Chapter 99

"Other teams?"

"Similar to you Sarkaz refugees... but they're even less resolute than you, just simple bandits... After seeing that my men are stronger and more powerful, they offered to trade with us for grain and oil at five times the price... could you call that a toll?"

As she spoke, W handed the items to Mary, deliberately avoiding looking at Mary's expression.

Since the two sides are currently cooperating, Nana is also afraid that Mary will ask questions that are not conducive to teamwork. So after Mary eyes, Nana thanked her and immediately took Mary away from W.

Seeing this, the Sarkaz girl tilted her head, then looked at the Little Fox that seemed to be waiting for Nana, and the two sleepy girls lying on the Little Fox, with an interested expression...

Leaving aside the fact that the Little Fox frowned and blocked the view of a certain white-haired Sarkaz, Nana, after leading Mary into the tent, asked while adjusting the length of her belt:

"So... these are also relics of members of the Laterano team?"

Nana was already prepared to give Mary some emotional guidance, but the little orange cat's answer surprised Nana and made her look up:

No... it's not...

"... Huh? Isn't that right?"

"Um... I'm sorry, did I mislead you... But these really aren't anyone's equipment from Laterano's team... I was stunned simply because I never imagined there would actually be a day when these two guns would be used... As relics, they should have been preserved much more carefully..."

"Think of it another way: think of them as your partner, your senior... even in death, they are protecting you in another form... how about that?"

Nana's words made Mary smile wryly, and as Nana told her to raise her hand, the assassin looked at Mary's double-layered nun's habit and tried to put the belt on the inner white dress.

"Thinking about it this way feels like too much of a burden... Even just holding a pistol normally makes me vividly recall the image of my seniors dying before my eyes... And if I imagine that everyone, even after death, stays by my side through these two Firearms Arts... I always feel a sense of guilt, like, why didn't I die in the initial attack..."

Hearing Mary's words, Nana glanced at Cole, who was yawning beside her, and blinked:

"... Would... you ever feel that way?"

[... Don't look so innocent. You looked the same way when you left with the Little Cat... You've only been asleep for three years, and you've already forgotten what other people thought of you?]

Cole's words left Nana speechless; the Kitty Killer could only try to recall how she had gotten through that time.

The final conclusion is... 'time'... only time can soften the feeling of death... But the problem is, while we are being comforted by the deceased, who can replace Mary's former friends and senior colleagues?

Nana sighed, taking out a small knife to modify Sister Mary's habit into a hidden gun draw pocket, while simultaneously activating her Thought Chain Ring to try and avoid saying the wrong thing, and asked:

"... Mary, why did you come to Ursus?"

Seeing the puzzled look on the faces of his fellow clansmen, Nana Liuba Jiuwu Ba (four) Lingwu began to adjust the pistol's center of gravity on his belt, while asking:

"You were originally a nun from Victoria's church... how did you end up in Ursus?"

"... This... I was conscripted... Our team belongs to a large investigation team, and I am personally a third-term member. The investigation target is... the massacre at the church in Leytonson City, Columbia, about three years ago..."

"My predecessors and I were originally tasked with contacting the Rhodes Island Landship in Kazdel to obtain information on 'Narcissa Matilda Bruce,' a member of the relevant case... but..."

Although Mary didn't continue, Nana could roughly guess some of the details based on what she knew about the current situation:

"Because of the drastic changes in the Kazdel Civil War, the entire squad was scattered, right...?"

Nodding, Mary awkwardly repeated the action of drawing her gun under Nana's instructions, during which Nana repeatedly reminded her of basic shooting principles such as "Never put your finger on the trigger before deciding to kill the other person."

"... The White Emperor Faction reached the entry agreement with Laterano, but with Her Theresa Theresa's downfall, our entire group's entry permits became worthless... The committee's soldiers are very hostile towards us... The guards are dwindling in number on the escape route. Everyone originally thought that entering Ursus would save us... Who knew..."

After a moment of silence, Nana led the dressed Mary out of the tent.

"... Have you ever considered taking off this nun's habit?"

"... I wouldn't do that; that would be a blasphemous betrayal of the Lord..."

Watching the nun grip the gun handle and then awkwardly begin practicing loading and unloading the magazine and pulling the slide, Nana corrected some of the beginner's mistakes while whispering:

"You... you're a bit stubborn..."

Seeing that Nana, despite being Sankta, seemed unable to understand her own behavior, Mary suspiciously shook her cat ears hidden under her headscarf, then said with a wry smile:

"After all, if I lose even this uniform, then I'll truly have nothing left..."

After saying that, Mary repeated the actions of drawing her gun, checking the magazine, loading, disengaging the safety, pulling the trigger, loading again and keeping the magazine unloaded, releasing the magazine, and putting the holster back in...

Although the little orange cat seems clumsy, needing to keep an eye on the weapon in her hands and occasionally even using both hands to operate it, her movements are actually quite standard, without any awkward or cheat-like actions. Nana thinks that after practicing like this for a few hours, she'll probably be able to start practicing with bullets.

As Nana began teaching Mary how to take out spare ammunition from her belt, in the very center of the camp, where most of the goods had already been moved, Ah Fu, Eileen, and W were all waving to Nana.

Looking towards the campfire, everyone except Frostleaf seemed unaware of what had happened. However, seeing the Little Fox gesturing with the backpack towards the Sarkaz twins reminded Nana of the strange customs of the Sarkaz Mercenaries.

"... Are they... picking out equipment for the little guy?"

But why did everyone else crowd around?

Before Mary could voice her question, it seemed that all the Sarkaz, whether refugees or Mercenaries, had gathered here... The group whispered about distributing equipment to the little guy, and the atmosphere in the room grew solemn.

"Yes, that's right, we need to equip the little guy..."

Seeing the puzzled looks on Mary and Frostleaf's bewildered expression, Nana turned to Ah Fu, probably the oldest Sarkaz present. Astolfo then picked up the two little ones and, as if showing them off to his fellow Sarkaz, carried them around the arena.

"In our Sarkaz culture... as the war raged on, 'equipment,' besides its significant practical value in combat, has unconsciously acquired additional meaning... Mercenaries' codenames are passed down to the next generation along with their 'weapons,' and this itself is part of the Court's equipment bestowal ceremony."

"The young Sarkaz receiving equipment signifies his recognition by the Court; he is no longer a mere child, but a sign that he must begin to participate in tribal affairs... Along with the equipment, he also receives a name... Of course, due to the declining literacy levels among Mercenaries, the names given during the investiture ceremony are gradually becoming more like code names... After all, finding a unique name these days is quite difficult..."

The old man's sigh was met with a few soft chuckles, but soon everyone fell silent again.

Hearing Ah Fu's explanation, Mary, who was unaware of the situation, and Frostleaf, who had initially thought it was simply a matter of choosing equipment, finally showed expressions of understanding.

Although she didn't know much, upon realizing she was holding a very important 'ritual item,' Frostleaf quickly took two steps back and put the equipment back where it was.

Aside from the two backpacks already crammed full, Frostleaf had also prepared a lot of handy gear for the two children that they might need later... Ah Fu had previously said there was no need to choose so much, that the equipment itself wasn't important... Frostleaf hadn't understood before, but now she did. (Discard)

The children's names will be given now, that's what everyone cares about... Although Nana, Mary, and Frostleaf, the three outsiders, still don't understand why the ceremony is now... But, that can wait, the important thing is that the little ones will finally have names!

"... So, have the children's names been chosen?"

"This... this task was originally supposed to be discussed and agreed upon by the child's parents and the high priest, and then reported to the Court for registration... but now the Court is divided, and the priesthood no longer exists... but naming still has to be done, as they have reached the appropriate age."

"My lord, you are the only high-level sorcerer present. Although it cannot be legally confirmed, you are, in fact, the only the Court nobleman here, and the only candidate for high priest... With their parents already perished and His Highness dead, only you have the right to bestow upon them their 'true names.'"

Seeing Ah Fu's seemingly serious words, Nana frowned deeply, as if even her breath had stopped:

"Does that mean I have to name them? Is this... such a serious matter?"

"Of course, this is part of the tribal ritual... Your naming, whether Blessing or a curse, will be manifested in the individual's destiny... Of course, young people today no longer believe in this... But in my view, this is the ritual of turning the loom of fate, the beginning of the Sarkaz children facing their destiny... What names do you wish to give them?"

As the surroundings fell into a deathly silence, Nana stared directly at the two little ones who had been put down. The twins, perhaps understanding what Ah Fu had said, were now trying to straighten their bodies as if trying to appear taller.

Nana first looked at them, then her gaze slowly spread to the surrounding crowd of onlookers.

... She still has Halo above her head... Is it okay for me to get up? Nana really wanted to ask, but it didn't seem like there was any need to ask... Ah Fu also said that this is a ritual... If you have to say, it's probably a kind of 'Witchcraft ritual'.

Both 'Blessing' and 'curses' will manifest... Although Nana doesn't believe in such feudal superstitions, the highest level of Sarkaz Witchcraft can indeed interfere with time and space... So, it doesn't seem impossible that fate can be woven in places one is unaware of.

This feeling of skepticism made Nana uneasy, but upon reflection, she realized she didn't seem to need to pay too much attention to it...

For Nana, the current focus is... the Sarkaz have indeed involved her in their customs. Although she doesn't know how much of that string of praise is genuine, she has indeed gained real legal authority through Ah Fu's flattery.

She was no longer an outsider who could subdue a Sarkaz with her fists, whether it was to refugees or Mercenaries. Now, 'Nana' was a legitimate Sarkaz Royal Court, a high priestess whose power of ritual could not be denied by anyone.

But... Ah Fu, why bring up the fact that the 'curse' could come true...? Is it a roundabout way of implying that the current Sarkaz are obedient enough? I don't need to worry about this too much... it's just mutual exploitation anyway...

Is it really just a matter of mutual exploitation?

Looking at the expectant twins, Nana looked to Eileen for help... but Eileen just shrugged and showed no intention of helping her. Nana then looked at the others, but everyone, like Eileen, seemed to have the air of "you name them."

Honestly, even if her biological parents are deceased, there are many people more suitable to name her, whether it's Ah Fu, who usually teaches her, or Ms. Athena, who takes care of her like her own daughter... What happened to the parents and priests discussing it?

How come it went directly into the registration and cataloging process on my end?

Amidst this chaotic internal struggle, Nana sighed in panic, wondering, "What should I do?" In that moment of confusion, what came to mind was... the origin of the current Sarkaz chaos, the crucial factor that had placed her here... the owner of that white gauze dress... someone whose appearance she didn't even know, yet who seemed intimately connected to her.

Theresa... what kind of person is she?

So many days, talking and living with her followers... and now even having to hold a 'naming ceremony' for their next generation, their future... Nana can only search for her first impression of her, of the 'White Emperor':

"... It's probably... the feeling of 'light'..."

"My LoVI is dripping with scars..."

"Hmm... what do you guys think of the name Elysia...? In Victoria, when used as a name... it means 'light'..."

Kneeling before the twins who were struggling to stand up straight, Nana touched the older sister:

"You're Aili..."

Then touch your little sister:

"You are Xiya..."

Then he looked at Ah Fu:

"So... how about the name 'Elysia'? (Part 5) Yiqi Baling Lu Yi?"

Without directly responding to Nana, the old man listened as Nana quietly and shyly explained the meaning behind the names. After a moment of hesitation, he raised his hands and, as if chanting, called out the children's names:

"Elysia-- "

Led by the older Sarkaz, the younger generation, like W, followed suit and raised their hands, then joined in the quiet call to new members.

The sounds blended together, until it seemed as if the entire Snowfield was chanting their names:

"Elysia!"

PS: After three days of struggling, I finally managed to come up with the names for these two little ones... Don't ask who they are, it's an original creation... Just think of them as the Sarkaz version of the Twin Empresses... The ritual that Ah Fu mentioned wasn't just a joke to Nana.

So, Nana, why are you thinking about that prince?

Isn't this putting extra strain on twins?

PS2: This chapter was originally supposed to be a two-part series, but after looking at it for a while, I can't seem to split it into two chapters... I'm just too incompetent...

PS3: Meow Meow Cat

Main idea--

Doctor: Oh, oh, oh~ That's a good pose, good boy, let me see the flesh ball~

Rosemary: Meow~

Amiya: Doctor, what are you doing? (Looking as if she's about to pull out a blunt weapon or Kal'tsit's pager)

--

One cat isn't enough, let's have another one... Didn't Amiya take out the Kal'tsit caller? Then let's have a little Kal'tsit.

Main idea--

Doctor: It seems to be purring happily when I hold it in my arms~

Amiya: Are you really happy? I felt like that was the sound of an attack.

4th Crimson Warm Winter: 104 I'm willing to join Rhodes Island.

Cole once said, you never know which will come first, tomorrow or an accident.

According to Ah Fu's trembling addition, the naming ceremony itself wasn't anything particularly important, or even a particularly significant concept... As far as he knew, it was probably just a Blessing ceremony that extracted a bit of luck from everyone involved to ensure the child wouldn't die young.

But, unexpectedly, it happened right before everyone's eyes.

Surrounded by the crowd, amidst a dazzling flash of light like a flashbang, the two children, Aili and Xiya, sprouted Halo and wings...

Yes, even W rubbed her eyes twice to confirm that Elysia had grown Halo and wings... and the small black horns and tails on their heads had not disappeared. Although the concept of 'Fallen Angel' is not widely known among the public, judging from Nana's knowledge... these two little Sarkaz... have indeed become 'Fallen Angel' in Sankta.

Is this a problem with the ritual?

But the Sarkaz becoming Sankta... is more of a problem with Nana than a problem with the ritual.

After all, before the Mercenaries went berserk, W was the one who first shouted to stop his men from rioting, and then stabilized the situation by saying that Nana herself was Sarkaz rather than just Sankta... Although it was probably possible to guess where W got the information from, Nana also wanted to deal with a certain butler who had recklessly exposed her information, but the most urgent task was indeed to stabilize the group that was in chaos because of the naming ceremony.

Then, with a gloomy expression, Nana gave everyone a demonstration of what it means to make a person disappear... And even after reverting to her Aura Superman form, the 'Blood Ribbon' that were as beautiful yet deadly as silk, extracted from those who refused to lay down their weapons, showed no sign of disappearing.

"Well... don't worry about it. After all, not everyone can accept that their relationship with their nemesis is closer than they imagined... Besides, most of them are just scared out of their wits. You are both Bloodfiend Priest and the Court noble in His Highness's robes. Do you have to be so petty?"

Ignoring W's fawning and obsequious manner as she clung to her side, Nana turned her gaze directly to the seemingly more respectful butler and maid:

"How would a true Bloodfiend noble deal with these guys?"

"... Of course, it means no mercy... but the impact on Aili and Xiya would be immeasurable, my lord."

Listening to Ah Fu's tone, which sounded almost like laughter, Nana looked at the two little ones beside her, who were sleeping against her, clutching the Blood Ribbon. According to Cole, they looked a bit like her when the Doctor had operated on them... even their unconscious aura was very similar.

After this unexpected turn of events, Nana no longer hides her Halo.

Nana, appearing openly as a 'Sankta' rather than a 'Fallen Angel,' frowned as she folded the ribbons several times and covered them with them... using something that had nearly cost countless lives as an electric blanket... one could only say that the Snowfield environment demanded such treatment... it wasn't entirely unacceptable...