The meeting room was unusually quiet. The only sounds were the questions from Kal'tsit and the answers from Emiya Shirou.
Most of Kal'tsit's questions were framed from the perspective of the Infected.
And Shirou simply answered based on his first instincts.
After a small joking exchange, however, he began taking longer to think before answering each question.
Give him a break, he had just gone through two mentally demanding discussions, and now suddenly there was another Q&A session. It was a bit much.
Still, since she had mentioned needing to hurry back for surgery, and they had already agreed beforehand, Shirou continued answering.
"…Um, is there a particular reason you are asking these questions?"
After one round of questioning, Exusiai began to sense that something was off.
This was supposed to be a casual chat, but it felt more like a job interview.
Even the most oblivious person should notice something by now. The looks from the three members of the Guard Department, as well as Texas and Sora, were already getting intense.
Wait…Croissant! Snap out of it! We might need you to break through later!
Realizing that only Croissant had not grasped the seriousness of the situation, Exusiai kept signaling to her.
If things escalated, Croissant would be the only one on Penguin Logistics' side who could hold the line.
"…There is no special intent. Since Shirou has a medical cooperation agreement with our Rhodes Island Lungmen office, it is only natural for me, as the head of the medical department, to take an interest. Would you not agree?"
While recording her evaluation of Shirou on her terminal, Kal'tsit casually answered Exusiai's question.
As for the real purpose… of course she would not say it outright.
Something like a body that could not be infected by Oripathy was not something to reveal lightly.
"Oh… I see."
Exusiai found that explanation reasonable.
After all, wanting to understand a partner better was perfectly normal.
"Idiot."
Beside her, Texas snorted lightly.
If they only wanted to understand Shirou, the questions should have focused on him.
But those earlier questions were mostly about his views.
Combined with Shirou's earlier suggestion of going to Rhodes Island, Texas was certain that they were targeting him.
And yet Exusiai had been fooled so easily, while Croissant had not even caught on.
Suppressing the urge to grab a Pocky stick, Texas narrowed her eyes at Kal'tsit.
Mainly because this was a Guard Department meeting room where food and drinks other than water were prohibited.
She did not want to get caught and be thrown out.
"…Um, are the questions finished?"
Sensing that the atmosphere had become strange, Shirou was already considering whether he should leave the room.
It might be rude, but he had a bad feeling that staying longer could be dangerous.
"One last question. Shirou, would you be interested in continuing cooperation with Rhodes Island's main ship in another way? In return, we will provide even better medical treatment for the children you are taking care of."
After a series of evaluations, Kal'tsit had determined that Shirou more than met Rhodes Island's standards.
In fact, he exceeded them by quite a margin.
Rhodes Island did lack talent, but they did not accept just anyone.
Character and conviction came first. No matter how capable someone was, if their character was lacking, they would not be recruited.
Their goal was to improve the lives of the Infected not make things worse.
That standard applied to operators. For partners, it was less strict.
Although Kal'tsit presented improved treatment for the children as a condition, in reality, after the office's equipment upgrades, that outcome was already guaranteed.
In other words, regardless of whether Shirou accepted or refused, the children would still receive the best possible care.
But Shirou did not know that, which was why she used it as leverage.
Of course, Rhodes Island would not treat him unfairly. Still, based on her assessment, Kal'tsit concluded that Shirou was the type to prioritize others over himself.
An altruist.
She had seen many such people before and knew how to negotiate with them.
"…Doctor Kal'tsit…"
After hearing this, Amiya softly called out, her lips pressed together.
She still felt conflicted, though Kal'tsit's reasoning was not without merit.
Even if they did not approach Shirou, he would eventually come to them.
"Aha! I knew it!"
Exusiai suddenly pointed at Kal'tsit with a triumphant expression, as if she had seen through everything.
As for the others?
Already prepared, they rushed forward and pulled Shirou back, physically separating him from Kal'tsit and Amiya.
"…Um, is this really necessary?"
Watching the group stand protectively in front of him like they were guarding food, wary of Amiya and Kal'tsit, Shirou could not help but find it a little amusing.
"Do you think a few words would not be enough to hook you? Do not forget how you ended up at the Guard Department."
Chen added from the side. As someone who knew exactly why Shirou came to be a newbie at the Guard Department and later cooperated with them, she understood very well the "dirty deal" between him and the higher-ups.
And they had presented him with a condition he simply could not refuse.
Chen roughly understood why she felt so wary of this doctor named Kal'tsit.
Because in certain ways, she was very similar to Wei Yenwu.
Grasping onto others' weaknesses and presenting offers that could not be rejected…
"…As much as I hate to admit it, Chen is right."
Texas said, holding onto Shirou's right arm.
"Exactly. Boss even said that if you did not want to, he could go and refuse it himself. In the end, you were the one who agreed. You really are easy to bait with this kind of thing."
Sora added, also gripping Shirou's arm.
"I think so too."
Having just caught up with the situation, Croissant grabbed his left arm.
Meanwhile, Exusiai stood in front of them like a guard.
"Huh? What children?"
Swire looked confused upon hearing the term again.
She knew they were trying to poach him, but she had no idea about the terms being discussed.
What children under Shirou's care?
"I will explain that to you later, Missy… for now, help maintain order. Do not let Penguin Logistics smash up the meeting room."
Beside her, Hoshiguma's mouth twitched slightly.
This was clearly not the time to focus on that. Could she not see that Penguin Logistics was one signal away from clashing with Rhodes Island?
A little sparring now and then was fine but this was the Guard Department's meeting room!
And they were here to secure a talented individual she herself had taken a liking to. Could she focus a bit?
"Should we go help Amiya and the others?"
Looking at the standoff where three sides were practically competing over Shirou, Blaze turned to Ace and asked.
Among them, Ace was the most level-headed.
"Please do not make things even more chaotic…"
Hearing that, Ace felt a headache coming on.
If Blaze joined in, things would only spiral further.
As for why Doctor Kal'tsit chose this moment to recruit Shirou… he had not figured it out yet.
After all, leaving it to Amiya to negotiate would have worked just as well, so there was no urgency.
Unless… Kal'tsit wanted to personally confirm something?
After thinking it through, that was the only conclusion Ace could reach.
At Rhodes Island, Kal'tsit usually let Amiya handle matters to gain experience.
Only when things were more complicated would she step in personally.
Just like now.
Combined with Shirou's combat style from yesterday, which seemed strangely familiar…
Ace began to understand something.
Not just him, Scout had also pieced together the situation.
If their assumption was correct, then both Kal'tsit's actions and Amiya's unusual behavior that morning made sense.
Why would a nightmare she had not had in so long suddenly return?
If the two were connected, everything fell into place.
Meanwhile, the Blacksteel members, being unfamiliar with Shirou, were simply watching the spectacle.
As for Rosmontis, she wanted to step forward to support Amiya, but Scout held her back.
On Shirou's side, after hearing everyone, he let out a helpless sigh.
"…Sorry. My teammates do not seem very willing. But could we consider another approach? For example, continuing cooperation through the Lungmen office? Or even a hired arrangement would be fine."
He did not have much choice. After all, he was part of Penguin Logistics.
Even though he handled their daily meals and living arrangements, when it came to matters like this, even Croissant could push back against him.
Just as he had said from the beginning that so long as Penguin Logistics did not let go of him, he would not leave easily.
They were the first group he met on this land, and the ones he was most familiar with.
Aside from here, he had not really considered where else he could go.
Well… maybe the Fuyuki shop or the Guard Department as alternatives?
Even though he could not directly accept Kal'tsit's proposal, the conditions she offered were undeniably tempting.
After all, Minmin had mentioned before that with the current equipment at the office, it would be difficult to properly treat Rope's condition. For further treatment, she would need to go to Rhodes Island's main ship, where facilities were far more advanced.
But now that such a condition had been proposed…
Did that mean the Lungmen office would receive upgraded equipment?
Or that Rhodes Island was willing to take in those children and bring them aboard for treatment?
No matter which option it was, it was exactly what those children needed most right now. Shirou had no intention of giving up on those terms.
It was just that, with Penguin Logistics in front of him and the "dragon, tiger, and oni" of the Guard Department behind him, he could only try to propose a more tactful alternative.
Even if it meant taking on exhausting or dirty work, he did not mind.
After hearing Shirou personally voice his refusal, the members of Penguin Logistics finally let go of him.
After all, he was someone who kept his word. Once he refused, it meant a firm refusal.
Unless the other party could present even more tempting conditions.
But given Shirou's way of living… it was hard for them to imagine what else could possibly persuade him.
Ideals and beliefs alone would not be enough.
"That is certainly possible. However, Shirou, do not be so quick to refuse. That ability you use something similar to Originium Arts should be called… Projection Magecraft, correct?"
After observing the situation, Kal'tsit knew she needed to change her approach.
She had anticipated the current situation, so it did not surprise her. What she had not expected was that the Guard Department's reaction would be just as intense.
As for why she still chose to extend the offer in front of so many people despite knowing all this—
It was her final evaluation. She wanted to see what choice Shirou would make under these circumstances.
There was a risk it might damage his relationship with Penguin Logistics, but she did it anyway.
Fortunately, the bond between Shirou and Penguin Logistics was strong enough that he chose to refuse.
He was not making a purely mechanical "optimal" decision, he was thinking like a human, balancing reason and emotion.
Now, it was time to verify her hypothesis.
"…That is correct. But how did you come to know the concept of magecraft?"
Hearing her words, Emiya Shirou froze for a moment before answering.
Then his smile disappeared, and he looked at her with a calm expression as he asked his question.
Although his face appeared composed, the intensity of his gaze was enough to unsettle those around him.
It felt as though, if Kal'tsit gave the wrong answer, he might draw a blade the next second.
"It seems my deduction was correct… You are a magus, are you not? Or perhaps I should call you… a 'magus from another world'?"
Looking at Shirou now, Kal'tsit knew the final piece of the puzzle had fallen into place.
Similar abilities alone did not prove anything. But when even such a rare term matched, it was different.
Moreover, it was not just the abilities that were similar, the appearance was as well.
Though there were significant differences between the two, someone as perceptive as Kal'tsit could still pick up subtle similarities.
Two completely different individuals… yet somehow the same person.
The thought itself was strangely fascinating.
But after understanding what "magecraft" truly was, that small inconsistency no longer mattered.