She is not an investigator.

She will never give up the search until she reunites with the team.

Even so, she quickened her pace a bit.

After all, it was getting dark.

The Gods' Fool - Beyond the World: Chapter 45, Everything Is Not Over

"Igris...is gone?"

When it was all over, everyone laid down their weapons and began searching for their companions.

Igris was gone, as if she had vanished into thin air. One moment she was standing there, and the next she was nowhere to be seen.

Like a bubble that has been popped.

"...I didn't notice her."

Constantine shook his head, indicating that he was equally confused.

This should have been a joyous celebration, but unfortunately, their team was missing many people at this moment.

And the sun had already set.

"us…"

Just as Philina's voice rang out, a roar suddenly echoed through the quiet street.

This was quite unusual, because in this deserted city, they heard the sounds of human creation for the first time.

I heard it, the sound of a car.

"..."

The blinding light pierced the gradually darkening street and shone on everyone.

A vehicle, a truck, the kind of heavy truck used for loading goods, slowly came to a stop in front of them.

It didn't leave a good impression on anyone, so intuitively, everyone sensed the same danger.

Anfer raised his gun, Millie shielded Philina behind her, and Constantine ducked out of the light.

Finally, someone got off the bus.

A lot of people.

They wore identical uniforms, black clothing and masks, identical standard weapons, and marched in perfect unison.

They stopped in front of the crowd, and the person at the very front straightened up abruptly and bowed in the direction of Felina.

"Miss, we are from the Arctic border garrison. We apologize for the late arrival. You are safe now."

They're one of our own.

They were rescuers summoned by that radio call; they were soldiers belonging to the border guards.

Everyone should lower their guard, and Philina slowly stepped out from behind Millie, facing the man who had spoken.

Where is your superior?

"He is currently unwell and unable to come to the scene in person, so I... his adjutant, will take you away from here to a safe place."

His attitude was respectful and kind, which was very different from the attitude of most soldiers in the army, who were either neither servile nor arrogant, or simply treated her as an officer to be obeyed.

Instead of treating it like a child, as it is now.

"I need to talk to him in person about some things."

"Of course, he is ready to welcome you anytime. We will take you to the border front, where you can question him about everything in person and wait for your family to pick you up."

Felina frowned. She didn't like the way this person spoke; it sounded flattering and obsequious, yet it seemed like he didn't respect her at all.

From any perspective, she holds a military rank, and after such a major incident in the city, she should know what Felina truly wants to question.

Does he not care? Or does he not think that Miss Felina is capable of anything?

"...My friends are still missing in this city. Rather than evacuating immediately, my advice is...find them first."

"Miss, it seems you didn't hear what I said clearly."

He smiled, looked at the slightly stunned Felina, and gently clasped his hands together.

“I said we’ll take you away from here, but… that doesn’t include anyone else.”

The next moment, the soldiers who got off the trucks simultaneously raised their weapons and pointed them at them.

"What do you mean?"

Felina's brows furrowed deeply, and an even worse premonition began to sprout in her heart.

"As expected, you still don't understand what happened... or why we're here."

He clapped his hands lightly, finally turning his gaze to the others.

"Very good, you are very capable. You solved the disaster in this city and also took the opportunity to deal with those defective experimental subjects."

"You...did you do the experiment?"

"No, of course not, I don't have that right, but... someone else does."

He didn't intend to say anything more, but simply turned around and waved to the soldiers behind him.

"Now, take this young lady away. Crucially, do not harm her. Wait for her father to come and claim her. As for the others..."

A cold laugh escaped his lips, laced with sarcasm and disdain.

"Kill them."

There was no response, but all the soldiers raised their weapons and pointed them at the crowd.

"How dare you! You've indiscriminately killed civilians; you deserve to be executed!"

“There’s nothing we wouldn’t dare to do, Miss. The emperor is far away, and no one here can control us. Of course, you can try using your rank to command these soldiers... and see if they will still obey your orders.”

"you…!"

Felina's figure was blocked behind Anfer, who raised his gun and slowly stood in front of everyone.

"What have you done?"

"Whoa... Where did this old dog come from? What's wrong? Didn't you get enough demobilization pay? Why are you picking up trash here?"

"Answer me! What have you done?!"

He turned around and shook his head with a displeased expression.

"Tsk... Troublesome fellow, isn't it obvious? For the future of humanity, we must master greater power, so in many situations, we must also give up some things... Just like you veterans, who didn't even receive proper training before going to the battlefield."

As he spoke, he walked over to a soldier and removed the mask from his face.

Black appeared behind the mask.

"And now, we have found a better way. They will be more loyal, stronger, and unafraid of pain or death...! Only such an army is strong enough, and only such an army can protect everyone!"

boom--!

The grenade flew out and landed at the man's feet, accompanied by a loud explosion and thick smoke, venting the veteran's anger.

"To protect, you hurt? Those young men who joined the army, each with ideals, wanted to save this rotten and decaying world... But you, you all, you used their bodies, dispelled their souls, you treated them as weapons, as expendable resources... But they are not! They are living, breathing people, the hope and future of every family! You... beasts—!"

As the smoke cleared, the man's figure remained standing in the same spot, his clothes somewhat dirty and torn in many places.

But he was unharmed.

"Is this your anger? They are human, so what? In the history of human progress, such sacrifices are always inevitable. They are strong enough now, so what's wrong with that...?"

"……you…"

"Enough, I don't want to waste any more time. Take the young lady away!"

"Hello--!"

The shouts suddenly came from another direction of the street, followed by a loud gunshot.

The bullet, carrying immense kinetic energy, instantly pierced the man's head, tearing him to pieces and knocking him to the ground.

He was still alive, but the pain he suffered was transmitted unreservedly to his nerves, causing him to roar in anger.

"Who! Who is it! Show yourself!"

"That is…"

Felina looked down at the street, and in the dim light, she saw a head of blonde hair and the figure on her back.

"Simia...?"

The Gods' Fool's Play - Beyond the World: Chapter Forty-Six, The Truth Within Reach

"What are you standing there for! Kill them all! Leave no one alive!"

Finally, under his strong and clear command, the soldiers began to move.

They raised their weapons and pulled the triggers without hesitation.

Gunshots rang out incessantly, but before they hit their mark, countless vines emerged from the ground, blocking all the attacks.

Millie's movements did not stop; she was carried into the air by the vines, looking down at all the soldiers below.

They also saw Millie rising, and simultaneously raised their guns, aiming at her body.

But before the gunshots rang out, the vines that had been lying dormant underground surged forth and bound all the soldiers together tightly.

The vines tightened continuously, seemingly wanting to take this opportunity to crush them into pieces, but her expression became increasingly strained, and the vines began to break free one by one.

"no…"

"Millie! Get down! Don't fight them head-on!"

Felina's calls came from below, but Millie couldn't respond; she didn't have time to.

The vines she was controlling gradually spiraled out of control, and more and more soldiers nearly broke free of them.

Finally, someone raised a gun.

boom--!

A gunshot rang out, but it didn't come from the gun in his hand.

A golden shadow rushed into the encirclement of vines, the smoke from the weapon in its hand still lingering.