How did it come to this?
My stomach churned. I couldn't tell if the slug noodles I had for breakfast were acting up, or if it was because of the woman standing beside me.
Talulah.
The final boss of Arknights, and the person who would drive Yelena and Patriot to their deaths in the future. I had tried everything to keep someone like her away from the Guerrilla camp... but it was all for nothing.
I shot a resentful look at Yelena. Whether she noticed my gaze or not, she was busy commanding the Yeti Squadron under her wing.
"The Yeti Squadron has returned. Open the gate."
"Even if an Originium storm comes."
"We shall become the shield of the Infected and protect them."
With the response to the countersign, the wooden palisade gates surrounding the camp slowly began to open.
"Good work, FrostNova."
As the gates opened, a familiar face appeared. It was Tom, a guy skilled in stealth Arts whom I worked to the bone whenever I had the chance. It seemed he was on sentry duty.
"O-Oh? Earth, sir? Why are you there?"
"Can't you tell? I tagged along on the Yeti Squadron's mission."
A sly glint appeared in his eyes as he leaned in and whispered to me.
"Heh... You can just be honest and say you went on a date, you know? My lips are sealed."
"...Get lost if you're going to talk nonsense. We aren't in that kind of relationship, and my head is already a mess as it is."
"Eh? Don't tell me you confessed and got rejected? Or did you two have a fight? Ahem. Then you should consult me. Despite how I look, I used to be quite the lady—Gah!"
I couldn't listen to any more of it, so I gave him a sharp flick to the forehead. My fingers, tempered by Yelena's forehead-flicking sessions, sent him writhing in pain.
"Stop talking rubbish. Can't you see the outsider?"
Only then did Talulah seem to enter Tom's field of vision.
"Wait, isn't that an Ursus military uniform? Who is she?"
In an instant, he was showing a faint hostility. Well, it wasn't as if anyone here had fond memories of the Ursus military.
"She's here as Yelena's guest. She's someone working hard to rescue the Infected in the southern tundra."
"...I see. Since you're the Staff Officer, can I skip the report to the Staff Department?"
"No. Report to Father. She's an outsider who brought something much bigger than expected."
"Understood."
Tom vanished in an instant. He was likely heading to report to Patriot in secret. He truly was a master of stealth Arts.
"Earth? What were you talking about with Uncle Tom?"
"Nothing much. He was being cheeky as usual, so I gave him a flick."
I wasn't lying. Yelena, knowing the power of my flicks, had her pupils tremble for a moment.
"Poor guy..."
"Hey, don't pity him. He got hit because he deserved it. I'll guide this person to her quarters, so you go in and rest first."
"Mmm. Okay. See you later."
Yelena soon trotted off toward our tent. How could even her back look so cute?
I need to finish this quickly so I can go rest too. I turned around to look at the culprit who had increased my workload.
"What are you looking at?"
"...Nothing. I'll guide you to your quarters."
Look at that temper. I wonder how someone with that personality ever became the leader of Reunion.
I put her in the guest room. Although the Guerrilla was insular, we occasionally needed to resupply from nearby villages, so this place was built for the villagers who visited then.
"A soldier will bring you food later."
"When can I see your leader?"
"...He isn't a man of leisure. He's probably handling the aftermath of today's battle. Sit quietly and wait."
"I'm not a woman of leisure either. Even now, there are Infected comrades waiting for me."
Does this woman ever lose an argument? If you've come as a guest, you should show some manners.
"Sigh... I'll arrange a meeting as soon as possible. Though it'll likely be in vain."
"If you hadn't added that last part, it would have been a very satisfying answer."
Without knowing who started it first, we glared at each other. Sigh. I should be the one to endure it. She'll be kicked out soon anyway. I was the first to look away and tried to leave the tent.
"An impressive conversation."
He entered the tent. As the giant wearing a helmet resembling a deer skull stepped in, the space I had thought was reasonably spacious felt cramped in an instant.
"Are you... the leader of the Guerrilla?"
"That is correct. You may call me Patriot."
"I have been looking forward to meeting you, Mr. Patriot. I am Talulah, and I am conducting relief activities for the Infected in the southern tundra. I have a proposal for you."
Talulah took a deep breath and lowered her head.
"I, too, am a leader guiding a group of Infected. What do you think about fighting in coordination with the Infected of the southern tundra? The Guerrilla is few in number while the enemy is many; if we join forces, it will surely be a great help!"
"I shall gladly do so. Raise your head, girl warrior."
"Father!"
Startled by his choice, I shouted without realizing it. No, is this really the same Patriot who was always so skeptical of Talulah in the game?
"What is it, Earth?"
"Why are you accepting her proposal?!"
"There is no reason not to. As she said, our numbers are few. We are in no position to refuse the help of such a fine warrior. Rather, I would like to ask why you are opposing it."
"That's..."
Because she's the person who will ruin you and Yelena in the future. But the words wouldn't come out. After all, who would believe such a prophecy that sounded like the ramblings of a hack shaman?
Furthermore, the person I was facing was someone who embodied the spirit of the Guerrilla better than anyone. There was a lack of justification to cast aside a human like Talulah for such an absurd reason.
"...We have only just established a self-sufficient environment for the Guerrilla. I am concerned that bringing in outsiders at this stage might collapse the environment we've worked so hard to build."
So, hiding my true feelings, I made up a plausible excuse. At my words, Father remained silent for a moment, seemingly lost in thought. Talulah sent a secret gaze toward me, filled with anxiety and anger. It was as if she were signaling me not to rain on her parade.
I shot back a look filled with annoyance. From her perspective, wouldn't she take it as 'I'm the one running things here, so look elsewhere'?
"...The Staff Officer's opinion has merit. However, it is also true that we are short on manpower. With their help, we would be able to protect more Infected more easily."
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