Looking at the Hippogryph's cryptic expression and that look of lingering trauma in her eyes, Jeanne felt a strange prickle of unease.
How much did that Phidia version of Kashchey's lack of popularity among his peers really have to do with her? She hadn't done anything to the rest of them, after all.
Yet, seeing the expression on the woman before her, it didn't look like she was joking. That left only one possibility...
But would that guy really go that far? If he had done exactly what she was imagining, wouldn't that be a bit too "scummy"?
Though, to be fair, that old snake was plenty scummy to begin with.
As Jeanne's eyes widened with the realization of a sudden, startling thought, the Kashchey before her gave a solemn nod.
"You've guessed correctly. That fellow did exactly what you're thinking. During those three years he was being tormented by those prayers, he shared that agony with all of us."
As she spoke, the elegant Hippogryph's face showed an expression other than her customary calm smile for the first time.
Deep within her eyes was a flicker of profound dread—a lingering fear that she was slipping back into that pain just by reminiscing. She remembered how she had survived those three years. Originally, Jeanne's prayers were only supposed to affect the soul within the Phidia body; they shouldn't have spilled over to her.
But that guy, unwilling to suffer alone, chose to link the pain of that "purification" to every single Black Snake!
If it weren't for the fear that the moment they set foot near him, they would be utterly obliterated by that mysterious power, some versions of Kashchey would have already marched over to kill him themselves.
However, knowing he was nested deep within Talulah's soul, any attempt to eliminate him would severely damage Talulah as well. Even if Talulah had demanded they do it after finding out, these other fragments had no intention of provoking the situation. Who knew if that "Guardian" (Jeanne) would strike them down to protect her friend?
"In that case... I'm really sorry for the trouble. I had no idea at the time that the power of purification could ripple out to so many Kashcheys."
Hearing the slightly resentful tone, Jeanne scratched her head awkwardly. Who could have known that guy was scummy to such an extent?
"Unethical" didn't even cover it; this was a total lack of conscience! Jeanne glanced at Talulah, silently thanking the heavens that the girl hadn't been warped by living with such a creature. If Talulah had inadvertently picked up those personality traits during her time with Kashchey, the result would be too horrifying to describe.
"It's fine now. Regardless, the primary impact wasn't on us. As for the aftershocks, they were within my threshold of endurance—though they did dredge up some rather unpleasant memories."
The Hippogryph waved it off, signaling she had grown accustomed to the sensation of purification. After all, by the time the power was transmitted through the link, it had been reduced to less than a tenth of its original strength.
To her, it felt like a snail crawling over a patch of lightly salted ground. While the effect was significant, it remained within the realm of survivability.
"At any rate, as you can see, I am currently nothing more than a university teacher. I transmit knowledge here; as for how that knowledge is applied, that depends on the students."
Seeing that the conversation had stretched on quite a bit, this Kashchey prepared to bring the encounter to a close. Whether she walked out on her own two feet, was carried out, or was sent straight to the crematorium was a choice she left to the two women in front of her.
In any case, no matter how they killed her, she was immortal in a sense. Besides, did they really have the stomach to do it?
The last time Talulah killed a Kashchey, she ended up with a parasite in her soul that she loathed. Did she truly want to risk it again? Did she not fear that upon killing this body, another Black Snake would hide within her spirit?
Talulah seemed to see right through her thoughts. After scrutinizing the teacher for a long moment, she spoke slowly:
"You should understand that I didn't come here to kill you. Just as I can currently tolerate the one nested in my soul."
Though she claimed she could "tolerate" it, her expression made it clear that her patience had limits. A friendly attitude was out of the question.
"But if I discover that you are harboring evil thoughts, or that you intend to weave some conspiracy or manufacture suffering here, I will definitely come back and end you!"
Talulah stared into the woman's eyes, delivering her words with absolute gravity. This wasn't a threat or a provocation; it was a declaration.
If the day ever came when she found this version was just like the Kashchey she knew—trying to use her rot to corrupt the minds of those students—then Talulah would see this teacher turned to ash, even if she had to bear the infamy of the act.
Even if it meant another Kashchey parasitizing her soul, so be it. She was already carrying one; two wouldn't make much difference.
The Hippogryph, however, merely shook her head. It seemed she had heard such proclamations countless times before. She had long ago mapped out Talulah's personality; the moment the girl opened her mouth, the teacher already knew what would be said.
"I am merely a teacher. I only pass on my knowledge. What they find within that knowledge is a reflection of their own capabilities."
Talulah only half-believed that statement. But when she considered that this woman had been here for years without any reports of egregious behavior, she hesitated. She had investigated this city and found that it had actually improved in some small ways since this teacher's arrival—albeit subtly.
In the territory of Ursus, where cities usually competed to see which could be more miserable, this place was a rare example of a city actually changing for the better.
With those thoughts in mind, Talulah prepared to leave. She hadn't expected the person she came to find to be like this. She had anticipated another archaic, pedantic old man who spoke in riddles. It seemed she would need to be more vigilant in the future.
Just as Fiolet said, the next person she brushed past on the street could be a Kashchey. However, there was no need to let paranoia ruin her life.
"Since we've said our piece, I won't see you out. However, I have a bit of news that I suspect both of you will find interesting."
Seeing them about to depart, Fiolet decided to reveal a piece of information recently acquired by the other Kashcheys.
The two turned back, curious to hear what could possibly interest them. And judging by her tone, it seemed the "Snake" they knew didn't even know about this yet? Did it have something to do with him?
Fiolet spoke in a measured, unhurried pace:
"A certain noble has received word that someone from Kazdel has sent messengers to contact an associate within Ursus. They are attempting to enter the heart of the country, and their target..."
She glanced at them both before slowly uttering the name.
"Patriot, Buldrokas'tee. And the ones coming... they certainly aren't the mercenary-level Sarkaz you've seen before. They are members of the Royal Court. Some of them possess strength that could even rival the Emperor's Blades."
Hearing that this involved the Sarkaz, Jeanne's first thought was that they were likely coming for her. But when she heard they were looking for Patriot, she was baffled. Why would those people seek out a Sarkaz who had long ago abandoned his kin?
Did they intend to recruit him back to serve the Sarkaz cause once more?