When it came to Mostima, Exusiai was absolutely on Lucian's side.
She licked her spoon and said, "Mostima's really good at hiding. She used to be the Angel leader who was best at Originium Arts. People say she's ranked among the strongest in all of Laterano's history. If she wants to disappear, she's got a million ways to do it… What did that old grandpa rat say?"
Lucian shook his head. "Mr. Lin hasn't seen her in years. All he knows is that she's still working as a messenger. And the moment we arrived in Lungmen, she bolted. Like she knew we were coming."
Lucian and Exusiai had come to Lungmen because they heard about a blue-haired Angel with horns.
And this strange Angel happened to be working at a logistics company, living carefree and happy.
That company, of course, was Penguin Logistics.
Mostima was technically the senior of all current Penguin Logistics employees—Lucian, Exusiai, Texas, all of them had joined after her.
Honestly, even now, she was still listed on their roster. In theory, Lucian and Exusiai were still her coworkers.
But what kind of company didn't fire an employee who vanished for years? Was Penguin Logistics' management even functioning?
Thinking about it, Lucian and Exusiai both sighed. They were getting played like fools by that woman.
Especially Exusiai, who shot Lucian a resentful side-eye. "Spit it out. After that, did you kiss any other women? Did you cheat?"
"Pause." Lucian raised his hand again, very serious. "First, nothing I do counts as cheating on Mostima. Second, during that incident, I was 100% the victim—the court would side with me instantly. Third, no, I didn't. I'm a respectable man. Unless a cute girl confesses to me, I'm not going around kissing people."
"Reaaally.?" Exusiai squinted suspiciously, clearly not buying any of it.
Lucian felt the injustice burn deep in his soul.
He was as pure as they came. Sure, he may have glanced a couple extra times at Texas or Croissant in their pajamas… and maybe put a bit more care into washing their underwear… and maybe enjoyed hugging them or accidentally copping a feel once in a while… but he had NEVER done anything truly immoral!
Of course, if Texas suddenly confessed and said she wanted to be his girlfriend, Lucian would absolutely do every possible thing with her on the spot.
But unfortunately, Texas seemed to have zero interest in him. Tragic.
What? Croissant?
Bro, bread-people don't count as people. You can go for it in theory, but making her your girlfriend? Forget it.
Lucian ruthlessly roasted Croissant in his heart, then said, "If we took more long-distance missions, maybe we'd bump into her. But then I'd have to close my Tea Shop. I need to save up more first."
"Mmm, true." Exusiai tapped her chin. "Then what about the opposite? We can ask other messengers to help look for her. She dodges us too easily, but maybe she wouldn't notice messengers she doesn't know?"
Messengers, huh… Lucian began thinking.
In a world plagued by constant Catastrophes—where Mobile Cities were always on the move and isolated—messengers were crucial.
There were two types: Catastrophe Messengers, who predicted when and where Catastrophes would hit; and ordinary messengers, who delivered letters and cargo.
Both types had to travel between Mobile Cities, crossing unprotected Wilderness using only their own strength. It was exhausting and dangerous work.
When he and Exusiai first eloped from Laterano, with no preparation, they were absolutely wrecked in the desolate Wilderness.
That experience taught Lucian how brutally hard survival became the moment you left a city's protection.
And Mostima was an exceptionally skilled messenger.
She was already the strongest Originium Arts user in Laterano.
After becoming a Fallen Sankta and putting down her Gun in favor of a staff, she was even stronger. Lucian never once worried about her safety.
But that strength also made her completely unrestrained.
Just in Penguin Logistics' records alone, Mostima only ever took extremely long-distance, high-risk delivery missions. She'd be gone for months, sometimes years.
To her, the messenger job was just a convenient excuse for traveling the world.
Lucian muttered, defeated, "No ordinary messenger can catch that unreasonable woman…"
"Yeah…" Exusiai sighed too. Neither had any good ideas.
They had been having a nice date, and conversation had, as always, drifted back to that scumbag Mostima.
Before Lucian could shift the mood, a very familiar voice suddenly came from behind him—
"Oh-ho…? Isn't this Mr. Lucian Sinclair? I was wondering why you weren't at your shop today. Turns out you're on a date with your girlfriend at my mall. How enviable…"
A bright red DANGER marker practically popped above Lucian's head.
He turned slowly.
There stood Swire, smiling sweetly.
Her eyes, however, were not smiling at all. The fur on her tiger ears and tail stood up, radiating pure intimidation.
Lucian immediately tried to laugh it off. "Swire, good morning! You're not on duty today? Ahh, if I'd known you were free, I would've invited you out for a meal! And you misunderstand! This redhead isn't my gi—"
Exusiai stabbed him in the back instantly. "Yes. we're on a date."
Exusiai's face overflowed with a sugary, obedient-looking smile—one percent adorable, one percent sweet, and ninety-eight percent pure provocation.
She grabbed Lucian's arm and squeezed hard enough to dislocate his shoulder. "We are law-abiding citizens of Lungmen. A respectable officer wouldn't harass innocent civilians, right? We still have lots of places to visit today. Could you please move.?"
"Tch…! You damn red-haired Angel…!"
Swire hissed like an angry cat, low growls rumbling in her throat—terrifying.
Normally she'd keep sparring with Exusiai, but not today.
Lucian also noticed she was wearing her uniform, and a few Lungmen Guard Department officers were nearby.
Forcing down her temper, Swire glared at Lucian. "I'm working today, so I'll let it go. But you just wait. You still owe me a date."
"Hold on." Lucian protested immediately. "Swire, I remember promising to visit the Plaza at your house, but that was just friendly hanging out, not a date. …Anyway, what happened? Is it something you can talk about?"
"…It's nothing major." Swire glanced around, then leaned close to his ear. "Someone reported an Infected sighting nearby. If it's someone you know, get them out of here fast. If my subordinates find them, it'll get messy. Awoo."
Then she bit his earlobe.
Lucian shuddered violently.
Swire's vengeful streak was terrifying. Truly terrifying.