"Your shield looks nice. Can I take a look at it?"
On the train, Nian's curiosity was piqued as she looked at Aurora's white shield. Aurora glanced at the Doctor, and upon seeing her nod, handed the shield to Nian without hesitation.
This was a rare trip to Shereg, and the operators from Rhodes Island who hailed from Shereg and weren't on missions had all joined the Doctor on this journey.
The team was led by Instructor Dobermann. However, since the main purpose of the trip was visiting their hometown, the Doctor's escort detail was assigned to elite operator Sharp. Even though Daniel Davis had suggested bringing Nearl along, Sharp still came, as it was her rotation to protect the Doctor—a policy set by Kal'tsit that involved elite squads taking turns on this duty.
As for Nearl, Shining, and Nightingale, while their presence was also due to Daniel's suggestion, their primary role was medical. Though the Doctor had been invited by Cliffheart under the pretense of sightseeing, Rhodes Island also intended to discuss the next stage of cooperation with SilverAsh's Kjerag Trade—particularly on the issue of Oripathy prevention and treatment.
As Kjerag Trade helped develop Shereg, it inevitably led to an increase in Oripathy cases. To curb the spread and treat existing infections, Rhodes Island's expertise was indispensable.
Across Terra, Rhodes Island was unmatched in treating the Infected. Even within Yan, there was considerable collaboration with them.
Shining, Nightingale, and Nearl had come to Shereg as medical operators.
"This is a pretty impressive design. Did you make it yourself?"
After taking Aurora's shield, Nian quickly familiarized herself with its functions and nodded approvingly. Aurora's shield was far from ordinary. Besides its defensive capabilities, it had multiple integrated functions, including the ability to amplify her Arts and generate a localized low-temperature environment.
That was extremely effective in combat, as most enemies struggled against sudden cold. Additionally, the shield had a retractable pile driver function—useful both for camping and for combat.
A heavy shield didn't always need to be supported by brute force. It could also be anchored to the ground, enhancing defense and saving stamina.
The shields used by Patriot and Shieldguards were built with this in mind—their bases formed a triangle, though they relied purely on physical strength to fix them into the ground.
Aurora's shield, however, used conduction circuits and Originium as a power source, eliminating the need for physical exertion.
"Impressive indeed. We might consider equipping some Shieldguards with this."
Even Daniel was intrigued after hearing Nian's praise. Upon familiarizing himself with the shield's functions, he agreed it was excellent. Though the cost would be significantly higher, the boost in Shieldguard capability would be worth it.
"Doctor, what's that over there?"
While Daniel and Nian examined the shield, Cliffheart excitedly pointed out various Shereg landmarks to the Doctor. It was clear that she was overjoyed to be back in her homeland.
The rest of the group was seated in small teams throughout the carriage, which was entirely reserved for them, leaving plenty of space.
"That's the Holy Mountain."
Cliffheart's enthusiasm immediately subdued upon seeing the Holy Mountain. Although it was within Shereg, the site was sacred—even as the second daughter of the Silverash family, she couldn't approach it, let alone visit her sister.
"Was Cliffheart's Oripathy really an accident, or was it a conspiracy? And if it was, who was behind it?"
After returning the shield to Aurora and watching Cliffheart converse with the Doctor, Daniel couldn't help but think about Cliffheart's Oripathy. Before the events of Stormwatch, it was easy to assume the culprits were the other two rival families in Shereg.
But after Stormwatch, it became clear that, despite their hostility toward the Silverash family, those two families wouldn't stoop to such tactics. That made the cause of Cliffheart's Oripathy all the more suspicious.
Sure, it could've been an accident, but it seemed too coincidental.
"Was it the Mandragon Monastery? That's quite possible."
If not the other two families, then it had to be the third major power in Shereg—the Mandragon Monastery. Considering the reforms SilverAsh's parents tried to implement, the possibility was not far-fetched.
Given that their High Priestess had once poisoned a general, it wouldn't be surprising if she resorted to similar methods again. Digging deeper, even the mysterious car accident that killed SilverAsh's parents might have been her doing.
It wasn't mere conspiracy—she had motive. SilverAsh's parents were reformists. Shereg's early technological development had been spearheaded by them.
With technological progress comes a decline in religious devotion—something unacceptable to Mandragon Monastery. While Yelagun herself might not care about faith, the Monastery certainly did. Their power in Shereg was tied directly to religion.
"If that High Priestess really orchestrated all of this… impressive. A single scheme achieving multiple goals. Too bad she ran into someone like SilverAsh."
"Ah, forget it. Even if it's true, so what? It's been so many years—what am I going to do? Tell SilverAsh my theory? It could all just be coincidence, anyway."
As time passed, the train finally arrived in Shereg. Surprisingly, only Messenger and Cliffrock came to greet them—SilverAsh wasn't present.
Messenger and Cliffrock looked a bit awkward, likely due to guilt. They explained that SilverAsh hadn't come because of an incident at a factory in the valley. Since the other two families didn't trust the Silverash family, the responsibility of investigating the cause had fallen to the Doctor.
Rhodes Island had been working with SilverAsh—and by extension, Shereg—for quite some time now. They had earned enough of a reputation in Shereg that even the two opposing families accepted SilverAsh's proposal to involve the Doctor.
SilverAsh's absence wasn't negligence but a strategic move to avoid suspicions of collusion between him and the Doctor.
"Big brother, how could you do this?"
Naturally, Cliffheart was the most upset. She had genuinely invited the Doctor to visit for fun, only for her to be immediately dragged into Shereg's internal politics.
Messenger and Cliffrock apologized profusely, assuring the Doctor that if she declined, it would be totally understandable—they had not informed her in advance.
"What's your goal in all this?"
The Doctor didn't refuse. After agreeing, she pulled Daniel aside to question his intentions.
"I don't have a goal. I'm just here to watch."
He meant it. In his eyes, the Doctor had handled Stormwatch perfectly. It had ended like a near-flawless chess match. Frankly, even if Daniel intervened now, he might not do better—and might even trigger a disaster, like full-blown civil war among the three families.
Shereg's problems couldn't be solved through brute force alone. Did people really think Yelagun was just a figurehead? If he used overwhelming power, he might have to face her directly—and fighting her on her home turf would be foolish.
So, for Daniel, doing nothing was the best course of action.
"Fine."
The Doctor gave him a suspicious look but said nothing more. After speaking with Dobermann, Shining, and the others, she left with only Sharp and Messenger.
"Nosis betrayed Enciodes... Poor little squirrel, still fell for the ruse. SilverAsh really is something—everything so tightly arranged. Too bad he's up against the Doctor."
Daniel may not have been directly involved in the conflict between SilverAsh and the Doctor, but that didn't stop him from observing.
For example, right now, SilverAsh was on the verge of complete victory at the Holy Hunt Festival—about to wipe out the Brauntail and Perrocci families in one stroke.
Even though both families had brought considerable forces, none could withstand the Black Knight's dual maces. The disparity in strength was so vast that not a single person died.
Then the Doctor ordered Sharp and others to intervene, rescuing Ratatos and Arctos. Sharp stopped the Black Knight's maces.
"Black Knight… This is what you were aiming for all along."
After securing Ratatos and company, the Doctor summoned Daniel to meet the Black Knight. If she didn't understand his motives now, she wouldn't be a former Babel specter.
"Radiant Knight versus Black Knight. Aren't you curious who's stronger?" Daniel made no effort to hide his intent.
"I'm not as bored as you."
The Doctor gave him a deadpan look, then ordered Sharp's squad to move out. Ideally, she would've let things unfold on their own—after all, SilverAsh was Rhodes Island's partner, not the Brauntail or Perrocci families.
Now she was opposing SilverAsh for their sake—this might strain future cooperation. Most people wouldn't even consider doing this.
But she had promised Cliffheart she would resolve Shereg's problems perfectly.
"See? With Nearl here, dealing with the Black Knight is so much easier." Seeing the Doctor call for Nearl, Daniel immediately knew she intended to have her face the Black Knight.
Although Sharp was capable of holding her off, having someone stronger was always better.
"If you're so free, lend a hand. Keep an eye on Cliffheart—make sure nothing happens to her."
"No problem. I guarantee she'll be safe."
The Doctor clearly had arrangements in place for Cliffheart. Judging by that, she had likely met Yelagun already.
"So this is the survival rule of the snowy frontier?"
Inside a burning house, SilverAsh and Ratatos sat across from each other, unfazed by the flames. For once, they openly discussed their conflict.
Both of them were acting for Shereg's sake. Ratatos had initially supported SilverAsh's reforms and played a major role in Kjerag Trade's early development. But as the company grew, she changed her stance.
To her, SilverAsh was using Shereg's resources to curry favor with foreign investors. She feared he would sell out their homeland—especially since she didn't know what he had learned in Victoria over the years.
SilverAsh, for once, understood Ratatos differently. He had never expected that was her true concern, so he, too, shared his honest thoughts—there was no more time.
Shereg was surrounded by enemies. If they didn't strengthen the country before outside powers turned their gaze upon it, it would be too late.
Even the mighty Gallia Empire had fallen in a single night—Shereg wouldn't stand a chance.
"Let's go."
With a thunderous crash, the Black Knight entered the room. The building that had seemed so solid to Ratatos crumbled like tofu under her assault.
Without even glancing at Ratatos, the Black Knight left. SilverAsh, however, draped his coat over her before following.
He had never intended to kill her. Now he had even more reason not to—she had revealed the truth behind his parents' deaths, and if she died, the Brauntail family would fight to the death.
SilverAsh wanted a unified Shereg, not one weakened by civil war. He had originally planned to confine Ratatos and Arctos, but things had escalated due to Nosis's pressure.
"She's a fine talent. Just lacks perspective. But that can be fixed."
As SilverAsh himself had once said, if Ratatos had studied in Victoria too, her accomplishments might have matched his. This little squirrel was one of the main reasons Daniel came to Shereg.
He wasn't just here to reunite Nian and Xi with Yelagun, or to witness the Radiant Knight versus the Black Knight.
Recruiting Ratatos was also on his mind. His company in Lungmen lacked a capable administrator. Sure, he could find someone else—but why not give the little squirrel a shot?
Why do time-travelers always recruit famous figures? Because those people have already proven their capabilities. It's far more efficient than filtering through unknowns.
Rhodes Island had plenty of talent—but they were off-limits. Shereg, though, was fair game.
"That monster called 'Mace'—how do we deal with her?"
In a Brauntail estate, after hearing the Doctor's plan, Ratatos immediately asked. The Black Knight's strength had deeply shaken her.
"You don't need to worry about that. There are multiple people here who can handle her."
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