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Kal'tsit? Are you listening?

The last treatment worked very well. Count Hohenlohe has gotten much better. Thank you for your help.

Oh, wait a moment.

I don't recommend letting yourself get distracted in battle.

This is hardly a battle. Don't worry. It'll be over soon.

Back on topic... I will be staying a little longer than usual at Rhodes Island this time. That won't be a problem, will it?

Rhodes Island will never turn away its operators.

You can get to the point and say I'm welcome.

If that's what you want to hear, you're welcome here.

Right... makes me wonder if I should say you're straight to the point or beating around the bush.

Whatever. Let us talk about the next treatment, then.

Medical will formulate the medicine used in the next treatment based on the physical examination data you provided. This will take some time, but not too long.

I still insist that the Count receive regular, detailed examinations. That's the only way we can plan out his treatment effectively.

Best if I bring him to you for a checkup, right?

Considering the Count's position, that is far too risky. Too bad. Things could have been so much simpler if certain people were less stubborn.

In any case, until the medicine's formulated, I will be working alongside Ankhesena... the little squirt. I trust you'll have no problem with that?

You are free to do as you please.

Wonderful, then.

Ah, right. One more thing...

Looks like some pests managed to follow our tracks. The Count is a popular man, and even a lowly attendant like me gets followed.

But don't worry. This won't affect Rhodes Island whatsoever. I'll take care of it.

Okay, let me think. What should I do with you?

Instead of Rhodes Island's gentle way of doing things, I'm much better at silencing people directly... It makes things much easier for everyone.

W-What are you doing?!

Why are you shaking? If you chose to be a robber, surely you must've been prepared for this to happen one day?

Relax, the pain will stop in no time—

Sis, I'm done with my part.

Sis?

Ankhesena, what are you doing here? Have you taken off all the guys on your side?

Mhm.

The Medic Operators are treating the injured, and I helped by bringing them medicine.

Good job.

It was nothing.

What are you doing?

Oh, nothing special...

Just having a friendly chat with the nice men here.

(The bitch's lying!)

(Friendly chat my ass!)

*cough*.

Friendly... chat?

Friendly chat!

Mm, okay...

Hello?

You talking to us?

Yep. After that lesson, you know how awesome we are, don't you?

So please stop trying to bother the Pioneer Team. They are very hardworking people, and please find an honest job.

Huh? Work? What are you talking about, you punk ass...

(Hm? You want to repeat that?)

Urk...

(Shut up, idiot!)

(Ow! What are you smacking me for...?)

D-Don't worry! We definitely won't ever look for no trouble with the Pioneer Team ever again. We... We will work the hardest we can!

...Really?

Of course. Of course! We've learned our lesson, much thanks to you two!

Your word's not worth much.

Okay, that's good to hear.

Ankhesena?!

Are you sure about this?

Hmm... Is that not good enough?

Let me think...

(*sigh*...)

No, we'll handle this your way. I'll always support your decisions.

The short-haired Caprinae pauses for a moment and turns her gaze from her younger sister to the bandits beside her. Though her eyes sweep past them only very briefly, it's evident they are blood-colored, cold, and harsh.

Sis? What's wrong?

Hm? Oh.

It's nothing. If this is taken care of, then let's go back.

...Okay.

Wow, they actually left.

What do we do, Boss? Are we really gonna do honest work?

W-What kind of work can we do?

Work? Work your ass!

Now hurry and get everyone up! We're leaving!

Alright, alright! Sheesh, why smack me again...?

Okay, this should do it for now.

Your injuries aren't very serious, but you should try to avoid any intense physical labor for a while and let your body rest as much as you can.

But if we don't hurry up and finish the construction, those bandits will...

Alright! Don't worry about it. We'll figure it out somehow.

Don't worry, Doc. We'll keep an eye on our wounded and make sure they rest up!

Are you finished treating the injured?

I taught those bandits a lesson with Ankhesena... Beeswax. Is there anything else we can help you with?

Carnelian! Thank you so much for escorting me here!

I'm finished with the Pioneers' treatment. Their injuries aren't serious, and even the Infected among them aren't in particularly dire condition.

The mission itself can be called a success, but...

You're worried about the bandits?

Yes...

They have been operating here for a while now. It doesn't look like they'll stop just because you teach them a lesson or two.

And we're only here on a mission. Can't always help out... can we?

*sigh*... Everyone can tell at a glance there is nothing we can do about those men, but that little squirt still has no idea.

How worrying.

Haha... Beeswax is working very hard already, though! The first time we went on a mission together, she got so lost that she didn't make her way back to the campsite until the morning on the third day...

Oh? She didn't tell me that one. Maybe I could take you out to dinner one day and hear the whole story?

I would love to, if we get the chance! I want to show you the specialties we have on offer at the Rhodes Island canteen, too!

Speaking of which, where is Beeswax?

She said she's got something to do by herself.

Huh? By herself?! S-She's not going to get lost again, is she...?

I'm a little surprised, though. I thought you would be so worried that you would follow her.

If I try to have a hand in everything, she'll never grow up.

Ankhesena is out here to gain experience; it's not so bad to let her experience more by herself. Guardians who keep kids on a tight leash will only find themselves hated—That said, I'm worried, of course.

That's why... if you don't mind, is it okay if I take charge of this bandit problem?

Do you have a good way to solve this? If there's anything I can do, I can...