act4d0

The Black Flow of Bolívar, the highland plains of Kazimierz, the undersea volcanoes of Iberia... there was a time when no one had seen them either.

But now the explorers have been and gone, planted their flags.

And there are still many places in the world no one has set foot on yet. But that's all it means. Not yet.

Today, I set foot on this ice field. That means more people will come in the future.

And we have no idea under what circumstances they'll be coming.

And if no one else comes in your lifetime?

After you go back, won't this station fall into ruin?

I can't give up. There's always that minute chance that some nonexistant explorer might come along two months later.

Simone... You have to understand. I, Magallan, believe in exploration. I believe in explorers.

One day, our footprints will cover this entire land.

...You have put your hopes in a future that may not come to pass. Will you not be disappointed?

No big deal. An explorer spends her whole life discovering, and her whole life being disappointed.

No explorer's discovery is purely her own. Every one of us stands on the shoulders of all the explorers who came before us. Every discovery is connected to a long and storied past.

Like, I'm only here in this ice field because of a story I heard as a child.

But I know in my heart that even if the thing I'm looking for doesn't exist, everything I do still has meaning.

Even if it's just some empty, disappointing, imaginary meaning.

Oof, this heater is a little too powerful... burned my hair last time. Oh well, on you go!

...I see.

Yep! Welp, here I go!

Let me go in your stead.

Huh?

Simone, you came here looking for someone, right? Our outpost here doesn't hire anybody!

I already found her.

Huh.

You mean me, Magallan?

The environment has deteriorated to the point where our messenger was unable to inform you in advance.

Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am a Rhodes Island Operator, codename 'Santalla.' I am here to retrieve you. Of course, you can keep calling me Simone.

Let me go in your stead.

Wow...

Nope. It's too risky!

That's what I should be saying to you.

Nope nope nope. I'm the field specialist here. It's my responsibility.

Don't underestimate me.

Huh.

Tell me how to do the repair, Operator Magallan. And let me take care of everything outside.

Okay, okay, I got it. Here, take this!

What is it?

Just press this button and I'll come out and get you! And take this, and this...

Heh heh, thank you...

I truly found the right person. I don't need them, Magallan.

You do! I can't let you go out there without...

No. Operator Magallan... trust me.

The land, she trusts me too.

We spend our whole lives discovering, and our whole lives being disappointed. Right?

Foolish Sami. What will this resistance accomplish?

You are indeed impressive. We cannot escape this storm.

But what does it matter? Ursus will crush you, swallow your cities, devour your land!

Witch... we will not kill you.

We will die, but you will live. You must live. You must see the land stained with blood!

Take this. A gift from the dead! Take it, with your eye!

Scream! Cry! Then live!

We die in glory! You live in ignominy! Forever!!

Witch!

Indeed. How was it I always felt this world would die?

So long as there are children like this, the world will find a way to flourish.

Rest assured, Magallan. There are some things that are beyond you. Let the adults handle it. It is good for us too.

'...Listen ♪...'

'...Flourishing life blooming white, buried black seeds deep in the night... ♪'

'Sing out, pretty girl. Cry out, pretty girl ♪'

'The snow hears your song, the blizzard keeps you warm ♪'

——Snows of the Northlands, do you hear my song?

Magallan... I want you to follow your dreams.

There. That should stop the snow.

第一关（前）

11:30 A.M. \ Overcast

Countryside - Rhodes Island Chief Engineer's Office

What are you doing this time?

Kal'tsit, you think I could see the Doctor for a bit?

Has it been too long since you pranked {@nickname}? Feeling antsy?

Oh come on! I'm really a very caring person.

Last time you called yourself a caring person, you set up a facility to broadcast 'Closure's Midnight Video Market' at twelve o'clock for three months straight.

But...

We still have no way to turn the volume down.

Okay okay, I admit it! I want to go tease the Doctor.

Not to mention {@nickname}'s memory loss. I can't say for sure if the Doctor even knows who you are.

Huh? Slept too much and turned stupid, huh? That's sad. I'll have to bring the Doctor some snacks as a little cheer-up gift.

Whatever. Just try not to make a bad impression.

Warfarin went bad enough. Add in the Doctor's misconceptions about vampires and the Kazdel matter will have to be postponed. Indefinitely.

This is an opportunity to rehabilitate yourself in the eyes of the people. Seize it well.

Do I really need rehabilitating?

After the time you set the climate control system to 36 degrees, yes.

That was a power outage in the machine shop.

We found your fingerprints on the console.

It was a power outage in the machine shop!

You hacked the surveillance system and deleted the recording, but the console served as a biological backup. I have thirteen tissue samples from thirteen different instances.

I'm sorry it's my bad that envoy is such an arrogant prick I just want to rub his nose in it sorry.

Anyway, the welcome party. Dr. {@nickname}'s welcome back party. We're not throwing one?

Afraid not. Circumstances such as they are.

Hey, why you gotta be like that, Kal'tsit? This is the Doctor we're talking about, the Doctor with amensia. We gotta create an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie.

Did you always look at the Doctor so?

Maybe... I've never been that close to the Doctor. But didn't you just say this is the perfect time to make a good impression?

Closure, let's talk about something else.

Hmph. If you're not going, I'll go myself. I don't care what you do.

Did I hear we're going to Lungmen? I think that was on the schedule.

Yes.

And we can operate freely?

Lungmen has become quite dangerous.

Huh? Really? Lungmen? I thought that place was all about law and order.

It's the closest city to Chernobog. That should be pretty self-explanatory.

So why are we going?