"Did you talk this over with Dr. Kal'tsit? Did she approve?" Revy didn't rush to ask about the details but threw out this one critical question.
"Dr. Kal'tsit..." At the mention of Kal'tsit, Eyjafjalla's expression visibly dimmed, even her ears drooped involuntarily. "She didn't approve..."
(I figured as much...) Revy sighed inwardly. If Kal'tsit had agreed so easily, this girl wouldn't have come to her in the first place.
"Is it because of your illness?" Revy thought for a moment, then said, "Kal'tsit is an expert on Oripathy. If she believes the expedition could worsen your condition, I suggest you follow her advice."
"That's not it." Eyjafjalla shook her head. "Although volcano expeditions do carry a risk of infection worsening, as long as proper precautions are taken, it should be manageable... What Dr. Kal'tsit is concerned about is something else."
"Something else?"
"Security." Eyjafjalla lowered her voice. "The patterns of volcanic eruptions are difficult to predict. I need someone who understands volcanic Catastrophes as well as I do... And right now on Rhodes Island, other than you, Revy, there's no one else suitable."
"Also... Dr. Kal'tsit insists I be accompanied by sufficient combat power, just in case anything dangerous happens."
"Well, that's reasonable," Revy nodded. "Exploration teams from Rhodes Island are usually accompanied by at least one full squad of combat operators to handle any potential danger."
"But... Leithanien is my homeland. I'll be safe there. There won't be any danger." Eyjafjalla shook her head with a bit of disapproval. "Besides, I inherited my mother's Originium Arts. I'm also an official caster of Rhodes Island now."
As if recalling something, the little sheep puffed out her chest proudly. "Like right now—even if I'm a little far away, I can still feel your warmth, Revy. That's why... even with Oripathy, I'm not that easy to bring down~"
"Mm, Eyjafjalla is strong." Revy wore a faint smile, but inside, she was a little hesitant.
If it were really because of her Oripathy, knowing Kal'tsit's personality, she would've explained everything clearly to Eyjafjalla, rather than use vague reasons to stop her.
And with Revy around, there was no shortage of Catastrophe Messengers either. That meant the only likely reason left was—
(Safety... huh?)
That thought sparked something in Revy's mind—a possibility.
"How about this? Let me talk with Kal'tsit first and try to convince her. If that doesn't work, we'll figure out something else. Sound good?"
"Okay, I understand." Eyjafjalla nodded. As both a patient and an operator of Rhodes Island, she was well aware that any official mission required approval from either Dr. Kal'tsit or Miss Amiya. And in important matters like this, Amiya would usually defer to Kal'tsit's judgment.
There was probably no one better suited to convince Kal'tsit than the woman standing in front of her.
"—Thank you, Revy."
"You can thank me after I actually convince her."
[Scene Transition]
Meanwhile, at the Rhodes Island helipad—
"Hmph, Hmmer, are we really going to see this Kal'tsit person?" The young Sarkaz girl sounded impatient after a long flight. "Is this Kal'tsit really stronger than you or even Aunt Silence?"
"Kal'tsit is a top expert on Oripathy," said the Liberi woman known as Hmmer calmly. "She's also the best doctor on the continent when it comes to Originium-related illnesses."
"Compared to a half-baked researcher like me, she's far superior. So please—when we see her, promise me you won't throw a tantrum, okay?"
"Ugh... I get it! I won't use fire to scare her or anything!" The Sarkaz girl muttered reluctantly, then turned to look at another woman traveling with them.
"Aunt Silence—uh, I mean, Miss Ptilopsis—how amazing is this Kal'tsit person anyway? It's my first time seeing Hmmer so tense!"
"Ptilopsis denies Eve's request to access Kal'tsit's personnel file, and expresses strong disapproval of being called 'Aunt.'"
"Okay okay, don't get mad!" Ifrit shook the white-haired Liberi woman's arm playfully, putting on a sweet, coaxing smile. "Come on, big sis Ptilopsis, tell me~"
"Acknowledged. Please wait. Retrieving exact data based on search parameters..."
Watching her colleague and the child she thought of as a daughter interact so playfully, Hmmer couldn't help but smile subtly.
(At least... in front of me and Ptilopsis... she can still smile like that...)
"—Excuse me, thank you."
Suddenly, a voice behind her startled Hmmer. She instinctively tensed, her right hand transforming into a wing, almost ready to strike.
But when she turned around, she saw a familiar, confused face—and froze.
(Right... this isn't Rhine Lab anymore. No need to be so on edge...)
"S-sorry, I was distracted." Adjusting her glasses to hide the awkwardness, Hmmer stepped aside to let the Sarkaz man behind her pass.
"Much appreciated."
Without much small talk, the Sarkaz man walked past quickly.
Hmmer stared at his back, a strange feeling of familiarity creeping over her.
Where have I seen him before...?
"Warning, Dr. Hmmer. If you continue standing still for more than 3 seconds, you will be run over by Ifrit—she is not watching where she's going."
Ptilopsis's warning jolted Hmmer back to reality—right as a flash of realization struck.
"That man just now... was that... the Prophet—Regulus Harvey?!"