Hearing Lemuen's inquiry, Andoain simply shook his head in silence. From his expression, it was clear he didn't intend to tell her much. However, under Lemuen's slightly skeptical gaze, he eventually offered a small clarification.
"My goal isn't Mostima; you can rest easy on that. Or rather, I no longer crave that object as much as I once did."
After weighing his thoughts, Andoain chose to explain. There was no other reason than wanting to ensure this matter didn't interfere with her treatment. After all, that pursuit was no longer his primary focus. If his current plan went smoothly, he would no longer need the knowledge held by the entity within that "thing."
Lemuen was somewhat surprised. She knew better than anyone how much he had once hungered for it—enough to strike her down without mercy. If he had shifted his target, what exactly was he planning now?
"I hope that whatever you do this time, you won't harm so many people."
As Lemuen spoke, she tried to guess his new objective. In Laterano, who else could catch his eye? She didn't have to think long before an answer surfaced: the current Pope. What more direct way was there to find the truth than going straight to the man who knew the secrets of the Sankta?
Laterano's "Empathy" was truly a remarkable ability. Even without words, both sides could sense fragments of the other's intent.
"I can only promise you that I will try my best. This is a rare opportunity, and I must fulfill my wish."
Andoain didn't bother with lies. Because of their Empathy, Lemuen would sense his deception anyway. While one might not know specific details, the general "flavor" of a Sankta's intent was hard to hide.
"And regardless of whether you inform the Basilica, I will go. No matter the price, I will see that person."
At this point, Andoain was haunted by an answer he had sought for years. Even if it was a moth-to-a-flame mission, he had to see it through. He was willing to walk into a death trap just to resolve the doubt that had plagued him.
Even without Empathy, Lemuen could see the resolve in his eyes. When he spoke of his plan, his eyes burned with a fire—a flame that felt like it could reduce all of Laterano to ashes.
"In memory of the times you helped me fix my reports... I'll keep your secret this time. I won't tell the Basilica."
Lemuen spoke with total sincerity. Andoain was stunned; he hadn't expected such a response. Through Empathy, he confirmed she wasn't lying. She truly had no intention of reporting him.
This was an outcome he hadn't anticipated. He had accepted the risk of being turned in the moment he spoke. Furthermore, he hadn't revealed the specifics of his plan, meaning Laterano would only know he intended to infiltrate the Basilica, but nothing more. This meant his companions wouldn't be targeted. They could carry out their tasks and vanish into the crowds as planned.
In fact, this was partly why Andoain told her. By drawing the authorities' attention toward the Basilica, he was inadvertently increasing the safety of his comrades' movements elsewhere.
Looking at Andoain's disbelief, Lemuen simply smiled and shook her head.
"Has your Empathy failed you? You're actually doubting me? That's not like you."
Andoain snapped out of it and gave a slight nod, offering no further words. He rose to take his leave. He had stayed too long, and the risk of discovery was mounting. He mostly had the local Sankta to thank for his safety; they generally weren't interested in memorizing the faces of the Notarial Hall's wanted list. They had the time to do so, certainly, but who would find such a thing interesting?
Aside from the Executors of the Notarial Hall, very few people cared enough to hunt him down.
As he left, Andoain felt that Lemuen seemed more talkative and in higher spirits than during his last visit. Perhaps the change of rooms had helped. For someone who hadn't been able to walk for years, a change in scenery was a big deal. For a naturally lively Sankta, being confined was the harshest punishment imaginable.
Even the hospitals tried to liven things up with activities, like the recently popular "Wheelchair Racing" events, which now apparently featured several competitive sub-categories.
"If you have nothing else to say, don't come back for a while. I'm worried you'll run into Fiammetta. The other people in the sanatorium would be in danger then."
Lemuen knew that if the fiery-tempered Liberi caught sight of him here, she would likely chase him through the halls with her heavy weaponry.
Andoain nodded once more and vanished into the hospital corridors. Lemuen waited a moment to confirm he was gone before immediately hopping out of the bed.
"Gosh, faking illness is exhausting!" she huffed. Having to act out her former paralyzed state was truly a struggle for the now-healthy Lemuen.
"He's finally gone. I was starting to feel suffocated hiding in there."
As Lemuen stood up, Jeanne—who had been eavesdropping from the closet—immediately stepped out of the cramped space. Truthfully, the closets in the Laterano sanatorium were a bit small, especially the old one in this vacant room. Jeanne had been forced to squeeze in sideways.
The biggest issue for Jeanne, staying in such a narrow space, was the uncomfortable pressure on her chest. Especially for someone with her... "well-developed pectoral muscles."
"I told you to just wait outside as a nurse, but you insisted on hiding in there," Lemuen said, watching Jeanne stretch her arms to relax.
Jeanne had been worried Andoain might try to finish the job or harm Lemuen, so she had insisted on staying to protect her. The room was small, and the closet was the only viable hiding spot. Jeanne had claimed she could sense his intent and stay undetected.
"I was worried about you! You told me he's the one who ambushed you and caused those terrible injuries. What if things went south and he attacked again?"
Jeanne really was concerned about a "silencing" attempt, as she didn't know what kind of man Andoain was.
"Besides, weren't you holding a gun too? If you were so relaxed, why were you clutching that?"
Hearing this, Lemuen pulled a small handgun from under the covers. It was a toy-like gun similar to the one the Emperor used—the kind capable of shattering a person's sternum in one shot. No one knew how that penguin managed to make something so powerful.
The best part was that it didn't count as a "gun" under Laterano law. That meant even if Lemuen fired it, she wouldn't fall from grace.
"I just wanted to see if I'd get the chance to finally deliver the shot I didn't get to fire all those years ago," Lemuen said naturally, her face still covered in that pale, sickly makeup.