Saria had recounted a slightly different past.
For instance, what Saria described as being trapped in a web of deceit and lies became, in Silence's account, a choice made with tacit approval. Discrepancies like these littered both of their stories, and Jeanne could easily see that their rift had grown out of these exact misunderstandings.
Jeanne believed that neither woman was lying to her, which meant someone else had been pulling the strings. It was likely that a third party had driven a wedge between them, and the two had never sat down to discuss what really happened.
Silence, having endured betrayal, simply found it hard to trust anyone again—or perhaps a few misplaced assumptions had twisted her perspective. After all, Saria's rigid personality hardly made her the type to offer lengthy explanations.
"In short, that is all I know," Silence said, her voice heavy. "Which is why I said I am so deeply grateful for your help. When I saw that child overflowing with joy, telling me that the voice in her head had gone away, I... I didn't even know what to say..."
Looking at the overwhelmed doctor, Jeanne could see the lingering torment within her heart. Silence had never truly forgiven herself for what took place back then.
Jeanne let out a soft sigh. What a mess. The person who was manipulated into becoming a pawn was consumed by remorse, while the true culprit behind the curtains was likely enjoying the fruits of that scheme right now.
Jeanne knew she couldn't simply barge into Columbia to settle the score with that villain this very moment, but she could at least offer a hand where it counted—like helping repair the frayed bond between these two.
"Which is precisely why I said you should extend a bit of thanks to Saria as well," Jeanne said, her tone serious. She hadn't forgotten how Saria had rushed out to track down the assailants the moment she heard news of the cure.
"Yes... I suppose I should," Silence murmured, her lips twitching slightly as she offered a faint, hushed reply.
"Doctor Silence, I actually heard about the Flame Demon Project from Saria herself, including everything that transpired during that ordeal," Jeanne said, looking straight at her.
At those words, Silence's pupils contracted slightly. Her hands, resting on her lap, instinctively gripped the fabric of her coat as she stared back at Jeanne.
She was eager to hear what Jeanne was about to say next.
"Just as you might expect, while many details in your account align with Saria's, there are several key points where your stories clash completely. From where I stand, those very discrepancies are what drove you two apart."
Jeanne spoke with earnest clarity, and Silence fell silent. Deep down, Silence knew this possibility existed, but no matter how she had pressed the matter in the past, Saria had maintained her stoic composure, refusing to utter another word.
"I don't know the full history of how your relationship fractured like this, but I know you both still hold each other in your hearts. Sitting down for a proper talk would be the best path forward—especially for Ifrit's sake." Jeanne cast a glance toward the office door, sighing internally at how tangled this family's bonds really were.
Why do I feel like I'm trying to reconcile a divorced couple? A estranged pair with a child caught in the middle... My head is going to spin.
"I understand that keeping Ifrit away from Saria comes from a desire to protect her, but avoiding the issue won't solve anything. You wouldn't want Ifrit doing something dangerous behind your back just to catch a glimpse of Saria, would you?"
Jeanne offered this final word of advice to the silent doctor, then casually pulled the door open. Standing right outside was Ifrit, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation, her face flushed with surprise at being caught.
"Tell Silence what you're thinking," Jeanne said with a light pat on Ifrit's shoulder. "She will listen to what you have to say."
With that, Jeanne nudged the child into the room and gently closed the door behind her.
"Silence..." Ifrit muttered, looking at the downcast doctor before her, momentarily at a loss for words.
Jeanne had no idea what transpired between them behind that closed door. She simply felt that this family—or rather, these three people—didn't deserve to remain locked in such bitter distance, so she had given them a gentle push in the right direction.
Stepping back into the corridor, Jeanne suddenly remembered she had brought a sick girl onto the ship! She wondered how Misha was fairing and whether her acute condition had stabilized.
"Jeanne! You're here!" Gavial called out cheerfully, strolling over from around the corner. She shared a great friendship with Jeanne, especially since Jeanne had brought her such a brilliant apprentice.
"Gavial? Where did everyone run off to just now? I brought a patient in earlier, and the floor was completely empty..."
"Ah, I know, I know! The white-haired Ursus girl, right? She's out of danger now!" Gavial patted Jeanne's shoulder reassuringly. "It seems she contracted Oripathy not too long ago, and the sudden outbreak caused a faint fever alongside some physical weakness."
Gavial assured her there was no need to worry. Thanks to the holy water Jeanne had provided, the mortality rate from Oripathy flare-ups had dropped significantly across the board.
"As for where we all ran off to..." Gavial's eyes took on a meaningful glint as she leaned in, whispering mysteriously, "We just witnessed a genuine miracle unfolding! If you want to know the details, though, you'll have to sit tight for a bit. I'm sure Kal'tsit will share everything with you soon enough!"
Jeanne looked at Gavial in confusion. When had this blunt, straightforward fighter learned to play so coy and secretive?
"Sister Jeanne! How is Misha..."
Skullshatterer rushed down the corridor, having just settled the children. The rapport between Reunion and Rhodes Island had grown so natural that squad leaders strolled through the landship's halls as if visiting neighbors.
Crownslayer, however, still refused to set foot on the ship. She claimed the place carried an unpleasant atmosphere and that she had zero interest in facing Kal'tsit's lifeless expression.
"She's fine now. She just finished treatment and is resting over there," Jeanne said, pointing toward a ward bed.
Upon hearing the news, Skullshatterer hurried off to check on his sister's condition.
"Haha, you two take your time! I need to go cool my head—what I just saw was far too incredible. My heart is still pounding with excitement!" Gavial waved a enthusiastic goodbye and walked off, her beaming expression making it clear that whatever they had discovered was truly groundbreaking.
"Aaaah—Jeanne! Save me! Take me away from this place! I can't stand looking at that big white cat's scary face for another second! Waaah... Please take me back!"
Before Jeanne could even turn around, a figure latched onto her like a koala, clinging tightly as if having suffered the greatest injustice in the world.
Jeanne peeled the Doctor off her body, eyeing the octopus-like grasp. What on earth had this person gone through over the past few days?
"You have no idea! The moment I got here, that terrifying woman dragged me off for all kinds of physical exams! And then another pale woman kept staring at me with this intense look, as if she wanted to devour me whole..."
To the amnesiac Doctor, this unfamiliar landship filled with strange people felt like a utter nightmare. Compared to staying here, she would much rather deal with the Yeti Squad out on the tundra.
"Surely it can't be that bad? No matter how strict Kal'tsit is, she wouldn't treat an amnesiac like that without reason. Did you do something to set her off?" Jeanne caught a hint of something deeper behind the complaints and pressed for details with a curious grin.
"I tried to stroke her tail and ears while she was napping, snuck catnip into her teacup, and then I was planning to..." The Doctor listed her recent list of suicidal antics, leaving Jeanne convinced that Kal'tsit must truly care for her, given that she was still breathing.
"The fact that you haven't been beaten to a pulp is proof of Kal'tsit's immense patience! Wait—does Kal'tsit actually have a tail? I thought she didn't have one!" Jeanne blinked in surprise. She had never spotted a tail on Kal'tsit before!
"She does! It's just extremely short! Unless you pull back her inner layers, you can't even see that tiny stub... Wait, is that the main point here?! The main point is that she's out to get me!" The Doctor cut herself off, realizing they had strayed completely off topic.
"Hold on... you actually lifted her clothes?!" Jeanne stared at her with a look that said are you tired of living?, only to glance up and spot a murderous Kal'tsit stepping out from the shadowed hallway, advancing toward them step by deliberate step.
Oh boy. She's dead.