The vehicles slowly approached the Retribution Army's temporary fortifications.
"Everyone, please don't be nervous. We are Operators from Rhodes Island, dispatched to Gran Faro for support after receiving a notice."
As they got closer, misery opened the car window and raised both hands, signaling that their group posed no threat.
A general, clearly the leader of the Retribution Army, walked over. He carefully scrutinized the vehicles and the Rhodes Island ID badge misery handed him.
"Rhodes Island, I know you. In the past year, your offices have been newly established in many cities in Iberia. However, Gran Faro is very dangerous right now. With so many children, I suggest you return the way you came. That place is not a playground; it's very likely to become a meat grinder. Going there will only lead to certain death."
After checking and confirming that these were indeed people from Rhodes Island, the general advised the group to turn back.
"Officer, thank you for your kindness, but just as military orders cannot be defied, our leader, Doctor Kaltsit, is currently heading to that dangerous place with your 'Saint Carmen.' No matter what, we cannot let Doctor Kaltsit face unknown risks alone. As for our combat effectiveness, rest assured, since we have come, we are well-prepared and will not cause any difficulties for your side."
misery naturally wouldn't agree to the other party's request, but instead sincerely stated his reasons.
The general glanced at the few people in the car and sighed, "The Inquisition sent word that Rhodes Island personnel should be assisted as much as possible in all regions. I've also heard from other colleagues about your people's deeds in Rock Bay Town. To be honest, I admire you, but the danger in Gran Faro this time is no less than in Rock Bay Town. I won't stop you from going, but please be extremely careful. If you find the situation impossible, run towards us. For Rock Bay Town's sake, I will save you."
misery had originally thought he would have to engage in a battle of words, and had even planned that if the other party insisted on their group leaving, they would have to take a detour and approach Gran Faro from another direction. But he hadn't expected the other party to be so accommodating, simply allowing them to pass, and even thoughtfully offering protection if they encountered danger.
misery, who had always been treated with various forms of "arrogance" and "prejudice" while carrying out missions in different countries, rarely showed a smile after a second of stunned.
"Don't worry, I promise you, we will all return home safely."
The general shook his head. "Be careful on your way! Remember, stay safe!"
"Yo! Old Man misery, it's rare to see you smile." Kanna reached out and rubbed misery's face, saying curiously.
"I heard before that Rhodes Island has a good relationship with the authorities in Iberia, and I thought it was just pleasantries, after all, Infected have never received normal treatment on this land. But after today, when I return to Rhodes Island, I will tell everyone I know that I witnessed a rare respect in Iberia." misery's voice was uncharacteristically serious.
"Bah, bah, bah! Old Man, you can be excited, but don't suddenly jinx it! If something happens to you here, Grandma will scold me to death when I get back!" Kanna frantically waved her hands after misery finished speaking, even preparing to cover his mouth.
"Jinx it? What does that mean?" Nian, in the back seat, asked curiously.
"It's like, 'I'll go home and get married after this battle,' or 'Wait for me to come back, I'll definitely come back alive,' or 'I'll handle this here, you go first'—stuff like that. Usually, people who say those lines quickly kick the bucket… Speaking of which, this kind of plot device seems to be used frequently in movies, right!"
Kanna recalled that many of those classic "jinx" scenes originated from movies and anime.
Nian nodded in agreement after hearing this. "Indeed, this is a very popular way to kill off characters in movies, usually used to advance or pivot the plot. Old Man misery, you'll stick with me for the next few days. Kanna is right, what you just said was too scary. I now have this illusion that you could be gone at any moment…"
Listening to Kanna and Nian's conversation, including Saria and Ifrit on the other end of the walkie-talkie, everyone fell silent.
"I'm saying I'm still alive and well, don't jinx me! Be careful, if I really die, I'll run into your dreams at night…" Regarding Kanna and Nian, who were already discussing his death even though he was clearly full of vigor, misery could only say he was used to it. After all, the way those two's minds worked was truly invincible.
"Uncle, this won't do. We were just talking about… Oh, by the way, Nian, do you know about lampreys?"
"Lampreys?"
"Seven-star fish!"
"You mean those things? They do look disgusting, but they taste really good. What about them?"
"Imagine if you magnified that thing dozens of times, think about its mouthpart, when a bunch of things fall in and are crushed by countless teeth, then torn to shreds…"
Nian imagined it following Kanna's words and felt goosebumps all over. She rubbed her arms, where the hairs were standing on end, and complained, "Holy crap, how did your little brain come up with something so morbid?!"
"So, what do you think of this idea?" Kanna spread her hands.
"Genius! Super-duper genius!" Nian raised a thumb in admiration.
"Hey, hey, hey! I'm still right here! Isn't it a bit unethical for you two to be discussing my death so loudly...?"
Misery also knew what Kanna was talking about. After thinking about the scenario Kanna described, he felt that if it really came to that, it would be more comfortable to just pull a glorious grenade and end it himself.
"We're talking about a movie! A movie, alright? You old man just can't keep up with the times..."
As for Kanna's style of begging people to call her 'big sis,' usually calling her 'uncle,' and then elevating her to 'old man' when teasing, Misery could only say he was used to it.
"Amiya's previous message said there are still our Operators in Gran Faro. Do you know about this?" Saria's voice came through the communicator.
"I know about that. If I remember correctly, the young Operator Elysium is also there. Oh, by the way, with so many of our offices in Iberia, haven't you contacted any of them?"
Kanna was a bit puzzled. Rhodes Island had established many offices in Iberia over the past year. According to Kaltsit's last contact, the route from Rhodes Island to Gran Faro would pass through several cities. Hadn't any messages been left at the local offices?
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