Jeanne sat there, staring into Kal'tsit's eyes, trying to read something from her gaze. However, while her intent was good, her actual execution fell quite short of her imagination.
Kal'tsit sat there like a piece of stone. Aside from the opening and closing of her mouth, no other part of her body showed any visible movement. Although Kal'tsit had been the one to initiate the cooperation, the aura she exuded was not a bit weaker than Talulah's; in fact, there was a faint sense that she was the one in control of the situation.
"While treating others at Azazel, I heard that you possess a medicine that effectively alleviates the symptoms of Oripathy. I hope to exchange for some medicine with even stronger effects."
As she spoke, Kal'tsit stared straight at Jeanne. After several days of research and observation, she had already guessed that these items originated from Jeanne's hands. During the past few days, she had intentionally walked near Talulah, but Mon3tr had shown no reaction to the Draco's presence. Conversely, the moment Jeanne appeared, that sensation resurfaced.
Kal'tsit understood the reason behind this perfectly. Combined with the Holy Water that had suddenly appeared at Azazel... she now understood why the Sankta were cooperating with Talulah and the others. She hadn't expected that a specialty originally belonging to the Sankta would now appear in the hands of a "human."
"You need medicine with stronger effects... could it be that for your patient, even the current dosage can no longer suppress the condition?"
After pondering Kal'tsit's words for a moment, Jeanne voiced her own doubts. Jeanne knew the efficacy of the Holy Water; at this concentration, it was sufficient to effectively alleviate the symptoms of moderate and even severe Infected. Unless the party belonged to an abnormal race like Patriot, Oripathy of that magnitude would have long since turned them into a bomb.
Jeanne looked at Kal'tsit and keenly noticed that the doctor's expression flickered strangely when she mentioned the patient.
At that moment, the images of Amiya and Theresa—both infected—flashed through Kal'tsit's mind, along with many operators who had lost their mobility to the disease and were merely waiting for death. What Kal'tsit valued most was the worsening Oripathy in Theresa. It had reached a point where it could no longer be delayed. The Originium in her body had begun to replace her organs, and her arm had already undergone severe crystallization.
Their best method was to have the Doctor perform a blood transfusion for Theresa, using the unique nature of that person's blood to treat her... but even this method was failing to keep up with Theresa's deterioration. Furthermore, the Doctor was just an ordinary person; they didn't have enough blood to be drained indefinitely.
Thinking of Theresa's situation, Kal'tsit took a deep breath to calm herself. She then said to Jeanne:
"Yes. Though it is hard to believe, my friend's condition has deteriorated to the point where... medicine of the current grade provides no effect whatsoever."
Hearing this, Talulah—who understood the medicine's potency—was somewhat shocked. However, recalling that the woman came from Kazdel, the homeland of Patriot, she accepted the explanation. She also made a mental note to ask Patriot if he knew anything about this Kal'tsit once they returned.
Though I'll probably get nothing, Talulah thought. Patriot mentioned he left Kazdel centuries ago. No matter how young this Feline looks, she can't possibly be over fifty, right?
"In exchange, I can give you some of my research results on Oripathy, practical treatment plans, and medical formulas for alleviating the pain during outbreaks... I also have a significant amount of money on hand that I can use for the trade."
Kal'tsit generously displayed her chips. What she offered was the limit of what she could trade. These were things she had researched alone and had full authority over; she was essentially putting up her entire personal fortune for the sake of Babel. As for the treatment plans and superior medicines belonging to Babel itself, she did not include those in her personal offer.
"We need to discuss this. We'll have to trouble you to wait here for a moment."
At that point, Talulah grabbed Jeanne's arm. After explaining to Kal'tsit, she led Jeanne out of the room. Kal'tsit watched them leave with the same blank expression, sitting quietly as she awaited their reply.
However... did that Draco actually dye her tail pink? It seems those two have quite some 'interesting' hobbies.
It seems this Jeanne is also the type to have a special obsession with tails. Just like that bastard who dyed my tail orange...
Wait! Why did I actively remember that? If the Doctor dared to mention dyeing or tails again, Kal'tsit would treat them like a grip-strength tester. Without Amiya pleading for mercy, it would be useless.
Like a cat, Kal'tsit shook her head rapidly, hoping to completely erase that piece of dark history she didn't want to recall.
"What do you think? Should we agree or just reject her and be done with it?"
Once outside, Talulah leaned in and whispered to Jeanne, asking her attitude toward the trade. Although she disliked Kal'tsit's "shrouded in fog" personality, Jeanne was the protagonist of this affair, and she wanted to hear her opinion.
"I don't really mind. But didn't Mr. Hellagur say that this Kal'tsit is quite formidable in Oripathy research? The materials she's offering should be useful."
Jeanne was in a state of relative indifference toward the trade; it was just a simple exchange, nothing major.
"I knew you'd say that. Otherwise, I wouldn't have dragged you out here."
Talulah rubbed her forehead in exasperation. She knew Jeanne would answer like that. Whether it was for the medical data that would help their future or to save a gravely ill Infected, Jeanne had plenty of reasons to trade with Kal'tsit.
However...
"Didn't you just reach a cooperation agreement with Laterano yesterday? Didn't you say the Holy Water trade would be entirely entrusted to them? Is it appropriate to do this on the very first day?"
Talulah looked at Jeanne, who seemed to have forgotten yesterday's events. She had to remind her of that conversation. That was a trade that could support this kid for the rest of her life! From now on, Jeanne would only need to pray for an hour a day to have endless money!
Looking at the "silly child" before her who didn't seem to care, Talulah felt like an old butler managing the family estate for a dunderhead, worrying every single day.
"I told the Pope that there would still be small-scale private trades, but I won't trade large amounts of Holy Water. Did I... not tell you that yesterday?"
Looking at Jeanne's large, blinking eyes, Talulah felt a sudden awakening of her family's ancient traditions—she wanted to kidnap this girl, lock her in a cave, and stew her.
"After the meeting yesterday, you were either plotting how to play with my tail or putting those thoughts in your head into practice! You tormented me all night—when did you have the time to tell me?"
Looking at Jeanne's innocent face, Talulah wanted to paint her tail pink too... and if she didn't have a tail, she'd just paint directly on her tailbone!