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But with it came the spread of Oripathy. It was just the miners, at first... but it eventually spread through the town.

When the Originium closer to the surface was all mined out, my father closed the quarry. He wouldn't let anyone dig any deeper.

He created the Infected quarter, and sent men to protect the people living there. He couldn't just sit on the pile of Infected corpses and count his gold.

He always hoped my brother Drudge and I could do better.

I don't know what happened to Drudge while he was studying in Columbia. I just saw him turn more and more evil.

It wasn't until my father kicked him out of the house that I realized the man was no longer my brother.

But I disappointed Father too.

I'm not a worthy successor to his achievements, or his legacy.

I'm unworthy.

I did nothing. I couldn't protect Long Spring. I couldn't protect my father's people. I couldn't even kill Drudge. I let him get away.

Drudge's supporters, what kind of people are they?

I don't know them well. All I know is that they are from a Columbian organization called Volvort Kochinski.

It wasn't the first time I dealt with those Columbians...

They're wicked and greedy. All they care about is how to dig more rocks out from under the town. They don't give a thought to the people living in it.

Sounds familiar.

Hmph...

My father used to say that if I just became a warrior, I could protect my home with strength alone.

A warrior can defeat another warrior. But violence isn't a solution to true evil.

...I never understood what he was referring to with 'true evil'.

I always thought Drudge had turned evil.

...But now I know Drudge was just a tiny little sliver of evil. And it was still enough to beat me.

There are times when a fight to the death can't solve the problem.

What are you going to do next?

I don't know. Drudge ran off, and his mercenaries fell apart.

But he left behind those monsters. Long Spring isn't really habitable anymore...

For the time being, at least, I have to protect my home. That's where the town's survivors are.

How many people can your home house?

......There's a shelter in the basement of the manor. It can hold a lot of people, but we don't have enough food and water.

Sorry, I shouldn't be complaining to you about these things.

I actually came to thank you for protecting the people of Long Spring through all this.

No thanks necessary.

I... I have something I must do. Excuse me.

She's a good person. It's hard to believe that evil *profanity* is her brother.

Here you are, Miss Cohen.

Did I come at a bad time?

Oh, no. We were just about to leave.

The Infected gave this to me. It's Dr. Miarow's... estate. In the box.

After talking it over with the Infected, they decided it would be best to give them to you.

Open it.

Is that proper?

Of course. He was our friend.

What's inside?

A map. And a book.

It's a Sargonian version of 'The Traveler's Guide to Urban Columbia'.

As for the map... It looks kind of old. Let's see here...

Oh... This area should be Tkaronto. It's a Columbia border city. I've been there before.

And is this stack here money?

Columbian gold certificates... Dr. Miarow actually had some savings.

I remember he said he would leave here someday and go to a place called Columbia.

'To become a real doctor.'

Short as his time was, he still had a plan for his life.

Hold on. There's a note here. Let me see.

......Hmm......

What does it say?

...Should I read it?

Go ahead.

'If you're reading this note, thank you for helping me deal with this stuff.'

'Give the money to someone. I definitely don't need it anymore.'

'Don't lose the box. It was my mother's.'

'Although I don't know who you are, my friend,'

'I still hope your life turns out okay.'

'—— Miarow '

...I don't know how to express myself here... What can I do or say in the face of his legacy?

Dr. Miarow was a strong man.

Dreams are a luxury for the Infected. They're like precious, fragile gemstones.

Even in Columbia, the Infected are zoned to certain areas of the city. Most people live their whole lives struggling to get out of them.

The vast majority of the time, contracting Oripathy is a death sentence... if a deferred one.

Reality forces you to give up on your dreams, your lifestyle, and ultimately life itself.

It's hard for anyone to be hopeful about life in the face of cruel reality.

What on earth was supporting him?

Someone like Miarow should not have lived like this. He shouldn't have died like this.

Wait, where are you going?

To find the big girl.

Why?

I want to talk to her. I have a plan.