeria's loyal follower, Little Lisa's and all the children's godfather...would ask such a question, since you're not a local." Ryu
"Whether he's a local or not is unimportant. I just want to know, does Mr. Corleone know that Valeria was framed for the extermination of her clan?"
"... This isn't a question we can answer... Why are you asking this?"
"It's nothing much, it's just that this answer... will determine my attitude towards the Abria Family."
Accompanied by violent spatial distortion, sudden discharge, and heat absorption, the tea in the room slowly developed a layer of ice. In the dazzling electric light, the black-haired Feline crew pulled out a long gun out of thin air.
The pure white M4 Shotgun was exactly as Nana remembered. The receiver, bearing the Eye of Horus symbol, quickly switched to pump-action mode in the girl's hands. After two quick safety checks to confirm there was no remaining ammunition, Nana glanced curiously at the ammunition pouch that had been moved in and the half-meter-long shotgun loader.
This long, narrow clamp doesn't require advanced forging skills; its use is simple: just align the clamp with the magazine and push the projectile in all at once.
Pulling back the pump-action trigger again, loading one round into the chamber, while simultaneously retrieving two green-painted steel-cased shotgun shells from the ammunition pouch.
One round is reinserted into the magazine, while another is opened and positioned between the ready-to-fire round and the magazine feed port... This is a trick for loading nine rounds into an eight-round shotgun, commonly known in Columbia as the 'Ghost Bullet.' Like Nana's oddly shaped drum magazines, it's a seemingly useful but ultimately ineffective trick used when bored.
Although Nana didn't point the suddenly appearing gun at the man who had rudely barged into the lounge, the family members, accustomed to doing as they pleased in this city-state, still looked offended by Feline's display of force with a gun in front of them.
"... You want to make enemies of the Abria Family?"
"Not yet... so, could you ask that godfather for me what he thinks?"
"That..."
In the somber room, only the Hotel staff looked extremely troubled.
"Um, please don't resort to violence in the Hotel... This is a neutral zone."
"Generally speaking, Continental Hotel only remain neutral in the face of organizations of similar size... This seems to be my rudeness, my family... perhaps former family members, have not introduced you all to me until now."
After hearing the Hotel staff's explanation, Lupo man seemed to suppress his displeasure, but Valeria, holding her daughter who had been woken up, snorted in response to his questioning.
"... You really don't recognize them? They're from Rhodes Island... the Godfather helped us contact them."
Ignoring the other person's somewhat exaggerated realization, Nana waved her hand and, while finally checking the location of her pistol and magazine, felt impatient.
"So, what are you Abrians really thinking? Do you believe my client has been wronged? Or are you using her to appease the wrath of other local families?"
Will different ideas lead to different results?
A slightly electronic voice came from the man. As Lupo respectfully pulled a small, palm-sized walkie-talkie—clearly well-used—from under his suit lapel, Valeria pursed her lips. Little Lisa in her arms unconsciously flicked her tail, which resembled a basket of carrots.
"Uncle Corleone ..."
[Oh... listen to that voice, it's Little Lisa... are you alright? Does your wound still hurt?]
"It doesn't hurt anymore, thank you for your concern, Uncle."
[Sigh... If I had cared more about you, you wouldn't have had to be sent away... But the focus now is on your mother... Valeria, after our conversation you disappeared with Lisa... Since you chose to leave, why didn't you hide longer? Why didn't you just go to Rhodes Island? Now you're in the city with Lisa... You'll only become Lisa's future nightmare.]
Nana stopped Valeria from explaining with a look, and reached for the communicator:
"Enough with the small talk, let's get down to business. The Abria Family has already given up on Valeria, right?"
Yes, it's a trap.
"I can hear the anger in your voice, and you genuinely care about Lisa. So, we should be able to agree that Valeria was wronged?"
[Consensus alone is not enough; to prevent the family from being judged as having launched a war of annihilation against other families... Valeria must be put on Judgment.]
"Must? No, that's not the case... You're just afraid of the absolute power represented by the Lady Sicilia Guns and Order, so you've decided to stand by and watch. This is a concession based on the parties' inadequacy and a rational consideration of reality... Is there something wrong with my account?"
In a suffocating silence, both the man representing the Abria Family to negotiate and Valeria herself averted their gazes from Nana's.
Lisa, though also Siracusa, had never picked up any of Siracusa's bad habits, and calmly met Nana's gaze. After the black cat from Rhodes Island played a finger-hooking game with the Little Fox for a while, the communicator finally spoke again:
[... That's one way to put it, after all, the Abria Family, having lost legal support, can only watch as other families smear us... As a member of the Gray Hall, I cannot jeopardize the safety of my entire family for the sake of an Eradicator, depending on whether government officials will conduct a thorough investigation... Too many judges succumb to various families; ultimately, Siracusa has never changed.]
"So... you're just going to sit idly by and watch Valeria be 'executed'?"
[No... that was merely a sacrifice offered to Lady Sicilia... Valeria will not have died in vain. Lady Sicilia only stipulated that they shouldn't be exterminated. When the time comes, whether it's the culprit who manipulated the family, or those who acted recklessly during this time... I will show them why the Abria Family is the true controller of this city-state!]
"... You guys don't even know the instigator's name or motive?"
[It doesn't matter. Just kill all the suspects until only the most innocent are left... Only then will you receive the respect you deserve among the densely populated tribes of Siracusa.]
Listening to the other side's inefficient plan, which was also incredibly damaging... Nana even let out a sigh that everyone could hear:
"I think this method is unnecessary... Why not just tell them that Valeria was framed? Because doing so would lead to them being accused of plotting the massacre and being 'dealt with' by Lady Sicilia army?"
[... Not only that, those despicable people... they will take this opportunity to launch a war against us in the name of Lady Sicilia... There are many children Lisa's age in the family, and I can't let other children bear the fate of becoming the Infected.]
"War..."
For some reason, Nana felt like laughing when she heard those words.
"Then let them come... just don't let the Abria Family get involved..."
Ignoring the heavier breathing on the other end of the call, Nana continued:
"One is one, two is two. To pin the blame entirely on Valeria is just bullying an honest person! War? Then let them start this war! Rhodes Island has two fighters in this city-state, with a total of eight members... Please help us issue a statement to them that Rhodes Island will protect Valeria and her daughter in this war. She was not the perpetrator of the massacre. Families who don't trust Rhodes Island can certainly come and retaliate at will, but I will absolutely not wipe them out indiscriminately... I will carefully investigate their crimes."
[... This is quite a heavy guarantee... You're practically taking on the burden of this mother and daughter's future...]
"No, they still have 'husbands' and 'fathers'... But I hope you will see my actions as 'fairness' itself. Not the illusion fabricated by families and judges in Siracusa... but rather stemming from the most basic and genuine desires deep within people's hearts."
Sending a declaration is simple, but upholding 'justice'? Ha... perhaps that can be discussed separately after the 'war' ends.
"No problem, I'll let you see it."
As they spoke, Thunder, like the cry of a thousand birds, and an unusually low temperature swept through the room once more.
As Nana focused her gaze and used an invisible hand to catch the teleported item, leaving only the most basic turbine flight components and the Originium Engine core backpack—a super-simplified Tactical Unit — the Tactical Unit, whose armor and weapons had been reduced to facilitate teleportation at her own request, was finally teleported.
The spinal interface on the back of the combat suit, which was already in standby mode, immediately completed the connection and communication protocol. Since it was Nana's dedicated machine, no adjustments were needed, and it immediately entered combat readiness mode after the connection was completed.
Since Nana had already mentioned that the left shoulder attachment point of the backpack was reserved for WA2000, the weapon that was delivered along with this teleport naturally only had the right shoulder attachment point left.
As the initially unremarkable long, folding object was unfolded, two beam guns attached to it lit up one after the other. The two pink beams, one after the other, emitted a scorching buzzing sound in the room, like harpoons.