Sister Alia naturally did not answer that question, and Zhang Ge had no intention of pressing further.
Wouldn't it be clear once he saw for himself?
After driving for so ti, the vehicle soon ca to a halt in a temporary garage within the defensive position. The four of them stepped out of the vehicle, and the Commissar made the final arrangents:
"Father Ryder will accompany . We will proceed to the nearest blessed communication node to call for the Inquisition's review. Sergeant Zhang Ge, you and Sister Alia should not stay in the defensive position for more than three hours."
Listening to the Commissar's words, Zhang Ge suddenly realized sothing:
"Wait a minute, so what transportation will we use to get to the convent?"
"Ernesto's personal vehicle... Oh, you might not know him, but since you've returned alive, you'll get to know him soon. Also, take this."
As he spoke, the Commissar tore off a corner of a map, signed so words on the blank side, stamped it, and handed it to Zhang Ge.
"This will allow you to pick so equipnt from the armory. Although there's not much left there, it's best to choose a sword for Sister Alia, as well as a temporary prosthetic."
After Zhang Ge took it, the Commissar waved his hand in farewell and quickly left the garage with Father Ryder.
As for the Chira? Of course, they couldn't drive it either.
While using xenos equipnt on the battlefield wasn't a big deal, without proper registration and prior communication, it was easy to be mistakenly targeted by friendly forces from other units. Moreover, at this critical mont, it was better not to flaunt it in front of the Inquisition.
After the Commissar left, Zhang Ge turned his gaze to Sister Alia.
She seed a bit puzzled and spoke up first:
"I'll follow you for these three hours and won't interfere with your actions."
Of course, the implication was that if it exceeded three hours, she couldn't guarantee anything.
But that wasn't what Zhang Ge ant. He said:
"No, what I an is... where's the armory? Can you lead the way?"
"..."
Sister Alia seed to want to say sothing but held back, stepping forward to lead the way, with Zhang Ge naturally following behind.
As they entered the trenches, PDF or Astra Militarum soldiers occasionally whispered prayers as the Sister passed by, but no one seed to find it strange. It seed Sister Alia had been here for quite so ti.
Alternatively, the ongoing war was so intense that the mixing of Battle Sisters and frontline soldiers had beco the norm.
Given the current situation, Zhang Ge believed the latter was more likely. Of course, this wasn't a bad thing for him—he'd be more than happy to be thrown into an Apocalypse-level battlefield right now.
After crossing another trench, a flamboyantly dressed figure ca into view. The PDF soldiers beside him stood at attention on both sides of the trench, though the Astra Militarum soldiers didn't seem to pay him much attention.
He wore a set of force feedback power armor adorned with extravagant carvings, gold, and gemstone ornants, either as inlays or bases. A family crest was prominently displayed on the right chest of his power armor, matching the insignia on the PDF soldiers.
Without a doubt, he was likely the local noble, and these PDF soldiers were probably drafted from his family.
"Sister Alia, Sergeant Zhang Ge."
He first called out their nas, his tone calm and not as lofty as his flamboyant force feedback power armor suggested.
Then, he introduced himself:
"Let's skip the unnecessary formalities. My full na is too long, so you can call Ernesto. I'm here on behalf of my family to express our gratitude for your heroic deeds."
As he spoke, several servants beside him humbly stepped forward, holding trays above their heads.
On the trays were a finely crafted boltgun for mortals, an equally finely crafted power sword, and a pile of Throne Gelt.
Sister Alia showed no interest in engaging with him, while Zhang Ge watched him with curiosity, waiting to see what he wanted.
Seeing that neither of them responded, Ernesto didn't show any displeasure but continued:
"Additionally, Sergeant Zhang Ge, I have a vacancy for a captain in my personal guard. I wonder if you..."
That was quick.
But it was understandable. Astra Militarum veterans were common, but one who could penetrate an enemy stronghold of that scale, complete a decapitation strike, and return without a scratch was not so common.
For a noble, in such an environnt, a capable fighter was far more valuable than money.
Zhang Ge also understood what the Commissar had ant.
Following Ernesto's lead, Zhang Ge responded:
"I agree, but before that, I need to accompany Sister Alia to the convent. I'll assu the position after I return... As for these items, they're not necessary, right?"
Zhang Ge hesitated at the end not because of Ernesto but because he wasn't sure if refusing these items and then dying in an enemy ambush would be considered deliberately seeking death by rejecting better equipnt.
But Ernesto seed to misinterpret Zhang Ge's hesitation. Upon hearing Zhang Ge's agreent, he smiled with satisfaction, stepped forward, and patted his shoulder, saying:
"Coincidentally, I have an extra vehicle. You and Sister Alia can take it to the convent. It'll be faster."
He paused, then continued in a friendly tone:
"These items are a token of gratitude from my family. No need to refuse. I'll have my servants help you load them onto the vehicle. Moreover, I'll have other gifts for you at your inauguration ceremony."
For soone as pragmatic as Zhang Ge, Ernesto was never stingy with rewards—after all, such amounts were insignificant to a noble like him.
With that, Ernesto stepped aside, making way for Alia and Zhang Ge, displaying his humility in seeking talent.
The two walked past him and left the trench.
They were already close to the armory, and Sister Alia soon led Zhang Ge to its entrance. However, before entering, Sister Alia asked:
"Why did you agree to him?"
Her tone carried no additional emotion; it was simply a question born of curiosity.
"Why do you ask? Shouldn't I have agreed?"
"No, it's just that you don't seem like the type to agree."
Zhang Ge sighed:
"Will we return after going to the convent?"
"...Probably not."
"Since we won't, why refuse the money he's offering for free? Would he dare to cause trouble for you at the convent, or could he pull out of the Inquisition?"
"Fair enough."
And that was why Zhang Ge couldn't refuse better equipnt out of a need to die.
Under normal circumstances, a normal death would an dying while following standard operational logic. Deliberately rejecting better equipnt and then dying due to inferior gear would likely be considered intentionally seeking death. Zhang Ge couldn't take that risk.
But it didn't matter. At most, he'd just go from being cannon fodder to better-equipped cannon fodder. If it ca to that, the Inquisition would step in.
Zhang Ge comforted himself with these thoughts.
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