A Vulpo Lady's Life as a Rhodes Island Operator

"Not many people make this child want to record them down the first time she meets them. Looks like she really likes you."

Some of the information Blaze had revealed was enough to roughly confirm Fengling's guess.

Rosmontis... might have difficulty remembering things.

That was why she valued "remembering" so deeply.

Thankfully, it did not seem like she was completely unable to remember anything. People and events that left a sufficiently deep impression on her could probably still be retained.

Like Kal'tsit. Like Amiya.

Rosmontis did not keep Blaze and the others waiting long.

"We can leave now."

After finishing her record, Rosmontis spoke. Then she looked at Fengling with those calm, well-behaved eyes, a faint hope in her gaze. "Fengling, can we nap together again sometime?"

To Rosmontis, calling someone by name was an important matter.

"Of course. You're welcome anytime!" Fengling gently rubbed Rosmontis's hair. "As long as it's around this time, you can probably find me here, unless I have something else to do."

"Okay."

Blaze left with Rosmontis.

For Fengling, this chance encounter had been rather novel.

At Rhodes Island, she would meet all sorts of strange people.

Still, those who could become Rhodes Island's Elite Operators possessed more than just strength.

Character—or rather, something deeper—was what mattered most.

Fengling had been at Rhodes Island for some time now. Among the Elite Operators she had met, including Rosmontis, whom Blaze had just revealed would soon be promoted, they all seemed to possess a shared trait.

That trait could lead to different ways of acting depending on their personalities, and might even occasionally result in disagreements.

But no matter what, they would walk forward together, not merely for Rhodes Island, but for what Rhodes Island sought to accomplish.

Understanding that, and beginning to seek that answer, was the true threshold for becoming an Elite Operator.

The First Mission

Fengling had been living at Rhodes Island for some time.

Every day, she trained, attended classes, learned how to operate Specialist equipment, then slacked off a little and took an afternoon nap during her free time.

It was just that whenever she woke up, there seemed to be more and more strange cats beneath her tail.

Besides the promised Rosmontis, Fengling had gotten to know many Feline operators at Rhodes Island.

Even rumors circulating among the Feline operators about Fengling had reached her ears.

Things like the healing Vulpo lady.

Or the Vulpo lady with lots of tails who was very nice.

Fortunately, they were all adorable Feline girls who brought Fengling comfort as well, so she simply let them be.

Unless she one day opened a blind box and got Kal'tsit. If that happened, Fengling would definitely never dare nap in the Botanical Garden again.

Time slipped away quietly.

While Fengling continued learning and growing, Rhodes Island continued along its own course.

The Rhodes Island landship arrived in Ursus and temporarily docked there today.

This was only a border region of Ursus, and it was indeed somewhat desolate.

However, Ursus possessed remarkably abundant Originium ore reserves.

Even many small towns had their own mining teams.

Both legal and illegal ones existed.

But without exception, nearly all members of those mining teams were Infected.

Compared to Lungmen, the treatment of the Infected in Ursus was horrifyingly poor.

If most Infected in Lungmen were impoverished commoners,

then in Ursus, the Infected were essentially livestock.

That was no exaggeration.

Ursus itself was also in a period of continual unrest.

The new Emperor of Ursus was highly capable, but far too young. Before he could fully seize control of his own country, every corps commander and every old noble house would always have ideas of their own.

For the Infected, such an environment only further intensified their suffering.

Where there was oppression—and where that oppression became excessive—someone would naturally raise a banner and resist.

Within Ursus, there was currently an organization called the Reunion Movement, a resistance group that had risen to prominence by claiming to fight for the rights of the Infected.

Unlike Rhodes Island, which already possessed a certain reserve of resources and strength,

based on the intelligence currently available, the Reunion Movement could be considered a grassroots organization.

However, its combat strength had gradually become impossible to underestimate. The organization's leader, along with its commanders and strategists, truly possessed ability.

Some intelligence even indicated that former Ursus soldiers had joined the organization.

"They are still classified as a civilian armed organization for now. Therefore, if you encounter the Reunion Movement during this mission, avoid conflict whenever possible."

Dobermann lightly tapped the projection board, solemnly reminding every Reserve Operator present.

The entire A1 Reserve Team through A4 Reserve Team were gathered in this large conference room.

And they were about to undertake a small mission.

They would drive from Rhodes Island to scattered but numerous small towns near the Ursus border, exchanging supplies for mined rough Originium ore.

Compared with normal Originium ore mines meeting a certain quality standard, rough Originium ore was not considered a strategic resource, so it could be traded freely in this manner.

Furthermore, Rhodes Island possessed official legal status in Ursus. In theory, this was not a difficult mission, merely a routine delivery and escort assignment suitable for giving newcomers some experience.

Still, they could not let their guard down because of that.

In the relatively chaotic Ursus, possessing official status did not mean safety.

Under chaotic administration, bandits or small warlords formed by rogue soldiers could both cause the mission to fail.

If they were not careful, the operators carrying out the mission might even face mortal danger.

That was absolutely no exaggeration.

Therefore, aside from Fengling, the other teams would still carry out their missions in full action-team formations.

Fengling, meanwhile, would form a team by herself.

This was the grouping Dobermann had decided upon after carefully considering the training results of the Reserve Teams over this period.

Fengling's growth also required some more profound practical experience.

It might as well begin with this simple mission.

The equipment Rhodes Island prepared for its operators to carry out missions was highly reliable.

There were even contingency plans for emergencies.

"For this mission, prioritize the safety of your lives above all else. If you encounter an abnormal situation you cannot handle, promptly use the vehicle's anti-interference radio to request assistance, and use the supplied equipment to protect yourselves."

Instructor Dobermann, normally stern to the extreme, sounded like an overprotective mother at moments like this, repeatedly reminding the operators to stay safe.

Having once served as an officer, Dobermann regarded these young men and women as soldiers she had personally trained.

Yet they were different from soldiers. There was a warmth of human sentiment involved that she had never once imagined before.

Letting the Reserve Team operators carry out missions would not make Dobermann panic, but it did instinctively make her show far more concern.

"And you, Fengling!"

After finishing her reminders to everyone else, Dobermann called Fengling aside.

After all, carrying out a mission alone involved more difficulties and unexpected situations than one might imagine.

For example, nighttime safety alone was a problem she would have to face.

Other teams could take turns keeping watch, but Fengling had no such option.

She had to make individual choices about how to hide, how to stay alert, and much more.

Not to mention driving accidents, managing her stamina, and so on.

However, Fengling had indeed already been taught all of this, including how to drive Rhodes Island's Specialist trucks.

All that remained was practice.

"I know that when it comes to combat strength, you are the one I worry about least. But when people want to deal with someone, they have more methods and tools than you can imagine." Dobermann looked Fengling in the eyes and instructed her word by word. "I have seen too much. The human heart can be far more vile than you imagine. Be wary of others, be wary of ambushes, and stay alert at all times. Protect yourself."

"I understand." Fengling smiled at Dobermann. "Have a little faith in me too, Instructor Dobermann."

"Confidence must be built upon what you have witnessed. For now, listen to a few more of my nagging words, rookie." Dobermann replied, "Complete the mission properly."

"Of course..." Dobermann's expression turned cold. "If you truly encounter a particular situation... make it clean."

After all, if conflict truly broke out and could not be avoided, if there was no longer any possibility of peaceful negotiation, then Rhodes Island granted its field combat operators the authority to eliminate threats.

They had also been taught how to handle the aftermath.

Rhodes Island's field combat operators were no ornamental decorations.

Of course, in such cases, the subsequent report would probably need to be extremely detailed and objective. If the report failed assessment, the punishment would also be severe.

While using that authority, they also had to understand the weight of life.

"Understood!" Fengling nodded firmly.

With the necessary instructions more or less finished, Dobermann had everyone make their own preparations before gathering later at the landship vehicle Moon Pool.

After this period of training, Fengling had gradually learned some of the basic common knowledge required of a field combat operator.

Since she was still a lightly equipped combatant, Fengling wore a lightweight combat suit beneath her Rhodes Island coat, one resistant to punctures and cuts.

A strap had been added to her right thigh, carrying a flashbang and a smoke grenade.

A tactical belt had also been added over her coat.

Besides some multifunctional tools, a defensive dagger, and her Windbell Pendant, which symbolized her identity, the back of the belt also had a fastening strap for a long weapon.

That spot had been reserved for the reward Fengling received after sparring with the original A4 Reserve Team.

The custom equipment Dobermann had promised her.

It was a weapon that looked somewhat ordinary: silver-white from end to end, roughly two meters long, and shaped like a War Club.

Ursus's Troubling Situation

"Fengling, we're heading out! Be careful on the road too!"

Cardigan waved to Fengling from afar as the five members of the original A4 Reserve Team drove off in a Specialist military truck loaded with supplies.

Even with its space limitations, it could still carry at least a dozen tons.

The vehicle itself was unarmed. Otherwise, it would cross Ursus's red line.

Of course, every other aspect of it was top-notch.

Explosion-resistant and impact-resistant.

Capable of crossing water and climbing slopes.

Exceptionally sturdy and durable.

It even had a built-in emergency power system.

Rhodes Island's Engineering Department had also modified it to some extent. Besides its carrying capacity, the cab itself was close to a miniature motorhome, allowing operators to have as comfortable a resting environment outside as possible.

Unfortunately, Fengling would not be able to enjoy that for the time being.