Ch 114: Ptilopsis's Conjecture

2.2K 75 3
                                    

Since it's been decided that he will be using his ability on Nightingale, Lin Yie has to prepare as much as possible. Even if the damage to Liz's mind is inevitable, he will do his absolute best to minimize it.

That's why Lin Yie called in Ptilopsis. Even though she talks in an unusual manner, and always randomly falls asleep during work hours, her analytical skills are top-notch, or at least better than everyone else in this room. Perhaps, she might even hold the key to saving Liz.

Fortunately, Ptilopsis remembers that she's Lin Yie's assistant, so she readily agrees to his request, "Orders received. Ptilopsis in transit. Destination: nursing room."

"Are you free right now? How long will it take you to get here?"

"Unit Ptilopsis currently has no critical tasks on her task list. Estimated travel time: ten minutes."

After that, the call abruptly ends.

Nearl frowns, "Ptilopsis? One of the operators from Rhine Lab? Why did you call her?"

Lin Yie shares with her his plan and how Ptilopsis' skills can come into play.

Nearl falls into contemplative silence.

After a while, Nearl bluntly states, not even trying to hide her distrust, "I don't know much about her, but I don't like Rhine Lab. I heard some nasty rumors about them, back when I was still in Kazimierz, but... since they joined Rhodes Island, their past shouldn't matter anymore."

As Ansel had warned him, Rhine Lab doesn't have a good reputation. It's no surprise that the Radiant Knight suspects a hidden motive.

But Lin Yie doesn't care about those rumors. His impression of Ptilopsis is actually pretty good, and as her boss, he needs to stand up for his subordinate.

"I don't know what Rhine Lab did in the past, but I think Ptilopsis is quite reliable," Lin Ye says, "Ms. Kalt'sit and Amiya seem to trust her at the very least."

Otherwise, they wouldn't have let her manage Rhodes Island's database, right?

Still, compared to the others in this room, he's still a greenhorn. His words don't hold as much weight, despite his rather prominent position. Anyway, if Ptilopsis can help cure Nightingale, it would hopefully improve Nearl's opinion about Rhine Lab.

The only problem is...

Why isn't Ptilopsis here yet?!

The ten-minute mark had already come and gone.

Lin Yie says, more to himself than the others, "She should be arriving soon."

Nearl is silent, her face blank.

...

Twenty minutes passed.

Lin Yie feels a little embarrassed after speaking up for Ptilopsis.

He turns to Nearl, "She might be putting on makeup."

Nearl's eyebrows crease ever so slightly.

...

Thirty minutes passed.

Lin Yie facepalms, "I'll give her a call."

Nearl's expression darkens.

...

Forty minutes passed.

And he still can't reach Ptilopsis.

Lin Yie feels his hair standing up, as Nearl nears her boiling point, raising the tension in the room.

'Ptilopsis, where are you!? I'm in hot water because of you!'

Rhodes Island's PsychologistWhere stories live. Discover now