Глава 16

<p=1>Central Far North Mining District, Ursus</>

Do you need a break?

Huh? Oh... uh, no.

I just...

If you have reservations...;We can look for it ourselves.

(Shakes head)

I chose to be your guide. Besides, I want to know the truth about Oka too.

Worst case scenario, I guess they exile me...

The path ahead seems to be safe, Doctor. I do not detect any lifeforms—

Huh?

Ksenia glances at Mon3tr, then quickly and awkwardly looks away.

You notice the researcher has been following Mon3tr quietly, looking to her from time to time. Even Mon3tr has noticed it now.

You keep glancing at me, Ksenia... do I look weird?

What? No, no!

It's just, seeing you brings back memories.

What memories?

You see... the problem is that I don't remember them clearly.

It's so distant that it's become faded and indistinct, like ink on a piece of paper that's been submerged in water...

But... may I ask you a couple of questions?

Of course! I only hope I can answer them.

You said your name is Mon3tr?

Yes, that's what they call me.

Mon3tr... Mon3tr.

She chews on the unfamiliar name.

Mon3tr, do you—

Do you feel cold...?

Huh?

Wh-What I mean is, you're quite lightly dressed.

I can give you my jacket, if you need it. It'll at least keep the wind off you before we enter the mines.

I guess it might be a little too old—

I-I get it! There's no need!

It took me a little while to process it because you're the first one to ask me this question. But no, I'm really not cold!

(Shake head at Mon3tr);(Nod to Ksenia)

No, I'm not cold. But thank you for the offer!

Were you about to say something, Doctor?

No, you two can continue.

Ah... alright.

Perhaps your constitution is strong, and the cold doesn't bother you.

Yes! I'm strong!

It's alright, Ksenia. You can trust us.

We'll be walking together for a while. Feel free to ask any questions.

Right...

You said you were colleagues of Director Kal'tsit...

Is... is Director Kal'tsit well?

Um...

Were you close with her?

I... I wouldn't say that.

I was Professor Ilia's assistant. I didn't have much interaction with Director Kal'tsit personally.

All I remember is a few...

Ksenia! Ksenia!

Y-Yes, Professor!

Why isn't the experiment data from this morning on my desk?

I'm sorry! I'll go get it right now!

How many times do I have to tell you? You need to be able to keep up with the pacing, if you want to be part of the project. If all I wanted was someone to copy instrument readings onto paper, my three-year-old daughter could do it.

And what are these scribbles? Energy conversion equations?

Do your job first, Ksenia, before you try anything new.

What is this?

D-Director Kal'tsit. It's nothing, nothing to waste your time on.

Ksenia is still young. It'll take time for her to get used to working on an active project. I'll take responsibility for any mistakes...

Did you come up with this equation yourself?

Yes...

The theoretical model is quite creative, and the simulation model is sound. The equation would form the basis of highly efficient power supplies, if it can be successfully established.

Kinetic energy loss has not been taken into account, however, and more validation of the data is necessary.

Good grief...

I... I'm sorry, Director Kal'tsit.

There's no need to apologize. You took initiative, you wanted to be a part of what's going on.

You can listen in on the next report session, if you want.

R-Really?

And don't be so hard on her, Ilia. One should encourage the enthusiasm of youth appropriately.

You made worse mistakes when you were her age.

You're right. I understand.

Th-Thank you...

It's true that Director Kal'tsit inspired me at one point.

Like many who were there, I had hoped that research into the Sarcophagus would yield a new form of clean energy that could benefit everyone.

That way, miners would be liberated from the dangers of the mines, and the lives of the Infected would no longer be needed to fuel this monstrosity by the name of Ursus.

I was young, naive... it never occurred to me that a country's character, like the character of a person, is not so easily shaken or changed.

Regardless, I was very happy I got to hear Director Kal'tsit's name after the accident.

I thought, maybe I would have a chance to...

See her again?

About that, Ksenia...

Sorry! Forget I ever said anything. I assume it's something you may not answer.

I just thought... you look like you might know the Director. Perhaps you knew her, knew where she went, and if she's doing well.

But I suppose it was never my place to know...

Ksenia.

Yes?

You'll see Kal'tsit again. I promise.

Oh, so you mean she is still...

I am delighted to hear that.

We'll see Kal'tsit again, won't we, Doctor?

...Yes.

I look forward to it...

Should I get the chance, I would like to go to this 'Rhodes Island' that Director Kal'tsit founded, and which Serafina has mentioned...

One moment... something's not right...

We didn't see anyone on the way, did we?

No miners, and even though we're very near the mine shafts, we haven't seen a single guard, a single Patrol Unit.

The Grand Duchess put the entire mining district on lockdown.;Was everyone transferred?

I know about the lockdown. But the transfer—

No... What I know is completely different.

I thought the only problem was the failure of the Oka experiments. I never heard anything about the mining district being cleaned up.

It's definitely strange.