After finishing his chat with Kal'tsit, the aircraft finally caught up with the moving Rhodes Island and landed on the helipad.
Waiting below was the petite, rabbit-eared girl, Amiya.
She seemed to have an unusual dependence on Kal'tsit, but that wasn't something Steven cared about.
After all, who is the real decision-maker of Rhodes Island had nothing to do with him, right?
Of course, Amiya wasn't the only one waiting.
Steven also spotted two familiar figures—one dressed in a familiar doctor's outfit, Warfarin, and the green-haired beauty beside her.
"Yo~ Missed me?"
Leaping off the aircraft even before it had fully landed, Steven walked toward the two with a playful smile, greeting them casually.
"It's not you I missed—it's your medicine."
Gavial responded bluntly, rolling her eyes at Steven.
He sure ran off quickly, but at least he came back just as efficiently.
Judging by his radiant appearance, he seemed to have had quite an enjoyable time over the past month.
Unfortunately, she hadn't had it as easy as him.
The research on the vial of medicine Steven had left behind still hadn't reached any solid conclusions.
Aside from Kal'tsit managing to analyze traces of watermelon components, they had made little progress.
At the very least, Steven hadn't lied to them—the medicine's effect on external wounds was nothing short of miraculous.
Calling it capable of reviving the near dead and regenerating lost flesh wasn't an exaggeration at all.
Even for injuries that were nearly fatal, as long as the patient was still breathing and could swallow the potion, it could heal their wounds completely.
As expected, this was something only this guy could come up with.
Of course, they didn't believe his claim that he only had one vial of such a valuable medicine.
If he really only had that small amount, given his personality, there was no way he would hand it over so easily for research.
"That really hurts my feelings. I thought we at least had some emotional connection. You should at least give me a hug to show that you missed me."
Steven feigned a sorrowful expression, but Gavial responded with yet another eye-roll.
"I don't think there's any need for pointless sentimentality between us."
Just as she said, if she really went up and hugged him, all she'd get in return was some offhanded teasing.
It was true that they had a friendship, but it wasn't at that level. Besides, she wasn't the type to be overly sentimental.
More importantly, he had only been gone for about a month.
It wasn't as if she had to act like she was on the verge of life and death without him.
"Sigh, how heartless. Come to my room tonight."
Steven sighed dramatically before giving Gavial a suggestive invitation, one that could easily be misunderstood.
However, the green-haired girl's eyes lit up.
If Steven was calling for her like this, it was most likely related to Oripathy.
he made some new discovery in the snowfields of Ursus?
Otherwise, why would he suddenly seek her out?
Gavial was well aware that among the medical department's researchers, Steven was only truly close to her and Warfarin.
It was highly likely that he was looking for her because of something related to Oripathy.
As for any ulterior motives he might have toward her…
She really didn't believe Steven was that kind of person.
Nodding toward him, Gavial enthusiastically walked up to Steven, originally intending to help carry his luggage.
However, she quickly realized that, as always, he was empty-handed.
It was hard not to be curious about where he usually stored his belongings.
Whenever he needed something, he could always produce it out of nowhere.
Meanwhile, Warfarin raised her small hand to shield herself from the sunlight.
Ursus' sun wasn't particularly harsh, but for a Vampire like her, it was still unpleasant.
If she weren't waiting specifically for Steven, she wouldn't have left her office at all.
"Are you done talking? So, do you still have any more of that medicine? Now that you're here, if I research it right in front of you, you won't have to worry about us using it for anything else, right?"
Compared to Gavial, Warfarin was much more straightforward.
She stretched out her small hand toward Steven, looking for all the world like a JK girl asking her older brother for pocket money.
Well… considering Warfarin's petite stature and youthful features, calling her a high schooler might be a stretch. Middle schooler seemed more accurate.
"Why are you acting like I owe you something? Yeah, I still have more of the medicine, but why should I just hand it over for your research? Give me a good enough reason first."
Steven shook his head, casually patting Warfarin's outstretched palm, showing no intention of cooperating.
Sure, he had a good relationship with Warfarin, but that didn't mean she could just take whatever she wanted from him.
"Or, you could offer me something tempting in exchange. If it's a fair trade, I might consider it."
Steven rubbed his fingers together and gave Warfarin a knowing look.
At least when it came to her, he was open to bartering. If it were Kal'tsit, he wouldn't even acknowledge her.
"Hah, like you even want anything."
Warfarin's expression darkened instantly.
Steven's logic was sound, but the issue was that he was the type who seemed to have no desires at all.
If he didn't need anything, what could she possibly trade with him?
Was she supposed to offer herself?
But night exercises seem to not work on him either.
"Oh, I just remembered—there actually is something you need to take responsibility for. More specifically, I have a legitimate reason to demand a hefty compensation from you."
As if recalling something, Warfarin suddenly flashed a mischievous grin, her expression like that of a little devil.
She winked at Steven, immediately piquing his curiosity.
He genuinely had no idea what he could possibly want, let alone what she meant by "taking responsibility."
Logically speaking, he had been away from Rhodes Island for a whole month. What could have happened that was still connected to him?
"Alright, tell me. I want to hear what I supposedly need to take responsibility for."
Steven crossed his arms, amused, waiting for Warfarin's explanation.
Legitimate reason for a hefty compensation, huh?
Steven hadn't even caused much trouble on Rhodes Island himself. Sure, he had thought about taking things apart for research, but he hadn't actually put that into action yet.
"Your so-called 'daughter' has wrecked seven or eight infirmaries in just the past month while you were gone—not to mention all the medical equipment she smashed inside."
"Don't you think you should take responsibility for this?"
The moment Warfarin uttered those words, the smile on Steven's face froze.
Of all the things he had anticipated, he had completely forgotten about the "daughter" he had left in the care of Rhodes Island.
"But she's the one who broke everything! She's the patient, you're the doctors—how can all of this be blamed on me?"
Steven's voice dropped lower, mostly because he knew he didn't really have a leg to stand on. It made him sound far less confident.
"Sure, if these were accidents caused during treatment, then, of course, Rhodes Island should take responsibility. But the problem is, every time she goes berserk, it's because she's looking for her 'dad.' She throws a fit every three days, and causes major chaos every five. And when she does, no one can stop her. If you don't believe me, why don't you go check for yourself and see if I'm making this up?"
Warfarin's tone carried a clear trace of exasperation.
Everything she said was the absolute truth—just dealing with Gladiia's outbursts alone had been enough to give her a headache.
Honestly, Warfarin didn't know if Gladiia had some sort of deep-seated father complex, but every time Steven was mentioned, she completely lost control.
In the end, only the other two Abyssal Hunters could restrain her.
But the problem was… one of them was just as much of a lunatic.
Having those three in the same room together and hoping to not have the said room trashed is just wishful thinking.
"Ah, well…"
Steven's gaze shifted evasively.
He knew firsthand just how terrifying those three Abyssal Hunters were in battle. Having fought against them before, he had no doubt about their raw strength.
And his "daughter" was no pushover either.
Honestly, if they had only wrecked seven or eight infirmaries in a month, that probably meant they were holding back.
"Alright, we'll settle the costs later. It's true that I should cover the expenses—after all, I really am her so-called dad."
Letting out a sigh of resignation, Steven rubbed his forehead, accepting responsibility.
He didn't think Warfarin was lying—if anything, he was more surprised at just how dependent Gladiia had become on him.
Just how much was this girl lacking in fatherly love?
Had he really spoiled her that much?
Steven wanted to argue that he hadn't pampered her excessively, but the more he thought about it… yeah, maybe he had.
When they were together, he had never let her suffer even the slightest bit of hardship.
Come to think of it, if he really did have a daughter, wouldn't he spoil her to death anyway?
If he wasn't going to dote on his own daughter, then who else was he supposed to pamper?
What was the point of having power if not to make sure his own daughter was happy?
"Why do I get the feeling that after your trip to Ursus, you've become… more sentimental?"
Warfarin looked at Steven with genuine surprise.
She had only meant to bring it up casually—she never expected Steven to actually take responsibility.
It seemed like his time in the snowy lands of Ursus had changed him somehow.
Most notably, he now seemed warmer.
Or, to put it another way, it felt like he was valuing his connections with others more than before.
"Hmmm... Maybe it's because I've gradually started accepting the friends I've made in this world. I've built a few connections here and there, and I don't think that's a bad thing."
Steven smiled lightly as he answered, his tone relaxed.
<+>
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