Глава 15

(Mutters in shock)

All I can do is walk with you to the end.

The Cautus holds the hardened hand of the dying, trying to give him one last sliver of warmth.

May your pain be eased, even just a little.

My pain... it-it's gone!

The Cautus does not understand what happened—The rocks are still spreading on the body of the dying.

But the color of the black rocks becomes increasingly pure, and they begin to glow orange.

H-How did you do that?!

They don't hurt any more. Why...?

The shocked man tries to move, and finds that movement comes naturally, as though the accident never happened.

Except for the Originium that continues to grow.

Perhaps there will come a day when it replaces his flesh and blood in its entirety.

What will become of him when that day comes?

I feel myself recovering. This is amazing...

H-Have I been freed from death?

He looks at the Cautus girl, only to see the same shocked expression in her eyes.

—Did you grant my wish? Or is it...

She does not see the one she wants to see, but catches a glimpse of a figure on a distant peak, gazing at them.

The figure turns around and leaves.

—This paper means a lot to me personally.

Chloe's efforts reminded me why Rhodes Island exists, and why Kal'tsit is committed to our path.

Unlike any period in its history, Rhodes Island today is not only a pharmaceutical company that fights the pain brought about by Oripathy—

It must deal with the Originium problem at the source too.

We brought hope to those who had lost it. In turn, they repay us with hope.

This paper is Rhodes Island's salute to Chloe, and a promise on our part—

—A promise to Kal'tsit.

You arrive after Warfarin's speech has concluded.

Thank you for doing the presentation on my behalf.

Chloe deserved to be honored.

She was a patient who saved her doctor.

You look happy. Are you done on your end?

We've made progress.

Yes, Dr. Warfarin.

With Mon3tr's help, we managed to identify some key pieces of information in the vast amounts of data that Dr. Kal'tsit left behind.

You mean...?!

Let Mon3tr tell you herself.

Dr. Warfarin! I found a way!

My connection to her was severed, but her bio-identification signals and neuron data are still stored inside my brain.

Plus the neural network I had shared with her, in theory, all we'll need is a life support device powerful enough to—

Slow down, slow down! What exactly are you getting at?

What I mean is, although it's a purely theoretical possibility...

By using the power of the Sarcophagus...

We can bring Kal'tsit back!

I knew Kal'tsit wouldn't go so easily...

But the Sarcophagus? The one that was on Rhodes Island?

We can't go back to Rhodes Island for a while.;There is only one other Sarcophagus accessible to us.

Ursus.

It's like we've come full circle.

This will not be easy. Ursus remains a dangerous place for Rhodes Island.

But Kal'tsit has planned ahead and made arrangements at all our branches across Terra. Our first priority should be to restore communications with them.

We'll need their help for what we're trying to do.

We'll make contact with Ursus first.

Then, we'll find a way to bring Kal'tsit back.

So this is what Terra looks like now.

'Kolossal Prime Vein'? That's what they're calling that piece of Originium these days?

Hmm. Maybe it'll be a good choice for the next step.

The rate of Originium propagation is far below expected values, and AMa-10 has been a significant hindrance.

The project must be accelerated. Time is short.

The evolution of this planet is taking place too slowly.

More radical means are called for—

She walks deeper into the Abyss, now sealed in Originium.

PRTS rebooting...

Reboot failed.

Error: Core code missing.

Error: Database missing. Search function unavailable.

...Looks like connection by PRTS won't be possible for now.

Perhaps—

You don't know what you're doing, Dr. {@nickname}...

It's unfortunate that you have forgotten everything, our explorations of space, the shared pins that anchor our thoughts, and the 'debate' that has lasted so many millennia...

And your very first promise to me...

Time, the most cruel of mazes. It leads us astray, and separates us from each other.

But I believe, I've always believed, that you will once again recognize the truth of this universe, and our inevitable end.

I believe that you will come back to me when that time comes.

I will wait.

You've led us on a long walk, Sankta.

Have you decided to become a bounty hunter too?

You talk too much, Sarkaz.

Your fate was sealed the moment you decided to attack that innocent Siracusan caravan.

But it was too close to the Kazdelian border. His Holiness has encouraged upholding justice through proper means, to maintain peace on the surface, and it was not my place to go against the rules.

This place will do.

You're too far from home, mercenary.

You should have stayed in Kazdel, and never came out of that pit of yours.

Hmph.

Oren raises his gun.

...You missed?

You—you—

My hand should not be trembling.

Yes, you should fear me, Sarkaz. It's over.

Wait! Wait—

M-Monster! What are you?!

Oren takes a questioning look at his gun, and sees a shocking sight in the reflection of the gleaming metal.

His halo flashes frantically above his head.

Dazed and confused, he looks at his reflection again, and the devil that he is about to execute—

They look exactly the same.