prove

(And the wind marks... The wind isn't blowing strongly, yet it's leaving such distinctive marks...)

Tsukinogi, look at the clouds over there...

This phenomenon, these traits, could it be...

Blazing yet imperceptible. The fog has dispersed and a gale is building.

I wasn't completely sure just now, however it seems that we are indeed unfortunate.

The wind has changed——It's a Regional Catastrophe Outbreak!

I'll head out to check!

Watch out! A strong wind should be picking up soon, if you head out now you might get blown away!

Don't worry!

——Such a piddling breeze won't do anything to me!

Ahh... What an energetic young man.

The darker clouds further beyond have started to spread. Based on the moisture in the air and the changing of the wind... Yes, I'm not wrong.

These are the omens of an incoming Catastrophe.

How unlucky. To think that we'd encounter a sudden Catastrophe like this.

When Leonhardt gets back, we need to quickly inform Amiya and the people at the bridge! Thank goodness we discovered it early. We should still have enough time to change directions.

Luckily there aren't any nomadic cities that we need to inform around here.

Nomadic cities usually don't stay in regions with unstable weather like this.

After all, if they encountered an emergency situation that escalated rapidly like this, the larger nomadic cities wouldn't be able to maneuver in time. The big shots in the cities would never take a risk like that.

On the other hand, something like Rhodes Island would have no issues avoiding Catastrophes in such situations.

Ehh, wait a minute... Oh no, oh no!

Around here... I remember there are a few villages in that direction!

Huh... Is that true? There are people living on such desolate land?

Of course it's true!

There are quite a number of villages in the wilderness. It's the same in every country.

They can't properly enter the nomadic cities, and the arable land around the cities is usually already claimed, so they have no choice but to settle somewhere further and live their lives taking one day at a time.

Since they don't really have a choice, everyone's always prepared to move at any time. All their belongings can be packed up quickly. There's not many people in each village, so they can usually escape to safety given some advance notice.

Oh, now that you mention it, I've heard of similar situations in Higashi.

Ah... Such things happen everywhere. Even so, no matter how much you get used to it, there is always a chance that you don't make it.

That's why I always try to make as many detours as possible, to warn these villages...

(I wonder if the villagers have noticed the changing weather.)

(If not...)

Sorry to keep you waiting!

I had a look at it, and it doesn't bode well.

The transformation of the cloud layer is happening very quickly, even the wind has changed. I don't expect this place to remain safe much longer, it'll be a few hours to half a day at most.

That fast?!

At that speed, the abnormal weather effects will occur all around us soon. We can't go outside like that anymore, it's too dangerous.

Don't worry, I know. I traveled a short distance towards the Catastrophe just now and didn't see any cities nearby.

It'd have been dangerous if I continued forward even if I was adequately prepared, so we're unable to gather any more information for now.

Ah, I'll tell you the rest later. Let me report to Amiya first.

Well then, we'll go and make our own preparations.

No, I have to go to the villages! I won't be able to sleep at night if I don't!

Tsukinogi, I'll leave the preparations for the landship to you!

Hey, wait! Provence, I told you it's too dangerous!

Times like this, when we don't know how quickly the Catastrophe will form, even someone of your skill will be in great danger if you go too deep!

I... I will be very careful. Someone has to go and warn them!

The large nomadic cities have their own Catastrophe Messengers, they'd be fine without us.

But these small villages and settlements are different!

If we don't go, the people out there will probably get caught out.

A sudden Catastrophe like this could easily catch them off guard long before they could get clear!

Even so...

Isn't our job to provide early warnings and do our best to mitigate the dangers brought about by the Catastrophes?

They talk about Catastrophe Messengers like we get paid well and live nice, steady lives, but that's not me!

I've never forgotten my purpose.

'It's all about saving lives. More lives.'

Maybe we all have our own ideas about that sentence.

But to me...

To me, it means that whether it's the rich nobles living in the city, or the poor farmers living in the villages, all life is equally important. There is no distinction between lives.

Haha, alright. I understand you.

Equality of life does mean that one's life cannot be valued in terms of wealth or status...

That's a good philosophy.

Then...!

However.

What about your own life, Provence?

Huh? I...

To me, these equal lives also include yours.

Should I just let you put yourself in danger? Only to save more lives?

Would you then weigh the value of lives in terms of numbers, and sacrifice the few to save the many?

I...

...I wouldn't say so. If something can only be done by sacrificing lives, then there must be something intrinsically wrong with it.

But that has nothing to do with our situation! It's not the time to be discussing that either!

I know people have a Catastrophe bearing down on them, I have to go and warn them. It's my duty!

I won't stop you.

After understanding your viewpoint, it'd be wrong of me to stop you.

That's good——

Yes, I won't stop you. I will go with you.

Huh?

Oh, did you forget? I'm a Catastrophe Messenger too. It's only natural for me to go with you.

But... It will really be dangerous...

I'm aware. That's why I have a request to make of you.

If I determine that the situation is too dangerous, I will stop you even if I have to use force.

Is that acceptable?

That...

I only hope that you can value your own life more.

Thank you.

I understand. We'll do that then. Let's go!

How should I put this... You're very different from how I imagined.

I thought that an heiress from Higashi would be more... Umm, elitist and snobbish.

Oh? That's a complete misunderstanding.

I've always been trying my best to grow closer to everyone at Rhodes Island. I've even started to reach saturation lately.

Saturation...? That sounds weird...

Whatever! Anyway, let's move! If we don't go now, we'll never make it in time!

*Sigh* I'll definitely get chewed out by that girl in Medical again when I get back.

...Yeah, I'd better come up with my apology first.