act18d0

Ugh...

Many were aware of this. Naturally, this included your teacher.

Y-You don't mean to say Teacher knew we were doing wrong?!

How dare you suggest—

So this is Sargon! Ah, a time-old charm of a country... look around here, at the heart of the wild-grown desert, no dependence on nomadic cities, still so full of life!

It is, Teacher.

Hm? Elliot, your mind's wandering. Come here, let me brush that gravel off your head.

Ah... th-thank you, Teacher.

Teacher, if you were this caring of the women who tried to woo you, I don't think your family would urge you so hard to get married.

Haha. Don't poke your teacher where it hurts, or else you'll be assigned to double next month's experiments.

Ugh...

Teacher?

Ah, not much, just something that popped into my head. The mountain range at the end of the barrenlands, and the rainforest on the other side, must both be bursting with life too in their own ways, totally unlike the barrens we're in.

In that rainforest... could there reside people just as unlike those here? What kind of life do they lead, then? How does it fare?

The rainforest? Why all the sudden thought, Teacher?

Elliot. We believe our undertakings are for the benefit of ever more of humanity, for those still without the blessings of Originium technology.

But at times, the fruits of our research may not be implemented as we intended. Perhaps from the start, we choose a path wrong, excessively wrong, and when we realize it, we are powerless to redeem.

Huh?

Haha. Just supposing, provided a day like that dawned—

—We'd have to try and stop this all in its tracks.

Mr... Thorne, he...

I... No, it can't be, he was deceived... he...

Thorne's research had been rigged from the start.

The capital bounced around to land in his hands, disguised as an exciting investment in the new energy market, perfectly unscrupulous, giving nobody any doubts.

I'd warned him before. But perhaps the experiments' success and advancement made him put his own misgivings aside.

No one is perfect, Elliot, but your labors will not become a catalyst of conflict and death. I came here to ensure that, and I need your assistance.

Right. You have five minutes to gather your thoughts, and then we'll leave.

Huh?

You want me to go with you?

You'd only die in the barrens otherwise. I won't deny your gift for the mathematical and applied Originium fields, but you don't have even the first idea what vegetation can offer you any moisture content.

I don't want the last young one who knows the truth to senselessly pass away in front of me.

Of course, if you feel your calling is at its end, that you have no need to press onward, I can arrange for your refuge in the Sargon countryside.

Just... Just who in the world are you? Why do you speak of everything so... downplayed?

I'm presently an Advanced Operations Adviser and Arts Instructor for the Westin Security Company, Columbia... If I have to repeat myself once more to you.

I am Kal'tsit.

Kal'tsit.

Kal'tsit. Kal'tsit.

Hm... look at this contract...

What a beautiful signature it is.

She mediated between Columbia and Sargon. She toyed with the lords ameer and mercenaries in the palm of her hand.

She said she came to prevent war, to prevent Sargon's self-destruction—heh, what arresting ambitions.

They weren't her truest thoughts at all. Her preparations, profound, far-reaching, not to be known by anyone else, influenced the fates of many.

And we can scarcely see how long the path she walked was, or where it led.

2上

17 Years Ago

3:09 P.M. \ Clear

Ursus, 147km northwest from the main course of nomadic city Chernobog, village

A hamlet...

Quick, quick, the doctor says to get warm water!

Where would we find warm water so easily? Ask Marfa, ask if her family still has any water they boiled this morning.

Emperor above, we beg you, bless our old dedushka...

Excuse me... What's happening here; who's the doctor you mentioned?

Oh, you're... who are you?

Where did you come from... your clothes mean you're from the city, right? Sorry, sorry, we're busy aiding someone right now... If you don't mind, come with me this way, at least you'll have a place to sit.

It's okay... I came here to find that doctor, as it happens. What's her name?

You... you're not here to...

She's just a shady doctor. Do you have great trust in her?

But she... she's all we have who can save our dedushka. I beg you, I'm begging you, at least just for now—she's only a doctor here to save us.

I'm not here to seize her. I just have a little business with her.

Could you show me the way?

I... I don't know if...

I'm a doctor too. Perhaps I can be of help.

Oh, even a burdenbeast would know you're a scholar, seeing your clothes...

You can tell Dr. Kal'tsit something first. Tell her, her student Lillia's here to visit her, and ask her if she needs any assistance or not.

Ah, so you know the doctor's name, and you're Lillia, is that right? Good, good, truly a wonderful name. Wait there for a moment, I'll go right now.

Ay, hey! Don't forget to ask Marfa, bring warm water over!

Ugh, ughah...

Grit your teeth, and keep holding on.

Ugheaaagh—grh—

...Kal'tsit...

What's going on here?

Attacked by a wild beast. This is just emergency treatment.

Knife.

Ah, er... where—where was it... I can't find...

Here. Hand.

An Infected creature?

Correct.

Any risk of Infection?

Most Infected creatures are cleaner than people imagine. By the toothmarks, a tuskbeast roaming the vicinity.

But if it's come into contact with active Originium...

Infected creatures may have methods to coexist with pathogens, but humans do not.

The situation is severe. This is not Originium infection alone. Additional necrosis symptoms are present.

Hurts... so much...

Calm down, now. Deep breaths.

Hphhh—haaah—hphhh—

Difficulty breathing, likely thrombosis. All symptomatic of acute Oripathy.

But—But doesn't Oripathy make crystals grow out of your skin?! Our dedushka's fine, see, isn't he?!

In certain circumstances, the source of infection ends up rapidly circulating through the blood, and won't present visible Originium crystals like regular cases of Oripathy do. Infection symptoms intensify within a short time, very quickly.

If we don't suppress it via drugs... mm.

Emperor above, Emperor above...

You've learned a lot.

Syringes are... inside the gray medical kit.

Here... You carried a suppressant like this with you?

There's always times of need.

Wait... *cough* *cough* Do—Doctor... is this—expensive?

Thinking about that at a time like this?!

It's affordable. You have no need to worry. Our top priority right now is suppressing your acute Oripathic responses, and prevent an Originium crystal dust outburst.

You don't want the others in the village to suffer because of you, correct?

Ugh!

Steady breaths. Relax.