Глава 14

I've had my fair share of times like this before.

Now that you're formally a member of the Steam Knights, are you going to break things off with street loafers like us?

Oh, stop it... Have you made your decision, Vina?

I see no real reason for me to hesitate. My days in Norport might have been some of the happiest in my life, and I don't really see any need to return to the palace.

Alexandrina Vina Victoria is a descendant of the royal family, but she is also a normal, honorable Victorian.

You are now an honorable Steam Knight, Allerdale, I the honorable Siege.

I believe that these lives of ours are for the best.

Peaceful lives. Such precious things.

To life.

To Victoria.

Whenever you're in the mood, we should go out and have a stroll together. Perhaps throw some stones at the dukes' windows?

How wonderful.;...;This isn't real.

You still remember each and every one of them. The regret you feel over their tragic fates is clear on your face.

Otherwise you would not be seeing such things.

What do you feel, Doctor?

Gratification? Confusion? Perhaps anger?

These are the scenes that your subconscious mind wished to see.

You hoped that they were all real, didn't you?

Who else will I see here?

Only you can answer that.

Let us continue, Doctor.

No matter what you see, you must face it. Surmount it.

I'm back, Doctor. It's been a while.

...;...Talulah?

Hehe, it hasn't been that long. Don't recognize me anymore?

I was out setting up an Infected treatment center in the north of Ursus. Took quite a lot of effort.

Thankfully the workers in town were all supporting us, nothing the local lord could do but compromise. We managed to get the land that we needed out of the deal.

Reunion doesn't exist...?

Are you trying to crack a joke, Doctor, or have you just woken up?

If Reunion didn't exist, then who would be helping Rhodes Island with treating the Infected in Ursus?

And Kashchey? What about him?

Why would you suddenly bring up the dead Black Snake?

Did you want me to thank you again? Very well. After all, it was only thanks to Rhodes Island that Ursus and I were able to cast off that mastermind and start a new future for countless people.

Doctor.

No...;(Do not look back.)

Doctor?

FrostNova...

You shouldn't be here.

Why?

You told me to give you my report immediately after completing the missions, no?

Missions... for Rhodes Island?

Who else would I do them for? I've always been a Rhodes Island Operator.

You look strange, Doctor. Am I standing too close and making you feel cold?

This isn't right.;This isn't...;THIS ISN'T RIGHT!

One by one, the lively crew shed their visages, shifting into indistinct, jet-black shadows.

They do not appear dangerous. They just slowly drift around you.

Kal'tsit... What are they?

This is no illusion or dream. It is all real, in a sense.

All the people, all the things you have encountered in the past exist within your imagination. They took their forms based on what you most hoped to see.

They sully our memories.;How can you stay so calm?

These scenes affect me as much as they do you, Doctor.

But they are ultimately the product of your thoughts.

Originium, guided by your wishes deep in your subconscious and your desires to make up for past regrets, has reproduced what you wish to see.

You continue to hold a deep regard for everything you have experienced alongside Rhodes Island, yet despite that, you were able to break away from this beautiful lie.

Only now can I believe that you, as you are now, are still the Doctor of Rhodes Island.

Originium? Since when could it do this?;Why is it being guided by what I want?

<color=#000000>All that you wish for, I am able to grant.</color>

Pries...tess...

As I thought, you already...

I once told you, Doctor, that others cannot tell you how to solve the mysteries surrounding you. You can only rely on yourself.

I suspect that we are now extremely close to that critical juncture.

If this is all based on my hopes, then are you...;I can at least say for sure that you are no illusion.

I thought that our prior interactions would be sufficient for you to render an accurate judgement.

I hope that this judgement of yours is based on rationality, and not something else.

If these scenes are all about making up for regrets...

Will I be able to meet Theresa?

I do not know for certain where Theresa is, nor what she is doing.

What I am sure of is that she has something to do with this environment.

Doctor.

Amiya!

Doctor, Dr. Kal'tsit. Good, you're both here.

(Hesitate);(Step forward without hesitation)

Don't worry, Doctor. I am the real Amiya. Really.

*sniff* I was looking all over for you, Doctor.

You look a little different.;Your clothes...?

Theresa left me this dress.

So she really is here?

I haven't seen her. I've sensed no presence of her aboard this 'Rhodes Island', in fact.

Did you run into any danger?

I'm fine.

So many memories flowed before me...

But not only memories. Emotions too, rich ones in every shape and form.

I think that the people that we saw were truly alive.

But this form of 'life' just makes me... sad.

After walking down this corridor and seeing you, I think I understand now.

The emotions that I felt all stemmed from the same source, Doctor.

...Me.

Yes.

I... 'touched' you, Doctor. I've never done that before...

The girl holds your hand, just as she has always done, but a little tighter, and more carefully this time.

I know that you've changed a lot compared to the past, Doctor.

But considering all that we've experienced together, I am even more convinced that... the you who stands before me now has always been the you that I've trusted the most.

Memory may tell falsehoods, but emotion always speaks the truth.

There are many things that I still don't understand at this moment. I have questions that can't be answered until we see Theresa once more.

No matter what happens, no matter how many unhappy endings await us...

You'll stand by my side, won't you, Doctor?

I will.

I am Dr. {@nickname} of Rhodes Island.

Good. That's all I ask for.

Let's go find Theresa, then.