Herrscher of Reason's Arknights

"Is this here?"

In a completely abandoned tunnel

This is the place the captain had told us about.

In the pitch black, Scout stumbled along, exploring the path with uneven steps.

The other team members took out small white energy bars from their bodies, snapped them a few times in their hands, and then threw them into the darkness.

Soon, the blue light completely illuminated the area.

This is an underground tunnel, and it took the group quite a while to get here from the outside.

It was cold and deep, and the sound of the wind in the tunnel seemed like the breathing of some monster, lingering in your ears for a long time.

It instinctively makes people feel fearful and uncomfortable.

"Wait a moment."

Shining led the way into the depths of the tunnel.

There was a train carriage that looked completely corroded by red rust!

Without a word, Shining, as if she knew the car very well, went to the front of the carriage and patted the dust off the paint. Although rust had swallowed the entire car, the sprayed substance could still be seen on the paint from this spot.

Black sheep bones, a black shield-shaped emblem, and sheep bone symbols on it.

It is a remnant of that war.

This badge is the symbol of the legion to which this unit originally belonged.

The insignia of the Third Army Group.

A name that has long since disappeared into the annals of history.

A number forgotten by the world.

"This is the place, but this is just the transport railway. The 'fortress' we're going to is still deeper inside."

Just as Shining was about to continue walking, Solana's voice suddenly reached her ears.

"You haven't even told us what's inside, and you're already trying to leave?! Our mission is simply to take you and your intelligence with us, not to go to some damn 'fortress'!"

Shining could certainly have foreseen that Solana would have such an attitude.

It was pitch black inside, and the powerful, cold wind made one realize just how deep it was.

While Shining can now prove his identity, he cannot fully prove himself.

After all, she wasn't the original contact person.

And now she's actually leading an entire team into this completely unknown place, without any prior reconnaissance.

If they were ambushed here, it would be difficult to break out or deploy the squad in such a confined space. After all, Scout's squad only had five people, and they were all skilled in covert operations, not the type to actually fight the enemy head-on, although each of them was a formidable individual fighter.

However, no one wants to suffer losses.

However, there was no anger; Shining seemed to be a container for all emotions, without any feedback.

Whether it's anger, sadness, pain, or blame, Shining seems to offer no response.

I will not be angry about it, nor will I blame myself for it.

He simply looked solemnly like a saint, gazing at everyone with gentleness.

Even a trace of... pity.

Whether they are teammates or enemies.

It was as if no one had ever seen her angry.

"This is a former site."

Shining slowly began to speak, his fingers brushing against the badge.

"The last traces left after that war."

And now, the last remnants here are doing things that are outrageous to both gods and men.

So, there are still people who need to be saved.

"How can we trust you..."

Scout raised his hand, and Solana naturally quieted down as well.

"Are you sure? There are infected people down below who need to be rescued."

Without further ado, Scout asked decisively.

You must trust your teammates; the captain's responsibility is to make decisions on important matters.

It's either go or don't go. That's all.

No need for unnecessary words.

Of course, more importantly, it's Scout's trust in Shining.

Although they had never met before, the aura that Shining exuded from within instinctively made people feel at ease and trusting.

Perhaps this is some kind of Originium Arts at work.

But Scout believed he had seen many people and that he wouldn't be wrong about someone.

That's why he believed what Shining said this time.

There was no answer; Shining simply nodded.

Then, carrying the sword sheath, he walked deeper into the tunnel.

Seeing Shining take the lead and head into the boundless darkness, the other squad members followed Scout into the depths of the tunnel.

"A nauseating smell."

At the very end of the line, Dr. Haimer, also known as Sodium Chloride, spoke to the cold wind blowing through the tunnel.

That's something a normal person can't smell.

The taste of evil.

And the smell of death, so strong it was nauseating.

································

Do you know the significance of accepting the dead's weapons?

"Looks like you know, then I'll leave the job of finding an inside man for Hedley's squad to you~"

Pianna smiled brightly.

"Is this a good idea, boss?"

Watching the silver-haired "new" W disappear far beyond the horizon, the Sarkaz mercenary walked up to Pianna and asked.

"What's wrong with it?"

"I doubt that man's loyalty."

To put it nicely, it's called loyalty; to put it bluntly, aren't you just handing over your manpower to the enemy?

The Sarkaz people have no loyalty or inclinations; everything is driven by self-interest, and they will follow whatever benefits them.

It's that simple.

To everyone's surprise, after hearing the man's question, Pianna actually laughed.

"Loyalty? That sounds nice, no wonder you were able to be the captain before."

He wiped away the tears that had welled up from laughing, but his tone was unusually cold.

"Of course not. I have never trusted anyone, and I would never do anything meaningless."

As she spoke, the girl tossed a small object up and down in her hand.

As she spoke, she grabbed the small object that had been tossed into the air and waved it in front of the vice-captain.

"You think I'd let her go? I actually stuck this on her!"

"This is···?"

"A tracker, that's a really rare item. I'll have to ask the boss for a bigger reward after we finish the mission!"

However, behind that smile that no one noticed, there was a deathly stillness in his eyes.

Staring in the direction New W left.

How can you deal with her without switching the protagonist's position to their opposite?

After all, she's a beauty. How can you train her if you don't put her on the opposite side?

That contrast is the key to victory!

After all, she's never one to let her prey escape.

P.S.: I got a featured spot! Yay!

Chapter 135, Section 140: [The War of Wars]

"If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have lost that war!"

The dark, damp, and suffocating space perfectly matched people's imagination of what a "devil's den" is.

In the cold, damp underground tunnel.

The thin man was kneeling beneath a high platform.

On the white stone steps stands a uniquely shaped golden statue.

No one knows where this thing came from, but it caused a bloodbath between the Dunwich Mining Company in Colombia and the local Sargon resistance group.

All for the sake of winning this golden statue.

However, this is just a rumor.

Ignorant people, foolish people.

The man prayed devoutly, muttering something under his breath.

Despite originating from a Colombian mine, it always evokes the sound of the tides rising and falling in one's ears.

Lord of the Distant Land.

"Pharmacist, it's time."

Suddenly, a man in a worn-out military uniform spoke in a low voice behind the man.

His tone was respectful, even carrying a hint of...

Fear, or rather, dread.

"Go on down. I understand."

"Omniscient and omnipotent Lord from afar, the appointed time is approaching, and we will offer up everything we possess..."

After saying that, the man slowly got up, turned around and left the small, secluded room.

This is the "fortress".

Of course, this was just a former name. Nowadays, the official name for this place, or rather, for this kind of old base with "long-lost records," is "no."

— That is, "does not exist".

The buildings are slowly decaying, and the records of the past have long been lost.

The people who once lived here are now gone.

Some are left with only the option of leaving completely, or going completely insane.

Most of these places are now deserted or have become gathering places for homeless people.

This is one of the few places that is still operating at a minimal level.

However, this place has already descended into madness.