act18mini

They won't let us stay long anyway, even without those people.

We're Infected, Ch'en. Maybe your time at Rhodes Island has made you forget how we're actually treated.

Then where will you go next?

So you agree with our plan?

Even prisoners shouldn't be executed so hastily. They don't even have an official order.

Hui-chieh, the issue isn't where Nine and the others <i>want</i> to go, but where they're needed.

We'll find a place that truly needs us, Ch'en.

Not just the Infected... Anyone enslaved or deprived of their right to a fair chance at survival.

A place with no discrimination or oppression.

...You know as well as the rest of us that that'll be difficult, if not impossible, Nine.

Of course. But this is the path a man we all knew left us before he died.

Guard...

Someone has to see it through, Hui-chieh.

This new Reunion makes their own medicine and strives to help anyone in need, without asking for anything tangible in return.

Change is happening, but it's too fragile.

They need something to believe in, an objective. That's the only way they can push forward.

I don't completely agree with Nine's way of doing things, but I see no reason to refuse to cooperate either.

She's always admired the 'fairness' you seek, Hui-chieh.

So why not take a look at what <i>she</i> seeks?

On the tundra ignored by the Emperor's edict, rebel activity has intensified, with thousands of Infected banding together to break their shackles and regain their freedom.

We've achieved what used to be unthinkable.

Ever since that first fire ignited by that anonymous noble, many of us have been communicating in hushed tones: Is there someone leading us? To be honest, I'm not too sure myself.

What I do know is that our call to rise up has not been silenced, and is even now trying to escape from the tundra and its army of trees blocking the way.

Our proof is that unique symbol everyone's curious about, the symbol scorched by flame.

The hoarse voice on the radio smashes the countryside's peace apart.

People open their doors or climb onto their windowsills, listening quietly.

The broadcast excites them, their palms feeling hot even though they live in a place with temperatures far below zero.

Then, they light up torches in the center of the village. The light illuminates their eyes, and warms the bodies underneath their thin layers of clothing.

Soon, nearby villages spot the firelight and start bonfires one after the other.

On the dark tundra, countless fires light up the night sky.

We gather on this inhospitable tundra, following in their footsteps to take root here.

Everyone has heard of the group that disappeared into Chernobog to fight for the Infected: 'Reunion'.

Have they heard our call?

Have they finally returned—

Alrighty, you dregs! Turn around!

Sir... please... spare my life, please...

I was born here!

I-I'm different from the rest, sir, please!

I said, shut it!

S-Sir, please...

Kid, he doesn't give a damn who you are. He just wants to kill every Sarkaz he sees.

Shut up!

The boy suddenly smells a strange scent. It makes him recall his mother's perfume as she hugged him.

Countless flowers bloom on the bloodstained floors, and the scent grows stronger.

The executioner suddenly coughs violently until he throws up a cluster of bloody flower buds.

Ugh... *cough* *cough*...

Y-You...

Get them out of here. Our people will know what to do.

You lot... don't... *cough*...

Nine! Stop your Originium Arts!

You already saved the Sarkaz! Killing them... is a step too far.

Couldn't you have just kept silent as usual, Ch'en?

Stop making more enemies everywhere you go, unless you want the Dukes chasing after Reunion once you leave the city.

Talulah can make sure that it looks like an accidental blaze.

No. They'll only put the blame on the Sarkaz, calling it an act of revenge.

And then what? Who will the Dukes turn their gaze to? More innocent Sarkaz.

Or, say, an Infected group wandering around Victoria with who-knows-how-many Sarkaz in tow.

Letting them go will only make things worse.

Tell me, Ch'en. When we finally come face to face with the ducal alliance with no chance at escape, how will you keep the Infected and innocent Sarkaz there safe?

Ugh...

Enough! There're still other ways!

The tip of Ch'en's sword touches Nine's throat.

I've imagined this happening countless times.

In fact, I'm shocked it didn't happen sooner.

I went to school with many of their superior officers. I can talk to them.

As what? As a former senior inspector of the L.G.D.? As Operator Ch'en of Rhodes Island? Or, what... an old classmate, reminiscing about the good old days?

...I can guarantee these Sarkaz will be safe, at least.

Of course, I trust you'll keep that promise.

But you're missing my point, Ch'en.

There are limits to one person's power. Even you can't help the people you can't see.

I know your capabilities all too well, and that's exactly why I'm even more sure that your momentary kindness won't change a thing. It can't.

What I need is people willing to follow us, to see with their own eyes what we have to do.

Spare me the sophistry, Nine.

I'm only looking at the facts.

'Sophistry', huh?

Maybe we're all seeking 'fairness', but our interpretations of it are different.

...This is why I've long since given up hope of you coming to understand me and the future I'm looking forward to.

You can most certainly try to arrest me, Officer Ch'en.

Chi Xiao stays in place, and Nine's gaze remains on Ch'en.

A flaming sword shakes Chi Xiao away.

This isn't the place to wax nostalgic about your old days on the force.

Talulah stabs her longsword into the ground, separating the all-tensed-up two.

I didn't call for your help, Talulah. Don't act like you know everything better.

Nine, there is nothing wrong with Hui-chieh's idea.

The Dukes would be overjoyed at someone volunteering to remove every last Sarkaz from Londinium, and they might not make any moves on us.

But more importantly, there are still eyes on the both of you.

They only care about one thing: where should they go now?

The rescued Sarkaz and the Reunion members following Nine are both terrified. They have no idea what to do next.

Many of them can't understand exactly what it is you want, Nine. They just want to live.

They need time. It might take a while to show them the future you see.

Of course I know that.

I have the patience to wait for my 'sophistry' to bloom into a concrete plan of action.

And will you achieve that with even more sacrifices? How do you decide who?

ENOUGH!

I'm not here to determine which of you is right or wrong. It's not my place to.

But for now, just take them away from here. Take everyone who's willing to leave the city with us.

Hui-chieh might manage to prevent the Victorians from harassing us in the short term, but we'll still have to prepare for the worst.

Are you giving me an order, Talulah?

No, I'm offering my opinion.

But where can you go?