Глава 5

Don't say that. It's not like you.

It's for Lungmen's sake.

That's even less like you. You're a senior inspector, a high-ranking officer, not some politician. You've never been cut out for playing these little games.

Indeed, this is not something that a proper inspector should do, but I have no choice.

You're just too overworked and need a good vacation.

Perhaps.

Heh... I've thought about it before.

Hoshiguma, I could use a really, really long vacation.

Sure, after we see this through. Don't die out there.

Ochre, or Spring City? How about Floria County instead? We could fit in another vacation in the time it takes to get to Ochre.

Maybe we can head back to Victoria and visit some old colleagues...

I want to take a look around your hometown.

Don't bother. It's nowhere near as interesting as Lungmen.

Haha.

Hmm?

It's a transmission.

...It's on a secret channel.

I'll see myself out then.

Appreciate it.

Speak, I'm listening.

Madam Ch'en... those Infected, Reunion... they're everywhere...

XR02? Where are you?

Muk Wo Warehouse. I was hit by several arrows and probably won't last much longer. This is a trap...

Don't come until after they've left. I'll keep the intel on me. They won't be able to find it.

Code name XR02, hang in there. The L.G.D. will be there immediately. The intel you have with you is time-sensitive, and we must have it now.

I'm not sure, Madam Ch'en, I don't want to get in the way of your duties.

XR02, you are not allowed to die. You must survive.

...I can't argue with you, Madam Ch'en. Please be careful.

Wait, there's something moving.

BZZZZZZZZT!!

XR02? XR02!

Hoshiguma?

Hm? I'm here.

Gather your squad. It's time for us to go.

Madam Ch'en, are you leaving now?

How's the remaining operational force of Rhodes Island?

This is not information that we can disclose, Madam Ch'en. Our mission to assist the L.G.D. in operations, but we are not directly under your command.

I don't remember asking for that.

S-sorry, I said too much.

It's fine. I was just curious as to Rhodes Island's situation, and if there were any security concerns that you might need the L.G.D.'s help with.

After being defeated by us many times, Reunion has largely given up on invading Rhodes Island. From various angles, the situation in Lungmen is far worse than what we have to deal with.

Sorry, I hope this didn't come across as rude...

In other words, you don't need our help.

Correct.

Well, for the time being, the L.G.D. does need a small favor from you.

Hmm?

Reunion has blocked off the main road leading to the docks. We need your help to make an opening. Time is running short for the L.G.D., so we need to do this quickly.

We'll oblige, as part of our contract, Madam.

Excellent. Follow me!

第二关（后）

Before fighting them head on, I never expected Reunion to be so weak.

Considering what they did at Chernobog and all the trouble they caused our squads, I thought they must have been incredibly powerful.

But from what I've seen, the information from the mission briefing was right. That really is all the firepower Reunion can muster. The only thing that makes this mission complicated is the fact that we don't know what they're scheming.

Don't let your guard down. Reunion's greatest strength is their ability to do what you wouldn't expect.

Infiltration, surprise attacks, and leveraging their members' unknown abilities... these are the tactics they're best at. We still don't know what cards they might have up their sleeves.

I'm aware, considering how they managed to take down cities as big and powerful as Chernobog and Lungmen. Their true numbers may well be beyond our imagination.

Having that said, Madam Ch'en, didn't the L.G.D. accompany Amiya on a mission to investigate that Chernobog sub-city? How come they're still not back yet?

I'm sorry...

(Ch'en...)

We were separated from Amiya's squad. We weren't able to rendezvous with them, and due to the emergency, we had to turn around.

Are you saying that you and the L.G.D. abandoned Amiya and Dr. {@nickname} there?

Yes...

In other words, they're missing in action?

Why... Madam Ch'en...

No... You shouldn't have done that... Even if you are the L.G.D., you shouldn't have abandoned your partners.

This is my fault. My mission was to prioritize the safety of Lungmen. I made the decision to adhere to it.

What difference does it make whose fault it was...? Forget about it, Officer, there's no point talking about this any further.

I should have known better. That's right, I know very well how you view us Infected.

That's not what I meant...

How many operators do you need? There may be some who are willing to help you, but I'm not one of them.

We also have our missions as well. Helping Lungmen defeat Reunion may be one of them....

But we will be handling this job by ourselves. Make sure to remember our identification codes, Madam. Try not to hit your allies on accident, even if we are Infected.

...I understand.

If anyone is willing to join the L.G.D. in this mission, you can let me know.

...You don't have to force yourselves.

That drama with Swire earlier... didn't you do that just to drum up support from Rhodes Island?

Then why'd you turn around and treat their personnel like that?

You're mistaken, Hoshiguma. I had no such intentions.

Perhaps. I would've liked to see you be more forthcoming. You look a lot more relieved now.

To be honest, if I was in his position, I would've been angry as well. Be thankful that the warriors of Rhodes Island are fairly easygoing.

How should I say this, but... though it was an emergency, even I can't understand... Why did you decide to abandon Amiya's squad so decisively?

There were too many unknown variables.

The terrain made it difficult for the L.G.D. to fight, and we had no way to gauge Reunion's operational capacity. I can't allow my squads to take on these unacceptable risks.

I'm not convinced.

Hoshiguma... our plans have already been laid out.

Orders are orders, and I will obey them. However, I should be hearing them directly from you, not waiting for Swire to tell me.

Until the conditions are met, the specifics are confidential.

So, the orders are from Mister Wei.

You're free to speculate.

Even now, I don't know what your objective is. There are few in Lungmen who have the power to make the L.G.D. go this far.

It's the only possibility.

I appreciate what Mister Wei has done. But I will never respect him, and what happened today is just one of those reasons.

This is all necessary.

That's just your excuse.

*sigh*... Chen, you're either overthinking this, or you're not even able to convince yourself.

Maybe.

Call Swire for me.

Understood.

Hello?

We've left Rhodes Island, Swire. You can begin.