=== LUNGMEN'S WALLS ===

"These are the housing facilities." Ch'en guided them through the building. "These are where all the infected asylum seekers are housed when they try to enter Lungmen."

Mostima and Fiammetta remained quiet at seeing the hundreds of infected being held in what was effectively a prison. They didn't comment on it, Laterano being guilty of exiling infected Laterano citizens themselves.

"Ma'am Ch'en." The guards greeted as they arrived at one of the multi-purpose rooms.

"Are the volunteers in the rooms?" Ch'en inquired.

"Yes, ma'am. 10 asylum seekers from Chernobog as per your instructions."

"Good work. Return to your post."

The guard saluted Ch'en and left the chief and two representatives.

"Once again, we thank you for your assistance, Miss Ch'en." Fiammetta expressed her gratitude. "It would've been difficult to reach the Chernobog citizens without your help."

Searching for Chernobog citizens on Lungmen's social sites would've taken longer. This way was much faster.

"It's no problem." Ch'en replied. In fact, it also helped her motives. This was an indirect way of digging more into the connection between Rhodes Island and Einzbern Enterprises.

Why was a suspicious Chernobog-based company sending money to Rhodes Island?

The trio entered the first room. It was empty aside from the simple table and chairs set out for them and the volunteer.

"You are the one they call Ma'am Ch'en? The LGD's chief?" The gruff elder asked.

"Correct." Ch'en confirmed while she sat down across him with the Laterano representatives.

"Huh, so we weren't getting scammed then. I was sure they were bullshitting me." He admitted. "They said that you would reconsider our requests based on what we can provide when Chernobog fell."

"That's right."

"...and pray tell why you want to ask us? We were just escaping. Most of us here would report the same thing to you about the damned Reunion bastards invading the city."

"Would you be more cooperative if we could lend you assistance?" Fiammetta spoke up.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"She means money." Mostima smiled.

They would report to their superiors what the money was for. Considering how important the mission was, they would probably even write the two a blank check just to guarantee some progress.

"We don't know if Lungmen would accept you, but money should give you a chance to move elsewhere."

Ch'en looked at the two representatives. She could work with this.

"Okay. What do you want to know?"

"Were there any unusual incidents in Chernobog? Aside from the Reunion's invasion." Fiammetta asked. She pulled out her phone to note down the information.

"Unusual? Heck yeah, there fucking was."

"What was it?"

"Months before the invasion, a new Oripathy clinic opened in Chernobog."

Ch'en frowned.

"Oripathy clinic?"

"It was a miracle, it was. They actually treated Oripathy. Without them, my daughter would've been dead."

Fiammetta blinked.

"Treated...Oripathy?"

"Yup. The Fuyuki Clinic did it for free. My daughter's 3rd-degree infection was lowered all the way to 1st-degree. I have pictures if you'd left me get my phone from the guards."

What? How did Lungmen miss something this big?!

Ch'en couldn't believe it.

"I'll go get the guards." She stood up.

A few minutes later, the elder received his phone.

"See here? This was her on her last birthday, then here's her picture after she was treated a few months ago." He showed them his teenage daughter sporting Oripathy crystals and without. The dates also proved his words.

The evidence was damning.

"Fuyuki Clinic did this?"

"Three doctors. They healed thousands before the invasion. We have no clue what happened to them after. If they tried to escape to Lungmen, then nobody has seen them."

Fiammetta and Mostima exchanged glances.

"We should ask for more volunteers. Just in case." Fiammetta urged.

This...this was big. Could this be the miracle their superiors talked about?

"I'll have more called." Ch'en was already on her phone typing a message.

"This Fuyuki Clinic...why haven't we heard of them?" Mostima asked. "Something this big should've made waves."

"I can't blame you, ma'am. If it was me, I would be hiding them until I learned how to heal Oripathy like them. The Chernobog hospitals didn't even spread the news. We heard them from the other infected."

Now that, Ch'en could understand. Some people were always looking out for one lucky opportunity to make it big. If the medicine to Oripathy was dropped in front of them, they'd figure out a way to profit off of it.

"Can you tell us anything about Fuyuki Clinic?"

"Not much outside of what we've seen and heard."

"What do you know about them?" Ch'en asked.

The elder looked at her with wistful expression.

"That they are the best thing that's ever happened to us. The treatment was free. The three of them had some sort of ability that could filter out the Originium inside our bodies. The Originium crystals were given to us to help us earn money. Then the soup! Every weekend, they had a soup kitchen out for anyone who needed it. Jobs too. The infected were hired to protect and assist the clinic..." The man looked so happy talking about them.

"Everything would've stayed perfect if the Reunion didn't invade."

Ch'en jerked up.

"They can extract Originium from the infected?!"

The elder chuckled.

"Of course, that's what would interest you...but they closed before the Reunion attacked. Haven't heard from them since. They were heavily involved in the evacuation though. Told everyone to get out of the city early."

Fiammetta and Mostima both carried serious expressions.

"If what you're saying is true...then there is a possibility that the Reunion also knows about them. The infected would've spread news."

"Damn right, they did. The Reunion snuck their soldiers into the clinic. Probably even threatened the doctors to continue treating their soldiers."

Ch'en froze.

"The Reunion...knows about them?"

"The clinic was near the slums far from other more important locations. Not even a hospital was nearby. Yet, the Reunion sent a whole company there. When that didn't work, they captured the hospitals."

"How...how do you know all this?"

"News spread. Some of us escaped the city just before the catastrophe. The entire place was razed down." The elder sighed. "It...it was painful to hear Chernobog fall."

Sadness filled his expression but he continued.

"The Reunion had been spreading rumors out here. They said they captured one of the Fuyuki Clinic doctors. We know it's true because we knew some of the infected who joined before the invasion. They returned without crystals on their body."

Ch'en couldn't believe it.

The Reunion had their hands on a doctor who could treat Oripathy.

"You said there were 3 doctors?"

"Nobody knows what happened to the other 2. The only one we know of is the one captive in Chernobog."

Possibly the only survivor when the Catastrophe reached Chernobog with them in the city.

"That will be enough. We will confirm your information with the other volunteers. I will personally handle all your transfer orders if true."

Ch'en needed to go over everything they learned.

...

They went through all the volunteers. All the accounts differed, but a common denominator was impossible to ignore.

The Fuyuki Clinic, and the fact the Reunion has one of their doctors.

"What are your plans moving forward?" Ch'en asked the two Laterano representatives after the round of discussions.

"We have to update our superiors before we can receive our next instructions. The situation in Lungmen and Chernobog is difficult to read at this moment."

That did not bode well for Ch'en. Lungmen was supposed to appear stable and unfazed against the Reunion's threat. Instead, it seemed as if the Laterano representatives didn't believe that the LGD had everything under control.

"We assure you. The Reunion will not pose a threat to Lungmen. You are in safe hands." Ch'en promised.

"That is not what we meant. We simply cannot make decisions. Only our superiors can." Fiammetta explained. "This phenomenon is beyond our pay grade in my opinion. We shall wait for further orders." She sighed.

"I understand." Ch'en nodded. "Here's my contact number. Feel free to call me when you need help." She showed the two representatives her phone contact.

"Thank you. Your help is very much appreciated." Mostima smiled. "We wouldn't have found out the information if not for your assistance."

It went both ways. Thanks to them, Ch'en had found a new avenue to pursue.

...

Once the two representatives bade the LGD chief farewell, Mostima brought up the issue on her mind.

"We...have a problem."

"What do you mean?" Her partner raised an eyebrow.

"Do you remember the names of the doctors?"

"Shirou, Rin, and Sakura. That's what they said. Why?"

"Do you also remember the descriptions they gave?"

"Doctor Rin, blue eyes and black hair. Doctor Sakura, matching violet eyes and hair." Fiammetta recalled her notes. "What's the problem?"

"They were my sister's clients the other day. The one I got dragged in to help with." Mostima scratched her head when Fiammetta's eyes started twitching. "Fia?"

Her partner's face slowly grinded to face her. A slow cracked grin appeared. Mostima felt Fiammetta's hand grip tightly on her shoulder.

"Is there anything else you would like to share with me?"

"Um...that my staves don't like them?"

"Yes, keep going."

The smile on her overseer's face just kept growing. The Liberi's eyes had already disappeared underneath her hair.

Mostima wasn't sure if she should continue.

"Penguin Logistics has their contact number...?"

"I guess we're just going to have to meet your clients."

"...what happened to following protocol?" Mostima sweatdropped. "Aren't we supposed to inform our superiors?"

"I think our superiors can learn about this after we finish, wouldn't you agree?"

The grip on her shoulder tightened even further.

"Just like what you're doing to me?"

Right. Mostima thought it important at the time.

What were the chances she'd run into the other 2 doctors involved in what was possibly the phenomenon Laterano had detected?

It was supposed to be near zero. The doctors were clearly making an effort to lay low. Not to mention the fact that they were working with Rhodes Island against the LGD.

Oh yeah, LGD can intercept all communications between them and their superiors over at Laterano should they decide to contact them. So, talking over the network definitely wasn't an option.

"Well? Mind bringing me to your other job?" Fiammetta's smile continued to twitch lightly.

"Now?"

"Of course."

Okay, she should probably do so before her overseer gets any more pissed. Steam was beginning to waft off the Liberi officer.

=== WEI YENWU'S OFFICE ===

'Ch'en, come to my office once you have finished helping our guests.'

That was the text message she received from her uncle during the investigation with the two Laterano representatives. Ch'en marched through the hallways as fast as possible to reach Wei Yenwu's office.

"Uncle, I'm back." The young dragon knocked on the door to her uncle's office.

"Come in, Ch'en."

The bluenette entered the suite and closed the door behind her. The leader of the city looked at her patiently from his table.

"Sir, is this about the investigation?"

That was the most likely reason her uncle called her back. It was becoming obvious that Chernobog was more important considering all parties both involved and interested in the city.

Laterano. Rhodes Island. The Reunion.

The doctors were too important to lose. Ch'en was beginning to suspect that the Laterano representatives were lying about a phenomenon. It was more likely they were trying to get in contact with the Fuyuki doctors instead.

"I want to know what you've found out." Wei Yenwu confirmed her theory. "Feel free to drop decorum when we're discussing privately, dear niece."

"Yes, uncle. From what we've gathered, there was a clinic opened in Chernobog by doctors who could treat Oripathy. Not a complete removal of the infection, but enough to return them to the early stages. It is done by filtering the Originium inside the body into crystals outside of it. Something like this has never been possible before."

Wei Yenwu continued to look outside the large windows overlooking the Lungmen cityscape while deep in thought.

"This...is what Laterano is interested in?"

"The representatives seem to think so. They want to report back to their superiors before their next move."

No. Wei Yenwu did not believe that.

Laterano didn't care about Oripathy. Never had. Those stuck-up angels in their high and mighty paradise were more interested in their own peace than to stick their noses in something as mundane as Oripathy.

Something else happened in Chernobog.

But what?

"Ch'en, change of plans."

"Uncle?"

"Reunion forces have been slowly heading for Lungmen in the past two days. I need you to focus your efforts on preparing the city's defenses. We shall put aside the Laterano issue for now."

"But-"

"I am very well aware. It seems that Rhodes Island may not be as straightforward with us as originally believed. Underhanded maybe, but they are not threats. Rhodes Island has no reason to consider us an enemy. The Reunion should be our focus. The city must be secured."

"...very well. As you wish, uncle."

His silence was enough to tell Ch'en that she was dismissed. The nephew of Lungmen's chief executive then departed, leaving the leader all alone to himself.

He picked up his phone.

"Officer Swire."

"Yes, Sir."

"Put together a team of scouts. I need you to scout Chernobog."

"Of course. We shall have them ready by nightfall."

"Oh, and don't tell Ch'en anything about this order. No records. Nothing on the database."

"As you wish, Sir."

Click.

Wei Yenwu returned his gaze outside the window, deliberating over the challenges assaulting his beloved city.

.

.

.

"Finally, you're back."

Ch'en narrowed her eyes at the tone.

"Not right now, Swire. I need to get upda-"

"Updates? We've got some." The tiger dropped a few pictures on her table. Ch'en frowned as she picked them up. "These came from the scouts outside the city."

The three pictures showed several large groups of unknown hostiles, each one numbering in the thousands. They were spread out in an arrowhead formation while they set up camp many kilometers outside the city.

There was only one organization nearby that could muster this kind of strength. The same force who just assaulted Chernobog two weeks prior.

"So...they're finally here."

"Yep. You know what that means." Swire clicked her tongue. "Bastards think they can take on Lungmen after capturing one city? Idiots."

The Reunion activity in Lungmen's slums had been known for quite some time. The infected were always targets for the Reunion when it came to recruitment. It was their agenda to draw as many people to their cause. The past two months had ramped up activity until the LGD had to come in and fight them.

They still couldn't find Misha either.

"The Reunion forces in the slums have backed off. Let's keep it that way. Call all forces to be ready on standby, even the reserves and trainees."

The LGD was just as big if not bigger than the rebel forces outside the city. They had the advantage from the walls, more numbers, and defensive armaments. So long as LGD covered the slums, then the Reunion wouldn't have anywhere to flank from.

"I'll personally watch over the walls. Swire, can you get in contact with Lin? We could use more help with clearing out the Reunion in the slums."

To begin with, the slums had never been under the LGD's control. It was under the Rat King's hand from the very beginning. Their presence was permitted due to the Reunion causing more danger in the area, which the Rat King could not fight without putting the people in danger.

"We can call her. The Reunion's retreat should've freed them up more now."

Lin and her father had their hands full dealing with the Reunion behind the scenes while the LGD pressured them from a military standpoint. With both sides working together, the Reunion couldn't continue to operate in the slums freely.

Swire pulled out her phone and called the underworld king's daughter.

"Hello?"

"Lin, how's everything on your end?"

"We're evacuating people out of the areas where the Reunion are heavily active in."

This should've been the LGD's job to begin with. When Lungmen was established, the LGD didn't have the manpower or strength to extend its protection over the entire city. The Rat King stepped up and brought the slums under his control when they couldn't.

A status quo that continues to this day.

"Ch'en and I need to speak with you. I'm putting us on loudspeaker."

"What is it?"

"The Reunion has set up camp outside the city." Ch'en spoke up.

"Motherfuckers."

Ever since the Reunion's arrival, the people living in the slums have had their lives turned upside down. Their presence forced the LGD to come and drive them out, which caused many to lose what little property they had. It was through the Rat King and his allies' efforts that many were able to get assistance while they looked for new homes.

"Lin, would you and the Rat King cooperate with us to eliminate the Reunion presence in the slums? We must stop them before they can work together with the forces outside."

The longer they remained in the city, the more damage they would bring to the people's lives inside.

"...you should start from the west. I'll begin from the north."

"I'll have Hoshiguma lead our teams in the slums. I'm going to have my hands full mobilizing the LGD on the walls."

"How many are they?"

"Maybe four thousand. Still within the LGD's ability to repel."

"They're really serious about attacking."

"The Reunion hasn't opened any lines of dialogue with Lungmen. I doubt they will bother to. Not with them this close to the city. They would've threatened before moving in."

Things weren't looking good.

"I'll start on my end right away. Make sure not to slow us down."

"Lin, another thing."

"...what?"

"I need you and Swire's help on something else. Something that could weaken the Reunion."

"Explain."

"I just need you to begin searching for two middle-aged girls. One with black hair and green eyes, the other with matching purple hair and eyes. They're supposed to be doctors."

"What for?"

"They...were part of a clinic that could treat Oripathy in Chernobog. What's important is that the Reunion has one of them. The other two escaped when they invaded Chernobog."

"How did you come across this?"

Lin's tone mirrored the surprise that appeared on Swire's face.

"I was talking to the Chernobog asylum seekers just this morning. They said that the Reunion captured a doctor that could treat Oripathy while his partners escaped. That's why I want to search in Lungmen. There's a chance they could be here."

One could imagine how much worth those doctors were.

"I'll send word out. I should find them easily if they are in the slums."

"We'll begin looking through the LGD feeds. We have cameras in just about every street." Swire nodded.

"That's it for now. Make sure to update me right away once you find something. I'll be busy on the walls."

Ch'en would lead the defenses right at the front. Not only was it more effective, but there was a small chance she would meet her.

"Better hurry up. I can't keep waiting forever."

Lin ended the call.

"She really thinks we're going to be slow? We'll show her!" Swire accepted the challenge.

"I'll send Hoshiguma more reinforcements along with new orders. We don't know how fast the Reunion can mobilize for an attack." Ch'en frowned while going over the available LGD units on hand. It was going to take too long to call on the reserves for the slum operation.

They needed to move fast.

=== RHODES ISLAND ===

Kal'tsit crossed her arms in front of the whole group.

Amiya and the Doctor stood beside her watching how the rest of the Rhodes Island operators would react to the information.

"We have bad news."

"Ara~? Must be bad if you're calling everyone for a meeting." The brown-haired foxgirl- Blacksteel Worldwide operator Franka- spoke up.

"Indeed." Her Vouivre companion- a race similar to Dracos without the ability to control fire- another Blacksteel Worldwide operator under contract for Rhodes Island asked. "What is going on?"

A few more mumbles came from the rest of the group before Kal'tsit responded.

"The situation, Liskarm, is that the Reunion has set up camp outside Lungmen. Rhodes Island drones captured a few thousand rebels split into three regiments and a fourth one further out in the wilderness." The green-haired leader of Rhodes Island answered her.

"What?!"

"Not again..."

"Are they really going to assault Lungmen?!"

"Everyone please calm down!" Amiya interrupted the short burst of chaos. "We've received news from LGD Chief Ch'en Huichieh that the situation is under control. The LGD are mobilizing to defend the walls as we speak."

"That's not good." Franka spoke up. "We received the reports about the Reunion after the Chernobog team's run in with them. Doesn't the leader have powerful arts capable of blasting entire buildings?"

"...and that's what we are meeting for." Amiya raised her voice. "I want everyone's opinion. We are a small force, but do you want to help Lungmen?"

The operators exchanged glances with each other.

"Lungmen doesn't want our help. That doesn't mean they can't stop us from helping." Amiya continued. "Remember the news? There are Reunion forces in the slums. The LGD may not ask for our help fighting them, but we can still provide it!"

"Whew- I thought you were going to ask us to fight at the walls. We'd more likely interrupt them if we fought at the frontlines." Franka smiled. "I wouldn't mind if we helped them in our own way. I'd like to have a crack at the Reunion for what they did to our friends in Chernobog."

Small murmurs of agreement joined the vulpine's side.

"We're only helping them at the slums, right?"

"The rest of you. I'll be heading to the walls." Kal'tsit announced. She had a trump card up her sleeve just in case Lungmen didn't have the capability to stop the Dragon of the Reunion from burning down their walls.

Franka whistled. Kal'tsit was more badass than she thought.

"Okay so here's what we're doing..."

Rhodes Island began planning their next few steps.

=== PENGUIN LOGISTICS ===

Texas blinked at the scene in front of her.

"Alright, girlie. What's with you today?!" Emperor hysterically asked while defending his phone from the girl.

"Please~ We just need to call her!" The fallen angel begged while reaching for her boss's phone.

"I AIN'T LETTING YOU CALL KAL'TSIT!"

Texas slowly looked at the new guest in the bar. The red-haired Liberi was busy facepalming herself.

"Mostima..."

"Just wait Fia! Give me a moment-!" Mostima successfully grabbed the phone from Emperor's short stubby arms.

"MOSTIMAAA DON'T YOU DAREEEE!!!!"

"Oh, hi Texas!" Mostima greeted the dark-haired Lupo's arrival. "Didn't see you arrive."

Ignoring the comedic scene of Emperor attempting to steal back his phone, Texas raised an eyebrow.

"You're lucky Exusiai is on a delivery right now. How long are you planning to stay?"

Texas unfortunately received the short end of the stick yesterday, being Exusiai's target after she helped Mostima escape.

"We're just here to get someone's phone number. Do you guys have Rin and Sakura's phone number?" Mostima defended from Emperor's flippers with her arm.

"Wait, you're not calling Kal'tsit?" Her boss paused.

"Oh we're still calling her."

"WHY?!"

"It's...a matter of national interest." The fourth person in the room finally spoke. Fiammetta looked up at the penguin on the sofa beside her partner. "We need to get in contact with those two."

Texas frowned. Just the other day, she and Mostima were talking about the unusual circumstances around one of their latest employers.

"It'll just be a quick call, boss. We won't call Kal'tsit if you don't want to. But we do need to call Sakura. They probably won't answer the number if they don't recognize it, so we'll have to use yours. We'll explain everything later." Mostima opened the contacts and quickly copied Sakura's number into her own.

"I can't let you just call clients just because you want to! Give it back!" Emperor made one last attempt at grabbing his phone back.

The Sankta-slash-Sarkaz kept him at arms length and called Sakura.

"...hello?" A soft voice answered.

"Hello, Miss Sakura?" Mostima asked.

"Yes? What is Penguin Logistics calling for?"

"It's Mostima, can I meet up with you and Miss Rin? It's urgent."

"Is this about the three children?"

Mostima paused. She could either lie, which could harm her chances to meet with the Fuyuki doctors, or she could be honest, which would more likely work judging from how Sakura cared about children. There was also the chance of the doctors simply faking sympathy for the children, but that was unlikely based on what they had heard from the Chernobog asylum seekers.

"To be honest...I want to ask about yesterday's job. It's a matter of security, you see." Mostima kept it vague. She knew how risky it would be to discuss it on Lungmen's network.

Misha's connection to Rhodes Island and the LGD to be exact.

"It's just that talking about this topic on the phone is likely to be dangerous."

"I'm afraid I can't really help you with that. We cannot disclose information we don't have ownership of."

Yeah, Mostima guessed that Rhodes Island was the one keeping that information locked away. She shot Fiammetta a shake of her head. The Liberi overseer acknowledged the unsuccessful attempt. She quickly typed an idea on her phone and showed it to the angel.

Mostima blinked.

'Are you sure?' She mouthed to her partner. Fiammetta nodded.

"Miss Rin...we have information about your friend."

Texas and Emperor instantly seized up at what they heard.

This...was something they weren't supposed to deal with. Penguin Logistics didn't dabble with information.

"We have no friends in Lungmen. I believe you are mistaken."

"We are not talking about Rhodes Island."

"As I said, we don't-"

"They are forcing him to heal rebels, doctor." Mostima dropped all pretenses. "We may be able to provide assistance."

The other end stayed silent for a moment.

"I knew I should've never agreed to that idiot's idea."

They would've avoided this problem altogether had they not agreed to become doctors. They weren't even doctors!

The voice was different, Mostima noticed.

"Miss...Rin?"

A long sigh came from the other end.

"Don't even bother."

"We are simply interested in meeting you. As we've said, we may be able to provide assistance with your problem."

"Your 'assistance' exposed us."

Fiammetta's eyes widened.

What?!

"As we speak, the LGD and the slums are searching for us. We can no longer hide in this city. It is a matter of time before they find us."

Mostima and Fiammetta exchanged glances when the call ended.

They utterly fucked up.

=== SOMEWHERE IN LUNGMEN ===

"W-what's going on?" Misha asked. Rin and Sakura were rushing around to clean everything up.

"The LGD will find us soon. Our arts can't hide us from cameras." Rin explained. "Here, wear this. We're running now."

The bulky jacket was tossed to the grey-haired Ursine. Misha quickly put on the article as Sakura began casting disguises on the trio. The disguises would only work on people. Once the LGD figured out that they were using arts to confuse people, then things would get harder. They would cover themselves as much as possible to buy time.

"Where are we going?" Misha worriedly asked. It hadn't been one day since their escape from the slums.

"The only place we can go." Sakura answered. "Rhodes Island."

"Kal'tsit better have an idea or we're toast." Rin murmured.

Rin and Sakura couldn't hide from an entire city.

That was Shirou's job. Not theirs.

"I'm going to kill that idiot for getting captured!" Rin hissed.

=== CHERNOBOG ===

On the other side of the desert, a certain redhead sneezed.

Something's wrong.

Shirou couldn't tell what.

"How did you do it?"

"Do what?"

"How did you convince them to let me out?"

The blonde pegasi walked alongside Shirou.

"Would you believe me if I said I promised to bring them food?"

Nearl blinked.

Shirou bribed the Yeti guards with his cooking. The poor guards never stood a chance.

"Besides, you looked like you were itching to do something. Being locked in a cell isn't healthy for anyone."

Itching to do something was an understatement. Nearl had been doing exercises for most of the day. Shirou wasn't around to see it, but he could tell when he returned.

The cell was starting to smell like Nearl.

He doubted whether the pegasi noticed the change. She must've been too distracted burning time away.

"Just asking...but why are we being followed by this many people?" Nearl whispered. The group started out normal. The two of them were being guarded by a platoon of rebels when they left the prison, though it soon ballooned to thrice that number.

"Umm...it's nearly lunchtime. They're probably waiting for me to cook."

"Is that why we're heading to the camp in front of us?"

"Yeah."

Luckily for Shirou, he had been told that FrostNova was busy for the day. Instead, he was free to cook for as many civilian kitchens as he wanted. It was a good thing too. If FrostNova found out that their second prisoner was out and about, she would've instantly locked Shirou and Nearl back in their cells.

Hooray for small victories.

"Nearl, do you know how to cook?"

"Yeah. I had to learn after I was exiled from my home."

That sounded horrible.

"Exiled?" Shirou perked up.

Ah, so he had never heard of her? Nearl could understand that. The world was big. The Kazimierz Major would've only been popular around Kazimierz and neighboring nations. Maybe some of the news would've reached a few more enthusiastic places.

"It was...politics. My grandfather sent me away for my own protection." Nearl sighed. "If I stayed behind, I would've been assassinated. This was the only option."

For some reason, Nearl didn't mind talking about her past with the archer. After being alone for a week, it felt nice to have someone to talk with.

"Can you tell me what your home was like?" Shirou wondered. He was really interested. Watching Nearl fight Talulah eerily resembled those fairytales of knights fighting dragons.

"I came from Kazimierz. Our nation prides itself on our history as the land of honor and knights." Nearl smiled while reminiscing about her home. "I grew up learning to become one."

"That sounds nice." Shirou himself admired a certain King of Knights. His brief time with her played a large part in who he became today.

...and why he abandoned chasing the impossible.

Oh who was he kidding, the two of them were doing the impossible already. One endlessly searching, the other endlessly waiting.

"Yeah...it was."

Nearl's change in tone caught his attention.

"What happened?"

"Things changed. Corporations took over the National Council. Nowadays, being a knight isn't what it used to mean." Nearl remembered the stories of her grandfather, Kirill Nearl, a national hero of Kazimierz. "But that won't stop me. One day, I hope to bring change back to my country. Revive the meaning of what it means to be a knight."

Shirou couldn't help but be intrigued.

It reminded him of a certain dream he once had.

.

.

.

Nearl continued to watch the people celebrate dinner. They are in groups huddled around a warm fire while enjoying the delicious food.

"Not going to get another bowl?" Shirou asked as he stood beside the Rhodes Island operator. "There's still more."

"No."

The food was delicious. Nearl was fortunate enough to have tasted it.

But it was nothing compared to the happiness that was expressed by the civilians who were lucky to get a taste of Shirou's cooking for the first time.

"They need it more."

Nearl wasn't going to take another serving. One was enough. Shirou noticed the small smile on the Kuranta's face as she watched the children gulp down the food.

"Shirou...can I call you Shirou?"

"Sure."

"If you had the power to change the world. Would you change it?"

That...was a complicated question.

"Perhaps once upon a time, I might've."

In a life where Shirou threw his own life away, sacrificing it to Alaya for the sake of the greater good.

"Power comes with a price."

"But you have it." Nearl turned to face him, her face losing its smile. "Do you know how many would give up their lives for it?"

He knew what she meant.

"So why...why do you hide it?"

Shirou didn't answer.

===

Author's Note

I MADE IT. 3 UPDATES TO WNRD IN A MONTH!!!! Next month might be less.

I think this chapter is a bit low quality since I rushed it oof.

Rin and Sakura may be prepared to outsmart Ch'en, but they can't outsmart an entire city. Mostima and Fiammetta's investigation hit the one weakness the Fuyuki trio can't hide from: their patients. From here on out it's a race to see who catches who first.

The last part of this chapter is an important future plot point. Shirou begins to see the effects of his actions. Nearl may not have seen Excalibur, but Avalon is damn well just as powerful when it comes to influence.

Each little donation helps me out and motivates me to finish chapters earlier, so it would mean a lot to me to have your support!

ko - fi .com (slash) w1nterf0x