The next day, Talulah stepped out of her home with an expression that screamed she was questioning her entire existence. She didn't notice it herself, but she gave Jeanne and Alina—who were busy preparing breakfast—a genuine fright.
How could a child look so haggard after just one night? Had the Black Snake been unable to restrain himself and seized an opportunity to strike her in her sleep?
"What happened to you? Why do you look like someone played with you all night?"
As Jeanne asked this, she stealthily gripped a rolling pin behind her back, relaxing her body as she moved behind Talulah, planning to deliver a "Shinobi Execution" just in case.
"It's nothing... just some things happened that shocked me a bit," Talulah replied listlessly. She couldn't exactly say that Kashchey had forced her to finish an entire book on makeup techniques under the guise of "essential knowledge for your future."
He even told her that there were many more such books for her to study in the future! God only knew how a Pythia knew so much about Draco horn maintenance. Shouldn't you just rub them with some wax and call it a day?
And why did that old fossil know so much about ladies' fashion? Was he a pervert? Did he study all this before trying to seize her body, planning to use her as a guinea pig?
"Stop it, I really am Talulah."
Talulah reached back and snatched the rolling pin from Jeanne's hand, strangling that wicked intention before Jeanne could actually strike.
"Are you sure you're okay? You look drained. Why don't you rest?"
Beside them, Alina had already brought breakfast to the table, wearing the clothes made from the Holy Shroud. She loved this outfit; it was sturdy, resistant to dirt, and kept her warm in winter and cool in summer. She only needed a coat to head outside. However, Jeanne often teased her, saying she looked like a reindeer kept by Santa Claus.
"I'm fine, just a bit tired from learning things at Kashchey's place last night."
Talulah waved her off. She had many problems to solve today, and Jeanne needed to head out to buy essential supplies, meaning Jeanne wouldn't be around to help with the chores.
After finishing their meal, Jeanne and Alina left first, leaving Talulah—who couldn't cook—to clear the dishes. This had become their established routine.
On the way, Jeanne pulled a cross from her collar and handed it to Alina. It was just a simple wooden cross she had carved, but it possessed a certain spiritual aura since Jeanne used it for her daily prayers.
"Alina, take this. If Talulah starts acting strange, press it directly against her face. If Kashchey actually tries something, he'll be purged immediately," Jeanne instructed.
It wasn't that she didn't trust Talulah's abilities, but the Sword of Damocles was ultimately a static object; there might be bugs or loopholes he could exploit. Since Talulah was now in constant contact with Kashchey, Jeanne gave Alina her personal cross as a safeguard. This item had been on her person for four years—it was practically a holy relic for warding off evil.
If she ever went back to her old world, she could probably open a church right next to a Shaolin office on Wudang Mountain specifically to sell exorcism charms.
"I understand. Don't worry, I'll keep a close eye on her," Alina promised solemnly, taking the cross—still warm from Jeanne's body—and hanging it around her neck.
"Alright, I'm off! Let's see if I can trade for some sugar today."
Jeanne sat on the cart and began her journey away from the village. As Alina's parting reminders to be careful echoed in her ears, Jeanne waved goodbye to her and the surrounding villagers.
However, the sight of Alina waving goodbye, combined with the image of herself traveling far on a beast-drawn cart after giving her a "token of affection" like the cross...
In any TV drama, she would be the "Extra A" who dies in a tragic roadside accident.
The others couldn't come along because the plants were currently in a rapid growth phase. If tended to properly, they might see a bumper harvest this month. Aside from the patrol members, everyone—even the children—wanted to help in the fields. Otherwise, why would they rely on a Saint who couldn't even understand basic math to do business based on "Divine Revelations"?
Lord in Heaven, please forgive me for using the revelations You gave me for such mundane purposes.
Jeanne sat alone on the cart. The pack beast was very obedient, allowing her to drive it with ease. She hummed a little tune as she traveled through the pristine white snow, looking like a pure white elf wandering the earth.
"Big Bear, do you hear something?" a man lying prone in the snow asked his companion.
"I think so. Sounds like someone singing. What's the big deal?"
"Don't you hear it? This singing is even better than Big Sis'."
"I still think Big Sis sings better."
"Liar! You're the one who said Big Sis' singing is too monotonous and that she should sing something passionate for a 'gap-moe' effect!"
The guy seemed to have hit Big Bear's sore spot. Both lifted their heads, ready to start bickering, only to have their heads stepped on and shoved back into the snow.
"Big Bear, Chekhov. Talking while concealed. Five extra sets of training when we get back."
A snow-white Cautus—Frostnova—appeared beside them, gazing at them with icy eyes as if they were two slabs of frozen meat.
"Yes~ Big Sis Frostnova~" Chekhov replied in a tone that gave everyone goosebumps. Just as he was feeling smug, an ice ball smacked him in the head.
"Make it five more sets. Every time you speak like that, I add five more."
The cold voice returned.
"Heh, look at you now. Did you really think Big Sis would be fooled by your sweet talk? Watch me!" Big Bear turned toward the white rabbit and said, "Bi~~~g Si~ urk."
Before he could finish, an ice ball jammed into his mouth. He couldn't spit it out, and he couldn't bite through it.
"Big Bear, twenty extra sets!"
Frostnova sighed as she watched the other squad members stifling their laughter. They had received the same basic training as the Shieldguards, so why were her subordinates all such weirdos?
She watched Jeanne's departing figure, silently wishing that the girl with the beautiful voice would have a safe journey. Lately, the tundra had not been peaceful.
"Stay hidden. When they arrive, capture the leader first. Remember, take them alive!"
Frostnova melded back into the snow. Fortunately, she was a white rabbit; if she were black, concealment would be a nightmare.
They were ambushing this route because Patriot had learned from a military truck driver that there was a noble's cargo transit station nearby, which even contained armaments. The truck they had intercepted was returning from a delivery to the Yan Empire. The driver had traded the information for his life.
Patriot and the Yetis had split into two groups. They were moving toward their respective targets, planning to intercept another cargo truck on the route provided by the driver to seize and transport the supplies.