"How on earth... did you two become so close?"
Jeanne emerged from her meeting with Wei Yenwu, taking in the sight of two figures huddled in a quiet corner of the grand hallway.
She hadn't spotted Ch'en right away, but FrostNova's prominent Cautus ears gave their location away completely. Seeing the pair engaged in such animated conversation, Jeanne couldn't help but feel a wave of genuine bewilderment.
Neither of them was known for being overly chatty or approachable around unfamiliar faces. Who could possibly explain what kind of miracle had brought them together like this?
"It is nothing," FrostNova explained smoothly as Jeanne walked over. "We were merely discussing Talulah's youth, seeing if there might be any embarrassing secrets we could use against her."
"Embarrassing secrets? Tell me everything!" Jeanne's eyes sparkled with instant delight. How could she pass up such a golden opportunity?
"Confidential," FrostNova replied flatly, turning her head away. If this girl got her hands on that information, Talulah would never know a moment of peace back home.
In truth, there weren't many stories to tell. Talulah had left Lungmen when Ch'en was still quite young, meaning their shared memories were limited.
"How did your meeting go?" FrostNova asked, redirecting the topic as the group began moving down the broad corridor.
Ch'en quietly listened from the side. The outcome directly concerned her city, and she was keen to know whether Jeanne and Wei Yenwu had conversed as future allies or bitter foes.
"It went well enough. Chief Wei still harbors his fair share of worries, but we managed to reach a mutual understanding regarding our desire to avoid open conflict."
Jeanne didn't explicitly bring up Wei Yenwu's deep-seated dread of Kashchey. Yet, such caution was entirely understandable; had Jeanne not possessed the strength to confront that ancient evil herself, her own wariness toward the Black Snake would have been just as overwhelming.
"He did mention, however, that he intends to recommend someone to our cause—supposedly a person of considerable talent," Jeanne added, a remark that caused both FrostNova and Ch'en to knit their brows in quiet suspicion.
"And you accepted?" FrostNova asked, fixing her gaze on Jeanne. She found it hard to believe Jeanne didn't realize the candidate was almost certainly being sent to gather intelligence. Why agree knowing the risks involved?
"Even if we turned the offer down, what is stopping them from blending into a crowd of refugees to slip into Chernobog unnoticed?" Jeanne gestured casually. "By bringing it into the light, Chief Wei avoids unnecessary misunderstandings. Besides, with an Infected-led city rising right next to his borders, it would be far stranger if he didn't attempt to keep an eye on us."
"That makes sense," FrostNova conceded with a thoughtful nod.
Beside them, Ch'en pondered the matter in silence. Who could Chief Wei possibly be sending? And what kind of person would willingly venture into a city with such an uncertain future?
"By the way, have you checked on your subordinates to see if they're causing chaos?" Jeanne asked, suddenly realizing she hadn't seen the Yeti Squadron for over an hour. Truthfully, her trust in those lively troublemakers was practically zero.
FrostNova felt a prickle of anxiety as well. She knew the nature of her squad all too well; while they would never commit genuine villainy, their capacity for wild, unexpected antics was practically limitless.
Meanwhile, the main body of refugees, led by Skullshatterer and monitored by Crownslayer, was currently being escorted into the slums by Hoshiguma to search for missing kin.
"Allow me to inquire with our patrol units," Ch'en offered, not overly concerned. In her eyes, the white-clad squad seemed disciplined enough, hardly the type to cause severe trouble.
Yet, after exchanging a quick series of transmissions with Hoshiguma, Ch'en's expression turned somewhat puzzled as she detailed the squad's recent activities to Jeanne and FrostNova.
Eager to find his sister Misha, Skullshatterer was moving through the Ursus refugee district under Crownslayer's watchful eye, asking everyone if they had seen her. The Yeti Squadron, on the other hand, was up to something entirely bizarre: they were mapping out the street network of the slums and had just rented two heavy motorcycles to 'get a feel for the terrain.'
Jeanne and FrostNova exchanged a long, silent glance, the exact same realization dawning in their eyes simultaneously: Those troublemakers are planning something big.
"Ch'en, please take me to them at once," FrostNova requested, her tone turning deeply serious. "I fear they might pull off a scene that causes a massive misunderstanding."
"Very well, though I doubt it will be anything truly dangerous," Ch'en replied, attempting to reassure the anxious Cautus.
"Just imagine you're dealing with a whole squad from Penguin Logistics," Jeanne interjected flatly.
That single sentence instantly silenced Ch'en. If an entire battalion shared the disposition of Penguin Logistics, she wouldn't put it past them to blow up a city block just for fun.
"Where are you heading, then?" Ch'en asked, noticing that Jeanne had no intention of accompanying them.
"I need to look up an acquaintance. I have a nagging feeling those three are keeping something from me. I'll contact you once I'm done!" Jeanne waved a hand in farewell before taking her leave.
Knowing Jeanne was familiar with the city's layout, Ch'en didn't press the matter and turned to lead FrostNova toward the slums.
After parting ways with the pair, Jeanne made her way straight toward a bar named The Ends of the Earth. Though finding the individuals she sought in a tavern during broad daylight seemed unlikely, her instincts pointed squarely in this direction.
Inside the establishment, the Emperor sat behind the counter, staring at his financial ledgers with a heart full of anguish. A short while ago, a gang of thugs had picked a fight in his establishment; though the hooligans were swiftly dealt with, the resulting brawl had destroyed a disastrous amount of property.
"My precious reserve bottles! My imported crystal glassware! My vintage vinyl records! If old Lin doesn't reimburse every single LMD, I'll stand right outside his manor and sing at the top of my lungs every night!"
Beside him, Ys wiped down the counter in complete silence. He knew full well his boss was merely venting frustration; when it came down to actually confronting the man, the Emperor would never bother going through with it.
"Long time no see, Emperor! You too, Ys!" Jeanne called out cheerfully as she pushed through the doors.
Ys offered a polite nod of greeting, while the Emperor merely glanced up before returning his tearful focus to his ruined ledgers. "You're back again? Unfortunate timing for you—everyone except me is out on assignment!"
"I know, I know," Jeanne replied smoothly, her smile unwavering. "I didn't come looking for them anyway. I came to ask you a question."
She stepped up to the counter, her expression softening into gentle concern. "Do you know where Lemuen, Mostima, and Fiammetta went? I tried contacting them several times, but they seem immensely busy and keep brushing off my questions."
Jeanne was genuinely worried that the trio had stumbled into trouble again; she had long sensed they were hiding something significant from her.
"Huh? Those three?" The Emperor tilted his head, adjusting his shades. "Didn't they return to Laterano? Probably visiting relatives or handling official business. They're likely just bogged down with duties, which is why they haven't written back."
"Emperor, give me the truth," Jeanne pressed gently, fixing her gaze on the avian boss. "I know that if anyone has a way to find out what's really happening, it's you."
"Sigh... Why must everyone make life difficult for a simple penguin? I am merely an ordinary singer and bar owner..." The Emperor lowered his head, muttering under his breath as he realized his deflection had failed completely.
Seeing his reaction, Jeanne knew for certain that he held the answers she sought.
"Because you know everything that happens across the realm," she noted with a light laugh.
The Emperor looked up, shooting Jeanne a quick glance before slipping into quiet deliberation.
Naturally, he knew precise details regarding the trio's whereabouts. However, Lemuen and the others had explicitly asked him to keep the matter quiet, wishing to spare Jeanne unnecessary worry while she handled her own burdens in Chernobog.
"Fine, fine! Even if I keep my beak shut today, I know you won't let it rest," the Emperor sighed, throwing his wings up in surrender. "I'll tell you: they were summoned back to reinforce the border forces. All I know for certain is that the situation involves Iberia!"