About the time I was picked up and adopted by Tallulah

The larger tentacles roared towards the two with a force that could shatter concrete walls, but were simply cut off by Lappland's swords.

The cooperation between the two wolves could no longer be described as "tacit understanding". Like an unstoppable storm of sharp blades, they tore a path through the "twisted corridor" that seemed impossible to break through at first glance.

And the one who was moving forward on this passage was Orson, holding the blazing white knight sword and amplifying his physical functions.

“####!!!”

The gathering of tentacles seemed to have some intelligence. It clearly felt that the young man behind the two wolves was the ultimate killer. It desperately tried to wave its tentacles at Orson, trying to block him from the passage. However, its attacks would be easily resolved by the two Lupers in front of Orson no matter what.

“###! #######!!!”

"Sorry, I don't understand what you're saying. I seem to be able to translate your ancient myths, but now I have no time to kill you~"

Lappland said lightly while cutting off another tentacle.

At this time, there was no barrier between the three people and the source of the distortion. The thing seemed to realize this and began to tighten its tentacles, trying to create a thick defensive barrier.

But before that, Orson took a light step, accelerated, and sprinted—

Chimera, holding the Knight Sword, had no obstacles in front of him. All he had to do was rush to the monster and plunge the Knight Sword into its body.

Puff—the sound of flesh being pierced.

Hiss, hiss, hiss—the sound of flesh being scorched by the temperature that could melt steel.

Click—the sound of the 'bullet' loaded into the knight's sword being activated by the firing pin.

The 'concentrated thermite' loaded inside the knight's sword was released instantly, and a chain reaction immediately occurred after it came into contact with the excessively burning temperature of the sword body.

boom! ! ! !

There was a loud bang and a heat shock wave that could blow rocks away. The "parasitic host" entrenched in the mansion exploded directly. Just like that, four-fifths of its body, including the wall behind it, dissolved and disappeared. The wound on the broken surface quickly emitted an unpleasant burnt smell due to burning.

click

The empty "special bullet" ejected from the Knight's sword's chamber. Orson caught the shell and stuffed it back into his pocket. He then removed the sealed capsule from his waist and, as usual, collected the fragments of the monster.

--------

"Haha... I guess we won't be able to get any useful information from these fragments this time."

After the fight was over, the blazing mansion was temporarily left in the mountains. After all, the flames could be used for disinfection, but someone needed to be sent to control the spread of the fire.

"But then again, you guys really are—"

"You've worked hard, Ms. Texas! Miss Laplander!"

"Whoa!"

Orson was startled when he was halfway through his words. As soon as he and Texas Lapland left the forest, they were immediately surrounded by a group of men in black.

However, these men in black did not come to buy melons or cause trouble, but all of them bowed to the two Texas Lapplanders. The scene was very neat and orderly.

"You've all worked hard. Go and deal with the fire in the mansion. Don't let it spread to the forest. The cordon can evacuate 6% of you. Move on."

Unlike the startled Orson, Texas seemed to have become accustomed to this scene of "the return of the God of War, and a hundred thousand soldiers responding to his call". She skillfully directed the men in black to act accordingly, while Lappland next to her had her hands in her pockets and was humming a tune softly, with an expression of "I've seen it all before".

——What’s going on? This atmosphere seems like I’m the only one who’s failing…

Orson, who was hiding behind the two men, wiped his sweat. They were obviously 'boss'-level figures with subordinates, so why did they falter when it came to him?

Although Orson is nominally one of the highest leaders of the Reunion Movement, and he also enjoys decision-making power second only to Amiya and Kal'tsit in Rhodes Island, there is no aura of a "leader" in Orson himself. Instead, he looks more like an approachable elite operator... No, he looks more like a mascot that an elite operator brought back from a duty trip.

He is indeed not good at commanding, but due to various reasons, he has to shoulder his mission as a 'leader'.

Orson finally managed to look a bit like a "boss" in Rhodes Island and the Reunion Movement, but after he came out, his aura was gone again.

"Ha, you'll get used to it slowly, Orson. Don't look at Texas's face now, but when he was first elected as the 'Godfather', he was also shocked - Uuuuuu!?"

"Lappland—!"

Lappland, who was talking about Texas' dark history casually, was hit in the face by the Originium sword again, and the two dogs fought each other as if they were following the routine.

Fighting in front of his subordinates, wouldn't this affect the leader's authority?

Worried in his heart, Orson looked at the "gang members" in suits around him, and the result was—

"It seems that Ms. Texas and Ms. Laplander have a good relationship."

"Yes, yes~"

"After a day of work, being able to see two beautiful girls chatting with each other is a better reward than overtime pay!"

The gang members who had previously had serious expressions now all showed happy and relaxed expressions, with smiles on their faces as they watched the two "leaders" fighting over there.

"..."

Orson wiped the sweat off his forehead. No matter what, at least the internal organizational atmosphere in Texas was... pretty good.

After the two dogs finished their fight, everyone came to a huge and luxurious mansion in the center of Syracuse city. Judging from the calm expressions of Texas and Lapland, this building should have belonged to them for some time.

"Anyway—can you tell me what's been going on lately?"

Sitting on a sofa that was so luxurious that it made him uncomfortable, Orson checked the preservation status of the sea monster fragments while asking the two dogs.

After receiving the message from Syracuse, Orson rushed over as soon as possible, and was greeted by the local gangsters.

At first, Orson thought he owed money and was about to run away when he saw Texas and Lappland, who were dressed in suits and surrounded by people.

"To put it simply, Lappland and I returned to Syracuse with the intention of dealing with the remnants of the Sicilian Gang. However, our former enemies came looking for us, so we had no choice but to face them. And then we became the new Godfathers of the Mafia."

Texas took out a box of long objects from his pocket, but they were not pocky, but real cigarettes. He put them in his mouth and said.

"That's too simple... Besides, holding a Pocky in your mouth actually suits you better, Texas."

Orson complained with a wry smile, and at the same time advised Texas not to smoke.

"Hmm...pocky is hard to buy here."

Texas's cheeks, which hadn't changed at all since a moment ago, briefly blushed. She hesitated for a moment, put the cigarette back, and whispered.

"Although Texas and I told those people at the beginning that we didn't intend to take over this mess, we changed our minds later."

Lappland added beside him.

"Changed your mind? Indeed, Texas, you went to Longmen to leave the gang life, why did you choose to come back now? If there is anything you need help with, just tell me and I will see to it."

Orson asked with some concern. He was afraid that Texas and Lappland would be involved in some conspiracy and turmoil again.

"……nothing."

But unlike what Orson thought, Texas did not show a distressed expression, but instead turned his head to the side.

"Haha, Texas and I actually want to take over the gang so that we can mobilize more resources to help you - Puwuwuwululu..."

"Lappland!!"

The previous scene in the forest was reproduced. Lappland was ganked by Texas while talking with a wicked smile, but this time Texas' cheeks turned completely red.

"You inherited the gang to help me—thank you."

After hearing the reasons why the two dogs took over the Syracuse gang, Orson rubbed his hair a little embarrassedly and said.

"Nothing, just listen to half of what Lappland says. I... I have my own considerations—"

"This guy didn't really think too much about it. He just thought that having more people around would help you with more things, so to speak..."

Orson smiled as he watched Texas and Lapland getting along. These two girls, whose lives had been changed by gangs, had now shed the shadows of their past.

When people are busy to a certain extent, they may sometimes suddenly forget why they have been moving forward. For example, Kal'tsit. The old lynx in the past even forgot his original intention for a time, and just kept moving forward relying on guilt and responsibility.

This is unhealthy and unsustainable.

But Orson is different. Just like the scene he sees at this moment, he knows very well that everything he has done in the past and every step he has taken have indeed changed something, and those changes will be presented before his eyes just like this.

"So—what's going on with the sea monster and the 'Wrath of God'?"

After all the trouble, Texas returned to her usual capable and silent self, and she asked Orson calmly.

"Actually..."

Orson told the two of them the intelligence he had gathered and sorted out during this period, as well as his next goal.

"--Although it's hard to believe, you, Orson, the former leader of the Sicilian Gang, may have really seen something."

After hearing the whole story, Texas was silent for a while, then spoke.

"The Syracuse mafia will unconditionally support any action you take. This is my proposal as [Ms. Texas]."

"And me, the White Wolf Executioner~"

Lappland waved.

"Thank you so much..."

"However, there is still a 'reward' that we intend to ask you for."

Texas interrupted Orson, and the wolf's eyes suddenly became sharp.

Not only that, Lappland on the side also slightly bent his body as if he had received a secret signal.

What really made Orson feel uneasy was that the two servants in the living room suddenly left the room, not even forgetting to close the door.

"Uh...Texas, Lapland?"

Orson looked at the two dogs that had entered hunting mode and wiped the sweat off his forehead.

"Although... I heard from Dr. Kel'tsit that it's difficult for your race, Orson, to successfully give birth to offspring..."

Texas took off his suit and ripped off his tie.

"But in other words—this way, there's no need to make any preparations in advance, right?"

The smile on Lappland's lips became more and more frightening, and her breathing became faster and faster.

"Wait, wait a minute... Are you sure you want to do this? This isn't a very suitable place...!"

Orson frantically tried to stop the two dogs.

Unfortunately, it was too late.

————After a while————

"click"

"Texas... is that Mr. Orson?"

The guard at the door was stunned when he saw Orson coming out of the room.

"Ah, it's me. Where is the bathroom, please? And—don't disturb those two leaders for now. Let them rest for a while."

Orson buttoned his shirt while chatting calmly with the guard.

"Rest? Two of you? Wait... No, that... The bathroom is in the third room, but how did you—"

"Don't underestimate humans."

Orson responded indifferently and then left behind his back.

It looks so majestic, it makes people... feel awe.

03. Ursus Wasteland (Part )

In the north, on a wasteland a little far away from the mobile city-state of Chernobyl, the engine of a modified large-displacement armored off-road vehicle is roaring. The vehicle itself is like a sharp blade, constantly tearing a road in the wasteland that will never be walked by another person.

The destination of the armored vehicle is the most remote place in the northern part of Ursus. Normally, if you start from Chernobyl, it is a cheap and safe option to go to the neighboring city-state and take a transport ship that runs once a day from the other port.

But it is obvious that the current situation is not suitable for the "passengers" in the off-road vehicle. The expressions on these people's faces do not look as comfortable as if they were going out for an outing.

Of course, the most obvious one is the "Spear of the Infected" - the Patriot Bozhukas, who is sitting in the passenger seat with the horns on his head poking into the roof of the car.

The patriot, who existed only in "stories" for most people, was now sitting in the passenger seat. No one knew the expression behind his silver deer-head mask. The only thing everyone could understand was that this solemn old man must be thinking about something chilling.

After a brief silence, a scarlet glow appeared in the Patriot's eyes, and his Adam's apple trembled slightly. He turned his face and uttered a low voice that seemed to represent the suffering and coldness of Ursus.

"How are you getting along with Yelena lately, Orson? Did Lord Kel'tsit give you any folk remedies to treat your physical condition?"

“Puh, cough, cough, cough!!? Don’t bring up such a topic at a time like this, Patriot-senpai!?”

Orson, who was sitting in the driver's seat with the steering wheel in his hands, almost made a sharp turn and drove the armored vehicle into the ditch.

The heart-wrenching silence in the armored vehicle was broken by the Patriot using a topic that was completely different from the impression he gave people.

"Now is not the time for a pre-war mobilization speech. Even I occasionally ask about some family matters."

Instead of admitting their mistakes, the patriots vowed that their actions were justified.