No one knew what Revy discussed with Kal'tsit that day—just as elite operator meetings were always confidential to outsiders.
But judging from the look on his face when he walked out of the office, Revy seemed in quite a good mood—completely opposite of the elite operators coming out of their own meeting.
"That bastard Revy! He skipped his first meeting back? What a slap in the face!"
Even after the meeting ended, Logos was still visibly annoyed.
"Come on, he went to see Kal'tsit. No doubt it was something official," Ace tried to mediate. "Besides, this one's on me too—Revy's been gone for four years. Forgetting the regular meeting time is understandable."
Blaze furrowed her brow.
"By the way… has Revy met the Doctor yet? Wasn't he…?"
"The Doctor made it out of Chernobog alive thanks entirely to Revy's efforts. You can tell—he hasn't forgiven the Doctor, but he understands their importance."
Ace shook his head and added, "Compared to W from four years ago, Revy's come a long way… at least in terms of seeing the bigger picture."
"W…"
Blaze clenched her fists.
"I'll never let go of what happened to Scout. Amiya got lucky in Lungmen—that kind of mercy won't always come her way. I…!"
"Enough."
Pith gently placed a hand on Blaze's shoulder, trying to calm her down. "We're all grieving Scout's loss. But we have to keep our heads. The truth behind the Chernobog incident is still murky. Don't forget the report you just read—intel Revy paid dearly to acquire."
Blaze exhaled slowly.
"…Fine, fine. Now that the meeting's over, can I go? It's been a while since I last saw Amiya."
"Trying to go see Revy, aren't you?"
Logos gave her a sidelong glance as she tried to slip away.
"It's a rare chance… don't you want to see him?"
Blaze stopped mid-step, her smile faltering for just a moment.
"…No. I'll pass."
The long-haired Feline girl shook her head, her expression tinged with faint nostalgia.
"Right now… I'm not ready to face him. And I doubt he wants to see me either."
Ace opened his mouth as if to say something.
"It's not that he wouldn't want to…"
"No. I'm the one who doesn't want to see him—not yet."
Blaze said softly, her voice resolute.
"Someday, I'll prove to him that I've become stronger."
"—And that day is coming soon."
[Scene Break]
"So you're saying… Doctor Kal'tsit agreed?!"
Eyjafjalla's excitement was obvious in her voice.
After her original research proposal had been rejected by Kal'tsit, she had been feeling quite down. Though she understood her doctor's concerns for her health, the stubborn Caprinae girl still wanted to fight for her ideals.
Even if it came at a great cost.
But now—this man in front of her had actually convinced Kal'tsit!
"Don't celebrate just yet," Revy smiled. "Kal'tsit agreed to support the mission, but there are conditions."
"First, for safety reasons, the entire expedition must not exceed five days. Regardless of results, we must withdraw from the forecasted danger zone after the fifth day."
"Five days… that should be enough."
Eyjafjalla nodded thoughtfully.
"Doctor Kal'tsit is probably also factoring in my physical condition… my symptoms are rather unique. I need regular detailed scans and treatments every week. Five days of activity is already pushing the limit of what I can handle alone."
"Right."
Revy nodded vaguely.
"Second, since the operation isn't being coordinated with Rhodes Island command, we won't be able to send a full team of operators for support."
"That's okay!" Eyjafjalla said quickly. "I can go alone—"
"Which is why I'll be personally responsible for your protection throughout the mission," Revy interrupted. "I won't interfere with your research, but when it comes to safety, I expect you to follow my instructions without question. That's non-negotiable."
"Understood! I'll listen to everything you say, Mr. Revy!"
She answered without hesitation. Having Revy—this legendary Catastrophe Messenger—join her was her dream scenario. And now, it was coming true.
"Alright then… just don't complain later when things get tough."
Revy gave her a faint smile, recalling what Kal'tsit had said to him earlier that afternoon:
"Eyjafjalla is a critical operator at Rhodes Island. Only you and her can provide precise data on volcanic Catastrophes. But only she has the patience and drive to truly study them."
"So this time… don't let us down again, Regulus Harvey."
Revy's eyes grew distant.
("Don't let us down again," huh…?)
[Scene Break]
It was already late into the night. Rhodes Island had finally quieted down.
But inside Kal'tsit's office—just after she had wrapped up her work—a special visitor arrived.
"Doctor Hermès, I hope you're settling in well at Rhodes Island."
"We're nothing but strays. Just the fact that Rhodes Island took us in is more than enough. We're deeply grateful."
Hermès replied with a faint, self-deprecating smile. She didn't seem eager to linger on the topic.
"Let me clarify something." Kal'tsit's expression remained neutral. "In Rhodes Island's records, you and Doctor Ptilopsis are both considered excellent medical staff. As for your past—I have no interest in prying."
"Alright then… let's skip over that part."
The Liborian woman adjusted her round glasses slightly.
"It's already past 1 a.m. Even for my race, this is well past bedtime."
"Then let's get to the point." Kal'tsit's tone turned serious.
"The fewer people who know about this, the better. And once you do know, there's no turning back."
Her grave expression forced Hermès to sit up straight.
"What I'm about to tell you—and show you—is all highly classified Rhodes Island intel."
"You can walk away now, and we'll pretend this meeting never happened."
"Or… you can choose to continue—and take part in a plan that could change the fate of all Infected."
Hermès furrowed her brow.
Everyone knew that Oripathy was incurable. Treatment could only slow its progression; it could not reverse or eliminate it.
So if anyone claimed they could "change the fate of the Infected," Hermès would usually scoff—either they were delusional, or a fool.
But Kal'tsit… was different.
There was no doubt—Kal'tsit was the leading expert on Oripathy. Perhaps even the foremost authority in the world.
If she spoke of "changing the fate of the Infected," then those words carried real weight.
Hermès thought back to that small, suffering figure she'd once seen—shaking and convulsing in the throes of Oripathy—and her heart twisted.
She knew… she didn't have a choice.
"…Doctor Kal'tsit, I hope you'll explain more clearly what you mean by that."