"This is... Doctor Kal'tsit, who entered the Azazel clinic yesterday? I remember her medical skills were superb, but her frail appearance doesn't exactly scream 'dangerous person,' does it?"
Talulah questioned with confusion as she looked at the photograph. In her eyes, that somewhat thin doctor was actually worthy of Laterano's focused attention? Was she some kind of secret agent?
"According to our records, she has been present on the Terra continent since a thousand years ago. Currently, she serves Kazdel. She could be described as the right hand and chief strategist of Theresa, one of the twin kings of Kazdel."
Listening to the Bishop's account, Talulah looked at Kal'tsit's photo in disbelief. This doctor, who looked forty years old at most, had lived for that long? Was she truly just an ordinary Feline Infected?
Talulah knew of a few beings who had lived for a long time, like Kashchey, who had lived for a millennium, and Patriot, who had lived for centuries. But they all possessed unique characteristics. Kal'tsit's racial traits were clearly those of a Feline, and Talulah had never heard of any Feline lineage that could live for so many centuries.
"In Kazdel, she is also known by others as Lord Kal'tsit. Regarding intelligence on her, I believe Patriot in your team knows more than we do. He was also present in Kazdel back then."
Hearing this, Talulah nodded blankly. She still found it hard to accept the fact that this doctor was actually older than Patriot and that the two had even worked together.
"In short, you must heighten your vigilance against this person. After all, she hails from Kazdel. If she learns you are the Saintess, there's no telling what she might do."
Jeanne nodded, indicating she understood their concerns. While she wasn't worried about Kal'tsit attacking her—even if it came to a fight, she had confidence in her ability to defeat her—she understood the friction. Kazdel and Laterano were natural mortal enemies; both sides essentially wished the other would drop dead.
The current Kal'tsit was not yet the Rhodes Island doctor saving patients; she was the right hand of Theresa and a Lord of Kazdel. If she deemed Jeanne's existence a threat to Babel, she would show no mercy.
"Also, Lemuen, keep an eye on your communicator lately. If anything happens on our end, we will use that to notify you."
The Bishop turned to Lemuen, who was still hugging her revolving grenade launcher with a silly grin. Looking at that expression, even the Bishop, who was used to her antics, couldn't help but cover his face in frustration.
However, hearing the Bishop's instructions, Lemuen answered with great spirit. Seeing her like this, the Bishop finally set aside his worries regarding Jeanne's safety.
After bidding farewell to the Bishop, Jeanne walked out only to find the staff's eyes all shifted toward her. This group of Sankta clerks was waiting eagerly for her to emerge, hoping for just a single glimpse of her.
"Is this... a plan to take a group photo with me? As long as you can keep it a secret and not go public with my identity, I won't refuse."
Jeanne looked at the group of slightly weary employees and then at the cameras they were trying to hide, and she guessed the reason. The surrounding staff were ecstatic. If the shop hadn't suspended operations moments ago, Jeanne wouldn't have been able to hide her identity even if she wanted to.
In the end, Jeanne took a photo with the staff. Everyone swore a solemn oath before her. They vowed that they would absolutely not leak any information related to Jeanne before her identity was officially made public, and that even the photos would only be kept in the cameras until the day of her revelation arrived.
"I have to say, these people are truly enthusiastic about you. I imagine if you went to Laterano, your life would be even better than that of a Yan Princess."
Talulah looked at the desserts in her hand and couldn't help but marvel at the enthusiasm of these people. These were gifts they insisted on giving before the trio left, nearly emptying the entire shop.
In Talulah's view, even if a Princess of Yan visited her own city, the commoners wouldn't welcome her so warmly; all that would be in their eyes was fear. But Jeanne was different. In the eyes of those Sankta, she was like an idol, a figure everyone chose to follow. This emotion stemmed from their heartfelt adoration.
Take these gifts, for example: if Jeanne and the others hadn't strictly insisted on paying, these people would have given everything for free, even if the cost had to be deducted from their own wages. Ultimately, under the supervisor's mediation, Jeanne and the others bought the items at cost price. Seeing that this was likely the staff's final bottom line, they had to agree.
"What, are you jealous? Should you consider improving my treatment within the organization to prevent me from jumping ship one day?"
Hearing Talulah's remark, Jeanne teased her with a playful tone. This earned her a roll of the eyes from Talulah.
(Regarding the fact that I am clearly the Saintess of Laterano, yet I'm working an off-the-books job for Reunion under a pseudonym, where the boss never pays me and rolls her eyes at me all day—what am I supposed to do about this?)
"What other position do you want? Do you want to be the organization's idol? I still think the job of an accountant suits you perfectly. You just need to calculate the accounts and write down the process..."
"Even as an accountant, why would I have to write down the process? I've never heard of an accountant who has to write down the calculation process step-by-step! You are clearly persecuting me. Believe it or not, I'll go back and complain to Alina!"
The two continued to bicker. Until they got into the car, they didn't notice Kal'tsit watching them from a distance—or rather, the shop had long been under surveillance by others.
After seeing the three leave, Kal'tsit also quickly departed, vanishing into the distance. She could feel that there were people monitoring the perimeter of that building. In Ursus, it was best not to provoke them—the blades in the Emperor's hand: the Emperor's Blades (Internal Guards).
"Report to His Majesty: the target has just made contact with the Laterano side. We may proceed with the next step of the plan."
A hidden Emperor's Blade nearby spoke into a communication device. Upon hearing the order to withdraw from the other side, he vanished from the street instantly. Normally, such a small matter wouldn't require an Emperor's Blade, but this incident was simply too important. The Emperor didn't feel comfortable letting anyone else interfere, so the Emperor's Blade had to settle for the task of surveillance.
On the other side, an Ursus official picked up a communicator and said a few words. Then, a voice responded:
"That is the best news I've heard lately. Then let us act as quickly as possible, Councilor Witte."