It didn't take long after Jeanne and Lemuen started driving again for a structure resembling a camp to appear ahead of them. This was undoubtedly the "temporary camp" the guards had mentioned.
However, the security surrounding the perimeter was surprisingly mediocre. There were no active patrols on the outskirts; only a handful of soldiers could be seen lethatgically making their rounds inside the compound.
Jeanne left Lemuen in the car and found a sturdy tree, nimbly climbing to a high vantage point to scout the specific situation inside. Her vision, which far exceeded the limits of a normal human, allowed her to see the interior with crystal clarity even from such a distance.
What she saw was a massive black mark on the earth, looking like a dark mole growing upon the pristine white skin of the snowy plains—a truly eerie sight. Jeanne knew exactly what it was: the scar left behind after a Catastrophe has descended. Those black jagged structures were Originium crystals formed in the wake of the disaster.
Having witnessed a Catastrophe alongside Lemuen earlier, Jeanne had seen this phenomenon firsthand. After the storm passes, Originium begins to grow across the land like an uncontrollable infection. Upon closer inspection, she could see many figures moving within that black zone, appearing busy with some intense task.
These were likely Infected. The guards had herded a large number of them here to excavate the Originium that had been exposed on the surface as quickly as possible.
"Wait... that's not right. If they were only here to manage Infected miners, would they need weaponry with that much firepower?"
Jeanne's eyes locked onto a specific corner of the camp where a massive pile of wooden crates was stacked. From the boxes that the soldiers had already pried open, she could see the contents: mortars and grenade launchers. Furthermore, she spotted specialized drones used for aerial bombardment.
Jeanne had every reason to believe that a unit of the regular army was stationed here, while the guards were merely the low-level thugs handling the day-to-day dirty work. This equipment qualified as "heavy firepower" for this region. If anyone attempted to raid this place without knowing about these hidden teeth, their losses would be catastrophic.
They are waiting for someone to come here. Jeanne was certain of it.
And those who would come would either be after the Originium Slugs or the Infected. Jeanne believed the latter was far more likely. Because it was currently broad daylight, she had no way to slip in further for deeper intelligence. She wasn't an assassin, nor did she possess any "information masking" abilities; she couldn't exactly infiltrate an enemy camp in the middle of a bright snowy day.
As for how to deal with this place, Jeanne would have to wait until she returned to discuss it with everyone. This wasn't like the previous mines where she or Talulah could simply lead a charge to shatter the guards and rescue the people. This was a blatant trap, likely set by some faction within Ursus to deal with the Infected Guerrillas. Even if they couldn't wipe out the Guerrillas, they intended to bleed them dry.
In this region, the only group that would actively attack a dangerous location just to save the Infected was Patriot's Infected Guerrillas.
"How's the situation? Can you see clearly from this far away?" Lemuen asked curiously as Jeanne returned to the car. She still didn't quite understand why someone would build such a massive camp in such a desolate wasteland.
"It's complicated. Let's head back first. I need to ask some questions before I can be sure of the details."
Jeanne gave her a brief summary of what she had seen. Whether this place was strictly for mining or a "fishing" operation to lure in the resistance was something she needed to verify with local intelligence.
The two continued toward the village. Relying on the power of her Revelation, Jeanne successfully navigated a hidden path, ensuring they left the area without the enemy ever knowing they had been scouted. As if on cue, heavy snow began to fall shortly after they departed, burying their tire tracks and erasing any evidence of their presence.
"You should consider this issue now: the village has a limited capacity. Whether you expand this village or settle the new arrivals into a separate one is a decision you need to make, or problems will inevitably arise."
Inside a small house, Talulah was finishing the housing assignments for the rescued Infected when she ran into Patriot. Because of his imposing stature and appearance, the old veteran didn't often wander into the heart of the village, but his understanding of the community's underlying issues was profound.
The fifty or sixty people Talulah had brought back were currently squeezed into tents, but the village was reaching its absolute limit. If they continued to add more, the environment would deteriorate, and tensions would eventually boil over into conflict.
"I've considered that," Talulah replied. "I'm planning to find a site not too far from here to establish a new settlement, perhaps utilizing the natural cover of the forests and mountains."
She had already started scouting for a second village site, settling on a patch of wasteland with soil suitable for farming.
"As long as you've thought of it. When you begin the reclamation, let us know; I'll send some Shieldguards to assist you." Patriot nodded, satisfied.
"Talulah! Talulah!"
At that moment, an excited voice crackled over the radio. It was one of the soldiers on patrol.
"I hear you, Ethan. What's happened?" Talulah wondered what could possibly be so good that it had him this worked up. Had it started raining Originium ingots?
"Jeanne is back! I saw her! And that pink-haired Sankta is with her! They're driving a really weird-looking car and heading straight for the village!"
The Perro youth named Ethan waved enthusiastically as he spotted the vehicle. In response, Jeanne flicked her high beams a few times to say hello.
"What? Jeanne is back? This soon?" Talulah was stunned. She hadn't expected her to return so suddenly. She had thought it would take months to settle the affairs in Lungmen.
It had been a while since their last radio contact, but not because of the cost—the signals had been erratic due to a nearby Catastrophe that had paralyzed their fragile communications. Even now, the interference from that disaster was significant.
"Old gentleman, I have to step out—I'm going to meet her!" Talulah practically bolted for the village entrance, her tail swaying behind her in a rhythm that betrayed her extreme excitement.
Did she miss Jeanne? Naturally. They had been apart for half a month, the longest they had ever been separated since they first met. Even Alina had expressed worry while sewing clothes at night, wondering if Jeanne was taking care of herself. It was only natural to worry about a 'forever nineteen-year-old girl' traveling so far for the first time.
"Talulah, are you heading out too? Seeing that happy look on your face, something good must have happened."
On her way to the gates, Talulah ran into Alina, who had just finished teaching the children.
"I just found out—Jeanne is back! How did you know?"
"A little while ago, even though there was no wind in the chapel, the wind chimes and the candles started leaning toward the village entrance. I figured it was a sign," Alina said with a knowing smile.
The two walked to the entrance together. Before long, a vehicle with a truly bizarre design appeared before them. They both waved happily.
"Did Jeanne buy that car herself?" Alina asked, squinting at the odd shape. "I feel like she might have been swindled."
Talulah thought for a moment. "That shouldn't be right... I remember Laterano sent her a very beautiful car. Why does it look like this now? Maybe it... transforms?"