Chapter 97

"I only support Your Highness... As for the Babel, that organization where the entire army didn't react at all when attacked... and whose commander is suspected of defecting... cough cough cough!!"

Even just thinking about it makes me so angry I can't breathe; W's opinion on the Babel is just that clear-cut.

It's one thing for her to cough normally, but now Nana is using her X-ray vision to clean and correct a complex hand injury... W's cough splattered blood all over Nana's face.

"Don't get so agitated. Can't even a tourniquet control your blood pressure?"

"Whose fault is this, anyway?!"

"That brings us to the question of who suddenly delivered several truckloads of bombs to launch a surprise attack... You and your men really are cut from the same cloth when it comes to acting crazy for no reason."

"... Isn't this normal? What Sarkaz doesn't go crazy? It's just a matter of how crazy they are and how much they can tolerate..."

"It's obvious you can't stand it for even a second longer; you wish you could punch this whole earth to pieces."

As she spoke, she carefully restored the last bone in W's body, which she had misplaced, back into its proper place. Hearing the creature's agonizing screams, Nana began using healing magic to reduce inflammation, then applied medicine and bandages. With that, all the possible treatments possible in the battlefield environment were completed...

"If you don't want your left hand to have strange aftereffects later on, then you'd better go to a hospital with neurosurgical capabilities for intensive treatment as soon as possible... And then there are your men, can they handle their own gunshot wounds?"

"What are you saying? Every Sarkaz knows how to treat a gunshot wound... As for my hand... you don't need to worry about it, I'm not that fragile."

Nana realized that W was the kind of cockroach who, even if he were beaten to death, cremated, and still had a mouth left to continue spewing filth... Compared to Nana, who rarely uttered any threats, W's behavior was the complete opposite... Nana thought for a while and finally decided to leave him alone...

Q: How do I handle things I'm not good at?

A: No matter.

Letting the guy in the bomb-damaged little skirt follow behind her, Nana first found Alfred was directing the Mercenaries and refugees to inventory salvage supplies:

"Ah Fu, how's the inventory of the supplies going?"

"We already know roughly what's here..."

Before Ah Fu could even finish flipping through the list, the white-haired Sarkaz, following behind Nana, adjusted the triangular bandage on her chest against her shattered arm as she spoke what she knew:

"Food, medicine, warm clothing necessary before winter... The previous owner here had been robbing and hoarding supplies since the beginning of the year. I've been keeping an eye on him for a long time."

"... But the members of this team were ultimately dealt with by the Military Police..."

Even after being brutally beaten by Nana, it didn't stop W from rolling his eyes at Nana. This Sarkaz said something that made Nana frown:

"Who do you think is tipping off the Infected Enforcement Squad? Well, the Ursus Military Police will probably assume it's an informant from that village... It doesn't matter."

Hearing that indifferent tone, Nana turned to look at W:

"... You wear the Guerrillas armbands and use the Guerrillas flags, yet you reveal your comrades' locations to the enemy... Does that really not matter?"

"It doesn't matter, because I sent the letter with the mindset of reporting bandits... and I'm not the only one reporting them. The Reunion Movement unanimously believes they are trash that tarnishes the reputation of the Infected Guerrilla Force... and who can clean up the trash?"

Seeing W's still grinning face, Nana asked curiously:

"So... what exactly defines an 'Infected Guerrilla Force'?"

"What are you asking? A definition? In a broad sense, Infected Guerrilla Force... As long as you're the Infected and you fight the Military Police, then you're Infected Guerrilla Force... As for the narrow sense of 'Infected Guerrilla Force,' there's only one: the 'Reunion Movement'..."

"That team was developed from the Infected group of former Ursus soldiers known as the 'Shieldguards'... My Mercenaries group was also hired by that organization, that's about it."

"... Hired... Sarkaz Mercenaries, hired by the Ursus the Infected?"

"A perfect match, aren't they? Both homeless dogs... Your side isn't bad either, all of you Sarkaz dressed like Sankta missionaries... I can only say, as expected of you, Alfred, have you finally realized that all that 'history' you've been reciting is worthless in the face of the need to survive?"

Ignoring W's sarcastic remarks, Nana glanced at the clearly divided Sarkaz in the camp, then looked back at W, who never stopped talking:

"If you want to establish a government, you'll have plenty of time later tonight... Let's talk about the compensation issue for your team's attack on me."

Hearing Nana's explanation, W looked reluctant.

"Compensation? Please, we arrived here first..."

"But Mary and Frostleaf are the survivors of that group. Many of these items belong to them; the photos on the luggage and the names on the weapons are evidence... And with the first in line to inherit the organization here, any claims of ownership you make about these items are unreasonable and illegal."

"... Wait a minute, what kind of magic are you using?"

"Columbian Heritage Management Law..."

"No?! Are you using Columbia law to govern our Sarkaz Mercenaries in Ursus?"

"... Then let's not follow the law, let's decide who owns these things by force."

Seeing Nana begin to loosen her wrists, W gave her an expression of newfound knowledge and waved his hand before Nana threw a punch:

"Tsk, I can't stand it... Let me make this clear first, I really can't beat you. Most of those unlucky guys who were just talking nonsense before weren't on my side anyway, so their deaths are no big deal..."

"It's hard to say whether the Sankta will take care of me, but the fact that I'm here to collect supplies is something the entire Reunion Movement knows. If I can't take anything back with me, then I can only tell them about you and the Babel group."

"Whether the Mercenaries group will come after you pro -Sankta 'traitors' is another matter, but the Reunion Movement is essentially a large the Infected settlement... After learning that the ordered supplies have flown away on their own, the Shieldguards and the newly trained 'Yeti' will definitely cause you trouble."

"Are you going to go head-to-head with those former Ursus elites?"

The answer, of course, is 'no'...

If possible, Nana would very much like to make peaceful contact with the Guerrillas... but it was the Reunion Movement, not Nana's refugee team, that refused to do so.

Fortunately, W didn't seem to care much about the casualties among her subordinates, and the subtext even gave the impression that she wasn't prepared to tell the Reunion Movement members the true news of these 'comrades' deaths.

Nana suspected that the Sarkaz in front of her had already seen through her need... at least her basic strategy of not wanting to strain relations with the Guerrillas, which was why he was still so brazenly waiting for a better price even after being defeated.

How do you plan to report to your superior?

Nana's increasingly indifferent expression seemed to have no effect whatsoever; W's smile, on the contrary, grew even more fervent.

"... If you're willing to share some of this... this inheritance with me... the more left for others, the more effective my words will be in speaking on your behalf... If you fill all of our pockets, then these unfortunate souls can die bravely at the hands of the Infected Enforcement Squad..."

"In fact, the inventory here is enough to fill the pockets of your three trucks and my men's, and there's still enough for the other the Infected to live on. That means the Shieldguards have no reason to cause you any trouble... A win-win situation, isn't it?"

Looking at Nana's expressionless face, W's smile turned slightly doubtful:

"... Okay, so you don't seem to be too keen on family-friendly things... No, if that's the case, you won't let me and these unlucky brothers off the hook... So, you want something from me? Let me guess... It's related to that Dragon Lady?"

"... Dragon Lady?"

"My big boss, the de facto leader of the Reunion Movement... Although the 'Patriot' of the Shieldguards have always been the undisputed leader in terms of force, a cold, hard shield can't attract that many the Infected..."

"Aside from the Infected rescued from the mines, all the other the Infected, as well as those the Infected, were contacted by that Dragon Lady... Passionate, resolute, idealistic... Everyone was curious how such an oddball could have emerged from this wretched Snowfield."

As Nana maximized the sensitivity of the Mind Link, taking advantage of W's slight daze, Nana finally heard this crazy woman's true feelings:

'Just like... Your Highness...'

Unfortunately, Nana couldn't sense anything more concrete after that. The Sarkaz Mercenaries named W still wore a smile, but his heart was overflowing with sorrow... Nana could only continue the conversation:

"... You think she's involved in some kind of conspiracy...?"

"Even if it wasn't her, it's definitely related to her... After all, the sudden appearance of someone who wants to integrate the Infected to confront the nobles is the biggest anomaly in the Snowfield... And if you do Mercenaries work a lot, you'll find similar things everywhere, but none of this concerns me, I'm just here to make a living..."

"... With your strength, you're just barely scraping by in the Reunion Movement?"

"What else? I'll call the Dragon Lady 'Dragon Lady'... Want to guess why? Here's a bonus: 'Patriot's' name is 'Chorbokashti'... Does that name ring a bell?"

Seeing that Nana immediately turned to look at him, Ah Fu bowed slightly and said:

"That was... 150 years ago... ah, perhaps a memory from 200 years ago... Chorbokashti ... that must be the name of a pure-blooded Wendigo."

"... The Cannibal Court?"

"No, it's the Wendigo clan that withdrew from the Court, relocating en masse due to internal factional conflicts against the Sarkaz... I see, they were serving Ursus... But even as the Infected... the Wendigo's power shouldn't be underestimated. How did Ursus let them leave?"

Seeing that Nana seemed to believe Ah Fu's words, W once again reached out and hooked his arm around the shoulder of the Sankta in front of him:

"Ursus is as bizarre as my hometown... They even force the Infected to rebel. If you put something like that in Kazdel, even the oldest chieftain wouldn't understand what they were thinking... So stop wondering why, let's talk about what to do~"

"Old Ah Fu still has a large group of old friends willing to follow you. I think you're different from those guys who pull out guns at the sight of us... Those guys who would jeer and pull out weapons at the sight of you are all shut up now. It doesn't matter. I said before, we're not on their side... so this matter can just be left as it is, I don't care."

Watching W's restless hand slide down her shoulder and arm, finally groping for her white sleeve and refusing to let go, Nana tilted her head in confusion:

What exactly are you trying to say?

"... I'm explaining, we can be on the same side... Kazdel doesn't have Sankta, the Court doesn't have them, Babel doesn't have them either... You were able to save Old Ah Fu and the others, so you must have come from outside... And among outsiders in Kazdel, the one with the most unimpeded access is definitely Rhodes Island... And only the Sankta of Rhodes Island would uphold reason. I've seen someone similar before, an old woman... I think her name was... Oh... Oh something... Ah, never mind that."

"Nana, may I call you that? Anyway... you're a member of Rhodes Island, right?"

Nana expression clearly conveyed the answer, 'So what?'

Seeing that Nana did not refute, W continued:

"Rhodes Island, I can sense that Her Highness really likes it there. It seems that the ship holds a very special meaning for her; she goes to stay on that ship whenever she has the chance..."

"As Athena said, Her Highness recently had a conversation with me and that... oh, that old green woman... You probably don't know her exact identity, but I must say that her identity on Rhodes Island is actually a disguise. She is actually a high-ranking member of Babel, a direct participant in the civil war... and also a friend of Her Highness."

"Although I hate to admit it, that old woman is exceptionally knowledgeable, and His Highness looks at her differently than at others... but this does not absolve her of suspicion of being a mole."

"Although I don't yet have evidence to prove whether His Highness's assassination attempt or the lack of response at the Babel is related to that green-clad guy... that doesn't stop me from taking out those assassins... the mastermind can be found slowly, but those involved in this operation, I have indeed eliminated them all..."

"Although I only did this to avenge His Highness, tell me, did I help you at all... Ah Fu, this Sankta listens to you too. You should know what it feels like to be chased by the Court assassins. In these last few months of your escape, were you ever caught by assassins? No, right? I was the one who did it all..."

"Get to the point..."

As Nana slapped away W's hand that was tugging at his sleeve, the white-haired Sarkaz winced in pain from aggravating his wound, but managed to force a smile: sobs

"I'm trying to build rapport with you, big sister... For Ah Fu's sake, could you let me complete a basic task quota? I need to eat! Besides, Rhodes Island is an ally of Babel, so you should at least offer some support for my operations."

"In return, I can help you, in the name of the Babel, a follower of Princess Theresa... You must have a mission, otherwise I can't understand why Rhodes Island, which was just caught up in the Babel Annihilation Campaign, would send out such a capable operative as you alone... Unless you're saying that old woman has finally developed dementia." (Umbrella)

Nana resisted the urge to correct W, telling her that Kal'tsit wasn't old... and given that W had offered to cooperate Babel, Nana suddenly felt this was a very promising idea.

After all, this guy was a madman who would throw a bomb at her just because she was wearing that princess's clothes, so Nana surprisingly found her account of chasing the assassin to be very credible.

Especially since Ah Fu didn't refute the other party, the basis for cooperation between the two sides could exist.

But why?

Why would Sarkaz, whom he had severely beaten and even humiliated, be willing to try so hard to persuade him using his less-than-stellar speaking skills?

Why did she mention her prince so many times, and why did her tone change drastically when she spoke of Kal'tsit?

Thinking about all this, Nana examined her left hand, which she had crippled. If she didn't treat it properly, she might only be a third-rate Mercenaries in the future. Now, the guy was staring intently into her eyes... he was pleading with her to accept his help.

She was convincing herself that she was trustworthy.

So, why?

W's situation is very similar to her own. She simultaneously possesses multiple identities and motivations, including that of Sarkaz Mercenaries, a leader of the Reunion Movement, and a remnant of the Babel... And by combining these points, the reason why W suddenly wanted to cooperate with her, which Nana had not understood before, began to become clear.

"... You want me to help you investigate Kal'tsit?"

"Aha!~ You're willing?! You know, Kal'tsit has seen me, and with Rhodes Island gone, it's difficult for me to meet her now, let alone investigate whether she's related to His Highness's assassination... So, I can say that those unlucky guys died at the Infected Enforcement Squad, I can give you the information I know about Reunion Movement, and I can even directly bring you into our team as the Infected members."

"That Dragon Lady is just a substitute for His Highness's meal to me at most. I don't care if you want to fry, cook, or stir-fry her... After months of chasing those assassins, I've calmed down a bit..."

"Originally, it was said that the investigation into His Highness's assassination could not continue, and we could only wait for an opportunity to blow up the False King's backside... But with your help, whether Kal'tsit is a traitor or not is another matter, at least I can get information about Kal'tsit... The investigation can continue! And you, my friend, you shouldn't want someone who betrayed an ally and even killed her best friend to lead you, right?"

Seeing Sarkaz's eyes practically gleaming as he once again grasped her palm with his intact right hand... Nana opened her mouth but said nothing.

More than half a year has passed since the end of the Kazdel Civil War. In that time, which cannot be called a "short period of time," if Kal'tsit was the one who determined that horrific outcome of the civil war, then there is no reason for her to still have the evidence that W wanted.

This Sarkaz girl is just a little crazy, she's not stupid... how could she not think of that?

"... Even if we investigate, it will most likely be futile... Is that okay?"

"... No problem, you don't even need to investigate, you just need to ask... ask her why..."

Why, Your Highness... why did such a good person... why did the White Emperor, who was willing to listen to a lowly Mercenaries like me, disappear so abruptly...?

Why!? Everyone was gone when His Highness needed support the most!?

Why did you even Babel?!

Isn't there even one person willing to put His Highness's ideals into practice?!

The two girls stared at each other in silence.

Meanwhile, in Nana's Thought Chain Ring, doubt and anger flooded her mind, and the questions that W could have answered herself... were deafeningly loud in Nana's ears.

"... good."

"Huh?"

"I said, I agree to cooperate...not with the Mercenaries, but with the allies of Babel."

Seeing W shake off the crazed gaze for the first time and reveal an almost innocent smile, Nana added:

"But in return... I need your help..."

"Sure! Just say the word! I'll do everything in my power to help... even if you want to become the leader of the Sarkaz Mercenaries, I can find a way for you!"

"... No need for that... firstly..."