Amiya sat quietly, her gaze shifting back and forth between Jeanne and Kal'tsit. An intense conflict raged within her mind, making it exceptionally difficult to arrive at a firm decision.
She understood perfectly well that Jeanne merely wished for the Doctor to assist them with city administration for a temporary period. However, she harbored a deep worry that the Doctor, who currently possessed zero memories of her past, might live among Reunion for so long that she would cease to care for Rhodes Island or anyone she used to know.
This was by no means an empty anxiety. For an individual whose mind was a complete blank, the first person they encountered upon waking carried immense emotional weight; it was entirely possible they would place their total, unquestioning trust in that companion.
Leaving the blank-slate Doctor by Jeanne's side forced Amiya's deep affection and longing for her mentor to clash violently with her logical realization that the arrangement made practical sense.
Unsure of how to proceed, Amiya cast a pleading glance toward Kal'tsit, hoping to find a hint of guidance or a direct instruction from the elder woman.
Yet, Kal'tsit didn't spare Amiya a single glance. Her detached reaction made her stance perfectly clear: she intended for Amiya to decide for herself whether to grant Jeanne's request.
Amiya was now a mature administrator of Rhodes Island, a leader who needed to develop her own independent judgment. Kal'tsit wanted to observe exactly how the girl would navigate this dilemma.
"Miss Jeanne, I must ask—is the Doctor's physical condition stable enough for her to leave the specialized medical capsule?" Having previously learned the full truth of the situation from Theresa, Amiya naturally prioritized the Doctor's physical health above all else.
"There shouldn't be any issues on that front. Her body has already concluded the primary phases of treatment. Once she emerges, I will personally oversee her care. Combined with the restorative properties of my holy water, ensuring her full recovery will be a simple matter."
Jeanne recalled her last visit to the medical bay, where the automated systems confirmed that the Doctor's cellular stabilization was complete; she was merely recovering from prolonged physical frailty.
When it came to restoring physical vigor and mental clarity, Jeanne's holy water was vastly superior to any mechanical apparatus. If she provided the Doctor with a single flask each day, the woman would likely be performing athletic feats in no time.
"In that case... we truly harbor zero valid reasons to refuse your request," Amiya murmured, her fingers lightly tracing her long Cautus ears as she carefully weighed the final arrangements.
She was acutely aware of the Doctor's strategic value. If the tactician returned to active duty, Rhodes Island's future direction would undoubtedly receive a far clearer outline, and their organizational efficiency would improve dramatically.
In this regard, the Doctor and Kal'tsit possessed entirely different strengths. Kal'tsit was an ancient, deeply knowledgeable scholar who held the secrets of countless eras. Her immense wisdom allowed her to help Rhodes Island steer clear of hidden perils or navigate complex international incidents.
However, when it came to daily administrative tasks and the nuanced diplomacy required to manage large groups of people, Kal'tsit's distant personality made her ill-suited for the meticulous, hands-on governance of a rapidly expanding organization.
The Doctor was the exact opposite. While she lacked Kal'tsit's centuries of historical insight, she was an all-around genius, exceptionally proficient in handling logistical and strategic matters with effortless grace.
"We agree to let the Doctor assist Reunion for a temporary duration. However, this arrangement is strictly contingent upon my accompanying her, and Reunion must fully guarantee the Doctor's safety and well-being at all times!"
For the Doctor's sake, Amiya resolved to personally travel to Chernobog. Any matter concerning the tactician required her direct presence.
This approach achieved two goals simultaneously: it ensured the amnesiac Doctor wouldn't encounter any mishaps, and it prevented any potential misunderstandings from developing between the Doctor and Reunion.
Furthermore, it would grant Amiya herself a rare, much-needed respite from her grueling schedule—even if it meant leaving Dr. Kal'tsit behind to single-handedly shoulder the heavy burden of managing every internal affair aboard Rhodes Island.
Evidently realizing that her primary assistant was about to depart, Kal'tsit's hand paused slightly as she lowered her coffee cup. She spared Amiya a long, silent look but offered zero verbal objection.
Yet, her expressive gaze clearly conveyed a hint of frustration, as if wondering when the young girl had picked up such calculating habits from the Doctor. Jeanne could only sit silently to the side, watching the wordless dynamic unfold without offering any commentary.
Since Kal'tsit had resolved to let the youth make her own choices, she would respect the final outcome entirely, honoring Amiya's growing autonomy as a leader.
Through this successful negotiation, Jeanne had managed to secure the assistance of an elite strategic mind—the Doctor. The tactician would undoubtedly contribute immense value toward rebuilding the foundational structure of New Chernobog.
One could only wonder if the Doctor, upon waking up to discover an entire city awaiting her administrative expertise, would weep tears of overwhelming gratitude for Jeanne's immense faith in her abilities.
If I were her, I would probably be spitting blood in sheer frustration! You absolute devils are exploiting a severely weakened patient who is practically still resting in a medical casket. Your methods are more ruthless than any greedy corporate magnate!
As the group concluded their discussions and stepped out into the main corridor, they immediately spotted Talulah evaluating the physical capabilities of Mephisto. Catching sight of the towering youth, Jeanne felt a sudden wave of bewilderment.
Had she somehow led this child down an entirely warped developmental path? The fragile, timid boy of the past had transformed so thoroughly that it transcended a mere growth spurt; it looked as though his physical frame had been completely dismantled and rebuilt from scratch.
"Are you observing Mephisto? The youth has indeed undergone a remarkable physical shift over the past months, particularly regarding his stature and muscular build. Still, he is in the midst of his natural development, so such changes are to be expected."
No, this is completely unnatural! Jeanne silently countered Kal'tsit's assessment. If this monstrous physical transformation was considered standard development, then why did her own height remain firmly locked below five feet, refusing to budge a single millimeter?
Within the hierarchy of Reunion's leadership, she had officially dropped toward the bottom of the roster regarding height. Previously, Mephisto had provided a comforting cushion at the very bottom, but now, she was left utterly isolated.
The profound sorrow of watching everyone around her shoot upward while her own development chose to manifest exclusively in her bust line was a tragedy no one else could truly comprehend.
Jeanne sank into a state of quiet melancholy, a mood that persisted for quite some time. Even as they rode upon the wyverns back toward their territory, she remained completely silent, staring blankly out at the sky. Her unusual quietness quickly drew quiet speculation from the fighters around her, who wondered if their vanguard leader was suffering from a foul mood.
Among the companions, only Talulah accurately deduced the exact nature of Jeanne's internal crisis. However, the Draco currently focused her attention entirely on the drastically changed Mephisto, choosing to let Jeanne brood in peace.
Lately, Jeanne frequently devolved into these deep, philosophical trances regarding her stature. In truth, standing just under five feet five inches wasn't terribly short, but Talulah began to wonder if she should take matters into her own hands to cheer her friend up.
Since the issue stemmed entirely from a lack of height comparison, perhaps she could track down some individuals who were naturally shorter to restore Jeanne's confidence. Were there any Durin communities currently accessible within Ursus? A conversation with them would surely lift Jeanne's spirits.
For a Draco like Talulah to actively contemplate seeking out the underground Durin race proved that physical stature and mathematical concepts would remain Jeanne's eternal vulnerabilities.
"Are you truly... Eno?" Sasha—the expert marksman now known by the codename Faust, leader of the Phantom Crossbow Squadron—gazed at his childhood companion, completely doubting the validity of his own eyesight.
Was this towering individual genuinely the frail Eno he had known his entire life? What sort of intense regimen had the boy endured during his six-month departure to master his Oripathy Arts?
"It has been far too long, Faust! With this strength, I can finally ensure your protection!" Mephisto exclaimed, his face lighting up with genuine joy as he gripped his friend's shoulder.
He was now noticeably taller and far more robust than Faust. The physical presence he commanded made it abundantly clear that his vow to protect his companion was backed by immense physical power.
"You only need to look after yourself. I am perfectly capable of handling my own safety," Faust replied, a rare smile breaking across features as he recognized the deeply familiar warmth behind the giant's expression.
"Incredible, young Eno has turned into a massive warrior!"
"Are the medical practitioners aboard Rhodes Island truly that miraculous? I almost want to volunteer myself. I don't even need to grow that tall—just an extra two inches would satisfy me completely!"
"Keep dreaming! Sasha simply hit a massive growth spurt during his formative years. Your physical development concluded ages ago. If you truly desire an extra two inches, your best option is to have a physician fracture your shins and stretch the bones manually!"
A lively crowd of Reunion fighters quickly gathered around the returning vanguard, eager to catch up after their prolonged separation. Had their current resources permitted it, they would have happily organized a grand welcoming banquet.
In truth, a small celebratory gathering had originally been arranged by the Yeti Squadron in private. However, at this precise moment, the members of the Yeti Squadron were far too occupied to attend to anything else.
Having somehow heard a rumor that a steady diet of raw leafy greens accelerated a Cautus's growth, they had used a rare shipment of fresh rations to present their commander with a massive bowl piled high with cabbage leaves. As a direct consequence, a thoroughly displeased FrostNova currently had the well-meaning pranksters suspended from the rafters, delivering a fierce lecture.
It was a wonder whether these fighters possessed an incurable instinct for mischief. If they continued down this path, it would surprise no one if the public began referring to their movement as a comedy troupe rather than a revolution.