The stark imbalance of power kept FrostNova frowning throughout the journey back. To be honest, she no longer held out much hope for cooperation. After all, it wasn't as if Reunion had anything valuable enough to catch their attention.
Trade, maybe?
She had once heard Felix speak about import and export, about the principles of trade. He had even taken her to nearby villages to barter for supplies. But could Reunion really hope to trade with the Brotherhood?
FrostNova thought for a moment, then shook her head.
Even barter required both sides to have what the other lacked. During her day and night stay within the Holy Knight Federation, she saw only peace and prosperity. The whole settlement was calm—no chaos, no cries of despair. Everyone there carried themselves with purpose and optimism.
Do they even lack anything? she wondered bitterly. What could they possibly need… trash?
Compared to the Federation's goods, the scavenged supplies Reunion collected were no better than junk.
She glanced at the hulking man in her squad, who was still admiring an Higashinese-style blade as though it were a priceless treasure. Even in weaponry, Reunion was completely outclassed.
How are we supposed to compete with that…?
When FrostNova finally returned to the camp, Talulah had just come back from another expedition. She was changing out of her bloodstained uniform. Upon seeing FrostNova, her expression softened.
"You came back just in time," Talulah said, her tone warm. "We've welcomed several hundred new comrades. I've assigned them to the western camp—it'll take some time for them to adapt to this life."
"How was the hunt?"
Talulah changed into a faded, well-worn military jacket and asked casually. She noticed something off about FrostNova. The woman was always quiet and rational, but today her silence felt heavier.
"We were lucky," FrostNova replied calmly. "Found a few hibernating beasts. It should ease our food shortage for a while. But with the growing numbers, we'll soon need to organize another large-scale hunt."
"Do any nearby villages have surplus supplies?" Talulah asked. "I heard from the reports that our people bartered with local villagers and secured enough food to last the winter."
FrostNova's eyes fell, her lips pressing tightly together. She bit down on her teeth, hesitating.
"Talulah…"
Yelena took a deep breath and looked straight at Talulah. "What I've learned is that those so-called traders tried to burn that village to the ground. They were stopped by outsiders and, in the end, simply looted food instead."
Talulah's hand instinctively went to the sword beside her. "...They lied to me."
FrostNova remained silent. Talulah clenched her teeth, gripping her sword, and strode out of the tent.
Ten minutes later, she returned, exhaustion showing clearly on her face.
"They've been dealt with according to our regulations," she said flatly.
"You've worked hard," FrostNova replied softly.
Talulah let out a weary sigh. The fatigue in her eyes was unmistakable. She was tired—tired of the endless pressure, of being forced to march forward without pause. Yet she couldn't stop. She had to lead Reunion onward, had to maintain control, had to carry the weight of all their lives.
And now, she could feel that she hadn't been doing it well enough.
"This time, I went hunting toward the south," FrostNova said calmly. "On the way, I encountered an alliance formed by three other factions."
"In the northern border of Ursus?" Talulah frowned. She poured FrostNova a cup of warm water and motioned for her to sit.
FrostNova nodded and recounted everything she had seen and heard, sticking strictly to the facts—no exaggeration, no embellishment.
But even her calm, factual report left Talulah's mouth agape.
"They have the technology to build their own walls… entire settlements?" Talulah's voice grew hoarse. "And you said their equipment is standardized?"
FrostNova nodded. "Their weapons are also uniformly manufactured. We're not their match, Talulah."
"What's their stance toward Reunion?"
"So far, only the Holy Knight Federation seems to hold a somewhat favorable view of us," FrostNova replied. "But once they learned about the incidents—those arsons and raids committed under our name—their attitude became uncertain."
Talulah clenched her fists and lightly tapped her forehead, falling silent.
"No matter what, since they're also an infected settlement in Ursus, it's only right that we pay them a visit. I've decided to meet them myself. FrostNova, can I trouble you with the arrangements?"
FrostNova nodded silently.
Regardless of the circumstances, Reunion needed to establish contact with the Brotherhood. It was not only about what Reunion hoped to achieve in the future, but also about the stance the Brotherhood would take toward them.
Even though Reunion's numbers were growing daily and Talulah was leading more and more operations, sheer manpower could not compensate for the disparity in equipment. If war ever broke out, it would be a one-sided massacre.
While FrostNova carried Talulah's message as an envoy, Talulah returned to her quarters, where Alina was already waiting.
—or rather, "occupied." At the moment, Alina was deftly disassembling and reassembling the sidearm that the Pioneer had once given her.
When she noticed the gloom on Talulah's face, she set the gun aside and stepped forward.
"What's wrong?" she asked softly.
"I can't shake this feeling of defeat," Talulah admitted with a bitter smile. "Back then, I thought the Pioneer—Felix—was just a passerby. We fought, he told me he didn't believe in Reunion's future… I took it as a challenge. I wanted to prove him wrong, to show that Reunion could stand tall on its own."
"And now?" Alina asked as she gently massaged Talulah's shoulders, easing the tension.
"I didn't expect that Felix would go on to support three other infected factions," Talulah murmured. "They now live in fortified towns with walls, conduct trade among themselves, and their weapons and gear… they're leagues beyond ours."
She bit her lip. Reality left her no room for pride. She had truly believed she could one day stand before Felix with her head held high—showing him that Reunion had risen beyond his expectations. But the truth was harsher: Felix had already accomplished something far greater.
He had empowered others to build thriving settlements, united, disciplined, and well-equipped. And Talulah, despite her ambitions, couldn't help but feel envy.
Their own weapons were scavenged from Ursus patrols, their uniforms patched and faded. Even the military hardware they possessed had to be shared between units. They hadn't fought a single war with proper resources.
"Don't worry," Alina said softly. "Felix is a good person. The settlements he's helped don't bully others. We're all infected—there's no need for division or envy. We just need to talk to them. Learn what they want, tell them what we want."
Talulah nodded slightly. Communication—yes, that was the key. As long as she spoke honestly about Reunion's founding purpose and goals, she believed they could maintain a peaceful relationship.
For now, it seemed the Brotherhood held many misunderstandings about Reunion. Talulah didn't plan to persuade or recruit them. She only wished for peaceful coexistence.
In the previous timeline, around this same period, Reunion had first made contact with the settlements where the "players" lived. But back then, there had been no Pioneer to unite them—they were still fragmented. That was how Reunion had been able to absorb them one by one, rapidly expanding its strength.
This time, however, Felix's presence had changed everything. His support and guidance had allowed the players to develop swiftly. Even if Reunion wanted to bring them under its banner, it was no longer possible.
Through FrostNova's coordination, the Brotherhood quickly agreed to a meeting. It would be held deep in a forest, away from prying eyes. To show good faith, the Brotherhood declared that they would come unarmed and without soldiers. Talulah decided to do the same.
She wore the same faded military uniform as always—a uniform so worn it had nearly lost its color. Yet when she put it on, it was as though she could shoulder any storm. In this uniform, she was Reunion's leader.
FrostNova accompanied her to the meeting site. Three representatives awaited them—each from one of the Brotherhood's three factions.
The snow had been cleared from the ground, and a round table stood in the center. On it rested a pot of fruit tea and a few simple pastries.
A pang of emotion struck Talulah. These were ordinary Ursus snacks, common to the point of banality—yet to Reunion, whose people survived on hard bread and potatoes, they seemed like luxuries. Meat was a rare miracle.
"Nice to meet you. I am Talulah, leader of Reunion," she greeted, giving a slight nod before taking her seat.
The three representatives likewise introduced themselves one after another. Talulah listened carefully, committing each of their names to memory.
Shroud was the first to speak.
"Miss Talulah," he began, his tone sharp, "I have serious doubts about the actions of the Reunion Movement. Yes, you are all Infected—but that does not justify burning down villages where ordinary people live. Such behavior reeks of vengeance. It's as if you suffer, so you want others to suffer with you. Tell me, do you really think that's right?"
Talulah quietly exhaled. His accusation cut deep, not because it was wrong, but because it was true. She knew such acts existed among her ranks—pointless destruction that helped no one. But what could she do? Kill the perpetrators? And when new ones rose to take their place, kill them too? Until there was no one left?
Hatred was the easiest way to unite people. Yet, it was also the sharpest double-edged blade. Now, Talulah was tasting that bitterness firsthand.
Mr. Han and Raph exchanged glances, both watching closely. In their minds, if Talulah faltered now—if she couldn't even withstand Shroud's questioning—then what kind of leader was she? Mr. Han even thought that if Reunion ever caused trouble for them, he wouldn't hesitate to rally the other two factions of the Brotherhood and crush them outright.
"The Reunion Movement was founded to resist the nobles of Ursus and their Army," Talulah said slowly, lifting her gaze. "We take in the homeless Infected, train them, arm them, and teach them to fight for their own fate. Even if they fall on land already tainted by Originium, I believe that, in itself, is a kind of salvation."
Her voice was steady now. "Many among us are driven by the fire of vengeance. That fire has led them astray. But from now on, I will guide that anger—direct it toward those who truly deserve it."
She paused. Whether her words were convincing or not, she didn't know. To her, they were at least acceptable. Anything was better than admitting the uglier truth. She couldn't cleanse the crimes of her people—so she could only acknowledge them, and move forward.
Mr. Han's expression softened slightly. Raph spoke up next.
"So you mean to say your goal is vengeance against the Ursus nobility?"
"That's right," Talulah replied. "That was one of the founding purposes of the Reunion Movement."
Once she began, the words came easily. "The Infected should take pride in who they are. They should claim and wield their power without shame."
Shroud's lips tightened, while Raph fell silent, deep in thought. Mr. Han crossed his arms, his fingers rhythmically tapping his shoulder as he listened.
"I believe that, as fellow Infected living in the harsh lands of Ursus, any misunderstandings between us should be cleared away," Talulah continued. Her tone rose, confident and resolute. "And I also believe that there may come a time when we can work together."
Raph looked her in the eye. "I agree with your sentiment," he said slowly, "but I need to see your actions. Words alone aren't enough. If you can prove the value of the Reunion Movement, then we, the War God's Bloodline will fight alongside you—to bring down the castles of the Ursus nobility."
Talulah nodded, the faintest smile touching her lips. That was progress. One of the three factions already looked upon her with favor—a promising start. She could almost see it: a future where they stood side by side on the battlefield, where the Infected would finally seize their right to speak through the strength of their own hands.
Shroud and Mr. Han exchanged another look, both showing traces of resignation. To be fair, it wasn't entirely surprising that the Russian had agreed to cooperate—they were the most militant of the Brotherhood, and they too had been wronged by the Ursus nobles. Still, it would've been nice if they had discussed it beforehand.
The Brotherhood was, after all, a collective. They usually acted separately, but outwardly, they needed to present a unified front. Shroud sighed inwardly. Well, temporary cooperation was fine. If Reunion ever caused trouble, he'd simply pull his groups back and leave them to their fate.
Mr. Han was thinking along similar lines, though his motivations differed slightly. He saw in this "Reunion" a chance to involve himself in the greater narrative of Ursus—a land of stagnant cities and lifeless nobles. Now, with the rise of this movement and its draco-blooded leader, something was finally beginning to change.
And besides, he thought with a faint smirk, this draco woman did appear in the 2.0 PV trailer.
At last, Shroud nodded, signaling a tentative willingness to cooperate. Mr. Han followed.
"Apologies," he said, "but with what little we currently know, full cooperation might be premature. I'd prefer to learn more about the Reunion Movement first. That would help lay the foundation for whatever relationship may come next. Would you agree, Miss Talulah?"
"I have no objections," Talulah replied, smiling softly.
Despite her earnest demeanor—and the fact that her straightforwardness sometimes made Mr. Han frown as a Paradox Strategy player—he couldn't deny it. She was, in her own way, a capable leader.
Perhaps not as impossibly charismatic as the Pioneer, who could move people to tears with a single glance, but still… admirable in her own right.