"Is there a doctor here? Gavial, Warfarin, someone please help!"
Carrying Misha through the quiet corridors of Rhodes Island, Jeanne searched frantically for medical personnel, growing increasingly anxious as she passed the deserted offices.
Having gained a deeper understanding of acute Oripathy, Jeanne could easily tell that Misha was suffering a sudden flare-up. If the girl didn't receive immediate medical care, her chances of survival were dangerously low.
With Rhodes Island docked right nearby, Jeanne hadn't wasted time searching for a local clinic, choosing instead to sprint straight to the landship at top speed to get Misha treated.
"The senior doctors are out right now, Miss Jeanne. Please hand the patient over to us first, and we will examine her condition right away!" A few attending physicians and nurses rushed over as soon as they recognized Jeanne.
"I'll leave her in your care, then." Though Jeanne wondered where the primary specialists had run off to, now was hardly the time to dwell on such details. Besides, the overall expertise of Rhodes Island's medical staff was exceptionally solid.
Seeing Misha's critical state, the medical team skipped further pleasantries and rushed her directly into the emergency room, leaving Jeanne waiting in the hallway.
Jeanne let out a long breath of relief. If these siblings had been torn apart by death right after reuniting, the emotional blow would have driven young Alex completely over the edge.
After all, Misha was his last surviving family member. Jeanne still remembered how often the boy had brought up his sister while they were out in the snowy tundra, his eyes filled with fond longing.
As Jeanne sat on a nearby bench to calm her nerves, she noticed a small child peeking cautiously out from the doorway of an adjacent office, scanning the empty hallway in every direction.
After a moment, the child seemed to confirm the coast was clear and cheered softly, "Awesome! Silence isn't here!"
With a sudden burst of energy, the young girl bolted into the corridor, only to freeze when her eyes landed on Jeanne sitting quietly on the bench.
"Gah! You scared me! Where did you come from?"
Seeing the girl jump, Jeanne opened her mouth to speak, but the little child beat her to it, clasping her hands together in a desperate plea. "Please don't tell Silence! I just wanted to go out and play for a bit, I swear! And I'm almost finished with today's homework..."
Watching the child panic just like a kid caught sneaking out, Jeanne smiled warmly, her tone gentle. "I'm just a passerby, so I won't go tattling to Doctor Silence. However..."
As Jeanne spoke, her eyes caught sight of the ornament hanging around the child's neck—the very cross she had once given to Saria.
"Are you Ifrit? I'm Jeanne nice to meet you." Jeanne asked, observing the young girl before her. At first glance, it was difficult to tell which race the girl belonged to, as her horns and tail possessed a uniquely twisted appearance.
"Huh? You know who I am? Does that mean I'm super famous now?!" Ifrit perked up instantly, her initial panic replaced by sheer excitement upon realizing the visitor knew her name.
"I heard Saria mention you before. How are you feeling these days?"
"Saria? You mean Saria?! Do you know where she is? I've been wanting to see her again for so long, but Silence won't let me, and she hasn't come to visit me either..."
Hearing Saria's name, Ifrit grew incredibly animated. It was clear as day that Saria held a deeply special place in the child's heart.
"Unfortunately, I only met Saria back in Chernobog. The item around your neck is something I gave her back then, so I'm not entirely sure where she is at the moment."
At those words, the once-excited Ifrit dropped her head, a wave of disappointment washing over her face at the realization that she wouldn't be seeing Saria today after all.
"But Saria misses you terribly, you know," Jeanne said softly, reaching out to pat Ifrit's head. "Why else would she come find me specifically to get that item to treat your illness? She's probably just tied up with important matters."
Hearing Jeanne's reassuring words, a small smile returned to Ifrit's face, clearly thrilled by the thought that Saria still cared deeply about her.
"Really? Is Saria actually just busy with work? I... I thought I did something wrong and made her angry, so she didn't want to see me anymore." Feeling a heavy knot loosen in her chest, Ifrit felt a sudden surge of emotion, almost brought to tears.
"Of course. I still remember the warmth and longing in her eyes whenever she brought you up. I can promise you that Saria isn't mad at you at all. She's simply caught up in her duties."
Jeanne didn't know the full history between Saria and Ifrit, but having heard Saria mention the Flame Demon Project before, she knew Saria felt nothing but deep guilt toward the child.
"By the way, how is your condition faring? Saria was very concerned about your health as well." Jeanne inquired about the child's body, keen to see if her cross had provided any relief.
"It's great! I feel amazing right now! That weird, annoying voice in my head hasn't popped up in a really long time, and even Silence has been super happy lately!"
Ifrit grew immensely excited again, gesturing wildly with her hands as she shared her progress, completely forgetting her original plan to sneak outside and play.
Perhaps due to Saria's connection, Ifrit held almost zero defense against Jeanne, quickly chatting away like a long-time friend.
"Ifrit, what are you doing out here?"
A calm voice suddenly called out from behind them. Hearing it, Ifrit stiffened instinctively, turning around to offer a hasty explanation. "Silence! Let me explain! I just... I saw this Big Sis sitting here looking bored, so I came out to talk to her!"
Her nervous posture was identical to a child caught red-handed by a parent, projecting utter guilt that brought a subtle chuckle to Jeanne's lips.
"Hello. May I ask who you are...?" Silence asked politely. For various reasons, she had never crossed paths with Jeanne directly on the landship, making the woman before her look familiar yet unrecognizable.
"Sister Jeanne brought someone here for treatment!" Ifrit chimed in proudly, eager to prove she hadn't just been wandering around aimlessly. After a quick pause, she added, "And Sister Jeanne is Saria's friend!"
Jeanne clearly saw Doctor Silence's pupils contract slightly at the mention of that name. Though her gaze held no overt hostility, a subtle wave of tension washed over her expression.
Ifrit quickly explained that the cross around her neck was originally a gift from Jeanne to Saria, which Saria had then passed on to her. Hearing this, Silence let out a quiet breath of relief.
"Ifrit, head back inside for now. Don't disturb our guest," Silence said gently.
Ifrit obeyed without complaint and headed back into Silence's office. Excited by the news regarding Saria, the child showed no lingering disappointment, waving a cheery goodbye to Jeanne before stepping inside.
"Thank you deeply for your assistance. Your gift has brought immense relief to Ifrit's condition. I..." Once Ifrit was safely inside, Silence turned to Jeanne, expressing her sincere gratitude.
She had exhausted herself trying to manage Ifrit's condition. As someone who had played a direct role in turning the child into what she was today, Silence bore a crushing weight of emotional guilt.
Yet Jeanne's gift had shielded Ifrit from the Flame Demon's torment, restoring Silence's confidence in the child's ongoing recovery and filling her with newfound hope for the future.
"It was no trouble at all; I merely provided an object. If anyone deserves your thanks, it's Saria. Had she not sought me out, I would never have learned of Ifrit's situation."
At the mention of Saria's name, a deeply complex emotion surfaced within Silence's eyes—not hatred or disgust, but a turbulent mix of conflicting feelings.
These two must either hold a deep grudge or a massive misunderstanding, Jeanne thought to herself upon seeing that reaction, leaning toward the latter.
After a brief pause, Jeanne delicately inquired about the history between her and Saria. Silence pondered for a long moment before coming to a decision, leading Jeanne to a quiet, secluded corner to share the story of her past alongside Saria.