At the happenings of their tour, Vin introduced them to certain things and reminders like what every person in charge should do. For example, the buildings that needed to be watched out for due to their fragility or a certain danger where it might fall any time soon due to dereliction of management.
As they did, all of them were introduced to the other three corrupted areas. Two of them are near each other, making it the most dangerous part to be deployed hence the ones looking out for it were observing it from high rises or very far. Their given names were Snickering Bridge and Vermilion's Painted Hand.
The bridge, which was an entryway at some point before the city was declared a red zone, was corrupted hence other routes were used. Unfortunately, the bridge is the very main road of the city. With it being blocked, the road of transportation has become hard. However, there's nothing to do and cry about it as one will just have to find other ways.
Vermillion's Painted Hand, on the other hand, looked like it had been corrupted with the shape of a hand that mostly affected the northern part of the city.
No one was guarding it nor everyone dared to, mostly because its red land looked like it was frozen through time from afar. As if it were a picturesque stationarity painting that someone made and left it just like that.
Lastly, their tour came to an end after they visited the last area called, Mendeleev. This particular area was named like that because it was once a manor for the previous city mayor, Mendeleev.
It was also his tomb as he was the only victim of that corrupted area. His family had already escaped while he, for some reason, didn't join them and suffered such a pitiful end. No one ever retrieved his body for the same reason as they were corrupted.
"Sir, after this case, we'll do the operation cleansing, right?"
Jacqueline who had been all quiet throughout the time, finally raised a question to Vin, who merely gave her a glance. With a blank expression, he replied.
"This protocol is something we've been considering, knowing we already enclosed the corrupted areas as possible but the army hasn't given much word about it. It's probably because this city isn't such a state anymore. In fact, it might already be used as an army base after we're done here. Hopefully, no matter what happens, we're alive at the end of it,"
"Oh..."
In the end, even if the city has been cleared and redeemed as yet another safe area, the bad history it contained will make other people avoid it as much as possible.
That's only natural to happen while there are rare instances where a place goes back to its former glory after being surrendered to such a state. Vin wasn't going to consider this to be a rare situation though.
"Okay, that's all for today. You are free to do whatever you want for the day,"
Finally, after the mention of the day's ending, Cesar was relieved and immediately approached Jacqueline as others left them because they needed some rest after the continuous riding to get to their deployment base.
After all, on the incident at Harden City, their only stop was when they needed to go to the comfort area to change or regulate their bodies. They immediately follow Vin's instructions to introduce them to the city after realizing that time is of the essence.
But Cesar was different, and he realized that Jacqueline as well isn't as tired as others.
"Hey, can we spar?"
Cesar asked in an appealing tone that almost sounded like an order to Jacqueline, who observed him for a moment and gave a curt nod.
"I'm available right now,"
Cesar chuckled, "That's what I'm talking about,"
But once more...
Clang—!
He was met with the same futility.
Whoosh—!
Cesar wanted to gain an advantage firsthand, knowing Jacqueline was in a pinch after performing various kinds of attacks but he only made a mistake. It wasn't even a mistake but merely something that a person should normally do.
It was just a silly mistake, but Jacqueline managed to clutch it within her hands and use it against him.
Cesar only breathed a little longer after performing an insane amount of attacks on Jacqueline but it disrupted the insane flow he was getting at and she used it to turn things around.
"You think too much,"
Jacqueline vanished at his front once more and cut a bit of Cesar's arms, inflicting slight injury which Cesar immediately moved to protect himself.
But alas, after just a second, Jacqueline was already behind his back, pointing the tip of her sword at his neck.
"Did this distract you?" Jacqueline spoke evenly, "Do you know why you're never going to be at my level?"
Cesar glanced back, his smile twisting upwards in the most ridiculous way possible as if he was amused by this scenario.
"Tell me,"
Jacqueline removed the sword from his neck and retorted, "It's because you have no will. A desire to do something,"
"..."
Jacqueline then added, "As if you're merely here just to survive in this cursed world we live in. You attended the academy because you wanted to survive. You study and learn new tactics and prowess just to survive. Everything about you is survival and not desire,"
Cesar chuckled, "Isn't that all people think about?"
Jacqueline swiftly shook her head, denying his statements, "Most people but fortunately, I'm not part of those most people. Believe me, survival isn't a goal in this world. You must set direction on whatever path you're walking through. Until then, you'll never be able to kill Nightmare on your whole life, much more a Corrupted Human. Worse, even a Heretic,"
Jacqueline waved her hands as she started moving away, "That's all. Take my advice to your heart,"
Cesar watched her back away after putting the weapon she used down and left. Once he was alone in the training room, he couldn't help but chortle in ridicule.
"Conviction, huh? That's one way to die early in this world, bitch,"