When Crownslayer saw the mountain-like figure standing in their path, her entire Lupo spirit recoiled. Even the fur on her tail stood on end.
This individual looked utterly horrifying. From beneath a bone-like mask protruded two savage antlers, and as his scarlet eyes turned toward them, they emitted a baleful red glow. Combined with the slightly damaged halberd and the massive, battered shield in his hands, he gave off the immediate impression of someone who meant business.
To be honest, if you took a photo of this man and told a city child he was a man-eating monster who would come for them if they didn't stop crying, the kid would probably faint from pure terror.
What on earth is this thing? Crownslayer wondered. Could this be one of those "Demons" Talulah mentioned that sometimes roam the Ursus snowfields? Is the reason we didn't encounter many enemies on the road because this terrifying creature was wandering nearby, scaring everyone into running for their lives?
While Crownslayer remained on high alert, she noticed that Talulah's expression was quite normal—even a bit excited. Seeing this, she refrained from acting rashly. Crownslayer's knowledge of these snowfields was limited to her father's stories from childhood and Talulah's introductions over the past few days. As the "new kid" who didn't know the local customs, she figured it was best to follow Talulah's lead.
Talulah, behind the wheel, hadn't expected to run into Patriot here. Judging by the snow accumulated on his shoulders, the old gentleman had been waiting for some time. Her pleasant surprise caused her to forget to introduce this intimidating figure to Crownslayer, leaving the Lupo beside her to spiral into a mental brainstorm.
Crownslayer had heard the name Patriot from Talulah and Jeanne, and she knew the legend of the "Shield of the Infected" in Ursus, but she had never actually seen a photograph of him. When Talulah and Jeanne had described him, they simply said: "He looks a bit scary because of his race, but he has a gentle personality and is a very reliable comrade."
"Welcome... back. I am relieved to see you returned safely... A new face. Did Jeanne not return with you?"
As the vehicle approached, Patriot spoke his words of welcome. At first glance, he had mistaken the black-clad Crownslayer for Jeanne, only realizing now that one person was missing. However, he wasn't overly worried. Judging by Talulah's radiant expression, he could guess that nothing had happened to Jeanne; she was likely just tied up with something.
Perhaps Laterano was reluctant to let her go and kept the child for a few extra days. Given her unique abilities, Jeanne's status in Laterano certainly couldn't be low.
"I'm back, old gentleman. This is a new compatriot we recruited in Chernobog, Lyudmila—codename Crownslayer. As for Jeanne? She might take a bit more time before she returns."
Seeing Patriot greeting them, Talulah stepped out of the truck with Crownslayer and introduced her comrade, completely oblivious to Crownslayer's look of utter disbelief.
Holy crap! Crownslayer thought. This is what you two meant by "a little bit scary"? If this guy went to a haunted house, I don't know if the ghosts would scare him or if he'd scare the ghosts. Is everyone in Reunion this euphemistic?
However, once she realized Patriot wasn't an enemy, Lyudmila felt he didn't look quite as terrifying as before. The initial shock was likely amplified by the environment. Driving through the empty, desolate snowfields for hours only to have a giant nearly as tall as the truck suddenly stand in front of you—armed, masked, and staring with glowing red eyes—would be enough to give anyone a heart attack.
"Hello, Mr. Patriot. I am Lyudmila from Chernobog, codename Crownslayer. I chose to join Reunion a short while ago..."
Still suffering from a slightly irregular heartbeat, Lyudmila introduced herself. Patriot spoke a few words to her and then fell silent; the two didn't quite know how to keep the conversation going.
"By the way, old gentleman, why were you waiting for us here? My route involved several detours and changes; were you still able to track us?"
Talulah was curious about how Patriot had pinpointed her location. She thought she had taken a significant detour to shake off any potential tails before returning to the village. Had her counter-reconnaissance skills regressed?
"Yesterday, when the Yeti Squadron was bartering with a village, they heard the villagers mention a truck passing by. I guessed it was you. So, after finishing my patrol today, I waited on this road. If you were driving, you would subconsciously choose this path."
In reality, Patriot didn't know their exact return time. But since the Yetis heard about a truck yesterday, it was highly likely to be Talulah's group. He remembered they had a long list of supplies to buy before leaving; procurement in Chernobog would definitely require a truck.
Another reason was that Patriot and his men suspected it might be a smuggling truck like the ones before. Thus, he waited on the most accessible road to confirm who it was. The other paths were either too rugged or filled with boulders, entirely unsuitable for a vehicle of that tonnage.
Furthermore, Shieldguards were stationed nearby to check for triggered alarms, and Yetis were checking their traps for snow rabbits to add to their dinner. If a fight had actually broken out, the enemy would have found people swarming from all directions to flank them.
"I see. It seems we need a sufficiently hidden road to make transporting supplies easier in the future. Speaking of which, the Yeti Squadron has started trading with villagers?"
Talulah realized her thinking had been predictable. She agreed they needed a more discreet route for future logistics. She was also surprised that the Yetis had managed to strike up deals with non-Infected villagers while she was away—it seemed the relationship between the two sides was actually improving.
"It may be useful, but we must take things one step at a time. There is too much to be done. You need a plan to lead everyone through these tasks."
Hearing Talulah give herself another job mid-conversation, Patriot expressed concern that the child might become overwhelmed. Her recent plans were the kind that required both immense energy and massive manpower. Without a good plan, they would be running around like headless flies.
"The business with the Yetis was an accident. Those villages were stripped bare by the patrols this year. I heard even the seeds for next year were stolen. The whole village was preparing to wait for death."
Patriot's mood visibly darkened as he spoke. Such cruelty—leaving villagers with no way to survive—would make anyone's blood boil. Talulah's eyes flashed with a mix of anger and sympathy; having lived in a village herself, she knew exactly what it meant when the seeds were stolen.
"Fortunately, they had a stash of furs hidden that the patrols didn't dig up. When they heard Reunion was willing to trade with villages, they tried to come to us for food and seeds..."
Talulah could guess the rest. The Yetis who received them somehow hit it off with the villagers, and after a few exchanges, the relationship thawed. After all, everyone remembers the person who offers food and seeds at a fair price when they are in dire straits. Making friends with such people is never a bad thing, even if they are Infected. If you ever hit a rough patch again, they might just give you a hand.
"Enough talk for now. Drive the truck back to the village quickly. I will help obscure the tracks behind you, lest someone follows them back to the village."