adnach

We don't want any trouble, sir.

We're just here at this office for a bit while reconstruction work is going on at Rhodes Island.

The office has an agreement with the city council. We'll live on an undeveloped plate, and we won't have any contact with the people in the county.

We won't trouble you at all.

Won't trouble us? Then what about this bloke? He showed up at MY door!

I'm from Ashford! I left after selling my home to pay medical bills.

I just wanted to see what became of my old house!

So it was you!

I spent big money on this house, only to learn that the previous owner was some bloody Infected!

Nothing has gone right since then, and I can't find a buyer for the place! This is all your fault!

You said you're from Ashford? I've got news for you, friend: there was no place for you here the moment you got Oripathy!

Why you—

How dare you fight back! I swear you'll pay for this!

What's all the commotion?

Sir, we—

You're those new Infected, aren't you? Why are you here in town and not on the plate that's been assigned to you?

These dirty Infected attacked me, sir!

I... I just...

Knew nothing good could come of letting Infected in. You're under arrest!

That's right! Run them out of town! Who knows if they're really just here for a while, or if they aren't planning something dirty.

Sir, we—

Hold it.

Mr. Adnachiel—

I came as soon as I heard. Are you okay?

We're fine. But—

And who might you be?

Adnachiel, Rhodes Island Reserve Op Team A4. I was in charge of escorting these patients.

I take responsibility for their actions.

And how exactly do you propose to take this responsibility? Who'd make it up to us if you exploded and killed us?

Rhodes Island is doing everything in our power to prevent that from happening.

Hmph. 'Everything in your power'. Like that counts for anything. Don't think you can throw your weight around just because some bigwig let you in.

I can run all of you out of town for this, you hear me?

...*sigh*.

Now, you're coming with me, and don't you dare make a wrong move!

The director of the Rhodes Island branch office shouldn't be here right now, Adamant.

And I shouldn't open this door for you.

But I'll let you see him because Rhodes Island treated my brother.

Thank you.

Are Rodrey and Palmera doing alright? I don't suppose the people here will be too hard on them if they've got the 'main culprit' locked up like this.

They're doing fine.

Wish I could say the same about the situation, though.

We've got a few witnesses who can testify that it was that young man who incited the conflict, but that's not going to matter to the people who're simply looking for an excuse.

A lot of people were already unhappy about the government's decision to allow Oripathy patients to stay on the undeveloped plate.

And now, they've found their excuse. I got word that some of the nobles are already on their way to the city council as we speak, to discuss whether to accept these patients.

...*sigh*.

The placement plans while construction at Rhodes Island is going on were intended to allow patients to be closer to home.

Rodrey was born and raised here. He went through so much before he found his place at Rhodes Island. Who could blame him for wanting to see his old home again?

No one's blaming him, not in this room anyway.

But it took tremendous effort and all the connections the branch could muster in order to persuade the powers to allow the patients to settle on the undeveloped plate.

We'll have a problem on our hands if these patients have to leave.

I know. Amongst the three counties in this region where we have an office, Ashford is already the friendliest towards the Infected.

We wouldn't have to gather all the patients here if the other two counties didn't turn us down.

Exactly. If they're deported, they'll have to take the long way round to branches in other regions, which is too much of a burden for the patients...

It's time for you to go, Adamant.

I know.

I'm in charge here, and this is my responsibility.

I'll find a way to get you out, and deal with the aftermath. There are a few influential nobles in the city council whom we might be able to sway.

Say, Adamant, remember that side hustle you wrote to me about last year?

How is it going?

Not too bad, I suppose.

But is this really the time to talk about that?

...I have an idea. I'll need you to find my teammates.

You know those Infected on the undeveloped plate?

Go gather up the boys, and we'll teach them a lesson.

Why?

Word has gotten out about what happened in the morning. Everybody in the county has their eyes on them now.

All we need to do is add fuel to the fire.

Do we really need to go that far?

They're Infected, for Terra's sake! Do YOU want a bunch of ticking time bombs sleeping next door?

Well... guess not...

Don't you understand? Once we've done this, we'll be the heroes of the county, no matter how things turn out in the end.

Heroes who drove the Infected out!

Think of the money we can make! No one will look down on us anymore! You want to live a better life, don't you?

...Yeah.

Then go get the boys!

And grab some weapons!

Today's the day that we become heroes of Ashford!

I'm with you!

Finally, here's my big chance...

It's your unlucky day, Infected. You're gonna make me a lot of money.

Listen, I don't have the money right now, but I'll have it soon—

Am I speaking to Mr. Philips?

Uh, guess you are... what do you want from me?

I'm a spice merchant based in Londinium, and my business has taken me to Ashford lately.

I would like to purchase my own residence here, and I learned that your house is for sale. If you're still selling, I'm willing to offer a very competitive price.

...R—Really?

Of course.

But I'm—

I'm afraid I have little time to waste, and I shall have to look elsewhere should you be unable to give me an answer on the spot.

Uh... I—I see, alright, just tell me the place and I'll come find you.

Please come to the cafe at Council Square.

A—Alright, I'll be right there.

Today is my lucky day!

I got the boys, Philips—hey, where did he go?

That young man...

He was hot-headed, actively inciting conflict with the patients. From his outfit, I gather he was not of means.

He could be the spark that sets off the fire.

At the same time, he's also the easiest potential threat to neutralize.

My speculation is that he's not actually actively hostile to Oripathy patients, but rather trying to stir up conflict and profit from it.

Melantha comes from a family of merchants. She will have no trouble playing the part of a wealthy businesswoman who's interested in buying the house.