"If you put it that way, I suppose it works."
Hearing Shirou say that Rhodes Island's operators worked in exchange for treatment for Oripathy, Rosmontis nodded in agreement.
"It feels a bit fantastical… but I can more or less understand it. Then what exactly do elite operators do?"
Shirou took about ten seconds to accept the fact that a pharmaceutical company like Rhodes Island had armed personnel.
After all, Penguin Logistics, where he worked, handled not only deliveries, but also intelligence, escort duties, armed support, and more.
So this was normal, right?
"Many things. But usually we act together with other elite operators. Most of the time, we deal with relatively large infected creatures."
Rosmontis thought back to what she had done after becoming an elite operator.
From what she remembered, it mostly involved dealing with giant infected creatures and destroying hard targets that blocked the way… basically destructive tasks.
"Dealing with giant infected creatures?"
Hearing Rosmontis' words, Shirou frowned.
The Iceburst Originium Slugs he had dealt with in the Ursus tundra were considered infected creatures and so-called giant infected creatures were exactly what the name suggested…truly massive.
During long-distance deliveries, when he acted as a lookout, he had seen one or two from afar. Compared to ordinary infected creatures, they were far more oppressive.
Moreover, such giant infected creatures possessed even stronger abilities. Exusiai had once said that if she had to choose, she would rather charge through another swarm of Iceburst Originium Slugs than face a giant infected creature.
The main reason was that even if she emptied all her etched ammunition, she might not be able to break through their defenses.
It should be noted that Exusiai was one of the main damage dealers in Texas' team and yet even she had little way to deal with such creatures.
And Rosmontis, whom he was carrying on his back, did this as her main job at Rhodes Island?
"Does that not count as employing child labor?"
Shirou now seriously suspected that Rhodes Island used child labor and even abused it.
"…I am not sure. But I do not dislike this kind of life."
Hearing Shirou's words, Rosmontis thought for a moment.
She had become an operator mainly because she wanted to control her own power, which was why she had been recommended to undergo operator training.
Before she knew it, she had become a Rhodes Island operator and one of its core members.
Most of the time, she carried out missions together with other elite operators. As long as she could help everyone at Rhodes Island, she felt very satisfied.
Although some people thought that her condition was not suitable for being an elite operator, Doctor Kal'tsit had said that only after becoming an elite operator could she remember, and only then could she improve.
So she continued to work hard.
"You do not dislike it? I see… that makes sense. It is best to do what you want to do."
At this moment, Shirou realized that he was no longer in the place he was familiar with.
Things that he considered wrong might be common here.
He himself had been asked many times why he insisted on doing such thankless and exhausting things.
On one hand, it was because of guilt, which made him feel that he should do them. On the other hand, when he helped others and saw their smiles, he could also feel happiness.
"…Yes. Even if you are not good at it, as long as you work hard to do what you want, you will surely gain something in return."
Hearing Shirou's words, Rosmontis froze for a moment.
She felt as if she had heard similar words somewhere before, but she could not remember who had said them.
It was an unpleasant feeling, as if she had grasped something yet at the same time grasped nothing at all.
"You are really sensible… If only Exusiai and Croissant could be as sensible as you."
Seeing how well-behaved Rosmontis was, Shirou felt that comparing Penguin Logistics' troublemakers to her earlier had been a mistake.
There was no comparison at all. When Rosmontis made mistakes, it was because of her personal condition.
As for those troublemakers, they simply acted on impulse because they wanted to.
However, Shirou was no longer afraid of them. After all, he had already figured out their weaknesses. At most, it would only lead to some minor scuffles, which he could handle.
"Are they your friends?"
Hearing two unfamiliar names, Rosmontis asked.
Earlier, she had been the one talking about herself, so she felt that she should also ask Shirou some questions. That would be fair.
Since it was not convenient to use her terminal right now, she could only rely on her own memory to retain what she could.
"They are friends, and also colleagues at work."
Seeing Rosmontis start a new topic, Shirou gave a brief explanation.
"Work? What is your job, Emiya?"
Rosmontis asked curiously.
"It is a bit complicated, but my main job is probably that of a housekeeper. Occasionally, I also take part in long-distance delivery tasks."
When talking about his job, even Shirou himself was not entirely sure what he did.
However, the core of his work was taking care of everyone at Penguin Logistics. That much was beyond doubt.
As for the Fuyuki shop, he did not mention it, mainly because it was not suitable to talk about.
"…What is a housekeeper?"
A question mark practically appeared above the little cat's head.
"It is a job where you take care of people, things like cooking, doing laundry, cleaning, and so on."
Shirou explained patiently.
"I see… then what about long-distance deliveries? Emiya, do you also work as a courier?"
With one doubt resolved, Rosmontis felt that she had learned something new.
Although she was not sure whether it would be useful.
However, Shirou had just mentioned that he occasionally participated in long-distance delivery tasks, and the only profession responsible for deliveries was a courier. So his main job was a housekeeper, and being a courier was just a side job?
Thinking about it, Rosmontis felt that something was not quite right. It seemed more natural if the two were reversed.
"I suppose that is close enough. I work at Penguin Logistics. If you need anything, Rosmontis, you can also commission Penguin Logistics to deliver letters."
Even Shirou himself was not very confident calling himself a courier. After all, despite being at Penguin Logistics for so long, the number of times he had actually delivered goods could be counted on one hand.
"Oh… Penguin Logistics."
Rosmontis had some impressions of Penguin Logistics.
She remembered that Doctor Kal'tsit had once said that Penguin Logistics was a logistics company in Lungmen. Compared to other logistics companies, as long as the payment was sufficient, Penguin Logistics would take on almost any job, including transporting goods related to Originium.
It was considered one of Rhodes Island's potential partners.
However, she also seemed to recall that Penguin Logistics had a somewhat… complicated reputation in Lungmen.
"Do not think about it for now. Take a look and see if this is the place."
Before Rosmontis could continue thinking, Shirou gently shifted his body, prompting her to confirm whether they had come to the right place.
"I have never been here. I do not know."
Rosmontis shook her head.
"…Alright, then let us go over and take a look."
What else could Shirou do? Naturally, he carried Rosmontis over.
With eyes enhanced by magecraft, Shirou scanned the surrounding buildings and noticed a symbol on one of the doors that matched the one on the back of Rosmontis' uniform.
The address also matched. That should be Rhodes Island's office in Lungmen.
It was not as large as Shirou had imagined. It was just a small house and from the outside it even looked a bit worn down.
It had the atmosphere of a building in the slums.
"Excuse me, is anyone here?"
Shirou knocked on the door, and a voice quickly came from inside.
"How can I help you?"
The voice sounded hurried. Shirou could tell that the person seemed quite anxious.
The door opened, and at the first glance, Shirou understood what Rosmontis meant by the "big black cat."
Just as she had said, it could indeed be described as a large cat.
The black "big cat," or rather Blaze, was about the same height as Shirou, perhaps even slightly taller.
At the same time, Shirou understood why Rosmontis had said that she was "big."
However, that was not the main point.
"Ahhh! Little kitty, I have been looking everywhere for you! I was just thinking about whether I should contact Amiya and have her send people over!"
While Shirou stood at the doorway in a daze, Blaze immediately noticed Rosmontis on his back.
Just earlier on the street, she had been holding Rosmontis' hand. But while she hesitated about whether to go buy some alcohol, Rosmontis had slipped free and run off.
She disappeared in an instant. And since the communication device was with Blaze, she had no way to contact her or figure out where she had gone.
After searching the streets for quite some time, Blaze had returned to the office, intending to gather people to help search or to check whether Rosmontis had already made her way back on her own.
After discussing with the people in the office, they had originally decided to report the situation to Rhodes Island and notify the Guard Department.
But then Rosmontis returned on her own.
Or rather, she had been brought back.
"Thank you very much for bringing Rosmontis here. We were just considering whether to contact the Guard Department."
Inside the office, Shirou, Rosmontis, and Blaze sat around a table.
Shirou sat opposite the two of them, with a bottle of water placed on the table.
Nearby, a female Feline was busy with her work.
"It was nothing more than a small favor. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."
Sitting there, Shirou felt somewhat awkward.
Mainly because Blaze, sitting in front of him, was currently hugging Rosmontis and rubbing against her. Shirou felt that this was… not something he should be watching.
Moreover, he had originally intended to leave right after setting Rosmontis down at the door. However, Rosmontis had pulled him inside and Blaze had also helped pull him in.
The scene felt somewhat like Shirou had been abducted.
So Shirou briefly explained how he had met Rosmontis and how he had learned the address of the office.
At this point, everything that needed to be said had more or less been said so it was time for him to leave. It was already quite late.
"Wait."
Seeing that Shirou was about to leave, Rosmontis called out to him, broke free from Blaze's grasp, and ran to rummage through her bag for something.
"Little kitty, what are you looking for?"
Blaze did not get annoyed after being shaken off. This sort of thing was part of daily life. The only reason she had been able to cuddle Rosmontis for so long just now was because Rosmontis felt she had done something wrong and had been enduring it.
"I am looking for Oripathy medicine."
Rosmontis took out a somewhat special small box from her bag, placed it on the table, and pushed it toward Shirou.
"What is this?"
Shirou did not understand what she meant.
"A thank-you gift. You were buying medicine for Oripathy, were you not?"
Rosmontis said. She had been thinking about how to thank Shirou.
When Shirou mentioned that they had met at the pharmacy, she remembered that he had bought three sets of Oripathy inhibitors.
She also carried such medicine in her bag as a regular backup, so she could take some out.
"…You cannot just give medicine away like that."
Shirou smiled helplessly and pushed the box back.
He had bought inhibitors because the commonly available ones on the market had standard effects and could be used without issue.
However, what Rosmontis had taken out was clearly specially formulated. Without knowing whether it had been tailored specifically for her, Shirou would not dare to use it.
Besides, medicine related to Oripathy was very expensive. He had only helped her walk a short distance. It was not worth that much.
"?"
Rosmontis did not understand Shirou's reasoning. Since it was not just the two of them present, she turned her head toward Blaze, trying to seek help.
"…Um, are you an infected person?"
Blaze quickly sorted through the situation and roughly understood Rosmontis' intention.
She had originally wanted to ask whether he was infected, but only then did she realize that she had not even asked his name.
That was awkward.
"No."
Faced with Blaze's question, Shirou shook his head.
"Then you bought inhibitors for someone else?"
Blaze continued. If it was not for himself, then it must be for another person.
"Yes. I bought them for… a friend. She is infected, and it is quite serious."
Shirou thought for a moment and decided to use Rope as an excuse.
There was no problem with that. The medicine was indeed mainly for Rope.
"Oh, I see."
Blaze revealed a subtle smile. From Shirou's hesitant tone, she had already constructed a dramatic love story in her mind.
A kind-hearted person and his seriously ill infected lover. A very cliché story.
Although it was cliché, it was also the main theme of this land.
No wonder Rosmontis had wanted to give him emergency medicine. Not just Rosmontis, even Blaze felt like helping him, since they had received his kindness and did not know how to repay it.
However, medicine was definitely not an option. The medicine they carried was specially formulated to suppress the effects after operators overused Originium Arts.
It was usually carried by medical operators but since they had not brought any this time, they had prepared it themselves.
"What do you mean you understand?"
Seeing Blaze's expression, Shirou felt that she would get along very well with the people from Penguin Logistics.
He had seen that kind of smile many times before. Whenever it appeared, it meant they were definitely thinking about something strange.