A Vulpo Lady's Life as a Rhodes Island Operator

Rhodes Island's Elite Operator rescue team was also enjoying the banquet.

Because Fengling had been so active during this mission, the Elite Operators told her not to worry about them. At this moment, the Reunion Movement needed Fengling more.

"Phew... Man, if Fengling were here, I'd definitely make her drink a few more cups."

Blaze gulped down beer and sighed.

"But I heard... you couldn't outdrink her last time?"

Scout removed his mask and skillfully soaked a piece of Ursus leba in the soup before him, adding a few seasonings to suit his own taste.

"What are you talking about? We're good sisters. We can't let her drink until she drops!" As Blaze spoke, her gaze drifted aside, clearly somewhat guilty.

Beside Blaze, Rosmontis licked the juice from her cup with her tongue, almost like a real kitten. She glanced lightly at Blaze. "Don't... lead Fengling astray."

Even Rosmontis was emphasizing it again.

Clearly, it was quite important in her memory.

"Oh? Blaze, are you breaking the rules by encouraging an underage operator to drink?"

Blaze's cat ears and tail shot upright. The voice behind her startled her so badly that her fur practically stood on end.

"Amiya~ Good evening~"

Then Blaze greeted the Amiya who had appeared behind her with a sheepish laugh.

As though nothing had happened at all.

"Mm, good evening, Blaze." Amiya placed several vegetables on the table, then sat beside Blaze and looked at her with a very dangerous expression. "So, you were breaking the rules by encouraging an underage operator to drink?"

She repeated it! She was absolutely not letting Blaze off!

At the same time, Amiya's small figure carried a terrifying aura!

"I was wrong! Please spare me!"

Rhodes Island's explosive Feline Elite Operator, Miss Blaze, instantly surrendered before the little rabbit.

"Haha, I never expected that Vulpo girl to have become so popular already." Outcast watched the scene before her, warmth showing at the corners of her eyes and a faint smile on her face.

She had been away from the landship for some time, and upon returning, she found that Rhodes Island had gained such a well-liked operator.

She had not expected Fengling to be not only highly capable, but also so skilled at socializing.

"The younger generation really is full of rising talent."

Outcast cut off a piece of cake drenched in honey and tasted it. What would have been overly sweet for most people was just right for a Laterano who loved desserts.

"Ace, let's drink! Let's drink!"

Having finally been spared by Amiya, Blaze immediately raised her cup and called out to Ace.

"Hmph." A faint smile appeared on Ace's face. He clinked cups with Blaze and drained his drink in one go.

Then he pointed at his empty cup, signaling Blaze.

Your turn.

"Fine! Looks like only one of us will be walking out of here upright today!"

Blaze refused to back down.

The party continued in full swing.

Yet even in such a lively atmosphere, there would be people who did not quite fit in.

And so, some corners remained relatively quiet.

"...Kal'tsit, my lord."

He had never removed his heavy armor.

Bocorcas sat in a corner of the bonfire banquet, silently watching the people before him, all of whom were merely young children in his eyes.

When that green-and-white Feline woman appeared, he was somewhat surprised.

"I did not expect... it truly was you."

"—You truly... have not changed at all. At first, I had doubts about what Fengling said."

"Bocorcas, it has indeed been a long time since we last met." Kal'tsit calmly greeted the old Wendigo who had fought for so many years.

Yet in Kal'tsit's eyes, the old Wendigo's physical condition was already extremely grim.

"What happened to your vocal cords?"

"Oripathy. Nothing more. I am... accustomed to it."

The old Wendigo spoke with extremely unnatural pauses, straining to form his words.

"You need rest, Bocorcas." Kal'tsit merely stated the patient's condition, like an ordinary doctor facing an ordinary patient.

But... this old Wendigo's condition had deteriorated to the point where simply remaining alive was a miracle.

His Oripathy had become so severe that he seemed like a... walking piece of Originium.

"I will not die." Bocorcas spoke slowly. "The last Wendigo will only die at the hands of the Demon King."

"I cannot agree with your reason for placing such faith in this prophecy." Kal'tsit frowned, somewhat displeased.

Such a prophecy seemed to mock everything those who acted in earnest had worked for.

"The king has passed. Where is the new king?" Bocorcas sighed. Then he slowly continued, "Enough. The one here is Patriot of the Reunion Movement. There is no Sarkaz named Bocorcas."

Kal'tsit remained silent for a long time.

Her conversation with Bocorcas had already touched upon certain secrets of the past.

Some things, even she did not truly understand.

Two women's figures surfaced in Kal'tsit's mind.

"What exactly... were you two doing back then..."

"Doctor... Theresa..."

A trace of exhaustion appeared on Kal'tsit's face, one she had never shown before anyone else.

At that moment, thunderous cheers interrupted Kal'tsit's thoughts.

"Stay! Please stay, Miss Fengling!"

"Everyone here likes you very much. Could you stay, Miss Fengling?"

Along with those words came Talulah's outstretched hand toward Fengling.

Though the atmosphere was so playful, everyone's calls truly ignited a hope in Talulah's heart that she had never deeply considered before.

Oh dear...

Fengling looked at everyone's expectations. She was happy, of course.

But Fengling would not stay.

She liked the atmosphere of the Reunion Movement.

She liked the people here.

She would remember the wine she had drunk here, the meals she had eaten, and the hot springs she had soaked in.

She would also remember fighting alongside the Reunion Movement here.

Those wonderful memories would remain in Fengling's mind forever.

But Fengling was only a passerby here.

A passerby who liked a place might indeed choose to stay.

Yet Fengling did not intend to give herself that choice.

She still had many things she needed to do.

Elsewhere, there would likewise be people who needed help, just like those in the Reunion Movement.

Besides, she herself still had a whole pile of urgent matters to resolve.

A gust of wind passed by, and the Windbell Pendant at her waist gave a soft chime.

Mm... What should she do?

Talulah held out her hand to Fengling, but amid everyone's cheers, Fengling did not respond.

Though she knew it was unlikely, Talulah still felt a small measure of disappointment.

Fengling took Talulah's hand.

Huh?

Talulah froze.

"My kidnapper, I'm not for sale, you know." Fengling winked playfully, teasing Talulah with the terms of their old deal. "I can't agree to your request, but if you're asking me to hold your hand for a dance, then I'd be more than happy to."

"...All right." Talulah smiled. "Then, Miss Fengling."

"—For the duration of this song, you have been kidnapped by me."

As the Reunion Movement sang, the two figures began to dance softly.

"Ah!"

"—No, you..."

"—You don't know how to dance at all!!!"

"—And that really hurts!"

During the course of a single song, Fengling probably stepped on Talulah's feet seven or eight times by accident...

When the dance ended, Fengling's face was flushed red.

Talulah had led Fengling through nearly the entire dance. After all, as someone of noble birth, she had naturally received some education in this area.

As for Fengling, she simply knew nothing at all. She had forced herself to follow the rhythm through sheer personal ability.

But that was bound to be uncoordinated, so Talulah was naturally stepped on again and again.

"Tell me... where did you get that confidence?"

"The... the mood was right." Fengling looked nervous and pitiful.

After all, a Vulpo lady absolutely could not tolerate such an embarrassing moment!

"Next time!" Fengling stomped her foot in frustration. "The next time Rhodes Island comes back here, we'll dance again. By then, I'll definitely have practiced properly!"

"Pfft. Hahahaha!" Talulah was amused.

"—Then... it's a promise!"

[Ursus Arc · I Complete]

Return Journey

"Goodbye, Fengling!"

"Mm, see you next time!"

After a simple farewell, Fengling waved toward the Reunion Movement, then turned and boarded the Specialist truck, now completely loaded with Originium ore.

Everything that needed to be said, everything she wanted to say, had mostly been said yesterday.

So this parting was for the sake of their next reunion.

There were far more people on the return journey than there had been on the way here.

Fortunately, the vehicle itself contained a miniature living area, so it would not be too cramped. With more people, they could sit by the dining table or beside the beds.

"Mr. Ace, Mr. Scout, sorry to trouble you. I really feel bad about it."

Fengling greeted Ace and Scout, who were seated in the driver's seats, somewhat apologetically.

"It's fine. Leave the driving on the return trip to us." Ace gave Fengling a thumbs-up.

Fengling entered the living compartment from the side of the vehicle.