The children gathered around Flandre, chirping and asking her all sorts of questions.
Though Flandre felt a bit dizzy, she worked hard to discern the meaning of their words and answered them haltingly.
"Why does Flandre speak so strangely?" one child asked, looking toward Alina.
"Because little Flandre is a friend from a foreign country staying with us for a while. She didn't know how to speak our language at all before, so I taught her the Ursus language for a few days before bringing her here!"
Alina said gently.
Everyone had a look of sudden realization; no wonder they hadn't seen Alina visit them these past few days—it turned out she was teaching the new friend how to speak.
The expressions on everyone's faces changed as they looked at Flandre again.
"That's amazing! Sister Alina only taught her for a few days, and she can already speak so clearly."
"Yeah, yeah!"
Facing the lively crowd, Flandre also smiled and joined in the fun with them.
Watching Flandre quickly hit it off with everyone from not far away, a trace of resentment appeared in the white-haired boy's eyes.
He wanted to play with everyone too, but because of his bad temper and having snapped at people a few times, everyone stayed away from him.
Aside from Sasha, none of the children his age were willing to associate with him.
What right did that newcomer have to not only get Sister Alina's attention but also make everyone like him?
Ino was extremely puzzled and equally dissatisfied.
At that moment, Sasha stood in front of him, blocking his view of Flandre.
"Ino..." he soothed in a low voice, trying to calm the other's emotions.
"At least I have you... as long as you're here, it's fine. I don't need any more friends..."
Ino said through gritted teeth.
Over here, Flandre also noticed Ino's hostility toward her.
Mainly, that gaze was too obvious; the guy didn't even bother to hide it in the slightest.
Flandre didn't want to pay him any mind at all.
After all, in her eyes, Ino was a pure psychopath.
While she could be quite crazy herself when she went off, most of the time, she considered herself a normal person.
A normal person wouldn't bicker with a psychopath.
Although everyone was curious about Flandre's background and wanted to hear stories from her, her current vocabulary was only enough for simple sentences; she lacked the words to tell stories.
So, everyone regretfully turned their attention elsewhere.
Quite a few people looked at the colorful crystal-like objects hanging under her bat wings.
A bold child tried to pull on them, but Flandre looked over.
"Even though these look like crystals, they're actually connected to my wings, you know? It hurts a lot if you pull them."
Hearing her words, the child's face turned red instantly, and he let go while apologizing.
It was mainly because the crystals were too beautiful; he really couldn't help himself.
After hearing Flandre's words, the others became careful, at most using their hands to gently support the crystals and observe the inside; no one continued to pull.
Seeing Flandre quickly blend in with everyone, Alina felt very gratified and began leading them all in games.
For a time, the room was filled with the sound of laughter.
In the afternoon, the children who went home excitedly told their parents about Flandre. Many parents' faces changed drastically upon hearing she was a Vampire, and they prepared to stop their children from playing there tomorrow.
That night... Flandre felt a bit tired after returning home.
She was, after all, only a 495-year-old underage Vampire.
Playing with children was more mentally exhausting than fighting that Hakurei Shrine Maiden.
Just as she was lying in bed in a daze, the door was pushed open.
"Flandre, are you still awake?"
Hearing the voice, Flandre Scarlet immediately opened her eyes.
Tallulah's face appeared before her.
Right now, she looked conflicted; clearly, it had taken a lot of resolve for her to come find Flandre Scarlet.
"You remember the Peter father and son you rescued before, right?"
Tallulah asked.
Flandre Scarlet nodded.
"Their rescue operation failed again this time.
Buldrokkas'tee is leading the Shield Guards to draw away the pursuers.
But the enemy has put out word that they will kill all the Infected they captured tomorrow at noon.
It's meant to deter our Infected compatriots in this area.
Many of our people are in there, including the Peter father and son.
I know you have the strength, and you can fly.
I want you to take me to the front lines and assist me in rescuing those Infected."
After Tallulah finished, she looked at Flandre expectantly.
Flandre nodded. "Sure. Just like I said before, as payment for living here and to keep Alina from being sad for everyone, I'm willing to help you with this."
After saying that, she climbed out of bed.
"Do you need to prepare anything?" Tallulah asked.
Flandre Scarlet shook her head. "No, I can leave anytime, as long as you're ready."
Tallulah patted the long blade at her waist.
"Then let's set off now!"
After stepping out the door, Flandre Scarlet reached out her hand to Tallulah.
"Hold my hand tight, and be careful not to fall!"
After Tallulah and Flandre gripped each other's wrists, Flandre gave a light tap on the ground with her feet, and the two of them shot into the air.
Tallulah pointed in one direction with her other hand. "This way."
Then, Flandre, holding Tallulah, quickly flew away from the settlement under the light of the twin moons.
Only after they had left did Alina look in the direction they flew, hands over her chest, silently praying in her heart.
"You must come back safely, everyone."
Under Tallulah's guidance, the two soon arrived outside a factory area.
Tallulah looked at the factory buildings not far away and nodded to Flandre.
"This is it. All the people they captured are locked inside this factory building.
There are about five squads, roughly fifty members of the Reconnaissance Squad inside.
This time, the Reconnaissance Squad and the local garrison teamed up to trap us.
Fortunately, Patriot and the Shield Guards have already pinned down the garrison in another direction, so our only opponents are the Reconnaissance Squad members left here."
Tallulah explained the enemies they had to face to Flandre once more.
"So, like we said on the way, save everyone. As for those Reconnaissance Squad guys here, if they do anything to interfere, I don't have to leave any alive, right?"
Flandre Scarlet showed a slightly crazed smile. It wasn't that she loved slaughter, but if there was a 'compliant' opportunity for it, she had no intention of holding back.
Tallulah paused upon hearing Flandre's words, then nodded heavily.
"To ensure the safe evacuation of the Infected, if the enemy shows any resistance, you may deal with them as you wish."
"Give me ten minutes. In ten minutes, you come straight in to pick up the people."
Considering the factory area wasn't small, Flandre Scarlet replied after thinking for a few seconds.
"Don't you need me to go with you?"
Tallulah asked with some concern.
"No need. My fighting style is a bit rough; it wouldn't be good if I accidentally caught you in it.
Get ready to time me, I'm going in."