Глава 16

No. I've been looking for the director all day to request access, but I haven't been able to find him.

I don't know what you're researching here. Ultimately, the worst that can happen to the Infected is to be incinerated.

If this place still retains the function of a hospital, as His Imperial Majesty hoped, you can check the incinerator or morgue.

After that, you can come to the medical team's camp if you want to come with me.

I didn't accept Serafina's invitation.

But she was right.

Clothing without owners was stacked haphazardly in the basement. The incinerator was still running. The last person keeping watch over the place had left, leaving behind bodies that had not yet disintegrated scattered like the clothes.

The volunteers who participated in the experiment died en masse in the span of just two weeks. The impact of Oka on the human body was beyond doubt.

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

As was the case with the human experiments, I was excluded from the evacuation.

The lab was empty by the time I went to the basement, learned the truth, and put all the still-intact bodies in cold storage.

In fact, I can only guess that there was an evacuation. I don't know where they went—the director, Lakoda, or anyone else.

Thinking back on it, it was just like Chernobog, except this time I was the one in the lab.

You were too young at the time, and you were on the project as a student intern. You were not on the list of core staff.

H-How did you know?

Were you—

I understand.

We found 'Dominion' pollution in the mining district.

The Royal Guard was here. Not anymore.

Before you passed out, you said that Oka could kill a Royal Guard.;Then you said the miners killed a Royal Guard.

Which one is true? Or are they both true?

(Mutters) ...<i>Chyort.</i>

I don't think there's anything to talk about.

How does an ordinary person who was born and raised in Ursus describe the sudden collapse of the violence that had dominated her life for so long?

The Royal Guards are the stuff of nightmares to the children of Ursus. They watch your every word and action, so you are cautious and careful, so you are well-behaved and obedient.

They are invincible, undefeatable.

When you suddenly witness the death of one... it only means that something even more terrible has appeared.

The miners touched by Oka killed the Royal Guard.

No, no... I don't know anything about it. Forget I ever said anything.

I didn't see anything, and you didn't hear anything. Just leave.

I've told you everything you wanted to know, everything that I can tell you.

Even if all it does is accelerate the deaths of the Infected...;It would be an unimaginable disaster if it got out.

Leave aside the question of who killed the Royal Guard, or even if anyone killed him at all.;We don't know if the fleeing Infected miners came into contact with the substance.

If they did, and it is contagious, they would not have allowed the researchers to leave.

The changes brought about by Oka are not necessarily contagious. At least, based on the experiment data that I managed to find, they haven't begun comparative observation yet—

Do you still have a sample of Oka?

No... What would you intend to do with it?

It's not about what we intend to do. It's about what we can do.

We'll have to get our hands on a sample to find out.

But all the samples are... you're going into the mines?! Now?

It seems to be the only option.

Don't you want to find out what Oka really is?