By the time Kallen and Rulu returned to the secret residence in Blue Sea City, it was already deep into the night. Kallen peered out the car window at the dark, shadowy trees of the cemetery grounds, looking somewhat uneasy. She said: "So this is where you've been living all along, Rulu. I never would have guessed."

  Rulu said: "Kallen, you must keep the fact that I live here absolutely secret. Understood?"

  "I know that. You and Nana have been hiding from the Sanctuary this whole time. If word got out, your lives would be in danger. I'm not stupid."

  "Good. Follow me then, Kallen."

  Rulu led Kallen out of the car and into the hidden house, descending into the basement. The main hall of the basement was brightly lit — Nana and C.C. hadn't gone to bed yet. The two of them were sitting on the sofa watching television. Hearing someone come in, both Nana and C.C. immediately turned their eyes toward the door.

  "Rulu, you're back — oh, and who is this…" Seeing that it was Rulu, a joyful smile spread across Nana's face. But when she noticed someone following behind him, her smile froze.

  "Kallen, come on in." Rulu stepped to one side, allowing Kallen to step out from behind him. "Nana, C.C. — you both know her, right?"

  "Sorry to intrude. Nana, and Miss C.C.…" Kallen greeted them with a stiff, polite smile.

  "Oh, it's Kallen. Long time no see…" Though visibly surprised by Kallen's appearance, Nana returned a courteous smile and nodded in acknowledgment.

  C.C., however, was far less gracious than Nana. She put on an exaggerated expression of shock and said loudly: "Rulu, why on earth did you bring an outsider here? Where we live is supposed to be a secret. What if she tells someone?"

  Kallen quickly waved her hands and said: "I won't, Miss C.C., I promise. I'll keep your secret completely. I won't say a word to anyone about where you live."

  C.C. said: "Is that so? I'm not so sure I believe that. How can you guarantee you won't go around bbbing?"

  Kallen was beginning to feel embarrassed and didn't quite know what to say. At that moment, Rulu spoke up: "Alright, C.C., there's a limit to teasing. Kallen is here because I brought her. If anything goes wrong, it's on me. Nana, could you please prepare a room for Kallen? She'll be staying here for quite a while."

  Nana stared at Rulu in wide-eyed surprise and said: "Ah — Miss Kallen is going to be living here long-term?!"

  "Yes. You don't mind, do you, Nana?" Rulu asked in return.

  "No… not at all." Nana said hesitantly. At that point, C.C. leaned in close to Nana's ear and said in a conspiratorial tone: "I'm telling you, Nana — is this really okay? Rulu just brought a woman home from outside."

  Nana said quietly: "I'm sure Rulu has an important reason for bringing her here. He wouldn't do something like this for no reason."

  "Even if he has a reason, he should have told you in advance. After all, you're the dy of this household, Nana. The way he's acting, it's like he doesn't even consider your feelings."

  "Ahem — C.C., what are you whispering over there? I can hear all of it." Rulu said, affecting a stern expression.

  C.C. said: "So what if you can? I'm only stating facts."

  "C.C., come here. I need a word with you."

  "Why do I have to come to you? Can't you say it here?"

  "Get over here." Rulu strode over to C.C., grabbed her hand, and dragged her into his room, calling back to Nana and Kallen as he went: "You two chat for a bit — I'll be right out." Then the door smmed shut behind him.

  "So then, Rulu, what exactly is your reason for bringing Kallen here? You can tell me now." C.C. sprawled out zily on Rulu's bed and said in a nguid tone.

  Rulu said gravely: "Here's the thing — I'm pnning to go to the Sanctuary."

  "You're going to the Sanctuary — what for?!" C.C. sat up on the bed and looked at Rulu with an expression of surprise.

  Rulu said: "I remember you once told me that the Sanctuary Emperor's power and knowledge don't come from within himself, but from some external source — that the Emperor obtained this knowledge and power from a certain pce. The reason I want to go to the Sanctuary is to obtain the same knowledge and power as that Emperor."

  "Ah, so that's what this is about." C.C. understood now. "But I never told you where that pce is. How do you know it's in the Sanctuary?"

  "That's simple. You came from the Sanctuary, and the Emperor has always remained within the Sanctuary. If that pce isn't in the Sanctuary, then where else could it be?"

  C.C. said: "That's a fair point. But the Sanctuary is enormous. How do you know where exactly within it that pce is? And how do you pn to get there?"

  "I've already worked out a way to get into the Sanctuary. As for the exact location of that pce — once we're there, you can guide me to it, C.C."

  "Ah? So that means I'm going with you to the Sanctuary? Have you forgotten that the Sanctuary's Emperor has been searching for me all this time? Aren't you afraid he'll capture me?"

  "I know this carries enormous risk. But in order to obtain the same knowledge and power as that Emperor, no matter how great the risk, it's something I must do."