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But they're not trying to hide what they're doing, and they're not doing anything we didn't expect.

These mercenaries are different. They came out of nowhere, attacked our positions, destroyed important roads and bridges, and polluted several water sources in the mountains with Originium explosives. There seems to be no reason with their actions.

Who's their employer?

We're still looking into it, but based on what little intelligence we have, it's very likely that they're rogue.

Revenge, a last-gasp struggle after being abandoned by Theresis, instigation by another country... anything's possible.

Doesn't matter. I'll find out who their leader is, and kill them.

Without leader, a band of aimless mercenaries is just a useless rabble.

You go save those people. We'll regroup back at base.

I'll leave them to you, then.

One last message. Her Highness says this operation is not part of the 'campaign'.

We should be relieved.

In a war that has become increasingly gridlocked, the opposing sides have a chance to work together for a common goal...

Saving lives from Catastrophe.

Look! Up ahead!

The bridge... it's been blown? How are we supposed to get across?

I-Is there another path? The Catastrophe cloud is still over our heads...

We can't go any further, not with all the wounded and children...

Damn, the Originium crystals on the ground are starting to glow...

They'll kill us before the Catastrophe even has a chance.

*cough*

We need to—

*cough*—

*cough* *cough*—

We need to go... It's all *Sarkaz expletive* Originium particles in the air.

No medicine for more than a week now... all the injured... Infected... damn it!

Wh-What's that sound?

No reinforcements from Babel yet? Then keep looking for a path! Don't come back until you do!

The Catastrophe cloud's fully formed. Which *Sarkaz expletive* unit attacked the hospital? Not even Scareye's that crazy!

Stick together! It's too late to try to get out of the Catastrophe. We need to find some clean caves! Nothing with Originium traces on it, not even a little bit!

Doing this to the wounded... Theresis, you piece of...

Mom... my leg hurts...

Don't cry, don't cry... we're almost home...

No— no—

It hurts— It hurts...

The sound of children crying.

The sound of conspiracy, of death, of struggling to survive.

The Catastrophe is deaf to all that, turning wind and snow into storm.

A few figures stand on a distant cliff.

The woman stands on the edge, peering silently into the distance.

A merciless Catastrophe, enemy soldiers blocking key passages, fleeing beasts, and the wounded and civilians with nowhere to run.

Life echoes in the valley, reaching Mantra's ears.

It is the sound of children crying.

...I hear it.

Children are crying.

It's starting to snow. This isn't good.

Two thousand, three hundred and thirteen.

All confirmed.

Location and physical data logged.

Fewer losses than expected, but time's of the essence.

Watching your Arts up close is always a remarkable experience, Mantra.

(Nods humbly)

Was the Djall in HR able to get you a few assistants?

(Closes eyes)

A shame.

Message sent to all squads.

Cave, seven kilometers to the northeast.

The children are there.

But the Military Commission's drones have found us.

I'll stay. You go.

(Frowns)

They don't want to face my squad head-on in this terrain.

Just going to say hi. Will try to take Manfred alive if he's leading them.

Don't take unnecessary risks—

Doctor here.

Sorry I'm late. Operations in the CA area have concluded.

Continue to carry out Mantra's plan. I'll provide support elsewhere. The priority is to help the civilians and wounded.

Good timing, Doctor.

Thanks. Misery is distracting the Military Commission, but he needs help.

Is this the part where I volunteer?

Yes, Ace.

Awaiting your orders.

And...

Theresa will go directly to the affected field hospital at the center to prevent further casualties.

If all goes well... I'll meet you there.

Explosion! Explosion!

Move away from the glowing area! Back off! The Originium underground is being activated—

*Sarkaz expletive* Too late—

Fires stir beneath the frozen earth, and blizzard brings with it the sparks of Catastrophe.

Every breath seems to carry the weight of all of Terra, bringing it upon every individual soul.

The weight vanishes in an instant.

They look up to see an astonishing sight.

Gah—

...The explosions stopped?

Snow... floating in the air?

The snow crystals here are almost indistinguishable from Originium crystals. Control over them can be achieved with sufficient focus.

You... You're

Precise control over individual snowflakes is difficult, but it's not so difficult to hold a snowstorm off in an Originium-rich environment.

Have you been paying attention in class, Aidan?

Pith! You're here! You...

I can give you ten minutes.

Go back to the meadows at the bottom of the valley and head south. Scout will guide your path.

Don't you remember what I taught you? There are a lot of emergency precautions you can take in an Originium-dense environment, but you did nothing.

I—

Wait... you have acute Oripathy patients in your group! What were you thinking?!

Take this syringe! I'll do what I can. You have ten minutes to get everybody in order.

But you—

Move it, before the Catastrophe fully forms! This area will be safe while I can dampen it for a bit.

—One more thing.

I'm using several kinds of Arts at the same time right now. I want to see an essay from all of you on my table by this weekend, explaining which schools these Arts belong to.

So you better damn well make it out alive.