"That's pretty serious. No wonder even Laterano's medical tech couldn't fully heal her."
Looking over Lemuen's medical file, Daniel understood her condition. Her injuries were the result of Originium Arts, inflicting deep damage on both her body and mind. That's why she had been in a coma for five years, only recently regaining consciousness.
"How is she?" Seeing Daniel fall silent, Exusiai asked urgently. She was nothing like her usual carefree self back in Lungmen's Penguin Logistics. This concerned her sister's health—not just her, but Mostima and Fiammetta, too.
"I need to run a few tests."
Daniel set down the file and approached the bed. After a moment of hesitation, he placed both hands on Lemuen's ankles.
"I see. I'll need you three to step out for a bit. I'm going to begin treatment now."
Through his examination, Daniel had found the true source of Lemuen's disability.
"Are you sure?" Fiammetta finally spoke up. She was even more concerned about Lemuen's condition than Exusiai.
"Don't worry. You'll see the results soon enough," Daniel replied, smiling reassuringly.
"Relax. Little Le invited him personally. I trust you, man."
Before Fiammetta could argue further, Mostima intervened, smiling as she nudged Fiammetta out of the room. Exusiai followed them, closing the door behind her.
"She's a Felinix, right?"
The Liberi race included all avian types—not just birds, but also mythical ones like phoenixes, griffons, and the Felinix.
"If there's a problem, you can just say so. I'll explain it to Le—I think she'll understand," Lemuen said gently once the others had left, mistaking Daniel's silence.
"Oh, no, not at all. Your condition can absolutely be treated. I was just thinking of something else. But before I begin, I need you to keep this treatment confidential."
"Confidential? No problem. What do I need to do?"
"Nothing at all."
With that, Daniel summoned Black Abyss White Flower. Under Lemuen's curious gaze, the flower bloomed, radiating soft white light that enveloped her legs.
"All done. You should be able to walk now. Just don't push yourself too hard right away."
After a moment, Daniel dismissed the flower.
"I didn't know there were Originium Arts like this."
Lemuen was fully aware of the state of her body. But under that white light, the numbness in her legs vanished—she could feel them again.
"I think it's time for a little surprise."
Daniel gestured toward the door, and Lemuen nodded.
"Sis—!"
As soon as Lemuen stepped out of the room, Exusiai ran into her arms. Back then, she had left Laterano to chase after Mostima and learn the truth about what happened to her sister. She'd joined Penguin Logistics mainly because Mostima was working there at the time, hoping to run into her.
"Lemuen!" Fiammetta, too, was overwhelmed. Lemuen's injuries had always been her deepest regret. Back then, she'd only stepped away for half a day—only to return to find their squad shattered.
The captain had defected, Lemuen was grievously wounded and unconscious, Mostima had fallen—and only Fiammetta had made it out unscathed. Even though Mostima and Lemuen had long since let go of the past, Fiammetta never had.
"Better give them some space."
Daniel smiled faintly as he watched the emotional reunion, then quietly slipped away. Only Mostima turned her head slightly, watching him go.
"What are you two doing here? Are you here for the Summit?"
Laterano's streets. Spotting two familiar faces enjoying ice cream, Daniel was briefly surprised—then quickly understood.
"You! How's my sister doing?"
It was Shulvis and her husband Yucatán—here representing Kjerag at the Summit of All Nations.
"Mr. Daniel, good to see you." Compared to Shulvis, who immediately asked about her sister, Yucatán was more courteous.
"She's studying in Kazimierz right now. If you miss her, go visit."
"I will. Once we return. What about you—are you here for the Summit?"
"No, just business. Enjoy yourselves—Laterano's a lot livelier than Kjerag."
"It's not that great. Everything's too sweet."
Laterano's food was certainly richer than Kjerag's, given their abundant resources. But three meals a day, plus dessert and midnight snacks—all sugary? That was another story.
And being Kjerag-born, Shulvis couldn't help but defend her homeland.
"True enough."
"I can see why people look down on Kjerag now. I kind of understand Enciodes' mindset."
Inside a Laterano dessert shop, Shulvis vented her frustration. This trip had opened her eyes to Kjerag's standing in the world, making her more aware—and less impulsive.
But her straightforward personality hadn't changed. She explained how she'd clashed with a noblewoman from Victoria at the Laterano embassy. Though the noble was clearly in the wrong, Victoria's greater strength meant the issue was only resolved after the cardinal's intervention—Shulvis had to apologize.
Before the Snowcap Incident, that would've been unthinkable.
Daniel didn't comment. After all, Kjerag really wasn't stronger than Victoria—not even than one of its dukes. Of course, that didn't count someone like Yelgond.
"Duke Godotin, huh… he won't be arrogant much longer."
Godotin was one of the eight dukes besieging Londinium—formidable, yes, but unlikely to escape the consequences this time.
Daniel knew him not just from the siege, but because of several Rhodes Island operators—pink-haired Czerny Flash, and Night Smoke of the Witch's Forest.
Czerny Flash now ran a shop on Rhodes Island called Green Spark—part hair salon, part florist, part bar.
In the game, she was a six-star operator. But in Terra's reality, she came from an ordinary infected family. Despite her talent, she wasn't a combatant—just a late-stage recruit.
Daniel had learned this through one of the Witch's Forest's last remaining witches—Min, the 114th. She was currently studying in Chernobog.
The Witch's Forest was once a Victoria-based research group composed entirely of Felin. But after refusing to serve the dukes, their forces were crushed. Only a few witches remained—same with the Forest Rangers.
"Pleasure doing business."
After parting ways with Shulvis and Yucatán, Daniel headed to the Landen Monastery, where he finalized a trade deal with Sidogée. Normally, such negotiations would take at least a week—but he wasn't about to waste time.
Sidogée shared the sentiment. The monastery was seeking new avenues, but not at the cost of becoming a commercial enterprise.
"You left early? My sister wanted to thank you properly. Come on—my treat today!"
Back at the hotel, Exusiai found him. She wanted to express her gratitude. Soon, they were seated in a dessert café.
"No need to be so formal—we're friends, right? By the way, are you really heading back already? Not staying longer with your sister?"
"No need. She's healed now. Besides, I bet Texas is missing me."
"Angel empathy, huh…"
Sankta empathy truly was amazing. It explained why most of them were so cheerful. If all of Terra had that trait, there'd be far fewer tragedies.
"Excuse me."
Just then, two Sankta approached. One was the young male Executor Daniel had seen twice before. The other, a green-haired young Sankta, Daniel hadn't met—but he could guess who he was.
"Executor? What did you do to get them on your tail?" Exusiai asked curiously.
"I'm not sure… are you looking for me?"
"Yes. I have a few questions. Do you know someone named Felira Laperuta?"
"They found me already, huh…"
Daniel was genuinely surprised. A Sankta going missing in Laterano was serious business—he'd expected them to investigate, but not this fast. He thought he'd have more time, and if it came to it, Kelsey could handle it diplomatically.
Bringing Felira and Cecilia to Rhodes Island was bound to come out eventually. There were plenty of Sankta there—some even registered operators. No way they could hide her forever.
But at least by then, he wouldn't have to deal with it. Kelsey would handle everything. Her Laterano cleric identity wasn't a lie.
What Daniel didn't know was that Kelsey had personally witnessed Laterano's founding.
"Sorry. I don't know her," he said flatly.
"Is that so? She's missing. I can confirm she saw you before disappearing. And with her was a little girl—also gone."
The green-haired Sankta eyed Daniel, then glanced at Exusiai.
Though he didn't know the girl's identity, he was certain of what he'd seen.
"What's going on?" Exusiai asked Daniel.
"Would you come with us?" the green-haired Sankta said.
"Oren, are you getting impatient because they vanished?" Daniel sighed after a pause. "So it really was you."
"You know where they are, then?" Oren asked urgently.
"Sorry. I can't tell you. Felira asked me to thank you for your help over the years. But Cecilia is not someone for you to use."
"Then I'll have to insist." Oren reached for his Guardian gun.
"Hey! What's happening here?" Exusiai exclaimed, alarmed.
"Le, back off. This is beyond you."
The matter of Cecilia was enormous—far beyond Exusiai's reach.
"You've got to be kidding. I invited you here. I'm not letting anything happen to you."
"What's all the fuss?" a familiar voice called out. It was Mostima, with Lemuen and Fiammetta in tow.
"Lemuen? You've recovered?" Oren was taken aback. He knew her condition well.
"Thanks to him. He healed me. So—Oren, what's going on?"
"Congratulations."
Oren put away his weapon. After hesitating a moment, he turned and left. With these people around, he had no chance of taking Daniel—especially since Cecilia's existence was top secret.
"What happened?" Lemuen asked after Oren left.
"Someone's gone missing," Exusiai said, and summarized the earlier events.
"What's going on?" Fiammetta asked the young Executor who had remained.
"I'm Aizel, an intern Executor."
Aizel introduced himself and explained the situation.
Felira's disappearance had quickly been noticed and reported to the Tribunal. Aizel had seen her photo and found it familiar. His investigation led him to Oren—and then to the confrontation just now.
Daniel had been right—once Felira and Cecilia were taken to Rhodes Island, it would be impossible to track them quickly. But unfortunately for him, Aizel had just started the job and was very diligent.
Aizel only had suspicions and wanted to follow up. Oren, on the other hand, had gotten too emotional and rushed over directly.
"Care to explain?" After Aizel's account, all eyes turned to Daniel. Even though he'd saved Lemuen, they had to investigate the disappearance of two Sankta.
"Give me a second. I need to ask someone first."
After a moment's hesitation, Daniel stepped aside and took out a mini Den Den Mushi to contact Kelsey.
In Terra, because of Catastrophes, cross-city communication was difficult. Large nations and cities had mobile base stations—some state-run, some city-owned, others corporate.
Lungmen had many such stations, allowing it to stay connected internationally. But it was still too cumbersome.
So Daniel had brought in Den Den Mushi. In terms of communication, Terra and the One Piece world weren't too different—and Den Den Mushi worked perfectly here.
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