act10mini

Us Infected can work their factories, and the heads only have to pay us half the money. They get to pocket the other half! Of course they passed that bill!

That's true. Oftentimes, they don't even pay us with cash, just Wage Tickets.

Things take time. I think you could be more optimistic about this.

Keep in mind that Caladon willingly accepts Infected from all the cities out there, and even offers work. You don't see that anywhere else in Victoria.

I heard from some of the foremen these policies are... what... 'Columbian-style?'

Are all the Columbian cities like this?

Well... It's complicated. There's a tiny bit of difference.

Whatever, time for a new topic. Any other news?

Let's see...

'Terror in Caladon! Loud Roars Heard Underground at Night!'

And then... 'Possible Infected Smuggling Activity Spotted in Abandoned Districts in Caladon Outskirts.'

Then there's also this... 'Public Safety in Jeopardy, Convicts and Wanted Criminals Have Infiltrated the Infected Community.'

Why are all the headlines like that?

That's the 'Caladon Daily' and their rubbish reporting for you. They love their terrorizing headlines, and they take care to add the word 'Infected' in there. Just talking about those hack journos makes me want to puke.

It's true, but you should still be careful, Susie. Caladon hasn't been all that safe lately.

Hahaha... I'll watch out. Thanks.

November 17th, 1097, 8:40 A.M.

Fin fillets, potatoes, green onions... I guess that's about it?

Oh, and the pepper, too!

I just have to deliver these to Mr. Kells, right?

Yes, please.

On my way!

Foreigners go home!

Out with the Infected! This is our home!!

Out with the Infected!

It's the Infected's fault us porters lost all our jobs!

It's not uncommon to find people protesting the Infected community here in Caladon.

When the city council passed the New Caladonian Infected Act four years ago, a large group of Infected migrated to the city for work all at once.

But the hostility between the non-Infected and the Infected didn't improve.

Hey, you! The Infected there! Get over here!

I-I'm just walking past...

What's that you're holding? Eh?

It's just...

What's that in your basket! Let me see it!

These are items I'm delivering to a customer!

Shouldn't your lot be working in the factories right now? What are you wandering around here for?!

It's part of my job to deliver things too...

Who said you could talk back?!

Urgh...

(Ouch...)

Spark... Arts...

(Bear with it, Susie... Don't fight back...)

(This isn't the first time something like this has happened...)

What gives you Infected the right to walk the streets in broad daylight anyway?

It's all your fault the air here has gotten so polluted!

Bunch of pests! Go back to the sewers, where you belong!

(But you're the one who came to the Infected community...)

What? What are you looking at me for? Looking for a fight?!

That's enough, mister. Let's not overdo it.

And who are you?

The tall, masked man helps the Feline girl up and turns around to face the thug.

There's no reason to lay hands on an unarmed lady now. It's not a very honorable thing to do, wouldn't you agree?

What? She's just an Infected!

And what's with you? Trying to be a hero?

Well? If you want some, come and get it!

Coward.

Mr. Red!

Hmph.

I'm afraid I don't have what it takes to offend you, kind sir.

Though before you continue, I should inform you that I have Originium crystals on my face, and your punch landed right on one.

W-What...?

Oh, sir, this isn't good. Look, I'm bleeding out of my mouth, and your hand is injured.

It might just get you infected too.

What?! But...!

Hurry! To the hospital! You can still make it!

Damn you, Ursus! You'd better watch your back! You'll regret this!

Enough now! Get to the hospital!

Um, thanks... Mr. Red.

A-Are you okay?

Don't worry about me. I'm used to taking a beating.

I could ask you the same. Look at your face. It's all swollen.

I-I'm okay... I'll put some ice on it when I get home.

There've been more anti-Infected protests here lately. You should avoid this area on your way back.

Where are you headed? I'll go with you.

Thanks, but don't you have work? I wouldn't want to be a bother...

Don't worry yourself. I have errands in the area too.

Mr. Red works at a nearby factory, and he visits the shop sometimes.

He may be from Ursus, but he doesn't like to drink. He prefers to read a book in the shop all by himself.

The other workers seem to really respect him. They all call him 'the bossman'.

But... Mr. Red, is that man really going to catch Oripathy?

Of course not. You don't just get infected like that. I was only scaring him.

Oripathy can spread through blood, but he only had some minor scrapes.

It's pretty effective as a bluff, though.

Hahaha, I see.

Those bastards... What a lot of utter scumbags!

Laying hands on a young lady? Have they no shame?

Don't get yourself all worked up. I'm okay.

So they ran off after they hit you? Did you see where they went?

They ran north, so my guess is they headed to the Boil.

The Boil, eh? It won't be easy to find them, then.

In any case, I'll make a note. They've been fairly short staffed at the Guards lately.

Does your face still hurt? Need me to massage it a bit?

Haha... It's okay. Don't worry about me, Officer Grani.

It's true how Caladon hasn't been that safe lately... but I didn't expect you to get attacked, Susie.

Officer Grani isn't with the local Caladon Guards. She's a Mounted Police officer temporarily loaned to the local guards and assigned to the Infected community.

Of course, the Caladon Guards aren't very interested in keeping the Infected safe. This 'short staffed' business seems to be an excuse, too.

Which makes Officer Grani one of very few local law enforcement officers willing to help the Infected.

Though just the few of them alone... can't solve all of the community's safety problems.

No loss of property... and that's filed. This is all I can do for you right now.

I'm off now. Come find me if there's any more trouble.