Chapter 89 84 - Divergent

One Explanation Later

"So, let me summarize everything. Your friend received a strange message from their other friend, which all of you managed to trace back to the top of the Ballet Twin Tower. Out of concern, you all decided to look for her, in fear that something terrible might've happened. Do I get it right?"

Billy, Nekomiya, and Eous stand in front of the Victoria Housekeeping as they all nod at Lycaon's summary.

"I see, to think that someone has gone into the tower without us noticing," Lycaon says with a frown.

"It seems they entered the tower through the part consumed by Hollow," Rina concludes. "All of us didn't get to check on that part due to how outdated our Carrots are."

"Which is a complete relapse of our judgement..." Lycaon growls.

"...you guys took your job seriously, huh?" Nekomiya comments.

"One must act professionally even at their job. Victoria Housekeeping may be small, but the majority of our clients expect an excellent service from us. Our motto is to provide satisfaction to our clients." Lycaon explains.

"...I see," Nekomiya sweatdrops, trying to get used to dealing with an overserious person. This is the first time she has encountered someone like Lycaon, and honestly, she feels anxious.

Or perhaps it's due to her nature as a cat. Definitely that...

"So...no one's gonna question that Phaethon is right besides us?" Ellen asks in a tired voice, pointing at Eous with her lollipop. "And the fact that Corrin knew about this?"

"Ah...well, I assumed that they didn't want to be known, so..." Corrin says nervously.

"Hey, take it easy, I'm not mad," Ellen says reassuringly. "Just...wondering how everyone seems to brush it off so quickly."

"Well, we're more focused on why a group of people decided to enter the building without any authorization," Rina points out.

"Sorry to interrupt, everyone. We've got something to tell our friend here," Wise says as Eous faces Billy and Nekomiya. "Nicole had called us earlier, telling us about the entire member of the Cunning Hares are registered for taking the stand. The court requires Billy and Nekomiya to attend."

"What!?!" Billy and Nekomiya yell in unison.

"But what about helping the Manager!?!" Billy asks in disbelief.

"We could offer you our assistance instead," Lycaon offers. "The Proxy is looking for someone, and our obsolete Hollow data is hindering our work. I believe it'll be our mutual benefit to work together."

"Is it truly fine? We're an outsider, though." Wise asks. "I have a feeling your 'master' would like to have someone in your building."

"There's no need to worry. Master has entrusted us with all building-related matters during its maintenance." Lycaon says reassuringly. "Not to mention, given the Proxy's reputation, I'm very sure our Master would be pleased to make an acquaintance with you."

"But I think you guys should go on," Rina suggests with a smile. "I'm sure the two of you wouldn't want to be late for the court trial, right?"

"R-right!" Billy nods in agreement before he and Nekomiya rush off, leaving Eous with the Victoria Housekeeping.

"Now, master Proxy, I hope you don't mind, but could we schedule a meeting to discuss a proper plan?"

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With the Phaethon Siblings

"Gods, that was a mess," Wise leans into the chair before sipping his water.

"How could Nicole mess up something like that? We're lucky to stumble upon Victoria Housekeeping on our way, or else we wouldn't have found anyone willing to help us," Belle complains before she pauses for a moment. "...we don't count Caelus since we both agreed to keep him away from breaking more laws."

"Yeah..." Wise sighs before he glances at the giant monitor. "Fairy, could you help us check Victoria Housekeeping's price range?"

"...master, are you sure you want to know?" Fairy asks hesitantly, causing both siblings to raise their eyebrows curiously.

"Is it that expensive?" Belle asks in confusion. Fairy stays silent for a moment before she lets out a sigh.

"See for yourself," Fairy says before she displays the number. Both Belle and Wise are hit by financial damage upon looking at the number displayed on the screen, biting their lower lips to endure the pain of seeing the price.

"...we're so lucky to accept more commissions, because frankly, I don't think we can afford it if we didn't..." Belle says shakily.

"True..." Wise says with a grimace.

"I know hiring butlers and maids is a rich guy thing, but damn, I didn't expect 'Rich' with a capital R," Belle comments.

"...I'm happy sticking with Cunning Hares for future commissions, honestly..." Wise admits.

"Maybe in the future, we could hire them more," Belle says before she smirks teasingly. "Besides, they have a Thiren girl as a maid. She's definitely your type."

"She's a high-school girl." Wise deadpans, causing Belle to freeze before she chuckles awkwardly.

"Haha...I'm just...gonna go into a corner..." Belle says before she starts sulking in the corner of the room.

"And this is why she shall remain as the third assistant. She can't even find a good partner for master," Fairy comments.

"I would rather no one try to get involved in my love life, including you, Fairy," Wise deadpans.

"As you wish, master," Fairy says without any complaint. Wise could only sigh as he received a message from Lycaon, asking him to meet.

"Well, time to burn some money in our account..."

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With the Cunning Hares

"... there are a lot of people here," Anby comments as she stands next to Nicole; both are waiting to enter the airship. She watches as the crowd, most citizens of the Canvas Street, either cry for Perlman's blood or cheer for the Cunning Hares.

Anby had never seen anyone cheer for the Cunning Hares, given how she and her friends lived their lives. She never complained about it, given that she was still able to live alongside her friends, and she thought that was enough.

Now, after seeing how people cheered for her and the Cunning Hares? She admits it feels very nice.

Nicole didn't waste a second of it basking in all those cheers, waving at everyone with the smuggest smile Anby had ever seen in her life. In fact, she admits Nicole's smile scares her a bit.

Anby could only blame Caelus for this; his ugly grin infects her boss/a̶d̶o̶p̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶s̶i̶s̶t̶e̶r̶. She heard how Seed constantly insulted Caelus' grin offhandedly, so he's the only one she could blame.

"Hahaha, thank you, thank you!" Nicole says happily; her smile grows uglier every moment. Anby decides to stop her before she can scare the children, getting her attention by tapping her shoulder.

"What?" Nicole asks Anby, the smile still plastered on her face. Anby had to fight the urge to flinch at the scene before regaining her composure.

"Have Billy and Nekomiya arrived yet?" Anby asked curiously.

"No," Nicole said with a frown. "What's taking them so long to get here?"

"Nicole, you sent them to explore the Hollow to find Rain while forgetting that they were registered to stand in the court by you," Anby said bluntly, causing Nicole to freeze.

"Ah..." Nicole stammers a bit, not sure how to respond, before they watch Perlman walk out of the door, handcuffed. Behind him is a group of officers escorting the criminal.

What surprised the Cunning Hares duo is that Zhu Yuan and Qingyi are part of the group. The biggest surprise is the change in Qingyi, though. She no longer wears a revealing uniform, wearing a long-sleeved shirt underneath her bulletproof vest and a longer pair of shorts.

"Ah, the heroes are already here," Qingyi says before glancing around. "And it seems that some of you are missing."

"T-they are a bit late; they are doing some last-minute sales," Nicole stammers. Zhu Yuan can't help but narrow her eyes at Nicole.

"...really? Both of you are about to earn more money," Zhu Yuan deadpans.

"Hey, money is life!" Nicole argues.

"For some people, it is," Qingyi says while nodding sagely.

"Senior!" Zhu Yuan exclaims in bafflement.

"I'm not going to pretend it was false, junior," Qingyi says seriously, earning an exasperated sigh from Zhu Yuan. Both Nicole and Anby blink in confusion, not expecting an officer to agree with Nicole's way of thinking.

"...anyways, I hope your friends could arrive in time because the airship is about to-!" Before Zhu Yuan could finish her sentence, Billy and Nekomiya had arrived, catching their breath.

"S-sorry, boss, we're late!" Billy exclaims.

"Oh, gods...I've never run this much in my life!" Nekomiya complains.

"You guys are almost late," Zhu Yuan comments.

"O-Our boss didn't tell us we have to stand in court with her until the last minute!" Nekomiya exclaims.

"...somehow, that makes more sense," Zhu Yuan deadpans.

"Hey!" Nicole yells indignantly.

"Anyways, you all are lucky to have arrived in time," Zhu Yuan says as they notice Perlman grabbing a suitcase with a smug smile.

"Hah, what're you so smug about, Perlman? Shit's about to hit the fan," Nicole calls him out with a smug smile.

"Shit's hit the fan? Young lady, you have no idea how horrible it can get," Perlman says ominously. As he enters the airship, both Cunning Hares and the PubSec officers look serious.

"So, we can agree Perlman hid something in there to get himself out?" Billy points out.

"Yeah, he has that look," Nicole mutters.

"... I really need to question some of the officers that we hired," Qingyi says in annoyance.

"Something wrong, senior?" Zhu Yuan asks in confusion. The Cunning Hares look equally confused.

"The suspect who escaped during Perlman's capture had infiltrated the prison, disguised as a visitor and discussing the escape plan with Perlman," Qingyi says, causing everyone to widen their eyes in disbelief.

"How do you know?" Zhu Yuan asks in surprise as Qingyi lifts her arm, displaying memory shards floating on her palm.

"...holy shit, she's a Remembrance Pathstrider," Anby mutters in disbelief.

"You knew?" Zhu Yuan asks in surprise.

"They're the first ones Caelus revealed the existence of Paths and Aeons," Qingyi says.

"...you saw our memories, didn't you?" Anby calls her out.

"Apologies, I'm still controlling it," Qingyi apologizes. "Also, it seems that there are some people in cahoots with that lady who infiltrated the airship as passengers."

"Is that why you guys are joining us?" Anby asks curiously.

"No. It's because Caelus contacted us regarding the possibility of that lady attempting to help Perlman, and we came to make sure it was true." Zhu Yuan explains before frowning. "But to think we found more than we expected."

"I know I'm not supposed to ask this, but may you four lend us a hand?" Qingyi requests, catching the Cunning Hares and Zhu Yuan off guard. "We can't exactly ask for officers to help due to... issues, and we can't call Seth to come with us due to him having family business. And Caelus...he's with H.A.N.D."

"...okay," Nicole agrees.

"That was easy," Qingyi says in surprise.

"Hey, if the attack happens, that means the trial will be delayed, including our money!" Nicole explains, earning a deadpan stare from everyone. "Also, we can't resist the bonus from helping officers...hehehe..."

"...my gods, that's the most horrid-looking grin I've ever seen," Zhu Yuan mutters nervously.

"I fought things for a long time, and she somehow managed to outperform everyone in terms of ugliness..." Qingyi mutters.

To be Continued