Chapter 199

Even before entering the Garrison District, the troops used Lure Shell to lure a large number of Erosion Entity to the Beyond the Boundary region, and now, the Garrison District will likely face them again.

It can be said that another important battle is yet to come.

However, compared to the previous raid on the Apostle, this battle to drive away the Erosion Entity will be much more manageable with the support of Suzuda City.

Therefore, Kusei Maki's tone was much more relaxed than before.

"What's wrong with the Commander? Has she suddenly changed her personality?"

On the other side, Canary stood beside Efnir, munching on a chocolate energy bar while glancing in the direction of Kusei Maki with a strange expression.

Efnir remained calm, shook her head, and held an energy drink in her hand.

"Let's just say it's her style."

"What an unlikable guy..."

There was a minor unpleasantness between Canary and Kusei Maki, so Canary never really got along with Kusei Maki.

"Mahiru, don't speak ill of the Commander."

Ayse came to Canary's side, waved to Efnir as a greeting, and carried a plastic bag full of energy-boosting biscuits.

Canary pursed her lips noncommittally.

"I don't want to say anything nice about her unless she apologizes to me."

"You still remember?"

Ayse teased as she took the contents of the plastic bag out and handed them to Efnir and Canary.

"Want some? I just got it from the back, but it doesn't taste very good."

"Thanks..."

Efnir took the cookie, tore off the outer layer, and took a bite.

I must say, the taste was rather strange; it wasn't exactly bad, but it was definitely not tasty.

"I hold grudges very much. Not only this commander, but also Sakurai Sachi, and even Fujisaki Ryoka just now—I'm going to get my revenge for every single injury I suffered!"

Canary suddenly raised her hands and clasped them together as if to demonstrate her strength. Then, with a hiss, she clutched her waist, her face contorted in pain. Clearly, the subconscious movement had aggravated her wound. She frowned, threaded the brooch through the bandage, and put it on.

That was her Beacon.

Efnir sighed helplessly and reached out to support Canary.

"You'll hurt yourself doing that, be careful... Go and rest, I'll take care of things here."

At this time, only Efnir, Bai Canary, Ayse, Furan, and Elincia were present in the First-Generation Agent team of Xijing City. Yukina was still receiving treatment. Compared to Efnir, whose body had miraculously recovered, Yukina's injuries were more serious. Under Efnir's comforting words, she stayed at the temporary treatment point on the train. Saori was obviously not suitable to appear in this situation, so she was not present either.

Although several agents had already vaguely sensed Saori's identity, they all tacitly refrained from asking and remained silent, except for Furan.

In short, since the task allocation needed to be discussed next, Efnir, as the most senior agent in Xijing City, naturally had to stay here to provide advice and organize the allocation of manpower. Canary, Ayse, and the others could have gone to rest, but they insisted on staying by Efnir's side.

Anyway, even if they could rest for a while, it wouldn't help the agents, so they simply didn't go. For them, chatting with each other was a way to relax.

87. Meeting

"Oh... I'm fine..."

Despite the pain, Canary forced a smile and, with Efnir's help, sat down against the car door.

Among the First-Generation Agent in Xijing City, Canary's injuries were the most severe after Yukina's —enduring an energy blast and the impact of a grenade inside the tunnel was no joke, and even she was finding it difficult to withstand.

"Compared to me, how are your injuries, Senior Efnir? I think you're the one who needs rest more..."

"Don't worry about me, I'm fine."

"Senior, please don't be reckless."

"Don't worry, I'm really fine."

Seeing that Efnir was so adamant, Canary didn't say anything more.

In fact, Efnir was not lying to her. Canary's injuries were more serious, while Efnir, on the other hand, still possessed considerable fighting strength.

--This is strange; even Efnir herself was puzzled.

As the battle progressed, Efnir recovered from near death. Although her injuries were not fully healed, the serious wounds were gone. Moreover, the stamina that Efnir had lost returned as her injuries healed.

Otherwise, Efnir, who should have been seriously injured, would not have been able to subdue Fujisaki Ryoka so easily.

But Efnir did not feel relieved because of this.

Everything unknown is worth paying attention to, even if it seems to bring tangible benefits to Efnir at present. But... "gain and loss are equal," Efnir believes in this principle, and she never thinks that this situation is due to luck or chance.

Perhaps this is related to some unknown phenomenon lurking within her, just like her right eye—everything that happened to Efnir was something even Nishizaki Yuki had never seen before, a phenomenon not recorded in the Human Federation's records. Just as Nishizaki Yuki said, "It's hard to tell whether it's a good thing or a bad thing," and it will probably take more time to observe before a conclusion can be drawn.

Moreover, Efnir was more worried about Yukina's condition than about herself.

Fortunately, Yukina did not suffer a fatal injury, which was the only good news.

"Speaking of which... I actually have a question, but I'm not sure if I should bring it up..."

After a moment of silence, Canary suddenly spoke, pulling Efnir back to reality.

Efnir looked at Canary.

At this moment, Canary was unusually hesitant and uncertain.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm a little concerned... 'Shadow'... Is she the person I guessed?"

Efnir suddenly realized.

Canary had clearly noticed Saori's situation.

In the battle to aid Efnir and Yukina, Canary, Ayse, Furan led soldiers to form a temporary combat support team on the train and engaged in battle with the Apostle.

Saori appeared on the other side of the battle line of the Apostle, and together with them, they occupied one side and tried to help Yukina.

At that time, Saori was wearing a mask and a black robe over her combat suit, which effectively concealed her appearance. However, it was precisely because of this that her act of concealing her appearance made her identity more suspicious. Moreover, everyone present had seen Saori's fighting style. Saori's existence might be able to deceive those in the gray areas of the city, but it could never deceive the eyes of Canary and others who had fought side by side with her countless times.

It couldn't be hidden from Furan either.

For Canary and the others, Saori's betrayal a little over a month ago was undoubtedly a heavy blow to their hearts.

They were inseparable comrades-in-arms, and martyrs who went to their deaths together.

The word "betrayal" completely severed them apart.

Canary had never known how to face Saori, Saori, in turn, didn't know how to face these former friends. They tacitly chose to avoid each other.

Until this battle.

After the battle, Shinomiyami Nami immediately found Ayse and Canary, and subtly revealed some things to keep them quiet. Canary had already confirmed Saori's identity in her heart, and she only asked Efnir for a definite answer.

Because Efnir was the only one who showed no surprise from beginning to end, and considering Efnir's position within the Orderkeepers Organization, Canary could easily guess that Efnir probably already knew about this.

Canary wasn't dissatisfied with Efnir's silence; she simply wanted to confirm some other speculations.

Instead of answering Canary's question directly, Efnir turned her gaze to Furan, who was not far behind her.

At this moment, Furan was still glancing around from time to time, searching for Shadow's figure. She had been like this ever since the battle ended, but Shadow seemed to have vanished into thin air. She disappeared immediately after the battle and could not be found no matter what she did.

Efnir paused, then sighed softly.

"... Wait a moment."

After saying this to Canary, Efnir turned and walked towards Furan. She did not give a clear answer to Canary's question, but this could be considered as an admission.

Efnir, holding two cookies, approached Furan from behind and called out softly.

"Cold."

Furan was still looking around when Efnir's voice startled her, and she turned around.

"Senior Efnir ..."

"Why aren't you resting at the medical station? Your injuries are quite serious; you shouldn't be moving around."

Efnir handed the cookie to Furan.

"Eat something; you can't fight without energy."

"Thanks..."

Furan bit her lower lip, took the biscuit from Efnir's hand, and Efnir smiled at her, walked to the side, and boarded the carriage.

"You won't find her like this. Come over here."

This was already a clear indication. A hint of surprise and a touch of determination flashed in Furan's eyes as she followed Efnir into the car.

"Um, Efnir- senpai, is Shiomi- san alright?"

"Yes, but her injuries prevent her from continuing the defensive operations. Including Jasmine, our support force has been weakened. Fortunately, the 'Funeral Bird' arrived in time, and they will replace the team members who cannot fight to support us in the next battle."

Efnir briefly explained the current situation, then closed the car door behind her.

The noise inside the car was instantly separated from the noise outside.

Seeing this, Furan pursed her lips and asked, "Um... Senior Efnir, do you know 'Shadow's' identity?"

"Yes, I know."

Efnir did not hide anything and answered truthfully.

"That's Saori. If it were you, you would recognize her at a glance, right?"

"Then... which Saori is it?"

"Of course, it's Saori, whom you know well. She's never taken off the ring you gave her."

Having come this far, Shiina Rin confirmed her suspicions, lowered her head in silence, and unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'm sorry... I couldn't tell you this sooner."

"I see..."

Furan nodded, unsure of what to say for a moment. After a brief silence, she looked up.

Can I see her?

"Not now."

The timing and location are both somewhat sensitive.

Saori was, after all, an agent Orderkeepers. Because of an incident of agent defection that occurred many years ago, causing great damage and a bad influence, the Orderkeepers Organization has always punished traitors severely.

Given Saori's awkward situation, it was already surprising to Shinomiyami Nami Efnir. She did not intend to let the impact caused by Saori escalate.

Even in the subsequent battles, Efnir didn't intend for Saori to participate.

As for Kusei Maki, Shinomiyami Nami will offer an explanation. If Kusei Maki doesn't intend to budge on Saori's matter Shinomiyami Nami can bring in the Third Group to resolve the issue.

"Is that not allowed...?"

The expectation in Shiina Rin's eyes slowly faded, and she lowered her gaze.

But what Efnir said next made her look up again.

"It's fine after the battle; I'll arrange a time for you."

88. Eve

With barely suppressed emotions, Furan and Efnir got out of the car.

Furan returned to the group, while Efnir went to visit Yukina. Yukina was fine, just exhausted from overexertion. Evnir comforted Yukina Efnir leaving.

Afterwards Efnir went to take a look at the place where the Apostle were imprisoned. There were guards there, and each Apostle Beacon had been removed by Efnir and Efnir with an "Apostle Form Seal," so for the time being, it would not pose any risk.

The interrogation of them will likely be conducted uniformly after the battle ends. Currently, only some preliminary investigations have been carried out, and no important information has been obtained.

Fifteen minutes later, the troops regrouped and split into several squads, heading out of the temporary base. All agents who remained combat-ready received orders to stand by.