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Understood, I'll make sure not to overwater them.

These Originium snails, and that metal crab, they look nicer than any I've seen before.... Your hometown is in Sargon, correct?

That's right. It's a very remote place in the Sargon countryside.

What's it like?

It's a.... Well, a very poor place with very few resources.

You can't farm there, because there's nothing but sand. You have to hunt to survive. All the children in my tribe are raised to be great hunters.

You too?

Yes, me too.

Then why did you join Blacksteel...?

It's kind of embarrassing, but... for money.

Money?

Yup. Blacksteel, Blacksteel Worldwide, is just a mercenary group.

Maybe everyone joins with a different goal, but a lot of mercenaries just need money.

And that's me.

Is that right? But it seems as though Jessica doesn't want for money?

Jessica...? She has some other motivation, I guess. She doesn't talk about these things much, so I don't really know.

But where I come from, everyone is very poor...

It doesn't rain much in the Sargon deserts. When it does, the water accumulates in small oasis pools, and caravans cross the entire desert looking for them, stopping briefly as they pass by our tribe to take out some goods to trade.

It's mostly barter. No one has much money. But every home has a little something to trade.

The caravans usually stays for just a day or two. And when it gets very cold at night, so everyone gathers around the fire.

We eat a little jerky. The adults drink a couple of sips of wine to ward off the cold, and the kids get a handful of dates to snack on.

The traders tell the children about what's going on in the world outside the desert, usually something new and fun.

Like how in the far, far east, there are fragrant cities with flowers everywhere, huge metropolises overflowing with wealth and happiness...

I could go for some of that.

Right? But since I've been out here, I haven't had a chance to check and see if the east is really so great.

Anyway, having heard stories like that, it's only natural I'd be curious about the outside world. There's no way I could stay in the desert and be a regular old hunter.

So I followed the merchants out to a small town on the edge of the desert.

And you found out things weren't as good as you thought?

They're not so good, but also not so bad... At least the food is better than back home.

I didn't have much money on me. Everything my family had still wasn't enough. Even a hostel was too expensive to stay in.

It's not like I had a lot of options besides mercenary work. But I don't regret it.

...Anyway, that's enough of that.

Where's your hometown, Steward?

I'm from Kjerag.

Wow! I heard it snows there all year round. Is that true? I've never seen snow...

Haha. And you never will, at Rhodes Island.

Really! Well, I'll have to save up. Jessica says those new body insulation suits are really expensive!

...Haha, that might be a bit overkill...

Melantha was so happy you asked her to help.

Though she may not show it, which is both a strength and a weakness of hers.

Really...? I hope I'm not being a bother.

Certainly not. It's no bother to Melantha, or myself, for that matter.

Now, off on your mission, Vanilla. And rest assured I will take excellent care of Puffball and the others.

Oh, just a minute, Steward!

Hm? Was there something else?

Um....

Not that I totally understand everything you and Blaze were talking about, but...

Next time Reserve Op Team A4 visits the kids in the treatment wards, please bring me along!

Let's learn how to make paper flowers, so we're ready for that mixer.

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.