She had other arrangements for Nian.
Miss Nian was far too brazen in her conduct. Hoshino left her hanging and turned to speak with Jingzhe instead. Their exchange was brief, brisk, and highly efficient, making them seem exactly like genuine Inspectorate officials. But before they could say much, someone arrived outside.
"Evacuate."
Hoshino and Jingzhe hurriedly pulled on their hoods. Before the visitor entered, Hoshino also helped Nian put hers on. Though her unfocused eyes were hidden, her half-open mouth and slightly protruding tongue still made Nian look both foolish and lewd.
Well, time was short. This would have to do.
"What happened?"
The newcomer was in a hurry, dressed in a government yamen uniform, with a grave expression as though he were in the midst of some major upheaval.
"I was ordered to notify you. Lord Jiang's exact words were: You detectives are useless if you stay behind. If you've got any guts, come help evacuate the civilians from the core city. If you don't, get out while you can. No one will hold it against you."
"I am an imperial envoy. I must know the full situation."
Jingzhe spoke. At that moment, she was incomparably imposing, and her voice carried a power that calmed others.
"A monster has arrived."
The yamen official below spoke in a tone of utter terror, saying something that belonged in a tokusatsu show. It felt subtly unreal, but as his description grew more detailed, that hazy sense of unreality was stripped away. The myth vanished.
All that remained was the reality brought by cold, hard numbers.
"Not even the Classic of Mountains and Seas has a monster like this."
At the end, the official did not forget to make a snide remark. Hoshino lowered her head. Placing Chi You out at sea really