High above, a Reunion Movement drone was observing the movements of the Rhodes Island Squad.
The signal was transmitted back to the ground command node in real time.
Below, in the upper floor of a relatively intact abandoned building, Crownslayer leaned against a dust-covered windowsill.
Her crimson eyes were lowered, and her fingertips unconsciously caressed the hilts of the twin blades at her waist.
“I’ve found those people.” “Don’t dawdle, report to headquarters immediately, synchronize the coordinates.
Her subordinate moved at her command, immediately beginning to operate the communication equipment.
However, just as Crownslayer was about to issue the next command, she saw a figure wearing a Rhodes Island standard-issue coat, seemingly directing Operators to avoid obstacles.
She stared intently at that figure.
“It’s that guy!” “Go!
Now!
Follow him!” “— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —” “Passing through the park ahead will bring us to the rendezvous point agreed upon with Nearl’s reconnaissance team.” ACE looked back, scanning the Rhodes Island Squad members behind him, “The situation is unclear.
A few of us will go ahead to scout the situation and confirm it’s safe.
Doctor, Amiya, Ivan, you all stay here, maintain vigilance, and await the signal.” Without any superfluous words, ACE nodded to several experienced Guard Operators beside him.
The area where the squad was temporarily halted was relatively open, a convergence point of the sewer system and the surface river.
Amiya walked alone, silently, to the rusty railing at the edge of the river.
Her small figure leaned against the cold metal, gazing at the flowing sewage below her feet.
The Doctor and Ivan exchanged a look, both sensing Amiya’s low spirits.
The two approached silently, their footsteps making faint sounds on the damp ground.
Ivan spoke first, his voice very soft, with clear concern: “Amiya…
are you alright?” Ivan walked to her side, also holding onto the railing.
Amiya slowly turned her head, trying hard to force a reassuring smile, but it looked a little strained.
“I’m fine, Mr.
Ivan and Doctor.
Don’t worry, I’m just thinking about some things.” Her gaze lingered for a moment on the Doctor’s slightly bewildered face, covered by a hood, then she looked at Ivan, her tone becoming serious.
“Little Brother Ivan should know about Oripathy, right?” Ivan nodded heavily: “Yes, I know a little.” Amiya’s gaze turned to the Doctor, and she said gently: “Doctor…
for some reason, you may have temporarily forgotten many things.
So, I need to explain it to you again.” Her voice was clear and steady.
“Oripathy is a currently incurable, contagious, and fatal disease.
It will…
cause the patient’s body to slowly crystallize from within.” “This process is very painful…
and eventually, when the crystallization reaches its limit…” Amiya’s voice dropped.
Amiya gently rolled up the sleeve of her right arm.
In the dim light, on that slender arm, several black Originium crystals were starkly embedded beneath her skin, their edges glowing with an eerie light.
“As you can see,” “I, Instructor Dobermann, and most of Rhodes Island’s Operators…
we all suffer from Oripathy.” She pulled down her sleeve, covering the unsettling crystals, “Although there are currently no definitive reports proving that Oripathy can be directly transmitted through daily contact.
But…
fear is hard to eliminate.
Most non-Infected keep their distance from us…
or even ostracize us.” She looked up, gazing at the Doctor and Ivan, her large eyes shining with determination.
“Our goal at Rhodes Island is to protect as many lives as possible that are lost in meaningless conflicts.
Helping those in need, settling disputes…
this is very important.” Her tone suddenly became heavier, carrying an undeniable resolve, “But, this alone is far from enough!
Doctor, we must find a way to completely cure Oripathy!
This is the root cause!
This is…
the key to truly changing the fate of this land!” After discussing these heavy topics, Amiya seemed to want to lighten the mood.
She turned to Ivan, a sincere and warm smile appearing on her face: “Also…
thank you very much today, Mr.
Ivan.
Thank you for not hesitating to help that mother and daughter.
Your actions are a testament to the ideals Rhodes Island upholds.” Ivan, suddenly thanked, was momentarily stunned, then scratched the back of his head a little sheepishly.
“Ah…
well, it’s nothing.
Seeing them in danger, it’s only right to help.” Amiya’s gaze swept over the Doctor’s slightly pensive face.
She took a deep breath, the lingering fatigue and sadness on her face quickly fading.
“Alright, everyone, let’s go.”