"Your group's management system really is… unique."
"And those cases you mentioned were fascinating. To be honest, I've always wondered what it's like to be a police officer… but alas, I don't quite have the circumstances for it."
"…Being an officer isn't nearly as exciting as it sounds. Sometimes it's even a matter of life and death."
"Haha, that's exactly why I said I wanted to try, not that I could. I may not have the same sense of duty as you, Miss Schwire, but I do respect those who protect the people."
"…Sorry. I may have gotten a bit too emotional earlier."
"It's fine. Frankly, when a nouveau riche like me says something idealistic, it tends to sound irritating anyway. Well, it's getting late—I'll take my leave now, my beautiful lady."
"…Goodbye."
———
Back to the present—
Inside a luxurious private dining room, Cape leisurely enjoyed his meal, not saying much. Watching this, Ch'en finally allowed herself to relax.
So, he really does want to restore the Cape Group's reputation, she thought.
It wasn't easy to stay calm when dealing with someone of Cape's stature.
"Eno, slow down."
Alina gently patted Mephisto's back as he nearly choked from shoveling food into his mouth too quickly.
Mephisto had never tasted anything this delicious in his life.
"Careful there, little one—no one's going to steal it from you."
Cape smiled warmly.
He was deeply intrigued by Mephisto's Originium Arts.
On the surface, Mephisto's Arts appeared to be of the healing type, but in truth, they catalyzed the crystallization of Originium within the body, temporarily strengthening the subject's physique.
Simply put—it borrowed from one's future life to empower the present moment.
Then again, on the battlefield, not everyone even had a future.
And for severe cases of infection, Mephisto could even exert control over them.
It was a terrifying potential.
Unfortunately, the boy himself had yet to realize just how powerful his gift could become.
No—perhaps he did know.
But that little Elafia girl… had, for now, soothed the madness lurking in his heart.
"So, everyone—how did you find the food?"
Cape waited patiently until the last dish was finished before asking.
Alina and Ch'en ate with restraint. Faust, too, though eating more than usual, stayed composed.
Only Mephisto…
He was still struggling to cram one last piece of cake into his mouth.
"Forgive us for the scene."
Alina sighed, a little embarrassed. She gently pried the plate from Mephisto's hands, ignoring his pitiful look, and set it down.
Then, after a moment's hesitation, she turned to the Feline seated across from her—who sat smiling serenely, eyes half-closed, tail flicking lazily behind him.
"…Could we pack this up, please?"
"Of course."
Cape waved his hand lightly. The attendant waiting in the corner immediately stepped forward in quiet, practiced strides, bowing slightly beside him.
"Go," Cape said. "Fetch a few digestive tablets for our adorable little Liberi guest."
"Yes, sir."
The attendant responded crisply and left at once.
"You're too kind, sir," Alina said awkwardly.
After Ch'en's introductions—and seeing how the staff treated him—she had already realized that this wasn't just the restaurant's owner.
No… this was the owner's owner.
A man at the top of the chain.
The kind of person who, in Ursus, would never even glance at an infected person—let alone treat them so courteously.
Especially someone like Cape, who apparently ran a multinational corporation.
She'd seen the Cape Group's logo before—on factories, service businesses, even food packaging.
It seemed there wasn't an industry they hadn't touched.
"No need for thanks," Cape chuckled softly, eyes still smiling. "At Cape Group, we take responsibility for every customer, after all."
Just then, the attendant returned and presented a small porcelain dish with two white tablets placed neatly on top.
"?"
Mephisto blinked, staring suspiciously at the pills before him.
He had never seen anything like this before.
"You just swallow it directly," Cape explained patiently to Mephisto, his tone gentle and reassuring.
Standing beside them, Ch'en couldn't help but grow suspicious.
Cape's attitude toward Mephisto was… a little too enthusiastic.
Tch… what a pain, she cursed silently to herself, inwardly blaming Talulah.
If that woman hadn't shoved this entire group onto her shoulders, she wouldn't have to spend her days second-guessing every smiling face.
This wasn't a vacation — it was punishment.
Cape, sensing her wary gaze, didn't seem to mind at all.
After hesitating for a moment and glancing toward Alina and Ch'en, who gave no objection, Mephisto decided to take the digestive tablets.
A few moments later, the bloated feeling in his stomach faded away.
"Thank you for the meal, sir," Mephisto said sincerely.
His impression of Cape rose considerably.
Not only did this man show no prejudice toward the Infected, but he'd also treated them to a fine dinner and even shown genuine concern.
He could feel the warmth in Cape's demeanor.
Cape really is a good person… completely different from those Ursus nobles.
Mephisto's expression softened — though a faint shadow crossed his eyes at the memory of a certain Ursus duke.
He still remembered how that man's kindly appearance had deceived him at first.
For several days after that fateful battle, their leader's eyes had been red — something Mephisto could never forget.
He still didn't fully understand what had happened back then.
But he did remember vividly the moment when Duke Kashchey turned his hand against them — and how their leader came rushing to save them.
———
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Siesta—
"Hey! You big lump! Why'd you stop me back there? I could've taken them all down!"
'Heh… Ifrit, you were about to kill them.'
"They were chasing the Doctor!"
'And? Do you even know the full story?'
"What's that supposed to mean?"
'Do you know what the Doctor did to make them chase him? Do you know what would've happened if you had killed them?'
"Why should I care about that? All I know is that the Doctor's a good person — so anyone chasing him must be bad! Just like those white coats from before!"
'Is that so? Then tell me — didn't you notice how restrained Rhodes Island has been?'
"…What are you trying to say?"
'Ifrit, what do you think Rhodes Island represents to this city?'
"…Outsiders?"
'Exactly. And the ones chasing Doctor — they're Siesta's officials.'
"…"
'I'm helping you, Ifrit. If you had attacked just now, things would've spiraled beyond repair. Once someone dies, the conflict can never be undone.'
"…So you were helping me?"
'Of course, Ifrit. You and I are one and the same.'
"One and the same…"
'That's right. In this entire world, aside from Silence and Saria, I'm the only one you can truly trust — because you and I are one.'
"…Mobius."
'That white coat you hate so much? Ifrit, have you lost your mind? Have you forgotten what they did to us?'
"…Hmph! You just don't get it. A genius like me already sees through everything!"
…Ah, yes, of course you do.