Before long, the carriage pulled to a smooth halt near the main access ramp of the Rhodes Island landship.
A sizable welcoming party had already gathered at the entrance. Among the ranks were familiar faces whom the Scarlet Devil Mansion cohort recognized immediately—Operators Logos and PITH standing tall—alongside a few unfamiliar figures, including a cat-eared girl clad in a clean white-and-green coat, and a small, fluffy rabbit.
Unsurprisingly, Eirin Yagokoro was nowhere to be found in the assembled reception line. Given the lunar sage's pragmatic, work-absorbed nature, the group led by Flandre wasn't in the least bit astonished. It would have been far stranger had she abandoned her laboratory just to stand outside and play hostess.
As for the two prominent figures standing at the absolute front of the reception line, Remilia's sharp, analytical mind pieced together their identities in an instant: Dr. Kal'tsit, the formidable grand chancellor driving the landship from behind the curtains, and Amiya, the official young leader of Rhodes Island.
Remilia quietly observed the small Cautus girl. Though Amiya appeared visibly timid under the weight of the moment, she was nonetheless trying her absolute best to stand tall and straight. Furthermore, while the surrounding field operators seemed to be standing in a relaxed, casual formation, their positions subtly encircled Amiya in a protective vanguard—a detail that earned an almost imperceptible nod of approval from the vampire lord.
"Given that the leaders of Rhodes Island are patiently waiting outside to receive us, it would be profoundly impolite for us to remain comfortably seated within our cabin," Remilia declared softly.
With a single gesture, Hong Meiling and Sakuya Izayoi drew back the heavy carriage curtains. Flandre was the absolute first to burst out from the vehicle, followed closely by Clever, then Patchouli, and finally Remilia stepping gracefully down to the gravel.
Seeing three vampires emerge sequentially from the transport, even the veteran Operators who had received advance operational briefings couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath.
Before anyone could process the sheer presence of the party, the youngest vampire—her vibrant wings lined with seven-colored, diamond-shaped crystals humming with faint luminescence—had already bridged the physical distance in a blur. In the blink of an eye, she appeared right in front of Amiya, gently taking hold of the young leader's free hand.
"Hello there! I bet you are Amiya, right?" Flandre chirped, her eyes shining with pure delight. "My name is Flandre Scarlet. Everyone calls me Flandre~!"
The young Cautus, thoroughly caught off guard by the child's sudden approach, felt a brief wave of reflexive panic surge through her chest. However, the second her eyes met the girl's pure, blood-jade gaze, sensing the genuine curiosity, warm happiness, and completely unreserved friendliness emanating from her spirit, Amiya relaxed entirely.
"Hello! I am Amiya," the young girl replied, a soft smile breaking across her face. "It is very nice to meet you, Frenda..."
"It is Flandre, not Frenda!" Flandre declared dramatically, mentally asserting that even though she was also a cheerful blonde girl, she absolutely refused to be bisected like certain fictional characters. After all, she possessed vivid memories of A Certain Magical Index from another life.
"Um... my apologies, Flandre. It is truly a pleasure to meet you." Amiya's small face flushed slightly with embarrassment as she greeted the girl overflowing with boundless warmth.
"Flandre, retreat to my side at once. Do not show such unrefined manners to our hosts," Remilia called out smoothly from behind.
Flandre leaned in close, whispering into Amiya's long, twitching ear, "I'll come find you later so we can play together!"
With a joyful grin, she released Amiya's hand and fluttered back to her sister's side.
Once Flandre returned, Remilia held her sister's hand in her own, offering a composed gaze toward Kal'tsit and Amiya.
"I am Remilia Scarlet, master of the Scarlet Devil Mansion. I extend our formal greetings to Rhodes Island on behalf of our entire household."
With impeccable synchronization, Remilia and Flandre performed an exceptionally formal, breathlessly elegant noble curtsy toward the Rhodes Island delegation.
Observing the motion, Kal'tsit's pupils subtly contracted.
Across the recorded history of Terra, there had indeed been factions among the Blood Demon race who prided themselves on aristocratic elegance, infiltrating high society and circulating among royal courts. Yet, the vast majority of such displays were superficial veneers—mere theatrical performances designed to manipulate local nobles and secure easy feeding grounds.
However, the two individuals standing before her were undeniably different. Their posture, hand placements, and fluid balance were so flawless that even an ancient, uncompromising soul like herself found them entirely faultless. They had clearly undergone authentic, rigorous, and deeply rooted aristocratic upbringing.
Would ordinary, predatory Blood Demons ever waste centuries mastering such useless human etiquette? Absolutely not.
"Rhodes Island is deeply honored by the visit of our esteemed guests from the Scarlet Devil Mansion," Kal'tsit replied smoothly, stepping forward to return the greeting with professional solemnity. "The renown of your household—especially the legendary name of Miss Flandre Scarlet—has long echoed through our tactical networks. Seeing you in person today proves those reports to be entirely understated. We sincerely hope your stay aboard Rhodes Island meets every measure of your satisfaction."
Having delivered her formal welcome, Kal'tsit turned her analytical gaze toward Clever, who was standing quietly at the absolute rear of the procession.
Kal'tsit had noticed from the moment the group dismounted that this woman's posture lacked the distinct, relaxed cohesion shared by the others; she was clearly not a primary member of the Scarlet Devil Mansion's core inner circle.
"And may I inquire as to the identity of this traveler?" Kal'tsit asked, looking toward her.
"She is a companion we chanced to meet along the lonely roads of Rim Billiton," Remilia explained effortlessly. "Her name is Clever. As our household has lived in complete seclusion from global affairs for a very long duration, our understanding of contemporary surface politics suffered from severe historical discrepancies. Clever has been kind enough to educate us on the geopolitical shifts of Terra over the past few centuries during our journey."
Kal'tsit offered a single, understanding nod. "I see. Since she travels as a trusted companion of your household, she is naturally welcomed as an honored guest of Rhodes Island as well..."
At that exact microsecond, a low, encrypted voice transmission synthesized directly through Kal'tsit's hidden ear-piece.
A momentary flash of astonishment washed across the elder doctor's face, followed by her gaze toward Clever growing significantly more complex and layered. However, she refrained from voicing a single word of her internal discovery aloud. Instead, she swept her hand in a dignified, welcoming gesture toward the primary boarding gantry.
"Everyone, please follow me inside."
Following behind the group, Clever instantly caught the subtle shift in Kal'tsit's eyes. In that silent microsecond, she realized with absolute certainty that the legendary doctor had already uncovered her true origins.
Yet, zero panic stirred within Clever's chest.
After all, the sisters of the Rose Riverside had never once committed an act of treason or betrayal against Babel. Back when Babel and the military commission of Theresis were locked in their desperate civil war for the soul of Kazdel, countless covert operatives from her order had willingly sacrificed their lives in the shadows just to gather vital intelligence for Lord Theresa.
Though Babel as a formal political entity no longer existed—having since transformed its remnants into the medical vessel known as Rhodes Island—the core personnel remained the exact same individuals, continuing to uphold and fight for Lady Theresa's grand ideals. Thus, what reason did she have to feel fear?
As the party officially crossed the threshold into the sprawling interior of the landship, Flandre immediately skipped back to Amiya's side, happily taking hold of the young Cautus's hand once more.
Observing the interaction, Kal'tsit proactively stepped up, offering a gentle, reassuring pat against Amiya's shoulder.
In Kal'tsit's assessment, while Flandre was undoubtedly a Blood Demon of staggering physical and magical potential, the comprehensive field reports brought back by Logos and PITH confirmed that her psychological disposition bore zero resemblance to the depraved, bloodthirsty lunatics of the Kazdel Royal Court. Furthermore, they were currently walking within the core interior of the Rhodes Island landship itself, where security measures were absolute.
More importantly, analyzing Amiya's emotional feedback, the young leader felt zero threat or malice emanating from the child beside her.
Considering how Amiya had been buried under mountains of administrative burdens, political stress, and tactical command duties over the past two years—lacking a single peer or friend her own age to simply talk to—Kal'tsit felt that despite Flandre's youthful appearance and enigmatic nature, her cheerful, energetic disposition might prove wonderfully therapeutic for the overburdened Cautus.
Seeing the doctor's silent approval, Flandre grinned broadly, tugging Amiya's hand as she trotted eagerly ahead down the corridor.
"Flandre, please slow down a little...!" Amiya called out, her tone a mix of flustered embarrassment and a desperate attempt to maintain her formal composure as the leader of a landship.
Watching their young leader try so hard to act like a stern adult while being dragged along by a hyperactive child, several passing Rhodes Island Operators couldn't help but display fond, maternal smiles.
"My younger sister has been somewhat spoiled by our household," Remilia remarked softly, walking alongside Kal'tsit. "I truly hope her exuberant nature does not strike your personnel as unrefined or rude."
"Not in the slightest," Kal'tsit answered calmly, her eyes watching the two children turn the corner ahead. "Your sister's purity, vibrant enthusiasm, and unburdened energy are rare gifts in this world. We have placed far too heavy a burden upon Amiya's shoulders at such a tender age. Having a bright companion to share a brief moment of childhood with is a blessing for her."
Hearing Kal'tsit's candid words, the surrounding senior personnel nodded in heartfelt agreement as they guided the Scarlet Devil Mansion group deeper into the heart of the vessel.
Navigating through the grand corridors of the landship, the guests were eventually escorted into a spacious, beautifully appointed reception office.
Not long after the group settled into their seats, the sliding door opened with a soft hiss, and Eirin Yagokoro glided into the room. A subtle expression of professional disdain lingered on her face, though her eyes gleamed with intense intellectual satisfaction.
"So, you have finally arrived?" Eirin noted casually.
"Judging by that expression on your face, it appears you have reaped a rather substantial harvest within their medical facilities," Remilia greeted with a knowing smile.
Eirin offered a prompt, unreserved nod. "Indeed. The clinical infrastructure, diagnostic equipment, and pathological samples present aboard Rhodes Island are remarkably comprehensive. It has allowed me to successfully test and validate a vast array of my theoretical concepts."
As she spoke, Eirin's gaze drifted toward the absolute rear of the room, locking onto Clever, who was quietly seated behind the core Scarlet Devil Mansion group.
Eirin knew full well that this woman was neither an operator of Rhodes Island nor a resident of Gensokyo, yet she was casually sitting amidst the inner court of the Scarlet Devil Mansion. The lunar sage couldn't help but feel a subtle flicker of intellectual curiosity regarding her identity.