Charlie nodded. "Penny is talented, and she is very young, too. But having come to know her, one can see that she's a warrior, not a statesman. Even if I had never captured her, she would never have been able to elevate the Qing Eliminating Society as a whole. Aside from the mind of a war strategist, they sorely need a mind that can keep up with the times."

Pausing, Charlie then continued, "Oh, and considering Arlo's abilities, he wouldn't die even if he loses both hands—heck, he wouldn't even need a hospital. That's why it's puzzling why he would go to one and publicly, at that… Why do you think that is?"

Merlin thought about it. "Well, considering what you did to him, they would understand that Arlo has been compromised. Going straight to the hospital only goes to show there's no point if he hides or not.

"Moreover, I imagine Fleur is worried that you might feed Arlo another Regeneration Pill. See, every time we encounter a murder, especially one with no known motives and an unusu