act11d0

No. You're always working so hard, Tatjana. I admire you.

Do you? Thank you—

Now, about those two, they're not from around here, are they? Could they be the doctors from Rhodes Island?

Oh? Well, yes. We are indeed. I am Folinic and this is Suzuran.

(Doctors?)

(I think we count.)

(Even me?)

(I'm a fully-fledged operator assigned to the Medical Department. And Lisa, you've... studied with Dr. Kal'tsit, so we can call you a medical intern. I guess.)

I see... Oh! You two must be on your way to the Rathaus? I'm so sorry to get in your way!

Of course it should be the Schultz who receives you, but he really is needed at Zwölftontechnik Strasse... Er...

Oh, really, he can—

Ahem! Very good, Tatjana, you take them. I'll go look into this Infected situation.

You two.

—Yes?

I know why you're here. But our situation is dire.

Do you know what happened to Wolumonde?

The Great Rift.

Yes. I get to skip over so much when dealing with smart people.

So now the Infected are more riled up than ever before. If you don't want to get mixed up in that, stay away from Zwölftontechnik Strasse.

We are experts at dealing with the Infected.

I know. We had a Dr. Atro from your company working closely with us.

So you know we can help.

We don't need it yet. It wouldn't be right to drag our guests into this mess as soon as they've arrived. That would get us into trouble too.

...So what is Atro doing here?

Um...

She's not here right now.

So where is she?

She...

Oh no! Fighting has broken out!

Th-those Infected have weapons! What's going on?!

They've got blades! Are they going to kill us?

Schultz!

...I know.

You two are Infected experts, yes?

Come with me.

九尾狐活动 1下

Wh-why are those outsiders sticking their noses in our business?!

And you, Severin! Your son died in that fire! How can you still aid those incompetent swine?!

...Put down the blade and tell me who pushed you to do this? Who gave you those weapons?

Final warning.

Gah—!

That's assault with a deadly weapon. You think you can just go back to your homes? You'll get a knock on your door soon enough. The Gendarmerie will hold you accountable.

Just 'hold them accountable?'

I don't have to explain our accountability processes to a couple of tourists.

Do you have anything at all to tell 'a couple of tourists' then? 'Schultz?'

I do. You're strong. Stronger than I'd expect a doctor to be. Impressive.

And... thank you for the assistance.

Usually, we go by 'Operator.'

Now can you tell us where Atro is?

It's not safe here. Let's talk somewhere else.

Good work, Miss Folinic.

Sorry I'm not much help in battle...

It's fine. You did your best. If I'd known what was happening in Wolumonde, I wouldn't have brought you along.

Even if we're just helping resolve some disputes, you're too young to be dragged into—

Miss Folinic!

—*Sigh* ...Fine, fine. Little Lisa's all grown up now. Did you get hurt?

No, I'm fine.

But you were spacing out back there. What's wrong?

The quarantine zone is right near here. Everything seems to have gone back to peace and quiet after we drove off the protestors.

Mm... It doesn't seem that different from any other place.

You're right, it's not that different. They have shops, cafés, ads for music halls and art salons...

No one's getting rounded up by guards and sent out to the tundra to die. They get to live pretty ordinary lives... You might even say they live well.

The Infected get treated so differently all around the world.

If every place was so good to the Infected...

We'd be out of a job.

Wha?! I mean, that's true, but I'd be really happy about it! E-even though I just became an operator...

I'm kidding... The fact that Infected can roam the streets freely only serves to underscore how special the situation in Wolumonde is.

...They're hiding something from us.

Huh? Where did that come from—

Shh! Lower your voice! We'll talk once the officer is gone!

The Infected rebels are acting really weird. And they keep talking about a 'fire' and a 'doctor,' right?

Add in that officer who definitely knows who we are, and who really doesn't want to tell me anything about Atro...

And I can't shake the feeling that something rotten is brewing in this town.

Even Leithanien wouldn't go so far as to let the Infected riot in the streets. Where are the guards? Why isn't anyone stopping them?

Now that you mention it...

I've got a bad feeling about this.

M-maybe everyone's just a little on edge? Considering what the town's been through...

...I pray that's all it is.

I'm so sorry to have dragged you into all this just as you've arrived. It's shameful...

Oh, don't worry about it.

Are you part of the local Gendarmerie?

Not really. But everyone in Wolumonde undergoes military training. When the time comes, we have a duty to take up arms...

But Uncle... Err, Schultz Severin is our town's highest official.

The middle-aged smoker who really doesn't want to do his job? Too bad, but that irresponsible disregard for duty doesn't exactly come off as mysterious.

There's a reason he is the way he is—

No... never mind...

Oh right, how should I call you two?

Call me Operator Folinic, and this is Operator Suzuran.

Folinic, Suzuran... these are code names?

Where we come from, most people prefer not to use their real names at work. Just like 'Atro.'

Dr. Atro...

Seems you're acquainted.

Yes... Sorry. I know you have your doubts, but the Schultz will give you the answers you need. It's not my place to say.

Now, come with me please.

Of course.

How much did you tell them?

Not much. Not enough to upset anyone.

I... I've put forward some unreasonable ideas, but you're always free to reject them.

That's a creative way to dodge responsibility. But you'll get no comfort from me.

If I stood here and told them the whole, unadulterated truth right now, would you be happy? Would that make everyone happy?