Chapter 118
Clearly, the frequency of disasters increased after the war on the West Line, which was probably no coincidence.
The frequent Erosion Disaster will obviously bring very serious problems. The first to bear the brunt is the already stretched agent force. After losing the combat power of Qinglan and others, Fengling Shiyin and Shiina Rin are also temporarily unable to return to their posts. Of the remaining people, Efnir and Canary are seriously injured, and Uzuki Saori is imprisoned. There are less than ten agents left, and this is the result even including the agents in the satellite cities and border Garrison District.
In conclusion, the current situation is clearly very pessimistic.
"Because the 'net' on the West Line has been weakened, there's nothing we can do about it. If the attack from that day happens a few more times, the Erosion Disaster will only intensify. Therefore, a new plan is urgently needed. We must resolve the crisis brought by the 'Angel' and 'Apostle' as soon as possible. The best way is to take the initiative."
Masaki Hina sighed softly.
"The 'reinforcements' from the Central Province have made our proactive offensive plan possible. Although we are reluctant to admit it, we are in dire need of new combat power right now."
Were any people injured in the disaster?
"Fortunately, the situation has been under control, thanks entirely to Ayse's efforts."
"Ayse?"
"Um."
Efnir raised her eyes.
"She was in charge of all of this?"
Ayse's combat strength is slightly weaker than Canary's. Her strength lies in surprise attacks rather than direct confrontation, which is why she was able to achieve good results in her combined attack tactics with Canary.
However, Canary has not yet returned to work due to her injury, so it would be difficult for Ayse to perform such a beautiful battle on her own.
Masaki Hina noticed Efnir's confusion.
"Do you still remember the Apostle Beacon?"
"Could it be... that she's been fighting in her Apostle form the whole time?"
"That's right."
Masaki Hina's answer made Efnir frown. While she understood, a sense of unease also arose in her heart.
The Apostle Beacon Beacon different from those used by their agents.
Agent Beacon is a device that only an agent can use, which is a personification of a specific weapon to provide offensive and auxiliary means.
The Apostle Beacon are "modulators" that are chains that communicate with and control the Order Force, known as "Sacred Relic." Apostle can manifest the Order Force in a near-tangible form, whether by creating equipment such as "shields" or "longswords" to assist in combat, or by attacking directly in the form of energy. They can also gain the ability to fly briefly by using energy.
In contrast, agents have a relatively simple combat style and mostly lack the means to strike first, so they are naturally at a disadvantage when facing agents with varied attack methods.
The same applies to Erosion Entity.
If the Apostle ' "Sacred Relic" can be used as equipment for the Agents, then the Agents' overall strength will definitely increase; this is an indisputable fact.
But Efnir still couldn't be completely at ease.
"This is not safe..."
"Efnir said."
"I know, Ayse understands too, but this is what she's done for this city. We can only trust her, just as we've always trusted you."
Masaki Hina said slowly.
"The data collection plan for the Apostle Power was proposed and implemented by Ayse herself."
169. Apostle and Agents
"I have been keeping a close eye on Ayse's situation, and it is currently our top priority."
Masaki Hina said to Efnir.
"The power used by the Apostle is also the Order Force, something you should already know, Efnir..."
Efnir stroked the ring on her finger, having no doubt about Masaki Hina's statement.
From the very beginning, the form of power used by the Apostle has been explained. Moreover, the Apostle Beacon has always been worn on Efnir's hand, and she often feels a familiar force pulling at her, which is very similar to the feeling that the Beacon "Ephnel" gives Efnir.
Based on this, Efnir wasn't entirely without speculation.
"So, what was the result?"
She asked.
"That's exactly what I wanted to tell you."
Masaki Hina's gaze fell on the ring in Efnir's hand, and a slight glint appeared in her eyes.
"We've discovered something rather uninteresting—while studying the Apostle Power of the Apostle Power, we've also found that it's not entirely guided by the Order Force. Simply put, we've discovered the shadow of 'Corruption' within it... I think you, who have long been in contact with the Order Force, must know how mysterious and dangerous that energy is, and the Apostle wielding this power are undoubtedly an important clue that cannot be ignored."
"Corruption!?"
Efnir was stunned.
"That's right. I don't know what kind of technology those people behind the Apostle possess that allows them to control the Corruption Energy so perfectly... No, rather, it's precisely because they can manipulate the Corruption Energy that the 'Angel' were born, right?"
"Qinglan..."
When Qinglan was mentioned, Efnir's eyes dimmed slightly.
Seeing the change in Efnir's expression, Masaki Hina was unwilling to elaborate. She nodded solemnly and continued:
"Theoretically speaking... the power of the Apostle is incredibly strong, unimaginably strong. Whether it's Sakurai Sachi, Uzuki Saori, or Ayse, the power they've displayed is only a fraction of the Apostle Power... Efnir, do you remember those three enormous 'whale'-shaped Erosion Entity that appeared when headquarters was attacked? Their appearance wasn't accidental, and their Exile by you was also... After their Exile, their bodies transformed into massive amounts of Corruption Energy that spread Inner Boundary,' which is a major source of the Apostle' power."
In other words, the appearance of Apostle requires both "Corruption Energy" and "the Order Force" to exist simultaneously.
After the "whale"-shaped Erosion Entity died, it transformed into a large amount of Corruption Energy that dissipated into the interior of the "net," becoming the source of the Apostle's power and the opportunity for Apostle emergence.
No wonder...
Efnir frowned.
"So, everything makes sense now... But doesn't this mean the power of the 'Apostle' will become very troublesome in the 'Beyond the Boundary' region? The concentration of Corruption Energy in the 'Beyond the Boundary' is dozens of times higher than in the 'Inner Boundary'..."
I think probably not.
"Why?"
Masaki Hina smiled and explained:
"We considered your concerns at the beginning and conducted detailed investigations and research, but the results are not as you see them... The use of the Apostle Power requires both 'the Order Force' and 'Corruption Energy,' neither of which can be lacking. This means that the 'Beyond the Boundary' region, which simply has a high concentration of Corruption Energy, will not become the Apostle's 'home ground.' Of course, Angel that purely utilize Corruption Energy are probably different... They can't even bypass the Boundary Stele and enter the 'Inner Boundary' region like the Apostle. I think this is why the Apostle are sparing no effort to take down the Boundary Stele."
"Apostle and Angel...?"
Efnir murmured softly.
"They're truly taking steps towards complete Corruption... Are 'those people' behind the Apostle acting for this very purpose?"
"If only it were that simple... those guys are completely different from the scientists who advocate 'using Corruption Energy,' they're outright criminals!"
"Hmm... I agree."
"So... the level of Corruption Energy in 'Inner Boundary' is being weakened by the 'Boundary Stele' over time, which is why Ayse's power after Apostle Form is getting weaker and weaker. That's the reason, and our discovery doesn't stop there."
"How so?"
"Simply put, agents communicate with the Order Force through Beacon, while Apostle alter the form of energy by 'drawing energy through themselves.' The danger of this method is self-evident. If Nishizaki Yuki's conclusion is correct, it is almost certain that the use of Apostle Power will cause gradually accumulating and irreversible damage to the user's body. These hidden injuries are like toxins accumulating in the body. Once they exceed the body's tolerance limit, even agents will be devoured and die as a result."
Masaki Hina paused.
"Our researchers call this phenomenon 'Irreversible Substitution,' which is similar to why agents lose their memory and weaken after permanently severing their connection to the Order Force. It is a kind of 'displacement' of the agent's body by 'energy' itself. The difference is that the displacement of the agent is reversible, but 'Apostle Form' is not."
Simply put, the Order Force has a certain "replacement" effect on the body. This is the same principle behind why agents lose their memories of their time as agents after stepping down due to the complete dissipation of the Order Force.
However, the agent's "replacement" is not thorough and can be reversed, while the Apostle Form is an irreversible "replacement" caused by the direct contact and Synchronization between the body and the Order Force and the Corruption Energy.
In other words, there is a price to pay for Apostle Form.
If you continue fighting in your Apostle Form, your life will continuously count down.
Masaki Hina continued:
"Based on the data test results, we estimate that Ayse can withstand a maximum of 150 hours of 'Apostle Form.' Of course, this figure will vary depending on each person's Adaptation Rating... Considering Ayse's physical condition, I issued the order to retrieve the Apostle 'Beacon' to Ayse yesterday. She has now undergone six 'Apostle Form,' and each time we have collected a large amount of data and devoted the best resources to her post-battle physical examinations and rehabilitation treatment. So far, no serious problems have been found in Ayse's body, so rest assured."
Efnir pursed her lips, saying nothing more.
She also understood that Ayse's voluntary participation in the research on the Apostle Beacon was part of the "practical experience."
This is Ayse's effort for the city. Instead of blaming her recklessness, we should seriously face the awareness she has shown.
We cannot let Ayse's wish go to waste.
"Okay, we've gone off on a tangent again."
Masaki Hina paused, then looked up at the silent Efnir.
"More importantly... Siyejian has already registered Yukina's identity, and the relevant equipment and identity documents are ready. Since things are almost done here, let's proceed with the final image registration."
170. Fifina
Operations command post.
"Congratulations, Yukina! From today onwards, you are also a member of the agents!"
"Um... thank you..."
Yukina blinked, appearing somewhat reserved in the face of congratulations from Masaki Hina and Shinomiyami Nami.
After all, the people in front of her were Naoko's friends, one of whom was an experienced combatant and special forces member, and the other was the commander of the Orderkeepers Organization. Strictly speaking, Yukina was far inferior to them in terms of both rank and seniority.
Yukina's current agent code name is "Fifina," and she has been registered as Efnir's direct junior and subordinate.
He is also a new member of the secret, independent "Third Group".
This matter was not publicized.
Because of Yukina's special circumstances, Masaki Hina did not deliberately announce or publicize Yukina's identity. She only asked Shinomiyami Nami to draft an announcement about the "new agent" and made a minimal announcement on the official account, which did not attract much attention.
Or rather, even if someone notices it, they won't discuss it much.
For most people, who "Fifina" is or whether the person has changed is not something they care about.
This couldn't be better for Efnir.
She didn't want the news of Yukina serving as an agent as an "Absolute Compatible Candidate" to attract too much attention, so the fewer people who cared about "Fifina's" situation, the better.
"I will need your continued guidance in the future..."
Yukina kept her head down, only slightly raising her eyelids.
She shifted her gaze and met Efnir's gentle eyes.
"Naoko... I'm your agent now..."
Yukina spoke softly, a beautiful smile unconsciously curving her lips. Although she was very reserved and careful, anyone who saw her could feel Yukina's joyful mood.
"Congratulations, Yukina."
Efnir reached out and patted Yukina's head.
Yukina gazed at Efnir's left eye, a faint light shimmering in its clear pupil. Efnir seemed to be smiling, yet also apologizing; her expression was enigmatic to Yukina.
But Efnir still smiled and gently pulled Yukina into her arms.
"From today onward, you will live and fight with a new identity... The road ahead may be difficult, but I will always be by your side..."
"Um..."
Yukina nestled her head in the crook of Efnir's shoulder, inhaling Efnir pleasant scent, and nodded softly.
"I will definitely try my best to keep up with Naoko's pace..."
Do you think we're invisible?
Masaki Hina stood to the side, looking helpless, Shinomiyami Nami was genuinely happy, a smile spreading across her face.
"They have such a good relationship... I'm so envious..."
"Yes."
Masaki Hina lowered her eyelashes and echoed.