Chapter 388: An Interesting Fellow
Steven didn't really have any reason to oppose her suggestion. His business in Kazimierz was more or less wrapped up anyway, and now it was just a matter of waiting for Rhodes Island to arrive.
Of course, he knew it wouldn't take too long. Judging from the way Kal'tsit had reacted at him last time—like she was ready to haul him back by the collar and demand an explanation—it was obvious she'd probably already have the engines running to come get him herself.
Honestly, with his current identity as the head of the Block Consortium, it wouldn't even be strange for her to personally fly over to pick him up.
But before that, there was still one more person he needed to pick up. He had promised someone they'd travel together—and leaving her behind now would be downright heartless.
"Then come with me to pick someone up," he said casually. "After that, we can head back to Rhodes Island."
He sent Kal'tsit a quick message to let her know that he's ready to leave, then headed toward the café entrance. Once he picked up Centaurea, his trip to Kazimierz would be officially over.
Skadi didn't object to the plan—she never did. Laurentina, however, seemed a little reluctant to leave, the look on her face practically spelling out "I don't wanna go."
"Can't we just stay a little longer?" she complained. "It's not like we're in a rush to go back. Rhodes Island is so boring compared to Kazimierz! And once we're back, there'll just be a ton of stupid checkups and tests again. Totally no freedom."
Ever since the Originium fluid in her spine had been treated, Laurentina wasn't as terrified of examinations as before. But those unpleasant memories were still there—and she couldn't bring herself to like the place, not one bit.
Compared to the quiet, free life she'd had here in Kazimierz, Rhodes Island was suffocating.
"If you really want to stay," Steven said with a shrug, "I don't mind. As long as you get Skadi's permission first. She's your official guardian, after all."
He wasn't about to meddle in her choices—but whether or not he objected didn't matter. What mattered was whether Skadi would. After all, the little orca cared far more about Laurentina's health than anyone else.
"Laurentina," Skadi said gently, "I know you don't like Rhodes Island's atmosphere. But we have to go back—at least for now. We need their resources and facilities. Your body still needs treatment, and your recovery can't continue without their help."
Skadi's voice was calm, but her reasoning was firm. Leaving Rhodes Island wasn't realistic yet. Not only did they need its medical support for Laurentina, but they also relied on Kal'tsit's network to gather intel on the Seaborn and the Church of the Deep.
So even if Laurentina didn't want to go back, Skadi had to persuade her.
"…You're right," Laurentina sighed at last. "If that lot really tried something funny, Captain wouldn't let us wander off anyway. Guess that means we're going back whether I like it or not."
She shook her head helplessly. She wasn't the unreasonable madwoman she used to be—she understood her condition was still far from stable. And truthfully, the safest, most comfortable place for her right now… was probably right beside this boy.
Ever since meeting him, she'd never felt this calm anywhere else.
And since Steven was heading back to Rhodes Island too… she no longer had any reason to refuse.
"Actually, it's fine," Steven said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I've got a feeling your captain will be coming to pick you up soon. Especially after learning the location of the Stultifera Navis—I'd bet she already knows more about it than either of you."
It was a simple deduction. Once Gladiia got wind of something as important as the Stultifera Navis, there was no way she'd just ignore it. She'd go investigate for sure, and when that time came, she'd naturally come back to fetch her two teammates. Returning to Rhodes Island now would just make that whole process easier.
"Then by that logic," Laurentina muttered, giving him a sidelong glance full of faint resentment, "we have even more reason to go back, don't we?"
She understood what Steven was saying perfectly well—but understanding didn't make her dislike for medical procedures any less. Deep down, she loathed anything even remotely related to treatment or examination. Even something as harmless as a routine check-up made her skin crawl.
"Well," Steven said with a wry smile, shrugging, "if you put it that way, I can't exactly argue. Whether you go back or not is up to you, but me? I'm definitely hitching a ride with Rhodes Island to my next travel stop."
He said it lightly, but he meant it. Whether Laurentina decided to return or stay behind didn't really concern him—his plans were already set.
Partly, he wanted to see where Rhodes Island would drift to next—it might make for an interesting trip.
And partly… well, he was pretty sure Kal'tsit had a long list of things she wanted to "discuss" with him.
"Traveling again, huh?" Skadi suddenly spoke up, her tone uncharacteristically amused. "If that's the case, you might just run into that interesting one on Rhodes Island this year."
Steven blinked, curiosity immediately piqued. It was rare for the stoic Abyssal Hunter to call anyone "interesting." Whoever this person was, they must've been something special.
"Oh? What do you mean by that?" he asked, glancing over at her as they walked toward Centaurea's location. "Rhodes Island's got plenty of wanderers catching rides. Who could possibly earn your attention?"
Skadi tilted her head, thinking for a moment before replying, "I don't know her that well, really. I just know that around this time every year, Rhodes Island tends to get a new… peculiar guest. Kal'tsit treats her a lot like she treats you—can't control her, but can't afford to ignore her either."
Steven chuckled at that, amused. "Oh? Sounds like a troublesome type."
"Maybe," Skadi said softly, her crimson eyes narrowing in faint reminiscence. "She calls herself Nian. You'll see what I mean when you meet her—I've got a feeling you two will get along just fine."
Steven raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
Someone who could make even Skadi call her interesting, and drive Kal'tsit up the wall at the same time?
Now that sounded like someone worth meeting.
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Note: Character Illustration is in this Google Drive:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iuyfwNVFHzIi9H4rWNT_lAm7jTSiah_M
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