The figure dressed in a black straw raincoat (Shadow Guard), who had wrapped himself up tightly, could hardly believe his eyes. For a moment, he even thought his vision had failed him when he saw Talulah.
"Was that a Vouivre or a Draco? How could she look so much like Miss Talulah... and to appear in Chernobog at a time like this?"
He hurriedly gave chase, but unfortunately, he found only an empty street. Talulah, Jeanne, and the others had already driven away in another direction. By the time he caught up, it was too late.
"This matter must be reported to Lord Wei as soon as possible!"
The man in the black raincoat thought to himself, his heart filled with unease. He felt that this incident might even affect Lungmen. At such a critical juncture, why would Talulah—who had been missing for years—suddenly appear in Chernobog? There must be some inside information they were unaware of!
The figure in the black raincoat vanished from the street, soon entering a building to pick up a communicator. He needed to report everything to the one he served—the pinnacle of power in Lungmen, Wei Yenwu.
"Those were Lungmen's Shadow Guards (Black Raincoats), weren't they? It's my first time seeing them. I didn't expect you to be connected to the Yan Empire."
Inside the speeding car, Lemuen looked at Talulah with curiosity. She had already found it rare enough that Talulah was a Draco, but she never imagined Talulah would have a connection to Lungmen, which seemed worlds apart. Even for her, information regarding the Blackshuck was only obtained through the Laterano Church; it was said they were retired Yan Imperial Guards. Unfortunately, she had never personally dealt with the Yan Empire.
"Yes, Wei Yenwu is my uncle. I've been too relaxed lately and got a bit careless. I forgot that a man like him would definitely send his confidants to Chernobog to gather intelligence. I just didn't expect to run into him here of all places."
Talulah's shifting expression and complex tone proved her heart was far from calm. She still hadn't decided how to face Wei Yenwu; their relationship was simply too convoluted. Over the years, she had ceased to be that little girl from the past. She had long known the truth of what happened back then, but a thorn remained lodged in her heart. Even now, she couldn't move past it.
Her father had been driven to his death by the joint pressure of Kashchey, Victoria, and the Yan Empire. His identity made everyone wish for him to die in Yan, but in the end, he died at the hands of his own people. For years, Talulah had been escaping everything related to Lungmen, just as she had written a letter to Chen but refused to mail it. She was unwilling to mention Lungmen.
She didn't know how to face that place. It was a tangle of love and hate, a mess of relationships that she couldn't unravel even now.
Jeanne glanced at the visibly shaken Talulah and sighed inwardly. She had no good way to advise Talulah on such matters; Talulah would have to find her own way out. Jeanne pulled the car to the side of the road and suddenly pulled the dazed Talulah into a hug. Her hands gently stroked Talulah's head and back to soothe her emotions.
Talulah was momentarily stunned by the sudden embrace. Before she could speak, she felt Jeanne's hands gently petting her... Talulah wrapped her arms around Jeanne in return, closing her eyes to feel the warmth radiating from Jeanne's chest. Her mood stabilized significantly as she quietly felt this tenderness.
Just let me hold you for a while. Let me lay everything down in your arms for just a few minutes, and then I can once again become the Talulah who fights for her ideals...
Silently chanting this, Talulah squeezed Jeanne tightly. Under the gentle caress of those hands, Talulah felt the warmth surrounding her, and her heart finally found peace.
Lemuen very tactfully remained an observer to this hug—one so radiant it practically shone on her face. At this moment, she missed her own "angels." If one of those two were here, she could hold them instead of just watching these two embrace, right?
However, she was also very interested in the Saintess's romantic affairs. She observed so intently she was a hair's breadth away from taking out a notebook. If she wrote a book titled "The Saintess and the Women Around Her," it would surely be a bestseller in Laterano, wouldn't it?
After a short while, the two separated. Looking at Talulah's flushed cheeks, it was hard to tell if she was shy or if she had been held so tightly she couldn't breathe. Jeanne, on the other hand, turned her head away awkwardly. Although her face was deathly pale—barely showing any blood—Lemuen still noticed a faint, subtle warmth.
For a moment, no one spoke. Silence filled the car. Each of them stared out the window at the scenery, lost in their own thoughts. Jeanne didn't know why she had suddenly hugged her; she just felt Talulah looked pitiable in that state and chose the fastest method to comfort her: a warm embrace.
"Well then, let's head out!"
Seeing the silent Talulah and the sky-gazing Lemuen, Jeanne broke the quiet and drove toward the location of the final children.
"Jeanne."
Amidst the roar of the engine, the previously silent Talulah suddenly spoke, calling Jeanne's name very solemnly.
"Hmm? What is it?"
Jeanne turned to look at Talulah, but only saw her staring out the window. From this angle, Jeanne couldn't see her expression. Talulah's tail was tucked under her seat, so Jeanne couldn't use it to gauge her mood either.
"Just now... thank you."
Talulah remained quiet for a long time before squeezing those words out. Seeing the slight redness at the tips of Talulah's ears, Jeanne's mood brightened. It seemed her move had been remarkably effective.
"It's nothing. If you still feel unstable, we can hug for a bit longer! It's not like I'm the one losing out..."
"Stop being flippant and just drive. Once these children are rescued, we should all take a good rest and recharge. We've been so busy these days there's been no time to breathe."
From her words, Jeanne could tell Talulah's mood had improved significantly. Jeanne accelerated, the car roaring forward.
"Speaking of which, actually, Lemuen and I had plenty of rest at the base before coming. The only one working overtime these past few days has been you, Talulah! We aren't tired at all..."
"Then your vacation is canceled when we get back. It just so happens there's a bookstore over there; I'll buy a few of the latest editions of Advanced Mathematics and Calculus workbooks so you can enrich your knowledge..."
"Yada (No way)!"