"Kazimierz?"
Hearing the Doctor's request, Enciodes froze for a moment. He had never expected her objective to be that distant, golden land.
He had assumed the Doctor would ask him to use his commercial connections in Victoria to help expand Rhodes Island's footprint. After all, Victoria was his primary base of operations, whereas his Kazimierz connections were merely supplementary.
"Ah, well... one of our companions wishes to bring about real change in Kazimierz," the Doctor explained, leaning back with a sigh. "Since Rhodes Island has committed to backing her, it's time we make our move. The clock is ticking, after all."
Everyone present understood what the Doctor meant by "the clock is ticking." The Grand Knight Major—held once every four years—was about to open its gates, and it was by far the most anticipated spectacle in all of Kazimierz.
"If your goal is to cause a stir during the Major, I'm afraid my direct influence there is limited," Enciodes noted pragmatically, keeping his guard up. "My connections in the Grand Knight are strictly commercial partners. I have little leverage over the Knight Club or the National Council."
Regardless of what grand scheme Rhodes Island had in mind, Enciodes instinctively preferred to maintain a safe distance. He had no intention of blindly jumping into another nation's political firestorm.
"We only need a stepping stone," the Doctor replied with a light chuckle. "Our companion's status is rather complex, so she requires a bit of external backing to smooth her entry."
"The Radiant Knight, Nearl?" Enciodes guessed, settling on the most logical candidate. If it was her, the Doctor's elaborate preparation made total sense.
"Precisely. That's why I said all we need is an entry ticket."
"In that case, I look forward to seeing the Radiant Knight display her prowess in the arena once more," Enciodes said smoothly, a faint glint in his silver eyes. "Perhaps her return will line our pockets a bit as well."
Though curious about the details, he refrained from probing further. He simply resolved to turn a portion of his intelligence network toward Kazimierz—it promised to be quite a show.
"Furthermore, if you wish to expand Karlan Commercial's reach in Victoria, I can introduce you to a few of my contacts," the Doctor added. "Some of them might be quite interested in what Kjerag has to offer."
Watching the two of them exchange major trade agreements while playing chess, Jeanne found herself genuinely amazed. What's more, the Doctor won every single match. Is this woman's ability to multitask really that terrifying?
After suffering a string of crushing defeats on the board, Enciodes finally set his piece down, looking at the Doctor with genuine respect.
"Your tactical skill is exceptional," the Doctor remarked simply.
Her tone sounded composed enough, but the smug satisfaction underneath was impossible to miss. She wasn't even trying to hide it.
"A thoroughly humbling experience, though playing against you was immensely educational," Enciodes replied with a faint shake of his head. He then turned his gaze toward Jeanne.
"To be entirely honest, Lady Jeanne, I never anticipated your personal arrival in Kjerag. Although I had hoped to open a dialogue with you, in my original plans, that was supposed to happen much later."
"We simply came by for a snowy getaway," Jeanne replied with a light smile. "Though perhaps... I also wanted to see what a nation governed by faith looks like, outside of Laterano."
"And having seen it... what is your impression of Kjerag?" Enciodes asked, curious as to how the Saintess evaluated his home.
"It is a realm of remarkably pure, honest people," Jeanne answered thoughtfully. "Even though your three great houses were at each other's throats, you were still willing to sit down and talk for the good of the land. You aren't like those foreign nobles who would gladly sell out their own homeland for personal gain."
"To hear Kjerag compared favorably to Victoria... I hardly know whether to feel honored or sorrowful," Enciodes noted dryly, well aware of Victoria's decaying political state.
"Still, I am somewhat curious about your personal view of Kjeragandr," Jeanne said, her golden eyes piercing through his polished facade. "It always feels as though your attitude toward your deity is... somewhat conflicted?"
Enciodes let out a long breath, looking at Jeanne's knowing expression. "I take it you have already confirmed that Kjeragandr is indeed a living reality?"
Jeanne nodded gently in confirmation.
"To be frank, I struggle with it," Enciodes admitted quietly. "I once hoped our relationship with our deity could mirror Laterano's model. Yet after watching events unfold, I realize Kjerag's faith is fundamentally different from Laterano's system."
That was undeniable—Laterano was an entirely unique anomaly on Terra.
"If you ask where my heart lies, I am naturally a believer in Kjeragandr," Enciodes continued firmly. "However, I also believe our people must forge a path where we walk into the future alongside our deity, rather than cowering under Her wing."
Though that path was still unmapped and full of unknowns, Jeanne understood his conviction. She offered him a silent, respectful blessing for his success.
"But let us set aside talk of gods for a moment," Enciodes said, standing up and bowing deeply before Jeanne and the Doctor. "I have been contemplating how to properly express my gratitude to you both. Had you not intervened, this conflict would never have ended without terrible bloodshed. For that, Kjerag owes you an immeasurable debt."
Straightening up, he declared solemnly, "I give you my word: from this day forth, Karlan Commercial will be a partner you can trust without reservation. We will execute your commissions to the utmost of our ability."
"...So in the end, you secured everything you wanted, while I walked away with nothing," Jeanne remarked, squinting at the Doctor as they stepped out of the Silverash Clan estate into the crisp mountain air. "The urge to punch you right now is surprisingly strong."
"Don't make me sound like a bandit!" the Doctor protested, holding up her hands defensively. "Didn't you just secure a prime trade route for Chernobog? Your city needs revenue too, you know!"
"Seeing you make out like a bandit while I did all the heavy lifting makes me feel like I got shortchanged," Jeanne teased, pulling out her Terminal and flashing a playful smile.
Relying on her vastly superior physical strength, Jeanne easily dodged the Doctor's desperate attempt to swipe the device, tapping the screen with a knowing look.
"Fine, fine! I'll buy you a lavish dinner when we get back!" the Doctor surrendered instantly, slumping her shoulders. "I can't offer anything more. If that's not enough, feel free to appraise my worth and hold me as collateral!"
"No thanks," Jeanne scoffed with a grin. "A big eater who constantly drags trouble in her wake? I have zero desire to bring an asset like you back to our city."
The Doctor turned to Blaze with an offended gasp. "Blaze! You hear how she talks to me? Am I really that insufferable?!"
Blaze patted the Doctor's shoulder sympathetically. "Doctor... you're a good person."
"Blaze!"
As the group bickered down the snowy trail, a gentle breeze rustled Jeanne's platinum-blonde hair. Through the swirling snowflakes, Jeanne caught sight of a serene figure standing quietly beside an ancient pine tree ahead.
It was Kjeragandr—Kjera.
Seeing the mountain deity appear, the Doctor's survival instincts instantly kicked in. Grabbed Blaze by the elbow, she began backing away. "Right! Mysterious divine entities are best left for Saintesses to handle. We'll wait for you at the lower tram station!"
Though Rhodes Island had accumulated its fair share of bizarre personnel—Abyssal Hunters, victimized test subjects, and an impossibly ancient Feline doctor—bringing a living mountain god back to the landship was a bit too much even for her.
"You came all the way out here alone?" Jeanne asked, stepping toward Kjera with an amused tilt of her head. "As Saintess Enya's maid, shouldn't you be at her side in the Vine-Bear Court?"
"It's not as though I'm bound to the hall," Kjera replied smoothly, walking with Jeanne and Alina into the quiet shelter of the pine grove. "A maid's duties are flexible. Besides, I came today to deliver a few items—and to greet the saviors of Kjerag."
"Saviors of Kjerag?" Jeanne winced slightly, her ears twitching in embarrassment. "Please tell me you didn't invent that cringeworthy title on a whim."
"It is how the people speak of you in private," Kjera explained with a warm smile. "While it won't be broadcast across the continental press, those who know the truth beneath the snow view you and the Doctor as the true saviors of this realm."
"I think it has a rather grand ring to it," Alina chimed in teasingly, her eyes crinkling with amusement. "How should I address you now? 'Saintess of Laterano and Savior of Kjerag'?"
"Alina, not you too..." Jeanne mumbled, covering her red cheeks.
Still, after repeating the title quietly in her mind a few times, Jeanne found herself begrudgingly accepting the dramatic mantle.
Turning back to the deity, Jeanne asked, "Have you ever considered revealing your true presence to your people? Enciodes hasn't given up his search for you, you know."