"By the way, Mr. Lu— …. Big brother."
Just as Lucian was about to step out the door, Amiya called after him.
She still wasn't used to saying "big brother." Her cheeks flushed as she forced the words out.
"For safety's sake, please keep today's conversation confidential. Rhodes Island has all kinds of people, and rumors spread easily."
Lucian nodded. "Got it. So who knows about this right now? You and Kal'tsit?"
"Yes."
Amiya answered with complete seriousness. "Dr. Kal'tsit knows everything. Other than her, some Sarkaz Operators might also know. But please don't worry too much."
She added, "As for veteran Operators like Blaze, I can guarantee absolute trust. If you want to tell them, you can."
Lucian gave her a strange look. "Really? I don't believe that."
"It's true!"
The little bunny puffed out her cheeks. "Veteran Operators are Rhodes Island's most valuable assets. I'm not naïve enough to think every Operator thinks the same way. But veteran Operators are absolutely trustworthy. I stake my life on it."
"Of course, I'm not forcing you. Neither Dr. Kal'tsit nor I will reveal anything. When you feel comfortable trusting them, you can tell them yourself."
Lucian smiled wryly. "It's not that I don't trust Blaze."
"But let's be realistic, Amiya. If I told Blaze everything, are you sure she wouldn't get drunk one night and spill it all? What if she grabs a karaoke mic and shouts it out?"
Amiya: "..."
After a long moment of deep thought, her long ears drooped.
"That… is possible. Please keep it secret from Blaze. I'm sorry."
Poor bunny.
At her age, Amiya had to handle Rhodes Island's complicated personnel, politics, and structure. That wasn't something any child should deal with.
Yep—Rhodes Island really was a black-hearted company. Child labor in leadership, working nonstop… tragic.
Amiya walked Lucian to the door—only to see someone waiting outside.
A Lupo woman in a red coat leaned against the wall, idly examining her nails.
Amiya blinked. "Miss Red? Why are you here?"
The young wolf-girl lifted her head, her ears twitching. "Kal'tsit. Wants him."
She pointed straight at Lucian with stiff bluntness.
Amiya flushed in embarrassment and hurried to whisper in Lucian's ear:
"Big brother. This is an Operator named Red. She belongs to Dr. Kal'tsit's personal forces. Because of… certain reasons, she isn't very good with ordinary manners…"
Lucian replied, "I know. She's the one who was monitoring us."
The moment they boarded Rhodes Island, Lucian and Texas had felt eyes on them.
Their stalker was an exceptional assassin—only Lucian and Texas noticed. Exusiai and Croissant didn't sense a thing.
Amiya panicked. "Huh? Monitoring? What monitoring?"
She wasn't pretending—she genuinely didn't know they were being watched. She had only wanted to have a calm conversation.
Which meant the one who sent this wolf-girl was none other than the infamous Dr. Kal'tsit.
Lucian was already very familiar with the name.
He patted Amiya's head, calming her down.
Then he told Red, "Lead the way, Miss Red. And let's get the physical exam done too. I don't feel like running around."
Red nodded. "Others. Already done. …Texas's tail. Very soft."
She said this with a dreamy expression of pure bliss.
Lucian nearly choked. Texas let someone touch her tail? Seriously? This red-hooded wolf-girl is something else…
After saying goodbye to Amiya, Lucian followed Red toward Kal'tsit.
He watched her carefully as they walked.
Red was clearly a seasoned killer—but young. Definitely younger than Texas.
A young but battle-hardened Lupo assassin—the contrast was interesting.
And when Texas sensed her presence earlier, she became visibly tense and even muttered she'd die if they fought. That wasn't something any normal Lupo could provoke.
Curious, Lucian struck up conversation.
"Red, are you a veteran Operator?"
"No."
Very concise.
"Then who counts as a veteran? Is there a standard?"
"Don't know."
"Amiya said you're Kal'tsit's personal subordinate?"
"Yes."
"Kal'tsit is a big deal. And her subordinates aren't veterans? Why's that?"
Red stopped walking.
Maybe she was annoyed. Maybe she wasn't. Either way, she glanced up at him and said:
"Red. Was picked up. By Kal'tsit."
She spoke each word like a foreigner learning a new language.
"Name. Payment. Kill. Simple. Kal'tsit. And Red. Agreed."
Lucian understood. "So you're an assassin Kal'tsit took in."
Hearing a girl with such a youthful face casually mention killing for money was… unsettling.
But not surprising.
Especially among Lupo—wolves with natural mafia temperament—being mercenaries and hitmen was common.
Lucian chuckled. "Then you're the same as Texas."
"I picked her up too. And at first she only ate my food and refused to work. You're much more impressive than she was."
"Mm. Mm!"
Red suddenly lit up, nodding enthusiastically.
Her cold face blossomed into expression, amber eyes sparkling.
"Texas. Very cute! Red likes Texas! Wants to sniff! To hug! Her tail!"
"Oh? You really like her tail, huh… but don't you have one too?"
Lucian didn't usually comment on people's tastes, but Red was practically begging for it.
He had truly never seen someone with a tail get that excited over someone else's tail.
And they were both Lupo?
If she liked another race's features, that'd make sense. But same-species tail obsession?
Lucian actually paused to consider whether he should touch Red's big fluffy tail and compare it to Texas's.
But no—groping a girl's tail right after meeting her was not acceptable. Best save that for when they were familiar.
With Texas as a topic, even tongue-tied Red became lively.
Her pure, youthful expression fit her age at last.
In that strangely harmonious mood, they stepped into the medical office.
A woman looked up from her documents.
"I am Kal'tsit, head of Rhodes Island's medical department."
Thud—
The room's temperature seemed to drop ten degrees at once.
Red lingered at the door, reluctant to leave.
"Lucian. Next time. Tell Red more. About Texas."
"No problem."
Lucian gave her a thumbs-up. "Next time I'll give you her pantyhose too. Our little secret. Don't tell anyone."
"Yes! Lucian and Red's secret!"
And just like that, the innocent little wolf-girl was tricked by a scoundrel and scampered off happily.
…Only then did Lucian turn to Kal'tsit.
The sterile scent of disinfectant, combined with her frosty voice, made the entire room feel colder.
This was his first time meeting the legendary woman in person.
Before he could speak, Kal'tsit said:
"You must have a great deal you wish to say to me."
"You've heard my stance from Amiya, and you know I chose not to trust you. Whatever dissatisfaction you feel—say it now."
Lucian blinked. "Really? Then I'll say it."
He spoke his most honest impression:
"You're younger and prettier than I expected. I thought you'd be a sharp-tongued old witch, but you're much better than that. So I win, you lose."
The Empress Dowager of Rhodes Island twitched an eyebrow—barely, but noticeably.
Her icy expression cracked for one brief moment.