Глава 7

Uptown Lungmen 7:20 P.M.

*Pant* *pant*...

...You're pretty serious about this.

Real unexpected. Never would've thought... that you'd be able to make me bleed.

We... have never... been able to walk away... from our past.

Hoshiguma, you've always been a part of this city. But... not me. I've always been running.

I don't think I'll ever be able to stand this place.

It turned into another one of these in the end.

I can't stop you. Go.

Sorry, Hoshiguma.

After I'm gone, please go to the slums for me. The people there are panicked and confused. Someone from the L.G.D. has to protect them.

If some Infected kids give you a toy bear...

Keep it. An Ursus girl named Misha taught them how to make those bears. She died, because we failed her.

Okay. I will.

I'm sorry. I owe you one.

I don't need your apologies. Honestly, you're no good at them.

Hoshiguma...

...I think we're done here.

Go! And don't come back.

...Take care of yourself.

'Can't stand this place?'

...How many people care about this city as much as you do?

Bullshit...

Inspector Hoshiguma!

...Huh? Inspector, y-you're hurt? Who could have...

Oh, yes, we just saw, err, Madame Ch'en——

Oh, that, sorry.

Do you guys have a second to talk?

Inspector... you're disobeying orders too?

...I wouldn't put it that way.

Get out.

Yes, Lord Wei.

I told you... not to call me that.

As you wish. We await your orders.

Miss Kal'tsit and Young Amiya, before you speak, could I have a word with him?

Yes, go ahead, Miss Fumizuki.

All yours.

We've been together for years now, Wei Yenwu.

Why talk about this— Why now?

One look in your eyes and I can tell what you're thinking.

...Fumizuki.

Now, now. I've always been able to tell.

I know Lungmen means the world to you. I know all that you've given her. I know about the dreams you have for her.

No, Fumizuki...

But this, today, this isn't what you want, is it?

Ah, gomen. I'm not referring to our current dilemma.

What I mean is... this prosperity that you've given everything for.

You lost two loved ones. Actually, I think you said it was three. Maybe dozens?

Surely you couldn't bear to lose your niece as well.

She loathes the Shadow Guard. If I send them to retrieve her, she will fight them to the death.

No, Wei Yenwu... That's not what I mean.

Won't you regret it? If you let them both die in some foreign city?

So what if they're Infected? Are they not your nieces?

If we had children of our own, is this how you would treat them...?

All that I've done, I've done for the sake of our land. I never intended for Ch'en Hui-chieh to do my work for me.

But that's how she is!

No. Keeping the truth from her only deepens the cut. It only makes her feel like she doesn't belong here...

Your expectations of her, they're too distant, and too difficult.

But can I stop, at this point?

I have struggled against the men behind me and the city below me for so long, and this is all I have to show for it.

Would Lungmen allow me to stop?

That is what she wanted. To get to the source of our problems. She wanted to change this city into something completely unlike the city under my rule.

All I did was teach her how to get there, what she would have to do, and what she would have to give up.

All right, that's enough rationalizing. You're giving me a headache.

I'll go bring her home myself. I won't sit back and watch her die.

I will do what you cannot.

Nonsense! I won't allow it...!

I have plans to bring her back. And you, Fumizuki, are not to set foot outside this building.

Oh? You'll stop me?

Damare, kono yarou!

Whew.

Huh? Doctor, what did Miss Fumizuki say?

It's been a long time since I've heard such angry Higashinese.

Have you forgotten who I am, Wei Yenwu?

Even I have my limits, Fumizuki.

Have you forgotten who you are?

Fumizuki...!

...Doctor, I think...

(Mr. Wei might really care for Miss Fumizuki?)

(The same may also go for Fumizuki. Maybe...)

Now then, on to our friends from Rhodes Island. How much will it cost for you to help Lungmen, and our Ch'en?

I'll cover it myself.

You...

You're really going to hire us like this, Miss Fumizuki?

I am.

It may be improper to say, but my husband is not exactly in top form today.

Or I might say, our opponent's plans have gone beyond anything we might have predicted, and included all that he holds dear.

They have a complete understanding of both Lungmen, and Wei Yenwu.

Fumizuki, that's enough!

Who are you to say what's enough?!

Doctor, name your price. I can pay.

I understand everything you've said here, Miss Fumizuki. And money won't be necessary. But I need you two to hear me out.

...Doctor.

Maybe this isn't the place to say it, but if I can speak freely, Lungmen needs some outside assistance.

Can I continue, Miss Fumizuki?

By all means. I don't let words get to me.

...Nonsense...

Rhodes Island is only a pharmaceutical company.

But the world is a tough place. It doesn't let up on any of us. Especially a pharmaceutical company like ours that tends to make a lot of enemies be it in business, geopolitics, or otherwise.

We wander the cracks between countries because we have no other choice.