Arknights : Final Rebirth - Gladius Belii

Chapter 45 - 1088, Lungmen and making friends?

"Mono/Dialogue"

'Inner thoughts'

Narration

[Message/communication apparatus]

Date: February 1088

Location: Lungmen, Autonomous Region of Great Yan.

POV: Narrator

"Ah, inequality and generally bad living conditions, how very lovely. Last time I was here I did not get much of a chance to look around," Nyx said to no one in particular when she approached the less-than-viable entrance into the city. For one, it is located in one of the less affluent and forgotten parts of the mobile city. She is approaching the checkpoint, manned by soldiers, or perhaps security units, who clearly wants nothing more than to be stationed elsewhere.

"Halt! Identify your... s-self..." An officer halts her bike, but his voice gone quiet and Nyx can see through his helmet how deathly pale he is. She snicker inwardly a little from his reaction, she doesn't hide her face because letting the slum dwellers know who enters their turf would make things sooo much easier.

"My face wasn't enough?" She deliberately adopts a cold attitude, and the officer quickly replies.

"U-Um... Pardon me Lady Grey Serpent... I was informed by HQ that you will take the Western checkpoint... why are you here?"

"I would have taken said checkpoint if not for the sudden change of venue. You weren't told?"

"U-um... I'm just an ordinary security officer ma'am and..."

"So can I enter yet?"

"I-I, Ahem! ... I have to check your identity, and belonging before I also need to confirm with HQ fo-"

"That's enough, PC (Police Constable). I'll take it from here." An officer from what appears to be a Sergeant approaches them.

"Y-yes sir!"

"Apologies for the wait Lady Grey Serpent. I had just received the update from HQ and you're free to enter only after showing the delivery number and task documentation."

"Sure..." Nyx hands the Sergeant with those prerequisites, and the Sergeant takes his PT out and starts comparing its eligibility. The Grey Serpent doesn't pay any more attention to what is in front of her... she is more interested in a squad of shadowy operatives that are encircling her. She is not at the slightest inconvenienced, if anything she finds morbid delight in being taken so seriously.

'Wei Yenwu is still very wary of me, I thought giving his niece, Ch'en, those swords without much of a fuss and teaching her knick-knacks about tactics made it easier for me to associate with him. That or it is just how he regards me... well, he can play his game of chess all he wants, but if he wants me on it, then he must pay.'

"All is in order... normally I would say welcome to Lungmen... but this is not exactly the most presentable facet of the Mobile City."

"How truly honest..." She starts up the engine and rides past the checkpoint. The shadowy group is keeping up with her, she can even see their silhouette jumping all around the buildings. Paying them not too much attention, she takes note of her surroundings.

This place is frankly a slum. The buildings are all old and have numerous cracks and clear signs of makeshift repairs. She also spots homeless and sick people by the alleyway or walking around looking for something. Infected or not, these people are the byproduct of a city that grows too quickly, attracting too much potential for betterment, and being generally seen as an oasis... that is conveniently inhabited by snakes.