Léon: The Cat Killer

[And the title 'Lord Kal'tsit,' in my opinion, probably represents the final collapse of her collective trust in the 'nation'... Look at what those bastards in Ursus have done; they've made our beloved Lady Kal'tsit unwilling to cooperate deeply with the national system anymore... It's truly regrettable... Ah, these are our boss's exact words, just so you know.]

"...Which boss?"

The one at the very top.

Seeing her manager beaming with joy, seemingly in a very good mood, even daring to joke about the president, Nana shrank back uncomfortably... It was truly terrifying that her manager would lose his composure and even make jokes in front of her.

Well, enough complaining... How are you feeling, Number 77?

"...I've been lying down for three years and my stiffness is a bit bad. As for tasks, please send me something simple like finding a cat or unlocking a door..."

【But I definitely won't give you that kind of mission anymore. It seems your case inspired others in the department, and they've started funding assassins too... The good news is I have elite operatives like you to do those cat and dog finding missions...】

"Where's the bad news?"

[...The bad news is that these days even simple tasks like finding cats and dogs require field operators of your rank... The world is deteriorating at a visible rate, the social contradictions caused by the Originium Revolution are rapidly manifesting, and Ursus has even begun openly persecuting Infected... But these are minor issues. Rhodes Island is currently heading towards Kazdel... You need to avoid that area.]

Seeing Nana's confused yet attentive nod of understanding, the manager nodded in satisfaction. After waiting a short while, the manager, having received the documents, sighed and said:

[The civil war in Kazdel is drawing to a close while you were unconscious... The 'Black Emperor Faction,' now known as the 'Kazdel Military Council,' has gained the support of most of the Sarkaz... The 'White Emperor Faction,' the Kazdel reformists we favor, is almost certain to be completely wiped out.]

While the tactical battles remain evenly matched, strategically, the reformists attempting to integrate into the existing social environment have been completely defeated by the chauvinistic propaganda of the 'Ten Kings'... The Sarkaz long-lived race still refuses to acknowledge that their social status has returned to normal; the fact that normal races are no longer their slaves seems to infuriate them... But it doesn't matter. No matter how many times Kazdel, representing the tower of oppression from the old era, is rebuilt, we will destroy it again. This is not a consensus of any one nation, but of all humanity... This does not contradict our multi-ethnic integration strategy of welcoming the Sarkaz.

"...What does this have to do with me needing to get away from there?"

[...Kal'tsit is a pillar of the 'White Emperor Faction,' and that's enough reason for you to stay away...Kal'tsit and I have an understanding, just as Kal'tsit wouldn't allow Rhodes Island to continue the White Emperor Faction's political mission, our situation doesn't allow you...a high-ranking Columbian agent to get involved in the Sarkaz's internal ideological war...]

"...Why? Manager, you support Kal'tsit, right?"

Yes, but... our identities dictate that we must remain detached observers... The Sarkaz War is ultimately an internal civil war within the Sarkaz race, and they will consciously maintain the purity of their ranks during this process...

[Of course, we do have the capability to support Kal'tsit, whether it's supplies or weapons, we can provide them and quickly convert them into combat power... But what would the Sarkaz think if they suddenly discovered that the White Emperor, who advocates peaceful coexistence with the outside world, had accepted external support?]

"...The civil war will turn into a proxy war, and even the Sarkaz within Colombia will become a destabilizing factor..."

[Thus, we confirm the Black Emperor's manipulation of hatred... Although I said before that we would destroy Kazdel no matter how many times, the Sarkaz, due to their 'Royal Court' racial bloodline system, are no less mysterious than the magically powerful Letania. Using agents to infiltrate them would be extremely unwise... Even the shattered Kazdel is an uncrowned king that requires the vigilance of all humanity... Just as the Sarkaz word 'Kazdel' also means 'this land'.]

"...If you get trapped in Kazdel, there won't be another Kal'tsit to bring you back... She herself can barely survive on that land."

Seeing her manager's unchanging gaze, Nana nodded understandingly.

"Okay, I understand. So, the organization will give me a mission to leave Rhodes Island until they leave Kazdel, then I'll return... Is that right?"

[Pretty much... Although, the task I'm giving you isn't exactly simple either... Nana, how much weaker are you now compared to your peak?]

"...It's mainly a physical decline. I don't know what else is affecting it...I might need a complete rehabilitation."

"...Then this mission might be very dangerous for you...Do you know what 'The Emperor's Blade' is?"

"The Royal Guard of Ursus is said to be connected to things in the far north, and it also has strong political implications."

[Well, the Emperor's blade has always acted in accordance with the Emperor's will, and the ICA and the Security Service have been their long-time adversaries... But now that they're actively interfering with an infected group... Doesn't that suddenly make things interesting?]

"...What infected group could withstand an attack from the Ursus Royal Guard?"

What if it wasn't an attack?

"You just said that Ursus is now openly persecuting infected people..."

[Here's the problem... They've shown an unusual level of interest in a group of infected individuals. And within the ICA's intelligence network, even an army group commander is involved... Sometimes they suppress and pursue that infected group, sometimes they deliberately leave them behind. Our agents have even discovered that many members of that infected group have been ordered to join them...]

"……Neuropathy?"

Who knows... In any case, this level of attention from the Internal Security Department is a serious blow to our immigration plans... Several employees responsible for helping infected people smuggle themselves out have already been caught and dismissed...

Although this was essentially a human trafficking operation, and we wouldn't admit it even if we were caught... the internal security forces didn't deal with just anyone; they only focused on specific routes, which led us to discover the infected group we were monitoring.

"My objective for this mission."

Yes, although we don't know what to do with those people yet... but it doesn't matter, it's your decision. Essentially, this is just a mission to get you to leave Rhodes Island temporarily... Whether you destroy what they care about to annoy Ursus, or bring them back to experience the beacon of civilization and technology, it doesn't matter... In the end, the value of a few immigrants is just so-so... but you know, sometimes, whether someone gets involved or lends a hand... it makes all the difference.

"...However, this mission may be related to the Ursus inner guard."

"Yes, that's what's troubling me... After all, agents have ranks, and I can't really send you to find the cat. That would be a waste of manpower, and the CIA would definitely transfer you out of my ranks if they found out."

So, what can you do to deal with the inner guards now?

“…One or two…that’s fine…but as far as I know, the inner guards operate in small squads…a standard squad…I’m not up to the task right now.”

As he spoke, he clenched his fist. Even with the blood magic to enhance her, it would take Nana years to fully recover... This kind of nobody could only be delayed for a few months at most. Once Rhodes Island left, he would have to go back to the island.

Should we abandon the mission and find another excuse to leave?

It doesn't seem necessary.

“However, if Kal'tsit agrees to let me lead the team away... then perhaps there won't be a problem.”

[Leading the team? A member of Rhodes Island?]

"Hmm... I'm currently on Rhodes Island, and it seems I have my own team... My assistant said that my team is a combination of Rhodes Island's top personnel... Although I don't know exactly who they are, if we take the capabilities of the E3 action group as a reference... the inner guards are not an insurmountable enemy... And if I can have Kitty accompany me, just Kitty is enough. With her and me, I'm confident I can take down three teams."

[Three teams of interior defenders?! Ah... Should I doubt whether the little guy is really that good, or should I wonder if you've lost your mind after sleeping for three years... You've never seriously fought against interior defenders before, so why are you so confident now?]

Listening to her manager's doubts, Nana recalled the several conflicts with the Emperor's Blade during her past missions... Most of them involved them outwitting and outmaneuvering the traces she had intentionally or unintentionally left behind.

Although intelligence organizations around the world are all boasting about the capabilities of their covert forces, Nana thinks they're just so-so... Whether it's the Grey Hats, with whom she has the most dealings, or the Emperor's Blade, who always seems to be looking for trouble, or at most the Great Yan Inner Guard who occasionally comes to her for intelligence exchanges, the ICA always entrusts these kinds of tasks to Nana... because she always feels that sending anyone else might mean they never come back...

Anyway, everyone's strength is about the same... meaning no one can beat the mechanical hunters, which are things that are fought on the front lines of a real battlefield, let alone the bombardment of the land-based carrier group.

We all have professions that rely on secrecy, so it's not necessarily true that one person is more noble than the other.

It's like everyone's worthless in the light of day.

"...If you can't beat them, can't you at least run away...or are you saying the inner guards won't get killed?"

[You know perfectly well what's in your heart, right? As for the kitten...]

“She’s now a senior elite operator at Rhodes Island… I don’t know if I can transfer her; you might need to talk to Kal’tsit about it…”

"...Is everything alright? Let the kitten participate in your task..."

Seeing the manager's worried expression, Nana slightly turned her gaze away:

"Just consider it my greed... I don't want to be separated from her for even a moment now."

After staring at Nana for a long time, and finally looking at the cat killer's emerald-like heterochromatic eyes, the manager smiled helplessly:

[I tried asking Kal'tsit, and you... you'd better not regret bringing the little one down this path.]

"...After discovering that I could die at any time... my current wish is to help her become independent as soon as possible without me... I understand Andy a little better now."

Without responding to Nana's statement, the manager pursed his lips and ended the call.

3rd This land: 068 Disagreement is not an option.

With Cole taking control of the wheelchair, Kate opened the conference room door, and Nana slowly left the room, only to be met head-on by a kitten that pounced on her.

Compared to the past when she was completely reckless and her attacks were more like headbutts than hugs, Rosemary's pounces are now quite gentle... like a cloud. Like her clear appearance and eyes, the kitten is gradually becoming more and more like her mother.

It has a transparency that Nana really likes.

"Is everything done, Nana?"

"Hmm...but I'm afraid something new will happen soon..." Shan

Using blood magic to enhance physical abilities... the enhancement that used to allow her to exchange blows with races of higher bloodlines has now, due to a decrease in her base constitution, only allows Nana to move on her own...

Even when driven by witchcraft, Rosemary genuinely moved closer to Nana, who was touching her head and cat ears, as if she were enjoying it.

"The specifics might require Kal'tsit's approval... I've already submitted the application... and before it's approved, I might need to start my rehabilitation earlier."

This was said to Aya, who was not far away, and the Ursus girl clearly disliked Nana's actions of forcibly using magic to drive her body.

“…But senior, given Felin’s physique, if he forces himself to move around like this…” Shan

“Aya, first of all, I’m not just any ordinary film…” hiss

As Nana said this, she was first bombarded with glares from Cole and Kate. With their memories shared, these two silver-haired beauties clearly knew about Nana's past attitude toward her bloodline.

'I'm just an ordinary person, I don't have their kind of power'... Ha, and now it's become 'I'm not just an ordinary film either', right?

Ignoring Cole's account in that historical record, Nana explained it very seriously:

"Although my physique is indeed just that of an ordinary filian, I possess a very special set of spells... Under the influence of those spells, you can consider me... a Sarkaz?"

"It's perfectly fine to consider her a Blood Demon directly."

The one who suddenly spoke was Kroos, who was on duty at the command center. Seeing everyone looking at her, this girl, who already had a 'Kroos Exclusive Store' sign, smiled and waved:

"Well, for more professional recovery advice, you can ask Warfarin, but in my opinion, Medic just needs to eat hamburgers and fried chicken for three days... well, I mean at least his appearance and weight will recover quickly..."

"There's such a spell?"

"It's just reverse casting of blood magic... After all, you see, traditional blood demons fight non-stop every day, and many of them go crazy and release morning grumpiness as soon as they are dug out of their coffins, but no one has ever been said to have rhabdomyolysis or anything like that, right?"

Seeing that Aya's expression gradually became blank and approached the truth again, Kroos, knowing that her example was inappropriate, waved her hand and said:

"Anyway, you can ask Warfarin for more specific advice... but Medic, haven't you noticed anything wrong with yourself?"

"...It's everyone's responsibility to refuse riddles, so just tell me directly."

Seeing that Nana still didn't seem to react, Kroos blinked and then made a circle above her head with her hand.

Following the other party's prompts, the assassin tried to sense the presence of 'God' again... but unlike the 'Lord' in the past, who was cold but whose presence was clearly perceptible, now, no matter how hard Nana tried, she seemed to be standing in a black mist.

Neither the aperture nor the wings could be summoned at this moment. The puzzled girl looked at her right hand. Thanks to the rigorous training of the ICA, she still retained all the memories required for shooting on her hand.

But... that knowledge of firearms completely disappeared.

Nana lost the glory of 'the Lord'.

Perhaps... she really did become an ordinary film.

Although Nana was surprised to lose contact with the 'Master', she decided to immediately find out how much of her ability to fight with firearms remained.

After all, the next operation is likely to involve warriors of the Inner Guard level. Now that the 'Master' has been lost, the use of Judgment is out of the question... Of course, even without Judgment, there are many ways to kill... But firearms are still Nana's most important means of ranged attack.

"I found Nana!"

Seeing the kitten rummage through the room and find the weapon case with the ICA badge, the assassin smiled and let her open the case, looking at the kitten's raised tail and curious eyes.

"...This is...a gun?"

"Hmm, Lateran gun..."

As she spoke, Nana took the gun handle from the kitten. The absence of that blood-like connection made Nana feel very uncomfortable... She held the gun to her ear, and the flowing light in her palm indicated that the girl's Originium Arts were constantly running. Nana maintained this position and kept pulling the trigger until the seventh time. Only then did Nana hear the 'click' sound of the magic inside the gun taking effect and driving the needle.

"Nana?"

"Hmm... no problem... although I have become a bit slow, it's still within acceptable limits."

After petting the kitten again, Nalin ordered her to put the gun and ammunition back in their boxes. Cole then pushed Nalin's wheelchair toward the training ground, with the kitten, still clutching the weapon case, following behind.

What is Nana going to do next?

"Let's go to the training ground and fire... a hundred rounds of ammunition to get back into the swing of things."

Recalling the gleam in Kal'tsit's eyes when she heard that the Etching Ammo would be accounted for by Kal'tsit, Nana reduced her 'Rehabilitation' ammo consumption by an order of magnitude.

What if Kal'tsit takes the invoice to her agent for reimbursement, and the agent accuses her of colluding with Rhodes Island to submit false expenses...?

Although each land-based ship has its own economic ecosystem, the prices of combat supplies on Rhodes Island... are hard to say.

However, upon arriving at the training ground, the two cats saw a familiar face, and the other cat also recognized them.

"what?"

"Huang! Don't get distracted!"

“Jessica, focus too.”

“Yes, yes!!”

The sounds of clashing steel and firing guns echoed through the huge training room as they spoke. Franka, the dog-fox handpicked by her partner, didn't care about any training discipline. As soon as she saw Nana arrive, she immediately stopped what she was doing... After all, what Vanilla was supposed to do next was to swing her arms in the air, so what was wrong with her just slacking off... ah, no, slacking off a little?

"Hello, is the captain here to see us?"

"Team Leader Lu Baba Ling Si OV"...Am I still your team leader?

Seeing Nana tilt her head in confusion, the big fox smiled and wiped his sweat... While the other guards were all dressed up or even wearing protective gear, this fox's sleeveless training clothes and bare legs and hot pants outfit were completely out of place.

"That's a strange thing to say. As external partners, our Black Steel exchange personnel are registered under the Ministry of Human Resources... and isn't the Ministry of Human Resources' troops your troops?"

"...Rhodes Island's authority to assign action teams shouldn't be so arbitrary..."

"It doesn't matter~ Speaking of which, although I've seen this kitten many times at the training ground... she's yours..."

"My...adopted daughter?"