Léon: The Cat Killer

"Other teams?"

"Similar to you Sarkaz refugees... but they're even less resolute than you, just simple bandits... After seeing that my men are stronger and more powerful, they offered to trade with us for grain and oil at five times the price... could you call that a toll?"

As she spoke, W handed the items to Mary, deliberately avoiding looking at Mary's expression.

Since the two sides are currently in a cooperative relationship, Nana was also afraid that Mary would ask questions that would be detrimental to teamwork. So after Mary received the belt with a blank look in her eyes, Nana thanked her and immediately took Mary away from W.

Seeing this, the Sarkaz girl tilted her head, then looked at the little fox that seemed to be waiting for Nana, and the two sleepy girls lying on the little fox, with an interested expression...

Leaving aside the fact that the little fox frowned and blocked the view of a certain white-haired Sarkaz, Nana, after leading Mary into the tent, asked while adjusting the length of her belt:

"So... these are also relics of members of the Lateran team?"

Nana was already prepared to give Mary some emotional guidance, but the little orange cat's answer surprised her and made her look up:

"No... not..."

"...Huh? Isn't that right?"

“Um… I’m sorry, did I mislead you?… But these really aren’t anyone’s equipment from Laterano’s team… I was stunned simply because I never imagined there would actually be a day when I would use these two guns… As relics, they should have been preserved much more carefully…”

"Think of it another way, as your partner, your senior... even in death, they are protecting you in another form... how about that?"

Nana's words made Mary smile wryly, and as Nana told her to raise her hand, the assassin looked at Mary's double-layered nun's habit and tried to put the belt on the inner white dress.

"Thinking about it this way, it feels like too much of a burden... Even just holding a pistol normally, I can vividly recall the image of my seniors dying in front of me... And if I imagine that everyone, even after they die, stays by my side through these two guns... I always feel a sense of guilt, like, why didn't I die in the initial attack..."

Hearing Mary's words, Nana glanced at Cole, who was yawning beside her, and blinked:

"...Would...you feel that way?"

[...Don't put on that innocent look. You looked the same way when you left with the kitten... You've only been asleep for three years, and you've already forgotten what others thought of you?]

Cole's words left Nana speechless; the cat killer could only try to recall how she had spent that time.

The final conclusion is... 'time'... Only time can make the feeling of death less sharp... But the problem is, on my side, it is the deceased who is offering comfort, and on Mary's side, who can replace her original friends and seniors in the team?

Nana sighed, taking out a small knife to modify Sister Mary's habit into a hidden gun draw pocket, while simultaneously activating her mental link to try and avoid saying the wrong thing, and asked:

"...Mary, why did you come to Ursus?"

Seeing the puzzled look on the faces of his fellow clansmen, Nanaqun Liuba Jiuwu Ba (four) Lingwu began to adjust the pistol's center of gravity on his belt, while asking:

"You were originally a nun from Victoria's church... how did you end up in Ursus?"

"...This...I was conscripted...Our team belongs to a large investigation team, and I am a third-term member. The investigation target is...the massacre at the church in Leytonson, Columbia, about three years ago..."

"My predecessors and I were originally tasked with contacting the Rhodes Island landship in Kazdel to obtain information on 'Narcissa Matilda Bruce,' a member of the relevant case... but..."

Although Mary didn't continue, Nana could roughly guess what was going on based on what she knew about the current situation:

"Because of the drastic changes in the Kazdel civil war, the entire squad was scattered, right..."

Nodding, Mary awkwardly repeated the action of drawing her gun under Nana's instructions, during which Nana repeatedly reminded her of basic shooting principles such as "Never put your finger on the trigger before deciding to kill the other person."

"...The White Emperor faction reached the entry agreement with Laterano, but with Her Majesty Theresa's downfall, our entire group's entry permits became worthless...The Committee's soldiers are very hostile towards us...The Guard members are also dwindling in number on the escape route. Originally, everyone thought that entering Ursus would save us...Who knew..."

After a moment of silence, Nana led the dressed Mary out of the tent:

"...Have you ever considered taking off this nun's habit?"

“…I would not do that; that would be a betrayal that is blasphemous to the Lord…”

Watching the nun grip the gun handle and then awkwardly begin practicing loading and unloading the magazine and pulling the slide, Nana corrected some of the beginner's mistakes while whispering:

"You...you're a bit stubborn..."

Seeing that Nana, despite being a Sarkaz, seemed unable to understand her own behavior, Mary suspiciously shook her cat ears hidden under her headscarf, then said with a wry smile:

"After all, if I lose even this uniform, then I'll really have nothing left..."

After saying that, Mary repeated the actions of drawing her gun, checking the magazine, loading, disengaging the safety, pulling the trigger, loading again and keeping the magazine unloaded, releasing the magazine, and putting the gun back in the holster...

Although the little orange cat seems clumsy, as she still needs to keep an eye on the weapon in her hand and sometimes even needs to use both hands to operate it, her movements are actually quite standard and there are no suffocating tricks or cheat codes. Nana thinks that after practicing like this for a few hours, she will probably be able to start practicing with bullets.

As Nana began teaching Mary how to take out spare ammunition from her belt, in the very center of the camp, where most of the goods had already been moved, Afu, Eileen, and W were all waving to Nana.

Looking towards the campfire, everyone except Frostleaf seemed unaware of what had happened. However, seeing the little fox gesturing with the backpack towards the Sarkaz twins reminded Nana of the strange customs of the Sarkaz mercenaries.

"...Are they...picking out equipment for the little guy?"

But why did everyone else crowd around?

Before Mary could voice her question, it seemed that all the Sarkaz, whether refugees or mercenaries, had gathered here... The group whispered about distributing equipment to the little guy, and the atmosphere in the room became solemn.

"Yes, that's right, we need to equip the little guy..."

Seeing the puzzled looks on Mary's face and Frostleaf's bewildered expression, Nana turned to Astolfo, probably the oldest Sarkaz present. Astolfo then picked up the two little ones and, as if showing them off to his fellow Sarkaz, carried them around the arena.

"In our Sarkaz culture... as the war continues, 'equipment,' besides its significant practical value, has unknowingly acquired additional meaning... Mercenaries' codenames are passed down to the next generation along with their 'weapons,' and this itself is part of the royal court's equipment bestowal ceremony."

"When a young Sarkaz receives his equipment, it signifies his recognition by the royal court. He is no longer a mere child, but a sign that he must begin to participate in tribal affairs… And along with the equipment, he also receives a name… Of course, due to the declining literacy levels among mercenaries, the names given during the investiture ceremony are gradually becoming more like code names… After all, finding a unique name these days is quite difficult…"

The old man's sigh was met with a few soft laughs, but soon everyone fell silent again.

Hearing Afu's explanation, Mary, who was unaware of the situation, and Frostleaf, who had initially thought it was simply a matter of choosing equipment, finally showed expressions of understanding.

Although she didn't know much, upon realizing she was holding a very important 'ritual item,' Frostleaf quickly took two steps back and put the equipment back where it was.

Aside from the two backpacks already crammed with things, Shuangye had also prepared a lot of handy gear for the two children that they might need later… Afu had previously said there was no need to choose so much, that the equipment itself wasn't important… Shuangye hadn't understood before, but now she did. (Discard)

The children's names will be given now, that's what everyone cares about... Although Nana, Mary, and Frostleaf, the three outsiders, still don't understand why the ceremony is now... But, that can wait, the important thing is that the little ones are finally going to have names!

"...So, have the children's names been chosen yet?"

"This...this task was originally supposed to be discussed and agreed upon by the child's parents and the high priest, and then reported to the royal court for registration...but now the royal court is divided, and the priests no longer exist...but naming still has to be done, as they have reached the appropriate age."

“My lord, you are the only high-level sorcerer present. Although it cannot be legally confirmed, you are, in fact, the only royal nobleman here, and the only candidate for high priest… With their parents already dead and His Highness deceased, only you have the right to bestow upon them ‘true names.’”

Seeing Afu's seemingly serious words, Nana frowned deeply, as if even her breath had stopped:

"Does that mean I have to name them? Is this... such a serious matter?"

"Of course, this is part of the tribal ritual... Your naming, whether a blessing or a curse, will be manifested in the individual's destiny... Of course, young people today no longer believe in this... But in my view, this is the ritual of turning the loom of fate, the beginning of the T... Sarkaz children facing their destiny... What names do you want to give them?"

As the surroundings fell into a deathly silence, Nana stared directly at the two little ones who had been put down. The twins seemed to understand what Afu had said, as they were now trying to straighten their bodies as if they wanted to appear taller.

Nana first looked at them, then her gaze slowly spread to the crowd of onlookers.

...She still has a halo above her head...Is it okay for me to get up? Nana really wanted to ask, but it didn't seem like there was any need to ask...Afu also said that this is a ritual...If you have to say, it's probably a kind of 'witchcraft ritual'.

Both 'blessings' and 'curses' will manifest... Although Nana doesn't believe in such feudal and superstitious things, the highest level of Sarkaz witchcraft can indeed interfere with time and space... So, it doesn't seem impossible that fate can be woven in places one is unaware of.

This feeling of skepticism made Nana uneasy, but upon reflection, she realized she didn't seem to need to pay too much attention to it...

For Nana, the current focus is... the Sarkaz have indeed involved her in their customs. Although she doesn't know how much of that string of praise is genuine, she has indeed gained real legal authority through Afu's flattery.

She was no longer an outsider who could subdue a Sarkaz with her fists, whether it was to refugees or mercenaries. Now, 'Nana' was a legitimate Sarkaz royal noblewoman, a high priestess who could not be denied the power of rituals.

But... Asuka, why bring up the fact that the 'curse' could come true...? Is it a roundabout way of suggesting that the current Sarkaz are obedient enough? I don't need to worry too much about this... it's just mutual exploitation anyway...

Is it really just a matter of mutual exploitation?

Looking at the expectant twins, Nana looked at Eileen for help... but Eileen just shrugged and showed no intention of helping her. Nana then looked at the others, but everyone, like Eileen, seemed to have the same sense of entrustment that "you should name them."

Honestly, even if her biological parents are dead, there are many people who would be more suitable to name her, whether it's Afu, who usually gives the lectures, or Ms. Athena, who takes care of her like her own daughter... What happened to the parents and priests discussing it?

How come it went directly into the registration and cataloging process on my end?

Amidst this chaotic internal struggle, Nana sighed in panic, wondering what to do. In her confusion, what came to mind was... the origin of the current Sarkaz chaos, the crucial factor that had placed her here... the owner of that white gauze dress... someone whose appearance she didn't even know, yet who seemed to be closely connected to her.

Theresa... what kind of person is she?

For so many days, talking and living with her followers... and now even having to hold a 'naming ceremony' for their next generation, their future... Nana can only rely on her first impression of her, of the 'White Emperor':

"...It's probably...the feeling of 'light'..."

“My LoVI 淋迩二散四疤拔肆rd…”

"Hmm... what do you guys think of the name Alicia... in Victorian, when used as a name... it means 'light'..."

Kneeling before the twins who were struggling to stand up straight, Nana touched the older sister:

"You are Ellie..."

Then touch your little sister:

"You are Sia..."

Then he looked at Afu:

"So... how about the name 'Alicia'? (Part 5) Yiqi Baling Lu Yi?"

Without directly responding to Nana, the old man listened as she quietly and shyly explained the meaning behind the names. After a moment of hesitation, he raised his hands and, as if chanting, called out the children's names:

"Alishia——"

Led by the older Sarkaz, the younger generation, like W, raised their hands in a spirited manner and then joined in the quiet call to new members.

The sounds blended together, until it seemed as if the entire snowfield was chanting their names:

"Alicia!"

P.S.: After three days of struggling, I finally managed to come up with the names for these two little ones... Don't ask who they are, they're original... Just think of them as the Sarkaz version of the Twin Queens... The ritual that Astolfo mentioned wasn't just for Nana's amusement.

So, Nana, why are you thinking about that prince?

Isn't this putting extra stress on twins?

PS2: This chapter was originally supposed to be a two-part series, but after looking at it for a while, it seems I can't split it into two chapters... I'm just too incompetent...

PS3: Meow Meow Cat

main idea--

Doctor: Oh, oh, oh~ That's a good pose, good boy, let me see the flesh ball~

Rosemary: Meow~

Amiya: Doctor, what are you doing? (Looking as if she's about to pull out a blunt weapon or Kal'tsit's pager)

-

One cat isn't enough, let's have another one... Didn't Amiya take out the Kal'tsit caller? Let's have a little Kal'tsit then.

main idea--

Doctor: It seems to be purring happily when I hold it in my arms~

Amiya: Are you really happy? I feel like that's the sound of an attack.

4th Crimson Winter: 104 I'm willing to join Rhodes Island.

As Kerr once said, you never know which will come first, tomorrow or an accident.

According to Afu's trembling addition, the naming ceremony itself was not something particularly important or conceptual... As far as he knew, it was probably just a blessing ceremony that extracted some luck from everyone who participated in the ceremony to ensure that the child would not die young.

But, the unexpected happened right before everyone's eyes.

Surrounded by the crowd, amidst a dazzling light like a flashbang, the two children, Ellie and Shia, sprouted halos and wings...

Yes, even W rubbed her eyes twice to confirm that Alicia had grown a halo and wings... and the small black horns and tails on their heads had not disappeared. Although the concept of 'fallen angels' is not widely known among the public, judging from Nana's knowledge... these two little Sarkaz... have indeed become 'fallen angels' in Sarkaz.

Is this a problem with the ritual?

But the Sarkaz becoming Sarkaz... is more of a problem with Nana than a problem with the ritual.

After all, before the mercenaries went berserk, W was the first to yell to stop his men from rioting, and then Nana stabilized the situation by saying that she was a Sarkaz rather than just a Sarkaz... Although it was probably possible to guess where W got the information from, Nana also wanted to deal with the butler who had recklessly exposed her information, but the most urgent task was to stabilize the group that was in chaos because of the naming ceremony.

So, with a gloomy expression, Nana gave everyone a demonstration of what it means to make a person disappear... And even after reverting to her Aura Superman form, the 'blood ribbons' that were as beautiful yet deadly as silk, extracted from those who refused to lay down their weapons, showed no sign of disappearing.

"Well... don't worry about it. After all, not everyone can accept that their relationship with their nemesis is closer than they imagined... Besides, most of them are just scared out of their wits. You are both a Blood Demon Priest and a royal noble in the robes of His Highness. Do you have to be so petty?"

Ignoring W's fawning and obsequious manner as she clung to her side, Nana turned her gaze directly to the seemingly more respectful butler and maid:

"How would a true Blood Demon noble deal with these guys?"

"...Of course, it means no mercy...but the impact on Ellie and Shia would be immeasurable, my lord."

Listening to Afu's tone, which sounded almost like laughter, Nana looked at the two little ones beside her, who were sleeping against her, clutching the blood-stained ribbon. According to Cole, they looked a bit like her when the doctor had operated on them... even their unconscious aura was very similar.

After this unexpected turn of events, Nana no longer hides her brilliance.

Nana, who appeared openly as a 'Sarkota' rather than a 'Fallen Angel,' frowned as she folded the ribbons several times and covered them with them... using something that had almost cost countless lives as an electric blanket... one could only say that the snowy environment required such treatment... it wasn't entirely unacceptable...