bpipe

No matter if you've got people hunting you down, you're a Victorian citizen anyway. You're not telling me you can't even buy a ticket somewhere?

...I honestly can't.

Huh? Professional Victorian servicemen take home less than Lungmen street stalls?

Err, that's not it.

I, um... lost my wallet and passport both in Leithanien.

You might be my kinda girl, huh...?

—They got blown to nothin'. Not even cinders left.

You're definitely my kinda girl.

Not just the wallet, I was a hair from bein' sent flyin' too.

I'd only just left Victoria at that point. Rubbed shoulders with a caravan car crossin' Leithanien.

Hadn't been in the country for two days when the car passed this wee city. The local viscount was a fair deal happy to welcome us, and even set us up in the nicest inn and all.

When it came evenin', the others went to this meal, and I stayed by myself in this whole luxury suite they gave me. Waiter gave me a supper meal, totally complimentary.

I had a few bites. Always felt Leithanian food was too refined for me, never much suited my palate. Just wanted to go outside and find a farmer's market to saunter about for a while.

Didn't think as soon I was downstairs, there'd be a boom, and the window frame for my room'd go crunch right in front of me. Completely mangled up, too.

That's an intense explosion for sure.

It was! Even I might've lost my life if I got blown out a window ten floors up, y'know?

...Only might've?

It's serious, look, I swear! Honestly didn't expect to be so in for it even in Leithanien.

Hm. Your mind and body both seem much sturdier than that poor window frame.

Eh? Thanks... for the praise?

Come to mention it, do you know who tried to blow you up?

No idea. I'd only been with the caravan for a few days, pitchin' in my strength. Shouldn't have made any enemies, right?

Actually... I'm not that worried about gettin' an answer to that question.

Ever since I started investigatin' this case, the riddles have piled on up, and there's been no moment of clarity at any point. Gotten used to it already.

So, by coming to Lungmen, you were hoping to lean on your friend?

Oh, I'm not lookin' for others to protect me, no. I just wanted to ask Chenchen if she'd be willin' to help me.

Oh? You still want to go back to Victoria to finish the job? Even with so many people out for you?

Right you are.

Not a single hint of hesitation, either.

(Exhale—)

It's been a few months for me, goin' from Victoria to Lungmen. Suppose I had even the slightest hesitation, I couldn't have gone this way.

I promised, I'd get the truth of it all out for all to see.

If I don't know where that truth is, I'll go lookin'—

If the enemy don't want me talkin', then I swear I'll talk.

I left Victoria without lookin' back. But if I'm all readied to return one day, then I will not waver one step.

You're not scared?

I am.

Right. I believe you.

Eh?

Warriors who keep saying they're not scared of dying are either bluffing, or they haven't gotten it yet.

I think you've made the preparations you need to, and I believe you aren't lying.

So, in that case, can you help me get in touch with Che... Superintendent Ch'en?

Here, there's a few cha siu baau in this bag. They're pretty much cooled. If you can put up with that, they're edible. I'm guessing you're starved after running all this way through the wasteland?

Even a Vouivre as intrepid as you's gotta have her mealtimes.

Mmffm...

...so tasty...

Er, wait, is this part of the interrogation too?

Part of it? It ended a while ago.

I was thinkin' you'd ask me some about me and Chenchen's past, check if I was lyin' or not...

No need.

What I needed to know, I long since knew.

You mean...

Um, wait, wait. It just came to me. I know you too. You're the L.G.D.'s Hoshi... Hoshi...

Hoshi... hoshi? Ha ha, you'd be better off not calling me that. Especially not in front of them.

How about this, Bagpipe. We'll stick to code, and you stay in this room just a little longer. I'll step out for a moment to see someone.

Finished grilling?

Why not go in yourself, curious as you are?

Is there anything worth the curiosity?

Rhodes Island's people are all on their way. She can't stay here for long.

If I've kept track of the time right, they should be here now.

Hmph, that puk gaai Lung. Who knows where she's frolicking about right now while we're left working overtime.

If Ch'en heard her old classmate walked a million miles looking for her, she'd be at least a little ruffled.

She won't say it, but she's always been loyal to her friends, Missy, and you know that.

What do her friends matter to me?

And you, you absolutely sent a message to Rhodes Island the moment you got the tip-off. Why the effort to interrogate her too? Do you love it, playing the bad cop?

Best to go through proper procedures, what with all the kids on the force watching.

Besides, don't you wanna do a little finding out, see what new dangers old Ch'en might get into?

...No thank you.

Ugh, I'm so done with this! Once Rhodes Island picks her up from in there, you're giving me a clear, thorough report... No slacking!

Ha ha, alright.

Look, here's the Rhodes Island operator to lead her away—

Ehhhhh, what?!

So Chenchen's actually left the L.G.D. already? You're telling me I need to go somewhere else now?

Er, what was that company called...

—Rhooodes—Island?