Chapter 248

After a pause, Efnir asked directly, "Or are you bringing this up specifically because you actually have dealings with Thalesius?"

"Ah, no, that's not true. I've never lived in such an outrageously luxurious place," Lapith grinned awkwardly, not trying to hide anything. "I just happened to be lucky enough to have spoken a few words with the 'Zero Series' and was able to contact the liaison officer on Thalesius' side."

"I see, so you're from over there... So, you couldn't have just been showing off by revealing these things to us, could you?"

"Haha, now that things are out in the open, I won't hide anything anymore."

Lapith sat up straight, the smile on her face disappearing, replaced by a serious and solemn expression. Beside her Trilice also showed a completely different look, as if she had gone from a relaxed mode to a working mode in one breath.

The change in their expressions immediately made the atmosphere in the conference room solemn.

"Having said all that, I was actually given a mission and came here with the impolite purpose of probing, for which I am very sorry. I'll skip the formalities and get straight to the point—everyone in Xijing City, I'm here today on behalf of Suzuda City Xijing City invite you all to Thalesius."

As Lapith finished speaking, she observed the expressions of Efnir and Fushihara Ayaka.

Efnir appeared calm, Fushihara Ayaka and Shinomiyami Nami different expressions, but neither showed much surprise; instead, they seemed more puzzled.

She smiled, leaned forward slightly, and rested her elbows on the table. "I wonder if you would be interested in this."

"So this is what you've always wanted to say...?"

Efnir pursed her lips and sighed softly. "Lapith... or rather, Lapith, you shouldn't be bringing this up here, at this time, or with us. We have no right to respond. If you need a definite answer, perhaps a face-to-face conversation with our commander would be more fruitful."

"That's right, whatever answer you want to hear, that's not something we can give you." Shinomiyami Nami nodded.

However, Lapith shook her head and said, "I have already spoken with your commander."

"Already...?"

Shinomiyami Nami was stunned. "When did this happen? How come I didn't know?"

"On the day Codename J appeared in Maesakagawa, I later had a special meeting with Major Jiusheng, and I already told her about it then."

It is true that Lapith met with Kusei Maki after the battle, and this can be easily verified, but Shinomiyami Nami and others in the Xijing City were unaware of it.

Shinomiyami Nami didn't believe that Lapith would deliberately deceive them here. She was more concerned about Kusei Maki's attitude towards the matter. After that Kusei Maki didn't deliberately bring it up again. Did this mean that Kusei Maki was unwilling to participate in the factional conflict, or that Kusei Maki was already involved?

Fushihara Ayaka shared the same concerns as Shinomiyami Nami. Frankly, it wasn't the right time for Xijing City to get involved in this kind of thing. She asked, "In that case, what did the Commander say?"

She said she wouldn't make decisions for Xijing City.

185. Meeting Gift

"Commander, isn't this the same as saying nothing at all?"

Shinomiyami Nami retorted, "In that case, I don't need to stand here at all..."

After all, as the commander's secretary and acting operative, Shinomiyami Nami's position when Efnir was present represented that of Commander Kusei Maki, who was not present.

"No, no, I think you've misunderstood," Lapith explained. "Because she has her own stance, she can't unilaterally make choices for you—I think that's what she meant."

"This means..." Shinomiyami Nami frowned slightly, sensing something unusual in Lapith's words, "The Commander was already on 'one side' before he came here?"

"It should be, but she herself doesn't seem to have any intention of imposing it on us, otherwise we would have known about this long ago."

After a moment's thought, Efnir took over from Shinomiyami Nami's words.

At this moment, Efnir once again recalled the original intention of Masaki Hina in establishing "Third Group" before leaving Xijing City.

Did Masaki Hina foresee that Xijing City would face this choice on this day? And was Masaki Hina also on a certain side, which is why she didn't reveal her final words?

In other words, Masaki Hina actually didn't want Xijing City to get involved in this kind of thing.

Could it be that Masaki Hina and Kusei Maki have already reached some kind of compromise agreement?

"It seems... we'll have to have a serious talk with the commander after this matter is over."

Efnir sighed softly, feeling a headache coming on.

She may be good at fighting and killing enemies, but Efnir is, after all, just a nineteen-year-old girl. Until that day two years ago, she devoted her life to her studies. While she wasn't completely ignorant of other things, she was certainly no expert either.

But without a doubt...

"Lapith," Efnir raised her eyelashes, her gaze fixed intently on Lapith, "So you came here to find us?"

"Not really," Lapith shook her head and replied, "I'm here purely for mission purposes. Fighting the Apostle and dangerous enemies like Codename J is the duty of the cities under the Human Federation, and this duty is the mission of every one of our agents."

"Is this your honest opinion, or just some nice words they're using?" Fushihara Ayaka sneered.

Unlike Efnir and Shinomiyami Nami, Fushihara Ayaka had never fought alongside Lapith. In Fushihara Ayaka's eyes, Lapith was merely a captain of a support force from another city.

So she spoke with particular bluntness, "And even if you put it that way, making such a request so abruptly will only put us both in a difficult position. Besides, you don't know anything about our city, just as we know nothing about you, your city, or the so-called Thalesius Party."

She shifted her tone, "Or perhaps you don't specifically choose your 'comrades-in-arms,' but simply want a 'spot'? If that's the case, don't I think this conversation is a bit too superficial?"

"Well, Colonel, don't stare at me like that... If I've offended you, I apologize in advance, but my sincerity is genuine," Lapith said calmly, carefully choosing her words. "I haven't spent much time with you, but some things don't need time to prove, do they? Since I arrived here, my team and I have been 'observing' you every day, and similarly, we've always been under your watchful eyes. Whether it's me or you, we've both gained a certain understanding of each other. In battle, it's easiest to see a person clearly, and this can extend to a team, an army, or even a city. As I said before, I highly regard you, and from the bottom of my heart, I believe you are a group of pioneers with an undiminished 'human heart,' possessing a precious and indomitable spirit."

Lapith spoke what sounded like polite words but were actually true, turning her gaze to Fushihara Ayaka.

"In other words, if I believed you were not qualified to be my comrades, I certainly wouldn't have made this request at this time. Please trust me."

Fushihara Ayaka was frowning in thought, while Shinomiyami Nami looked at Efnir.

Efnir took a deep breath and slowly shook her head. "So?"

"Little sister Eve, don't look at me like that..."

Lapith sighed helplessly, her previous seriousness crumbling into her usual languid expression. "I've come here with sincerity. If you accept the proposal, as our initial 'alliance pact,' this support operation will be our 'welcome gift.' I have the authority to make this decision, meaning we will transfer the supplies the Human Federation gives us to you intact. Also, I might as well reveal some other things: the reward offered by the Human Federation includes three Second-Generation Beacon, and plenty of other resources—though it might be impolite to say this, I suspect you're quite in need of those things right now, aren't you?"

"Beacon?"

Efnir's gaze shifted slightly, and Shinomiyami Nami and Fushihara Ayaka also turned their attention to her.

"It seems the Human Federation isn't entirely indifferent to what's happening here? Or is this some kind of internal perk within your Thalesius?" asked Fushihara Ayaka.

Generally, the rewards offered by the Human Federation are necessities for most cities, such as weapons and ammunition, energy, chemical raw materials, medical equipment and medicines. However, Beacon, as the most fundamental strategic equipment for the survival of cities, have always been extremely precious and far rarer than other resources.

Because Beacon can also be "consumed," just like bullets, "spare" Beacon need to be left behind.

Agents die in missions Beyond the Boundary, are devoured by Erosion Entity during combat missions, or perish in some unknown corner due to other accidents. Such things happen frequently, and naturally, there are occasional situations where Beacon cannot be successfully retrieved.

The Beacon will be lost as a result, which means that this line of agents will never be born in this city again. The permanent loss of a "codename" is undoubtedly a heavy blow to a city that depends on agents for survival.

The Human Federation oversees the city's Beacon and agents, but it will not unconditionally provide assistance to cities that need Beacon.

The logic is simple: regulation can, to some extent, prevent the plundering between cities, but if the gaps are unilaterally filled for the cities that have suffered losses, even the Human Federation will never be able to obtain enough resources to support all the cities.

In such situations, "Beacon" become a link between the Human Federation and cities— the Human Federation can promise a reward for a Beacon, in exchange for which cities in dire need will perform tasks for the Human Federation and exchange intelligence.

186. War

Suzuda City clearly has no shortage of combat power to act as agents; otherwise, there would be no reason for them to send their chief agent here.

The ease with which the Funeral Bird Squad handled the situation reveals just the tip of the iceberg of Suzuda City's formidable strength.

In contrast, the number of Beacon in Xijing City is rather insufficient.

"Even though you say that..." Efnir shook her head, "We don't have the right people to use the Beacon."

"No suitable candidate?"

Lapith did not question Efnir's statement.

"It's not that we don't have them, it's just that I don't want those suitable candidates to take up arms and fight," Efnir pursed her lips. "Right now, the oldest among the prepared suitable candidates is only thirteen years old... Lapith, this is the predicament facing this city. We have more than a dozen Beacon, but no suitable people to use them."

"I see..." Lapith mused. Thirteen years old was indeed too young... Of course, it wasn't that a thirteen-year-old couldn't use Beacon, but if such a child were sent to the battlefield, the future of this city would be doomed once again.

This is no longer limited to whether or not it can be done.

"But speaking of which... Little Eve, did you actually join the agency when you were twelve or thirteen?"

"Hmm? Why do you ask that?"

Efnir asked curiously, but Lapith simply shrugged matter-of-factly. "Isn't that what you look like after you transform? The 'Exile Form' is determined at the moment the Agent performs Synchronization, isn't it?"

"That being said... although I don't know why, I have indeed been a substitute talent for two years."

"No wonder... I had this feeling before, you're clearly very capable, but you also seem very 'young'."

"Is there a hidden meaning in your words?"

That's not true.

Lapith smiled and then said, "As for your predicament, I think I can send a reserve Eligible to resolve it."

"Hmm...I think this is perhaps a more attractive offer than having us Thalesius," said Fushihara Ayaka, "And we're willing to pay a price for that—if possible."

"I disagree," Efnir shook her head. "Those girls could have avoided this brutal battle, but they were unilaterally sent to the battlefield just because we 'needed' them?... How is this any different from what the Apostle did? I don't want it to be like this, at least it shouldn't be."

"Actually, you're struggling with the distinction between 'cities', aren't you?"

Lapith interjected, smiling.

Efnir didn't deny it, "I guess so. Although we're basically doing the same cruel things over there... Yukina, Furan, and Saori are still just kids... But at least within my power, I don't want to see this happen again."

"At least before the Apostle arrived, you did manage to do that, little Eve," Lapith shook her head, paused, "But doesn't Xijing City need them right now? Besides, don't misunderstand, I don't need any reward from you—this isn't a transaction, little Eve. Each of them is a warrior standing there by their own will. They're just missing a Beacon from us as their agents. It would be very impolite to look down on their resolve because of that."

Lapith lowered her eyelashes and sighed. "All along... between cities, between people, things have slowly started to change... This era, little Eve, do you think this era is right? Because the Erosion Disaster is too powerful, people are more willing to live for themselves? So they are stingy in helping others? Is that really the case? Is it necessary to do this? In this messed-up world, must we convince ourselves to be people who run away from our inner selves?"

Lapith spoke earnestly, looking at Fushihara Ayaka and Shinomiyami Nami: "Little Eve, your strength is remarkable, which is rare. What's even rarer is that you are a very qualified agent, and you and your comrades... are all like that. That's why I extended an invitation to you. Please believe that this is my sincere opinion."

The topic returned to "Thalesius," and Fushihara Ayaka and Shinomiyami Nami fell silent.

The atmosphere became somewhat heavy.

After all, this is something that's very frustrating, something that nobody wants to discuss but that everyone keeps doing.

"By the way, um..." Trilice awkwardly rubbed her hands together, finally speaking for the second time during the meeting, "Are you thirsty? I'll go prepare some juice!"

With that, Trilice ran off in a flash—she clearly didn't want to participate in this discussion, which made Lapith's eyebrows twitch.

"Trilice, you..."

"That's precisely why I find it strange... Lapith, if you hold this view, why did you Thalesius?"

Efnir spoke in a deep voice, Lapith turned her gaze, asking in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"What do you think of 'Thalesius'?" Efnir looked at Lapith. "A faction... one extreme of conflict? But... the internal struggle between the two factions within the Human Federation is essentially a continuation of the war at the end of the Old Era, a dangerous gamble teetering on the edge of self-destruction. This is wrong, and no matter what excuses are used, they are empty and weak pretexts in the face of external enemies. Don't you think so?"

"Undeniable."

"So, if that's the case, why did you join this organization? If you truly agree with me, or perhaps there's some unspeakable reason?"

"..."

Lapith did not avoid Efnir's gaze, but remained silent for a moment.

"--'War may be coming...' A year ago, an important friend... well, let's just say it directly, she was a member of the 'Zero Series,' and she said those words to me back then."

"War?"

Fushihara Ayaka frowned, half-believing, half-doubting. "Is it the Human Federation and the Apostle? Or... something within the Human Federation?"

"I don't know either... At first, I thought the war wouldn't come, just like you. But as you've seen, the Apostle Organization is no longer hiding but has chosen to surface. Factional struggles within the Central Province have intensified, and the White Hole's activity is becoming increasingly frequent... This world is brewing a new storm, and we must find a place to settle down, or rather, create a safe haven, amidst this storm. Whatever choice we make, Thalesius is the best option."

"Is it because 'Zero Series' said that...?"

"After all, the captain is highly suited to be an agent, so two years ago, a 'Zero Series' codenamed 'Alice' and some 'guys' who talked like mice came to our city and tried to recruit her."

Trilice arrived unnoticed, carrying a tray. She placed juices on the plates for everyone present and acted as a commentator, all the while letting out a soft snort.

"That guy is a genuine 'Zero Series,' someone even I find terrifying."

187. "Domain"

Lapith simply smiled at Trilice's words.

"'Zero Series' is just a special kind of agent; don't imagine them as terrifying people. More importantly, I've wanted to ask you this for a while now, little Eve: you don't seem to have met those people? I thought they'd be more eager to recruit you—judging from your combat performance, your 'aptitude' should be quite high, right?"

"Indeed," Nishizaki Yuki, who had remained silent until now, picked up where Lapith left off. She had kept quiet out of professional duty, and this was now within her purview. "I personally reviewed Efnir's test data back then, and I still remember it vividly. It's the most I've ever seen in my life."