While chatting with Swire, Ch'en sat in a nearby seat, one hand propping up her cheek, the other rapidly spinning a pen in her hand. The expression on her face was a gentle one that Hoshiguma had never seen before. Hoshiguma could confirm that even in Ch'en's eyes, a hint of joy was mixed in. If this emotion were applied to Swire, she would probably have already gathered friends to start celebrating.
"Really, I told you that the development of things wouldn't necessarily reach the worst possible step! Look at how scared you were by what Lord Wei said earlier, that useless look you had, losing your very soul..."
Hearing Ch'en's words, Swire also let go of the worries in her heart and, while speaking, habitually began bickering with Ch'en again. Perhaps because she was in a good mood, Ch'en, at this moment, found the words Swire said about her to be a bit more pleasant to the ear. Therefore, Ch'en did not immediately retort to what Swire had just said, but sat there looking at the night scene reflected outside, lost in thought.
"So, what exactly is the relationship between you and that person named Talulah, Old Ch'en? I don't think I've ever heard you mention her..."
Hoshiguma, who had been sitting quietly listening on the side, curious and uninformed, inquired of Ch'en at this time. She truly didn't know about the matter of Talulah, and naturally didn't know why Old Ch'en was so happy.
"That is my sister who has been missing for many years. We haven't had contact for over ten years."
"Your sister? Doesn't that make her Lord Wei's niece as well? A Lung had actually gone missing on Lungmen soil; I've lived here for so many years, but I've never heard of this incident."
Regarding what Ch'en had just said, Hoshiguma expressed astonishment. She mistakenly thought that Ch'en's sister also belonged to the Lung race, and was very shocked by this matter. Listening to their conversation, Hoshiguma could guess that Talulah must have been abducted by someone else. But in this world, who would have the guts to kidnap a royal relative on Yan soil? This was a matter concerning national dignity. The Lung race held an extremely special status in Yan, and every member of the Lung race would be registered to prove their lineage. Kidnapping a Lung, even if the family had fallen on hard times to a certain extent, was not allowed. That was almost equivalent to slapping the Emperor of Yan in the face, insulting Yan in front of all nations.
"She is not a Lung. If she were a Lung, everything would have been much easier to handle, I don't know how many times over. She and I are half-sisters; our family situation is quite complicated..."
Ch'en couldn't explain it in too much detail; given Hoshiguma's current position, she might not necessarily be able to handle secrets of this level. Hoshiguma didn't ask further; it was enough to know a general idea of such complex matters. The tangled affairs behind this were not something she, a mere Oni from Higashi, could handle. Sometimes, knowing too many secrets is not a good thing for a person. Life is best lived in blissful ignorance; this was a principle Hoshiguma knew from her time in the underworld.
"I truly wonder what kind of expression will appear on Wei Yanwu's face when he knows the specific details of this matter."
Ch'en remembered Wei Yanwu, who had quarreled intensely with her during the day because of Talulah's matter. She didn't know how he would react upon learning the news she had sent him. While thinking, Ch'en watched the two people eating there, enjoying their food so much. She, who had originally been full, now felt the desire to eat again and took a roast pork bun to eat. Actually, this wasn't because she was hungry; she was just watching the two people in front of her eating, and her hand involuntarily reached out, her mouth also intending to join the fun...
"Ring ring ring ring ring~"
Not long after, the phone on Swire's desk rang. Swire demonstrated a cat's reaction speed, picking up the phone before it rang a second time.
"Hello, this is Senior Superintendent Swire of the Lungmen Guard Department (LGD). May I ask if there is anything you need help with on your end?"
Swire picked up the phone with a serious expression. For someone to be able to call her desk phone directly, the insider must be a big shot; in any case, it definitely wasn't a normal report call.
"Eh, Lord Wei? Ah, she is right next to me now! Do you need to... Ah, okay, I will convey it to her."
Upon hearing that it was Wei Yanwu's call, the two people beside her shifted their gazes over. Unexpectedly, Ch'en had just mentioned Lord Wei, and now his call had actually come through.
"Pink Sausage Dragon, Lord Wei said for you to call him when you have time. Lord Wei said he has some specific details he wants to ask you about."
Swire relayed what Wei Yanwu had said to her over the phone. This call was probably made to the LGD because he didn't want to disturb Ch'en, who might not know what to do at the moment. After hearing Swire's repetition, Ch'en didn't say anything, just nodded, then left the office with a solemn expression, going out to find a deserted place to make the call.
The two people in the office looked at each other, not knowing what to say for a moment. After shrugging their shoulders at each other, they continued to attack the takeout Ch'en had brought back.
On the other hand, the employees inside Penguin Logistics were witnessing a mutation. Because of one person's abnormal behavior compared to usual, several people began discussing the changes in secret. After returning to Penguin Logistics from the restaurant, Croissant and Texas observed Exusiai, who had a devout and happy expression on her face, and the fluorescent light tube above her head seemed to be brighter than before. Having never discussed religion-related topics with Exusiai, this was also the first time they had seen Exusiai in this state.
At this time, Exusiai, compared to her usual lively to the point of being a bit crazy self, was like a true angel, so devout, the expression on her face so peaceful. Exusiai, Lemuen, and Jeanne sat there discussing some religious terminology they didn't understand at all, listening to two onlookers sitting there dazed. Fortunately, this situation didn't last long, and it was impossible for Exusiai to pester Jeanne all the time. The three didn't talk for long before going back to the room to play games with the other two.
"I really appreciate it; that child is absolutely thrilled today. I haven't even seen her this happy when bombing schools."
Watching the back of her sister, who was so happy she was practically flying, a look of helplessness was written all over Lemuen's face. She had also instructed Exusiai today to be a bit more reserved and not make it too obvious that Jeanne's identity was special. Unfortunately, no matter how much Exusiai restrained her excited heart, her abnormality when facing Jeanne explained everything.
"There's no need to be so polite over such a small matter, right? You can't expect your sister to do something even the Pope cannot accomplish? That would be putting a bit too much pressure on your sister."
When the Pope suddenly appeared in the secret conference room in Chernobog and greeted her devoutly, Jeanne already had an idea of how the Sankta would react to her. She understood one thing: that if she knew she was around those devout Sankta believers, it was impossible for them to treat her as a stranger. This is something engraved in DNA, basically a convention of sorts. Jeanne was mentally prepared for this.
And she was not stubbornly worried that her somewhat unusual identity would be discovered, choosing to desperately hide herself. As for why she was hiding her identity now, it was simply because she felt that if her identity as a Saintess became universally known, it would be extremely inconvenient when taking actions in the future.
"That's true... anyway, if you don't mind, I'm relieved. I estimate that after that child becomes familiar with you in a couple of days, things will be much better by then."
Seeing that Jeanne said she didn't mind, Lemuen was also slightly relieved. She was also worried that Jeanne, who had been busy all day today, might have some complaints about her sister's overly enthusiastic hospitality.
"Yo, two guests from afar! How did you rest yesterday! Did you feel the enthusiasm of our Penguin Logistics?"
While the two were chatting, Emperor, who didn't know what he was doing all day, appeared in the company at this time. Waving his wings, he greeted Jeanne and Lemuen, who were sitting aside.