ardign

Hello...? Hello? Dammit! Why did they hang up?

Is Oripathy really so scary that you can't get treatment if you're not a local or noble?

*Sobs*... I-I'll try another one...

Hello, my friends are infected with Oripathy and need treatment. They are seriously hurt...

Huh...? Them? They are normal travelers, but we won't fall behind on the fees for their treatment and medicine. I promise! I-I can even pay extra—

If you can send a doctor to come with me right now—

A doctor...! Is there a doctor who can treat Oripathy patients? This isn't a prank! I've got sick friends...

Why...? How come there isn't a single medical organization that's willing to help? Adnachiel, Steward... They're both sick. They need treatment!

Why do they have to ask, 'Which family are the patients from?' Are common folks not allowed to get treatment?

I already told them we can pay up, but they still wouldn't take us... Why...?

Is it because they have Oripathy? Isn't that just a kind of disease? They got sick, that's all. They didn't want to be infected...

Why doesn't anyone want to help now that they are Infected?

No... I can't give up yet... There are still three more... There has to be someone willing to help!

Merry? Can you hear me...? Are you still mad?

Listen to me. This is not something that the three of us can change.

Adnachiel's fever has gone down a little. He's getting some good sleep now. We need to cool our heads and figure out where we go from here.

We don't know if Oripathy is infectious under these circumstances.

This is a very dangerous disease... and you may get caught in the mess. If there really is no way, don't come back for us.

Also...

If... If you can't find a doctor who's willing to come, we understand.

The mountains are too dangerous during a snowstorm. Doctors are people too, and the medical organizations need to be responsible to their doctors, Merry. We can't blame them.

We're very grateful, Merry. Adnachiel and I know how you feel, and you are our friend. But because you're our friend, we don't want anything to happen to you.

Stop acting so tough, and don't put your future on the line. Stay in the city until it's safe.

Give us a call once you get this, Merry.

No, I don't want to hear any of that...

I know. Of course I know, but... but I...

T-There's two left... They only have five employees, but...

Guh... I'm going for it!

Hello! Is this the liaison office of... uh... 'Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals?'

Uh... Yes! May I help you?

Um... My name is Merry. I'm from northern Leithanien... I-I guess I'm kind of a noble? I've got a pretty big family, and our neighbors love us.

I didn't bring my passbook with me, but I have this much in the bank... I-I can even work. I definitely won't owe any money for the medical fees!

Hmm...? Um... Excuse me...?

*Cough*... *Whimpers*, I'm sorry! I'm sorry I lied! I'm not a noble, and I don't have anywhere close to this much in the bank, but I will really work to pay for the treatment!

I have two friends with Oripathy. Please don't turn them down just because they are foreigners. They are heavily injured, and their lives are in danger. I really need someone to help them...!

Heavily injured Infected? Where are they?

At a settlement in the mountains. I left them there for the time being.

Please! Please come with me. It may be a little dangerous to travel there, but I promise! I promise I will keep the doctors safe even if I have to protect them with my life!

I'll do something about the medical fees too! Please just help them first...

Please, I beg you... Help my friends...

You don't have to say that. Don't... swear on your life.

It's Rhodes Island's mission to help the Infected, Miss Merry.

We will go with you. Could you tell us how the Infected are doing?

Y-You will...?

Yes, we'll leave right away. Are they still in the early stages of their infection? If they are, then we mustn't wait. That's the best time to treat Oripathy.

I have their coordinates. I'll send them to you right away!

Oh, but... There's a snowstorm out in the countryside right now... We need to be prepared...

Relax. Rhodes Island has transport suitable for all kinds of weather, and also have experienced operators who can guarantee our safety during the trip. We'll make it there even in the harshest weather and most dangerous places.

Really?! That's so nice... I-Is this real?

I mean... I'm not too cold, am I? I-I can't feel my legs... Am I dreaming...?

*Sigh*... Looks like you need treatment yourself. Miss Merry, can you reach the patients right now?

It's not a dream... It's not a dream!

I'll give them a call right now!

Hey, Adnachiel, Steward, can you hear me?! Stay right where you are! Rhodes Island and I are coming to help you right now... I've found them...

I mean... I've really found a way to help my friends...!

All preparations complete. Rhodes Island Critical Response Team is ready for deployment.

Miss Merry, are you okay?

Uhh... I'm fine... I'll lead the way...

Oh, don't move... You're very weak... You must've spent way too much time on the road.

We'll head to the coordinates' right now, but it'll take us seven to eight hours, even if the weather gets better.

Uhh... No way... It only took me five hours to get here...

Five hours?!

That was way too reckless! You... *Sigh*...

I need to return the car... to the rental shop... Sir... I'm sorry... Thanks...

Then... Adnach... Stew...

She's starting to blabber nonsense...

Get some rest, Miss Merry. You've done really well.

Zzz... zzz...

I'll drive. The patients are waiting, and we need to head there ASAP. Is she sitting on the passenger side?

No, I need to take her in the med vehicle and treat her there.

She's got frostbite, multiple scrapes, and sprained joints. From the looks of it... she might even have a few broken bones. It's a miracle she held on for so long.

Five hours... That's way too reckless. How could she have made her way down such a treacherous path during a snowstorm...?

She's tough. If she managed to come all the way here that fast, she might just be the kind of operator we need.

And I heard her mumbling. She said she wanted to save her friends, right? That's some temperament she's got.

It's rash! She's just lucky, and she may not be as lucky next time! Seriously, if she was one of ours, the instructors would definitely be tearing her a new one.

But fine... It's too early to talk about all this. Our top priority right now is to rescue her friends. As for Miss Merry herself...

We'll have them walk us through everything she and her friends have been through after they all make it out safe.