"Mono/Dialogue"
'Inner thoughts'
Narration
[Message/communication apparatus]
Date: Data not found
Location: Data not found
POV: Narrator
First thing first, let us talk about the nature of catastrophe itself. Catastrophe range from flood all the way into meteor shower. Research about why catastrophe actually form is still ongoing to this day, along with the way of mitigating or avoiding it.
Catastrophe messengers are one such way of mitigation. Their jobs are predicting, evacuating, and conducting research and survey of potential catastrophe. This line of job is dangerous, both literally and figuratively.
Failure of doing their task would usually end up with a very severe punishment, usually death. But when they succeed, there is little to no thanks that were uttered. Being one is truly a harsh occupation.
The more viable solution to avoid catastrophes are through the construction of nomadic settlement capable of migrating continuously. Either in a self-sufficient single settlement manner or forming a migration of several cities with different speciality.
Nomadic City or commonly referred as Mobile City is truly a showcase for technological prowess and a marvel of civilization. Mobile city was a necessary invention due to how catastrophe behaved and occured all over Terra.
Baring several special locations like Kjerag, sedentary settlements are always at risk of being wiped off the map with practically no way of protecting itself. Thus people usually tried to migrate into mobile city. There are restrictions in place of course, either by design or inevitability.
Not only did it managed to bypass or at least minimize the effect of square cube law, it changed how border between nations behave, how nations project their power, and how their citizenry lives.
Mobile City inhabitants are more affluent than the sedentary settlement inhabitants. Mobile city works as a hub for the most part as well as how each nations on Terra keep each other in check.
The destruction of mobile cities due to war has always been a hot debate, like the once was Gaulish Empire capital of Ligones was reduced into ashes during climactic phase of the "Battle of Four Emperor."
The war was fought by the alliance of Kingdom (Now Empire) of Victoria, Kingdom of Leithanien, and Empire of Ursus against the Empire of Gaul. One against three... Emperor Corsica I made fatal mistake on a strategic level... then again, his nation was fuelled by expansion... he doesn't have much of a choice, some would say.
The destruction was seen as a total waste, especially when Victoria had instead seized and gained Calais-Blason mobile city as part of their nation. Destruction of Lingones was a wasteful move according to the majority of people.
Then we have quite an interesting case of mobile city of Kazimierz, especially regarding its capital of Kawalerielki which can integrate with 3 other mobile cities. This collection of cities are called the Kawalerielki Alliance.
This integration happened every 3 years, in accordance with the Kazimierz Major that is also held every 3 years.
Now we are back to our Pythian lady, the very one who for the first time finally laid her eyes upon mobile cities...
Date: September 1077
Location: Somewhere in Central Kazimierz.
POV: Nyx
I had been spending at least weeks, that turns to months, looking for this Capital of Kazimierz. I don't have a precise info on where the mobile city is at the moment. What information I have on hand only pointed out its usual route of migration.
That is until I realized that you can actually find it easier with the personal mobile terminal... something that made me feel like an utter moron of forgetting about. Cut me some slack, I had been too focused on chasing bounties along the expected route...
I must confess that my action had been rather sporadic and scatterbrained. Dad was right, my arts had really messed up this brain of mine decision making.
Meh, I don't have to worry too much. I did a good job on community service obligation and that is all that matter...
...
...
...
Ok, I need to put a damper on my blood thirst else it would actually turned into mental illness.
Maybe it would be a good idea if I ju- wait... is that a smoke billow?
'It would leave a bad taste in my mouth if just ignore it without investigating. Also, I need to recover the cost of ammunition used by my P226 lookalike. Would you believe me that a 20-rounds mag of this thing cost 1400 LMD? What kind of insane monopoly rights does Laterano has!?'
It is not that I'm struggling with money, pretty much the opposite in fact. But it can't be understated how badly a PMC logistics corps would get run-ragged fulfilling the needs of multiple squads. Hopefully the cost of munitions being ridiculously expensive was due to tariffs and such pertaining trade rights.
Who am I kidding, there are definitely supplier who had deliberately inflated the price...
Then the guns themselves have another problem...
'Ugh... the guns in this world act like over-engineered magical wand. You would need arts to trigger it else these guns would work poorly. The range of this thing is also laughable, only 100 meters at maximum before the round disintegrated... sniper rifles and the like still retained a respectable range of 400 meters... still bad... the average crossbow and bows are 200 meters. My great bow is an exception and there are others who also exceeded it.'
Finishing my personal venting of frustration, thus I had gone on another killing spree of bandits and outlaws to the point that I had been chasing them towards the exact opposite of my destination.
This time they immediately ran away without putting any sort of fight. To the point of throwing, literally, their former comrades to slow me down... I feel kind of hurt, why would they run away from a beautiful and kind pythian lady like me? Isn't that what bandits likes to target?
Am I really that terrifying? As much as I'm concerned, I'm not that different with other mercenary. It is just that my efficiency was too high for them to cope against...
On an unrelated note, I still have several explosive devices and spicy smoke grenades. This should come in handy...
...
...
...
I only recalled my true objective after annihilating another 4... Uh 8? Whatever, the point is, I had destroyed several other hideouts of lawbreaker scums... that's... 4 weeks gone...
...
...
...
Oops?
Date: October 1077
Location: Kawalerielki, Kazimierz.
POV: Nyx
Now I'm back on tracking it, of all the things that can give me significant problem... is to actually reach a settlement... am I that bad or did I suffered from some sort of crippling overspecialization towards anything other than hunting people or beast?
The damn thing was really on the constant move when I look at on my personal terminal interface. I overheard back there that some mobile city actually stopped for a while, but Kazimierz' mobile city doesn't work that way I suppose... shouldn't have used rumor as a point for reference...
Several days later...
At long last, I finally found it. Much to my absolute shock and disbelief... this is what people called mobile city!?
"I had severely underestimated the size or its actual appearance..." That's the only thing I can say when I finally laid my eyes upon this insane engineering miracle. How the hell can this thing even move without causing everything inside it to be shaken violently?
"Well... that is enough for gawking at this incomprehensible piece of engineering, I have the temporary documents to from the Kiril. Better get registered somewhere sooner..." I said while swallowing my exasperation.
The ID I'm looking for will be the residential type, which works more like visa compared to citizenry which work like actual Nationality ID.... Weird isn't it? Guess I'm kind of right with my understanding of this nation being reminiscent of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth for mirroring collection of nobles or something along that line... golden rights, obligations, or something, I forgot...
With that I revved my bike in full throttle, heading towards what looks like an entrance / border checkpoint. This entire mobile city is probably the most shocking thing I had ever seen aside of catastrophe.
When I keep hearing about mobile city I thought it would be something along the line of several mobile installations migrating together, based on the place I had woken up on, that doesn't sound too much of a stretch...
I never expected the entire city being able to move the way travelling van does...
Getting closer I can see that the mobile city wall is at least hundreds of meters high... how much tonnage is that? I shudder to think about if this thing traversed on land with a much more fragile texture of sedimentation...
Not long after I arrived at a checkpoint, which are manned by security units and... security knights? Huh? You know what, screw this. Let me just get inside then find a nice place to stay while figuring out what to do.
Moving up the ramp, I was greeted by a civil servant who looks more like an office worker than border security. Maybe this place also have those stock exchange trades or something...
"Welcome to Kawalerielki, how may I be of assistance Ma'am?"
"Immigration."
"Do you have the necessary documents?"
"Here you go."
"Please wait a moment."
I waited on my bike for a while. I can see from the corner of my eyes that the security personnel are looking at me warily. Well, that much is warranted when I have a giant, folded, bow strapped on my back along with a Pistol on my belt. Not to mention several hidden knives I had placed along my limbs and even under my jacket sleeve.
My mercenary reputation might also played a factor on it. Make sense I guess, since news will always carry itself regardless of which method. Speaking of method, I wonder if there is an information hub in the city.
This musing of mine was finally broken, when the civil servant had finalize my entry permit. I can sense he is hella nervous now. I guess those documents gave enough general information to what kind of person I'm. Well, I did requested Kiril to make it fits my mercenary work and merits as an independent contractor.
"Thank you for your patience Lady Nyx, Welcome to Kawalerielki."
"Sure."
I offhandedly answered then headed inside the now open gate which paved way for a tunnel beneath the wall. Restarting my bike, I headed inside. Surely, what's inside wouldn't surprise me all that much...
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'Me and my fucking mouth' I just exasperatedly curse within my mind. I thought I would see houses or buildings with reasonable size due to its nature as mobile city... not a whole collection of skyscrapers!
'Is this real? Like real, real!? Am I tripping and losing it finally!?' I just ignore my growing headache and continue my own journey. Looking closely this place finally resembled the 21st century architecture and vibes I'm quite acquainted with.
The sidewalks are filled with pedestrians from numerous races... but I don't see any infected... Hopefully it is because of clothing and the fact that infected themselves don't really like showing their infection.
'Who am I fooling here again? I know exactly why infected can't be seen around here...' I just accept reality of this situation, the infected are most likely pushed somewhere hidden... typical move to help preserve the scenery...
Capital of a nation always tried to make themselves presentable. It was meant to showcase national power and its economic stability. It is quite an enviable privilege afforded to its inhabitants... but there will always be an ugly underside for it regardless of how advanced you're. As one of my old buddy from another life had said.
"Your Utopia is someone else Dystopia and vice versa..."
The underworld of this city, or whatever was hidden beneath, should be on a rather substantial scale. There is always money to be made, if you disregarded how to make said money. If there are indeed a rather invasive underbelly... guess I can still make money.
Might not even have to after analyzing the local necessities expenditure.
"I'm famished, well... getting something to eat first might be good." Then I decided to head to what looks like the downtown area. I look for a parking lot and found one, my bow would surely attract attention but I can't just leave it here too.
Mentally sighing with my predicament, I just head out of the parking lot. I don't bring my crystal for the simple fact of I don't have it anymore. The Silverlance was quite surprised when I offered them those crystals. Something along the line of it is being an extremely efficient arts conductor or something.
Now I'm walking along the alleyway, and I can feel eyes on me. But they're not focusing on my getup or weapons... they are looking at my face. I can start to sense some lust around here too, it is quite challenging to keep a blank face when there are people who are ogling me like that.
Moving a touch faster, I found a particularly interesting street food vendor, I never ate polish street food throughout my multitude of lives. The vendor noticed me and I can sense his split second fascination before putting on his business smile.
"Hello there young lady, would you care for some Zapiekanka?"
"Sure, how much?"
"8 Heller a piece."
"Do you accept foreign currency here?"
"Yes, the street vendors here has ties with Kazimierz bank. You know, when the Major was being held we had surge of tourist influx."
"I see, I only have LMD on hand."
"That is alright too, but let me check the rates for now... it is 1 LMD for 4 Heller."
"Ok then, I'll buy 5."
I said after using my terminal to process the payment. It quite convenient for it to double as credit card. The vendor wrap 5 zapiekanka with practiced motion and then handed it to me. I might have bought a bit too much but thankfully the food isn't that big... just long.
"By the way young lady, are you a mercenary?"
"Yes, why?" I said while starts nibbling one of the zapienka, it looks like a baguette with cheese and sausage for its filling. It taste really good, especially the cheese.
"It is quite unusual to see a mercenary as beautiful as you during off-season."
"Off-season?"
"Yep, the triennial Kazimierz major would be held in 2 years, the time where foreigners come to bet, enjoy the match, and even participate themselves."
"That so? Well, I have been doing jobs her and there and think to myself I needed time to rest."
"I see, I see... oh by the way, how was it?"
"Very good. This is the first time I tasted this actually."
"Aha! This food is probably the best Kazimierz' street culinary has to offer lass! It also warms my heart seeing you like it from the get go."
"Well, I won't mince words when it comes to food after all. Also, What is this thing, dumpling?"
"Oh, that's called pierogi. 1 Heller a piece."
"Hmm... I take 40, please."
"Much obliged lassie!"
After some more idle conversation, I left the vendor and decide to linger a bit longer. It felt different to just stroll aimlessly like this but it does felt quite enjoyable.
Back in Wladirosa I always have things to occupy a majority of my attention and focus, be it for wild beast while accompanying kids playing around the meadow. Helping the locals with harvest while keeping guards up against predator and pest. Fixing a local dam with the villagers... exterminating undesirable... and several other things.
Here I just... do nothing other than finally using my money for relaxation and not purchasing explosives every week. I'm starting to get used with the staring now, even from several presence who definitely stalked from the shadow... Kiril had informed me that Kazimierz had a relatively recluse shadow ops called Armorless Union or Knights Assassins.
They are so – so however... the fact that they're still detected despite their best effort to hide, I still can pin-point them just as easy. Well, the one around me are most likely a bunch of grunts, not their actual trump cards.
Oh well, might as well just troll them. Waste their time and just sit back enjoying the show... heh... I wonder if this is going to piss them off. It might be a good idea to just cause them to tense needlessly. Just a little mischief, I promise...
POV: Lazurite Marco
'Just what in hell is she doing?' I had been called back from being a bodyguard to one of K.G.C.C chairman, can't say I like it. So, the moment I was called back because a person of interest was spotted in the capital, I dipped out. Never liked those businessmen, they're even more unlikable than the damn obstinate nobles.
But work is work, I came here for that and had been enjoying a healthy salary and benefits. Of course I had also fought in the war, but back then I was mostly sent for maintaining counter-espionage. So can't really say I have that much of a real combat experience there.
But then... Nyx had entered the picture.
Nyx must had some short of dealing with the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi, her tenure of saving minors had reached our ears after all. Some of the chairman mocked her fruitless endeavor, there are already people who tried to profit from her... then she started causing extreme scandals and forcing embezzlement into the surface.
The chairmen are naturally shocked, they had only seen her as an absurdly sharp knife without a handle. Her showcase of cunning and willingness to play dirty when pushed just turned her image from a knife into a volatile explosive. A chairman that has a hand in slave trade had been removed from the board by their own rival...
Thusly Nyx reception had been a mixed-bag. On one hand, she always did extermination job really nicely. Her kill counts should be in the fourth digit now, the confirmed tally that is. She's also very strict with herself in completing a job. As long as you paid her well, she is controllable. On the other hand, she has no one to leash her. Her actions had become quite sporadic as of late.
Tales of her getting extremely merciless and rumors of her bipolarity on combat mission had also sprung up... These are enough to warrant Darksteel of dispatching someone specialized against single target... either me or Platinum.
Darksteel is always ready to snipe her when things got dicey... how high was the probability of one hit kill? My occupational stance is "I believe in Darksteel skill." About that colleague of mine...
Platinum had been sent to assassinate several undesirable as of late, so it falls down to me of monitoring her. I actually expected her to starts snooping around and just turn the, whatever is left, of this city underworld upside down... only to find her nibbling zapiekanka in a cute manner.
She doesn't do anything in particular other than walking aimlessly like an airhead. It was quite jarring of seeing the difference of her stone-cold mercenary face that I had saw back in the mercenary HQ and this bumbling beauty who, if we disregarded her weaponry and attire, looks so innocent even with the trademark blank face...
'Did I drunk something before coming here?' I mused to myself. Honestly, this is better than guarding those greedy fucks. Just watching a beauty who sat on a bench in a park... I sound like a stalker... oh well...
Narrator: Unknown to Nyx, her gambit of pissing them off had failed and they instead enjoyed the relaxing chance of easy mission. Several Armorless Union agents who had skills and the experiences in painting even starts immortalizing her sitting on a bench in this park.
Needless to say they're grateful of being called of monitoring her and not another life and death battle. Not all armorless union were stone-cold killer and psychos, some of them are just ordinary lad and lass who wanted to pay electricity bill...
POV: Nyx
'Huh... they're quite patient. A bit dissatisfied but alright.' I stood up and starts stretching, not that I need to, just want to flex a bit. I'm starting to enjoy the attention too... no, no, no. That's bad thing to become a habit. I already have sadistic tendency, don't have room left for narcissism...
"Alrighty then. Next stop, the immigration office..."
I asked several pedestrians about which way is the immigration office. They are quite amicable, and even enthusiastic seeing my weaponry. The younger folks were thrilled when I told them I'm a mercenary.
It is... weird. My old lives recollection of mercenary was that they're viewed with suspicion... just what on terra is wrong with these people.
Some of them even asked if I'm a knight... It hasn't been that long since the 10th Kazimierz – Ursus war, I learned the official name from Mercenary HQ, ended and they are already so upbeat...
Several more minutes of asking for direction...
'This place is quite empty...' that's the first impression of this office building. The interior is plain but fitting, giving me some ease. After enough looking at the interior I strode towards the immigration officer.
"How may I be of assistance, ma'am?"
"I want to register for an identification."
"Residency or citizenry?"
"Residency."
"Understood, please head towards the second floor and find room TI-3"
"Thank you."
"You're most welcomed."
With that I headed towards the assigned place. The hallway is very clean, I'm once again reminded that it is 21st century-ish world. Not that I meant the village were filthy no, it is just weird how everything can blend nicely without end up being jarring on my perceptions.
The questioning was pretty lenient and when I asked why, it was because Kawalerielki always had an influx of aspiring Competition Knights and tourist. Thus the identification for residency has been rather lenient.
Citizenry ID was a permanent one and if you move to other city it would be quite hard to rectify, thus residency ID system was implemented with a maximum 5 years of validity that can be extended.
With that I'm ready to explore this city and try to live here for a while... I had been fighting for years... it might be a good idea to take it easy for a while. Hopefully my inner sadistic streak and tendency can be quelled or controlled.
I must confess that looking back, I had been doing a lot of unnecessary level of carnage. Just to satiate an itch of bloodlust glee.
"Guess I'll pay the Nearls a visit in the future..."
Not by the front doors mind you. That would be insanely stupid to just come unannounced and pretty much casually when I can feel eyes on me. No, I'll be heading out again after several days then use a special method to get inside.
The Nearl family should have their own passage to get in and out without much scrutiny, but I won't be using that since that is quite rude. Even though when Kiril said that I can do so, I won't unless emergency calls for it.
The things you must do to even dropped by at your acquaintance home... god, this is tiring...
[END OF CHAPTER]
Author Note:
Hello this is me, myself, and I, the author.
I'm still deliberating to either go to Columbia first or Victoria first, or even Bolivar... Sargon would be somewhere in the future.
Good news! We will be meeting several actual in-game operators soon enough.
Update as usual i.e when I remember to.
Ciao.
"Mono/Dialogue"
'Inner thoughts'
Narration
[Message/communication apparatus]
Date: Data not found
Location: Data not found
POV: Narrator
First thing first, let us talk about the nature of catastrophe itself. Catastrophe range from flood all the way into meteor shower. Research about why catastrophe actually form is still ongoing to this day, along with the way of mitigating or avoiding it.
Catastrophe messengers are one such way of mitigation. Their jobs are predicting, evacuating, and conducting research and survey of potential catastrophe. This line of job is dangerous, both literally and figuratively.
Failure of doing their task would usually end up with a very severe punishment, usually death. But when they succeed, there is little to no thanks that were uttered. Being one is truly a harsh occupation.
The more viable solution to avoid catastrophes are through the construction of nomadic settlement capable of migrating continuously. Either in a self-sufficient single settlement manner or forming a migration of several cities with different speciality.
Nomadic City or commonly referred as Mobile City is truly a showcase for technological prowess and a marvel of civilization. Mobile city was a necessary invention due to how catastrophe behaved and occured all over Terra.
Baring several special locations like Kjerag, sedentary settlements are always at risk of being wiped off the map with practically no way of protecting itself. Thus people usually tried to migrate into mobile city. There are restrictions in place of course, either by design or inevitability.
Not only did it managed to bypass or at least minimize the effect of square cube law, it changed how border between nations behave, how nations project their power, and how their citizenry lives.
Mobile City inhabitants are more affluent than the sedentary settlement inhabitants. Mobile city works as a hub for the most part as well as how each nations on Terra keep each other in check.
The destruction of mobile cities due to war has always been a hot debate, like the once was Gaulish Empire capital of Ligones was reduced into ashes during climactic phase of the "Battle of Four Emperor."
The war was fought by the alliance of Kingdom (Now Empire) of Victoria, Kingdom of Leithanien, and Empire of Ursus against the Empire of Gaul. One against three... Emperor Corsica I made fatal mistake on a strategic level... then again, his nation was fuelled by expansion... he doesn't have much of a choice, some would say.
The destruction was seen as a total waste, especially when Victoria had instead seized and gained Calais-Blason mobile city as part of their nation. Destruction of Lingones was a wasteful move according to the majority of people.
Then we have quite an interesting case of mobile city of Kazimierz, especially regarding its capital of Kawalerielki which can integrate with 3 other mobile cities. This collection of cities are called the Kawalerielki Alliance.
This integration happened every 3 years, in accordance with the Kazimierz Major that is also held every 3 years.
Now we are back to our Pythian lady, the very one who for the first time finally laid her eyes upon mobile cities...
Date: September 1077
Location: Somewhere in Central Kazimierz.
POV: Nyx
I had been spending at least weeks, that turns to months, looking for this Capital of Kazimierz. I don't have a precise info on where the mobile city is at the moment. What information I have on hand only pointed out its usual route of migration.
That is until I realized that you can actually find it easier with the personal mobile terminal... something that made me feel like an utter moron of forgetting about. Cut me some slack, I had been too focused on chasing bounties along the expected route...
I must confess that my action had been rather sporadic and scatterbrained. Dad was right, my arts had really messed up this brain of mine decision making.
Meh, I don't have to worry too much. I did a good job on community service obligation and that is all that matter...
...
...
...
Ok, I need to put a damper on my blood thirst else it would actually turned into mental illness.
Maybe it would be a good idea if I ju- wait... is that a smoke billow?
'It would leave a bad taste in my mouth if just ignore it without investigating. Also, I need to recover the cost of ammunition used by my P226 lookalike. Would you believe me that a 20-rounds mag of this thing cost 1400 LMD? What kind of insane monopoly rights does Laterano has!?'
It is not that I'm struggling with money, pretty much the opposite in fact. But it can't be understated how badly a PMC logistics corps would get run-ragged fulfilling the needs of multiple squads. Hopefully the cost of munitions being ridiculously expensive was due to tariffs and such pertaining trade rights.
Who am I kidding, there are definitely supplier who had deliberately inflated the price...
Then the guns themselves have another problem...
'Ugh... the guns in this world act like over-engineered magical wand. You would need arts to trigger it else these guns would work poorly. The range of this thing is also laughable, only 100 meters at maximum before the round disintegrated... sniper rifles and the like still retained a respectable range of 400 meters... still bad... the average crossbow and bows are 200 meters. My great bow is an exception and there are others who also exceeded it.'
Finishing my personal venting of frustration, thus I had gone on another killing spree of bandits and outlaws to the point that I had been chasing them towards the exact opposite of my destination.
This time they immediately ran away without putting any sort of fight. To the point of throwing, literally, their former comrades to slow me down... I feel kind of hurt, why would they run away from a beautiful and kind pythian lady like me? Isn't that what bandits likes to target?
Am I really that terrifying? As much as I'm concerned, I'm not that different with other mercenary. It is just that my efficiency was too high for them to cope against...
On an unrelated note, I still have several explosive devices and spicy smoke grenades. This should come in handy...
...
...
...
I only recalled my true objective after annihilating another 4... Uh 8? Whatever, the point is, I had destroyed several other hideouts of lawbreaker scums... that's... 4 weeks gone...
...
...
...
Oops?
Date: October 1077
Location: Kawalerielki, Kazimierz.
POV: Nyx
Now I'm back on tracking it, of all the things that can give me significant problem... is to actually reach a settlement... am I that bad or did I suffered from some sort of crippling overspecialization towards anything other than hunting people or beast?
The damn thing was really on the constant move when I look at on my personal terminal interface. I overheard back there that some mobile city actually stopped for a while, but Kazimierz' mobile city doesn't work that way I suppose... shouldn't have used rumor as a point for reference...
Several days later...
At long last, I finally found it. Much to my absolute shock and disbelief... this is what people called mobile city!?
"I had severely underestimated the size or its actual appearance..." That's the only thing I can say when I finally laid my eyes upon this insane engineering miracle. How the hell can this thing even move without causing everything inside it to be shaken violently?
"Well... that is enough for gawking at this incomprehensible piece of engineering, I have the temporary documents to from the Kiril. Better get registered somewhere sooner..." I said while swallowing my exasperation.
The ID I'm looking for will be the residential type, which works more like visa compared to citizenry which work like actual Nationality ID.... Weird isn't it? Guess I'm kind of right with my understanding of this nation being reminiscent of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth for mirroring collection of nobles or something along that line... golden rights, obligations, or something, I forgot...
With that I revved my bike in full throttle, heading towards what looks like an entrance / border checkpoint. This entire mobile city is probably the most shocking thing I had ever seen aside of catastrophe.
When I keep hearing about mobile city I thought it would be something along the line of several mobile installations migrating together, based on the place I had woken up on, that doesn't sound too much of a stretch...
I never expected the entire city being able to move the way travelling van does...
Getting closer I can see that the mobile city wall is at least hundreds of meters high... how much tonnage is that? I shudder to think about if this thing traversed on land with a much more fragile texture of sedimentation...
Not long after I arrived at a checkpoint, which are manned by security units and... security knights? Huh? You know what, screw this. Let me just get inside then find a nice place to stay while figuring out what to do.
Moving up the ramp, I was greeted by a civil servant who looks more like an office worker than border security. Maybe this place also have those stock exchange trades or something...
"Welcome to Kawalerielki, how may I be of assistance Ma'am?"
"Immigration."
"Do you have the necessary documents?"
"Here you go."
"Please wait a moment."
I waited on my bike for a while. I can see from the corner of my eyes that the security personnel are looking at me warily. Well, that much is warranted when I have a giant, folded, bow strapped on my back along with a Pistol on my belt. Not to mention several hidden knives I had placed along my limbs and even under my jacket sleeve.
My mercenary reputation might also played a factor on it. Make sense I guess, since news will always carry itself regardless of which method. Speaking of method, I wonder if there is an information hub in the city.
This musing of mine was finally broken, when the civil servant had finalize my entry permit. I can sense he is hella nervous now. I guess those documents gave enough general information to what kind of person I'm. Well, I did requested Kiril to make it fits my mercenary work and merits as an independent contractor.
"Thank you for your patience Lady Nyx, Welcome to Kawalerielki."
"Sure."
I offhandedly answered then headed inside the now open gate which paved way for a tunnel beneath the wall. Restarting my bike, I headed inside. Surely, what's inside wouldn't surprise me all that much...
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'Me and my fucking mouth' I just exasperatedly curse within my mind. I thought I would see houses or buildings with reasonable size due to its nature as mobile city... not a whole collection of skyscrapers!
'Is this real? Like real, real!? Am I tripping and losing it finally!?' I just ignore my growing headache and continue my own journey. Looking closely this place finally resembled the 21st century architecture and vibes I'm quite acquainted with.
The sidewalks are filled with pedestrians from numerous races... but I don't see any infected... Hopefully it is because of clothing and the fact that infected themselves don't really like showing their infection.
'Who am I fooling here again? I know exactly why infected can't be seen around here...' I just accept reality of this situation, the infected are most likely pushed somewhere hidden... typical move to help preserve the scenery...
Capital of a nation always tried to make themselves presentable. It was meant to showcase national power and its economic stability. It is quite an enviable privilege afforded to its inhabitants... but there will always be an ugly underside for it regardless of how advanced you're. As one of my old buddy from another life had said.
"Your Utopia is someone else Dystopia and vice versa..."
The underworld of this city, or whatever was hidden beneath, should be on a rather substantial scale. There is always money to be made, if you disregarded how to make said money. If there are indeed a rather invasive underbelly... guess I can still make money.
Might not even have to after analyzing the local necessities expenditure.
"I'm famished, well... getting something to eat first might be good." Then I decided to head to what looks like the downtown area. I look for a parking lot and found one, my bow would surely attract attention but I can't just leave it here too.
Mentally sighing with my predicament, I just head out of the parking lot. I don't bring my crystal for the simple fact of I don't have it anymore. The Silverlance was quite surprised when I offered them those crystals. Something along the line of it is being an extremely efficient arts conductor or something.
Now I'm walking along the alleyway, and I can feel eyes on me. But they're not focusing on my getup or weapons... they are looking at my face. I can start to sense some lust around here too, it is quite challenging to keep a blank face when there are people who are ogling me like that.
Moving a touch faster, I found a particularly interesting street food vendor, I never ate polish street food throughout my multitude of lives. The vendor noticed me and I can sense his split second fascination before putting on his business smile.
"Hello there young lady, would you care for some Zapiekanka?"
"Sure, how much?"
"8 Heller a piece."
"Do you accept foreign currency here?"
"Yes, the street vendors here has ties with Kazimierz bank. You know, when the Major was being held we had surge of tourist influx."
"I see, I only have LMD on hand."
"That is alright too, but let me check the rates for now... it is 1 LMD for 4 Heller."
"Ok then, I'll buy 5."
I said after using my terminal to process the payment. It quite convenient for it to double as credit card. The vendor wrap 5 zapiekanka with practiced motion and then handed it to me. I might have bought a bit too much but thankfully the food isn't that big... just long.
"By the way young lady, are you a mercenary?"
"Yes, why?" I said while starts nibbling one of the zapienka, it looks like a baguette with cheese and sausage for its filling. It taste really good, especially the cheese.
"It is quite unusual to see a mercenary as beautiful as you during off-season."
"Off-season?"
"Yep, the triennial Kazimierz major would be held in 2 years, the time where foreigners come to bet, enjoy the match, and even participate themselves."
"That so? Well, I have been doing jobs her and there and think to myself I needed time to rest."
"I see, I see... oh by the way, how was it?"
"Very good. This is the first time I tasted this actually."
"Aha! This food is probably the best Kazimierz' street culinary has to offer lass! It also warms my heart seeing you like it from the get go."
"Well, I won't mince words when it comes to food after all. Also, What is this thing, dumpling?"
"Oh, that's called pierogi. 1 Heller a piece."
"Hmm... I take 40, please."
"Much obliged lassie!"
After some more idle conversation, I left the vendor and decide to linger a bit longer. It felt different to just stroll aimlessly like this but it does felt quite enjoyable.
Back in Wladirosa I always have things to occupy a majority of my attention and focus, be it for wild beast while accompanying kids playing around the meadow. Helping the locals with harvest while keeping guards up against predator and pest. Fixing a local dam with the villagers... exterminating undesirable... and several other things.
Here I just... do nothing other than finally using my money for relaxation and not purchasing explosives every week. I'm starting to get used with the staring now, even from several presence who definitely stalked from the shadow... Kiril had informed me that Kazimierz had a relatively recluse shadow ops called Armorless Union or Knights Assassins.
They are so – so however... the fact that they're still detected despite their best effort to hide, I still can pin-point them just as easy. Well, the one around me are most likely a bunch of grunts, not their actual trump cards.
Oh well, might as well just troll them. Waste their time and just sit back enjoying the show... heh... I wonder if this is going to piss them off. It might be a good idea to just cause them to tense needlessly. Just a little mischief, I promise...
POV: Lazurite Marco
'Just what in hell is she doing?' I had been called back from being a bodyguard to one of K.G.C.C chairman, can't say I like it. So, the moment I was called back because a person of interest was spotted in the capital, I dipped out. Never liked those businessmen, they're even more unlikable than the damn obstinate nobles.
But work is work, I came here for that and had been enjoying a healthy salary and benefits. Of course I had also fought in the war, but back then I was mostly sent for maintaining counter-espionage. So can't really say I have that much of a real combat experience there.
But then... Nyx had entered the picture.
Nyx must had some short of dealing with the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi, her tenure of saving minors had reached our ears after all. Some of the chairman mocked her fruitless endeavor, there are already people who tried to profit from her... then she started causing extreme scandals and forcing embezzlement into the surface.
The chairmen are naturally shocked, they had only seen her as an absurdly sharp knife without a handle. Her showcase of cunning and willingness to play dirty when pushed just turned her image from a knife into a volatile explosive. A chairman that has a hand in slave trade had been removed from the board by their own rival...
Thusly Nyx reception had been a mixed-bag. On one hand, she always did extermination job really nicely. Her kill counts should be in the fourth digit now, the confirmed tally that is. She's also very strict with herself in completing a job. As long as you paid her well, she is controllable. On the other hand, she has no one to leash her. Her actions had become quite sporadic as of late.
Tales of her getting extremely merciless and rumors of her bipolarity on combat mission had also sprung up... These are enough to warrant Darksteel of dispatching someone specialized against single target... either me or Platinum.
Darksteel is always ready to snipe her when things got dicey... how high was the probability of one hit kill? My occupational stance is "I believe in Darksteel skill." About that colleague of mine...
Platinum had been sent to assassinate several undesirable as of late, so it falls down to me of monitoring her. I actually expected her to starts snooping around and just turn the, whatever is left, of this city underworld upside down... only to find her nibbling zapiekanka in a cute manner.
She doesn't do anything in particular other than walking aimlessly like an airhead. It was quite jarring of seeing the difference of her stone-cold mercenary face that I had saw back in the mercenary HQ and this bumbling beauty who, if we disregarded her weaponry and attire, looks so innocent even with the trademark blank face...
'Did I drunk something before coming here?' I mused to myself. Honestly, this is better than guarding those greedy fucks. Just watching a beauty who sat on a bench in a park... I sound like a stalker... oh well...
Narrator: Unknown to Nyx, her gambit of pissing them off had failed and they instead enjoyed the relaxing chance of easy mission. Several Armorless Union agents who had skills and the experiences in painting even starts immortalizing her sitting on a bench in this park.
Needless to say they're grateful of being called of monitoring her and not another life and death battle. Not all armorless union were stone-cold killer and psychos, some of them are just ordinary lad and lass who wanted to pay electricity bill...
POV: Nyx
'Huh... they're quite patient. A bit dissatisfied but alright.' I stood up and starts stretching, not that I need to, just want to flex a bit. I'm starting to enjoy the attention too... no, no, no. That's bad thing to become a habit. I already have sadistic tendency, don't have room left for narcissism...
"Alrighty then. Next stop, the immigration office..."
I asked several pedestrians about which way is the immigration office. They are quite amicable, and even enthusiastic seeing my weaponry. The younger folks were thrilled when I told them I'm a mercenary.
It is... weird. My old lives recollection of mercenary was that they're viewed with suspicion... just what on terra is wrong with these people.
Some of them even asked if I'm a knight... It hasn't been that long since the 10th Kazimierz – Ursus war, I learned the official name from Mercenary HQ, ended and they are already so upbeat...
Several more minutes of asking for direction...
'This place is quite empty...' that's the first impression of this office building. The interior is plain but fitting, giving me some ease. After enough looking at the interior I strode towards the immigration officer.
"How may I be of assistance, ma'am?"
"I want to register for an identification."
"Residency or citizenry?"
"Residency."
"Understood, please head towards the second floor and find room TI-3"
"Thank you."
"You're most welcomed."
With that I headed towards the assigned place. The hallway is very clean, I'm once again reminded that it is 21st century-ish world. Not that I meant the village were filthy no, it is just weird how everything can blend nicely without end up being jarring on my perceptions.
The questioning was pretty lenient and when I asked why, it was because Kawalerielki always had an influx of aspiring Competition Knights and tourist. Thus the identification for residency has been rather lenient.
Citizenry ID was a permanent one and if you move to other city it would be quite hard to rectify, thus residency ID system was implemented with a maximum 5 years of validity that can be extended.
With that I'm ready to explore this city and try to live here for a while... I had been fighting for years... it might be a good idea to take it easy for a while. Hopefully my inner sadistic streak and tendency can be quelled or controlled.
I must confess that looking back, I had been doing a lot of unnecessary level of carnage. Just to satiate an itch of bloodlust glee.
"Guess I'll pay the Nearls a visit in the future..."
Not by the front doors mind you. That would be insanely stupid to just come unannounced and pretty much casually when I can feel eyes on me. No, I'll be heading out again after several days then use a special method to get inside.
The Nearl family should have their own passage to get in and out without much scrutiny, but I won't be using that since that is quite rude. Even though when Kiril said that I can do so, I won't unless emergency calls for it.
The things you must do to even dropped by at your acquaintance home... god, this is tiring...
[END OF CHAPTER]
Author Note:
Hello this is me, myself, and I, the author.
I'm still deliberating to either go to Columbia first or Victoria first, or even Bolivar... Sargon would be somewhere in the future.
Good news! We will be meeting several actual in-game operators soon enough.
Update as usual i.e when I remember to.
Ciao.
