Saiyan stowaways on the Ark

Now they're targeting the Knights' drug use scandal, which local media are avoiding mentioning.

The concern wasn't about whether it was "whether it could be handled," but rather whether going to such lengths was too ostentatious and might bring unexpected trouble.

Rhodes Island is ultimately a third-party force located in Kazimierz. If it really oversteps its bounds, those capitalists who have been patiently enduring this for some reason might get angry and, along with their political insiders, treat Rhodes Island as an enemy on a national level, and then launch a war.

"If you're going to do something, then do it. When you don't have the ability, you meddle in this and that. When will you ever get things done? Now that you have the ability, don't be as timid and afraid of trouble as before."

Thomas looked at the somewhat uneasy Maria and said:

"Besides, I think we've already toned it down quite a bit. We haven't completely broken ties yet, so we'll leave it at that and not go too far."

The arrogance in those words did nothing to reassure Maria, who didn't yet fully understand Rhodes Island.

"As for what you're worried about—I actually hope it happens, because if a fight really breaks out, things will be much easier to resolve."

However, what Maria found even harder to digest after those words were spoken was Margaret's nod in agreement.

My own sister actually agrees with this view?

A company that's at most the size of a movable plot of land, does it think that going to war directly is easier than operating covertly?

"Hmm... I still don't quite understand."

Maria shook her head, which was a little dazed from the topic, and deliberately changed the subject:

"In short, we've got the integration sorted out. All that's left is to practice more and be well-prepared before the competition, right?"

"Of course, you can return to Rhodes Island's regular training program. Just add some fusion exercises on top of that. You two are already very talented. Once you succeed once, you won't have to worry about making mistakes anymore."

With Tomat's explanation, the two sisters' integration training, which wasn't long but was still quite arduous, finally came to an end.

Margaret will continue to serve as an instructor, training and guiding other operators, while Maria will have some extra time to immerse herself in Rhodes Island's engineering department, studying the mechanical knowledge she truly loves.

"Speaking of which...where are the two Sarkaz older sisters who are with my sister? It feels like I haven't seen them for a while."

Maria learned about the "Apostles" from Margaret over the past few days and was also curious about the three's experiences before coming to Rhodes Island. As a result, she noticed that the other two, who would normally act together, had not appeared on Rhodes Island during this period.

"The Shining and the Nightingale?"

Margaret spoke their code names, then told Maria something even more unbelievable:

"They are Rhodes Island agents who went to investigate the illegal drug incident, that's why they're not here."

[Main Text] Terra Battle: Chapter Seventeen Pride and Prejudice

Strictly speaking, Rhodes Island did not actively intervene in the "Knights' drug use" incident.

The real client was someone else, and this incident was merely a side effect of investigating another matter.

As for the client, it was Toran, the bounty hunter who had previously failed to invite Skadi.

Toran, who sawed off his horns and disguised himself as someone from another race, happened to meet Shining and Nightingale just as he was about to leave Rhodes Island.

"Fellow clansman, what happened to you?"

Having his hidden racial information directly exposed by two people he had never met before, Toran became wary and couldn't help but scrutinize the appearances of the two Sarkaz women in front of him—one of them, a Sarkaz, appeared frail and could only be moved around in a wheelchair, while the other concealed her body under a cloak, her face calm and devoid of the restlessness common among Sarkaz.

"Miss, your question is puzzling..."

But Toran was quickly stunned because the latter's appearance matched that of a certain figure in the rumors:

"Wait... your outfit... you're She...!?"

Shining put her finger to her lips to signal for silence.

"Shhh."

Then, she looked at Toran's forehead and said:

“I know very well what sawing off two horns means to the Sarkaz, so is that why you came to Rhodes Island?”

When questioned by Shining, Toran directly revealed the purpose of his trip:

"It has nothing to do with my sawed-off horns; it's all ancient history..."

"I see."

Just as everything was explained and Shining and Nightingale were about to leave, Toran called them back hesitantly, his voice tinged with relief:

"—No, well, there are indeed some related matters, but they weren't originally going to be resolved so quickly. But since I've met you all... I might as well tell you."

Then, another matter that Toran had intended to handle himself was recounted in detail.

In the Great Knight Territory and the surrounding villages, a considerable number of Sarkaz people mysteriously disappeared after entering the city, but when they were rediscovered, they had all become arena knights—appearing on stage with their horns sawed off.

Some people tried to reach out to them, only to find that the people were mentally unstable, irritable, and seemed to have forgotten everything that had happened before, becoming puppets at the mercy of corporations or associations.

This was no ordinary matter, but Toran did not expect the Sarkaz, who were always prejudiced against by others, to receive help from others. So even after arriving at Rhodes Island, he only thought about recruiting Skadi to join the bounty hunters, rather than asking Rhodes Island to help with the Sarkaz disappearances.

But things are different now; he never expected to encounter a pardoner on Rhodes Island.

Regardless of the relationship between Rhodes Island and the Sarkaz King who now resides in Victoria, his Absolutioners will always be the supreme defenders of the Sarkaz's silent laws.

They are qualified to pardon sins and have the power to impose sanctions.

Regent Theresis united the Sarkaz, and it was the Absolutes who maintained this chaotic "order."

Toran can make requests of them, and Shining is obligated to respond.

—That is, if she is still a pardoner.

Toran was unaware of the feud between Rhodes Island and Theresis, so he assumed that the two sides were simply maintaining some kind of cooperative relationship, which is why the person dressed as a pardoner was here.

In other words, Shining is not required to fulfill the duties of a pardoner as Toran believed.

“My kin, I will punish you for the injustice that has befallen you.”

However, Shining did not hesitate and accepted the request immediately after hearing Toran's explanation, adding later:

"However, this has nothing to do with whether I am a pardoner or not. It's just that as a Rhodes Island operator, or as someone living on this land, I cannot turn a blind eye to this matter."

In the context of Terra, because of racial talents or even just appearance, many things that Sarkaz encounter, whether unjust or not, go unaddressed.

Because they live in a world where they are constantly targeted, the Sarkaz need a king to unite them and prevent further internal strife.

Theresa chose the ideal of equality for all beings.

Theresis chose Sarkaz supremacy.

The former was declared a complete failure due to various problems and an assassination attempt.

The latter, relying on iron-fisted politics and military force, has begun to show results.

People have become more afraid of the Sarkaz—but that's not enough; what is gained through violence and fear must be protected by someone.

The pardoner arose in response to this idea.

"Nobody cares or will protect the human rights of the Sarkaz, so we'll do it ourselves." This is the simplest and most direct explanation, and it's also the thought that comes from the bottom of the hearts of the vast majority of Sarkaz people.

Outsiders don't care whether the Sarkaz live or die, and even the Sarkaz themselves don't care; this is normal.

The absolution masters are responsible for handling these matters, as they are absolution masters, and this is only natural.

It's baffling that outsiders care about these things.

If a pardoner doesn't care about these things, then that's incomprehensible.

"Are you saying that you want me to focus more of my affections on Rhodes Island?"

Toran didn't fully understand the meaning of Shining's words; he took them as a vague politeness and asked in return.

"...I am no longer a pardoner."

But Shining's words left Toran speechless.

"...They can't even be considered 'Kazdel people'."

"The clothes I'm wearing now, and the sword I'm holding, are just a thought, a constraint."

Shining turned to Toran and then said:

"Just as the races of this land hold prejudice and indifference towards the Sarkaz, your assumption that 'it is inconceivable for outsiders to stand up for the Sarkaz' is also a form of arrogance and prejudice."

"It doesn't matter whether we are of the same race or not, nor does it matter what the obligation of a pardoner is."

"Let me set this injustice right and shatter your prejudice."

——Grand Knight Territory, Plot Zero——

Plot Zero, built to isolate infected individuals, occupies a vast area, far larger than a normal street block. The medical buildings constructed by Rhodes Island on this site only occupy a small portion of it.

As for other places, there seem to be very strict regulations prohibiting unauthorized travel.

However, the members of Rhodes Island, especially those who have already moved into the medical facilities, seem to realize that Plot Zero may not be able to accommodate enough infected people, yet infected people seem to be continuously being brought in there.

Should we conduct intensive treatment?

Is this possible for the profit-driven holders of Plot Zero—those capitalists in business alliances?

Shining also noticed the incongruity here and heard rumors about Plot Zero from the members of the Red Pine Knights.

A light, cold drizzle began to fall.

A Sarkaz woman with an umbrella pushed a wheelchair to the sealed gate where outsiders were not allowed to enter.

[Main Text] Terra Battle: Chapter 18 Tier Zero Arena

This investigation—or rather, "defense"—is not strictly speaking a matter for Rhodes Island; it is more a private matter carried out by Shining and Nightingale out of their own free will.

This also reflects what she had previously told Tolan.

I didn't help because we're from the same clan.

I didn't help because he was a pardoner.

It wasn't because I'm a Rhodes Island operator that I helped.

This was "merely" a righteous act taken to expose injustices that should not have happened.

It seemed like a noble and deliberate act, yet it was as if he instinctively accepted it.

Driven by this natural idea, and after some analysis and investigation, as well as some suspicious clues that could not be ignored, plus the unparalleled "aura perception" for detecting life—the two Sarkaz women quickly locked onto the path leading to the depths of Block Zero.

Two figures, one in black and one in white, slowly moved forward on the cold road. Shining held an umbrella in one hand, while Nightingale sat in a wheelchair and was pushed forward slowly.