Although the others could not really tell that something was off with Amiya, Kal'tsit could.
After all, that was the little rabbit she had raised with her own hands.
She watched as Amiya lightly pressed her lips together, her gaze drifting elsewhere and the rabbit ears on her head swaying restlessly.
Most importantly, whenever Amiya felt anxious or worried, she would repeatedly touch her ring.
Kal'tsit judged Amiya's current state precisely from these small details.
"…What exactly is your relationship with him?"
Retracting her gaze from Amiya, Kal'tsit looked at the information on her terminal, then at the back of Shirou who was currently being publicly "lectured" and spoke softly.
Her voice was so quiet that no one present heard it.
If it were this person, Kal'tsit would be willing to let Amiya interact with him.
At the very least, their ideals aligned in certain ways, and even their methods of carrying them out were similar.
Rhodes Island did not need any more "evil spirits."
Whether it was that hooded person or the man who called himself a machine, it was the same.
Yet Amiya happened to have quite a deep connection with both of them…
Fortunately, she had not been led astray by them.
According to the data from the office, Emiya Shirou was indeed a physical human. Based on muscle density, blood, and various records, he was simply an ordinary person with relatively low physical strength.
Yet contradictorily, he could perform movements far beyond human limits with that body, even unleashing sword strikes comparable to or surpassing those of Chen, a Lung of Yan.
Returning to the main point, unlike that other individual Kal'tsit knew, Shirou possessed a physical body.
That meant he did not require an external supply of magical energy to sustain himself. Yet he still seemed to rely on "mana" for various actions.
If one assumed that mana was simply the fuel used to activate Originium Arts, then Shirou was self-sufficient.
If it were possible to establish a mana link like with that other person… perhaps Amiya's Oripathy could…
No. She should not think that way.
That would not be fair to Shirou.
He did not even know Amiya. There was no reason for him to give so much.
Back then, that arrangement only existed because one party required mana to sustain their existence, resulting in a one-sided exchange that was highly beneficial to Amiya or rather, to any Infected.
But Shirou did not need that. According to current data, even if he were stabbed by Originium, he might not become infected.
In fact, the mere fact that he was willing to accept Rhodes Island's request and periodically provide blood samples already made him an exceptionally kind person.
After all, that could put him in danger.
If one wanted a secret to remain hidden forever, the best method was to stop or conceal it completely.
That way, it would never be discovered.
As long as there was continued activity, being found out was only a matter of time.
"…."
At this point, Kal'tsit could roughly guess what Amiya had been thinking.
Was it right, for the sake of Rhodes Island, to drag an ordinary person into the conflicts surrounding the Infected and this land?
She did not know.
But her purpose in coming here would not change. Recruiting Shirou remained the top priority.
Because if there truly was some connection between Shirou and that person, then sooner or later, Shirou would come knocking.
In that case, it was better to play this card from the very beginning.
If it worked, Rhodes Island would gain a powerful ally.
If it failed, it would simply eliminate one uncertainty.
Either way, there was no loss for them.
While Kal'tsit was thinking and Amiya was struggling internally, things on Shirou's side had already come to an end.
"Ah… enough, please stop."
Shirou felt like he was about to shut down mentally from being lectured by Chen, Swire, and Hoshiguma.
So what Rope said was true, the Lungmen Guard Department could be absolutely relentless when they started nagging.
"Scared now? If you do it again, we will gather even more people next time!"
Seeing Shirou nearly spaced out, Swire gave one last warning.
Serves you right for playing the hero! For charging in first!
Let us see if you can still act so recklessly when we gather all the best naggers in the Guard Department!
"…Would that turn into some kind of large-scale chanting session?"
Just imagining it made Shirou shudder.
Three people were already unbearable, if it were a whole group…
"That is actually a good idea. If you mess up again, you can be the wooden fish."
Hearing Shirou's comment, Chen immediately pictured the scene.
A whole group from the Guard Department surrounded Shirou, treating him like a wooden fish and striking him nonstop.
"What kind of hellish scene is that!?"
Just imagining what Chen described made Shirou's scalp tingle along with the chills running down his spine.
"If you are scared, then just do not make the same mistake next time."
Patting Shirou on the shoulder, Hoshiguma said.
"…I will try."
Faced with the firm pressure from the three, Shirou could only force out a rather awkward smile.
After all, their intentions were for his own good.
And he himself knew that this was a major flaw of his and he simply could not control it. Whenever he saw danger or someone in trouble, his body would act before his brain could even process it.
Even so, he had never regretted it.
At worst, he would just get scolded afterward. It was nothing. As long as no one got hurt, that was what mattered.
Shirou had already begun mentally preparing what posture he should take when being "lectured" by the Guard Department next time.
"…Sigh. Think a bit more for your own sake."
Looking at him, the others were not sure how much of what they said had actually sunk in.
All they could do was hope he would handle things more carefully. After all, they were not truly in a position to make decisions for him.
If this was Shirou's way of living, then the most they could do was try to create an environment where he would not end up seriously injured.
Hoshiguma felt mentally exhausted. What kind of people were her partners?
Each one more worrying than the last. She had thought Shirou was a normal person, but he turned out to be even more troublesome than Chen and Missy!
She was truly troubled.
"Alright, that is settled… next is Rhodes Island's turn."
After venting at the higher-ups earlier and then lecturing Shirou, Chen felt completely refreshed.
Looking ahead, it was now time for Rhodes Island, the pharmaceutical company, to present their side.
That said… she still did not understand why Wei Yenwu chose to cooperate with such a strange company, even allowing them to set up an office near the slums of Lungmen.
There should have been many more well-known pharmaceutical companies eager to work with Lungmen. Why choose Rhodes Island, a company that looked so suspicious?
A pharmaceutical company that had never been seen selling medicine.
A pharmaceutical company whose members were exceptionally skilled in combat.
A pharmaceutical company led by… a little rabbit.
From every angle, Chen felt Rhodes Island was full of questionable points. It was hard to say whether they could be trusted.
Still, since everything had already been arranged by Wei Yenwu, it was not her place to question it.
There would be plenty of time later to inspect the company.
And if she caught even the slightest suspicious clue… she would not hesitate to act.
"Ah! Yes! I am coming!"
Hearing Chen call, Amiya finally snapped back to her senses.
She hurried back to her seat, quickly organizing her documents before stepping up to the stage together with Kal'tsit.
This meeting was being led by Doctor Kal'tsit, while Amiya assisted.
Standing behind Kal'tsit, Amiya saw Blaze giving her an encouraging gesture, and Rosmontis nodding firmly at her.
Ace and Scout did the same.
Seeing everyone's support, Amiya straightened her posture, her ears standing tall, and began assisting Kal'tsit with the meeting.
"Our cooperation between Rhodes Island and Lungmen this time is mainly focused on the Infected. Discussions have been ongoing for several months, and we have already established an office near the slum areas…"
At the start of the meeting, Kal'tsit briefly explained what Rhodes Island had been doing in Lungmen so far.
Setting up offices, assisting infected residents in the slums with treatment, providing information about unusual activities in the slums to the Guard Department…
Naturally, yesterday's unauthorized actions were not brought up. After all, it was already in the past, and there was no need to mention it again just to get scolded by the Guard Department.
It was only briefly glossed over. In any case, the only ones who really needed to hear it were the three from the Guard Department.
Inside this meeting room, Rhodes Island operators made up the largest group, followed by Penguin Logistics, and lastly the Guard Department. So everything she said earlier was mainly directed at them.
It was just a matter of procedure. As for whether cooperation with the Guard Department could deepen, that would depend on whether Rhodes Island could earn their trust.
At least, the Chen in front of her did not seem particularly trusting.
"…That more or less covers what Rhodes Island has been doing in Lungmen."
After finishing, Kal'tsit looked toward Chen, Swire, and Hoshiguma, waiting for their questions.
"More or less the same as what we already know. Just a bit more detailed."
Flipping through the documents in her hands, Hoshiguma spoke to Chen.
"Then that is fine… we do not have any further questions for now."
Hearing that, Chen nodded.
There was not much she could comment on in this area. After all, aside from the three of them, few in the Guard Department paid attention to the slums.
As for Shirou?
He was with Penguin Logistics!
Moreover, Kal'tsit had already explained things in considerable detail. Combined with the information the Guard Department already possessed, there were no real issues.
Next came the end of the meeting, and everyone returning to their respective duties.
Just as Chen was organizing the documents from today's meeting, Kal'tsit on the stage suddenly spoke:
"…Next, it is your turn, Mr. Emiya Shirou."
"Ah? Huh? Me?"
Having just recovered from the dense, hard-to-follow data discussion, Shirou froze for a moment before pointing at himself.
"Yes. Taking this opportunity, Rhodes Island… or rather, we would like to have a talk with you."
Looking at him, Kal'tsit spoke calmly.
Now came the real matter.
"Here?"
If Shirou remembered correctly, this was the Guard Department's meeting room.
Was it really fine to use it for a private discussion?
"I will be returning to the main ship shortly to perform surgery, so I do not have much time. If the Guard Department finds it inappropriate, we can move to Penguin Logistics to continue the discussion."
Without needing to guess, Kal'tsit directly addressed his concern.
"You can talk here. Do not make it sound like we are stingy."
Hearing that, Chen immediately agreed.
Otherwise, it would make the Guard Department seem petty.
…Though it felt like this doctor had completely taken control of the situation.
Besides, Chen was also curious about what the two sides wanted to discuss.
She knew Shirou had some cooperation with Rhodes Island, but that should only be with the local office, not the main organization.
Yet it felt like Rhodes Island… was paying him a lot of attention.
She had vaguely noticed this since yesterday, though she had been too busy directing operations at the time to think much about it.
"Then let us get straight to the point. Do you need a private setting for this conversation?"
After receiving Chen's permission, Kal'tsit turned back to Shirou.
"Ah… just say it directly. It is fine."
Originally, Shirou had intended to agree, but suddenly felt two hands rest on his shoulders, and the gaze from the Guard Department side, especially Chen was rather intense, so he gave up on the idea.
Besides, it probably was not anything too private.
"I understand. Then, Mr. Shirou, how do you view Rhodes Island?"
Glancing at the four people behind Shirou, then at the somewhat piercing looks from the Guard Department, Kal'tsit thought that Shirou seemed quite well-liked.
Though that had little to do with her.
Holding her terminal, she began her questioning.
"Just call me Shirou. And… how do I view Rhodes Island?"
Faced with the question, Shirou paused to think.
A mercenary company that employs child labor?
Shirou felt that if he dared to say that, he would definitely be beaten up by all the Rhodes Island operators present.
Other answers…
"A pharmaceutical company that fights for the survival of the infected?"
His own impression of Rhodes Island wasn't very strong, and most of it was rather strange.
However, this was the only thing he remembered clearly, which was one of the reasons he had a favorable impression of Rhodes Island.
Fighting for the infected and fighting for the innocent… like partners of justice, isn't that good?
"Anything else?"
Hearing the other's words, Kal'tsit continued to ask.
"Ah? Uh… a pharmaceutical company with armed forces?"
After thinking for a long time, Shirou, pressed for an answer, finally gave his answer in a more tactful way.
"…"
Hearing Shirou's answer, not only Kal'tsit and the Rhodes Island personnel fell silent, but even the Guard Bureau and Penguin Logistics personnel fell silent.
This child seems like a nice person, so why does he sometimes say such hurtful things?