The duo landed moments after Chamberlain entered the Congress building, bustling along with the same sense of purpose everyone else had. Unlike usual sessions, today’s meeting had drawn a crowd so big that the streets adjacent to Congress was filled with queues, with only the Paragons and the Senators allowed to skip the queue directly. Quiet whispers and words melded with each other to form a constant, low drone that pressed down on Gemini’s eardrums.

Thankfully, the milling crowds recognised him on sight, and they parted soundlessly to let him pass through. Similar impromptu aisles could be seen everywhere else, as senators and other Paragons descended from the skies and made for the Congress.

The Constellation could feel gazes fall on him as he led Lila along, but no one was going to challenge him for bringing his girlfriend along.

“I sense some looks of envy directed at your future wife,” a voice spoke in his head. It was Quinn, his Champion Support Entity, who had taken a rare break from trying to piece together its functions to better serve Gemini.

“Her boyfriend is awesome. Can’t really fault her for that,” Gemini replied mentally. “Rare to hear you even talk, though. When was the last time you spoke? Last year?”

“Six months ago, actually,” Quinn replied. “Remember that incident with those noodles you brought from that store? You can thank me for that again.”

“Oh, right.” Gemini rubbed his nose, and then pulled Lila closer with his arms. “Better not have a repeat of some one-sided devoted love, but nothing seems to be working.”

Lila responded with a hug for her own, whispering, “What’s wrong?”

“I just got reminded of an unpleasant incident six months ago,” Gemini replied. “And we’re in a crowd now, so…”

A shadow flickered across her face. “Oh.”

“Once all this is over, I’m going retire from the public eye,” Gemini mumbled. “And I’ll never step out of the house again. Just you and me…”

Lila gripped his arms tighter, tight enough to cause him some pain. The Constellation rolled his eyes and stopped teasing her, but before he could reach out his arm to pat her head and thereby abuse the singles watching them, Lila coughed twice.

“What’s wrong?” It was Gemini’s turn to say those words.

“Just a bit nauseous,” she replied, a little pout on her face. “You always get us too much to eat.”

“I haven’t forgotten what happened to my breakfast the last time I brought enough for two regular people.” Gemini rubbed her stomach. “Pain, pain, go away!”

“You really think that’s going to work?” Quinn asked.

“That’s what I think they used to do back on Earth,” Gemini replied mentally. “Besides, rubbing muscles to loosen them has some basis in science, therefore—”

“Alright, you two can stop flirting now,” a voice cut in. General Degurechaff, who was standing with Warmaster Chamberlain, was levelling an odd look at them both. For some reason, Gemini had the feeling that he was being unfairly discriminated against…and it wasn’t because he was human.

“We aren’t in session yet, right?” Gemini asked. “I don’t see why I can’t talk to someone close to me in that case. This isn’t a tyranny and we’re all equals, so I don’t see the need to abide by your words.”

The Constellation raised his chin proudly, and Degurechaff’s face turned sour for a few moments. The latter’s face returned to normal a moment later as he took a step forward, and with a lowered voice, he asked, “Are you sure that this Violet Regret Crystal really works?”

“I thought I did a research report on that a year ago,” Gemini replied quietly. “Did you not read it?”

“I looked at it three weeks ago,” Chamberlain replied, “but I still want to hear it from you and Ars-Lila directly. Does it…”

“As far as I can tell, it does lead us to the Five Lands,” Gemini replied. “Demigod Eliza and Lord Emily came with us too, and they’ve also confirmed that the Violet Regret Crystal works the way Lila described it. It’s just a pity we have to leave Ark City behind.”

There was more than just that, since the Demigod had discovered the odd cube in Gemini’s hands, but now wasn’t the time to think of that.

“A huge pity, but it’s better that we do it now,” Degurechaff chimed in. “Did you not hear about the latest models the Memory Sifter came up with?”

“The one on the demons’ strategies to deal with our current defences?” Gemini asked. “I’ve read about that to, but not the latest models. Why?”

General Degurechaff bit his lip. “It’s not really looking good for us. This top-level meeting was convened as an emergency because of her findings, in fact. It’s…never mind. Forget it. You’ll hear about it in greater detail in the session, anyway.”

Chamberlain grunted. “I’m actually worried that simply bringing that up in Congress is enough to make the Demon God act. You know what they say about the World’s Blight and his omniscience in the Wildlands, after all.”

“It’s going to be hectic, that’s for sure.” The general waved an orderly over, and whispered a few words in the fellow’s ear.

“What’s that about?” Gemini asked.

“It’s no secret, but…” Degurechaff glanced at the Warmaster, who nodded back. “We’re preparing to evacuate the civilians. All of them. Demigod Eliza is already waiting at the Crater of Purple Rain, that thing in hand.”

“Those findings that Lord Emily found…what are they?” Gemini asked, his tone making even Lila flinch. “What did she model this time?”

Before either of them could respond, a gentle chime sounded from all around them. “Congress will be in session shortly. Senators, key appointment holders and Paragons, please enter first.”

“I think it’ll be best if you hear it in person,” Degurechaff replied. “Come on. Let’s see this through.”

Gemini stared at their retreating figures for a moment, and then followed them into the Congress chamber.