Kal'tsit found it very difficult to understand why Theresa would come to her with this question first. Shouldn't she have asked the "hoodie" sitting over there instead? Did Theresa intend to replace her commander?
"Full of doubts."
Kal'tsit offered her assessment. Laterano's recent series of actions was like a spider's web, and they had only seen a few sparse strands of it.
"The events of this period are definitely inseparable from Laterano's bizarre maneuvers. But as for why exactly they are doing this, and what they have accomplished in the process—we simply do not know."
Due to an extreme shortage of clues, Kal'tsit was unable to make more specific deductions. Even with her intellect, she could only provide such a generalized guess.
"The tundra. What Laterano is looking for is on the tundra!"
The Doctor beside her spoke suddenly, giving Amiya—who was in her arms—a start. Like a startled rabbit with fur standing on end, the girl leaped instantly into Theresa's embrace.
"How can you be so sure Laterano's target is the tundra? Aside from wandering demons, that place holds nothing but the Infected."
Kal'tsit frowned slightly at the Doctor's certain tone, but she ultimately chose to trust this person's judgment. Although Kal'tsit had her personal grievances with the Doctor, she acknowledged her talent; otherwise, she wouldn't have been comfortable with the Doctor holding the position of Commander.
"Look here! This is where Laterano and Ursus were previously in a standoff. But this point is clearly nearly double the distance compared to the other route! Even if we don't know their objective, who would purposely take such a long detour for a standoff?"
As the Doctor spoke, she tore a map off Kal'tsit's wall, causing Kal'tsit's eye to twitch slightly.
There's a map right on my desk; couldn't you just point at that? Do you have any idea how much trouble it is to pin a map to the wall?
However, she didn't dwell on these details and instead looked at the two lines the Doctor had drawn. If they were to attack the other side, the route was clearly half as short; but to go to the tundra the Doctor mentioned, they would have to pass through the Ursus heartland!
At that moment, Kal'tsit remembered that after the collective Sankta coma incident, all her doctors reported that the Sankta they treated had seen a vision of a snowy tundra while unconscious...
Now everything made sense! There was definitely something there attracting the Sankta, to the point that they wouldn't even hesitate to trigger a war! However, they must have obtained the item through some other method afterward, as they didn't actually clash with the Ursus forces.
The three of them stared at the map in silence for a long time. This was the extent of what they could infer. If they wanted to go further, they would need more detailed intelligence.
"So, what is the significance of knowing all this? Our current priority should be opposing Theresis, not sticking a foot into the vortex of a conflict between two great powers," Kal'tsit said, rubbing her forehead. They no longer had the energy to manage such things. Or rather, it was best for Babel not to attract the attention of other factions right now.
"According to the information passed on by the King of Carrion, the talks between Ursus and Laterano will be held on the mobile city of Chernobog. I want you, Kal'tsit, to go there and gather intelligence."
Hearing Theresa's words, a look of astonishment appeared even on Kal'tsit's usually calm face. She didn't understand why Theresa wanted to involve herself in this muddy water.
"I feel that this is absolutely no small matter! It is just the tip of the iceberg; if we know nothing, we will be extremely passive! Therefore, I need you, who are familiar with that place, to go."
Looking at Theresa's serious expression, Kal'tsit had nothing more to say. But was Chernobog truly a suitable place for her to travel to?
"Did you use your power again? That will deepen your Oripathy! Didn't I tell you not to use that power?"
Kal'tsit saw exactly why Theresa was so certain of the location's importance. From her appearance, she might have used the power of the Lord of Fiends, yet that power would also erode her body.
The smiling Lord of Fiends said nothing. In truth, she had seen nothing at all. The power originating from the Sarkaz had not granted her aid; she had no way of seeing that future.
"Furthermore, if I were to go, who would be responsible for your safety and the infirmary? Under the current circumstances, I do not approve of this."
Kal'tsit still didn't want to go, but not for her own sake. If Theresis saw an opportunity while Babel was vulnerable and launched a decapitation strike, what would they do?
"I am not as fragile as you think. Besides, Ace and Scout have no missions during this period; the escort duty will be left to them. As for the infirmary, Warfarin can temporarily take over."
"Since you have already decided, then we shall do as you say. But you must keep an eye on Warfarin. I'm worried she'll secretly drink the blood stored in the bank or launch a night raid on certain individuals."
Kal'tsit finally agreed, though she cautioned them to watch that Vampire before she left. Without her there to suppress her, Warfarin might do something crazy.
"Rest assured. With me and the Doctor here, we won't let you come back to find your home gone."
"I deeply doubt that statement. If the Doctor and Warfarin go crazy together, I expect my office will be the one most severely damaged."
With that, Kal'tsit turned to pack her bags. To travel from Kazdel to Ursus was no short journey, especially considering she was an Infected.
Just as Kal'tsit was preparing to depart for Chernobog, Talulah and Jeanne also received an invitation for secret talks with the ministers—which was actually an invitation for remote communication with the Emperor. The meeting place, naturally, was also in Chernobog.
And now, Talulah stared blankly at the gift Jeanne intended to bring to Laterano—a giant boulder from the mountain behind them!
She watched as the "Black Jeanne" commanded four wyverns to carefully lift the massive rock onto a truck, claiming she planned to give it to Laterano as a thank-you gift for this occasion...
Talulah looked speechlessly at Executor and Lemuen, who actually seemed quite pleased. Those two also had their luggage packed with large bags of soil, rocks, and similar items.
This was incredibly bizarre. Talulah could understand bringing back a souvenir for family when traveling, but what was the meaning of this pile of junk?
Yet, seeing the seriousness with which they packed their things, Talulah found it hard to say anything. Let her be! She had been with Jeanne for so long; hadn't she seen enough strange things by now?