228: Chapter 228 Some Truths

"...Anyway, that's the situation. Although in terms of numbers, the Federal Army has an overwhelming advantage, due to the destruction by the National Front and the damage from the civil war, the Federal Government's technical equipment gap is actually quite severe."

Diller toyed with the AUG in his hand. "Their main forces in the city are gathered at two airports; they are larger and suitable for stockpiling supplies. I've marked several weak points on the I-610 Loop for you, see for yourself."

Kate leaned in next to Li Ming to look at the map. "The markings are quite detailed."

"You think we've survived until now just on slogans?" Diller's mask hid his expression. "You are messengers from the sky, and we are just rats in the gutter, but when a natural disaster strikes, it's hard to say who will survive until the end."

Kate heard this and immediately crossed her arms, looking at him with her head held high. "Yeah, we also can't be as unscrupulous as you guys."

Li Ming raised his hand, telling them both to stop arguing. "I'll carry out an inspection next. If there are no problems, I'll give you the remaining two guns."

"No problem." Diller nodded. "I just didn't expect that you would actually bring a... celebrity from the Mediation Force."

"Oh? I'm famous?" Kate popped a piece of bubble gum into her mouth.

"It's more than just being famous. You should know yourself that you're quite well-known on the Federal side as well."

"Ha, true enough." Kate shrugged. "Li Ming, are you done? I want to go back."

"Then I'll come find you guys later." Li Ming put away the map and looked at Diller. "Pleasure doing business with you."

Watching him walk away with the equipment, Li Ming looked at Kate.

She blew a bubble and then sucked it back in. "Shall we go?"

"Yeah, let's head back." Li Ming shook his head, rolled up the map, and put it back in his bag.

On the road, there was only the whistling wind and the sound of her light chewing.

"Hey, Li Ming."

"What is it?"

"Why do you think Elsa and Maria are so crazy that they insist on coming to our side to carry out some mediation mission..."

"Ideals, maybe."

Li Ming thought for a moment and gave an ambiguous answer.

"For ideals, they'd even give up their lives?"

Kate sneered and then fell into silence.

After an unknown amount of time, she continued, "When the European War of '25 broke out, they had both received recall notices, but they didn't go back; instead, they insisted on staying."

"Based on their performance, wouldn't it be no problem for them to go back and be promoted to field officers? Given their family backgrounds, they didn't really need to fight to the death on the front lines, did they..."

Li Ming shrugged; how would he know? But he knew how brutal the fighting in Europe was under this world setting. If they had gone back...

It was hard to imagine the two of them facing each other on the battlefield.

"But they just had to stay in this godforsaken place..."

Kate looked up at the gray sky. A few startled birds flew overhead, causing a small commotion before disappearing into nothingness.

"...A godforsaken place where your life is at risk at any moment. Isn't it better to go home? ...At least they have a home to go back to."

"...Maybe they just couldn't leave you alone?"

"Then I've become a burden to them... I can't let them disband peacefully. Haha..."

"So you... well, do you care about them?"

"...Yes, I care."

Kate looked at him. "Are you trying to bait me?"

"Say it or don't." Li Ming narrowed his eyes. "I'm happy to listen, as long as you want to talk."

"Tsk, weirdo." Kate rolled her eyes at him. "But then again, it makes sense; otherwise, you wouldn't have thought of such a strange way to collect information."

"...Whatever makes you happy."

She shook her head. "Thank you."

"What are you thanking me for?"

"I thought I was really going to lose them. Before I met you, I hadn't seen Maria for a long time. Even though Elsa is often at the headquarters, she... I can hardly ever get a few words out of her."

"...What happened to them?"

"I remember it was near the end of '25 when she received her father's notice of death in action. Was it in... Krakow, or Vilnius? I'm not very familiar with Europe."

"...I'm sorry." Li Ming meant it.

"Maria and I originally wanted to comfort her..." Kate was silent for a moment. "Until Maria's father came to see her."

"How can there be such a coincidence in this world? The trophy he brought to Maria was..."

Li Ming held his breath. No way?

"...It was Elsa's father's pocket watch."

Great, brothers. This is indeed a big problem.

"This..." Li Ming didn't know what to say for a moment. "So what happened next?"

"Maria's father gave Elsa a chance... a chance for revenge, to challenge him to a duel. Elsa lost, and she lost... miserably. She was completely powerless to fight back."

"Tsk."

Li Ming shook his head. There are no winners in war.

"Kate, think about it. Are Elsa and Maria at fault?"

"...No, they've been here the whole time."

"Do you think Elsa hates Maria?"

"Probably not?"

"Then that's it. Elsa just can't get over this hurdle." Li Ming shook his head. "And because of that, their interactions become very awkward. I feel that Elsa's personality actually has some similarities to mine."

"Does it? I don't feel that at all..."

"Thin-skinned."

"Thin-skinned? You?" Kate laughed in frustration. "Then why did you scurry over to our garage to sleep?"

"Staying alive is more important than saving face."

Kate was stunned for a moment, and her smile immediately vanished. "Um... I said the wrong thing..."

"No, you're just telling the truth." Li Ming shook his head. "In fact, I highly approve of the high level of vigilance Elsa maintains toward me. There is nothing wrong with her actions."

"Even though you've helped us?" Kate raised an eyebrow.

"Even though I've helped you." Li Ming nodded.

"...You Huaxia people are indeed strange."

"I have an older sister living in Kentucky; I don't know how she's doing now."

This was true, but only in the world he came from.

"I'm sorry..."

"It's fine. For us now, surviving is the most important thing." Li Ming looked at her. "And what I want to say is: stereotypes are undesirable."

The two of them stopped talking and returned to the garage in silence.

"What they need isn't time, Kate." Li Ming thought for a moment and spoke again. "Stick by them. If you need help, just ask."

——————

"What's the result of the voice extraction?" Zhang Wei looked at Old Wang.

"The result is out; it's a person named Li Ming." Old Wang said, holding the report. "Li Ming, born in 20**, from Zhejiang Province. Graduated from Ning City University, currently a freelancer."

"Why would such a person suddenly appear in North America?" Zhang Wei scratched his head.

"In fact, according to the information, this Li Ming is still in the country, but for some reason, this signal appeared in Houston."

"So what do you mean...?"

"Combined with the report from the Security Bureau, he might be the legendary... transmigrator."

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