The conversation that followed consisted almost entirely of Talulah explaining the events currently unfolding within Chernobog.
As for anything beyond that, she did not mention it at all.
Whether it was her relationship with Wei Yenwu or matters concerning Archer, she avoided those topics entirely.
Shirou approved of that approach.
There was no time for personal conversations now. Understanding and dealing with the current situation was far more important.
From Talulah, Shirou learned the role that Reunion and the Azazel Clinic were currently playing within the city.
He also learned about the problems Reunion was facing.
Reunion was indeed an organization made up of Infected individuals.
However, the chaos currently engulfing Chernobog was not something they had ever wanted to see.
The situation had escalated to this point because a monster capable of manipulating people's hearts had hidden himself within Reunion.
Shirou was already familiar with that individual.
The Black Snake, Koschei.
Based on everything he had heard so far, the Black Snake resembled the ultimate mastermind from a game…everywhere he went, people seemed to have another story about some terrible thing Koschei had done.
After gaining a clearer understanding of Reunion's internal situation, Shirou offered no particular commentary.
Instead, he shared what he had discovered earlier.
Since Alina had approached Amiya to discuss cooperation, Rhodes Island and Reunion both organizations representing the Infected were effectively fighting on the same side.
Their enemies were the Infected rioters manipulated by the Black Snake and disguised as Reunion members...
As well as certain people from Ursus.
"Hmph. Their scheme is quite clever."
When Shirou mentioned individuals wearing Ursus military equipment beneath Reunion uniforms, along with the Imperial Guards, Talulah's already serious expression grew even darker.
Though it felt somewhat impolite to think about it, Shirou had the distinct feeling that he had seen an expression like that somewhere before.
It looked strangely familiar.
At the moment, however, he was more interested in what she had just said.
"What scheme?"
Hearing the question, Talulah slightly relaxed her expression before answering:
"Koschei intends to use the Infected as tools to achieve his ultimate goal—"
She paused there.
After a brief hesitation, she continued.
"To ignite a war, and through that war, restore Ursus to what he believes was its former glory."
"A war?"
As Talulah's expression shifted repeatedly throughout the conversation, Shirou had already guessed that the topic was heading somewhere far beyond his expectations.
But war...
That was not what he had anticipated.
Why would Black snake want to start a war?
Yet if that truly was the answer, then many things suddenly made sense.
At that thought, Shirou could not help feeling that he had been too lenient earlier.
He should have dealt with those people on the spot.
As for the Imperial Guards, perhaps he could have found some way to incapacitate them...
Then again, there was no point dwelling on it now.
Talulah also explained why those people had been operating while wearing military uniforms underneath Reunion clothing.
"By wearing Reunion uniforms, they can pretend to be Infected rioters. When necessary, they can simply remove them and act as legitimate military personnel. Besides, given their abilities, they probably never imagined they could lose and have their identities exposed."
After calming down somewhat, Shirou spoke into his communicator.
"Sora, please get the Doctor or Amiya."
A moment later, he heard a burst of hurried footsteps from the other end.
Glancing at Talulah, he noticed that she seemed entirely unconcerned that his communicator was still active.
Instead, she was busy writing notes and recording the important points from their discussion.
"Hmm... I think I will leave the communicator with you. That way you can communicate directly with the people outside."
Watching her work, Shirou thought for a moment before removing the communicator from his ear and offering it to her.
There were still things he needed to do.
He could not afford to waste any more time here.
The reason he had agreed to meet Talulah was not only because he wanted to personally meet the woman he had heard so much about.
He had also wanted a brief opportunity to rest and recover some stamina and magical energy.
He still did not understand why his magical energy regenerated so much faster than it had before he arrived in this world.
Whatever the reason, he certainly would not object to more improvements like that.
And besides, if he left the communicator here, there would be no chance of accidentally breaking it.
"Then what about you?"
Looking at the communicator in Shirou's hand, Talulah asked in confusion.
Most of Reunion's communication equipment had been destroyed.
At the moment, they relied primarily on the oldest method possible: sending messengers.
Fortunately, after cooperating with the Azazel Clinic and various smaller Infected groups, that problem had been partially alleviated.
Talulah certainly lacked reliable means of communicating with people outside the city.
Even so, that was not a reason to take Shirou's communicator.
It was obvious what he intended.
He wanted to leave the communicator with her so that she could communicate directly with Rhodes Island.
Meanwhile, he intended to continue operating elsewhere.
Even without him saying so explicitly, Talulah could easily guess what he planned to do after leaving.
"I do not really get much use out of it. It is better off staying with you."
Seeing her puzzled expression, Shirou did not bother explaining further.
He simply placed the communicator on the table and pushed it toward her, making his intentions clear.
As he said, the communicator was not particularly important to him.
Its primary purpose was allowing him to contact others and reassure them that he was safe.
Once he was actually out in the field, it provided little practical assistance.
"It would be better left with you."
"I understand."
Accepting the communicator, Talulah carefully observed Shirou as he stood up to leave.
Before departing, he took a few more drinks of water and casually grabbed two packs of rations.
While she examined his distinctive red outfit, her gaze lingered far longer on the sword hanging at his waist.
Chi Xiao...
She had never expected to see it in a place like this.
Someone familiar enough with Wei Yenwu to carry Chi Xiao...
Did that mean he knew Chen as well?
Unfortunately, she could not bring herself to ask about such things.
Those questions would have to remain buried in her heart for now.
She understood very well that this was not the time for reminiscing.
Once Koschei's matter was resolved, there would still be time to contact Ch'en.
When that day came, she would tell her younger sister everything that had happened since she left Lungmen.
"..."
Even with his back turned toward her, Shirou could still feel Talulah's intense gaze fixed upon him.
Or rather, fixed upon Chi Xiao.
At that moment, he remember why she had seemed so familiar earlier, and why Wei Yenwu's feelings toward Talulah were so complicated.
Who would have thought?
The sort of story that usually only happened in manga or novels had somehow become reality.
After giving it some thought, Shirou ultimately decided not to hand Chi Xiao over to her.
He had no idea what he might encounter next.
Having Chi Xiao at his side was still an important safeguard.
Besides, in the hands of anyone other than Ch'en or Wei Yenwu, this projected Chi Xiao was essentially no different from an ordinary sword.
"I should get back to what I need to do. Also, remember to notify your tall black guy, the white rabbit, the rhinoceros beetle, and that annoying G. Tell your commanders that I am not an enemy. I would rather not have to fight them again."
As he pushed open the door, Shirou suddenly seemed to remember something.
Turning back toward Talulah, he added those words.
For the first time, he was clearly stating his position.
He was not an enemy of Talulah's Reunion.
The fact that she knew Archer and Chen was enough for him to extend a certain degree of trust.
Whether that trust stemmed more from the former or the latter...
Even Shirou himself probably could not say.
"G...? Understood. I will inform them as soon as possible."
The descriptions of the others had been surprisingly accurate.
But when it came to "G," Talulah could not immediately figure out who he meant.
Still, her instincts told her that "G" almost certainly referred to W.
And speaking of W...
Talulah could not help feeling a headache coming on.
Although W held the title of Reunion commander, she also had another identity: a Sarkaz mercenary.
Back when a large group of mercenaries had approached Reunion seeking cooperation, Talulah and the other commanders had debated for a long time before agreeing.
By now, many of them had fully embraced her ideals and become genuine members of Reunion.
Mudrock and her squad were among the most famous examples.
Others, however, were more like W constantly moving back and forth between both sides.
The title of commander was, in her case, little more than a title.
Still, W was clever.
Even when she deliberately avoided participating in certain discussions, she always found a way to learn what Reunion was doing.
At the very least, she had never harmed Reunion members.
If anything, most of the trouble she caused was directed toward other Sarkaz mercenaries.
That was why Reunion tolerated her operating under the name of a commander.
The only thing they had never given her was the red armband that symbolized Talulah's faction.
W knew this perfectly well.
Not that she seemed to care in the slightest.
"Thank you for the trouble."
After hearing Talulah's response, Shirou gave a small wave and left through the door.
In his hands were the two packs of rations he had opportunistically acquired moments earlier.
He stuffed them into the small backpack he had projected.
The previous one had been frozen and shattered into pieces, so he had no choice but to make another.
Ignoring the hostile stares that continued to follow him, Shirou left the Azazel Clinic.
From his conversation with Talulah, he had learned that the clinic had long served as a refuge for Chernobog's Infected.
Its leader was none other than Hellagur.
Now that he had fulfilled Hellagur's request, it was time to focus on his own responsibilities.
"There is not much time left, huh?"
Feeling the increasingly powerful winds blowing against him, Shirou knew that time was rapidly running out for those who had not yet found shelter.
He glanced down at the Mystic Code he had been wearing for who knew how long.
After a moment's consideration, he decided not to replace it.
The main reason was simple: doing so would consume unnecessary magical energy.
Besides, the outfit itself had an intimidating effect on others.
While it attracted plenty of trouble, the benefits still outweighed the drawbacks overall.
Thinking about these things, Shirou leaped onto a rooftop and swiftly departed for another district.
"Leader, that person was...?"
After watching Shirou disappear into the distance, an injured Reunion member turned toward Talulah and asked.
His appearance and fighting style had been remarkably similar to someone the man knew.
The only difference was that the person they had just met was very young only a few years older than Sasha and Ino at most.
Yet it was difficult not to make the connection.
"He is not the one we know. But as long as the path we walk does not stray, he will remain our ally."
Looking in the direction Shirou had departed, Talulah answered the question.
Then she put on the communicator Shirou had left behind, picked up her sword, and declared:
"Stop standing around! Everyone who can still move, get into action! Search the surrounding area for anyone who still need help! The Catastrophe is almost here!"
Under Talulah's leadership, most of Reunion's members quickly left the Azazel Clinic.
They spread out in all directions, searching for people in need of assistance and bringing them either back to the clinic or to other locations capable of withstanding the coming Catastrophe.
Only a small number of people with medical experience remained behind to help treat the injured and guard the clinic.
As for Talulah, she established communication with Rhodes Island through the communicator and shared most of the intelligence she possessed, allowing Rhodes Island to form a much clearer picture of the situation in Chernobog.
"I expected strong winds, but I did not expect them to be this strong!"
Meanwhile, Shirou continued moving against the gale.
Fortunately, he was not wearing a cloak or cape.
His clothes fit closely against his body, so there was no constant flapping or snapping in the wind.
His hair, however, was another matter entirely.
The storm had turned it into a hairstyle he thoroughly disliked.
Still, he had no room to complain.
All he could do was continue pushing forward against the increasingly violent winds.
As the gale grew stronger and stronger, the number of people visible on the streets noticeably decreased.
At this point, no matter how foolish someone might be, they could no longer mistake the ominous clouds overhead for ordinary rain clouds.
Along the way, Shirou helped many people escape dangerous situations.
He also directed them toward several sturdy shelters he had personally identified earlier.
At each location, he planted a highly visible sword as a marker.
Even as the winds intensified, Shirou continued pressing forward.
There was no complicated reason behind it.
He simply heard people crying out for help.
So he went.
Again and again, he escorted people to safety.
Yet rather than feeling satisfaction, a growing sense of unease filled his heart.
There were simply too many people calling for help.
The approaching Catastrophe and its relentless winds had already shattered the psychological defenses of countless individuals.
Even so, Shirou never stopped moving.
He continued helping people.
He continued fighting.
The exhaustion on his face had become unmistakable.
The blood covering his body repeatedly dried only to be replaced by fresh splatters.
At moments like this, he was grateful that he had not wasted magical energy changing his Mystic Code earlier.
He was also grateful for his conversation with Talulah.
Without the locations of those reinforced buildings she had provided, his rescue efforts could never have proceeded so smoothly.
And while Shirou continued repeating this cycle—
Rescue.
Fight.
Guide people to safety.
The Catastrophe that had hung ominously over Chernobog's skies finally began to descend.