Arknights : Final Rebirth - Gladius Belii

[E] Chapter 26.5 - Nelka's Overture

"Mono/Dialogue"

'Inner thoughts'

Narration

[Message/communication apparatus]

Date: 28th May 1082

Location: Section 7's High-Class Residential Area, Kawalerielki, Kazimierz

POV: Narrator

"Are you serious about this? Won't you attract even more attention this way?"

"Too late really."

A Pythian lady sighed wearily but her face can be described as resigned amusement. The Kuranta lady across her sported a conflicted expression instead, her proposition will surely be beneficial. It will only cost her more on a personal level, just how far can her obsession go really?

"I realized it far, far too late... Rather than hide it away and just get busted anyway, might as well just go and capitalize on it."

"Truly you aren't that brazen, something of this scale would require... wait... don't tell me!?"

"Yeah, I already made my arrangement..."

The situation had grown cold. This is the first time she actively defy a contract without a substantial level of warning or signs.

"... You promised us not to get involved, was it not?" The Kuranta's gaze turned into a questioning glare.

"I will not get involved from the get-go, I'll act as a contingency."

"...What are you implying? Or... are you finally have enough of being everyone else call girl?" The Kuranta playfully mocked her speaking partner, it was a serious breach of contract if she proceeded... deep down she was thrilled, however.

"Call girl? Do you think you can afford me? Heh, I had enough of being a convenient bitch to satisfy someone's needs. I had been introspecting about the future a lot too, besides... I'll rethink again about being a freelancing merc."

"Tell me why I should concede with this... bombastic improvisation of yours?"

The Pythian pulled a cigarette and... she hummed a lovely rhyme for a brief moment... then said the cigarette is now lit, but there is no trace of heat being felt. To say that her counterpart is shocked would be an understatement...

Not long after, blood trickled down from her left eye, but instead of pain... there is nothing but focus and indifference for anything unrelated.

"I don't care about your little game of chess, I'm just giving you a head's up... besides, you can have a say in this too... won't your lovely stallion love this proposition of mine?"

"..."

"So?"

"... Hah...Fine, but I must stress a point that you are under our supervision. I will veto any movement without our interest in mind regarding the upcoming situation, then you mu-"

"Deal and I'll throw a favor to sweeten up our contract rearrangement."

"Haaah... Can you stop cutting me off?"

"No. Do you want a dog? I'll even be your pet for now. I just want in..."

"I'll speak personally... your obsession is clouding you."

"I know, but I have my reasons. Nonsensical those might be, still quite reasonable in my book."

"You're foolish..." She just shakes her head with exasperation and amusement...