Chapter 82
'Little Cat...'
'I am here.'
'Location.'
'We are ready to provide support at any time.'
'Wait for my command.'
'Good.'
As the heavy top deck unfolded horizontally, Nana entered the roof via the elevator. Although they hadn't fully entered Ursus's territory yet, the biting wind had already penetrated to the bone.
Fortunately, Nana had changed into new warm clothes, so the cold wind wouldn't have much of an effect on Nana.
As three reconnaissance aircraft, each about the size of a person, took off, two electromagnetic railguns were also activated.
The turret self-check began, and the retractable square barrel unfolded in the cold wind. The superconducting Orundum crystal inside shimmered with indigo light. As the Exploration Vehicle also began to illuminate the rapidly approaching unidentified object with a laser, Nana took out a high-brightness flashlight and began to communicate with the reconnaissance drone using light.
Meanwhile, PRTS also began sending inquiries to the other party through the Rhode Island intercity network.
Who are you?
[Captain, a call has come through the Originium-Resistant Communications Circuit.]
"Bring him in."
Along with the distinctive low-pitched crackling sound of Originium communications, Nana heard a very arrogant voice:
[This is the Ursus Empire, the Fifth Army's Border Defense Fleet. Unknown unit, stop immediately for inspection!]
"We're not some unknown unit. The response devices here have never been shut down, and entry permits are readily available on the Ursus network... Did you spot the wrong target? Or is the target we're calibrating not yours?"
After a brief pause, Nana added via the Originium Communicator:
"Perhaps there's a third party involved. Load the guns, fire a few shots at that guy who didn't turn on his transponder..."
Just as Yato gave the order to repeat the song, the approaching unknown target displayed on Nana's phone suddenly responded.
However, unlike their self-proclaimed Fifth Army, the display on the transponder clearly indicated that they were subordinate to the Third Army... And by comparing the transponder data, Nana quickly found the other party's registration record in the database.
The opponent was a 100-meter-long border patrol boat, with a 12-inch Originium electrothermal projection cannon as its main gun... In terms of size, the opponent was about the same size as the Exploration Vehicle.
However, the Exploration Vehicle was not a dedicated warship, and Nana did not intend to let her valuable mobile base confront the warship head-on. When the other party requested to stop for inspection for the second time, Nana had the Exploration Vehicle stop near a birch forest.
Before the other side arrived, the two jeeps immediately rushed into the forest through the open rear hatch. As a tracked patrol boat, about the size of the Exploration Vehicle and carrying a huge twelve-inch naval gun, arrived, Nana was already waiting at the wide Kazdel tundra border.
4th Crimson Warm Winter: 083 The So-Called Way to Death
Perhaps it was the raised cannon barrels, signifying 'no hostility,' that emboldened the enemy to approach, or perhaps this Ursus warship never took this exploration vehicle with only two symbolic cannons seriously from the start.
From Nana's perspective, the massive tracked ship stopped on the open plain that Nana had prepared for it, at intervals of about two hundred meters, a distance so small that even turning around would be a problem, almost touching the Exploration Vehicle.
The billowing dust and the ice and gravel kicked up by the tracks made the assassin instinctively raise her hand to protect her face... This was clearly a deliberate attempt to intimidate her; under normal circumstances, no pilot with a sound mind would allow Landship to approach a standing person so readily...
Amidst the smoke and dust, with the loud mechanical roar of the rear main hatch opening, three trucks and a military jeep roared out... Ursus military vehicles are quite popular in this region, and Nana is no stranger to them.
To prevent the absurd situation of being run over by a vehicle by some clueless Ursus soldier, Nana strictly followed the standard handover procedure, maintaining communication with the other party via the Intercity Network through an anti -Originium circuit.
This communication will be archived in both parties' Intercity Network systems. The advantage is that there is basically no spam on this channel, and communication between the two parties here is very reliable... The key point, of course, is the direct meeting that follows.
Four vehicles surrounded Nana and the Exploration Vehicle that had just stood up, forming a semi-circle around her. An Ursus armored warlock, led by two spear-wielding vanguards, and a total of about ten soldiers looked at Nana, who had come alone, with strange expressions.
What puzzled Nana was... why did they bring four cars when there were fewer than twenty of them in total?
There was no time to think about such things. The warlock stepped forward first, looked Nana up and down and at the Exploration Vehicle behind her, then took out a notebook and began to ask questions in an unpleasant Ursus accented with Victoria language:
"Rhodes Island ... I've never heard of that company. But you're here to enter the country, right? Have your crew come down; we need to check for contraband."
"... Before that, perhaps you should take a look at our access credentials, sir..."
I said, we need to board the ship for inspection first.
As she spoke, she gestured for the other person to move forward, but the other person showed no interest in looking at the documents in Nana's hand.
However... they say they're going to board the ship for inspection, but I've never heard of boarding a ship and then having people disembark... This looks more like they're preparing to seize control of the vehicle.
Nana counted the number of people walking past her with her eyes, her gaze uneasy, and her voice trembling as she spoke:
"Sir, this is not the proper procedure for inspection."
"Here, my words are the program... or... could you make our program more standardized?"
Seeing the other party openly soliciting bribes in front of so many people, Nana looked genuinely bewildered.
Nana wasn't surprised that things developed this way, after all, it was the Third Army controlled by the Old Nobility... Their level of corruption was clearly strongly related to the Old Nobility of Ursus.
Just as Nana was considering whether to pay some money to settle the matter, the sorcerer continued:
"Ah... Also, the Infected are subject to strict control in our country. Rhodes Island... seems to be a company that employs the Infected? Do you have any the Infected among you? Ah, it doesn't matter whether you do or not, we will check 'carefully'... starting with you."
Seeing a sinister smile emerge from the crowd opposite, Nana shivered uncomfortably, as she was rarely seen that way. Facing two spear-wielding vanguards approaching head-on, Nana decided to give them one last chance:
"You might really need to take a look at the documents I have... Rhodes Island's entry was at the invitation of the Ursus Emperor; we are guests of Ursus... I can understand the toll fees for entry, but such humiliation... then this matter won't end well."
Nana's harsh words caused the two vanguards to halt in their tracks, their unease rising as they examined the document Nana had unfolded, especially the royal document covered in gold leaf, which shone brightly even in the gloomy weather.
This sudden turn of events clearly left the warlock momentarily stunned. As all the Ursus soldiers halted their boarding preparations, the warlock frowned and glanced at Nana's documents...
Next came the routine document scanning... but the other party didn't register the crew list, nor did they seem interested in checking the cargo hold... The warlock frowned and immediately began contacting the commander of their patrol ship. This concerned the emperor, and clearly it wasn't something a warlock captain like him could decide.
"... Yes, Major, the documents are genuine, the serial number matches the paperwork and notification... Shall we still board the ship?"
Hearing the question, and under the gaze of nearly twenty people, Nana changed her posture and scratched the top of her head... Of course, this was actually tapping her earphones to send a signal to the others.
The situation was very delicate. Although the enemy did not aim their main gun at the Exploration Vehicle, compared to having only one 100mm gun with a firing arc, the enemy's secondary guns on the side, which were several times larger than the Exploration Vehicle's, were enough to give them a thorough thrashing.
But the team members are already in position, and Rosemary, with her tactical gear, is ready to send the entire enemy ship to meet their late emperor at any time.
Meanwhile, Huang and Liskarm's two groups surrounded the main tailgate entrance in the forest... If the enemy wanted to loot the valuables inside the car, they would definitely have to go through here. And whether the enemy was planning to rob the money or launch a strong attack, once they started to gather in the tailgate, then under the cover of their own comrades, Jessica in her Angel form could use her vast number of Etch Rounds to make them also go to the throne of God to repent for their actions.
However... despite the impressive comparison of combat strength between the two sides, the main problem facing the Rhodes Island team—that their Exploration Vehicle would be thoroughly mowed down by the enemy's secondary guns as soon as the fighting started—remained unresolved.
Nana spent a lot of money to buy this car, and even a scratch on the paint would break her heart... If a fight breaks out, and she's unlucky, the whole car might need a major structural overhaul... That kind of expense... who could afford it?
Just as Nana was feeling so distressed about the cost, the other party seemed to have finished the call... Perhaps the emperor's title meant nothing to those Old Nobility, but for a group of soldiers, it clearly carried a basic level of respect... They even seemed to show more deference to Nana, who was carrying the document, even though this was the proper attitude for normal conversation these days.
"Alright, Rhodes Island Corporation, your entry permit is fine... Out of respect for His Majesty, we will not board the ship for further inspection... However, the nationwide Infected Centralized Detention Edict is indeed in effect... Now we will verify your personnel list, and also have your members come out for a check. If there are no crystals on their skin, you can pass."
Nana's opinion of the other person changed a lot after he became serious, but it was this serious conversation that seemed to make things more and more inevitable... After all, there really were the Infected in Nana's team, and more than half of them had obvious crystals on their skin.
Now it was Nana who was embarrassed.
"... Um, sir... we're all girls here, so it's not convenient to search them... How about... this amount... consider it a tip for your hard work?"
With Nana's attitude softening, the warlock and his men were all smiles.
"You've worked hard... really worked hard... This isn't enough for us to make up for it."
"Then... add this number again?"
"Not enough, not enough~"
Seeing that the two spear-wielding vanguards ignored the documents in her hands and grabbed her wrists, pulling her forward, Nana had no choice but to soothe the Little Cat in the Mind Network while also asking with a fake smile:
"Um... sir?"
"Originally, I said that I could let the entry procedures slide for His Majesty's sake... Our superior said the same thing, but the Infected are a no-go... No means no. Our superior's superior said that the number of the Infected in this area must be strictly reduced to zero... Don't worry, they won't die... If your company is willing to pay a lot of money to retrieve them from the mine~ Hahahaha--"
"Um, is there really no room for negotiation?"
Seeing the other person quickly place their hand on her WA2000, Nana couldn't bear it any longer and slapped the groping hand away, her tone suddenly becoming calm... Although the surrounding soldiers were shouting and drawing their weapons, they were facing an emergency situation where a pistol barrel was pointed at their captain's eye, so chaos was obviously inevitable.
"You—!! You actually dared to attack the Ursus Army Group on Ursus soil?! You're dead! Go ahead and shoot if you dare!"
Ignoring the gleaming blades and guns around her, Nana finally reverted to her familiar, aloof demeanor... As the Rhodes Island Operations Team adjusted their positions, Sky Little Cat completed the allocation of the four Tactical Unit, preparing to cut the enemy's Landship Chernobog five sections. Nana made a final attempt at peace:
"... First of all, I have to correct one of your points... This isn't Ursus territory, so nobody's going to investigate what happened to the patrol ship that was lying silent in Kazdel..."
"So, since you've already decided to let them pass, why are you so concerned about a few the Infected with company backgrounds? I can tell you the truth: to complete the mission given to us by your emperor, we've all sent our best... If a real fight breaks out, I can only say you're courting death."
"But even if you are so foolish, I'm still willing to give you a chance. Either we pretend we never met and the price we agreed on remains the same... or we send you to meet God... the Ursus patrol boats will simply fade away because they remain silent outside the country..."
Nana slightly shifted her wrist, changing the angle of her gun, but it was as if she were shoving the muzzle into the enemy's eye... Black flames began to smolder on the weapon. The Ursus soldiers seemed to have something to say about Nana's complete disregard for the soldiers around her.
But the sorcerer officer glared at the others, and they were now speechless... It was now his turn to talk to Nana:
"... Your Highness's guests certainly deserve hospitality, but all the Infected along the Snowfield Route must be concentrated at the mines; this is the Duke's order... This isn't just something we're doing; the Infected Search Squad are doing it, the entire Third Army is doing it... Even if we pretend we don't see it, you'll encounter others doing the same thing once you enter the territory..."
"This is none of your business. We have our own ways of dealing with those people... So, what's your choice?"
"Of course... my own life is more important... Could you please let me go, lovely lady..."
Through the telepathic connection with the Bruce family, Nana knew exactly what the other was planning to do and how nasty he was cursing in his mind... But Nana still let him go, because Rhodes Island needed a 'just cause' to retaliate.
As the combat recorder precisely captured the enemy's sudden retreat followed by a string of curses and an order for their soldiers to attack, Nana's single shot precisely pierced the sorcerer's shield...
As two seasoned veterans roared and charged towards her, seeing that they still chose such a reckless death... Nana gestured for them to be quiet, and at the same time, said the same word to a certain Little Cat that had been waiting in the sky.
"--As you wish."
Marked by the violent creaking of the Ursus Landship, the Rhodes Island Exploration Vehicle hastily evaded enemy fire, while the waiting Blaze and Liskarm floored the accelerator, ready to provide reinforcements.
But the violent earthquake brought them to a halt; the intense impact and the ensuing dust storm rendered the surrounding area completely invisible.
As Nana instructed them to continue following the Exploration Vehicle via communication, Huang and Liskarm's teams obeyed orders. Through the vehicle windows, they saw streaks of light constantly descending from the sky, and heard terrifying sounds as if an invisible behemoth was tearing apart the enemy Landship.
The commotion caused by Rosemary dismembering the Landship provided excellent cover for Nana; Dust and Shadow were undoubtedly the assassin's allies.
The warlock killed by the first shot can be ignored; before the second shot can be fired, the Ursus vanguard is already charging in with spears drawn...
In his view, the weak Feline might only need a forceful stab to kill the odd-even creature, but in reality, he only saw a figure dancing gracefully...
In the smoke, the small Feline vanished in the blink of an eye, and with a light tap, the vanguard realized with horror that his spear was missing its tip.
The terrified soldier brandished his rifle butt, pursuing the man's head in an attempt to escape his predicament. But the sharp touch and the man's cry of pain instantly made him realize he had shot a friendly firefighter.
"Watch out for that person! She's gone! She's gone!!!"
"What happened next?! Where are the Landship?"
"It's exploded! The Landship has exploded!!"
"The ground!! The ground has cracked open!! Someone fell in!!"
Seeing that no one was paying any attention to him, the veteran had no choice but to roar and try to restore order while throwing away his stick and drawing his sword... But just as he was repeatedly reminding his teammates to be careful of the 'disappearing Feline ', he inexplicably felt air leaking from his neck.
When... no... what?
The armor of the seasoned veteran proved useless; despite his countless battles, he was utterly helpless against the chaos before him... His hands could no longer contain the gushing blood, and darkness gradually swallowed his consciousness completely...
In the final moments of his life, he saw that graceful, dancing figure once more...
A girl with heterochromatic eyes, one green and one blue, spun around, creating ripples with her knife... The milky-white blade even sliced through the smoke and dust, and her colleagues, struck by it, could not even cry out, but could only struggle and fall.
In the final moments of his life, he forgot to curse the Holy Fool who had perished even earlier than him... He simply watched the fluttering dance of death, as if he had returned to his youth, to a simple childhood free from Originium Disease and the Infected.
Ah... have there ever been such pure moments in my life?
If we had maintained that purity, would we have avoided such foolish deaths?
With these questions in mind, the screams of the team gradually faded into the deafening roar.
PS: Waaaaaaah!
PS2: Jessica's Halo is BA
The Halo of Misaki Kain.
It's roughly like this--
Of course, Jessica doesn't have a rocket launcher right now... but she will later.
PS3: I finally remembered to replace the temporary PS3... QWQ
4th Crimson Warm Winter: 084 Making a Plan
Earthquakes, wailing cries, capsized warships, assassins covered in dust and grime from the shockwave...
As the deliveryman who died, Nana completed her mission perfectly, but as always, she wasn't happy... because these people weren't the targets. According to the ICA's scoring criteria, this situation, which required hiring extra Cleaners to clean up the scene, would result in a deduction from her wages.
Of course, there were no ICA support staff available, so Nana had to call her colleagues, who were seeing the Little Cat fight for the first time, to handle the situation.