Lucian hadn't expected that.
Amiya actually understood this much about who he was?
Giving the Red Sugar to Blaze and sending her straight back to Rhodes Island—that had been a deliberate move on Lucian's part, a way to let them notice that he had a method to treat Oripathy.
But for them to jump from that single clue to "Holy Son of Laterano"… that meant Rhodes Island already had someone who understood Laterano very, very well.
And that person was definitely not ordinary.
Lucian said, "Laterano's Sankta would never reveal my identity. For them, doing so is worse than suicide."
"And the average Sankta has no idea who I am. They don't even know that the Holy Son's blood can treat Oripathy."
His eyes narrowed as he joked, "So unless Rhodes Island has connections with some Fallen Sankta scumbag, or there's a Judas among the Sankta, you shouldn't know this much. And honestly, either option makes me pretty happy. Is that what's going on?"
Amiya shook her head. "I'm afraid not. I don't know any Fallen Sankta, nor anyone high up in Laterano."
"But among Rhodes Island's members, some lived through the war in Kazdel."
…Lucian's breath caught for a second.
That was the worst answer she could have given. If things went wrong, Rhodes Island might end up treating him as an enemy.
He gave a helpless laugh. "You even take in Sarkaz? I surrender—you really are a genuine human-rights organization."
Kazdel—the homeland of the Sarkaz, commonly called "demons."
But unlike other nations, Kazdel's cities had long since been destroyed by endless civil war. Whatever official rule or law once existed had vanished.
Kazdel's people either fled early and hid their identities abroad,
or fought each other to survive on a lawless wasteland,
or became mercenaries, killing or being killed far from home.
Whichever path they took, the Sarkaz lived in hell.
And because of history, no nation would ever reach out a helping hand.
On Terra, they were the most hated people—second only to the Infected.
And unlike the Infected, whose status was forced on them later in life, race was determined at birth. A Sarkaz could never shed that label.
Worse still, Sarkaz and Sankta were mortal enemies.
A Sarkaz who survived Kazdel's civil war and understood Sankta Faith had to be someone of immense status.
Lucian smiled at Amiya. "So, what does Rhodes Island plan to do? If you want to kill me, I recommend doing it cleanly—right now. Don't even think about using me to threaten Laterano. Outsiders can't understand how fanatical the Archangels are."
"Especially since you're an organization of Infected. With that reputation, Sankta would slaughter every Infected on the continent."
Lucian's hand tensed. If necessary, he could draw his floating blades or his Guardian Gun at any moment.
But he sincerely hoped it wouldn't come to that.
Amiya said nothing.
The little bunny simply stared at him with those large, unblinking eyes.
A moment later, she curved her lips and smiled sweetly.
"Mr. Lucian, you sound exactly like Dr. Kal'tsit."
There wasn't the slightest tension in her voice.
Then she coughed once, imitating Kal'tsit's tone:
"Amiya, I will say this only once. Any contact with the Holy Son of Laterano will bring Rhodes Island nothing but disaster. Cut ties immediately. Do not get involved."
"Unless you murder him without leaving a trace, any improper contact will drag all Infected to the grave with him. They will never forgive Rhodes Island. They will never forgive you. …That's what the Doctor said."
Amiya spoke such terrifying words with a perfectly innocent expression.
"You two would definitely get along. I'm sure of it."
Lucian looked conflicted. "I have no desire to get along with someone that terrifying. Is she a Sarkaz?"
"In terms of race, she isn't. But Dr. Kal'tsit knows Kazdel very well. And she loves to say, 'I know everything.'"
Amiya straightened her back, puffed up her cheeks, and imitated Kal'tsit with a a sulking face—completely ridiculous.
Lucian finally laughed, and Amiya grew a little shy.
She admitted softly, "Mr. Lucian… I have the ability to sense others' emotions."
"When we shook hands earlier, my ability resonated with yours. I felt an overwhelming surge of emotion."
"It was anger. So intense it felt like it would boil my blood and burn me alive."
She lowered her ears a little, saddened. "But that anger wasn't aimed at any one person. Not at any nation or race."
"You carry a righteous fury in your heart—against all of Terra, against the injustices of this world."
"I feel that too. That's why I can trust you… why I want to trust you."
Lucian fell silent.
Being able to sense emotions—this little rabbit really did have strange Originium Arts.
It felt like she'd peeked into a secret he hadn't meant to share, and it irritated him.
"So that's why you talk so maturely, little rabbit? That's not a good ability. I bet you run into a lot of angry people."
"Yes." Amiya gave a resigned smile.
"It's my fault for intruding on people's emotions. They have every right to be upset. That's why I rarely tell anyone about it… You're an exception."
She folded her legs neatly and said:
"Mr. Lucian. From the bottom of my heart, I hope Rhodes Island can form a friendly relationship with you. No matter what Dr. Kal'tsit says, I believed I needed to meet you personally. Fearing you just because you're the Holy Son would make us no better than those who label the Infected."
"And now that I've met you, I'm certain—you're a good person."
Lucian had to admire her conviction.
But he quickly replied, "Judging people too easily isn't good. Labeling others is wrong, but blind kindness is dangerous too."
Amiya's expression hardened. "No, I have solid reasons."
Her feet didn't even reach the floor, yet she looked more composed than any adult.
"I heard it from Blaze. Mr. Lucian, you're a good young man who lives in Lungmen and treats the Infected kindly. The Red Sugar you gave Blaze—you also gave it to the Infected living in the Slums. Those daily acts of kindness say far more than any words."
"You show goodwill to the Infected. That makes you Rhodes Island's friend. And that alone is more than enough reason."
Lucian let out a small laugh. "I see."
"But that still isn't enough. Even if I'm just some bored philanthropist, that doesn't mean I'm actually on the Infected's side. If you know I'm Laterano's Holy Son, then you should also know what Sankta are like. You have Sarkaz here—aren't you afraid I'll see you as enemies?"
Amiya sat up straight. "You're mistaken. Rhodes Island does not 'side with the Infected.'"
"We fight not only for the persecuted Infected."
"We fight for every injustice on this land."