Does the mechanical girl dream of the Messiah?

Do you want to cry? No, I don't feel that way. It's just that after seeing that cold face again, I don't know why, my heart feels like something is pressing down on me. I can't breathe. I always feel like I want to say something, and I always feel like I want to do something. However, those ideas can't take shape. They just vaguely entangle in my heart, becoming more and more crowded, making it difficult for me to even open my mouth to breathe.

——First...try to talk to her first? If she is willing to tell me, if she is willing to let me know more...

"I... was attacked before entering the city."

"That's Marie's 'hunting troop'. They're not very strong, and it seems their vision isn't very good either."

"Ugh?"

Lunisia was stunned for a moment, and then quickly glanced at Sestine's face, and it was those moments of daze that prevented her from seeing Sestine's expression change. Of course, Lunisia's original intention was not to do this, she was just surprised that Sestine could react to the other person's identity immediately, without even needing more description.

"A team of many people, with the main attacker using crossbows and daggers as weapons, and committing suicide by taking poison when faced with intelligence leaks - isn't that right?"

“Yes… that’s right.”

"That's no problem."

Sestine's gaze did not linger on Lunicia's face, but scanned the pile of corpses at her feet. After a while, she picked out a corpse with her boot and casually let it roll aside. Lunicia did not know the identity of the corpse, but she recognized the clothes on the corpse, which were somewhat similar to those of the people who attacked her outside the city before.

Those people did not have uniforms, and the equipment they were wearing was very different, but Lunicia always felt that there was something in common among them, but she couldn't put it into words. She could easily recognize it, but couldn't express it.

"The Safari Troops? Sounds like an informal section of some military..."

"They are a special forces team trained from criminals, undisciplined soldiers in the Mariai Principality Army, and orphans." Still without looking at Lunicia's face, Systin continued as if minding his own business, "They are controlled through the triple means of brainwashing, bribery, and threats. Their main tasks are to intercept, chase, or hunt. Those who fail in the mission are not allowed to return home, otherwise they will be sentenced to death and their relatives will be implicated. It seems that they regard you as the target of the mission, so they jumped out to die."

Hearing this, Lunisia could not help but frown: She had little interest in learning knowledge other than combat, and she didn't even know much about Zerhar, her country of residence, let alone Mariai, a borderland of Mu Continent. She had no idea that there was such a force in Mariai, but she instinctively felt disgusted with this practice.

"But why are they here?"

"You really came here without knowing anything?" Sean raised his eyebrows. "They are responsible for hunting down members of the 'Legacy of Natya' who are mixed in with the refugees outside the city, those marginal figures. If necessary, they will kill the entire group of refugees who are judged to be 'problematic' and dispose of their bodies. This is the mission they are carrying out now."

"Natya's...legacy?"

The word was a bit difficult to pronounce. It was not the pronunciation of the ancient Sakaar or Sakaar language that Lunicia was familiar with, nor was it the common Zeelandic or Danu language. It was a language that was somewhat similar to Zeelandic, but subtly different. Lunicia could repeat it, but she was not very sure whether her understanding of the meaning of the word was correct.

"..."

Hearing Lunicia's confused tone, Sesteen's expression became more subtle.

Obviously, the level of ignorance of the holy warrior in front of her was beyond her imagination. She thought that before Lunicia came here, she would have investigated the current situation of the Principality of Marie. With Lunicia's status and identity, she should know some inside information. At least she would not be completely ignorant of the name "Legacy of Natya" - this secret organization that is trying to stir up trouble must have been investigated by the Divine Court. And due to the secular nature of "Legacy of Natya", the investigation of the Divine Court must have certain results. As long as Lunicia asked for it, the High Priest Sieli would definitely provide it.

And it was obvious that she had no idea about the entire Principality of Mariai... or even to put it bluntly, she had no idea about the situation in the entire Myuland and its vassals. What little she knew came only from the teaching materials within the Glorious Divine Court - and that material had not been updated for a long time, and would not introduce the "Legacy of Natya" which had suddenly grown in the past decade.

Of course, Setin forgot one thing: in this world where even communication is blocked, even if Lunisia wants to know about the outside world, it is not so easy to learn. Compared with Setin who has been running on the front line all year round, Lunisia's intelligence update frequency is in no way comparable to hers.

Her understanding of the international situation was limited to theoretical speculation, not to mention theoretical speculation based on intelligence that was outdated.

"'Legacy of Natya' claims to be the successor of the ancient Nasaran Kingdom and practices the magic system of the classical school. Its current basic actions are to lead riots in the territories of Myuland and its vassals, cooperate with the 'Restoration Army' to destroy the local government, and call the occupied areas 'Recovery Zones'. This is probably the organization."

--I see!

After hearing Saistin's explanation, Lunisia suddenly had a sense of enlightenment:

"Natya's Legacy" dispatched personnel to infiltrate the refugee group and sneak into the city of Mariai, waiting for an opportunity to incite the refugees to riot. The Principality of Mariai, or Grand Duke Ivanov, dispatched hunting troops to intercept suspicious people in the refugee group by guarding the national highways in Mariai, in order to confront them.

The current situation in Nosavi is nothing more than the result of the game between "Natya's Legacy" and the Mariai government. Obviously, "Natya's Legacy" now has a great advantage.

"...But, I don't understand." Lunisia shook her head. "Even if they have been instilling their own ideas into the refugees on the road, I have seen those refugees... They look like they can barely move, lack food, and are mentally depressed... But now they can take up arms and start a riot. This is impossible."

Sestine narrowed her eyes, and a cold and dangerous light flashed in her eyes.

"You want to know?"

"Hmm... I think so."

"Don't regret it. From what I know about you, once you hear about this, it will be difficult for you to get out of it. You will be drawn into it involuntarily until this matter has a conclusion."

"I...I'm not a child anymore."

Lunicia's tone changed, she raised her head and looked at Sesteen's face seriously.

Even though the familiar gentle smile on that face was no longer there, but was replaced by a frosty coldness, even though the reassuring black pupils had turned into bright gold that embodied mystery and danger, and even though the black hair had turned completely white, she did not look away.

She could not forget the people she failed to help.

Systin was stunned for a moment, and then looked directly at Lunicia. She no longer avoided those gentle and firm brown pupils, but simply looked back with cold golden pupils. Even so, Lunicia still could not see anything from her calm eyes.

"Since that's what you want, let me show you something good."

Systin stretched out his hand and clenched it towards the air. A "Scout" with a striking orange paint and scar pattern flew over from a hiding place and hovered over Systin's armor-covered palm. Then, its body split in the middle, folded and deformed, and finally turned into something that looked like a projector.

Without intending to explain anything, Sestin just patted the "scout", and then the picture and sound were projected in front of Lunicia.

[…You all live in the glorious territory of the Nasaland Kingdom. You are all citizens of the Nasaland Kingdom. We, the Restoration Party, are willing to help every citizen of the Nasaland Kingdom. We have prepared food, water, warm shelter, a homeland waiting for you to return to, and everything you deserve! …]

That was the scene of a man named Alexis giving a speech in front of the refugees.

Chapter 32 Orange Light Sets My Soul on Fire

From beginning to end, from when Alexis started distributing food to when he finally raised his arms, not a single second of the entire process was missed - the shooting angle was not very good, and it was obviously shot from a hidden angle that was difficult for the other party to detect.

After further reducing the armament installed on the "Scout", Iron Leviathan has added optical camouflage function and a stronger noise reduction system to it. Therefore, even such close-range shooting can be undetected, unless the opponent is strong enough to grasp everything around him, but obviously, Alexis and his bodyguards do not fall into this category.

"This is……"

Looking at the inexplicable enthusiasm in the picture, listening to those inflammatory words, and witnessing the process of them distributing water and food, Lunicia seemed to have grasped something vaguely, but could not come to a final conclusion.

"You are not so naive as to think that you can incite a refugee riot with just these two sentences, right?"

After putting away the projection, Setin sneered and crushed the heads of the Restoration Army soldiers under his feet.

"They call themselves the 'legitimate successors of the Gunasaran Kingdom'. So, what methods do you think they will use?"

Hearing this, Lunicia frowned, and then said unsurely: "...Magic?"

Before its demise, the Kingdom of Gunasalan was known as the pinnacle of magic in the world. Compared to Hyperborean, which focused on heresy and evil spells, the magic technology developed by the Kingdom of Gunasalan was more inclined towards the system commonly used in the world. It is for this reason that although people acknowledge the power of Hyperborean, they are more willing to acknowledge the academic contribution of the Kingdom of Gunasalan to the world.

"Not too stupid. One of them is magic."

Sestin raised a finger and continued, "By releasing a range-suggestive spell and adding a spell to amplify the effectiveness of his words, he can easily make the refugees 'accept' his incitement. This spell has little effect on those with extremely strong wills or strong people, but it is almost impossible to fail for refugees who have no resistance and are less resistant to spells than ordinary people. In this way, they become the loyal lackeys of that person... Alexis, who keeps his word and will not complain even if he asks them to commit suicide."

Systin's tone was cold, but the pace of his narration was rather soothing. I wonder if it would always be like this, or if it could be slowed down to make it easier for Lunicea to absorb and understand.

"But... this still doesn't explain why the refugees were able to start a riot."

"In addition to the flourishing magic technology in the Kingdom of Gunasaran, the potion technology is also booming."

Sethine held up a second finger.

"We found energy and stimulant ingredients in the bread crumbs. The dosage... barely reaches the lethal level?" She sneered. "It can restore physical strength in a short period of time and increase their combat effectiveness from negligible to a level higher than that of ordinary people. It uses cheap and crude materials and refining methods. In this case, no matter how good the effect is, it will probably leave extremely serious sequelae. Blindness, paralysis, permanent mental illness, brain death?"

"How could they do this?!"

"Don't worry, there won't be any sequelae."

Sestin looked down at Lunicia's face and said expressionlessly, "Before these sequelae appeared, they were killed by the defenders as cannon fodder. If they could survive... maybe they would be considered for absorption into combat power? Who knows. Now the regular troops of the Restoration Army are fighting with the defenders and reinforcements outside the city. The role of these refugees is probably to distract the defenders and consume their physical strength and supplies?"

The first thing that comes to my mind is sadness.

They left their homes because of unforeseen disasters and wandered in a strange land in pain. They had no food, no warmth, and the shadow of death was always with them. Even so, they still did not give up. Even without food, the dead would be buried and the living would continue to pray and try to find ways to improve their situation.

But for them, the final result was that their wills were controlled, they were forced to drink poison, and they fought to death as pawns.

What came to my mind next was anger.

"Senior... Which side are you on?"

On one side were Count Kuridel and others who embezzled relief supplies and left the refugees to fend for themselves.

On the other side is a man named Alexis who incites the refugees to die as cannon fodder.

——Sister Setin, which side will she lean towards?

Deep down in her heart, of course, Lunicia hoped for an answer like "Neither side". It would be best if she was just a passerby who had nothing to do with this matter. "I was just passing by, and I fought back because they attacked me without permission." This would be the best answer. In this way, she wouldn't have to vent her uncontrollable anger.

——Why, why are you so angry?

My heart seemed to be split into two, one half was peaceful and sad, the other half was boiling and furious.

——So…so…

So please, don't let me take my anger out on you.

"...If I have to say, I prefer 'Natha's Legacy'."

"Why……?"

"Now I am just an Avenger."

——Yes, that’s good.

"Including Count Kuridel... I have targets in the officialdom of Marie who I want to hunt." Saistin's eyes were cold and emotionless. "We don't have a direct cooperative relationship with 'Legacy of Natya', but at least our goals overlap... So no matter how many defenders, civilians, or refugees die, it has nothing to do with me. Is this reason enough?"

- Just vent the anger of the "Avenger" on me, just treat me as an enemy, just let me spend the rest of my life in darkness, just let me end this stupid and boring revenge drama alone.

"senior……"

"If you try to hinder me, you will become a target as well."

"Sestine...!"

--when!

The black and white heavy swords collided suddenly, and the violent shock wave mixed with bright orange and scarlet colors, which collapsed and blew away the throne made of corpses under Sestin's feet, and made the surrounding buildings stained with a layer of indelible blood color.

"...Before you take action, don't you consider your own abilities?"

The pure white sword was swung with all his strength with both hands, carrying an invincible force. Even a ghoul known for its strength would not be able to withstand it, and even a Gog giant that could ravage the earth would have to avoid its edge. Even so, for Sestine, it was just a blow that he could easily withstand with one hand holding the sword.

Filled with rage, his eyes gleamed with a burning orange light, he clenched his teeth, untied the shackles on his body, and poured power beyond his limits into his hands - even so, the sword blade still seemed like a black hole that could never be filled, and no matter how much power he poured into it, there was no possibility of the slightest change.

The rage solidified into substance, transforming into orange flames that wrapped around his hands and the blade - even so, the white blade still couldn't shake the black blade in the slightest.

——Yes, that’s good.

—Point the blade at me, that's all.

—Be angry at me, and let the anger be directed at me, that's all.

"Let me teach you one last lesson."

——But... you probably can't hear me, my little princess.

What responded to the words were not words, but eyes shining with orange flames, eyes filled with anger.

Chapter 33: The Fire Burns My Heart

--stop.

The giant sword was swung again and again, and black and white collided again and again, making a deafening noise.

--stop!

The air waves generated by the huge collision washed the surroundings, shattering glass, flying bricks and stones, and collapsing walls. The aftermath of the collision of the swords alone had already made the entire street shaky, and in the center of the aftermath, there was only a deep pit under the feet of Lunicia and Sestin. Every time the swords collided, part of the bricks and sand under their feet would be blown away, and then this scene would be formed.

——Stop it!

However, no matter how Lunicia shouted in her heart, her hands were swinging the giant sword in a blazing rage, and the orange-red light almost filled the entire field of vision, leaving only a few blanks. Even though Sestine's answer made her angry and disappointed, she didn't want to be hostile to one of her closest people. Even if she really had to persuade him with a sword, she would never take such a deadly sword path.

Every time she swung the sword in her hand, it went straight to the vital point.

Swing at the head, hoping to smash it to pieces; swing at the neck, hoping to cut the blood; swing at the chest, hoping to cut out the heart; swing at the waist, hoping to pierce the intestines...

Every strike she made was aimed at taking someone's life, and every strike was made with all her strength. Compared to any enemy she had fought before, Lunisia was now more dangerous than ever before.

Compared to before, now Lunicia's sword not only still inherited the "momentum" of opening and closing, but also added a bit of sinister meaning at the level of "skill". Even masters of the same level as Lunicia would become embarrassed and unable to resist in front of this terrifying start.

"that's it?"

There was no trace of urgency or solemnity on Setin's face.

Rather, there was only indifference, disappointment and even mockery on her face.

Until now, she had not even pulled the entire blade out of the scabbard. She had only pulled it out a little bit, moving the scabbard along with it, and was able to block all of Lunicia's ferocious slashes that seemed like a violent storm, penetrating every hole and difficult to stop.

Lunicia's eyes had completely lost their clarity and softness. The warm brown color was almost completely replaced by dazzling orange. She swung the sword faster and faster. Not only was her strength always at the maximum, but it was even climbing higher and higher with each strike. Until finally, she turned into a spin, and with all her strength and speed, she delivered an unavoidable spinning strike towards Cestin.

when--!

The two swords collided with a sound like a morning bell, melodious and distant.

At this moment, Sestin's black giant sword was finally completely separated from the holster, and the holster made of exotic leather was torn into pieces in the surging sharp breath, decomposed into powder, and floated in the air.

Twisted and arrogant, weird and deep, sharp and disordered, disordered thorns grow everywhere, dragon claws show off their might, alien tentacles spread and erode, they turn into shapes, intertwined together, and finally become the image of a black giant sword. Just by looking at the black blade, one can smell the smell of corpses and blood, and see the colors of broken arms and limbs. Those with fragile minds collapse immediately, and those with greed go crazy in an instant. Only the small orange inscription is left in their eyes, as if it was carved with a knife and an axe, stroke by stroke.