When Jeanne heard Hellagur utter the name of the Infinite Love Mutual Aid Society, she couldn't help but marvel at how bizarrely interconnected the world truly was. She had never expected to receive news regarding her own underlings while buried deep within the heart of the Ursus Empire!
The sheer shock nearly caused her to choke on her drink. Afterward, she simply sat in her chair with a completely bewildered expression, silently marveling at the astonishing scale to which her charity network had expanded.
Still, she understood the root of Hellagur's anxiety. When an organization seemingly materializes out of thin air and immediately offers unconditional asylum and resources, any rational leader would suspect a hidden trap beneath the surface.
"It appears you possess a fair measure of familiarity regarding this group," Hellagur remarked, observing Jeanne's stunned reaction. It required little deduction for the veteran to guess that she understood the true background of this mysterious entity. "Could you perhaps illuminate their origins for me? I have utilized my own networks to dig into their background, yet I have failed to uncover a single shred of valuable intelligence."
Hearing the inquiry, Jeanne cradled her forehead with mixed emotions, her mind racing as she debated how on earth to explain the true nature of this group to the veteran commander.
In truth, it wasn't that Jeanne was entirely resistant to admitting her role as the supreme benefactor and overseer of the society. Aside from the slightly sentimental title—which she still found a bit difficult to declare with a straight face—she was profoundly proud of their accomplishments.
How could she harbor any distaste for an organization dedicated to channeling her surplus funds directly into the hands of the destitute and suffering? Deep down, she deeply appreciated the dedicated Sankta who managed the logistics on her behalf.
"Uh... explaining the entire history might prove a bit convoluted," Jeanne began, keeping her voice completely level as if discussing an entirely separate entity, though Hellagur's sharp eyes easily detected her underlying hesitation. "However, I can offer my personal guarantee that these individuals do not harbor a single shred of malice. Their desire to assist Azazel is born of pure, unadulterated goodwill."
A veteran of a hundred campaigns like Hellagur could see right through her carefully composed front. It was glaringly obvious that a profound connection existed between the silver-haired maiden and this mysterious society.
Yet, recognizing her reluctance to elaborate, the general chose to let the matter rest without pressing for further details. He simply notched her reassurance into his calculations, forming a preliminary assessment of the group.
"If that is the reality of the situation... I intend to grant them a formal audience tomorrow before finalizing our stance on the proposed alliance," Hellagur stated, his tone lightening noticeably.
If these individuals were truly as honorable as Jeanne implied, their resources would be an incredibly welcome boon to the clinic. Given the volatile political climate currently gripping the metropolis, securing a steadfast partner was infinitely better than standing alone against the dark.
Hellagur's decision sparked a wave of genuine curiosity within Jeanne. It had been an immense interval since she last reviewed the society's activities; in truth, she had barely contributed any administrative oversight at all!
As a thoroughly neglectful patron, she reasoned that accompanying the general to the meeting was a moral obligation. Otherwise, her lack of responsibility would border on the criminal. After all, she was the one whose funds had established the entire foundation.
Hellagur raised zero objections to her presence. Since Jeanne and her vanguard were already his trusted allies, introducing her to these mysterious benefactors felt entirely appropriate.
Following a quiet night of rest, Jeanne escorted Fafnir and Hellagur toward the designated rendezvous point specified in the missive—a location that filled Jeanne with an immediate sense of profound familiarity.
It was a charming, pristine dessert parlor operated entirely by Sankta.
Jeanne silently chided herself, realizing she must have been severely sleep-deprived of late. Why hadn't she connected the dots the moment she entered the sector? These industrious haloed individuals had established a flawless, bustling foothold right under the noses of the local authorities!
"So... the orchestrators of this grand society are entirely comprised of Sankta?" Hellagur murmured, his defenses dropping significantly as his eyes traced the haloed figures moving gracefully through the establishment. His intelligence networks had yielded zero data on their presence, making the revelation quite a surprise.
It was common knowledge across the land that the Sankta race frequently appeared entirely out of step with the cruelty of the world, maintaining a reputation for exceptional, unyielding trustworthiness. Furthermore, a peaceful gathering of celestial artisans was the furthest thing from an imperial sting operation; they possessed zero incentive to collude with the corrupt local governor to dismantle a sanctuary like Azazel.
"Welcome, General Hellagur! And... Holy... the pure and radiant Lady Jeanne!"
The Sankta stationed at the threshold offered a warm, professional greeting to the commander, but the moment his gaze shifted to the silver-haired maiden and the child at her side, his entire demeanor transformed.
If his reception of Hellagur carried the measured grace of a business partner, his reaction to Jeanne was that of a devout follower beholding their ultimate inspiration. Had Jeanne not pinned him with a fierce, commanding glare from behind the general's shoulder, the young man would have undoubtedly blurted out her formal title as the Holy Maiden for the entire street to hear!
Hellagur glanced back at Jeanne, his instincts screaming that a massive secret was unfolding before him. Frankly, it required zero intuition; the sheer, unadulterated reverence radiating from every single Sankta in the room made it glaringly obvious that Jeanne wasn't merely connected to them—she occupied an exalted status within their hierarchy.
Who exactly was this young woman? Why did these fiercely independent people treat her with such profound respect? Was her identity truly limited to that of a simple vanguard within a wasteland resistance movement?
For a fleeting moment, Hellagur felt she was a complete enigma. Before he could lose himself in the puzzle, the greeting courier smoothly ushered him into a private, soundproofed chamber to initiate the formal diplomatic discussions.
"Welcome, Holy Maiden!" a chorus of eager voices chimed in unison the moment the heavy door sealed shut.
With Hellagur safely ensconced in the adjacent office, every Sankta in the main lounge immediately swarmed around Jeanne to offer their passionate greetings, their clustered formation resembling a grand assembly welcoming a revered spiritual leader.
Jeanne could only offer a warm wave, exchanging pleasantries with the enthusiastic crowd. Their vibrant demeanor was a carbon copy of the citizens back in Laterano, granting her a sudden wave of déjà vu, as though she had transformed into a global pop icon for the entire race.
Come to think of it... that description was entirely accurate. Hadn't she achieved legendary status among them by utilizing the proceeds from her custom merchandise lines to bankroll this exact global charity?
Through her hushed discussions with the staff, Jeanne learned that the Infinite Love Mutual Aid Society was steadily anchoring its roots across various foreign territories, with this specific cell managing the entire Ursus sector. The reality of the region was grim; the empire's machinery inflicted immense suffering upon the infected and the destitute alike. For the time being, their primary focus was mapping out local vulnerabilities and identifying strategic windows to intervene.
Naturally, their gaze had been drawn toward the Azazel clinic. A dedicated medical sanctuary commanding immense prestige among the city's vulnerable population was a flawless choice for a joint venture. Furthermore, every agent within the society was well aware that Jeanne had previously found shelter under Hellagur's roof. Since the establishment had earned the explicit trust of their Holy Maiden, its integrity was beyond reproach.
Jeanne listened intently to their progress reports, while young Fafnir quickly became the undisputed darling of the entire parlor. The doting Sankta took turns pampering the child, presenting her with an endless parade of exquisite pastries and confections.
A few staff members did harbor a silent, burning curiosity: why did this adorable youngster bear such an uncanny, ninety-percent resemblance to the formidable dragon lady who had accompanied the Holy Maiden during her previous visit? Could she perhaps be that dignified leader's daughter?
As the meeting progressed, Jeanne gathered that while most global branches were still focused on securing their foundations, a few ambitious souls had ventured into the mountainous peaks of Kjerag. Rumor had it they had already negotiated a seamless partnership with the local grand houses, rendering that region their most successful expansion outside of the coastal sectors of Iberia.
Listening to their triumphs, a deep sense of quiet pride welled up within Jeanne's chest. She had never imagined a passing suggestion born of a desire to help would be executed to such a magnificent, multi-national degree...
Yet, a highly practical question suddenly surfaced in her thoughts: Is my official figurine and merchandise line truly generating that much capital?!