act7d5

第一关（前）

Ptilopsis, you're back.

Yes.

Thanks for going on that site inspection for me. I'm almost done with this experiment, so I'll be able to do the next one myself.

It's okay.

I can go next time too.

...Oh?

Did something happen?

Yes. I'm going to my room now.

...Okay.

I think it should be in this diary...

No, this one was written at Rhine Lab. So, it should be this one...

Yes, this one. This diary is from after I came to Rhodes Island with Silence.

Let me see.

March 21 \ Overcast

Today, two new operators came to the Island. One named Hung and one named Aak. They seem to be from the same place as Waai Fu.

It is significant that Aak, who looks very young, is said to be a very famous back-alley doctor in Lungmen. But it seems he will not join the medical section.

April 2 \ Cloudy

Ever since he found out that Warfarin is 'Mr. Blood,' he has been visiting the medical section regularly.

But most of the medical section does not like him. This is because he does nothing to conceal his disrespect for us as his peers.

He is clearly highly skilled at healing Arts. Why...?

April 15 \ Sunny

...Speaking of Aak, Hung came to take him away after his latest competition with Warfarin. He has since curbed his behavior somewhat.

And the medical team is growing accustomed to his personality——at least outwardly.

This diary must be from the time of his second 'duel' with Warfarin.

Hey, 'Mr. Blood,' how about a little contest of skill?

Wow, what an obnoxious little wretch you are. Didn't you realize the power differential at work the last time you lost to me?

Are you serious? You think I lost that?

Hey, Miss Feathers, you were there too. Who won that?

Silence, he means you.

I'm Miss Feathers?

Analysis determines a 50% chance he is calling me. However, my logic functions have determined I do not want to respond to this form of address.

Neither do I.

What are you whispering about? Come on, I didn't lose the last one, did I?

...Aak, we're busy. Please don't interrupt our work.

Sure, sure. I'm just asking a question. Give me an answer and I'll leave you to your noble 'work.'

Very well. Accessing system records...

According to the records, it is true that, objectively speaking, the winner of the last contest was difficult to determine, due to the unexpected circumstances arising at the end.

Well, how about that!

Pfft, fine. Let's give you a loss to remember today!

*Sigh*. It's been like this every day since that Aak showed up. I really don't understand why the Doctor would hire someone like that...

Despite his abrasive personality, there is no denying that his clinical expertise, as well as his natural talent, is impressive.

I know what you mean. But I think he looks down on us.

Yeah, yeah, that last surgery really impressed a lot of people, and I was kind of sold on him myself. I figured I'd try to make friends. He ended up treating me like garbage.

I hate that guy!

Only big boss Warfarin could get along with him.

Is that what getting along looks like...? What do you think, Ptilopsis?

Searching dictionary database.... Result: birds of a feather flock together.

Hahaha, that works on a couple levels!

What's going on in here? Looks like you're having a good time.

Ah, Dr. Ansel, we were talking about Aak.

Oh.... I don't connect well with his personality, but it's nice to have a fresh face as skilled as him.

Leave it to Dr. Ansel to have nice things to say about Aak....

All right, even if we didn't have work to do, you can't be chatting it up during work hours. Back to your stations.

Right——

You have something, Ansel?

Well, I have the report. The results aren't exactly stellar.

That's more or less what we expected, though. Let's start preparing the next experiment right away.

Ptilopsis, you go too.

Zzzzzzz.... Oh? Yes, understood.

Aak joining the medical section was a major upset to the order of things. And while there was some unpleasantness, I somehow did not dislike it...

Oh, I wrote, 'I did not dislike it' in this one.

If I recall correctly, there should be more....

Right, here it is.

June 10 \ Light rain

The reconnaissance operators appear to have discovered a vein of Originium ore in a nearby mountain range, and Dr. Kal'tsit has sent a team to investigate.

To be safe, Silence and a few medic operators went along.

Nothing else to do today but wait for test results.

May 15 \ Sunny

Gavial came back from an operation and told us at dinner that she grew so annoyed with the enemy scurrying around that she personally waded into battle and cut them all down.

She seems to have forgotten that she is a medic operator. But she did make it sound appealing.

May 1 \ Cloudy

Today, after interviewing a new medic operator, I talked with Ansel about what we were doing before coming to Rhodes Island.

I couldn't reveal much of the inner workings of Rhine Lab to him due to confidentiality agreements, but it was a meaningful conversation.

Yes, this is it.

In other words, you were also half patient and half researcher at Rhine Lab?

Yes, Silence has had me on a customized course of treatment from then until now.

And Silence herself is Infected, and she has her own course.

Such things are not uncommon at Rhine Lab.

So Rhine Lab does a few things just like Rhodes Island. I always thought of Rhine Lab as a technology company.

Well, it's not a proactive approach to outreach like Rhodes Island's. I can't say more.

But it is safe to assume that Rhine Lab cooperates with Rhodes Island in this area due to a shared outlook.

Indeed.

Then I guess it's my turn.

Hmmm.... There's not much to say. My hometown is in Rim Billiton, and since my family was poor, I never had much access to technology, or really anything new.

After bouncing around a bit, I stumbled on a job listing for Rhodes Island. I put in a resume just to see what would happen, and here I am.

It blew me away when I first got here. I never thought I'd ever get to work in a place like this.

Indeed. I did not think of Rhodes Island as a small land cruiser when Silence first discussed the cooperation agreement.

But I've certainly learned a lot since coming here, and the remuneration is pretty good.

It's a bit of a shame I can't get home to see my family more often though.

Family....

Um, did I say something I shouldn't have?

No. I'm just recalling my family from the database.

Load successful. So that's them. I had forgotten.

...It's hard, not seeing your family.

It isn't.

Huh? It's not?

It's not.

Never mind. Please, continue with your story, Ansel.

Oh, um, okay, I guess I can tell you about Rim Billiton.