When Talulah spoke those words, her expression became incredibly solemn. Jeanne knew very well that although Talulah rarely brought it up, this was the area where she invested the most heart and soul.
Ever since learning of Kashchey's conspiracy, Talulah had been striving to eliminate the possibility of the Reunion Movement evolving into an organization that relied purely on violence. She had discussed this with Jeanne before, telling her with a dead-serious expression that if the day ever came when she truly turned into the monster Kashchey wanted her to be, Jeanne must use her power to restrain her, no matter the cost.
On the opposite side, Hellagur looked at Talulah's overly serious response with a hint of confusion. It was merely a mutual inquiry; why did this child suddenly become so intensely earnest?
"I believe in your current ideals, and because of that, there is room for cooperation between us. I only hope that before you arrive here, the wind and snow of the Northern Tundra do not extinguish the passion in your heart. I have seen far too many people like that..."
Hellagur nodded slightly as he spoke. He had witnessed too many such tragedies. Talulah was by no means the first idealist Hellagur had met; countless people had found their way here over the years seeking cooperation. But in the end, they were all crushed by the demon known as "reality." The flames in their hearts eventually turned to ash under the relentless march of Ursus.
This was why Hellagur had rejected Talulah when he first met her, just as he had refused to cooperate with others before her.
"As I said, I hope you can lead your team further. On the day you enter this city, if anyone appears who tries to use the opportunity to destroy it, show no mercy."
In the end, Hellagur chose to believe in Talulah and Jeanne this time. His intuition as a soldier told him they had the potential to succeed. Furthermore, there was the letter personally written by that "old gentleman"... this was only the second time Hellagur had received a letter from him since taking over.
"I also hope for a pleasant cooperation. I imagine you also hope for the day when you can walk openly in the park with Miss Neon."
Hearing Hellagur's genuine words, the gloom in Talulah's heart regarding her dyed tail dissipated, replaced by a mood as bright as a sunny day. With this, all the tasks she had come to Chernobog for were complete. She hadn't expected to settle everything in such a short time—she really was quite capable!
Jeanne watched the fire dragon beside her with wordless exasperation. Knowing her, she was definitely getting a big head again! Look at her—her tail was sticking out from under her dress and she didn't even realize it, wagging it back and forth. Who was the one complaining about the color being a headache earlier?
However, in front of Hellagur, she had to give her "pet dragon" some face. She reached out and pinched the tip of Talulah's tail at a speed undetectable by normal eyes. The sudden attack on her tail caused Talulah's limited IQ to reclaim the high ground once more, and she quietly tucked the exposed tail back under her skirt without changing her expression.
"Of course. To be able to walk openly in Chernobog with Neon, and even the children of Azazel... nothing would be better than that."
Hellagur agreed with Talulah's sentiment. He did not notice the silent "battle of dragon and saint" that had just taken place between the two girls. He was merely contemplating how to bring up the next topic. After all, he had already promised the other party.
"I wonder how much you two know about Dr. Kal'tsit, who is currently staying here?"
Unable to think of a subtle way to put it, Hellagur simply went straight to the point.
"Kal'tsit? The doctor who recently arrived at the clinic?"
The first time Talulah had heard that name was in the dessert shop, when the Sankta Bishop had shared intelligence with them. However, based on Talulah's observations, this Kal'tsit who had recently appeared in the clinic didn't seem as dangerous as the Bishop described. Nevertheless, Talulah wanted to hear Hellagur's evaluation of the doctor, so she spoke as if she had never heard of her.
"Yes. Dr. Kal'tsit, who recently appeared at the clinic, wishes to speak with you about something, so she asked me to act as an intermediary."
Hellagur had no intention of being indirect. He told them plainly what Kal'tsit wanted. In his view, it was better to be straightforward with someone like Kal'tsit. She was the type of person who was made entirely of secrets, exactly the kind of person Hellagur least wanted to associate with. It was only because Kal'tsit had helped them with a "small favor"—dealing with those Sarkaz mercenaries—that Hellagur had agreed to step forward.
"She was once the deputy director of a research institute in this city. Many years ago, she asked me to help her get out of Chernobog. I don't know what she's planning now, but she's actually returned."
At this point, Hellagur felt that the woman's secrets were simply too numerous; she was a Feline pieced together from mysteries. If it were him, he wouldn't dare meet such a person recklessly. Who knew if a "stand" (Mon3tr) would suddenly pop out and "Ora-Ora" him?
But having promised, he had to finish what he started, no matter how difficult. Hellagur could only highlight the aspects of Kal'tsit that might be beneficial to them.
"As you have seen, Kal'tsit is a medical expert, more capable than most doctors here. If you have matters regarding Oripathy, you could try talking to her."
What else could he say? Hellagur felt he could only help to this extent; the rest depended on the mood of the two girls. Kal'tsit hadn't even told him what she wanted to discuss; she had only cryptically pointed toward the new medicine they had brought, suggesting she was interested in it. To put it seriously, this could be seen as prying into their secrets. If she were dealing with someone more paranoid, a fight might break out that would level the whole building!
Talulah thought for a moment and then looked at Jeanne, who was currently "space-out," asking for her opinion with her eyes. Talulah didn't particularly care about the meeting herself, but when she remembered the woman was from Kazdel, she worried the danger to Jeanne would be higher than to herself. She remembered hearing about the hatred between Sarkaz and Sankta and couldn't help but wonder if the woman was looking to cause trouble for Jeanne, the Saint.
"Then we shall trouble Mr. Hellagur to call Dr. Kal'tsit over. We can meet her right here."
Jeanne thought it over and agreed to the meeting. She felt the other party likely didn't seek her out of malice. Jeanne believed that as a wise person, Kal'tsit had already guessed her identity was unusual, so she wouldn't choose to move against her so recklessly in a place like this.
"As long as you agree to the meeting. I am merely a messenger. However, I think you might have to wait a little while; Dr. Kal'tsit might have several surgeries this morning."
Upon hearing their consent, Hellagur rose to leave the room, intending to find Kal'tsit in the surgical ward. But as he said, Kal'tsit had only said she could meet today; if an emergency arose, there was no telling when she'd be free.