Глава 16

We thank our honored guest for your patience. Please follow me.

You comply with the guard's request, patiently waiting again in the office lobby for Eloysius and the much-rumored Grand Duchess's discussion to come to a close.

The subdued interior has no clock or other timekeeping instrument, as if time is not a right conferred upon its visitors.

You while away the minutes in utter boredom, thinking back to your own discussion not long ago—

Only the Doctor is allowed to meet with her?

I also think that's unreasonable. If something unexpected happens, there's no way for Amiya and I to protect you.

In the end, this is her domain.;It does not seem like she is giving us any room to bargain.

Eloysius said she wanted to introduce us to the Grand Duchess, but we still don't know why she really wants to help us.

My memory bank has no record of a young Ursine noble like her either.

But a woman acting as a special ambassador, who also personally knows the Grand Duchess, must be extraordinary.

She has many secrets.;This relationship between a Grypherburger envoy and a local noble is a subtle thing.

But she did clearly say she wanted us to go with her to the mining district.

We need to cooperate with her, no matter what.;This is the only chance we have to get into the mining district.

But Rhodes Island has stepped into the sights of Ursus, and we have no way of knowing how the local administration views us.

I've had my fair share of past experience.;I've been in this sort of situation before.

I will support your decisions, Doctor, but please be careful.

Take a comms terminal, at least! If anything happens, reach out immediately. We'll come get you right away, even if we have to smash the place up while we're at it!

I will if I have to.;I'll make sure I don't need to use it.

But...

What is this mine lockdown hiding...?

The corridors of the building are exceptionally empty, just like the streets of the city it stands in.

The moment you are led inside, a slight nod is all you are left with. Not a word has passed your guide's lips the entire time.

Perhaps he trusts your intuition will lead you to the correct room, or perhaps he is used to putting visitors to the test.

Fortunately, you had detected the warm scent of applewood smoke wafting off that guard, which takes you to the only door emitting such a smell.

A door that leads to a room tucked away in the corner was once pushed open.

It is as if the looming, imposing stone walls of this chill-gloomed city have come together to hide a spot of sacrosanct tranquility.

The first thing you see is a graceful, ash-blue figure standing at the other side of the room.

Greetings.

Your Imperial Highness, the Grand Duchess Elisaveta Konstantinovna Lacitsara.;......

I can feel your nerves from here. You need not be wary. Please, call me Grand Duchess Elisabeth, as my friends do.

I can tell that you are an individual of keen intellect.

You are to address Her Imperial Highness as Grand Duchess Elisabeth.

Forgive me, Your Imperial Highness. I am obligated to maintain protocol and decorum.

What does it matter?

True goodwill has nothing to do with formality. Allow our guest to relax a little.

Her voice is gentle and innocent, not at all what you expected.

The mistress of the place slowly turns around.

I welcome each and every guest to Bresk with open arms.

Is this not the part where you introduce your friend, Elotta?

Oh, yes, of course. This is the one I was just speaking about, the Doctor of Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals—

My name is {@nickname}.;You may call me Dr. {@nickname}.

It is an honor to be granted an audience.;I hope I am not too bold in paying you a visit.

As I said, there is no need for such formality. Come forward, closer to the fire. My attendant shall fetch us some tea forthwith.

It may be difficult for travelers from afar to adapt to Bresk in this season. Though she may be remote, there are times when she is a warm and pleasant home.

Has your journey here been a smooth one?

I fear I can't describe it as such...;Public Security certainly cares for Bresk.

Please believe me when I say that all you have seen here is in service to maintaining the city's hard-fought serenity.

Elotta has already explained to me in great detail the excellent work her new Oripathy specialist friends have done in the field. Yours is a talent our city sorely needs at this moment.

You require Oripathy specialists?;Ursus... requires Oripathy specialists?

Our young Tsar wishes to bestow his favor equally upon every Ursine citizen. He even wishes for the division of infection to no longer plague his people.

It is for this reason that he labors himself to exhaustion, such that even the most steely-eyed courtier is left heartbroken at the sight.

But rare is the one who truly understands how precious a treasure His Imperial Majesty's innocence is. We who call ourselves his followers must do all we can to enact his will.

Bresk borders the largest mining district in the Far North, but the methods we have available to treat Oripathy fall far short of His Imperial Majesty's ideals. Which means we require some able doctors.

If that is Your Imperial Highness's goal, Dr. {@nickname} is the best partner you will find here.

I have read Rhodes Island's scientific papers for myself. Unlike those dusty old scholars of the Imperial Universities who simply repeat the findings of others, Rhodes Island leads the vanguard in the field of Oripathy research.

Oh my... I have never heard our proud young officer express such admiration for anyone before.

Has working in Grypherburg changed you? I still distinctly remember your father grumbling to me about the awkward situations you would provoke at the ducal banquets.

A rather embarrassing part of my past, Your Imperial Highness.

If I may explain this admiration further, I have always respected those with true talent and ability, such as Your Imperial Highness, and Dr. {@nickname}.

I am incredibly grateful for the reminder about my father. I nearly forgot to pass on his regards.

His factories still produce uniforms of the highest quality for every soldier in the Far North. His name can still be heard at every banquet on the frontier.

We had best return to the topic of our friend here.

Let us speak plainly. What plans does Rhodes Island have for Bresk?

We hope you will allow us to enter the Far Northern mining district.;We lost contact with a mobile medical team in the Central Mining District.

Upon hearing your words, the Grand Duchess shows a split-second of surprise, but does not forget herself.

She looks toward Eloysius, and you notice the precise moment the young Guardswoman's gaze turns evasive.

The Grand Duchess lets out a long sigh, as if she were vexed by a terrible burden.

Oh dear, oh dear... Dr. {@nickname}—that is how I should address you, yes?

If this young lady has provoked a misunderstanding, then I do apologize.

We welcome Rhodes Island building an office in Bresk, and I wish to offer as much aid as I can...

But the Far Northern mines are not open to sightseers at the moment.

If your comrades are lost, then I ask you to leave with me their descriptions and last known whereabouts. I shall deploy every last man I can spare to help you find them.

Pardon my candor, but I believe we need to discuss this further.

I am afraid—

Your Imperial Highness.

What if I invite them to travel with me, under my name?

Oh, Elotta... You always were such a naughty little rascal.

You know that Bresk needs specialist Oripathy doctors.

You know that with your recommendation, I would not consider this a favor to be repaid, allowing your friend to do business here.

Now look here. What is it you wish to do? Drag our esteemed guest into our muddy, snow-laden troubles?

Elotta... You are complicating the situation.

This is not a complicated matter. Pray forgive my bluntness, Your Imperial Highness.

I have never concealed my objective here.

By the Tsar, there is hardly a soul in Grypherburg concerned about the possibility of unrest in your Bresk.

But there are many curious about the closure of the mining district, and the mutations among the Infected.

Those coming here may be idle young nobles, or scientists researching Oripathy, but they can just as easily be an Army captain, or dignitaries from the State Council.

The young Guardswoman's tone remains frivolous, leaving you barely able to discern if the sharpness she speaks with is one of irreverent rudeness, or if there is a prying, deeper meaning to it.

Grand Duchess Elisabeth's eyes narrow.

If they have their suspicions, then let them come and speak those suspicions here.

The Armies see me as a fence-sitter currying favor with the new nobles, while the State Council sees me as some provincial Grand Duchess. I am well used to everyone laying their doubts and curiosities onto Bresk.

So, my dear Elotta, who sent you here to heap more blame upon me?

No, no, no! Your Imperial Highness misunderstands!

You know that this is just a cushy job for me, paying a visit to your demesne.

My only intention was to petition you to grant these Oripathy specialists permission to accompany me into the mining district, that we might investigate the strange happenings surrounding the Infected there.

May I butt in with some words of my own?

Pray, speak, my friend.

I would like to clarify Rhodes Island's position.

We are simply a pharmaceutical company trying to address Infected issues.;We are worried for the safety of our lost friends, and must find them as soon as possible.

As for other matters, Rhodes Island will not, and cannot, get involved.

I did not ask this earlier, but my curiosity abounds.