Chapter 213
Because her mind was filled with recent events and various suspicious points that had resurfaced, coupled with Yukina's injuries, all of these things made Efnir feel uneasy.
Even after achieving a partial victory, Efnir did not relax. Instead, as previously unknown things surfaced one by one, Efnir increasingly felt that some crisis was lurking in the not-too-distant future, which made Efnir more and more anxious.
Therefore, he naturally became serious when speaking with Siyejian and giving orders.
"It's okay, it's okay, don't worry about it," Lapith comforted her. "I just think you look better when you smile."
"Perhaps..." Efnir shook her head noncommittally, "But I'm the captain, and adjusting my own condition is part of my mission, so it's naturally necessary."
"Alright, let's relax a little once in a while," Lapith changed the subject. "Actually, what I want to know is, do you have a lover?"
"Huh?" Efnir looked puzzled. "Why do you ask that?"
"Because... I thought people your age might be more comfortable with these kinds of topics?"
"What's this?"
Lapith smiled. "After hearing that my lover is a woman, you didn't even show this expression. You seemed more surprised by something else than this. So, I was just wondering if you were like me... or something."
Are they the same? Efnir wasn't sure if she should say that. Just two days ago, she was male. It was unknown how much of her personality and attitude towards love and family was inherited from that body. In this respect Efnir and Lapith were different.
So when faced with Lapith, Efnir didn't know how to answer.
I thought you would ask me about the tour.
Efnir changed the subject.
"Oh...that's true," Lapith said, sensing that Efnir was unwilling to continue the question. She immediately made a judgment in her mind, smiled meaningfully, and stopped dwelling on the question. Following Efnir's lead, she asked, "So, how are things going with the tour?"
"If I have the chance to visit your city, I will."
Faced with Lapith's expectant question, Efnir gave only an ambiguous answer.
"I thought we'd have another chance to meet," Lapith said with a smile, seemingly unconcerned. "Your commander apparently planned to enter Liujin City for investigation. If that's the case, our city would be a good outpost, wouldn't it?"
"Indeed, if Suzuda City could provide supplies and support, the combat mission would be much simpler."
Efnir paused.
"But this matter needs further discussion before a conclusion can be reached. You know, it's too much of a stretch for Xijing City to undertake that kind of mission right now—even just an investigation."
It is clear that the audacious plan that Masaki Hina made before leaving Xijing City is no longer applicable to the current situation. The Apostle have demonstrated combat power far exceeding expectations, and the investigation into the Apostle indicates that the Apostle have grand ambitions, and that the Apostle may be hiding a powerful Angel army, which is undoubtedly a terrifying force.
There is absolutely no way that Xijing City can confront the Apostle Organization head-on.
Efnir had no intention of giving up on Qinglan and Flying Swallow, and for this reason, Efnir had been actively cooperating with Kusei Maki's actions.
After several battles, Efnir had to consider the perspectives of others—battles could result in death, and if it were only Efnir who was injured or even killed, she would have no complaints. Qinglan and Flying Swallow had helped Efnir a lot, and Efnir was willing to risk her life for them; even if there was only a sliver of a chance, Efnir would want to try that possibility.
However, if she were to bring Canary, Anilas, and even Yukina into danger, Efnir's will would waver.
Moreover, Xijing City is too far from Liujin City, so an expedition is not a good option.
"Perhaps this matter should be handed over to the Central Province."
Yesterday, Efnir said something similar to Kusei Maki, and now she's saying it again to Lapith.
"The Central Province ..." Lapith looked up thoughtfully at the distant horizon shrouded in black smoke. "Since the Apostle Organization has chosen to surface now, they are probably no longer afraid of the Central Province's threat."
Efnir lowered her gaze, not denying it.
To be honest, there is no information about when the Apostle Organization appeared and was established, when it began to expand and develop, or what kind of power they actually possess. The Apostle Organization has only recently become active on a large scale.
Even the Human Federation knows very little about them.
That's why Efnir felt anxious; when the hunter finally chose to remove its camouflage, it was probably already preparing to hunt—the last thing Efnir wanted to see.
115. Dialogue
"Efnir of Xijing City, do you believe war will break out?"
Do you think war will break out?
Efnir countered with a question to Lapith.
Lapith shook her head. "Of course I don't want war, either kind. We humans no longer have enough strength to support a major war with both external and internal troubles, but isn't that what's happening?"
"War has not yet begun."
"It might not be long," Lapith said, leaning against the car and gazing at the horizon. "This isn't alarmist. The Apostle Organization has become increasingly active lately. They're trying to come into the public eye, and based on the information we have at this stage, they might actually have the power to do so—if they possess the power to overturn the world, they certainly won't bury their ambitions in the dust."
"Lapith, how much do you know about the Apostle Organization?"
"No more than yours."
This is not a cover-up, but the truth. Unlike Xijing City, Suzuda City was not attacked by the Apostle. Lapith's understanding of the Apostle was limited to the descriptions in the text and video materials of some search missions issued by the Human Federation. After arriving in Western Capital, this was the first time she had personally confirmed the existence of the "Angel".
However, by the time Lapith and the others arrived, the Angel had already withdrawn from the attack on the Boundary Stele. Lapith could only catch a few glimpses of them from afar, so her understanding of the Angel remained at the stage of "not knowing much".
This might be related to the Apostle's "target" in Xijing City, or perhaps Xijing City is far less powerful than Suzuda City and was treated as an "easy target."
"Lapith, I also have a question for you," Efnir began slowly, "--Why isn't your partner in your team?"
What really bothered Efnir about Lapith was the relationship between Lapith and her lover.
Unlike Efnir, who became a lesbian later in life, Lapith is a genuine lesbian. Her lover is also one of the agents of Suzuda City, but he is not in the Funeral Bird Squad, so he is not here.
Lapith chuckled. "I said the mission the Funeral Bird was undertaking was too dangerous, and I didn't want her to get involved. What do you think of that?"
"I understand, but I also have doubts—should a cherished treasure be carried on one's person, or buried in a secluded place... Lapith, does a 'safe place' truly exist for us agents?" Efnir lowered her eyelashes, her gaze falling in the direction they had come from. "In other words, wouldn't you feel uneasy if she were out of your sight?"
"Of course," Lapith answered honestly, "That's why we made a pact that neither of us could die first."
Just as Lapith didn't let her lover join the Funeral Bird Squad, Efnir didn't want Yukina involved in any kind of battle.
In this respect, Efnir and Lapith are similar.
"However... I often waver—was my choice right or wrong? Can she and I reach the day we hope for? What if we don't keep our promises? And so on..."
Efnir remained silent.
Efnir suddenly realized that Lapith was actually a suitable person to chat with.
Perhaps it was because Lapith seemed familiar to her in some ways, or perhaps it was because Lapith and Efnir were walking on different paths.
At the same time, they were all hesitant about their choices.
No one has the answer to this kind of question.
"You've asked me so many questions, do you have a lover?"
Efnir glanced at Lapith but did not answer.
But this silence was almost as if it were telling Lapith the truth.
"Let me guess... is it Fifina?"
Efnir remained silent, her gaze drifting elsewhere.
Gazing at Efnir's slightly pursed pink lips, Lapith smiled knowingly, no longer pressing for answers. Instead, she sighed, "Should I be happy or nervous? If only you liked men, you'd be no threat to me at all."
"You don't need to worry," Efnir said noncommittally. "While I won't fall for a man, I would never betray Yukina —besides, you should trust your lover more than anyone else."
"Yes..." Lapith sighed, "But sometimes I think, if I die, then I hope she can find happiness elsewhere, otherwise... I don't know how I'll face death."
Efnir frowned, turned her head, and said, "You..."
"Speaking of which," before Efnir could speak, Lapith suddenly leaned close to Efnir, lowered her voice, and changed the subject, "Your sister's name is 'Yukina'... I remember she's your sister, right? Have you two been like this since before? Or..."
"I like her not because she's my sister, but because she is who she is—Alright, Shinomiyami Nami is almost here, let's get in the car."
Efnir didn't want to continue this embarrassing topic.
Efnir and his companions' first stop was an area where a water tower was located.
"Our first task is to investigate this area," Efnir sent a copy of the prepared electronic map to Shinomiyami Nami and Lapith, and the other team members also received copies. The map showed the locations that Anilas had calculated and pinpointed. "--The main search targets are the major buildings in this area and all ICS research-related projects, passages, tunnels, hidden entrances, including this."
Efnir pointed ahead to the towering, massive water tower, the only large structure in the area that she had mentioned during her discussion with Anilas.
This water tower was built during the war years of the old century and was not destroyed by Erosion Disaster, so it has been preserved. In addition to it, there are several small monitoring and experimental facilities in the surrounding area, most of which are properties under the ICS name.
"The Maesakagawa Garrison District has cooperated extensively with the ICS Research Institute. The Commander has already obtained the necessary permits for the ICS investigation from the Central Province. This is the underlying key, which grants you unrestricted access within the ICS," Efnir sent the identification key to Shinomiyami Nami and Lapith. "Don't overlook any area; investigate thoroughly."
The on-site command was led by Efnir, with Shinomiyami Nami responsible for supporting the special operations and Engineering Corps, and Lapith primarily responsible for combat support and coordination.
Then Efnir sent another identification code to Shinomiyami Nami.
"Nami, you're in charge of liaising with the Muse Squad. Report to me immediately if they make any new discoveries. Also, coordinate with the Engineering Corps to ensure the entire area is searched by tonight."
"If enemies are encountered during the search, eliminate them on the spot. If the enemy is too difficult to handle, request assistance immediately, and our personnel will proceed immediately."
"Life safety is the top priority."
"Alright, let's go."
116. Conflict
There was a period of instability at the end of the Old Era.
As the White Hole Erosion phenomenon becomes more frequent and dangerous, a series of events that were once concealed by the "Orderkeepers Organization" from the inner workings of the world are gradually coming to the surface. More and more Corruption -related events are being witnessed by ordinary people, and the impact can no longer be easily suppressed. Public opinion is rising, the number of victims is increasing, and the unsettling signs are causing turmoil in human civilization.
Consequently, wars of varying scales have occurred.
Against this backdrop, countries at the end of the Old Era all carried out a series of war preparations to varying degrees, and many regions have been affected by the turmoil. The huge water tower in front of us is one of the products of that time.
"The water tower was built during the war, but isn't its size a bit excessive for the Maesakagawa Garrison District?"
Lapith gazed at the water tower from top to bottom, but still couldn't see anything strange about it.
It was just a water tower, but Efnir inexplicably showed "caution" —Efnir transferred all the special forces soldiers and engineers, including Shinomiyami Nami, to other locations, but specifically dispatched Agent Squad to check on the water tower.
In other words, Efnir believed there might be something inside the water tower.
As for what exactly it was, Efnir did not specify.
"However, there's nothing particularly special about it from the outside. Why are you always staring at Efnir of Xijing City?"
Lapith stood beside Efnir, while the rest of her men had joined the investigation team, working alongside Shinomiyami Nami and the Main Sequence Star Squad on their investigation mission.
Is there anything strange about this thing?
Lapith looked at Efnir, and Efnir eyes met.
Efnir's right eye is unique, and undeniably beautiful. However, anyone who knows even a little about Efnir knows that Efnir right eye was injured by Angel more than a month ago, causing it to Dregsification and resulting in blindness.
Therefore, this beautiful blue-purple color is not very appealing.
Such "scars" are nothing unusual for agents. Although the symptoms that appeared in Efnir's right eye were somewhat different from the Dregsification they usually saw, there was nothing to be curious about. They were all agents, and it was perfectly normal for them to have some indelible injuries when fighting against the Erosion Entity. Just like Trilice, whose heart and lungs were even missing, which was much more serious than the injuries Efnir had suffered.
--Of course, the above are all misjudgments by most people, including Lapith.
In fact, not many people know about the unusual recovery of Efnir's right eye and the strange phenomena that followed, which was at the request of Nishizaki Yuki and Masaki Hina.
Efnir couldn't explain to others that she could see the "dust" phenomenon with her right eye. Given the presence of the Apostle at the time, rather than letting Efnir's special ability become another unsolved mystery and be stored in the database, it was better to keep it a secret and conduct research while simultaneously planting a special trump card for Efnir that no one knew about.
As it turned out, the decision was correct, and her right eye did indeed bring Efnir a lot of help.
"I have no idea,"
Efnir turned around and put on the magic crystal, the purple light in her right eye hidden beneath the lens.
The reason Efnir separated Shinomiyami Nami and the others from the Agent Squad was because Efnir saw "dust" inside the water tower.
The location is correct; this is the ground directly above that underground space.
But Efnir couldn't explain anything about the "dust" to Lapith.
"Perhaps it's just intuition... Let's wait and see. I think we'll definitely find something here. Ayse and the others will surely discover something. I'll observe for a while longer before that happens."
The ostensible purpose of observing from outside was actually to prevent unforeseen circumstances from occurring.
Efnir stays in a place that is easy to move around in and has a good view. Firstly, it allows her to give good command, and secondly, it is because she can predict some things that will happen through the "dust". Efnir is used to acting cautiously until everything becomes clear.