Nikke, something’s seriously wrong with this evacuation point! Chapter 81 81: She’s Completely Not Interested. Really

Sure enough, after returning to the encampnt, Lieutenant Barnes never ca to check on them even once. The Nikkes, who had initially been nervous about hiding the supplies, gradually relaxed and stored everything away, planning to use it only when necessary.

In Scarlet's mind, however, the sensation from cutting down that sniper kept replaying over and over again.

It had felt completely different from killing a Rapture.

The texture of slicing through flesh had been horrifyingly real. For a ti, she genuinely began to wonder whether she had actually killed a human being.

But that man had truly disintegrated into ash-like particles right before her eyes.

When Rose arrived afterward, she hadn't slled even the slightest trace of blood. Later, while maintaining her weapon,Scarlet also failed to find any evidence whatsoever that she had cut down a human.

So then…

Had it all just been so kind of hallucination?

She didn't know.

Originally, she had plenty of chances to ask Charon about it–but only back inside the villa. After returning to camp, the increasingly frequent missions, along with the constant presence of the other Nikke sisters, made it impossible for her to find the right opportunity.

After coming back, Charon never did anything similar again.

He simply carried out his duties normally. Every battle, he would remain near the battlefield conducting observations, and the mont combat ended, he was always the first one to return.

But unlike Lieutenant Barnes, who basically lounged around doing nothing, Charon would unfailingly head straight to their training grounds afterward and continue swinging his sword over and over again.

That had actually been advice from the Nikke squad mbers themselves.

For a beginner learning the sword, the very first thing to practice was always fundantals. Swinging a blade was the simplest starting point–learning how to properly exert force.

At first, Charon rely practiced in silence.

But by the third day, so of the Nikkes couldn't keep watching without intervening. In their eyes, soone who trained that earnestly deserved guidance.

Well… "guidance" might have been too generous a word.

It was more like sharing basic tips and techniques.

Still, after that, Charon's movents gradually beca more and more standardized.

As the end of the year approached, the weather steadily grew colder.

For Nikkes, temperatures like this barely mattered at all. Their bodies were chanical, after all.

But for humans, winter's cold could easily beco deadly.

However, that didn't seem to have any effect on Charon. In fact, whenever his sword training left him drenched in sweat, he would casually take off his shirt, revealing a well-proportioned physique with rather… well… at least in the eyes of the Nikkes, very… attractive muscle definition.

...

Elsewhere–

Steel clashed against steel, scattering sparks into the air.

This was already who-knew-how-many sparring matches between the ace sisters.

This ti, Rose stepped forward with a single advance, while Scarlet gritted her teeth and still got forced backward.

"Well then, Scar~"

A peculiar smile hung on Rose's face.

"You got distracted."

"That is absolutely false. I could never lose focus. You rely caught an opening, Sister."

Scarlet frowned and loudly defended herself.

"Alright, alright, then let's talk about sothing else."

Rose sheathed her blade, signifying yet another victory for her.

"Those girls really like practicing around there lately. What do you think about that?"

She pointed behind herself.

Although the Nikkes were spread out across different positions, every single one of them just happened to be standing sowhere with a clear view of Charon's body.

And apparently, they all thought they were being subtle about it.

"Where they choose to practice is their own business. As long as they perform properly during missions, I won't interfere."

Scarlet held her sword expressionlessly.

"Rather than that, let's fight another three hundred rounds. This ti I'll definitely–"

"Scar."

Rose interrupted her softly.

"I know there's sothing weighing on your mind."

"You're talented, and you won't let those thoughts interfere with missions, but…"

"Problems need to be solved eventually."

"And you still want to beco stronger, don't you?"

"..."

Scarlet fell silent.

As expected of her sister–Rose had instantly pinpointed the issue.

To clarify first:

She had absolutely no interest in Charon's body.

At most, she simply found it pleasant to look at.

She's Completely Not Interested. Really.

No unnecessary fat, a physique that looked dependable, aesthetically pleasing just like the others had said.

And considering muscles like that could only be built through countless brutal battles, it also proved that this lieutenant wasn't just so decorative fake.

The encounter back then had already made that obvious.

To clarify once again:

She was not interested in Charon's muscles.

The only thing replaying in her mind was the mont that sniper dissolved into particles after she killed him.

For the first ti in her life, she had encountered sothing she completely failed to understand.

The answer was clearly right in front of her, yet she never had the chance to ask.

At first it wasn't too bad.

But as ti passed, that curiosity continued to grow uncontrollably inside her, to the point where it really had started affecting her daily life.

Still–

she truly had no interest whatsoever in those muscles.

She rely wanted to ask what exactly had happened back then, and what the lieutenant was hiding from her.

"So, Scar~"

Rose smiled brightly.

"I took the liberty of arranging a eting between you and Lieutenant Ron."

"After training today, the two of you can talk alone."

"The location will be behind the warehouse. Nobody goes there, so it's perfect for a private conversation."

…What?

Scarlet completely froze.

What exactly had her sister just said?

For the first ti, her expression beca sowhat blank as she stared directly at Rose.

"Getting angry won't help, Scar. If you want to complain, you'll have to defeat your big sister first."

Rose lifted her chin proudly, looking unbearably smug.

But Scarlet genuinely had no way to deal with her.

Ever since becoming Nikkes, no matter how desperately she trained, her win rate against her sister had always remained below ten percent.

Every ti she improved and thought she might finally win, Rose would once again defeat her effortlessly, leaving Scarlet wondering if her growth still wasn't enough.

"So now, tell honestly."

Rose's gaze turned serious.

"Resolve this problem."

"Every battle we fight is a life-and-death struggle."

"If we encounter a truly powerful enemy…"

"There won't be any opportunity for regrets."

"...Understood."

Scarlet opened her mouth, but in the end could only give a quiet acknowledgnt.

"I knew my Scar was the sweetest. Co here, let Sister hug you~"

"I'll pass."

Scarlet instantly slipped out of the range of Rose's embrace.

"Before tomorrow, I'll resolve this issue. It won't affect tomorrow's mission."

After saying that, she left the training grounds.

But before departing, her gaze lingered briefly on Charon, who was still drenched in sweat while practicing his swings.

Her expression was incredibly complicated.

Rose chuckled softly.

Then, just like the other Nikkes, her gaze also settled onto Charon's back.

Only unlike the others, there was nothing particularly strange in her eyes.

Instead, her look carried a subtle, unreadable aning.

'Lieutenant Ron…'

'I hope the influence you bring to Scar is a positive one.'

"Captain."

At that mont, one of the Nikkes jogged over awkwardly.

"Umm… I kinda want to eat one of the canned foods. I didn't get full at lunch, hehe…"

"Mhm, that's fine. Go ahead."

Rose smiled gently.

"Just don't let the lieutenant discover it."

Starting from yesterday, they had already begun using those stored canned supplies.

Only a small amount, but still…

Hopefully this wasn't a bad sign.

Rose thought quietly to herself.