Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!

Mashati knew her brother better than anyone else.

So, from their brief encounter, she easily detected the unspoken but emotionally charged "final goodbye" suffusing her brother's demeanor.
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This was, at least as far as Fernandi believed, their last meeting.

What was he about to face, or rather, what was he preparing to do?

Mashati knew nothing.

Nor could she extract any information.

Since her brother had chosen to conceal the truth, he wouldn't reveal even the slightest bit of information to her.

Whom could she ask for help?

Perhaps only Bai E, who had the authority to freely enter and exit the military camp, might be able to glean some information about the situation Fernandi was facing.

"Can you help him? Please help him... he must be in some serious trouble," the girl's eyes were rimmed with redness, and though tears were on the brink of falling, she dared not let them drop. She didn't want to burden the other with her own sorrows, even if this was the only lifeline she could find at the moment.

Bai E kept his composure, gazing into the girl's eyes, and asked earnestly, "What did he say to you?"

"He didn't say... but I know him. He seemed to merely be sharing with me all the people and things he encountered these days. It's all changed so much... but none of that is the point. He just wanted to talk to me, have one final talk with me. He must be planning to leave or possibly leave for good."

"…" Bai E frowned tightly and said nothing for a moment.

Maybe Mashati didn't know her real identity outside, but he did... As E's rat, handling odd jobs in Gilder's shadow, his biggest issue was his identity as a demon Believer.

The only enemies this might attract would be from an official body like the Arbitration Place. But with Franca's mediation, all Black Street and heretic-related matters were handled by himself. Even if other executors disagreed with this arrangement, they should report directly to Franca or Gilder, who would inform him, rather than leaving E's rat to shoulder everything alone.

So… what unexpected event had occurred?

And what was it that only he could accomplish?

Without sufficient intelligence, Bai E could only seek likely reasons through scraps of clues.

"How exactly did he talk to you? Can you find any leads?"

"He?" Mashati's eyes, slightly reddened, drifted absently as if searching through memories for traces, "He told me a lot. He talked about his life after I arrived at the camp, about the great group of comrades he met, tender events, a kind elder, and a person... a very formidable and perfect adult. He said he was doing well outside, he could help others every day, and no one would look down on him anymore..."

Mashati followed the river of memory, untangling her recollections bit by bit.

It was clear that the rat had selectively shared some truths.

"And I've seen for myself that Fernandi is really doing well...", Mashati's eyes briefly shone before quickly dimming, "But he couldn't fool me. Every word he said carried the meaning of farewell. He wants me to see that he's doing well, he wants me to be at ease, and he hopes... hopes that I can get used to days without him. It seems, it seems it all started with a very formidable young lady! Yes! Right! That's it!"

Mashati, as if finally finding the source, spoke with slightly lifted spirits, "He said that young lady was very formidable, that she could save many people, and then he asked me a question—"

"Sister... if, I mean if, someone had shown you light during your most desperate times with this world, then in the future, when you have the ability and opportunity to spread this light, would you do it?"

"Of course... If I could help everyone, I think that's what we should do," she replied.

"Mmm~" The boy lifted his head from the shadows, his eyes sparkling, "Right, sister, that's what I think too..."

...

"Yes! It's here!" Mashati, having traced the facts down memory lane, finally pinpointed the real reason, "It's that 'very formidable young lady.' Fernandi wants to help her with something! What does he want to do?"

"A very impressive Miss?" Bai E's eyes glazed slightly, as he searched his memory for someone everyone might know.

A young noblewoman, always clad in aristocratic attire and exuding an air of superiority, sprang to mind first.

Yes... who else could it be?

As an enforcer from Arbitration Place, she naturally had the authority to enforce the law against Believers like Rat People, and it was because of the Rat People's plague incident that everyone had first come to know her.

From beginning to end, the one most intricately linked to the Rat People had been this enforcer from Arbitration Place.

Moreover, this noblewoman was not the type to be rigid and obstinate. That her ideas could win Rat People's approval was hence not surprising.

So, just like Mashati had said—what on earth did she want to do?

"It's just that I don't know who the 'impressive sister' he mentioned really is..." Mashati said, troubled, as the question plunged into a new level of complexity.

"Perhaps, I've got a lead."

"Hmm?" Mashati suddenly looked up, her eyes brimming with hope.

"You go back first, I need time to confirm. Of course, you don't need to worry too much, I will investigate this matter and give you a response as soon as possible," Bai E said, gazing intently at the other person, giving his absolute promise.

A look can convey strength, and Bai E never broke his word to anyone.

Thus, even though Mashati still felt unease that she could not fully quell, she turned firmly to leave, "Thank you for your trouble."

"You know who it is?" Rose asked curiously, watching Mashati depart and staring at Bai E's profile. She was curious about everything to do with Bai E.

"I have a rough idea."

"Who is it?"

Bai E turned and walked towards the gathering point for the Psychic Pressure Resistance Training, "It's her."

This was Bai E's first encounter with Franca at the military camp, following the exposure of his identity to the outside world.

Observing the familiar yet strange figure standing at the end of the lineup, Franca felt a bizarre mixture of emotions.

A master with impressive abilities and a certain influence on the outside, yet willing to endure the humility of bowing and scraping under the military's regimented system...

Of course, it might also be because these two different identities were both efforts toward the same singular goal.

The other party had never forsaken the mission of the man-made beings; every action was a demonstration of commitment to their own mission.

["Lucky Strike" charge +5.]

"..."

Bai E remained silent.

I haven't even spoken yet...

After all, there was no chance to speak alone, and following the end of the group, Bai E stepped into the familiar training chamber.

The same training as always, but a drastically different level of realm.

Spiritual Energy... Second Stage!