Miss Vulpo's Life as a Rhodes Island Operator: Chapter 28

"Sure."

Fengling agreed to Sasha's request.

Pulling aside Rhodes Island's oversized coat, Fengling revealed the backup weapons beneath her clothes.

She took the alloy dagger she used for self-defense from her leg strap.

In truth, Fengling did not rely much on this... the "War Club" currently left in the vehicle was her customized weapon.

A small Rhodes Island logo was stamped onto the blade's sheath.

Fengling firmly placed the dagger in Sasha's hands.

"Then this big sister's dagger is yours." Fengling looked at Sasha and said solemnly, "But there's one condition... if I find out you used this weapon to do bad things, then... I'll come and take it back."

"Don't disgrace your big sister's weapon. Can you do that?"

"I can." Sasha gripped the dagger and answered firmly.

Though Sasha did not speak much, his promises carried a deep weight.

"You really do have quite a few dangerous things on you..."

Talulah had naturally noticed just how many things Fengling had hidden beneath that loose coat.

At least there were no large-scale explosives.

Looks like I let my guard down...

Fortunately, it was someone not particularly dangerous like Fengling carrying all that equipment.

No... if she instinctively thought that way... didn't that mean Fengling herself was dangerous?

A chill ran down Talulah's back.

If Fengling had malicious intentions, then as long as she had any explosive weapon on her, there was plenty she could accomplish right now.

"It's always best to be prepared." Fengling's expression remained calm, as though it were nothing remarkable.

At present, Talulah had relatively little information on Fengling.

Due to a series of coincidences along the way, Fengling had not even displayed a single Originium Art before Talulah.

Just like that, without exerting any strength at all, she had entered the Reunion Movement settlement.

And Fengling had openly admitted that she was Infected.

Then at the very least, even without later study, she ought to possess an innate Originium Art.

Someone like that would indeed be quite dangerous if she became a true enemy.

Talulah revised her assessment of Fengling.

That danger was not in terms of straightforward combat ability.

When it came to combat strength, Talulah was very confident. Even the current Reunion Movement possessed enough strength to contend with certain local forces.

Fengling's danger came from her "harmlessness."

As long as it was not direct armed conflict, with her ability to negotiate... if she wanted to, she could accomplish quite a lot.

However, Fengling did not care how Talulah evaluated her.

As long as she did what she believed was right, Fengling also believed she would basically have no conflicts with the current Reunion Movement.

So after giving Sasha his gift, she naturally asked Ino as well.

But Ino was not so easy to talk to... mainly because he was simply too timid.

And since Fengling was a stranger, he stammered so badly that he could barely speak.

"Ah..." Fengling felt a sense of defeat.

For once, Fengling's negotiations had failed.

Still, she was not unfamiliar with this sort of situation.

Talking to timid people required a process. Once they became familiar with her, things would be fine.

But that clearly could not be accomplished overnight.

So Fengling made the decision herself.

Among the gifts she had brought were some clothes, and since Ursus was cold all year round, there was naturally no shortage of warm gear.

"Though the timing may not be ideal, it's good to prepare early."

The gift Fengling stuffed into Ino's hands was a soft white scarf.

Besides keeping him warm, it could also conceal the Oripathy lesions on his skin.

After wrapping it around him, Fengling nodded. "Mm, it suits you perfectly!"

"Th... thank you..."

After thanking her in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, Ino timidly hid behind Sasha.

"Fengling, you seem really suited to taking care of children too!" Watching Fengling interact with the children, Alina clapped her hands and teased her with a smile.

"Big sister... is nice..." Ino said softly.

Sasha, who was not good with words either, revealed a grateful look.

"Alright, children! All the gifts I promised you have been delivered! It's getting late, so it's time for bed! Sister Fengling will be staying with us for a while too, so make sure you all get along!"

It was getting late. Because of Talulah's promise, Alina had unusually delayed lights-out.

But it was already deep into the night, and no matter what, they should sleep now.

"Okayyy!" the children answered in unison.

Then they obediently climbed into bed.

After extinguishing the small Originium lamp, Fengling followed Talulah and Alina out of the room.

"Then next comes adult time!" Alina suddenly declared.

Huh?

Fengling blinked.

What adult time?!

I'm not even an adult yet!

"Just kidding. But could Fengling wait a little longer?" Alina asked.

"I don't mind."

"FrostNova should be coming back from her shift soon..." Talulah stepped forward to explain. "Because of Ino... if FrostNova isn't by his side, he can't fall asleep. So once she gets back, we can have a little food before turning in. Besides, you haven't had anything proper to eat all night, have you?"

Now that she mentioned it, Fengling really had not had time to eat a proper meal today. Energy bars had kept her going, but they could not truly fill her up.

"Then I'll gladly accept." Fengling agreed.

So-Called Adult Time

The potatoes in the pot were bubbling away, and the fragrance of cream had already spread through the living room.

It was a simple meal with a distinctly Ursus style.

But it would still take some time before the food was ready.

Some sour cream stew, a few cups of roughly brewed ale, and a small amount of nuts.

That was the dinner Alina was preparing, or rather, at this hour, it should have been called a late-night snack.

Fengling had originally wanted to help Alina with the preparations, but Alina refused on the grounds that "Fengling is a guest."

And since Fengling truly did not know much about Ursus seasoning, she decided not to meddle.

Though the conditions were simple, it was clear that this was already the best the Reunion Movement could offer to entertain a guest.

Alina's timing was remarkably precise.

Just as the stew was about to be served, the wooden door creaked softly.

FrostNova had returned from her patrol.

"Good evening~"

Sitting beside the wooden dining table, Fengling waved at FrostNova and greeted her with a bright smile.

FrostNova nodded, the corners of her lips lifting slightly as she returned Fengling's smile.

FrostNova held no ill will toward Fengling, this outsider.

After their first interaction, she had even remembered this Vulpo girl who could hold her hand.

She was warmhearted, friendly toward others, and cared about the Infected.

Though it might have been for the sake of a deal, there were details where she truly did not have to do so much.

Of course, FrostNova still maintained the proper caution toward Fengling.

Across from Fengling, Talulah sat quietly as well, waiting for FrostNova's return.

"How was tonight?" Talulah casually asked as usual.

"Nothing unusual. And as you said, security has been strengthened." FrostNova and Talulah were already very familiar comrades, so she did not stand on ceremony and sat down as soon as she entered.

Just like every other day.

Though Fengling had been added today, nothing was really different. There was simply one more set of utensils.

"Here, Fengling, this one's yours!"

Alina placed a serving of sour cream stew before Fengling.

Its appetizing aroma rushed up to greet her.

Then food was placed before everyone.

A faint glow flickered over FrostNova's hands. She seemed to have activated an Originium Art, and the stew in her bowl rapidly cooled.

Sure enough, food that felt scorching hot even to ordinary people would probably badly burn FrostNova.

Alina was the first to raise her cup.

The somewhat cloudy, crudely brewed ale inside was also a way of preserving grain that could not otherwise be stored, transforming it into another form of food.

"Then, welcome Fengling as our guest!"

There was still some apology on Alina's face. "Sorry, but our conditions only allow us to offer guests this much."

"Not at all! I'm very happy to be here too! A place where the Infected gather and live together really does feel different from an ordinary village." Fengling raised her cup as well.

The four cups clinked softly together.

Then Fengling took a large gulp.

Though the rough brewing process gave it a slightly sour and astringent taste, the fragrance of wheat was full and rich.

It was a very distinctive ale.

And... this was Ursus after all. Even a woman like Alina, who looked so gentle and delicate, seemed to have a decent tolerance for alcohol.

As for Fengling... she had the kind of tolerance that let Blaze sling an arm around her shoulders and call her sister, so the alcohol content of this ale had no effect on her at all.

"My, Fengling, it seems you can really hold your liquor."

Seeing Fengling down such a large mouthful of ale without hesitation, Alina praised her with a smile.

Though there were some cultural differences, it seemed that in many countries and places, drinking boldly really did make it easier to bring people closer together.

And though FrostNova did not say much, Fengling could tell that this ale did not affect her either.

After all, with her body temperature being low year-round, drinking alcohol to replenish energy might also be one way for her to feel warmth indirectly.

But Talulah, on the other hand...

It was not as extreme as collapsing after a single sip, but she was clearly likely the weakest drinker among the four girls present.

Her cheeks were faintly flushed, and without that sharp edge, her eyes looked somewhat gentler.