Right then, still riding her excitement, Blaze said:
"But come on, Lungmen claims it doesn't accept Infected, yet the management's super lax, right? Forget the Slums—Lucian, your Penguin Logistics takes Infected jobs all the time. And you're still allowed to operate here. Does Lungmen really tolerate crime syndicates that much?"
Croissant clapped her hands as if she'd discovered a universal truth. "Ah, honestly, true."
"Our family business has always been illegal, so that means our company's illegal too, right?"
The bread girl hiccupped and slid onto Texas's lap. "Texas, what do you think? As the former Siracusan mafia big sis."
Texas said calmly, "When I was in Lungmen, I didn't kill people."
…That single sentence froze the room.
Lucian wanted to say, That sounds like you think refraining from murder makes everything legal. Texas, is "murder" the only crime on the books in your mind?
But the silence didn't last long.
Blaze's eyes lit up, her ears perking straight. "Texas! You're a Siracusan Lupo? Mafia background? That's so cool—! I've never met a real mafia member! Are you like the movies, pulling out huge multi-barrel Guns from under a suit? What kind of Originium Arts is that?"
Texas leaned away with visible disgust. "That's just movies. Lupo don't use multi-barrel Guns. That's a Sankta privilege… Lucian can pull out several Guns, go bother him."
Blaze whipped her head around, delighted. "Really!? Lucian, you can pull out Guns anytime? How does that even work!?"
Lucian scratched his cheek, embarrassed. "It's not that special. Think of it as Originium Arts?"
His Halo flickered, and an automatic rifle appeared in his hand.
Of course, it was just one of his model Guns—something Hoshiguma would overlook if she pretended hard enough.
Lucian tossed the Gun to Blaze so she could study it herself.
While she fumbled to catch it, Lucian explained, "I can store weapons in my Wings, so it looks like I'm pulling them out of nowhere. El can do the same thing, so it's really not that unique."
"Seriously?" Blaze looked amazed. "You Sankta are wild. Wings, Halos, and hidden storage? That makes zero scientific sense."
Lucian shrugged. "Your ears and tail aren't exactly normal either."
He brushed past the topic lightly, leaving tipsy Blaze totally absorbed in playing with the rifle.
In truth, Lucian's ability came from Exusiai.
And even among Sankta, Exusiai's was extremely rare.
She might act like a gremlin every day, but her gun-handling skill was one of the best in the current Sankta generation.
She stored eight Guardian Guns in her Wings and could operate all of them at once.
Each Gun was an independent Originium Arts staff. Even Sankta specializing in multi-barrel Guns usually needed full concentration to handle just one, but Exusiai used all eight effortlessly.
Hiding Guardian Guns inside her Wings was her unique trait.
Lucian didn't originally have this ability.
But after leaving Laterano, while treating Exusiai's Oripathy, he had… certain experiences with her—and ended up with the same ability she had.
That absolutely wasn't something Originium Arts could explain, so he told no one.
He let the topic lie.
Seeing Blaze still excitedly examining the weapon, Lucian continued, "Blaze, what exactly does Rhodes Island do? You said you're a senior elite operator—so there are less senior ones too, right?"
"Hm? More or less."
Blaze returned the Gun to him.
She downed another can, then slumped into a comfortable position on the sofa. "It's not a secret. Rhodes Island's purpose is to treat Infected and protect their rights, yeah? A lot of people think that sounds shady—like we're a black-hearted organization doing evil behind the scenes."
Lucian kept a polite, awkward smile.
Blaze burped and went on. "So Rhodes Island fights a lot. We have all kinds of operators. I'm a combat specialist. This arm? I injured it rescuing fellow Infected abandoned in the Wilderness—got bitten by an Originium creature."
She moved her right shoulder to indicate the arm in the sling.
Hoshiguma's eyes widened. "Bitten by an Originium creature? That's serious. Your infection…"
Blaze tilted her head. "Hm? Ah, I was an Infected years ago. Unrelated. Getting bitten is just routine work. This time… let me think… medical said my infection rate went up by, like, one point something? No big deal."
She spoke casually, but everyone present knew what that meant.
For ordinary Infected, even single digits were already dangerous.
At over 10%, you were a severe case facing life-threatening risks.
Lucian could tell—Blaze's infection rate was easily above 15%.
At that level, saying "one point something more" was literally gambling with her life every day.
This woman… Lucian had no words.
Hoshiguma spoke in his place. "Then you should retire."
"Severe infection, frequent major injuries… if you want to live longer, you should put down your weapon. Letting someone like you fight—doesn't that make Rhodes Island a black-hearted company?"
Blaze's expression snapped tight in an instant. "What did you just say—!"
She slammed a foot onto the table, heat rolling off her like a furnace.
Croissant and Exusiai rushed to restrain her.
Hoshiguma, who provoked her, just kept drinking, eyes calm and waiting.
Blaze ground her teeth hard, a growl rising in her throat like an angry tigress.
"You giant woman, wanna fight me? Don't think having more muscle means I'll lose to you!"
"Whether we fight or not, answer the question first." Hoshiguma said evenly. "You're fighting with your life for Rhodes Island. I respect that. But are you sure Rhodes Island deserves that from you?"
"Of course it does!"
Blaze grinned fiercely. "I know what you're thinking—some conspiracy, right? You think Rhodes Island uses sweet words to recruit Infected for shady business, right? People who aren't involved always think that way. But listen, you're dead wrong!"
"We fight for the Infected! Anyone with eyes can see what we suffer. People like you don't care at all! I care—a lot! If Infected don't stand up for Infected, who will!?"
Hoshiguma stared at her silently. "You're very certain."
"Obviously." Blaze answered immediately.
The air turned razor-tense. No one spoke.
Texas, munching Pocky on the side, looked toward Lucian just as he returned from the Kitchen.
No one noticed when he left, but now he walked over carrying a bowl of Red Sugar.
He held it out to Blaze. "Special blood-recovery sugar. Want one?"