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Look, now that's Ari—

Gaaaah, Dr. Kal'tsit! How long have you been standing right next to me?

Don't worry. I just got here.

Ari, pass me this patient's blood works report.

Hmm, you've recovered quickly and your Oripathy hasn't shown any signs of deterioration.

The fact that I'm still here today is all thanks to you. When I think back to the day I first had an acute Oripathy attack, you didn't close your eyes day or night so you could rescue me. I just...

It's my duty as a doctor.

Next, I'll have to read the relevant agreement on the transfer and resettlement, and you'll sign the agreement after I read it. According to Article 4 of Rhodes Island's Oripathy and Treatment Regulations...

Easy there, Doctor, you don't have to read all that. Rhodes Island has my complete and total trust, so just show me where I have to sign.

I appreciate it, but reading out the agreement in its entirety is also to protect your rights.

Ari, time is short, and we might not have the manpower to carry the patients. Check the hallway to see if anyone can help.

Alright.

Ah, Doctor? Good afternoon, what brings you here?

Good afternoon.;......;Long time no see.

Doctor, are you available right now? We don't have enough staff to relocate the patients here, and might need your help...

I am.;Sure.;I'd be glad to help.

Given your current physical condition, I'd recommend you not engage in any physical labor.

I've got nothing better to do.;I'll do my best.;At least let me give it a shot! Don't underestimate me!

Doctor... This isn't the commander of Rhodes Island, is it? The one that Little Ari's always talking about every day?

S-Sir, please don't say silly things like that! Doctor, I was just giving them an overview of Rhodes Island.

She's probably giving me too much credit.;......;Am I really that popular?

Having the commander of Rhodes Island transport me? There's no way...

Now don't be shy. Everyone in Rhodes Island is obligated to help in even the most commonplace of tasks. That hardly changes even for the person with the title of field commander.

Our time is limited. Let's get the transfer underway.;Saves time.;Let's get a move-on.

Qus, come here and help me lift his upper body, and pay attention to the medical equipment cable.

Sure thing. Ari, what's this new device? Never seen it before.

It's a crystal melting instrument, Rhine Lab CR-01 experimental model, with a built-in Originium circuit.

In the middle and late stages of Oripathy, the body becomes filled with crystals, and the organs are easily damaged and ruptured.

The crystal melting instrument utilizes the sequential release of concentrated energy to dissolve the crystallization.

That's exactly right! See, it's just as I said, the Doctor really knows everything.

Qus, don't just lift like that.;Qus, stop.;Qus, hold on!

Use your left hand to place the patient's hands together over the side of your neck, then use your right hand to cradle both the patient's legs...

S-Sorry...! I didn't pay very close attention to Dr. Kal'tsit's battlefield handling course, and didn't learn a lot of that material...

That course was originally structured for you to cement your knowledge with practice anyway. But how did you know that, Doctor? If I recall, you were out in Sargon during that session.

It came out without thinking.;......;Maybe I'm just a genius.

One last thing, Amiya's been busy with various assessments of the Londinium trip as of late. Please take the time to make sure you look after her.

She may be the leader of Rhodes Island, but she is also still a kid.

2:29 A.M. \ Overcast

Babel Temporary Operational Command Center

You are the leader of Babel, but you're also an Oripathy patient. Please take your health seriously.

I suggest you stop working and take a break immediately.

Kal'tsit, you still think too much about others... Oh, Doctor, please come in. We weren't discussing anything confidential.

I heard everything, Your Majesty. You really should be getting enough sleep.

That was a tense meeting we had last night. All that battle talk must have tired you out.

No worries. Conversely, Doctor, I would like to apologize for the words spoken by some of the participants. They did not intend to offend, but were slightly agitated.

They were worried about my safety, but I understand that you must surely have considered all possible situations. This is the best solution.

Theresis wants to regain the initiative. He knows that your strengths are also your weaknesses.

But what he doesn't know is how much you're willing to sacrifice for the Sarkaz people.

When Ascalon's troops arrive in town, he'll see the writing on the wall.

You're always so reassuring. Doctor, listening to your words is more refreshing than sleeping.

Theresa's weary face flashes a smile of relief, a smile that becomes gentler as she looks out the door.

Come in. Here, sit next to me.

B-But...

No need to look all around. There are no outsiders here, Amiya.

Doctor, Dr. Kal'tsit, g-good evening.

I didn't mean to stay up this late.

No one is blaming you, dear. Let me guess, did you have a nightmare?

No... I didn't. The soldiers moving around woke me up.

I was looked out the window and saw Ascalon getting ready for a long trip with the other fighters...

They are on a mission.

But... But, Ascalon said she would never leave me or Her Majesty.

I was worried, so I snuck in here to take a look...

Amiya, my dear Amiya, the Doctor gave Ascalon a little job. They'll be back soon enough.

Think about it, has one of the Doctor's battles ever run long?

Y-You're right.. If that's what Doctor wants, I feel much better.

Doctor is the best at making everyone feel safe.

Amiya, you should rest.

Okay I'm going to bed! Good night, everyone!

What a sweet, lovable child...

Doctor, before you came, I was a bit worried... about the safety of the Rhodes Island landship in Ascalon's absence.

That's natural.

Stretching his front line thin, encircling a small town with no strategic significance. There's no telling what Theresis's true objective is.

My safety is secondary. I'm more concerned about the safety of the children and researchers on the ship.

But as Amiya said, you really do give people a sense of security. What you've accomplished through your command leaves no room for doubt.

Doctor, Kal'tsit, the day we win this war... shouldn't be far away, right?

Now, all of that is well outside your normal schedule...

Doctor, are you still listening?

I am.;......;I'm listening, very clearly.

Doctor, what does it mean to be truly alive?

Where did that come from?;Never thought about it...;Way too abstract.

Obeying someone else's will, losing your reason to move on. Does that count as being alive?

That's just a walking corpse.;......;Isn't that just a robot?

Keeping your body, but being separated from your memories. Does that count as being alive?

That might make life rather confusing.;......;Are you talking about me?

If you had to choose one or the other, Doctor, which would you choose?

I choose to be human, not a puppet.;I would choose to be free.;Who wants to be a robot?

Kal'tsit casts a deeply pensive look at you.

Freedom is not free.

After you lost your memories, you woke up, were forced to fight, and forced to witness the sacrifice of human life. This whole time, you have barely had a single choice...

Look into my eyes... Tell me, Doctor, why is it that you fight?

Memories continue to pour forth in this moment, and everything that has happened since your awakening in Chernobog flashes before your eyes vividly, joy and sorrow intertwining.

An answer becomes clearer and clearer in your mind. You almost blurt it out subconsciously—

I am fighting against my destiny.;I fight for Rhodes Island.;I fight to protect this world.

Make sure you don't forget the answer you just gave me.

Even if no one understands, we must continue to walk this path.

Doctor, you too will find your path.