Columbia, a nascent and pioneering nation.
Unlike those established and decaying countries, Columbia's territory is constantly expanding.
Far from the developed and advanced mobile cities of the inner circle, most of Columbia's border cities are pioneering settlements focused on low-end industry and agriculture.
Countless workers and farmers from all over the world came to Columbia to start new lives, adding bricks and tiles to this rapidly expanding nation, striving tirelessly to achieve the "Columbia Dream."
But... after they poured out every drop of blood and sweat, were trapped by labor contracts full of pitfalls, and ended their lives in sickness and debt, how many truly achieved the Columbia Dream?
As Columbia grew stronger, the pioneering craze gradually faded. Most pioneer workers recognized their own limitations, and the entire nation of Columbia, which had once been vibrant, became no different from other countries.
Internally developed and advanced, externally decaying and chaotic.
In the eastern wilderness, where pioneering has ceased and which borders Kazimierz and Victoria, the mobile cities have lost their vitality as pioneering territories, instead becoming ordinary trade borders.
Ten days after leaving Saint Foucault City.
4:00 PM
Weather: Sunny
Outskirts of Tikarundo City, an eastern Columbian city.
The scorching sun beat down on the land, and a small truck sped across the gravel and dirt.
Their destination was a Columbian border outpost.
Goki and Kaltsit would part ways here; the former would take Skadi and continue his long hunting journey.
The latter would wait here for Saria, Silence, and Ifrit's family to arrive, and then travel with them to Kazdel for further treatment and research into the divine threat—and perhaps, accompany a Director.
Inside the carriage, the newly purchased car TV, still within signal range, was broadcasting today's news.
"At noon on June 1st, a shocking murder occurred in Saint Foucault City, Columbia. A group of vicious bandits broke into the Loken Tank laboratory, attacked and killed the head of Loken Tank, Mr. Loken Williams, and burned a large amount of experimental and monitoring data.
Saint Foucault City police stated that they would do their utmost to apprehend these audacious criminals, bring them to justice, and seek redress for Mr. Loken.
In addition, Blacksteel International apologized for its dereliction of duty in this security operation and also commended two interns who made outstanding contributions during this event by bravely preventing and stunning invaders who were attempting further illegal infringement on the Loken Tank, who had already stunned other official security personnel."
The TV screen switched to two somewhat stiff and reserved faces. Franka and Liskarm were waving at the camera, their expressions a mix of awkwardness and guilt—they knew they had merely watched the chaos unfold.
However, Blacksteel coincidentally needed some exemplary figures to maintain its business reputation, so the only two interns among Blacksteel employees who hadn't had their bones broken by Goki and Skadi were immediately pressed into service.
Of course, this could be seen as a blessing in disguise, as the two 'comedy duo' employees could now be promoted to full-time.
"How is it, Rosmontis? Do you remember those two big sisters?"
Inside the carriage, Goki was sitting on Kaltsit's soft new bed, holding the small Feline girl in his arms, pointing at the content on the small TV, and asking gently.
"Mmm... I don't remember."
In Goki's arms, the small white-haired cat girl was draped in one of Goki's clean white shirts. One of her small triangular ears on top of her head was stretched straight up, while the other tilted to the side.
The cold air blew around, giving the little cat girl a refreshing coolness in the scorching summer, and the sturdy chest behind her made her feel exceptionally secure.
Rosmontis—at least she now accepted her name—had forgotten what happened before, being experimented on in the Loken Tank.
Rosmontis's memory only went back to this morning, when she woke up in bed and saw the Big Brother behind her hurrying over with breakfast—it was delicious.
Rosmontis always forgot many things, only remembering knowledge and skills, and the fact that "she is very forgetful."
Of course, some glassware and metal instruments were very hateful; Rosmontis wanted to crush them into a ball, but ultimately gave up under the Big Brother's persuasion.
This time, she remembered that it was the Big Brother in front of her, named Goki, who saved her—as for where he saved her from, she had forgotten that too.
However, Rosmontis didn't want to think too much. She was very satisfied with her current life.
This car had a soft bed, delicious food, and air conditioning that could block out the scorching heat outside.
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