"Doctor! What... what are you doing?!"
Amiya called out from behind, her voice trembling with worry.
Through her innate ability to perceive emotions, she could feel the Doctor's resolve one nearly identical to what ACE had when he was ready to sacrifice himself for everyone.
"Hehehe... Amiya, trust me. I'm not planning to throw my life away. Just wait for me here."
Jay turned and gave her a reassuring smile before striding confidently toward Talulah.
Hearing that the Doctor wasn't walking to his death eased the tension slightly among the Rhodes Island team.
"Talulah, just give me a moment."
Instead of heading straight toward her, Jay made a sudden detour... to a flowerpot.
He crouched down and began plucking the half-wilted flowers growing there, remnants scorched by Talulah's blazing Originium Arts.
They weren't much to look at, but they would suffice for the system's requirements.
Behind him, the entire Rhodes Island team watched in utter bewilderment.
"Dobermann, what's the Doctor doing?" Nearl asked, confused.
"You can see it for yourself, Nearl. He's... picking flowers."
"No, I see that. I mean... why is he picking flowers now of all times?"
"Hmm..."
Dobermann furrowed her brow, contemplating seriously. Drawing on her years of training and tactical experience, she offered an explanation.
"Perhaps he's mimicking that historic Yanzhou assassin from the chronicles... hiding a dagger within the bouquet to launch a surprise attack. The legendary 'Petals and Blade' technique..."
"Seriously?"
Nearl gave a disbelieving shake of her head.
"Dobermann, what are you even talking about...?"
ACE cut in, voice steady and eyes sharp behind his tactical goggles.
"I've seen Sarkaz casters do similar things. Channeling Originium Arts through flora as a conduit. He's likely using the flowers for an advanced spell."
"ACE... that's also a bit of a stretch."
Nearl looked unconvinced.
"The Doctor wouldn't just offer flowers to the enemy leader, right? Still... he is the Doctor. Whatever he's doing, I'm sure there's a reason."
ACE nodded.
"That look in his eyes earlier composed, confident. He's got a plan. I believe in him."
With everyone watching, Jay finished gathering a single bloom and briskly walked toward Talulah.
"What exactly are you trying to do?"
Talulah's expression remained cold, but there was a flicker of confusion in her voice.
To her, someone titled "Doctor" implied logic, strategy, and intellect. But this man's actions made no sense.
"Stop right there. Say what you have to say from that spot."
A whip of flame lashed the ground, barring Jay from approaching any closer.
Talulah had heard the rumors this Doctor had taken down entire squads of Sarkaz mercenaries with groin kicks alone. There was no way she was letting him get close.
"Tell me. Why is Rhodes Island in Chernobog right now? What exactly is your organization?"
Around her, flames erupted from the cracked ground, burning bright and wild.
"If I like your answer, maybe I'll be generous enough to leave your corpses intact."
"Before I answer that... I have something much more important to say. Something that concerns you personally."
"Hm? Something that concerns me?"
Talulah raised an eyebrow. Now her interest was piqued.
This so-called Doctor had approached her alone. He wasn't stalling for time he clearly had something he wanted to say. Could it be sensitive intel? A secret about the Infected? Intelligence from Ursus or Lungmen? Or perhaps... knowledge of ancient technological relics?
If this man could offer her something of that caliber, perhaps... just perhaps, Rhodes Island could be spared.
"Ahem."
Jay cleared his throat dramatically.
He lifted the flower toward Talulah with a charming smile.
All eyes were locked on him. Everyone held their breath.
"Talulah," he said boldly, "from the moment I first laid eyes on you, your image has never left my heart! I can't hide my feelings any longer! Please... date me with marriage in mind!"
…
…
"Date me!"
"Date me!"
"Me!"
His voice echoed between the cracked walls and broken streets.
At that very moment, the system chirped in Jay's mind.
"Detected Madness Option 2 selected. Skill unlocked: Jade Shield. Talulah Affection +100. Patriot Hatred +100."
…
…
…
Silence.
A dead silence so deep, even the sound of distant rubble falling could be heard.
Then, chaos.
"Doctor! What are you doing?!"
"Why are you confessing to the enemy commander?!"
"Ahhhhh! Am I dreaming?!"
"I mean... I like the Doctor too!"
"Doctor! If Kal'tsit finds out, she'll explode!"
The Rhodes Island camp fell into total disarray.
Even Talulah, who usually wore the expression of a queen mourning the world, twitched her lips involuntarily.
"You absolute idiot."
The consciousness of the "Snake" buried within her cursed furiously.
"I thought this Doctor might bring some profound insight or tactical wisdom... but he's just playing games! He's mocking me!"
Enraged, the Snake manipulated Talulah's body, raising her hand to unleash a fireball that blazed like a miniature sun.
But just as she was about to incinerate Jay, something unexpected happened.
Her body suddenly felt sluggish.
The fireball in her palm... shrank.
"What... what is this? Could it be...?"