Глава 8

...Um.

(Amiya, did I say something wrong?)

The evening before the core city Operation Team's departure from the ship

I won't allow it.

Dr. Kal'tsit. This time, I'm going to have to do it this way.

We've gone over this question countless times before, Amiya.

Your Originium Arts expend your physical strength. This goes even as far as the physiological activity your metabolism requires.

Your life is... passing. You're not a machine, nor a ship's cannon. You cannot have your parts changed, nor can you be further processed.

I know.

No. Maybe you still don't know.

...There'd be another memory from far too long ago. I'm not certain how much pressure it would bring about on your body.

Every simulation's result is leagues from anything ideal. I can rule out this choice.

Then how about this, Dr. Kal'tsit. Let me put it this way.

This time, I need to do things this way. I'll be taking off one more ring.

Amiya, we are going over a form of violence. You have said as much to me. If you didn't want me to stop you here and now, then you wouldn't have asked me to swear it to you.

The Chairman and I cast these rings together. It was so that no-one who came after would easily walk that path again.

I'm using them, Dr. Kal'tsit. I won't argue for weapons, and I would never say that any kind is better for its ability to kill faster.

However, what Miss Theresa left to me was not the same thing at all.

Since the very beginning, perhaps they were never designed as weapons.

They shouldn't be used to kill anyone... they never should. When they're used, what I think of is who I should save.

This is the conclusion I've come to, after years of coexisting with them.

...Trusting a kind of weapon is not in any way a wise act.

If you wish to use them as a surgical tool and not as a lethal weapon, then you must be in control of their blade.

A blade is a blade to both the enemy and me, no matter how you use it. Its characteristics will not change.

Amiya... they will incise you.

Dr. Kal'tsit, I'm not afraid.

Wounds can heal.

But they can leave behind scars. Scars that nobody can bear to look at.

...Mngh.

But I... I won't give up.

Originium has already changed my body in ways you know. Any further wounds... they'd be one or two wounds, and nothing more.

I am not a weapon.

Do you need me to bring up another hurtful example?

—What case?

Who can prove that you and I are not a kind of weapon?

Who can come to define whether or not we are a kind of weapon?

Can weapons think? Are weapons that can think all the more fearsome? Are weapons with self-awareness automatically no longer a kind of weapon?

No, Amiya. I disagree.

Even if I know—

You've already grown up.

I can't stop you.

Your decisions are yours to make.

Yes, Operator. You've misspoken.

Have you ever seen, um... such a...

...cute...

...weapon... before?

Um. No, not that I'm saying...

Amiya... is cuter.

S—Sorry! I can't think of... I can't think of another way to put it...

We're people. People, with a full complement of emotions.

After this is over, find the chance to apologize to her, okay?

Don't, don't, Amiya. It's okay.

Let's go. Together.

Ah, wait, Rosmontis... I think I might fall here!

I'm going to hold on tight to you. I can't let those guys, those Infected. I can't let them hurt you.

A little slower... let's go a little slower, okay?

(Maybe i shouldn't have said it like that. But...)

(Hm...)

Central District

Can you see that, Kal'tsit?

Ngh, guh.

No. No come near.

I see it. Nobody with even normal eyesight could ignore this sort of phenomenon.

—Do you still remember the special Infected you came across back in Lungmen?

The Infected Reunion boy who could induce mutation within other Infected's organs.

Who?;......;I remember.

...Ah.

Mephisto's Herd?!

Even the devils...

Don't. Don't, forward, any more, inside.

What are you...? We need to lay out our defenses forward! The rebels have almost fought their way here!

Goddamnit, Mephisto. What are you thinking? If we detoured, they wouldn't attack us...

Nothing but, pain.

Wait a moment, wait a moment! What are you doing?!

Pain.

Let go of me! Let go!

All units, we're moving back. Keep cover.

We'll change entranceways after that. Something bad's happened already.