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流星

Good hustle these past few days, everybody. Let's break a bit early today—we're still twenty-five klicks out from the objective. If we make good time tomorrow morning, I think we'll get there by the afternoon.

Thanks, Meteor. I thought we'd be gnawing on rations in the field. I didn't expect we'd get proper hot meals.

Yeah, never knew you were such a good cook.

So what's stewing today? It smells great, I caught a whiff of it while I was pegging the tents.

It's a hometown specialty.

A secret family recipe?

Nah, I lost my parents when I was very young. It was a village household by the mountains that helped me grow. They're all good and kind people.

This soup is something they taught me. It's simple to make, and good for cooking out in the wilds.

Ah... sorry I brought it up.

What's to be sorry for? It's alright.

Oh, it smells amazing. Can I ask for the recipe?

Of course. It's not complicated.

You need spinach roots and wild gingerflax I just took the chance to dig up, the striped scalecis we caught this afternoon, and I used some pickled jerky and salt I brought along to season, then let it stew for fifteen minutes. Then you're good to go.

So this is what everyone meant when they said we wouldn't regret going with you.

Hardly, I just know a few simple country dishes. I could never compare to a chef like Matterhorn.

Phew. Though, if I could, adding a pinch of staricitron seeds would've made it even better. There's a little spicy kick to them. Drinking some hot meat soup peppered with them can really brush the cold away on days like these.

Staricitron...? It rings a bell, I've heard of a rare tree with the same name. I think it's a wood that a lot of nobles love for furniture.

Ah, and I remember it's a species unique to Kazimierz.

*Sigh*...

Meteor, your home is in Kazimierz. If you've seen them before, why not tell us a little about them.

Right, we really want to know more about where you came from.

Meteor? Meteor, why are you so quiet?

Hm?! Ah, my home...

I've been away for so long. Just what were they like...

It's not coming to me straight away.

Aw, that's a shame—hey! What are you hitting me for?

Eat up, kiddo, or you won't grow any taller.

Do you see this, Meteor?!

Alright, alright, it's getting late. Pour another bowl. I brought some of Matterhorn's crackers too. You can all share them.

Wow, that's incredible! Thanks, Meteor.

Turn in as soon as you're done. I'm a little tired. I'll be going to sleep first.

Where am I? It's so dark.

Meteor, Meteor.

Who is it?

Come quick, Meteor. I've been waiting for you forever.

Who are you?

Meteor, come with me. There's going to be a moonshadow in the sky tonight. We can climb the staricitron tree and see the twin moons.

Lana? What are you doing here?

I've been waiting for you here all this time.

Listen. The wind passing through the damp leaves. It's been pushing me on.

Wind? There's no wind here, Lana. Come here, quick. Don't leave this place.

I'm going, Meteor. Quick, follow me...

Come back, Lana! Where are you going?

Come quick, Meteor. You know I'm waiting for you.

She's... gone.

Meteor! Meteor!

Um... Uncle, why are you here...?

No, never mind. That's right, have you seen Lana? She just came by, and I don't know where she ran off to.

You're mixed up. Lana's been sick for a month now. How's she going outside?

She's sick?! But just now, I swear she was... this is strange... um, how is she, then? Is she any better?

*Sigh* Not much to cheer for. Barely gets her porridge down her in the morning, and she sicks up half a bowl of pink.

How could that be! What about a doctor, then, Uncle? Has a doctor seen her?!

Meteor, it's... why I came to see you today. We've got no real options left now. This winter's gone on too long, autumn was too short. Not a thing left over.

Whole host of the village children are already beyond sickly. If we can't get any more medicine for Lana, she won't be able to make it through the winter.

I still have a bit of savings! I'll give you all of—

...Meteor, it's not enough... there's a man who passed by and said, he wants some staricitron wood. He gets the timber, he'll leave us some money and supplies. We can pull through the winter with those.

Does he have to have those staricitron trees? Countless generations of my family's looked after that forest.

What about other trees, will other trees do? I'm begging you. Just wait a little longer, and we might have some other way. We will...

No, Meteor, we... don't. We love them just as much as you do, but...

Help me, Meteor—*cough* *cough*—we've got no other way.

Meteor, save me!

Meteor—save an old girl!

Meteor, Meteor!

Help me!

Help me!

Save me!

Ah—ahh, ahh! I'll save you all, I will—*huff* *huff*—*urk*—

Meteor, what's wrong? It was a nightmare, wasn't it? It's okay, it's okay, we're all here.

We are. Meteor, want some water? I'll pour you a cup.

Haagh—it's you. I thought...

The pressure of the rescue mission probably got too much. Here, Meteor, wipe that sweat off.

It's alright. Thank you both. My nerves must be taut, running all this way for days. I'm a little worn out.

Meteor, if you want to tell us anything, feel free. We'll help however we can.

It really is alright. We all still need to be on our way. Let's get our things packed and go. I'll be fine.

Meteor!

(Shaking head) Leave it, Keira. Don't ask.

Ah Fêng, how far are we from the objective?

Not far now. Less than three kilometers left—

Oh, crap. Meteor, look. In the direction of the objective.

That's intensely thick smoke. The report didn't mention anything about a fire.

Keira, go look for survivors in the neighboring villages, and band them together to put the fire out! Ah Fêng, get the medicals ready! People have to be hurt with a fire this big! Quick!

On it. Meteor, what about you?

I'll look closer to the scene, and see if I can find any other survivors!

You be careful, then, Meteor!

I will! Keep yourselves safe too!

(The fire's burning too intensely. I can't tell if there's still anyone inside.)

Is anyone there? If you can hear me, please answer me! Is anyone there!

Is anyone there? If you can hear me, please answer me! Is anyone there!

Is-Is that you, Meteor? Get away!

What's going on? Uncle, I just heard a massive explosion come from here, and I ran right over.

Run, quick! Don't come near. Those tree-felling Originium engines the knight-lord brought in exploded. There's Originium dust scattered all over here.

Uncle, just save your voice for now. I'll bind the wound for you. Who else is here?

No, no, you listen to me, Meteor. Get away, quick. You don't go, you won't make it. Those machines might explode again at any time. You... you'll catch ill! Quick, get away from here!

Uncle, I—I can't leave you all behind. Hang in there. I'll bring you out now.

Argh! My eyes—it hurts!

My leg! My leg's gone! Urgh—save me, save my soul!

(What do I do, what do I do, what do I do? Dammit, what should I be doing?!)

What are you still gazing off for? Get out of here. It's dangerous!

Huh—?