Chapter 49: The Comedian

"First of all, I’d like to thank you, Venti, for this gift.
The technology inside is incredibly important for the Silvermane Guards right now. It can help many soldiers survive on the battlefield against the rift. For that alone, we owe you our sincerest gratitude."

Pela’s expression was earnest and serious, and even Gepard shared the same sentiment. Though he didn’t understand the details as deeply, he could easily grasp the significance of these two technologies from the data on paper.

"I’m glad I could help. After all, without the Silvermane Guards protecting the people, my performances would have no audience to listen."

Venti playfully blinked and joked,
"In that case, I’d probably end up on the streets within three days, lighting matches and dreaming of praise and applause."

Seemingly amused by his words, Pela smiled faintly and instinctively replied,
"If that day ever comes, I’ll take you in, you unemployed bard."

However, perhaps realizing that her words carried too much familiarity, coupled with Serval’s teasing gaze that was a little too intense,
she felt a bit embarrassed. But as the saying goes, "Winter City Shields spent are like water spilled."
Pela couldn’t bring herself to retract her statement, so she pretended not to mind and moved on.
"Ahem. Let’s get back on track. I have a few questions to ask. If there’s anything Venti isn’t comfortable answering, you don’t have to. How does that sound?"

"Of course, no problem. When a friend asks for help, I always speak openly."

Venti didn’t tease her further and instead answered with a sense of camaraderie.
"Thank you for your cooperation! Now, the first question—"
Pela gave him a grateful look and quickly continued, her slender finger sliding to the names of the two technologies summarized on the blueprint.
"Where did you find these technologies, or rather, where did you find that mechanical bird?"

"I got it from a little sister in exchange for telling her a story."

"Wait, so that was true…?"
Pela had initially thought that was just Venti’s excuse. How could such important technology be obtained just by casually wandering around the lower district?
If that were the case, she might as well spend all her time down there too!

"However, the little sister’s identity isn’t as simple as you might think."
Venti stroked his smooth chin, speaking mysteriously.
"She’s one of the key figures in the lower district’s top faction, the 'Mechanical Settlement.' A genius mechanical prodigy who single-handedly supports many people."

This statement momentarily plunged the room into a subtle atmosphere—not quite silence, but one where no one could tell if Venti was joking or telling the truth.

"Ah… no need to praise me so indirectly~"
Serval scratched her flushed cheeks, seemingly a little embarrassed.
"No, the topic has nothing to do with you from start to finish, right?"
Pela adjusted her glasses and said with some exasperation.
"Sister, please be a little more serious."
Even Gepard couldn’t help but add a comment.

Seeing her good intentions "wasted," Serval puffed out her cheeks like a young girl and muttered under her breath:
"I was also a well-known genius girl when I was studying," "I’m the owner of the Everwinter Mechanical Workshop, and people around here bring their geothermal heaters to me for repairs!" "And there are plenty of young folks who love listening to my rock music."
For a moment, the atmosphere became lively again.

"...But, speaking of which, these two technologies might have been taken from the Mechanical Settlement by her…"
Pela frowned slightly, pondering the connections.
"But why would that little sister give something so valuable to Venti?"
Could it be that this little girl named Clara knew about Venti’s close relationship with her and deliberately passed it on through him?
If their relationship was something Venti had casually mentioned and she remembered, what was her purpose in doing this…?
Logically, since the lower district was placed under lockdown, there had been little to no news from there.
Most people in the upper district had no idea how the lower district had been faring all these years. Even as an intelligence officer, she knew very little.
But now, with rift erosion appearing even within the city, how could the lower district have been spared?
Under such circumstances, it would be a miracle if the lower district didn’t resent the upper district. Why would they offer aid to the Silvermane Guards, who had long stopped protecting them?
Her sharp instincts as an intelligence officer told her that there must be some hidden, crucial information here.

"Uh… can I interject for a moment?"
Serval, seeing Pela about to spiral into overthinking, couldn’t help but raise her hand.
Though this did indeed divert Pela’s attention, what she didn’t expect was that even Gepard looked at her as if he’d seen a ghost.
Meanwhile, Venti looked at her curiously, his pure eyes reflecting a kind of spiritual clarity that most people in the city lacked.
Being stared at like this, despite being of an "auntie" age, Serval couldn’t help but feel a little self-conscious.
"Ah, being looked at like this… even I would feel a bit shy."

"You… what did you just say?"
Pela asked hesitantly.
"Being looked at would make me—"
"Not that sentence, the one before that."
"Huh? Why that one? Ugh! I just wanted to ask if I could say something too. You all are having such a lively discussion, and here I am just staring blankly."
Serval, feeling like she’d made a fool of herself, said awkwardly.
"At least give me some face as the owner of this workshop."

"No, I was just thinking… the Serval who breaks rules as if they’re her own would ask so politely. It’s a bit surprising."
Pela said with a straight face, her words cutting deep in every sense.
As Serval’s expression fell, her younger brother Gepard quickly stepped in.
"...Ahem. Sister is just usually a bit careless, but she does have a serious side when it comes to important matters. Probably…"
"While I’m happy to hear that from you, could you not add that 'probably'? It makes me sound like some kind of comedian character."
Serval’s initially touched expression turned into one of mixed embarrassment and frustration.

"I think it might be better to let Miss Serval share her thoughts first?"
Seeing the conversation veering toward crosstalk comedy, Venti gently reminded them.
He could keep up with casual banter for as long as needed, but they were supposed to be discussing serious matters right now.
"Wow, see? This is the normal reaction!"
Serval, as if finding a kindred spirit, pretended to wipe away tears.
"...Hmm, fine. Let’s treat it as brainstorming."
After some thought, Pela agreed.