Phoenix, determined not to dilly-dally on such an important occasion, followed Wong closely, and the children quickly followed suit. However, they weren't quite sure what kind of custom Wong was engaged in, so they stumbled around while attempting to imitate his kowtowing. Seeing this, Fairy 001, a time-traveling soldier dedicated to defending humanity, couldn't help but feel amused. As someone who had been reading multiple literature from the Early Hunter-Gatherer Era to the distant future, she recalled how Wuxia novels often featured such dramatic flair.
"Sigh. That's enough, all of you. This knowledge isn't my invention to begin with. It's not for me to boast about and hoard, nor do I plan to keep it a secret." She said, while lifting them up as if copying a sagely protagonist.
Axel and the other soldiers, who are, at most, modern men of culture, couldn't help but notice her reference to a Wuxia line. Thus, they stifled a laugh, and even the ten other operatives with Fairy 001 couldn't help but giggle. Then, Fairy 001, waived her hand cautioning them that the jokes are enough.
"Now that we've all had a good laugh, let's move on to the next type of casting, which is the charge type. If one can unleash magic like a barrage of bullets, then one can also charge it like firing a cannon."
She then instructed the ten operatives of the Fairy team to erect a soundproof barrier around the church. When she fired, it created a hole approximately twenty meters deep with a radius of about three meters, resembling a sinkhole. The citizens of the city erupted into quite a commotion, believing they had experienced an earthquake. The soldiers, who initially viewed Arcane as nothing more than a simple fireball and some warmth, were now firmly convinced of its immense power. They questioned why such capabilities had remained hidden throughout the 21st century. It became clear to them that the government likely chose to keep this knowledge secret to prevent possible abuses of power that could destabilize societal order and disrupt the harmony among people.
"Finally, the Arcane Arts of bringing back the dead…" A hush fell over the room as everyone struggled to comprehend whether such technology was even possible. If it existed, wouldn't that mean victory was already within reach? It was a tantalizing thought.
"Well, as long as it happens within 30 seconds of their death," she said calmly. She gestured to one of her team operatives, instructing them to keep the children at a safe distance. This scene might prove too horrific for their young eyes. With deliberate movements, the women shed their monastic robes, revealing bodies as smooth and flawless as jade, bearing no blemishes or scars, appearing more like actresses than warriors.
But that beauty was short-lived. Gunfire erupted, and their pristine forms were grotesquely altered. The air filled with the sounds of violence as the bodies were shredded, leaving behind only mangled fragments. Blood splattered, organs spilled, and shattered bones littered the ground.
Yet, amid the chaos, a miracle occurred. With another relentless barrage of bullets, the remnants began to stir. They sprouted anew like seedlings breaking through the earth. Bones, blood, and organs reassembled as if guided by an unseen force. The remains of their former carcasses lay strewn about, a testament to the destruction that had unfolded, yet their bodies emerged revitalized, defying the very laws of life and death.
Axel and his team couldn't help but feel dumbfounded, wondering if this was some kind of hallucination. Even Kokoy, who had felt heartache over the beauties just moments ago, was now stunned as he watched their bodies sprout like hibernating plants awakened by the first rays of spring sunshine. The ladies, still unclad, meticulously tended to the remnants of their former selves.
Meanwhile, Phoenix felt as if her worldview had shattered. She had always believed that death was an inevitable part of life, a fate everyone was meant to accept. But now, she understood that what she had signed up for might be something far greater than herself. She glanced at Axel, who was still focused on the small pieces of body parts being tended to by the ladies. Noticing that he didn't give them any lascivious looks, she subconsciously nodded in approval.
"Fairy 001, may I inquire if we can undergo that procedure as well? Will it effectively heal our injuries and alleviate our fatigue? Furthermore, are there any potential side effects we should be aware of?" Axel asked, his tone reflecting the seriousness of their situation. He understood that even if their team was in great condition, an extra edge could be the difference between victory and defeat.
The four soldiers exchanged determined glances, fully aware of the significance of any potential advantage. Fairy 001 interjected, shaking her head. "While I can help you heal every ailment, from diseases to birth defects, this procedure comes at a cost. You will retain all your reflexes as a trained soldier, but it will revert you to the age of eighteen, which may risk undermining your established identity as a soldier of the 21st century. If you still wish to pursue it, I can guide you through the process once this mission is complete."
She then pointed at the young lady wearing her nun attire. "This is Fairy 100, the youngest one. She has completed over fifty missions with us so far. We are from the same era, so it's no problem for her. Additionally, there are no nationalities in our era, we simply call ourselves Humans, thus, she doesn't need any such identities."
Axel, almost numb to the surprises from the future couldn't help but shake his head then he stated. "No nationalities, huh? That's kind of amazing! I mean, think about it, if we could just be 'Humans' and leave all the flags behind, we might actually get along better. It's like being on the same team, no matter where you're from! I'd be all for it if it means we can focus on the mission and each other instead of the walls we've built!"
Fairy 001, noticing that everyone had run out of questions to ask, stated, "Alright, let's plan to move at dusk. I've already prepared the horses, so we can leave after the children have had some training and a meal. We need to secure our vantage point, and while I can't share all the details just yet, we'll need to be there a bit earlier than planned."
"I understand. Is there anything you need help with around here?" Axel asked.
Fairy 001 shook her head and replied, "Just rest for now. We'll wake you once I've had a chance to see the kids go through the basics of using the equipment properly."
Axel and his team took a rest, fatigued from the battle they had fought the night before. Their constant surveillance, stemming from their concern for the safety of the people they had rescued, only added to their exhaustion, making it difficult for them to get the proper rest they needed.
In an underground basement, a group of 15th-century Arcanists gathered to learn the arcane arts under the guidance of Fairy 001. With the help of a warrior from the future, they practiced with the weapons built from a faraway time, mastering a pistol that channels their energy as a means to combat the hidden dangers of a looming war that remained unseen by the common people. When the time came for their lessons to end, Fairy 001 called Axel and his team through the system, prompting them to rise from their slumber and prepare for the challenges ahead. As they shook off the remnants of sleep, Axel made sure to recheck their gear as advised to them by Mission Control, seeing everything is ready, they rode their horses and proceeded towards their destination.
The travelers, once modestly dressed nuns, now wore skin-tight attire reminiscent of assassins, projecting an aura of danger that caused passersby to hastily steer clear to avoid trouble. Led by Fairy 001, the group comprised twelve women, including herself and Phoenix, along with three children and five men. As they journeyed onward, they passed through plague-infested villages stripped of life, where only rotting, bloated corpses littered the streets. Despite the grim surroundings, they pressed ahead with their mission to disinfect the area, while the women diligently secured the perimeter to ensure the safety of their companions.
However, chaos erupted when the headstrong Phoenix, unaware of military protocols, attempted to scorch an entire village. Her reckless actions drew the attention of the guards from a nearby town, prompting stern reprimands from Axel and Fairy 001. Realizing the gravity of her mistake, Phoenix hesitated, suddenly aware of the ramifications of her impulsive decision.
They quickly mounted their horses and took off at full gallop, spurred by the urgency of their situation. However, their escape did not go unnoticed because a keen-eyed guard spotted them in the distance and immediately raised the alarm, convinced that they were a band of bandits intent on causing mayhem. His shouts echoed through the desolate village, where not a single villager remained. Everyone had already fallen victim to the disastrous plague. As the hooves of their horses thundered against the ground, the group felt a surge of adrenaline, knowing that they had to outrun their pursuer to avoid a potential confrontation.