After the Hydra left Yufei City, Lord Euphemia immediately dispatched people to put out the fires across the city and tend to the wounded. After a night of frantic effort, the flames were extinguished and the injured were properly cared for. The Suzaku Guard Captain returned from outside the city walls and informed Lord Euphemia that the Hydra had retreated to the river where it had first appeared, and was unlikely to attack Yufei City again. Only upon hearing this news did Lord Euphemia and the others finally allow themselves to breathe easy.
On another front, to express her gratitude for Rulu's help in driving away the Hydra, Lord Euphemia invited Rulu and his companions to stay in her palace, adding that they were welcome to remain for as long as they wished. Rulu did not decline the invitation, and he, C.C., Kallen, Nana, and Shari all settled into Lord Euphemia's palace.
One morning, after breakfast, Rulu, Nana, Kallen, and the others gathered in the room Lord Euphemia had arranged for them to discuss what they planned to do next.
"Rulu," Kallen said, "why did you make that kind of request to Lord Euphemia in the first place? You actually said you wanted to stay in the Sanctuary permanently. Are you really planning to live here indefinitely?"
"Of course not," Rulu replied. "I said it from the very beginning — we came to the Sanctuary for one reason only: to find what we're looking for. The only reason I made that request to Euphemia was to keep her and the others from growing suspicious of us. Otherwise, our identities would be exposed very quickly."
"But we got in here by assuming false identities," Kallen said. "If they launch an investigation into us, we'll be exposed immediately."
"Don't worry about that," Rulu said. "Because of the Hydra's attack on Yufei City, Euphemia and everyone around her are completely swamped for the next few days. They simply don't have the spare time or energy to look into us. Our identities won't be uncovered for now."
"Even so, there's no reason for us to just stay here indefinitely," Kallen pressed. "It's not doing anything to move our mission forward."
"Kallen, don't be impatient. I have a plan for all of this. What we need to do right now is stay put and wait patiently for the right moment."
"Fine. You're our leader — whatever you say."
Shari had been listening to Rulu and Kallen's exchange, and she couldn't help but jump in. "Rulu, what were you two just talking about? I heard you mention some kind of mission. Did you come to the Sanctuary for something important?"
"It's nothing. Don't worry about it, Shari." Not wanting to get Shari involved, Rulu changed the subject. "By the way, Shari — Lord Euphemia has been arranging for the Sanctuary tour group to be sent home these past few days. Why don't you leave with them?"
Shari blinked, thought it over, then said, "Well… it's not easy to make it to the Sanctuary, you know. I'd like to stay a little longer and take in the sights."
Rulu's expression turned serious. "But Shari, you saw what happened the other day. Aren't you afraid something like that might happen again?"
"It should be fine, shouldn't it? You said yourself that things like that rarely happen. And even if something did go wrong, Rulu, you'd protect me, wouldn't you?"
"I would, of course," Rulu said, "but I can't guarantee your safety completely. You're an ordinary person, Shari — you have no means of protecting yourself. For your own safety, I really think you should leave the Sanctuary as soon as possible."
Shari blinked and hesitated. "But Nana is just as ordinary as I am. She has no way of protecting herself either. Why is she allowed to stay?"
Rulu turned his gaze to Nana, helplessness written across his face. "If Nana could leave the Sanctuary, I'd be more than happy about it. Nana, why don't you and Shari leave together and head back to Blue Sea City?"
At those words, Nana's expression immediately soured. "Rulu, why do you keep bringing this up?" she said, her tone laced with grievance. "Coming to the Sanctuary was my own choice. Even if I end up in danger — even if I get hurt — I'm doing this willingly. I won't blame you for it."
Rulu let out a sigh and shook his head, then turned back to Shari. "You saw it yourself — Nana is absolutely impossible to reason with. There's nothing I can do about her. Please don't be as stubborn as she is, Shari."
"Please don't be angry with me about this, Rulu," Shari said, looking a little awkward.
"Shari — don't tell me you want to stay as well?!" Rulu said, unable to keep the weight from creeping into his voice.
Shari gave a slow nod.
Rulu placed both hands on Shari's shoulders and fixed her with a grave look. "Shari, this place is genuinely dangerous. If something happened to you here — if you got hurt — I would carry that guilt for the rest of my life."
Shari met his eyes and spoke in a pleading tone. "I know I'm causing you trouble, and I'm sorry. But I really want to stay. If anything happens later, I promise I won't blame you. Can't you let me be selfish just this once, Rulu?"
Rulu rubbed his forehead. He felt utterly powerless against both Nana and Shari. He heaved a long sigh. "Alright, Shari. You can stay for now. But the moment you get tired of it here, tell me right away, and I'll arrange with Lord Euphemia to have you escorted out."
"I understand. Rulu, you're so good to me." Shari answered at once, grabbing his hand and shaking it enthusiastically, a bright smile spreading across her face.
In the days that followed, Rulu and his companions continued to live in Lord Euphemia's palace. They moved about the grounds like ordinary tourists, taking in the scenery of the Sanctuary and exploring both inside and outside the walls of Yufei City.
Then one evening, just as Rulu was getting ready to turn in for the night, he suddenly heard a knock at the door. He walked over and opened it to find the Suzaku Guard Captain standing outside. Rulu offered a careful smile. "Suzaku Guard Captain — what brings you here?"
The Suzaku Guard Captain's expression was as stern as ever. He held Rulu's gaze for a few seconds before saying, quite briefly, "Lord Euphemia has something she'd like to discuss with you. If it's convenient, I'd like you to come with me."
"Lord Euphemia wants to see me?"
"Yes. Lord Euphemia would like to speak with you about a matter, Mr. Qin. You'll understand the details once you arrive."
"Of course. I'll come with you — give me just a moment."
"Please be quick about it," said the Suzaku Guard Captain. Rulu made a few brief preparations, said a word or two to Nana and the others, then left the room and departed with the Suzaku Guard Captain.