Chapter 82: You Are No Longer a Member of the Phantom Squad

“You’re wearing the uniform of a Bloodkin legion, leading the Rose Legion to attack Tantan City, destroying your former home, and creating countless more disasters. How are you any different from the Bloodkin who killed your lover back then…”

“So… I’ve never considered myself to be on the side of justice.”

Sheffield’s gaze was icy, and a twisted smile once again appeared on his face.

‘Go ahead and resent him.’
‘Take him as a target for revenge and fight back.’
‘Set foot on the same path as him.’
‘At that time, they would know just what kind of pain and hatred this was.’

‘And thus, they would be able to understand him, to resonate with him.’

‘To become pitiful creatures struggling to survive under the iron law of this world, where the strong devour the weak.’

“I will not accept you.”
Su Xiao Zi faced Sheffield without fear, her gaze growing ever more resolute as she confronted him.

A person like Sheffield had already walked down a path of no return.

He had his obsessions.

Naturally, Su Xiao Zi could have her own different beliefs.

Sheffield could no longer see.
He couldn’t see the innumerable tragedies, couldn’t hear the sorrow of others.
He was like a human without emotion, fighting for the Bloodkin.

“You won’t accept me, and I don’t need your understanding.”

“Of course I won’t accept you!”

Because she was a guardian of this city, their stances were different from the very beginning.

“I only know that you are destroying what we want to protect.”
“You are our enemy, Sheffield…”
“That renowned Phantom Squad… even an ordinary staff member like me has heard of their deeds.”

“As a vanguard elite squad composed entirely of S-rank members, they completed numerous critical missions deemed nearly impossible and, as a special mobile task force, turned the tide of battle against the Bloodkin many times.”

“Not just the Exterminator army, but all who fight against the Bloodkin hold them in the highest admiration and respect.”

“During the Far Shore War, the Phantom Squad sacrificed themselves completely on that battlefield to preserve the Exterminator army’s vital forces.”
“Countless people were stunned and grieved by their loss.”
“They symbolized humanity’s most heroic brilliance.”

“But the you of today, even though you survived, are no longer a member of that glorious Phantom Squad!”

As for the aura of the Sacred Forbidden that Sheffield mentioned, she had no idea what it was.

But even if Sheffield killed her tonight, she would not yield, especially now that she knew her own brother was once the captain of the Phantom Squad—that powerful and tenacious legendary Exterminator.

As the sister of the Chief Exterminator, she too feared no threat!

“Enough!”
“Don’t you dare mention the Phantom Squad to me again!”

Abruptly, a somewhat annoyed Sheffield splashed the water from the cup in his hand directly onto Su Xiao Zi’s head.

‘So what if their honor was high?’
‘So what if their praises were many?’

‘They were just a bunch of dead people.’
‘What could they possibly change!?’

Su Xiao Zi froze, a shiver running through her.
Her body trembled slightly as the cold liquid trickled down her delicate cheeks, plastering strands of black hair to her skin.

She lowered her head and bit her lip tightly.

“Be quiet.”
“Su Xiao Zi, please try to understand your current situation.”
“Right now, you have no choice either.”
“Everything is under my control.”

“The time is not yet right.”
“Wait until the Rose Legion has completely crushed the humans and the Imaginary Space closes.”
“At that time, no matter your attitude, you will be taken away by me.”
“I want to know the secrets you hold about the Sacred Forbidden family.”

“You aren’t still holding out hope for the humans in this city, are you?”

“You should have known the outcome before the battle began.”
“Tonight, all Exterminators will die here.”
“I imagine you’re trying to stall for time, waiting for reinforcements to arrive, but it’s a pity.”
“You have no hope of withstanding the power of the Rose Legion.”

Sheffield stuck his hands in his pockets, raised his head high, and continued:

“The Staff Officer of the Rose Legion, Julius… as a noble, his strength is barely worth my notice.”
“But even if all the combat power in your city were to attack him at once, you would be no match for him.”

Su Xiao Zi remained silent, her head still lowered.
Her strength was gradually fading, and her struggles were less frequent than before.

However, at that moment.

Something unexpected happened.

“Hello~ Mister, a little word of warning for you~”
“I’d advise you not to get any ideas about this young lady—otherwise, the consequences might be very severe, oh?”

Surpassing Sheffield’s perceptive abilities, a voice as crisp as a silver bell reached his ears.

Before his perception could even detect her aura, a short girl had, at some unknown point, crouched down between him and Su Xiao Zi.
The voice came from his right.

“…!?”

‘The aura of a Bloodkin!?’

‘When did she appear?’
‘Why didn’t I sense anyone approaching at all?’

The girl had a large red bow atop her hair, a bow nearly larger than her small head.
She wore a purple flared skirt, and her legs were clad in tight, black thigh-high stockings.

Crimson pupils…

“Who are you!”
Sheffield was unaware of any Bloodkin existing within Tantan City’s Imaginary Space aside from the Rose Legion.
When he whipped his head around, the girl had already flickered like a phantom to a higher position.

In just an instant, Sheffield caught a glimpse of the girl’s face and the nameplate hanging on her chest.

But his gaze instantly froze in astonishment.

“How is this possible…”

He was seeing something that should have been impossible…

That face… it was an impression from his memories.

That’s right… she was… that deceased person—

From the Phantom Squad, Little Butterfly.