The next morning.
Beatrice, who had woken up early, chose a very cute outfit for Flandre. Then, after breakfast, she took Flandre to the conference room specially prepared at the Governor's Mansion. Upon arriving, she learned that the three people from the other side had already arrived.
Beatrice led Flandre into the conference room. At this time, four people were sitting inside. Besides the three members of the investigation team from Baizao, there was also Wei Yenwu. He was sitting in the main seat, chatting and laughing with them.
After Flandre entered, everyone paused their conversation. Beatrice glanced around; the conference room Wei Yenwu had chosen was also very interesting. The middle of the spacious conference room was empty, with many seats on both sides, and Wei Yenwu himself sat in the innermost center. At this time, the three members of the investigation team were sitting on Wei Yenwu's left. Seeing this, Beatrice pulled Flandre to the right side and sat down.
"Presumptuous! As commoners, you neither bow nor show respect when you see us. This is a great disrespect!"
Just as they sat down, they heard the man not far away coldly snort.
"Are you here to pick a fight?" Flandre unceremoniously bared her fangs.
Beatrice, next to her, reached out and pressed her shoulder, then looked coldly at the man. "What an odious feudal remnant. Our Lungmen advocates freedom and equality. Ordinary citizens don't even need to bow to the Governor. What identity do you have that makes you superior to Governor Wei?"
The man hadn't expected both Flandre and Beatrice to directly confront him, giving him no face at all. Before he could reprimand them, he saw Wei Yenwu's cold eyes sweep over.
"Miss Flandre is an expert I specially hired for Lungmen. Although she holds no official position, her status is respected, and she is deeply loved by the people of Lungmen. She is not a person of Yan, so naturally, she does not need to abide by Yan's etiquette rules."
After Wei Yenwu finished speaking, the man could only let out a light snort, not daring to continue picking faults on this matter. After all, they were still on Wei Yenwu's territory. Moreover, this conversation was being recorded, so he couldn't be too overtly antagonistic; otherwise, if someone investigated, he wouldn't be able to explain himself.
Unexpectedly, he wanted to retreat now, but Flandre wasn't having it. Why should you give me attitude the moment you walk in? Am I supposed to avoid your sharp edge? Flandre stared at him and said:
"I remember you. Earlier, outside the Lungmen Guard Department, when you secretly watched me, that killing intent was not hidden at all. Why aren't you so brave now?"
Everyone was surprised that Flandre would be so direct.
"Slander!" The man's face flushed red, and a fierce glint flashed in his eyes as he looked at Flandre.
Flandre didn't let him off and pressed closer, step by step. "In my hometown, there's a tradition: if there's a dispute between two parties, they have a fight. Whoever wins, the other listens to them. Since I think you want to harm me, and you dare not admit it, why don't we have a fight first? Whoever wins, the other listens!"
Although that man had also studied at the Celestial Masters Mansion, his combat power was not weak. But that also depended on who he was compared to. Among everyone in this room, he could only confidently say he would win against Beatrice. As for Flandre, that ruthless individual who could directly confront an Army Group and defeat the Ursus army, he would most likely be at a three-to-seven disadvantage. Three minutes later, others would be preparing for his memorial service.
"Reckless, unreasonable, ignorant... indeed a Sarkaz barbarian!" His butt seemed rooted to the spot; he sat there motionless, only continuously describing how crude Flandre's behavior was.
"Alright, Flandre, I didn't invite you here for such minor matters of etiquette. Flandre, please sit down first. Your Aunt Fumizuki has stewed some soup for you; after this, Schwarz will take you to play in the backyard."
Seeing this, Flandre glared at the man twice more before reluctantly sitting back in her seat. After she sat down again, the person in the middle looked at Flandre and said:
"First of all, on behalf of Yan, I thank you for everything you have done in Lungmen. Miss Flandre, the Truth Society you helped the Lungmen Guard Department dismantle has not only plagued Lungmen but has also committed numerous bloody crimes in other cities. Many families have been ruined because of them, and among those arrested this time, many are criminals who have been wanted for a long time in other places. So, Miss Flandre, your contributions are undoubtedly beyond question. Our main purpose for coming this time is to consult Miss Flandre on several issues that the imperial court is quite concerned about. May I begin asking questions now?"
This person's tone was much friendlier. Flandre sized up the other party. Among the three, two seemed somewhat familiar to her: the burly man with Ox Horns who was now speaking, and the blonde woman who had been sitting there, holding a teacup without speaking, as if watching a play. Faced with the other party's friendly words, Flandre naturally wouldn't be as sharp-tongued as she had been with the other person just now. She nodded, indicating that the other party could start asking questions.
"Very well. First question: why did you choose to settle in Lungmen? After all, we learned that you first appeared in Ursus with an organization called Reunion Movement. Why didn't you stay there, but instead traveled thousands of miles to choose Lungmen?"
The other party's first question could be said to be very crucial. However, Flandre felt no pressure at all.
"Because it's simple, I originally planned to come to Lungmen after leaving Kazdel. It's just that it was my first time traveling, and I was led astray to Leithanien, then got lost again. When I arrived in Ursus, I happened to encounter the local Reconnaissance Squad arresting Infected. When I saw it, I thought those guys could have just captured them directly, but instead deliberately chased and abused the Infected, so they must be bad people. I helped deal with the Reconnaissance Squad members, and then I was taken to the Reunion Movement. After that, because winter was coming, I saw that the Reunion Movement was having a difficult time, so I stayed there to help for a bit. I helped the Reunion Movement successfully get through winter. They also told me the direction to Lungmen, and then this spring, I came here!"
Flandre's words were a mix of truth and fabrication; with most of it being true, they had no way to verify the details.
"Then why did you choose Lungmen? There are quite a few countries and regions bordering Kazdel. Whether it's Leithanien, Siracusa, or Rim Billiton, they are all good places, aren't they?"
The other party continued to ask.
"Is that hard to choose? The Tower Mages in Leithanien are too annoying, Siracusa has too much rain, and I don't like rainy days. As for Rim Billiton... it is indeed a place, but it's not as prosperous as Lungmen. Since there's Lungmen, a prosperous and inclusive place, why wouldn't I choose here instead of other regions whose suitability for long-term residence is uncertain?"
Flandre was telling the truth this time. Everyone listened and found nothing wrong with it, and Old Wei was especially happy, feeling that his strategy was indeed correct. If not for his insistence on an open and inclusive philosophy, Flandre probably wouldn't have chosen to come here and join Lungmen.
"Second question: We heard that you encountered the Nachzehrer King on your way back, and it was because of you that the entire convoy safely passed through the Kazdel occupied territory. So, we want to ask if you still have ties with the Sarkaz?"
The other party quickly asked the next question.
"What kind of ties are you referring to? If you're asking about me and the Sanguine Court, I would say I have no connection with the Sanguine Court. They are them, and I am me... As for the Sarkaz, that's hard to say, because no one knows if they will have a relationship with Sarkaz people in the future, as Lungmen is not far from Kazdel. Perhaps some Sarkaz will hear about my deeds and come to seek refuge. In that case, would you say that counts as a connection between me and the Sarkaz?"
Flandre thought for a moment before speaking. If there was any relationship between her and Kazdel, one could say there was none at all. However, everyone considered her a Blood Demon, so she could only live as one. But because she was not Sarkaz, she had no connection with the Sanguine Court. This was all true. As for the latter, what Flandre said was also fine, and some things she didn't say were based on another memory: this world would probably become very chaotic later, with everyone fighting each other, and she might go join the fun. The company named Rhodes Island always had a presence in these events, and if she had contact with them, she would naturally be involved with the Sarkaz. After all, Rhodes Island was called the Kazdel exiled government.
After listening to Flandre's words, the three of them discussed and exchanged their opinions, and then the burly man in the middle continued to speak.
"Then, the third question. You clashed with the Ursus army twice, but both times, shortly after the battles, you came to Lungmen. Have you considered that this might drag Lungmen and Yan into a war they shouldn't be involved in?"
Flandre shook her head.
"Since you know about my battles with the Ursus army, you must also know the reasons. The first time was to protect the Reunion Movement, to ensure they wouldn't be besieged by the Ursus army at the very beginning of spring. And the second time was because the Reunion Movement was attacked by the Ursus army, and I happened to be there, so I intervened. Besides, the Ursus army is too evil. The Infected were already hiding in the mountains and had no intention of harming anyone, yet they insisted on annihilating them. Talulah, Alina, and Frostnova of the Reunion Movement are my friends. Just like Beatrice, Chen Huijie, and Sister Hoshiguma. What's wrong with helping my friends when they're in trouble! And if the Ursus people come, they come. If I can defeat them twice, I can defeat them three or four times."
Saying this, Flandre looked at the Gloomy Young Man not far away, who had a disdainful expression upon hearing her words.