However, just as Aponia and Pardo set off toward the door, preparing to head to the ward where a nearby patient was located…
Suddenly, several people dressed in peculiar attire swarmed through the sanatorium’s main entrance.
The leader had long cherry-blossom colored hair, gray pupils, and scarlet eyeshadow.
A pair of wireless headphones hung around her neck, and she wore a gradient transparent white shirt with a black and blue two-tone short jacket.
On her lower body, she wore black and blue two-tone hot pants, with her right leg covered by a white thigh-high sock.
An asymmetrical aesthetic emerged naturally.
The cherry-haired Damselette had a pure and cold temperament, holding a Tachi in hand, looking like someone who came with ill intent.
The group that appeared directly blocked Aponia and Pardo, who were just about to head out.
“They’re here, they’re here, they’re here!”
Pardo muttered under her breath, clearly recognizing the Aura of an official organization.
Perhaps because her career in theft had been long enough, she could sniff out scents that ordinary people could not.
Clearly, no matter how faint the “cop” scent hidden on them was, she could perceive it clearly.
“Excuse me, what is the matter?”
Aponia quietly watched the cherry-haired Damselette and the followers behind her.
She was not surprised by the other party’s sudden actions.
“You can call me Sakura.”
The Damselette spoke.
Her tone was cold and filled with a certain suppression, making one subconsciously think of some special secret unit.
And if one were to guess that, they would be exactly right.
Due to the collapse of her hometown, Sakura joined the Flame-Chasers because of a deal.
However, unlike Mobius and Elysia…
…she was neither a researcher nor a soldier of the regular forces, but a member of the secret operations unit, “Poison Chrysalis.”
Her blade was born in the shadows, pointing toward the most unique enemies from start to finish.
The reason she came here was also because the Flame-Chasers received news that signs of a cure for Honkai Sickness had appeared in this sanatorium.
Thus, the Poison Chrysalis ace, Sakura, was dispatched here to investigate.
However, as time passed, she keenly discovered that this was not a cure for Honkai Sickness, but rather suppressing the symptoms to an extremely low degree.
Furthermore, only ordinary medicines were used, except for the investigation finding that Aponia seemed to possess a power that made people unconsciously obey her.
This felt unbelievable to Sakura, but the facts presented before her could not be denied.
To this end, she reported what she had seen and heard, receiving a very definite command.
To “invite” the person in charge of the sanatorium to the Flame-Chasers; this was her purpose for coming here.
“Young Miss Sakura, is there anything you need help with?
If it is not urgent, please allow me to see a patient before we speak.”
Aponia’s tone was very gentle, just like her warm and compassionate holy heart. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
“I am sorry, but I carry orders from the higher-ups to take you and those involved away.”
Hearing this, Pardo immediately bristled like a cat encountering a predator, full of hostility.
Aponia, however, remained unmoved, still looking at her with eyes full of gentleness and pity.
“The reason?”
“I do not know.
I am merely a tool for executing orders.”
Sakura’s tone was cold, and the will she revealed was very clear.
Indicating that there was no need for the group to explain.
“I am sorry, but without a sufficient reason, I cannot leave the patients here unattended.”
Up to this point, Aponia’s words were still relatively friendly.
Unless necessary, she did not want to come into conflict with an official organization.
The consequences of doing so would surely not be good.
Sakura’s gray eyes wavered slightly, and she let out an almost imperceptible sigh.
“In that case, we can only resort to coercive measures.”
No sooner had she spoken.
She drew the Tachi from her waist, assuming a posture ready to use force.
Meeting her resolute gaze, Aponia and Pardofelis knew she was serious.
However, just as Sakura was about to act…
…a chilling Killing Intent suddenly came from behind.
Relying on a warrior’s instinct, Sakura retreated immediately, and a figure flashed past her.
After backing away a few steps, she realized it was a man with silver-white hair wearing a mask.
He wore black clothing, with an elbow guard protecting his left arm, and a pitch-black mask concealing his true face.
The newcomer was none other than Kalpas.
Through his mask, Kalpas stared intently at Sakura and the group behind her, who had become alert.
Both sides immediately fell into a stalemate.
“Are you going to resist?”
Sakura’s expression tightened; after joining the “Poison Chrysalis” unit…
…she had no doubts about the orders passed down from above; regardless of whether the target was good or bad, she only needed to complete the mission.
Seeing Kalpas arrive, the previously cowering Pardo was like a fox following a tiger, instantly straightening her back and saying:
“Hmph, we are law-abiding citizens.
What right do you have to forcibly take us away without a reason?”
Shiro, hiding in the shadows, thought: A great thief of Sundown Alley, a Wanderer fallen from the heavens—yeah, “law-abiding citizens,” no problem there.
Regarding this, Sakura didn’t show even a hint of emotion. This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
“That is not my concern.
Once you leave with me, you can voice your concerns to the higher-ups.”
Indeed, she was merely a unit member of a force, an elite at most.
How could she possibly know what the people above were thinking?
Pardo shrank back slightly, signaling that she didn’t trust her at all.
No joke, if a group of people suddenly said they were going to take you away by force, any normal person would become suspicious.
Coupled with the fact that these were troubled times, who knew what kind of accidents might occur.
Looking at the clearly resistant group…
…Sakura’s expression turned completely serious as she gripped the hilt of her Tachi.
Sensing Sakura’s hostility, the Aura on Kalpas also began to rise.
Seeing that Sakura and Kalpas really seemed poised to fight, Shiro, observing from the shadows, recalled the first confrontation between Kalpas and Sakura in the original timeline:
After Sakura had finished purging the patients suffering from Honkai Sickness in the Sundown Alley sanatorium, Kalpas sat cross-legged in the shadows of the room, questioning Sakura on why she did it.
In response, Sakura asked Kalpas why he was still alive, as her strike hadn’t missed.
Kalpas stated that he was the one asking Sakura.
Sakura explained her reasons and asked Kalpas who the person outside was to him.
But Kalpas gave no answer, only staring at the heavy rain outside.
The two began their battle without a word, turning the surrounding buildings into ruins in just 28 seconds.
To prevent their exaggerated battle from destroying Aponia’s sanatorium, Shiro prepared to reveal himself and interrupt the fight that was about to begin between Kalpas and Sakura.
Shiro still felt a bit of regret.
After all, on the way to Sundown Alley, he had learned that another squad from the Flame-Chasers was investigating the Dusk Sanatorium.
Upon learning that Sakura was leading the team, Shiro had looked forward to an all-out battle between her and Kalpas.
After all, even in the Flame-Chasers’ combat training, Elysia and Kevin would never fight with the intent to kill one another.
Yet Kalpas and Sakura, in a clash where both held nothing back, had eventually fought to a draw.
To be honest, Shiro really wanted to witness this evenly matched battle.
Unfortunately, they were prepared to start right inside the Dusk Sanatorium.
Shiro could only regretfully put a stop to it.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been back.
I didn’t expect the sanatorium to become so lively.”
“And If you’re enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!