Chapter 166

Forty minutes is simply not enough to allow the troops to return to Xijing City, even at full speed—once the energy is exhausted, the troops, completely exposed to the Corruption Energy, will attract a large number of Erosion Entity to attack them.

By then, it would be too late.

The adjutant's expression was serious and anxious, but Kusei Maki remained as indifferent as ice.

"We're going to the Maesakagawa Garrison District."

She said.

Since retreat is not an option, then we might as well move forward.

"With this incomplete team?"

"The request for assistance has been sent via drone, and I'm confident your operatives won't ignore it."

Shinomiyami Nami is an operator for Efnir and also Masaki Hina's secretary. Her position was not changed after Kusei Maki took over.

"The Apostle will not turn a blind eye."

"At the latest by tomorrow, the Suzuda City submarine fleet will be heading here. We just need to continue our combat mission."

"You had this all planned in advance?"

"This is insurance."

"I see."

Efnir shook off the water droplets from her long coat and took off her hood.

"I'll go check on the agent's situation."

"Anilas, you go with the Brigadier General."

"No need, I can manage on my own."

After rejecting Kusei Maki, Efnir turned and left.

Looking in the direction Efnir had left, Kusei Maki suddenly spoke.

"Efnir, I've heard that you haven't killed a single person."

Efnir stopped and turned around.

"Commander, what are you trying to say?"

"As a soldier, to be able to restrain the urge to pull the trigger in such a fierce battle... you are exceptional."

"Thank you for the compliment."

"But... 'restraint' and 'compassion' are separated by a fine line for soldiers, and the latter is a useless excuse for the defeated. I don't think it suits you. I see a familiar shadow in you, Brigadier General. The dead have entrusted their will to us, so what we, the survivors, must do... is nothing more than 'revenge'."

Kusei Maki's face showed no particular expression.

"This world doesn't bless 'kind' people."

Kusei Maki stared intently at Efnir, then turned and walked towards the car door.

25. Shell casing

Anilas eventually followed.

Apart from Anilas and the seriously injured Jasmine, Herul and the other Second-Generation Agent were on guard duty.

Yukina obeyed Efnir's orders and stayed in the center/rear area on standby.

Canary and the others were injured in the chaos caused by the attacks of the Apostle and the Erosion Entity, and are currently resting.

On the patrol route, wounded soldiers kept limping past them with downcast eyes, and cries of pain and groans came from behind. Even the best soldiers who had undergone countless trainings could hardly remain unmoved after experiencing the fear of facing the Erosion Entity head-on.

In addition, there were sporadic gunshots.

"Miss Efnir, are you alright?"

"What's wrong?"

"You... have a nosebleed again..."

After the battle, this wasn't the first time Anilas had seen Efnir get a nosebleed.

Even though Efnir wasn't injured in the battle at all.

--As for the reason, Anilas could roughly guess that it was related to the "power" used by Efnir.

"Feel sorry..."

"... Please use this!"

Anilas handed a handkerchief to Efnir.

It's pink, very Anilas's style, and even after the battle, it's not stained with a single speck of mud.

But Efnir didn't answer.

She pulled out a tissue, and soon, blood seeped onto the tissue. Efnir found some water nearby and quickly washed it off.

"Miss Efnir, are you alright?"

"Fine."

Since it's a battle, getting injured is a natural occurrence. Rather than worrying about her physical condition, Efnir is more concerned about whether this mission Beyond the Boundary will achieve its intended goals.

Too many people have already sacrificed their lives.

Those who remain are now trapped in a quagmire, whether they move forward or backward.

"If you're not feeling well, just leave the task to me..."

Don't worry about it.

Efnir rejected Anilas and casually crumpled the tissue into a ball.

The power brought by "Apostle Form" does have a certain negative impact on the body, but this time the burden on Efnir is heavier than when she fought against Codename H last time. Her right eye has been feeling a little stinging since the end of the battle.

Perhaps it's because the Corruption Energy concentration in the Beyond the Boundary region differs from that in the city...

Perhaps it's because this time the time spent in Apostle Synchronization was longer and the level of Synchronization was deeper, or is it related to the mysterious phenomenon that suddenly appeared on Efnir?

The ability to forcibly Battle Armament Apostle with a mere touch—though not on agents or Angel —was a bizarre phenomenon never before revealed to anyone. At least, this was the first time Efnir had ever witnessed such an incomprehensible power.

Efnir didn't know if this was related to the appearance of "dust," and Nishizaki Yuki wasn't there, Efnir couldn't make a judgment based on her own guesses.

There's no more time for Efnir to test that mysterious power; she needs Nishizaki Yuki's help.

"You didn't tell Kusei Maki about what happened to me?"

"Hmm... I don't think it's necessary..."

Anilas didn't tell anyone that Aphrodite's Apostle Beacon was in Efnir's possession.

This matter wasn't really a secret; the only reason Kusei Maki and Anilas were unaware of it was because Masaki Hina had provided Efnir with some conveniences when she left.

However, a simple check of Efnir's combat records with Codename H reveals clues. Those present at the time witnessed Efnir wielding a power completely different from that of the agent.

The Apostle Beacon was neither something that Efnir had to hide, nor a secret that she had to tell.

"The commander seems to be aware of this, but since we've seized several Apostle 'Sacred Relic' this time, she probably won't say anything."

"It's alright."

"Miss Efnir, the Commander's words were a bit extreme, but she..."

"It's okay, I didn't mind."

Efnir paused.

"How is the search and rescue operation for the wounded going? How many men are left in the vanguard?"

"The search and rescue operation has ended, but..."

Anilas lowered her gaze.

"When Herul arrived, only Dregs remained, wandering among the ruins and wreckage. They ultimately managed to rescue only a dozen or so people..."

"Sir! Sir!"

At that moment, a nurse suddenly ran up to Efnir.

She was about to speak when she suddenly noticed the tight-fitting combat uniform beneath the hooded long coat and Efnir's delicate features, and paused for a moment.

"Is there anything you need to report?"

Anilas said, taking a step forward, but was gently stopped by Efnir.

Efnir turned her gaze to the nurse.

The nurse looked young, but the hair peeking out from under her nurse's cap was a little messy, and there were bloodstains on her cheeks and body. Her tired eyes couldn't hide her anxiety and panic.

"Is there anything I can help you with? Please tell me."

The nurse paused, staring at the logo on the shoulder of the Efnir hooded coat, and bit her lip.

"There's... there's a wounded soldier who's dying..."

"Sir... could... could I have a bullet?"

Almost sobbing, the soldier clutched the hem of Efnir's long coat tightly, pleading hoarsely.

The soldier lying on the stretcher was covered in blood; a huge wound had almost torn his arm off.

But...

He was "infected".

Or rather, a "Mutation" is taking place.

An even more eerie gray spread from his wound, turning half of his face into an infected gray mass.

Anyone who has come into contact with "Numbered Subjects" or seen beings like "infected individuals," "Mutationist," or "Dregs" can quickly make the judgment—this soldier is no good.

He will soon be completely devoured by the "Corruption Energy" and reduced to Dregs.

"Sir..."

Efnir remained silent, her gaze lowered.

The soldier's gaze was like a thorn, piercing her heart.

Anilas pursed her lips and looked at the nurse beside her.

Where is the officer in charge here?

Execution – For wounded soldiers who cannot suppress their "Mutation" and are about to turn into Dregs, the only way to stop them from harming others and to give them redemption and liberation is to kill them.

There is absolutely no way to reduce the "Corruption rate" for ordinary people, so there's nothing that can be done about it.

This is undoubtedly an extremely cruel job.

In the military, such situations are often unavoidable. Therefore, a rule was eventually implemented: the soldier's superior officer would carry out the "execution." This was a form of recognition and farewell to the soldier, as well as a final military salute.

But there doesn't seem to be anyone else here.

"Here... no one is in charge... I... I just..."

The nurse started crying halfway through her sentence.

If there is no person in charge, then other "executors" are needed.

For Brigadier General Efnir, she had an obligation as an "executor".

"... She... is my lover... Sir... please don't make things difficult for her..."

The soldier spoke, his gaze meeting the nurse's intently before turning to Efnir.

"But... but I can't live anymore, right... I know, I've seen it... I don't want to become like that, I don't want to hurt my comrades, I don't want to disappoint her... So... Sir... can you help me... You're the agent, right? Since you're the agent..."

Efnir reached out from under her long coat, grasped the soldier's blood-soaked hand tightly, and then released it.

The purple light in his right eye flickered faintly, but...

It's useless.