Durandal couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief at her words. "It's good you understand."
Yet, she didn't seem to notice this change in herself.
Elysia's smile, however, grew even brighter.
That evening, after dinner, Vill-V suddenly came looking for her.
"Leader, are you planning to convert that human experiment facility into the headquarters for the Flame-Chasers?" Vill-V asked directly.
Durandal nodded, adding, "You can just call me Durandal. The Flame-Chasers are a flat organization; everyone's status is essentially the same."
"As the leader, my only real authority is to assign tasks when we're fighting the Honkai."
She paused briefly before continuing, "So, your reason for asking about this is…"
Remembering that after becoming a MANTIS, Vill-V gained the ability to partition her own consciousness—one part naming itself the 'Expert' and even constructing a massive project like the Elysian Realm—Durandal asked, "You want to take on this job?"
Vill-V nodded eagerly.
"Look, instead of hiring some outside designer, why not just use me? It'll save a ton on design fees! I can incorporate everyone's needs and build our headquarters properly."
Durandal thought it over and found the suggestion quite reasonable.
"Alright, but… you'll need to report any 'backdoors' you leave to me as well," Durandal said meaningfully.
Vill-V wasn't surprised by this.
After all, Durandal had said on the day she joined that while Vill-V was investigating the Flame-Chasers, the Flame-Chasers were also investigating her.
So, it wasn't strange that Durandal knew about her habit of leaving little backdoors in her inventions.
"No problem! So, Durandal, what are your requirements for the headquarters?"
Vill-V immediately pulled out a small notebook and started jotting things down.
Durandal pondered for a moment. "The basics are obviously dormitories and a cafeteria—everyone needs those."
"For me personally, I'd like a gym, a simulation training room, a place for afternoon tea, a library, and finally, a pet room."
Vill-V's scribbling pen halted. She looked up at Durandal.
"A pet room? You want a pet? What kind? A snake? A lizard? Or a spider?"
Durandal stared back silently.
Did she really look like someone who'd keep those kinds of things?
"A cat… though I'm not sure if I'll actually get one. After all, I definitely won't have time to care for a pet."
Saying this, Durandal shook her head. "Better to just cross the pet room off."
"Okay."
Just as Vill-V was about to strike out 'pet room,' both her pen and notebook were snatched away.
Turning, she saw it was Elysia.
"I think a pet room is a lovely idea! And cats are so adorable~ Durandal, maybe you and I don't have much time to care for one, but isn't there Connie and the others?"
Vill-V glanced at Elysia, then at Durandal, recalling what Connie had told her before.
She decisively shut her mouth, waiting for the two of them to hash it out.
"Connie?"
Durandal was slightly taken aback, then nodded.
"Right, not just Connie, but also Fuxi and Nuwa, even Blanca and Griseo. Now that you mention it, we really could get a cat."
As for why she didn't mention Klein…
Expecting that workaholic to care for a cat was less realistic than expecting the cat to care for her.
"One? Wouldn't one cat get lonely? I think it's better to get two," Elysia suggested.
"Two…"
Durandal pictured a future where she could pet a cat with each hand and couldn't help but feel tempted.
She nodded. "Yes, let's get two!"
Seeing the two reach a happy agreement and Elysia return her notebook, Vill-V felt as if she'd been granted a great reprieve. "I'll go ask Connie and Eden what they need."
With that, Vill-V made a swift escape.
Watching Vill-V's figure head upstairs, Elysia's eyes widened suddenly. "Wait a minute, didn't Vill-V forget to ask for my opinion?!"
Durandal remained silent.
Upstairs, Vill-V immediately found Connie, telling her about being tasked with designing and building the Flame-Chasers headquarters and what had just happened downstairs.
"Connie, you have no idea. Watching them discuss whether to get a cat and how many, it was just like… just like…"
Vill-V struggled to find the right analogy, but the words just wouldn't come.
Connie, however, wore a knowing, almost maternal smile. "I get it! It was like a newlywed couple discussing whether to have children and how many, right?"
"Yes, yes, exactly that feeling!" Vill-V nodded repeatedly.
Downstairs, Durandal and Elysia were naturally unaware of Vill-V and Connie's conversation.
"Since Vill-V has left… would you like to go somewhere with me?" Durandal said.
"Where to?" Elysia's eyes lit up, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
Out at night—was this a stroll by the sea, a walk in the park? Or maybe watching a movie would be nice too!
However, Durandal's answer was:
"Vill-V's proposal just reminded me. Since the Flame-Chasers headquarters is about to be built, it's time for Dr. Mobius and the others next door to make their final decision."
Actually, Durandal had already considered that whole group as part of her own for a while now; otherwise, she wouldn't have mentioned Fuxi and the others helping to care for a cat.
But, considering them part of the group and them officially becoming part of it were still different.
Durandal decided to take advantage of today to finally break through that last layer.
"Oh." Elysia nodded, her enthusiasm visibly waning.
Durandal could clearly see her disappointment.
"So, what's wrong? Do you have something else to do?" she asked.
Elysia shook her head, and soon her face was once again bright with a smile. "Of course not! As a member of the Flame-Chasers, recruiting talent for the organization is my most important task!"
Durandal looked at Elysia with some suspicion. Confirming she wasn't just forcing herself, Durandal finally nodded. "Then let's go."
Since Mobius and the others lived right next door, just a few minutes later, Durandal and Elysia were ringing the doorbell.
Soon, Fuxi and Nuwa came together to answer the door.
Standing at the entrance, Durandal asked, "Is Dr. Mobius home?"
"Yes, the Doctor is in the study organizing materials. Is Lady Durandal here to see the Doctor? I'll go inform her right away," said Nuwa, who then turned to notify Mobius.
Meanwhile, Fuxi ushered Durandal and Elysia inside and poured tea for them both.
--+--