story_nymph_1_1

Nymph, have you seen that bag of Oriron I set down by the door?

Nymph! My pushcart is gone again! Please, help me find it!

Nymph, can you... help me find a new job? I promise I won't ditch work again!

Nymph—

Slow down. One at a time!

The bag of Oriron is in the lost-and-found box to your left. The cart is on the roof... Where else am I supposed to put it? The room's stuffed with your things!

No need to thank me. Just look how long this queue is!

And who's looking for wor—

Me! I-I need work!

You, Li'l Brick?

Last time, I had to beg just about everyone just to get you a furnace-watching gig, and by the second day, you'd already sold the furnace rack to a smuggler...

Okay, fine. I know I messed up a couple gigs before.

<i>'A couple?'</i>

Just one more, I promise! I really want to work and take it seriously this time!

(Shakes head)

Come on, Nymph, help me out, just this once! Nobody but you is willing to help me anymore!

You stinking brick. You broke every window on the street, and you still have the guts to show your face here? Quit wasting Nymph's time! We're all in the line here!

Who are you callin' stinking brick?!

Knock it off! No fighting!

It's lunchtime already. Let's all head home! Come back and line up again in the afternoon. I need a break, too!

The boisterous crowd disperses, and the area in front of Nymph's door is quiet once more. She rubs her exhausted face and sighs.

Nymph takes out a dry roll. Just as she is about to bite down, she finds a few people coming up to her.

Sorry, please come back in the aftern—

Huh? What are you doing here?

Is that all you're having for lunch, Nymph?

Catch—

Mitm throws Nymph a can of stewed meat with Rhodes Island's logo. Skeptically, she looks at the expiry date on the can.

It's not expired this time!

A number of Rhodes Island operators appear behind Mitm and walk up to Nymph. Having not seen her for some time, they all greet her enthusiastically.

What... What are all of you doing here?

Most Rhodes Island operators and patients have been transferred to the local offices per the Doctor and Dr. Kal'tsit's instructions. Wait... You didn't get the notice, Nymph?

But my sis—Uh, HR hasn't told me. I guess maybe for confidentiality reasons? How long have you guys been here?

We just entered the city. We took in a number of patients on the way, so we have more people with us than anticipated.

I was figuring out accommodations for the extra patients we have, and Mitm said you could lend a hand.

Most of the Infected from the outside have moved into the city. There's very few empty houses left, but let me look around a little. I might be able to find a couple still.

See? I told you she'd be able to help.

We're all Rhodes Island operators. We gotta help each other out.

But I probably won't have the time today. There will still be Infected looking for help in the afternoon. How about tomorrow? No, not tomorrow, either. I have so many people coming here every day...

You're the kindest Djall in all of Kazdel, but you are so much less sharp than before.

You say we're all Rhodes Island operators who gotta help each other out. Wouldn't you say that work the other way around, too?

Right. It's Rhodes Island's mission to help the Infected, after all.

Nymph's eyes immediately light up.

Okay... Let me help you guys find a place to stay first! We'll meet up at the office later!

Nymph tears a page out of her notebook and takes a pen out of Mitm's pocket. She quickly scribbles something on the paper and sticks it to the door.

'If you need help, turn left and proceed to the Rhodes Island office! —Nymph...' Are you sure they are able to read something this formal?

That's why I drew the map on the bottom! I'm just worried that you won't be able to handle it when too many people show up.

Heh, I'm not worried about that. Nymph, you might as well send everyone who needs help to the office. There's so many of us, we can handle all of them!

Rhodes Island, have you seen the jerky I hanged from the rafters?

Hey you, how come my wound's bleeding again? All I did was touch it ever so slightly...

Is there anywhere I can find work in Kazdel?

Please wait on a moment.

Sorry, Nymph. Help me out, will you?

Sorry, we've had a lot more people in the city since you left last time. I should've warned you...

Maybe I should ask them to leave?

No, that's not what I mean! I was just hoping you could hire a couple dependable temps to help us Rhodes Island operators help Kazdel's Infected.

We'll follow Rhodes Island's standards on wages and meal stipends... This should be like a walk in the furnace for you, huh?

You want me to recruit helpers? I mean, I know a couple people...

No, if we're going to do this, we should go by the books.

Like resumes, background checks, interviews... You used to visit HR a lot, didn't you? This should be right up your alley, right?

(But my sister never taught me how to pick resumes—)

Okay, I'll figure something out.

So heavy!

Thanks. I promise this is the last box of resumes.

These bastards were all screaming bloody murder when we tried to get them to take a couple literacy classes. Turns out they can all write resumes after you yell at them a bit?

Maybe it's because Rhodes Island's pay is just that competitive here. Let's see...

How come these resumes are all exactly the same?!

Uh, maybe instead of writing their own resumes, they all looked at the same resume and <i>drew</i> what they saw?

But I taught them all how to write their names, so I'm pretty sure they at least... Okay, they copied that, too.

If we sort everything into these categories, then out of these few big boxes, we should be down to just... four resumes. Sorry, Pohl. If I'd known, I wouldn't have asked you to haul all of them for me.

Well, the problem isn't the manual labor. It just kind of hurts to see all this paper getting wasted. Nymph, how about I give the resumes to Hoederer for his literacy classes, they can practice reading it?

Practice?

I mean, the stuff they wrote on the resume's not that bad. Like, look at this one.

Name: Brick. Yeah, his writing's not half bad. Experience: Brick brick...

Huh? Why is this entire resume just the word 'brick'? Is his name the only word he knows how to write?

Wait, Li'l Brick wrote a resume, too? Let me have a look... That's his handwriting, but given his background, I don't think Rhodes Island can hire him.

What are we gonna do...? We can't trust the resumes, but there's so many of them... I can't interview all of them either.

You know, I think we can take this opportunity and scam... I mean, encourage all these job seekers to take some literacy classes.

You could interview just the few who submitted proper resumes and hire any suitable candidates per protocol. We'll call them 'Batch 1.'

Once the others figure out that knowing how to read and write is how you get a job, you'll announce you're hiring a second batch. I guarantee they'll all write their resumes seriously.

That sounds like it'll take some time, but I guess that's fine.

And now Hoederer won't have to worry about his literacy classes' revenue, hahaha!

Ugh... Nymph, there seems to be an issue with the resumes I brought to Hoederer.

What happened?

Anyway, you should head on over to Babel's office. Hoederer said he'll escort the candidate there himself.

Wh-What?!

Babel's office looks like it was renovated not too long ago either.

But it looks kinda empty, and I don't see anyone inside.

Sorry to keep you waiting, Nymph.

Hello! U-Um, your outfit...

This uniform is the only formal attire I have. Yes, I used to be a Victorian military officer.

Wow, I couldn't tell you were a soldier just by reading your resume. I heard Hoederer arranged for this interview?

I met Hoederer when I managed to get out of Victoria. He's an interesting man.

I'm sorry. Did you say 'managed to get out'?

What about it? Oh, you think Hoederer's keeping me prisoner or something? Haha.

S-Sorry.

I lost my rank. Probably because I'd been helping Londinium's Sarkaz get out of the city. That must have pissed off a few people.

That's why I followed Amiya and left that country with the Sarkaz.

I hope you don't mind me asking, but I want to know... What happened to your family in Victoria?

They're all gone.

Because of...?

Originium, and war.

I'm so sorry!

Let's get down to business. I am wondering what it is that you would like to hire me to do?

Your resume says you're fluent in multiple languages... There are a lot of Infected refugees in Kazdel right now, and they'll need all kinds of help.

But most of the operators we have at the Rhodes Island office right now are Sarkaz. They know some basic everyday words, but it's not enough to help them fully understand the needs of Kazdel's new residents.

They also wouldn't be able to discern the smallest differences in the descriptions of symptoms.

I see. Even the tiniest error in language can be a matter of life and death to a patient.

It would be my pleasure to provide language support for Rhodes Island's doctors, but I'm afraid I can't make any medical decisions.

That's okay! As long as you're willing to help!

There's one other thing... and it's a little awkward to ask, but I will likely need your help to ask Hoederer for some time off. I'm afraid I won't be able to attend his literacy classes.

Um... You're learning how to read and write?

...I'm his substitute teacher.

Sorry! O-Okay, it's a promise, then. Thank goodness. I still have time to interview the next person... Good thing I brought the resume with me.

Mind if I take a quick look? It might be someone I know.

Wait, him? He's very famous on the battlefield. Even I've heard of him. That's how infamous he is. You'd best be careful.

What?!

H-Hello... Are you Mr. 'Metal Chain?'

Need something?

I'm in charge of hiring at the Rhodes Island office. You submitted your resume, so I'm here to give you an interview.

'Resume...' I know what that word means. Asked somebody about it. Yeah, I handed one in, but what's an 'interview?'

It's um... a little investigation. I'll ask you some questions, and you just... um, need to answer them honestly.

Haven't I already put everything worth mentioning on the resume? Why do you need to ask me about them again?

Um, you wrote all about your achievements on the battlefield, and that's very impressive, but I'm more interested in the 'temporary housing construction experience' that you only briefly touched on.

Oh?

The mercenary stands up with his blade. Immediately, Nymph finds herself shrouded in his enormous shadow.

U-Umm... If you don't want to talk about it, I-I'll...

You're interested in building houses, too?!

Nymph freezes. The mercenary in front of her is very... excited, like a kid who's showing off his toys to others.

How many are you going to build? How big's the plot?! What about the materials...? Never mind, that's the easiest part to solve.

Come on, spill it!

Oh, um... Okay! We're planning to build some sickrooms to house Infected in need of medical assistance. That's why I want to hire a foreman who has construction experience.

Foreman? I don't like gigs where all I do is boss people around.

But if it's for taking care of the wounded, then that's alright by me. I have a few brothers that I'll ask to help. You let us know how you want the houses. We'll figure out how to build them.

That's great, but... We aren't planning on hiring a whole construction crew just yet...

What's that supposed to mean? You think we're in this for the money? They don't need no damn pay. Hell, you don't have to pay me, either.

I can't stand anyone who leaves the wounded behind on the battlefield!

But this is not a battlefield... The war is over already. These are just sick people. People who came here from other places and happen to be sick.

'The war is over...' Right.

The mercenary crumbles to the floor.

Are you okay, Mr. Metal Chain?

Where are these sick people from?

All sorts of places. Places that won't accept them anymore.

And they don't mind coming to Kazdel and living in houses built by the Sarkaz?

To them, the houses might be their lifeline, and the builders of the houses are their saviors.

Alright. That's good enough for me. I'm taking this job.

Uhh... I guess the interview is... over, then?

How should I know? You're the one interviewing me.

The last resume's address should be right around here. Knows how to treat patients... A farmer?

But why is she still staying outside the city? I thought there were more patients in the city?

Nymph gazes at a hut a short distance away. There is a frail-looking Kuranta woman standing on a ladder and patching the roof.

A few children are nervously holding the ladder for her. All of them have clean bandages wrapped around their bodies.

Hello—

Noticing Nymph, the Kuranta woman sends the children back into the hut and climbs down the ladder before greeting Nymph.

Hello, Miss Gretel. I'm...

Hello, Nymph.

Is this about the resume?

Uh... Y-Yes. You wrote on the resume that you can treat patients. That's the kind of help we need at Rhodes Island's office right now...

I'm sorry, I lied. I can't treat anyone.

But...

A few Sarkaz who can't write came here from the city and asked me to help him write a simple resume in exchange for some wheat seeds, and I accepted.

As for whether he sold the resume to others after that, that's none of my concern.

I can't treat anyone, and my name is not 'Gretel.' Sorry for having you come all the way here.

Nymph wants to say something. She can smell the medicine that's being brewed inside, and she saw the children's bandages.

But the Kuranta woman has already turned around.

I've met you before, haven't I?

'Gretel' stops in her tracks and shrugs.

I've met a lot of people. When would that have been?

When I was still very small, I scraped my arm. You bandaged it for me... didn't you?

Nymph points at a child who is peeking through the door. On the child's ankle is a clean, white bandage tied up with a beautiful bow knot.

Nymph still remembers that light, beautiful bow knot. Just looking at it was enough to make her stop crying.

You used to be a doctor at Babel, weren't you?

'Used to.' Right, I used to be.

You treated me, and you are treating other children now.

So?

There are still lots of children in Kazdel who are waiting to be treated... and not just Sarkaz children.

The Kuranta woman turns around and wipes the sweat off her face.

I have nothing against Sarkaz children.

I just don't want to set foot in that city again.

The past is in the past. Everyone has their own choices. Nymph, you've known that since you were young.

I understand that... Thank you.

The Kuranta woman looks toward the hut and yells, as though reprimanding the children for not behaving.

But I don't understand. You still live at the foot of Kazdel's walls, and you wrote your actual address on the resume.

You want to say that I didn't have to do this, right? Like I did it to help you find me?

The Kuranta woman looks at the recuperating children and smiles sincerely.

Since he promised to bring me some seeds, I had to let him know where I live, somehow.

Right...

I am doing what Rhodes Island is doing as well. It's merely that I don't need another job that's in name only.

Goodbye, Nymph.

Nymph. Nymph!

There you are, Nymph! I put together a new resume! Please, take it!

Slow down. Sit down and relax... What's that bag in your hand?

It's a bunch of wheat seeds. I promised somebody...

What?! So it was you who started those phony resumes!

N-No, I didn't!

I only know how to write my name, so I told that doctor everything and asked her to help me write my resume, but then someone stole my resume!

So I wrote my name all over another sheet of paper, hoping you'll help me once you see it.

But then I figured I ought to write everything down clearly to prove to everybody what kind of person I am.

So I went to the consultant guy, and he taught me how to write everything word by word. I came here in a hurry to hand it to you.

Let's see... Your name is... Gretel?!

Right. The doctor gave me that name.

If you know her, don't you know her address, too? Why did you have her put her address on the resume?

I... I don't need another address.

The doctor said I could fill in her address, and that she could help me if I ran into any trouble again... as a way to repay me for helping her out before.

'Help her out before...?' You mean you actually helped treat patients before?

Yeah... I know I've messed up a lot. I just want to... make up for that. I've learned a lot of useful knowledge... Really!

I want to help everyone, just like how you're helping lots of people. I want to help make everyone's lives better!

Please! You don't have to pay me!

That... That won't do.

Wh-What?!

What I'm saying is. Let's find another time for a proper interview.

And it's nice to meet you again, Gretel!

Ahh... my neck hurts so much... Now we're finally done with the employment contracts of the second and third batch of recruits!

I really don't get why my sister loves dealing with these HR documents so much. I just can't get the hang of it.

Well, now that I'm done, I might as well go for a walk outside.

It's only been a couple days since I last came outside. How come this place feels so much more crowded?

H-Help! The scaffolding over there has collapsed, and someone's buried underneath!

I'm on—

Coming! Quick, someone go pick up the first-aid kit at Rhodes Island's office!

Yeah! The doctor there will take some time to get here. Everyone, come help me move the rubble out of the way!

I'll—

Nymph? Don't worry about this. We're on the case. You just leave this to us.

Oh, okay...

Nymph, it's been days! You're finally back!

Hello, ma'am. Did you run into some kind of trouble?

Right, right! I've had this pet fowlbeast for the last couple years, and it disappeared all of a sudden the other day...

I'll help you find it!

Oh, don't you worry about that. Somebody helped me find it the other day. I just wanted you to have a look. Do you think it's gotten fat after its little outing?

Did the Rhodes Islanders help you find it?

Rhodes Islanders? I guess... not. Just an ordinary somebody who moved onto the street not too long ago.

Oh, okay...

Nymph spends some time strolling around the city. She runs into many who are in need, but she also runs into even more of those who are willing to lend others a helping hand.

It's not just Nymph or Rhodes Island who's helping others.

Finally, Nymph makes her way back to her house. On the door is a sign with a drawing of Nymph that she installed a number of years ago. Everyone who comes to her for help can immediately recognize it.

Underneath the sign is a sentence that reads 'If you need help, turn left and proceed to the Rhodes Island office! —Nymph,' which she added not too long ago.

She whistles happily and erases the text.

Then, she takes the sign down.

I never thought there would come a day when the people here didn't need 'Nymph' that much anymore, or that it would make me so happy.

I guess maybe I should apply to go on a few field operations and see what it's like outside Kazdel.

Nymph watches the pedestrians come and go. There seem to be many familiar faces in the crowd. She even thinks she might've spotted the Sarkaz named Gretel for a moment.

She greets everyone in the area, and in her heart, she quietly says a single word: 'Thanks.'