Before long, one of the underlings came over, holding a head-sized Originium slug with a look of disgust.
"You, throw the Originium slug into that pool of water," the leader ordered when he saw his underling return.
Though the underling looked bewildered, he did not dare disobey his boss. Besides, although they were twenty or thirty meters away from the puddle, throwing an Originium slug that far was not difficult for him.
The Originium slug arced through the air and landed accurately in the puddle. Before the underling could celebrate his successful throw, he saw the leader's expression turn extremely grim.
As if he had made up his mind, he crushed the freshly lit cigarette in his hand without caring that the sparks would burn his palm.
"Listen up. I've decided to abandon this mission. If you trust me, come back with me."
With that, he got into his vehicle without hesitation.
The rest of the group looked at one another.
Some of them were tempted by the reward for this mission, but they trusted their leader as well.
They were not especially strong among the many mercenary groups, but their captain's judgment was exceptionally accurate. It was under his leadership that this otherwise unremarkable mercenary group had managed to survive on Terra, and even prosper.
Since their captain was unwilling to explain, no one pressed him. After all, he had quite a few secrets.
Before leaving, the underling looked back at the puddle. The Originium slug was nowhere to be seen. Only a few glimmering fragments of Originium remained, sparkling in the water.
Once, when their boss was drunk, he had brought up this matter and told them that during the Kazdel war, the Princess faction had once possessed a caster like this. Everyone who fought her had been melted into a puddle of liquid...
After Kanna's group left the canyon, they encountered no further obstruction. However, for safety's sake, Outcast did not drive straight back to Rhodes Island. Instead, she led the convoy on a wide detour around Columbia's border before successfully returning to Rhodes Island.
When the convoy arrived at Rhodes Island, Kal'tsit, having learned of the situation from Outcast, had arranged a special route in advance and sent Amiya, who was skilled at calming minds, to receive them.
As soon as the convoy entered Rhodes Island, Kanna sensed that Rosemary's emotions were somewhat unstable. It was probably "traumatic stress" caused by the earlier "treatment."
Fortunately, Kanna had held her hand the whole way in, so although her emotions fluctuated slightly, she did not cause the same greater destruction as before.
Soon, the car door opened, and Amiya's donkey ears poked in from outside.
When Amiya entered, she saw the Feline girl staring nervously at the doorway like a little squirrel.
With her empathic ability, she easily entered the Feline girl's fragile, anxious, and tightly wound mind.
Using her Originium Arts, Amiya quickly soothed the Feline girl. Then she and Kanna each took one of her hands and led her out of the vehicle.
Kal'tsit, standing some distance away, nodded at the sight. Because she roughly understood the Feline girl's condition, the medical teams had, under Kal'tsit's arrangements, removed and hidden all equipment associated with "doctors." Seeing no "White Devils" around after getting out of the vehicle, the Feline girl finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Afterward, the Feline girl and the other children were separately settled in Rhodes Island's rest area.
Touch stood before Kal'tsit and calmly explained the conclusions she had drawn from observing the Feline girl during this period.
Kal'tsit and the experts from Rhodes Island's Medical Department all looked grim after hearing Touch's report.
First, they had not expected Columbia to have such utterly deranged doctors.
Second, if the Feline girl's psychological trauma could not be healed, not only would they be unable to treat or diagnose her, the safety of the doctors involved could not be effectively guaranteed. After all, their flesh-and-blood bodies could not withstand the horrifying ability Outcast and Touch had described, one that could indiscriminately crush the surrounding ground downward by around ten centimeters.
Not long afterward, Amiya came in. After hearing what had happened, she was furious, though she controlled her emotions well.
After discussing it with Kal'tsit, they confirmed that it would take at least two or three months. Amiya and the medical experts would need to help relieve her stress and teach her to control her Arts. Only once she could control her emotions and avoid hurting others could they proceed with the next stage of treatment.
The others in the Medical Department all agreed.
After Kanna and Amiya brought the Feline girl to her dormitory, the tension and exhaustion from the journey caused her to fall asleep very quickly.
Amiya left first, while Kanna waited until she was sure the girl would not wake up before quietly slipping outside and closing the door.
After leaving, Kanna turned the corner and saw a little girl with reddened eyes staring at her.
Kanna awkwardly scratched one of her horns, then walked over. "Popukar, you're here!"
"Waaah! Liar!" The moment she heard Kanna's words, Popukar's suppressed emotions collapsed, and she burst into tears.
A man dressed in an extremely flamboyant fashion emerged from the shadows nearby. Watching Kanna comfort Popukar, he sighed.
"If you were going out on a mission, you could've at least told us. Popukar came looking for you, found you gone, and went crazy searching all over Rhodes Island. She wouldn't even speak to us these past few days. Spot was so worried he was practically shedding fur. Good thing we heard you'd returned not long ago, or Popukar would've driven all of us crazy."
Looking at Popukar crying her heart out, Kanna felt a pang of guilt. Yeah, if a friend she had finally managed to find suddenly vanished without a trace, she would probably be upset for a long time too. Especially Popukar, who was still so young and emotionally immature.
She stroked Popukar's forehead. Once the girl had cried herself out, Kanna took a spotless white handkerchief from her pocket and wiped the tear streaks and snot bubbles from Popukar's face.
"I'm sorry! Next time—ptui! There won't be a next time. If I go on a mission, I'll definitely tell Popukar first, okay?"
Only after hearing Kanna's promise did Popukar stop crying and smile. The nerves she had kept taut for days finally relaxed. Holding Kanna's hand, she leaned against Kanna's shoulder, closed her eyes, and fell deeply asleep.
Recommended book... no, I should say I'm shamelessly clinging to a big shot's new book~~~~~~
<Lawyer Simulator: Starting with Fleeing from a Law Firm Partnership>
[I am a lawyer, and this book is adapted from my real experiences.]
Fang Ming worked at a law firm in a first-tier city. One day, the firm director went bankrupt after a failed investment and could no longer afford the high legal expenses. So he told Fang Ming, "Our firm accepted over eight hundred cases this year, and none have been settled yet. How about you finish them? You'll get a thirty percent commission for each case."
Because the local bar association was conducting its annual inspection, Fang Ming was forced to accept the assignment and began contacting the clients, only to find that they were all rather troublesome cases.
Case One: Bride Price Case
A client came to him and said he was about to get married, but the woman's parents told him, "Ten thousand for the engagement, one hundred thousand for the bride price, and another four hundred thousand to register the marriage. Otherwise, don't even think about entering our home. Lawyer, how should I handle this?"
Case Two: Group Activity Case
The client was a student. One day, he came to the office and said he had chatted with someone on a platform. They got along very well and arranged a private group meeting. After drinking quite a bit, someone suggested they continue the gathering, so they went to a hotel, booked a room, and engaged in group activities. The next morning, the woman demanded four hundred thousand in compensation, claiming it involved a criminal offense. "Lawyer, how should I handle this?"
Case Three: Mistress Case
The client was a housewife. One day, she discovered that her husband had kept a mistress, a second mistress, and a third mistress, spending tens of millions over several years on their upkeep and related matters. The second mistress had even come to her door several times demanding a divorce. Unable to endure it any longer, she came seeking advice. "Lawyer, what should I do?"
Sweet Things Taste Better When Shared
That afternoon, Kanna, Popukar, Amiya, and Rosemary sat around a small table in the dessert shop, with a huge cake placed in the middle.
Since she knew there would be a very fragile child joining them, Blue Poison, the pastry chef, had not indulged in her usual "art of color." Instead, based on one of Kanna's exceptionally "refined" abstract paintings and her description, she made an adorable lucky cat cake.
While Blue Poison was making the cake, Kanna remembered that she had promised to treat Feline to dessert. Unsure whether Feline's current condition was suitable for it, she took Popukar by the hand and ran to the Medical Department to ask Kal'tsit.
Amiya happened to be there as well, so Kanna asked if she wanted to come along.
Seeing the cautious longing in Amiya's eyes upon hearing there would be desserts, Kal'tsit sighed inwardly, wondering if she had been putting too much pressure on her. She then gave Amiya the afternoon off and told her to have fun with Kanna and the others.
As for the Feline girl, there were not many people on the island who could restrain her without harming her or those around her. Kanna and Amiya happened to be two of them. Furthermore, based on the physical information Kal'tsit had collected while the girl slept, the Feline girl was weak mostly from psychological strain and recent malnutrition. A little dessert would not worsen her condition and might even help, so Kal'tsit agreed to Kanna's request.
When the three arrived where Feline was staying, she was sitting there quietly.
When she saw Kanna and Amiya, she gave them a rare smile.
Kanna introduced Popukar to her as well. Since they were all still young, the girls quickly became friends.
Led by Kanna, the group finally arrived at the dessert shop. Blue Poison, who had prepared everything early, pushed a huge cake over to the four of them.
Smelling the rich aroma of wheat and sweetness drifting from the cake, they all swallowed unconsciously.
Amiya had heard of Blue Poison's pastry-making skills before, but she had never tried them. Now that the cake was before her, she realized that even before tasting it, merely smelling its fragrance made her feel incredibly happy.
With Blue Poison's help, the cake was cut and plated before each of them.
She sat across from them, and seeing the blissful looks on the four girls' faces as they ate their desserts, she wore a sweet smile as well.
"Um, does little Feline have a name?" Blue Poison asked curiously after seeing that they had nearly finished eating.
At her words, the happy smile on Feline's face dimmed again.
"I'm sorry, I... I can't remember..."
Seeing Feline grow more and more upset, Blue Poison immediately realized that she had said the wrong thing.
As she frantically wondered what to do, Kanna reached out, gently wiped the cream from Feline's lips, then put her finger into her mouth and licked it clean.
"Didn't they say that after coming to Rhodes Island, you could choose a codename? If you've forgotten your old name, then forget it. Since you have a new life now, why not choose a new name... I remember a flower whose meaning is to wipe away the sorrow of memories. In old legends, that magical plant could eventually make those unable to face their memories become brave. I think that flower suits you perfectly. How about calling yourself Rosemary from now on?"
Feline was stunned after hearing Kanna's words. Then she broke into a bright smile and held out her little hand. "Hello, everyone. My name is Rosemary. I hope I can become your friend."
Kanna and the others all clasped her hand. "Hello, Rosemary. From now on, we're good friends."
Still somewhat worried, Kal'tsit had been quietly standing outside. She knew much more about this Feline girl than anyone else. Seeing the happiness in the girl's smile, the corner of her lips rose into a faint smile as well. "Rosemary? Not a bad name."
After finishing their desserts, the girls had barely stepped out the door when they saw Kal'tsit standing not far away with her arms folded.
The instant Amiya saw Kal'tsit, she snapped out of her relaxed state and nervously approached her. "Dr. Kal'tsit?"
"Just passing by."
As she spoke, she walked over to Feline. "Hmm... Rosemary, was it? Your health isn't very good. Don't play too wildly with them."
"And Kanna, if I remember correctly, you and Popukar both have examinations tonight. Don't forget."
With that, she turned and walked into the corridor.
"Waaah! Demon King, bleh bleh bleh!" Only after Kal'tsit vanished around the corner did they finally let out their breaths. Kanna made faces at the empty hallway.
That had been terrifying. Kanna felt as though she had returned to her school days, when she and a few classmates had been fooling around and suddenly run straight into their homeroom teacher.
"D-Don't say that. Dr. Kal'tsit is actually a very good person. Her tone is just a little stern," Amiya said, waving her hands as she defended the departed Kal'tsit.
"Where should we go next?" Once everyone had recovered from Kal'tsit's oppressive presence, Amiya asked.
"How about the greenhouse? Big Sister Lena's greenhouse has tons of super pretty flowers. Big Sister Lena said we can go play there anytime as long as we don't hurt the flowers."
Kanna raised her hand with a suggestion.
Everyone agreed, and the group headed toward Lena's greenhouse.
On the way, they ran into ACE. Seeing that he looked much thinner than before, Kanna asked curiously, "What's wrong with Uncle ACE?"
Only after ACE had gone some distance away did Amiya speak softly.
"It's all because of the trouble you caused, Kanna."
???
Seeing Kanna's baffled expression, Amiya sighed and continued, "When you secretly slipped out before, ACE and his squad were responsible for guarding the checkpoints that day. Because of that oversight, Dr. Kal'tsit punished him by making him clean every toilet on Rhodes Island for a month."
At that, she glanced at Kanna again, and everyone understood what Amiya meant.
"Hehe!"
All Kanna could do was apologize inwardly. Sorry, Uncle ACE. Back then, I only thought about sneaking out to complete the mission. I never considered how much trouble it would cause the people on duty.
Seeing Amiya's helpless expression, Kanna pressed her palms together. "I promise I'll never secretly sneak out again. I'll go apologize to Uncle ACE afterward."
"All right. It isn't entirely your fault, either. None of us ever imagined that Rhodes Island's surveillance system had such a huge loophole. Closure has been so busy lately that her feet barely touch the ground, all so she can rearrange all the ship's monitoring systems and make sure nothing like this happens again."
A Rare Peaceful Day and Improved Skills
As they chatted, the group arrived at the entrance to Lena's greenhouse.
At first, Lena was a little nervous seeing so many children come to her greenhouse, worried that they might carelessly ruin the flowers. But when she saw Amiya leading them, she relaxed.
After all, as a leader, Amiya had been taught by Kal'tsit and left an excellent impression on everyone on the island. Combined with her "mind-reading" ability, her commendable habit of not deliberately embarrassing others, and her cute, gentle appearance, many people at Rhodes Island admired her greatly.
After a brief conversation with Lena, she happily agreed to let the children play in the greenhouse.
After seeing nothing but the barren colors of the wasteland and the monotonous metal hues inside the landship, the countless strange flowers in red, blue, green, purple, and every other color made Rosemary feel as though she had entered another world.
Moreover, many of the flowers Lena cultivated in the greenhouse had calming effects. Amid the fragrance of soil and flowers, even Rosemary's lingering hesitation about joining Rhodes Island vanished completely at that moment.
The girls sat inside until evening. Outcast, who had noticed that Kanna had not arrived at the cafeteria on time, came to check on them herself. Only then did they realize they had been playing there for quite a long time.
Before they left, Lena brought out several sachets she had just made.
She handed the sachets to the four girls. When she came to Kanna, she touched Kanna's horn and softly said, "I know Kanna is a good girl, so Kanna-chan, feel free to come play in the greenhouse whenever you want!"
Then she blinked her eyes.
After leaving the greenhouse, Kanna rubbed her belly.
Mmm~ I'm hungry!
The group followed Outcast to the cafeteria. Most people had already finished eating, with only a small number lingering there.
When Kanna entered, several operators who had been preparing to leave stopped, walked over, and sat down. The one in the middle even started a betting pool over how many plates Kanna would eat today.
Kanna overheard them and glanced over. The leader was Brother Yunlong. She waved at him. Brother Yunlong saw Kanna waving and making faces at him, guessed that she had noticed their betting pool, but his skin was thick. He was not afraid of a kid's disdain at all, and instead cheerfully gave Kanna a thumbs-up, urging her to do her best.
Before you continue