Глава 9

How long has it been, already, since you awoke in Chernobog?

The span of a blink. Like a lifetime ago.

You still remember, when you opened your eyes, the light you saw, and the voice you heard calling.

...Sorry...

For making you suffer again...

You still remember the warmth of the girl's hand.

Doctor...

...hand!

Take my hand!!

You still remember, where you left your slumber, the unbearably broken world that greeted you.

You still remember, hiding among the countless enemies, an unerring gaze.

Hmph. Trying to run...?

Where do you think you're going?

Go. Tear them apart.

You remember as before, battling with wave after wave of hostiles, the Catastrophe taking its callous hold.

And the enemy more fearsome than the Catastrophe still.

I shall grant you an ending that I am quite fond of.

...Disappear.

Those around you made great sacrifices. Paid the ultimate price.

Each name, each likeness, you firmly remember.

Even so, you weren't spared much time to familiarize yourself with all that Rhodes Island is, and was.

The insurrection in Chernobog was only a beginning. Rhodes Island was pressed to swiftly proceed to Lungmen.

Because it was more than likely that Lungmen would become the next target of Reunion's indiscriminate attacks.

To earn the trust of Lungmen Chief Executive Wei Yenwu, Rhodes Island carried out an investigation in the slums.

You remember here, you saw the plight of the Infected wherever you looked.

And in that plight, the infiltration of Reunion, determined to resist.

You still remember, a little girl who had been drawn into all this, she was Reunion's true target.

Once kindhearted by nature, she ultimately chose to take up arms to save her own people.

You still remember. How she, herself, never was saved.

People always have a way of surpassing your expectations.

Even moreso when it comes to the Infected.

Power begets madness, and desire begets depravity.

They are cancers, eroding away at all that is good in the world.

If you want to keep it, I won't stop you.

Just know that one day, your room will be filled with masks like this.

All people must bear the consequences for the choices they make... Infected, or otherwise.

You remember how, at the same time, within the districts of Chernobog, the recon team found Reunion assembled.

They ran away.

They had pretty quick reactions. Ran away before we had a chance to take action.

Disconnected themselves, and took off as quickly as they could––

But where did they hope to escape to?

You remember, as you rescued the imperiled team, the first time you saw the girl who was as frost.

You still remember. This, too, was Reunion's trap.

You remember. The L.G.D. forces pursuing the Reunion remnants to the outer edge.

The enemy launched their offensive from inside, with the L.G.D. at the center, and assailed Lungmen.

...I'm safe now.

But...

...Reunion took over one of our important facilities and is now forcefully opening a passage between the slums and the outer city.

You remember. The young Inspector swearing to retake the L.G.D. by her own strength, and defeat the insurrectionist foe within Lungmen.

You remember. She, too, went through setbacks, but remained unyielding.

Maybe I have changed. As time passed, I've had fewer grievances about Lungmen, and I've been able to place my trust in more people.

You are no longer just Inspector Hoshiguma. You are my friend, and my partner.

Your shield has protected me all this time; so once in a while, you should let me be your shield..

Whew. You're not even going to blush after saying all that?

No matter how you feel, we are the L.G.D. We aren't rioters, nor are we criminals.

We will take back our headquarters, not necessarily for the sake of pride or justice.

We will do it because we are the L.G.D., and we will take back what belongs to us. That's the only reason we need.

Do not make Lungmen worry about us. Do I make myself clear?! Obedience, diligence, and perseverance!

It's time. Let us rid the L.G.D. Headquarters of every last Reunion member!

You remember her brimming with courage, bravely charging the enemy ranks.

Officer, I know what you are. My Originium Arts only work on the Infected.

I don't care.

Don't you know that you're only going to become his pawn, to be discarded when you've served your purpose?

You can have those words back.

You remember Rhodes Island making haste, arriving just at the battle's decisive moment.

You're using your own blood as an incendiary?

Hah, do I look like some sort of caster to you? Only some egotistical newbie would go around committing arson like that.

Sorry, but this is just one of my fighting techniques. Show yourselves – you have nowhere to hide!

You remember the L.G.D. taken back, and the horn blown to signal a counterattack on all fronts.

You remember Rhodes Island and the L.G.D. fighting apart, Reunion suffering defeat after defeat.

Just you...?

Move and I shoot!

You still remember, at the end of the fight in Lungmen, how Rhodes Island had to once again face an enemy she didn't want to fight.

Yes. You will now... fight me.

Only one of us leaves.

If you can defeat me, it means some will be able to survive——

You remember it vividly. It was precisely because we both knew... we both cherished the same ideal.

And because we did, neither of us could back down.

I am willing to join Rhodes Island. I am willing to fight together with you against the enemies of the Infected, your way.

This is my burden to bear.

She was, at the instant the battle concluded, a part of Rhodes Island.

And yet, Reunion's crushing defeat in Lungmen was no more than Talulah moving her first piece.

Exploiting the cover of a sandstorm, the Chernobog core city approached Lungmen.

You remember. A direct attack using a city as a weapon. That was Talulah's true maneuver.

In this moment, the firm and resolute Ch'en chose to leave, alone.

Rhodes Island, too, chose to abandon coordinated action with the L.G.D., and go unto the fray.

To make landfall and attack the Chernobog core city, and halt Reunion's offensive.

Drivers, maintain a steady speed! Check your maps. Use the sandstorm to cover your approach to the core city until you're in range to deploy boarding gear! Engage!

You still remember how we returned to the core city, defended by guards every step of the way, and met an old friend.

It's been a while, Amiya, Dr. Kal'tsit.

Exhausted our strength.

Ah... ahhh!

Put an end to the quandary.

It tries to walk forward, but its fragile wings are unable to support its own body.

There are sounds trickling out of its throat, like a river of terror formed of whimpers.

Creatures of artificial nature can usually be traced back to aesthetics.

Yet don't be fooled by its appearance. No matter how beautiful it may seem, you are looking at the culprit behind the surrounding devastation.

It's singing.

Prevailed over a mighty enemy.

The Wendigo freezes in place.