act18mini

No... but many miners seized the chance to escape. Everyone was so scared... Didn't know when the Patrol Unit would arrive...

But seems like you got here first. You said you're a reporter? But who's to say for sure?

...Let's not get into that. So, if the management here has always been hard on everyone, how did the miners carry out the arson?

The miners?

No, no. The village had an old noble from the city, good heart, that man... but a bit too kindhearted, if you ask me.

Couldn't stand what was happening in the mines, always talking about rescuing the miners. We thought it was all talk, but in the end...

He really went and did it.

Oh? Then where is he now?

Must've died in the blaze with the Patrol Unit.

Hah. A noble who bravely sacrificed his life to help the suffering Infected miners.

That would make a pretty good headline.

The reporter gazes at the scorched land. Nearby buildings have been reduced to rubble, and in place of the once lush forest stands unsightly tree stumps.

Suddenly, a scorch mark draws his attention. It looks unusual, almost aesthetically pleasing.

Do you... know who left this mark here?

That's just from the fire.

I'm not buying that. It looks like a 'symbol' to me.

So—who left it here?

Uh... no clue. It was just here after the fire.

So you're saying it was a deliberate act, an attempt to send out a signal: 'Salvation'.

A-Am I?

(Laughs) Didn't you just explain the real history behind it for me?

No need to rush. Get in line, everyone will get some.

How much longer do we have to stay here, Miss Ch'en?

When will the next squad leave the city...?

Don't worry. You're safe here.

I've reached out through many different channels to get everyone out of here.

I-I heard the Sarkaz-hunting soldiers have found this place.

If they find out you're sheltering us...

Sheltering? Why speak as if you're fugitives on the run?

You're citizens of Londinium, victims of this war.

We were already unwelcome long before the Sarkaz troops entered the city.

Believe me, it's more than just soldiers on that team.

Being a Sarkaz is already a <i>crime</i>, the worst one you can commit. Doesn't matter if you took part in the war or not.

...I know.

Anyways... Thanks for taking us in.

I ironed it out with the others. We'll wait three days for a chance to leave the city. If we don't get one, we'll go by ourselves.

It's not the best time to leave. The soldiers have been even more active recently.

All the more reason to get out as soon as we can. Every day we put it off will only worsen the situation.

...If you insist, we'll help you out.

Appreciate the generosity. I suggest you guys do the same.

Who do you think they'll target next, once the city's out of Sarkaz?

Most of you are Infected. You should know how their nobles treat you guys.

Today's paper, sir.

Hmm... I can't be bothered to read it, Alyosha. Anything noteworthy?

New tax policies, some literary works, a few scandals, and...

And?

Revolts. All over the country.

Let me see.

Finally, some real reporting. I thought those Deity Grypherburg reporters only knew how to run tabloids.

'Infected have been striking at factories and outposts across the country. Some regions are experiencing a surge of uprisings, as Infected have brazenly attacked outposts and government agencies, causing serious losses...'

'It is said that they are inspired by an Infected organization known as Reunion...'

Oh, look, they even left some symbols...

...Do you wish to end your convalescence now?

Of course not. Do you even realize how hard it is for me to get a vacation?

But your colleagues from the propaganda department have visited you many times already.

Oh, my dear Alyoshenka, our dear nation has been suffering from a chronic disease for quite some time, and there are many who wish to heal her.

But to do so, these rotten old wounds must first see the light of day.

I've had enough of my colleagues patching them up, over and over.

How should I reply then?

Tell them any discussion must wait until my vacation is over.

Did they ransack the streets again for another batch of prisoners? Here's your soup, Talulah.

Thanks.

Too bland? Well—I had to ransack our stash to get the last of the salt.

It's fine. Good, even.

Heh. 'Ransack'? That's a good word.

Only a week ago they wouldn't have come here, let alone taken any children among the prisoners.

But we just saw both happen.

They've been dead set on wiping out any trace of the Sarkaz for the past two weeks.

At first, it was just Sarkaz soldiers who couldn't evacuate in time. Next, it was any Sarkaz civilian who had any dealings with the army. Now? Even Londinium-born Sarkaz aren't being spared.

I thought you'd make a move, Hui-chieh.

...That would only complicate things. We're in Victoria, so I have to act more cautiously.

That'll only cost us more time.

A few days ago I saw a group of kids harassing a poor woman... all she did was to marry a Sarkaz and raise their children together.

This is how they treated the Infected before the war, and now it's the Sarkaz's turn. Eventually, every Londinium citizen will face this.

Time is what these mistreated people lack most.

Nine pauses to glance at Talulah right beside her.

However, she seems unusually calm, as if the sudden temperature increase earlier was just a hallucination.

I thought you'd make a move on the Victorians earlier.

It was only a warning. It'd only bring us more trouble if we pestered them any further. Hui-chieh has a point—We should keep a low profile until we're forced to show ourselves.

Attacking ducal alliance troops on the factory streets certainly won't do anything to improve the lives of the workers here.

So you weren't angry.

What you're experiencing, I have too, long ago. But at least Sarkaz blood isn't contagious like Oripathy.

I've long since learned to control my rage. At the very least, I won't waste it on clueless underlings like the soldiers from before.

This war has turned the oppressed into oppressors. It's not their fault.

Then who should the innocent Sarkaz vent their anger on?

Remember that Sarkaz merchant with the motorbike who helped us get supplies...? The Infected killed him out of fear.

Now, that fear is spreading unchecked as the Sarkaz are gradually retreating.

Infected, soldiers, nobles... heh, even civilians who've never seen war. Everyone thinks they're in the right.

So you're correct, Talulah. Sarkaz blood isn't contagious like Oripathy... but hatred and fear are.

You've decided then?

To save the Sarkaz? I see no need to hesitate. They're no different from us.

I'm just not sure how to minimize the fallout, so I need your help.

Keep the people at camp safe, as well as the workers.

...If you need my flames to burn for them, I won't hesitate.

Red, let the workers know our plan. Those willing to join us can stay; anyone too afraid to escape, bring them to the Exemplars' camp.

Got it.

Ch'en.

You can try to stop us, or you can leave and pretend nothing happened.

Saving those Sarkaz means you'll have to change everything you've planned.

And if you go with them, none of the Dukes will let you stay long in their domain, Nine.