As an expert who has spent years in the lawless zone of Twilight Street, Padophyllis certainly knows how to tell if someone harbors ill intent toward her.
That's why she felt something quite strange.
The person in front of her clearly knew that she was going to steal from them, and even caught someone in the act... Yet this person, who was evidently extraordinary in skill, bore no ill will toward her.
Even more so—
She... knew her.
But the key point is—
"We don't know her!"
"Who is this person?" In the end.
Currently, Phyllis—who has unintentionally become the feared "cat-fusion warrior" of future generations—was caught in a storm of thoughts, none of which involved any high-level knowledge.
For a moment—
"Um, Boss—"
Pardot raised her other hand, the one not being held, and gestured back and forth between herself and Mei Raiden, "Have we met before?"
"..."
Mei Raiden was stunned for a moment.
It seemed that the overwhelming strangeness caused by the disturbing power within her—and the fact that she had "returned to the previous era over 50,000 years ago"—had disoriented her so much that she hadn't fully adapted to this new and unfamiliar present.
From time to time, her thoughts would become confused.
Goodness.
"Boss, are you hiding some kind of secret?"
Pardot had high emotional intelligence... or rather, she knew how to take the initiative in steering away from delicate topics that arose from the darkness in another's heart.
This was also one of her daily tricks of survival.
So, at that moment, seeing Mei Raiden remain silent, she assumed she didn't want to bring something up and changed the subject herself.
"Don't worry, we're not the type to pry. Who doesn't have a few secrets in their heart?"
Well, actually, she did feel a strong urge to pry.
Because her curiosity was indeed quite strong.
But Pardot also knew the truth behind the saying: "Curiosity kills the cat."
So, right now—
"Boss, do you know Sister Nia?"
She asked something else.
"And also... just grabbing and tugging someone on the street like that... isn't that a bit inappropriate?"
As she spoke, the hand that Mei Raiden was holding seemed to twitch a little uncomfortably.
"Ah, sorry."
Mei Raiden let go of her hand.
She responded immediately: "I know Aponia."
"When I came to Dusk Street this time, it was specifically to seek her help."
"Oh?"
Pardot's eyes turned and she pondered.
She asked again: "Can we ask, Boss, how exactly are you going to have Sister Nia help you?"
"..."
Mei Raiden fell silent again.
She was conflicted.
Just now, when her thoughts were still entangled, she had called Padot's name outright.
Now that she had calmed down, she was aware of how awkward the situation was.
This place, to her, was real—existing over 50,000 years ago, in the era of the current civilization.
At this point, let alone "Elysium Realm" and the memories of the Flame-Chasers, she wasn't even sure whether the fusion warrior project had been drafted yet.
Therefore, she had started reminding herself not to unconsciously look at these living, real people of the present with the preconceived notions of her "future-born" past.
Like: the Pardot in front of her.
Or: Aponia, whom she was about to meet.
Of course, considering the latter's special ability to predict the future, she could possibly approach her in a slightly more unique manner.
But in the end—
"I just wanted to ask Aponia a few questions."
Mei Raiden lied to Padophyllis without fabricating a random excuse.
But she also didn't reveal her true intentions.
Half-truths, avoiding the important and focusing on the trivial—that was probably it.
At that moment—
"Questions? Got it."
Padophyllis clapped her hands. "Sister Nia often helps people clear up their doubts."
"It's not unusual, not unusual at all."
"It's just that—those who have asked Sister Nia questions never go a second time."
This was something that wasn't recorded in the "Elysium Realm."
Mei Raiden was a bit surprised.
But she secretly took note of it.
At this point, Pardot was also relieved.
"Phew, turns out you're a 'guest.' You really gave us a scare just now... uh~"
To be honest, Pardot was simply being polite at that moment.
But she didn't expect that when the purple-haired girl in front of her heard the word "guest," she would tremble reflexively for a moment.
It felt like...
Pardot couldn't recall the academic term.
But she decided to guide them anyway.
Her thinking was simple:
"Anyway, everyone on Dusk Street knows where Sister Nia's nursing home is."
"This strange Boss already looks like a very capable person at first glance."
After all, even she—someone skilled at "acquiring goods without capital"—had been caught so easily.
So—
"It doesn't matter if I lead the way or not."
"Why don't you just follow me and see what happens?"
However—
"Even though Sister Nia seems very gentle and considerate, I don't know why, but the feeling she gives off always makes our hair stand on end."
"Well, later I'll just send someone to the door, then sneak off and crouch in a corner..."
In an instant, Pardot had already planned everything out in her head.
That's it.
"Boss, if you decide to make me your guide, you've found the right person."
Pardot began to show off her usual street talk.
For example: "When you meet someone, call them brother or sister first. Suffer a small loss in status and you'll avoid problems. Maybe you'll gain a lot more later!"
Another example: when meeting a man, praise his looks; when meeting a woman, don't just praise her beauty—you have to say: beautiful and kind-hearted.
Following this routine, just within a few minutes—
"Let me tell you, Sister Meiyi, there's no hardship in life that can't be overcome. Look at us... I've never been loved by anyone since I was little, yet I've had to work hard up till now~"
"Maybe those rich folks with food and clothes to spare worry about this and that all day, but we still can't live comfortably. Don't you think so?..."
Yes, not only had she already learned Raiden Mei's name, but she had also noticed that her mood was off.
Then she started gently speaking about all the good things in life.
It had to be said—like Ling Ke, far away on the other side of the earth, whose mood was lifted just by going to a concert organized by Eden—
At this moment, Mei Raiden also felt a bit better thanks to Padophyllis's words.
Even though she still couldn't fundamentally solve the various problems she was facing—
"Thank you, Pardot."
Mei Raiden said silently in her heart: "Don't talk about trust."
"So this is what it feels like to be responded to!"
If back then, she had just been a little more patient, even if they hadn't trusted each other at first, just responding to her once...
Could they have moved closer to that "beautiful, nonexistent memory"?