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As Cerakos said, Cecilia really is a capable Proxy.
Even though there were a few unexpected incidents during the evacuation—like accidentally entering a Thiren-gathering zone and running into gang members in the act of committing a crime.
Two Space Marines plus a skilled New Eridu Public Security agent could easily handle such a minor scene. Jane Doe also completed a task along the way—the assailant was one of her tracking targets, and she managed to take down the ringleader as well.
"So, you two accidentally wandered into a Hollow while out shopping, ran into a Hollow Raider committing a crime, and just happened to have the ability to subdue the perpetrator without causing serious harm?"
Sheriff Zhu Yuan, hearing the proposal, looked at these two old friends with mixed emotions.
"Yes, Zhu Yuan." Jane Doe removed her wig and peeled off the strange decorations from her face. "Consider it a holiday gift for you."
"Very well, cooperation between police and civilians is always commendable." The petite Qingyi prodded the thug with her extendable baton. "Move along quickly."
This guy certainly wanted to leave quickly—his head was still spinning. Two huge men had suddenly leapt out from a corner, shouting justice and glory, their fists moving like lightning. Though he had some prestige in the underworld and decent combat skills, their combo attacks were too strong; he couldn't overcome them no matter how hard he tried.
Even when he was finally loaded into the prisoner transport, the underworld thug hadn't fully processed what happened. Not everyone gets to be beaten like a spinning top by a three-meter giant and a two-meter handsome man, one on each side.
"So, the bonus..." Zhu Yuan looked at Ignis. "Should I still transfer it to the account from last time?"
"Yes, thank you." Ignis of course wouldn't refuse compensation—New Eridu's cost of living isn't cheap, and maintaining this outfit isn't cheap either.
"Alright, Sheriff, holiday time is precious." Jane Doe held Ignis's hand. "We're heading off on vacation. Can we go?"
"According to procedure, you still need to make a report." Zhu Yuan noticed how close Jane Doe was with this giant, and while it was a bit surprising, considering the post-mission report after the Lion's Den incident—Jane Doe's account of her evolving partnership with Ignis and rescuing her from captivity—this closeness made sense.
It's just that the Public Security Bureau is working overtime, and their criminology experts and professional Proxies are... dating. It's hard not to feel a little envious.
"I know that already. I'll leave it to you, Detective Zhu Yuan."
Zhu Yuan watched them disappear into the crowd around the corner, feeling a bit forlorn.
"Some fine young people."
"Qingyi-senpai, this isn't necessary." Zhu Yuan took the datapad offered by her eccentric colleague. It contained the basic info of the captured criminal. "We still have work. Seth's team ran into some trouble and is requesting backup."
Turning the corner, Cerakos and Cecilia were waiting. The Lamenter was still in his power armor, so meeting people wasn't easy.
"While you were dealing with the sheriff, I looked up some info. Didn't expect you to be so high-profile." The Lamenter lightly tapped the giant.
"A newly appointed master of the Blacksmith's Guild, eliminated a gang leader's zealot Hollow Raider, helped misguided youths rediscover purpose. And I was only out in the Outer Ring for a while—so much happened."
"Yeah, unlike you, some people don't even have an identity." Miss Cecilia scrolled through posts on her phone. "And you weren't out there for just a while—it was months. If not for that, my grandfather..."
"Cecilia…" The Lamenter crouched, taking her hand. "Regarding my good friend, your grandfather Tyrannus, I'm sorry. But don't worry—you've inherited his work, and I am also your Proxy."
"That's not what I meant..." Miss Cecilia frowned and sighed.
"This isn't a good place to chat, and Faunus Quarter isn't exactly safe. I suggest we go to our operations base first." He stood and addressed the Salamander. "I have some things I want to discuss with you."
"Of course. I also have questions for you." Ignis nodded, equally curious about this battle brother.
To move quickly, the Lamenter lifted Cecilia effortlessly. She was embarrassed and blushing, clearly very familiar with him—otherwise, no one would tolerate this.
"Do you want me to carry you too?" Ignis asked Jane Doe.
"You make me feel like luggage." The lady frowned. "It's fine, I can keep up with you."
The Lamenter had clearly spent a long time in this quarter. Ignis followed him through narrow alleys. Faunus Quarter borders the Outer Ring; this place is chaotic. Outer Ring residents conduct business here, legal or illegal. Gangs often hide in this area, transporting special cargo via motorbike convoys. New Eridu's control is weaker here—the Outer Ring follows a different set of rules. Those entering New Eridu from the Outer Ring must be inspected.
Though, there are plenty of ways to bypass inspections.
As they moved through the alleys, they ran into several groups. Their clothing marked them as different from New Eridu residents, and seeing two giants made them nervous. But for two Space Marines, it was irrelevant.
Exiting through an alley, Cerakos led them into an abandoned school. The place was desolate, with no one around. Even a weasel scurried away as they entered the courtyard.
"After a factory moved out, people gradually left. This school has been abandoned for many years." Cerakos set Cecilia down. "Cecilia was the last graduating class here—only three kids in that cohort, including her."
"So, you've been here a long time?" Ignis asked.
"By local chronology, about seven or eight years." Cerakos shrugged and walked into the school building.
The so-called school had only a small playground and a five-story building; even the walls were broken. Ignis noticed a basement, and Cecilia went straight down.
"Below is her workshop. Machines needed for operations are underground." The Lamenter looked at his cousin. "You might hit your head if you go down—better come with me elsewhere."
The "elsewhere" seemed to be a nurse's office, with a washbasin and a bed. The bedding was new. The room, though worn, was clean, with a bright red fire extinguisher on the wall.
"Some topics may not be suitable for you," Cerakos winked at Jane Doe. "So..."
"Alright, I get it. Men's business." She spread her hands, feigning helplessness. "I'll talk to the young lady instead."
Once Jane Doe entered the basement, the Lamenter immediately asked: "Which era are you from? Do you know the Badab War?"
"The 42nd Millennium, of course I know the Badab War."
The Salamander sighed. He knew the Lamenters' story—the battle-brood struck by misfortune. During the Badab War, they were ambushed by the Minotaur Chapter, their flagship captured, members slaughtered, leaving only 300 survivors. Those survivors were forced on a 100-year penitent crusade and later encountered Tyranid's Kraken Hive Fleet, almost annihilating them.
"So…" His words faltered. "You remember me. So, the Lamenters still exist—thank goodness."
"Yes. the Lamenters not only survived, but after the return of Primarch Roboute Guilliman, they gained original casting technology. While it provided more warriors, it also brought the Black Rage among them."
"How much did I miss?"
Cerakos sat on the small bed, the sunset casting warm orange light into the rundown room.
"I participated in the Badab War. At that time, I completed scout training and became a full Space Marine." He sighed. "The Minotaurs found our fortress monastery and ambushed us. We had 870 battle-brothers—only 311 survived when we were forced to surrender."
The Badab War was a disaster for the Lamenters. They were supposed to defend the Maelstrom, but got caught in a brutal civil war. They didn't fire on the Mantis Warriors they had bonds with, instead using guerrilla tactics to drive them back. Until the Minotaurs struck their fortress.
"We fought bravely, those bronze bull-head monsters suffered heavy losses too. Later, we were sentenced to a full 100-year penitent crusade." His voice trembled. "No supplies, no reinforcements. Honestly, we thought it was the end."
Cerakos looked at the Salamander. "Then your chapter came."
He smiled. "Provided us with mastercrafted power armor and weapons—just in time. And exactly the styles we use."
The Lamenter raised his power sword, decorated in Blood Angels style.
"I can't imagine how we survived that crusade without it. Unfortunately, I wasn't there the whole time. During another battle against Chaos, an officer and I were hit by warp sorcery. When I regained consciousness, I was here."
"Wait, you had another person?" Ignis asked, surprised.
"Yes, Sergeant Calix. He chose me as a candidate and fought with me on the crusade. But when he woke, he succumbed to Black Rage."
"Where is he now?"
"In a Hollow. We appeared inside." Cerakos continued. "He was out of control, attacking me, shouting 'Horus.' I tried to save him but couldn't. I escaped, then encountered Tyrannus in the Hollow."
"He was a rookie Proxy, his companion ran off, leaving him surrounded by Ethereals. I couldn't handle Calix, but a group of Ethereals was manageable."
"Later he brought me out, and I realized it was a whole new world. Damn, it took a long time to get used to the abundance of abhumans and the Men of Iron…" He paused. "Well, I almost killed one. Later I learned here, Men of Iron are still humans."
"To survive, I worked with Tyrannus… doing Hollow Raider jobs—or focusing on rescuing people from Hollows. Gradually, I got close to him, learning his son died young, leaving only a granddaughter—Cecilia."
"We became good friends, settled in the city. Not long ago, an old friend asked me to go to the Outer Ring to resolve a long-standing Hollow expansion problem. Before I returned, Tyrannus was killed."
"A drug-addicted punk encountered him in the street, demanded money. Tyrannus was already reaching for it, but the kid thought he was too slow, stabbed him."
His handsome face twisted with pain.
"Half a month ago, I returned from the Outer Ring, only saw Cecilia. She's strong, far stronger than I imagined."
"Maybe her tears dried before I got back. She asked me to avenge Tyrannus. Haha, I wanted it more than she did."
"The punk couldn't handle interrogation, confessed quickly, and I killed him. Cecilia said killing alone was meaningless—the drugs were the real culprit. So, we planned today's assault."
"Cecilia got an invitation through Tyrannus' network and infiltrated. I followed from afar. You know the rest."
Ignis nodded. "I'm curious how you suddenly appeared. Power armor isn't subtle."
Cerakos sighed again. "I have some psychic talent but not enough to be a strategist. They taught me tricks—like using psychic powers to create a temporary veil, disappearing from sight. It's unreliable, but it helped me escape Calix."
Ignis looked at his height, feeling familiar.
"Quick question: Did you destroy that giant robot in C41 Hollow?"
"Yes, that was me." Cerakos nodded. "How did you know?"
The Lamenter eyed Ignis, then patted his thigh. "Cecilia and I took a job to rescue someone from C41 Hollow. The rescued person said it was caused by a giant smashing the barricade to attract them for treasure hunting. Could it be…"
"It was me. I did it." The Salamander admitted cheerfully. "I intended to destroy the mech. Heard the explosion outside the wall, made a hole, saw only your heat traces."
"I was curious how someone approached the giant robot and attached the bomb. Psychic trick?"
"Just luck. I heard something breaking the wall, thought it was the mech's troops, and left." Cerakos shook his head. "We just missed each other. You can see my gear is heavily damaged—avoiding frontal combat whenever possible."
"But today, you charged right in."
"Ignis, I need your help with two things." The Lamenter stood, expression serious.
"I think I've guessed one. Sergeant Calix, right? You need me to free him." The Salamander spoke his guess.
"Yes. I've been monitoring him. After all these years, he's still there, but recent info shows ether corruption. I must free him," Cerakos sighed. "I can't suppress him alone."
"No problem. But we'll need to swap gear first." Ignis didn't refuse. "Your gear needs repair—your power sword is damaged, right? I noticed you haven't activated the power field."
"As you said, it's broken. I couldn't find a better replacement." Cerakos rubbed his chestplate. "Armor too—scarred, even lost the helmet."
"Then I have good news." The giant extended his hand. "This Salamander's here for after-sales service."
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