Something Dirty!

"A large portion of Rhodes Island's population consists of Infected..."

Texas explained, then turned to look at the puzzled Maria.

"As I told you before, while many of the Infected are somewhat mad, not all of them are just mad; quite a few are trying to live a peaceful life."

"But that kind of life is ultimately hard to find."

"The attitudes of the nations of Terra towards the Infected vary... but they generally don't treat the Infected as normal citizens."

"Organizations like Rhodes Island, on the other hand, can provide these Infected with a place to live a normal life... which may result in their internal cohesion being much higher than you realize."

At this point, Texas let out a soft sigh.

"But... for this reason, many people have different opinions about Rhodes Island. Some people believe that Rhodes Island is a huge bomb, carrying a few smaller bombs along with it."

"Others believe that Rhodes Island is a very inclusive place..."

"While from what I understand, Rhodes Island is indeed a relatively kind and gentle place, it's not suitable for too many ordinary people to live here."

"Even if those Infected here are consciously trying to control themselves, the spread of infection is ultimately difficult to control."

"However, I think that since these people chose to join Rhodes Island, they were probably prepared to be infected."

Texas spoke, and the game fell silent.

She admired Rhodes Island and was willing to cooperate with them, but if asked whether she would like to join Rhodes Island, she would find it difficult to answer.

Even she did not have an absolute fear of Originium Infection.

Infection Originium is a terminal illness in this world... which is why she often tolerates Lappland's somewhat excessive behavior.

In her view, she bore a significant responsibility for Lappland contracting Oripathy.

After listening quietly to Texas's explanation, Maria also fell silent.

After hesitating for a moment, she asked again.

"Then... when did Oripathy appear?"

When will it appear?

Texas was also somewhat puzzled when Maria asked this question.

She hadn't really thought about that.

In her opinion, Oripathy is like the common cold; everyone knows about it and has some understanding of it, but as for how the common cold appeared in this world and when it started, all they can say is...

"It has existed since the beginning of civilization, hasn't it?"

Texas answered Maria.

Seeing Maria silently watching the Infected, she was also somewhat puzzled.

"Have you... thought of anything?"

"... It's just a little emotional. Ya"

Maria slowly narrowed her eyes, her answer to Texas's question appearing rather vague.

This puzzled Texas.

But soon, she had no time to doubt.

A chill suddenly ran down her spine!

She turned around almost instinctively, suddenly looking around!

"Um?"

Maria turned to look at Texas, and then looked at her with a puzzled expression as she saw Texas place her hand on her weapon.

She didn't understand why Texas had reacted so strongly.

I didn't feel anything at all.

"What's wrong?"

"I have a feeling... there's someone dangerous around here."

Texas realized how strange her sudden movements were, but she just felt uncomfortable all over.

It's like... having to sleep on a guillotine, with your own neck resting on the guillotine's incision!

A feeling of tension enveloped her.

But even faster, she had no time to care about the enemy, whose whereabouts were unknown.

An even greater enemy has appeared before her!

"Maria ~"

A large yellow dog suddenly pounced towards us!

Chapter 136 Something Dirty Is Here!

"Maria ~"

Just as Texas was focused on the alarm emanating from her body, a yellow figure tore through the defenses she had built around Maria without hesitation and excitedly pounced into her arms.

When she turned around and saw the other person clearly, she was shocked to realize that it was a Rhodes Island member she had seen before...

"It's you... Puppy."

Although Maria sensed the other person's presence as they ran towards her, seeing their joyful expression, Maria ultimately said nothing. She simply stroked their head gently, watching their silly smile.

Strangely enough, in Maria's opinion, her contact with the girl wasn't particularly deep or long, but even in that short time, the girl remembered her...

It can only be said that a person's true worth is never known to themselves.

"Hehehe~ Maria ~"

The silly Puppy girl seemed to thoroughly enjoy Maria's petting, and a bright smile was evident on her face.

The twitching tail slapped against its body, and it had some weight to it.

Although Ceobe grinned like that, his smile was clearly brighter than ever before.

Even many passing operators were surprised by this.

Although Agent Ceobe is enthusiastic and welcomes everyone, she has actually never done such an intimate gesture as hugging someone before.

Who is this woman?

For a moment, the crowd began to murmur amongst themselves.

Texas, however, was not in the mood to think about all that.

She just stared blankly as the Puppy clung to Maria without any resistance, her expression instantly becoming very subtle.

Whether out of jealousy or something else, she coughed twice, trying to make the other person understand that they were in public and should restrain themselves.

Unfortunately, Texas still didn't understand Ceobe. She didn't listen to many people; she was simply enjoying the embrace that was all hers to enjoy.

Warmth enveloped her entire body once again...

She monopolized Maria's time entirely.

"Maria~"

With her arms tightly wrapped around Maria's slender waist, the Puppy girl raised her face and smiled, looking at the face in front of her that hadn't changed in over ten years.

"Rhodes Island... home! I've found it!"

She excitedly reported her victory to Maria... From the moment they parted, she had never forgotten Maria's admonition.

Maria said she would return to her family once she found a home.

She excitedly announced that she had found her home.

Rhodes Island... it's a good place.

Many people will give her delicious food.

She'll even beat up bad guys!

This is my home!

Maria returned to his side...

Yay!

Puppy's happiness is that simple.

This place is simply paradise!

"... You still remember?"

Maria hesitated for a moment, then unusually removed her gloves.

Cool, delicate fingers gently touched the girl's cheek, the thumb lightly grazing her lips.

The corners of her eyes, which were originally calm and cold, now revealed a hint of softness.

She had only casually suggested a direction; her main purpose was simply to help the girl find her way out of the forest after she left.

But what she didn't expect was that the girl actually remembered what she said all along...

And I've always believed...

Even Maria could feel a sense of warmth from such trust.

Especially gaining the trust of such a child...

Such a child...

After rubbing her fingers together a few times, Maria suddenly paused, then withdrew her hand.

"Um?"

The naive girl hadn't realized the seriousness of the situation. She simply looked up at Maria with a puzzled expression, her head tilted to the side, looking somewhat bewildered.

Maria, however, silently squinted, watching the Puppy in front of her.

"Oripathy... Are you infected?"

"... Ugh!"

Upon hearing Maria Oripathy, the Puppy girl hesitated for a while, but eventually she understood what Maria was saying, and lowered her head with a slight sense of loss and timidity.

His pitiful gaze darted furtively at Maria.

Maria could roughly understand the other's concerns, but after hesitating for a moment, she reached out again and stroked the girl's face.

Although Maria didn't say a word, her actions gave the Puppy girl confidence.

After hesitating for a moment, she nodded silently.

"Infected..."

She spoke like a child who had made a mistake.

"Just as I thought."

Maria was not surprised; rather, it was exactly what she had expected.

Just now, when she reached out to touch the girl, she also sensed the beastly aura emanating from her...

This is the second time Maria has sensed the presence of beasts in this world.

The last time this happened was when she and Chen were taking a bath together.

At that moment, with her touch, a beastly aura emanated from the other person.

This was something that Maria had been completely baffled by.

Whether a person is a beast or not is an affirmative proposition.

A beast is a beast, and if it's not a beast, it's not a beast.

It's impossible for a particular behavior to be manifested simply because of someone's touch.

The subsequent analysis of the Doll and Little Regret led to a conclusion.

That's Maria's touch, which causes those infected with Oripathy to begin Beastification...

Maria simply hadn't had the chance to verify this guess before, so it was difficult to confirm.