Exusiai talked like a gangster.
It turned out there was a reason she got along so well with Texas.
Through the intelligence networks shared between logistics companies, Exusiai learned that a monk from Landon Monastery had arrived at the shrine after quite a journey today, intending to conduct a theological exchange.
"I think I get it now."
Exusiai nodded, planning to finish the party first.
Afterward, she would take a bottle of wine and a gun to the Lungmen Grand Hotel, then lightly drop in on Sister Xidejia and give her a big surprise.
"I'm going to bake a pie."
As if she had thought of something, Exusiai set down the wine bottle and gun and headed into the kitchen.
Texas frowned as she watched Exusiai disappear behind the curtain, then sat down beside Croissant.
"Is she planning to get revenge, or bring a gift?"
"Probably both."
Croissant voiced her guess. "Exusiai will probably sneak in under cover of night, empty a magazine and turn the whole room into scattered feathers, then pull out an apple pie with a smile to soothe the terrified Sister Xidejia."
"You do know her fairly well."
Texas reached behind the bar, pulled out a wafer cookie, and carefully nibbled at it so crumbs would not fall onto her new clothes.
"Let her make a mess on her own. We'll get some peace and quiet too."
After Exusiai left with the pie, the Penguin Logistics crew immediately launched into a thorough cleanup. All the party supplies were cleared away, and the bar became clean and tidy again, restored to a state ready for business.
After being put through the wringer all day, Fiammetta felt a little dazed.
The shrine's technological and economic standards seemed capable of crushing the entire world. The shrine maiden's introduction had