Chapter 82 Chapter 82: Rhodes Island's Budget Deficit
Chapter 82: Rhodes Island's Budget Deficit
Around ten in the morning, a fully loaded jeep drove out of Qingning Alley.
Xi was still curled up in her own painting and didn't come out to see them off. In her words,
"You're going on this trip, and in the blink of an eye, it'll be over for me too. Since that's the case, why bother adding those boring emotions?"
——————
In an office within Rhodes Island's Control Center,
a white-haired Feline woman was looking at this quarter's financial report. Although her face showed no expression, anyone could tell she was in a bad mood.
The glaring red budget deficit was quite eye-catching, and judging solely from the previous trend curve, Rhodes Island's situation was not optimistic.
Yes, that's right. The biggest crisis Rhodes Island currently faces is not external enemies, but an internal financial crisis!
The Medical Department is running low on medicine, the Engineering Department's equipment is aging, and there's a whole bunch of operators who need salaries to survive.
The financial crisis has even reached the point of being stretched thin. With insufficient funds, Rhodes Island might lack city replenishment during its travels and could potentially come to a halt at any time.
Kal'tsit isn't very skilled in this type of business. Or rather, the fact that Rhodes Island has survived until today is already the result of her efforts.
Moreover, at present, Rhodes Island has an even more important strategic objective.
That is—to rescue the Doctor!
"Amiya and the others have already set off. I hope everything is in time."
Kal'tsit rubbed her forehead. She had learned this news far too late, even too late to make early preparations.
But at least she received news of that person. Given his personality, he probably wouldn't stand idly by. She could only hope that the people from Penguin Logistics could deliver the letter quickly.
Although Kal'tsit was very reluctant to admit it, she knew that as long as that person arrived, everything would be settled.
"Dr. Kal'tsit, Rhodes Island's course has been adjusted. Proceed to the destination?"
"Yes."
——————
In the outskirts not far from Chernobog,
"Big Sis, you seem preoccupied?"
A member of the Snowsquad walked over and asked curiously.
It was really too easy to guess.
Every time Big Sis had something on her mind, she would quietly sit by the bonfire, holding that orange-red crystal flower in a daze, lost in thought.
"It's nothing. How is the plan for Chernobog going?"
"Ugh, don't even mention it. It's those people going in first again. Does she not know how many sacrifices this will cause?"
The current Reunion Movement felt unfamiliar; Yang Ke could no longer find the same fervor he had when he first joined.
As the Infected community grew larger, those former victims gradually changed their appearance; they longed to become perpetrators!
That underlying anger and hatred sent chills down one's spine. Usually, with the guerrilla force members keeping them in check, no major chaos erupted, and occasionally a few troublemakers were expelled from the Reunion Movement.
But such actions undoubtedly bred dissatisfaction among them, and even a small portion transferred their hatred onto the guerrilla force...
It was simply unreasonable!
"Don't worry about it. We just need to do our own jobs properly."
FrostNova didn't like dealing with the ordinary members of the Reunion Movement; it made mission execution very inefficient.
Disorganized, undisciplined, refugee-level combat proficiency—calling them a mob would be a compliment.
"Alright, Big Sis."
Yang Ke went down to relay the orders, while FrostNova carefully wrapped that crystal flower in cotton cloth and stored it away properly.
"It's been so long, and there's still no news from Teacher."
She sighed softly. Had her pitiful student truly been forgotten?
FrostNova was draped in a white cloak, underneath which was thick gray clothing, with a long and a short blade sheathed at her waist.
That little Amiya girl rescued by Patriot from the mine back then had now become the princess of the "Snow Demons" who struck fear across the snowy plains.
The Stigmata on her back still provided her with warmth, just as if Teacher's gaze was always watching over her.
She was confused, unsure of where the Reunion Movement's path ahead truly lay. She vaguely sensed they were on the wrong path but didn't know how to change it.
Such abstract things couldn't be solved by swords and frost alone.
——————
Several more days later, war ignited in a Nomadic City of Ursus named Chernobog!
What was rare was that this was a battle entirely initiated by the Infected!
They seemed no longer satisfied with the wilderness but reached out towards the Nomadic Cities that could evade Catastrophes.
"Kill!"
Members of the Reunion Movement clad in crude armor and robes lunged madly at the military police groups.
Blades, crossbow bolts—every weapon they could use was hurled at their enemies. Under the huge numerical disadvantage, the military police were beaten back step by step, occasionally leaving behind several corpses still warm.
One by one, residents hiding in buildings were dragged out by Reunion Movement members. They beat these citizens who usually looked down on them and spat insults at them, wantonly venting their anger.
They smashed open doors with blades and hammers, looting the citizens' belongings.
The glass display windows of restaurants were shattered all over the floor; food was swept clean by these bandit-like fellows.
The evil side of human nature was fully unleashed at this moment; beating, smashing, looting, and burning were inherently the behaviors most likely to stir up dark impulses.
"Waaah—Mommy!"
"Little brat, stop crying! Cry again and I'll chop you up to feed the dogs!"
A Reunion Movement member's face under the mask showed irritation. Suddenly inspired, a hint of perverse excitement appeared in his eyes.
He let go of the dog leash, and the black hunting dog drooled as it pounced and bit towards the Ursus child sitting paralyzed on the ground.
The child was completely terrified by this situation; his cries choked in his throat, his heart felt like it was about to leap out.
If bitten like this, it would hurt a lot, right?
He tightly closed his eyes.
Thump!
"Whimper—"
A dull sound rang out. The hunting dog let out a miserable whimper and flew backward like a piece of ragged cloth.
The child opened his eyes and saw a tall figure like an iron tower standing behind him. Shadows fell, but it was precisely that black, heavy shield that helped him block that vicious dog.
"What have you done?!"
That Reunion Movement member hurriedly ran to the hunting dog's side, but it had little breath left; it looked like it wouldn't make it.
"By order of the Captain: No one is allowed to massacre innocent civilians. Gather and accommodate the original citizens of Chernobog on site."
The Shieldguard paid no attention to him, directing other Shieldguards to line up properly so they wouldn't have time to organize formations if chaos erupted later.
"You... you?!"
"Don't block the way!"
That Reunion Movement member was shoved aside by the big guys; he had absolutely no ability to resist.
And unbeknownst to everyone, beneath Chernobog's surface, another faction had arrived...
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