Man in the Ark: Revitalizing Kazdel

In Blesk, a city in the far north of Ursus, a large land-based warship with Rhodes Island livery on its side deck is quietly docked in a semi-closed port.

Before obtaining a special pass signed by Grand Duchess Eliza, the Northern Administrator, Rhodes Island could neither freely enter the Far North Mines nor leave the city of Brest.

During the port call, the Grand Duchess's personal guard squad conducted multiple inspections of the entire land-based warship. After repeatedly confirming that the ship only possessed enough force for self-defense, they did not board it again.

The Duke's guards, who believed themselves to be flawless, could never have known that a seemingly ordinary humanoid calamity was among Rhodes Island's top management, successfully evading everyone's attention.

Thanks to Dr. Warfarin's tireless efforts and an order from Saint-Germain, Grand Duchess Eliza finally granted Rhodes Island permission to conduct medical assistance activities in the Far North mining region.

After idling for many days, the land-based ship's engine roared again, driving the steel behemoth weighing hundreds of thousands of tons to crush the hard frozen ground, leaving two deep trenches leading to the sealed-off mining area.

“Your Highness, time is of the essence. Even as I enjoy this cup of hot tea you have offered, the situation continues to become increasingly tense.”

The Ursus officer sat upright beside the warm fireplace, exuding the chill of the remote icy plains and an indescribable stench of decay.

Even though she deliberately applied cedar resin as a cover-up before setting off, she still couldn't escape the keen sense of smell of Grand Duchess Eliza, who was an early settler.

"The Marshal awaits your reply." The Ursus officer put down his teacup, his calm eyes gazing quietly at the Grand Duchess sitting opposite him.

“Even Marshal Yevgeny can’t sit still anymore. It seems that Ursus is really facing huge trouble.” Grand Duchess Yelisa said calmly as she sipped her hot tea.

"In the foreseeable future, Saint-Germain's lukewarm response will not be accepted. This is not just the Marshal's opinion."

"Is this his notification to me?" Grand Duchess Ye Lisa raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing this, her tone turning colder.

"No, the Marshal values ​​his friendship with you highly and has great faith in your wisdom. Even at this time, the interests of Brest and the Fourth Army are closely intertwined."

"Besides, the Marshal doesn't need you to do anything extra, just your nod."

"..." A long silence fell over the reception room, broken only by the crackling sound of firewood burning in the fireplace.

"Just recently, I gave Rhodes Island's land-based ships special permission to enter the Far North mining region to conduct medical assistance operations. The situation in the mining region is complex, and I do not want any accidents to happen to the medical personnel from these friendly neighboring countries."

After a long silence, Grand Duchess Yelisa spoke first, turning the topic to the Rhodes Island organization, which had recently entered the mining area, her tone full of heartfelt concern and worry.

"The Fourth Army assisted Brest in suppressing the rebellion that attacked Rhodes Island deep in the far north mining region, demonstrating the sincere friendship between the two countries." This was the only sentence in the army's report to St. Martin-in-the-Fortress.

The Ursus officer immediately understood the Grand Duchess's deeper meaning and flexibly gave a satisfactory reply.

"..." Grand Duchess Yelisa did not give a direct answer to the Ursus officer's statement. Instead, she picked up her teacup and took a sip of the remaining hot tea.

"I understand. Marshal Yevgeny sends his regards and wishes for the glory of Ursus." Having received the answer he wanted, the Ursus officer did not linger any longer, rose, saluted, and hurried away.

“My dear friend Yevnigen, I can smooth away a pile of small pebbles on your rugged path, but what will you do with those huge boulders…?”

Grand Duchess Yelisa rose and went to the window, looking up at the sun in the gray sky. Before long, the warm sun would be replaced by the twin moons.

Brest is plunged into a long polar night, which often brings the aurora borealis. If radio communications are disrupted by severe weather, it's unavoidable that distress signals cannot be received.

"Rhodes Island, don't blame me, it was you who insisted on entering the mining area."

......

"The blockade of the mining area is not as tight as I imagined, haha... The lower levels of the army are still so corrupt."

"How can Ursus's glory be rebuilt when there's a swarm of bloodsucking insects clinging to the body of the Empire...?"

In the biting, cold wind, the elegant and beautiful teacher, Liboli, dragged her suitcase, walking alone across the desolate snowfield. She had successfully crossed the blockade and was now hiking towards the nearest village.

The outline of the miners' village was faintly visible amidst the swirling snow. To escape the approaching blizzard, teacher Li Boli raised his hand and knocked on the dilapidated wooden door of a house at the village entrance.

"Sister Talulah, someone's knocking on the door." A childish voice came from inside the house. Upon hearing that familiar name, Teacher Liboli's expression immediately became subtle.

"Who's outside the door?" Talulah stood up and asked through the door. Her right hand subtly gripped her longsword, a blazing flame gathering in her palm.

She would never forget that unique, nauseating, fishy smell; it was the scent of the immortal black serpent, Koschche.

Talulah didn't know how Koschei had found her there—was it a coincidence, or was there an informant among the people she had contacted? But regardless, she had to get to the bottom of it in person.

“Kashena, a university teacher who went to teach in a rural area.” Teacher Li Boli truthfully gave his name, even though it was just an insignificant title.

“...Kashena. The name is still so straightforward and simple, Koschke.” The dilapidated wooden door slowly opened, and Talulah, her face full of vigilance, used her body to block the black snake’s prying gaze into the house.

“If you find these syllables bring back unpleasant memories, you can also call me Fiorette.” Kashina remained unfazed by Talulah’s hostility, responding calmly and composedly.

“What are you doing here? There is nothing you want here, only poverty and hunger. Your speech is to the people here as empty as the fake flowers on your body.”

“Talulah, as I said, I am a university teacher who teaches in a rural area.”

"War is ongoing, friction between parliament and the military continues to escalate, and people's will is sparking new ideas in one conflict after another."

"And I will stand on the most vibrant soil and do my best to sow the seeds. I will guide... or rather, facilitate these changes."

"The people of this land will be the ones to save Ursus. The fire that drives away the darkness and cold will begin here."

So... are you going to stop me?

Kashina took a step forward, tilting her head back to reveal her stunningly slender, snow-white neck, a confident smile playing on her lips.

Talulah could have easily killed the frail body of the evil god if she so desired. However, her hesitation and contemplation prevented her from drawing her sword.

"Sister Talulah, what happened?" The little Ursus girl, who was warming herself by the fire inside the house, noticed Talulah standing at the door and asked curiously.

“It’s alright.” Talulah shook her head, her eyes fixed resolutely on Kashena, and said, “If you harm the people here, I will kill you without hesitation. Come in.”