story_vodfox_1_1

Shamare, the others are going to diagnose and treat the Infected patients in the ward. Will you be okay here by yourself?

Err, I mean... Morte will keep you company, so the two of you will be fine, right?

...Mm. You go and take care of them. I can handle things here.

'Handle'? I wasn't giving you an assignment...

(Well, whatever. Shamare is pretty mature compared to some of the other children at Rhodes Island, so I'll just trust her.)

Alright, I'll get started with work then.

Morte, you heard that sound too, didn't you?

Mhm. I know, you'd recognize the sound of crying anywhere.

Let's go.

Signor Mauro, please don't do this. It'll only make things harder for me.

As an Infected, if your insurance payment falls below half of the designated amount, you can no longer continue to work.

B-But I already made a full payment... Yesterday, last night, your subordinates came by to collect it!

My subordinates? I didn't arrange for that, nor have I seen any of this supposed payment.

Look, it's written clearly in the code here that insurance money is to be collected by the judge.

It's your responsibility to make sure the money gets to me. Otherwise, how would I know to update the records?

And I'm sorry, but according to the records, you're currently delinquent in your payments.

But they... Last time they came around, they said, 'there's no way a judge would go around personally collecting debts'...

Take another good look at this codex, and think back carefully. Are you sure you're remembering right?

Oh, uhh... I'm so sorry, I seem to have misremembered. Pardon my foolishness, Your Honor.

But that doesn't change the fact that I don't have a single centesimo to pay...

Is that so? What a pity. You're in no shape to accept the work we offer either.

Therefore, according to the law, my only option is to confiscate a piece of your property as collateral.

I-I don't even have anything left worth that much...

Oh? Are you implying that you're a better appraiser of value than I am?

But my family can't survive without food! P-Please, I beg of you... Just give me a little more time!

I swear, I'll find some way to get the money.

I only ask you to respect the rule of law. Understood?

...Yes, of course.

And by sheer coincidence, there happens to be something of value right in front of me, which the law allows you to offer up as collateral.

D-Do you mean this pocket watch here?

...Oh, you're absolutely right! I can't believe I forgot!

As long as you remember now.

Now then, let's agree to meet again when the hour hand of this watch makes two full circuits.

Oh, thank you for your magnanimity...

Then, according to the law, can get it back after I pay? Th-That's a keepsake from my great-grandfather's time in the famiglia's civil war... and it allows me some semblance of respect.

Of course.

Morte, should we go talk to that lady? ...Hm, it's better if we stay quiet?

There are already a bunch of curses following her. Something bad's gonna happen unless we do something.

Hmm? What an unkempt child, running about all by herself...

Are you looking for your family?

Perhaps you should search a trash can in a back alley, the bottom of the river, the cemetery, or the garden... I'm sure they'd be somewhere like that.

Does it hurt, Morte? ...It's raining, but it's not hurting from the rain.

She'll also be in unbearable pain.

(What the hell did that girl just say?)

...Damnit, this rain's giving me a headache. Let's not worry about it.

The Messenger just arrived, and these are all for you.

Did a postcard from Volsinii come in?

I wouldn't dare read your mail without permission.

But you've done so much good work, I'm sure you'll receive the praise of the head... Dare I say, the postcard should already be on its way.

Mm. Let's look through the other ones first.

A gift from the boss of the paper mill, and compensation from twenty households on East Street. Not bad.

An invitation from the town council? Why would I need this?

And a plea from their son in prison... Rubbish.

...Wait, hold on.

There's something written on the back?

Come here. I have a job for you.

Got it.

...You're letting that criminal out? But his famiglia hasn't coughed up the dough yet.

Take a look at the back side.

It's just a blank piece of paper...

*cough* Oh, of course. It's gotta mean the sender is going to be disposed of cleanly, without leaving any traces.

Hmph.

While the very idea of using curses to vent your grievances is laughable, I don't want to see anyone trampling over my code of law.

Curses? What?

Alright, onto the next letter.

—What's going on here?!

You, come back. Hand me that letter.

If you say so.

...The exact same contents and handwriting.

Every letter! It's on every single letter!

'Your malice has brought about a curse, and calamity shall follow in your wake. The black fowlbeast circles, and you will lose the only glittering thing on you.'

...How juvenile.

Find out whose childish prank this is.

But, it's just a blank sheet of paper.

I mean... On it, boss! We'll find this prankster.

Still no leads on those 'cursed' letters from yesterday? How many people could there possibly be in this tiny little town?

Tch, maybe I need to find myself some more capable subordinates?

...The pocket watch I took from that Infected is running five minutes slow.

I must say, I am tolerant to a fault.

I can only hope he doesn't betray that compassion.

Sir, do you remember when you first developed symptoms of Oripathy?

I... I'm not sure. Maybe a few days ago?

To the best of your knowledge, do you have any clue how you might have contracted it?

To be frank, based on our preliminary screening, you, like many others here, recently came down with an acute infection.

We need to locate the source of the epidemic to try to contain the spread of Oripathy in town.

Umm, I'm not quite following.

I-I used to work in the back kitchen of that restaurant over there, that's all I know. Seriously, I don't know a thing.

Alright. Sorry for bothering you then.

Shamare, did you notice anything unusual over there? Like, have you felt the effects of active Originium, or lost control of your Arts like before?

Shamare? What are you looking at?

...Black fowlbeast.

Who are you people? What are you here for?

Oh, hello there. We're a medical organization, and we're working with the town hospital to provide some technical support.

So, you're from Columbia?

Not quite...

In any case, I need to talk to this gentleman here. Now, if you'll excuse me—

—Gah! A fowlbeast?!

Shoo! Go away! Stop pecking me!

Oh, she dropped her pocket watch...

...What are you tugging on my sleeve for?

Wait here. Don't move.

*cough*, *cough, cough*... Tch, the damn thing finally flew off.

But a black fowlbeast...

Hah, how could someone put a curse on me?

Your Honor, I... Um, is there anything I can do for? Do you need me to tidy up your clothes?

No, I simply want to see the law upheld.

Oh, of course, you're here for the insurance money... Here you go.

This isn't enough.

But... You haven't even counted it yet.

The envelope should be at least three times as thick. Did you not remember to include the late fees?

Look, it's written right here in the codex. That's the law. My hands are tied.

...I see, I must have remembered wrong. I'll try looking for somewhere else to borrow money, so please, give me a little more time.

Of course. I am nothing if not tolerant.

(Where'd that beat-up gold pocket watch go? Did I drop it somewhere?)

(The curse... No, this was just a coincidence. How could anyone believe in curses?)

...In any case, I'll see you again in two days.

Damn my luck! Fine, if that's what it takes, then so be it!

You accursed eyeless fowlbeast! It's all your fault! If she weren't in such a bad mood just now, this whole thing would already be settled!

Morte, could you pick up the pocket watch?

Mm. It didn't break when it fell.

Here, this is yours.

(I knew it, Shamare used her Originium Arts. We could all see it fall to the ground, but somehow the judge didn't notice.)

(Has she already matured to the point where she's this considerate of others?)

(Does she even realize how incredibly brave that was just now?)

(...But even with all the Arts training she's had at Rhodes Island, casting something like that must be stressful on her body.)

(Anyway, she might be doing the right thing, but I'll need to keep a closer eye on her condition... and help her out if necessary.)

...Huh?

It represents 'famiglia' to you. 'A very big family.' It's important, right?

Do you not want it back?

...What are you talking about? Th-That isn't mine.

I've never seen it in my life. Do whatever you want with it, since I've certainly never seen it before! And I definitely didn't see it today!

...Really?

You're pretty energetic today, Morte.

What'd you eat? Sadness? Fear? Or resentment?

Why are you afraid? I wanna know too.

J-Just turn around and leave with that pocket watch! I'm shutting the door!

But I still wanna know.

Obviously there's not a single word written in that lady's book.

So why didn't you tell her?

...Anyone can see it's a legal codex; how could there be no words written in it? I bet you don't know how to read anyway.

Hey, you, the doctor over there! Aren't you an adult? Take this crazy kid away from me! Get away from me and my house!

Ugh...

Let's go, Shamare.

Everything's been smooth sailing today. No cases in need of a hearing.

Only minor stuff on the streets too. Someone ran into a mugger while eating at a restaurant, but they turned out to be one of the recently Infected who hasn't paid their dues.

Which ensures we're getting our money on time.

Yup. Also...

It seems a lot of folks have been talking about you behind your back.

Talking? About what?

Some crazy 'prophecies' scribbled on posters in the alleys.

I sent some people to find who did it, but no luck. All the posters should be taken down by now though.

What, are there still people out there who haven't learned to respect the will of the law?

So, who are these people who've been gossiping about this instead of reporting it to me?

About that... I haven't heard of anyone actually talking about it.

You're contradicting yourself. If nobody's talking about it, then how are they talking about it?

...Same way as always.

They keep quiet, but you can see it in their eyes.

One look at their shifty gazes, and you know the score.

Ugh...

What are you thinking? Shamare and I were just enjoying a meal when you walked over. You were patting your two children on the head just now...

Frankly, I thought you were coming in to order two kids' meals for them.

Turns out, you're trying to <i>rob</i> us?!

This is just how we do things, outsider!

Stop struggling. Shamare and I won't let you cause any trouble. This is how <i>we</i> do things.

Hah... Weren't you guys there yesterday? Didn't you see how much insurance money I owed?

If you actually care whether we Infected live or die, then put your money where your mouth is and don't stop me!

I might not fully understand your circumstances, but I do know that what comes around goes around.

Look, your two kids are still playing with the other kids out on the street. If you make a customer here bleed, what do you think is going to happen to them next?

...Then tell me, what should I do?

If they end up kicking me and my family out of the house, what else is there for me to think about?

...That won't happen.

Morte will help.

Mortw will help me find more.

The soil here is already full of resentment and fear. I just need a few other things.

...What?

Uh, don't worry about it. I'll help her help you.

Help me? What can you people possibly do?

Sometimes, when a person is tormented by malice so thick that it completely engulfs them, their mind can jump to the craziest things—even hallucinations. Isn't that right?

Yeah.

Just don't cause any trouble for me like last time.

...Oh right, Signor Mauro, we'd like to schedule an appointment with you.

If that woman claiming to be a judge doesn't come by tomorrow to collect your debt, we'd like to ask you a bit more about the large number of Infected here. Can you do that?

'Your malice has brought a curse upon you'... The same as last time.

Hah, utter nonsense.

For sure. How could anyone take a prank like this seriously?

We're still looking for whoever's behind this garbage, but... Well, the hard part is, none of us have ever seen this 'cursed text' ourselves.

We've managed to piece together the contents, but nobody seems to know who left it behind... Or at least, nobody's telling us anything.

She realizes that the pedestrians along the street are avoiding her gaze, but nevertheless seem curious and inquisitive as they walk past her.

Silence is a form of order, but at the moment, she finds their silence terrifying.

...Tch.

I don't feel like wasting any time on that Infected today. If he doesn't come up with the money, just confiscate his house.

This is the last time I'll—

Urgh!

'Your malice has brought a curse upon you. The soil here is unwilling to bear your weight any longer, and the evil spirits that linger shall make you fall so hard that you will be unable to walk again.'

The moment she falls to the ground, the curse she'd heard echoes through the judge's mind.

A sharp pain shoots through her calf, and she hears whispers from the side of the road.

'It's just as the prophecy said.'

A-Are you alright? I'll help you up. There are too many people staring; it'll ruin your image...

Get away from me!

If you say so.

Damn it all... Are you blind?! I'm hurt! Take me to the hospital!

Uhh, okay...

Want me to have someone else deal with that Infected? It's not exactly a big deal.

If this keeps up, will this curse never leave me?

Err... Since when are curses real?

Do you not see it?! It's as real as anything! It's chasing after me! The evil spirits are after me!

Just calm down, ma'am... Everyone's looking at us.

Anyway, don't worry about that Infected for now. I need to calm myself first.

Well, as promised, I'll tell you what I know.

To be blunt, you're wasting your time here. There's no underground Originium mine like you might've guessed, or a big scary factory either.

All that happened was some gang war that lasted about a month, and a lot of us were unlucky enough to get caught in the crossfire. That's all there is to it.

By the way, I've heard that there's been quite a bit of Originium smuggling going on...

If the gangsters used it to make explosives, and didn't follow safety standards during production, it'd be easy for active Originium dust to leak out.

It's also very common for those who get infected to not notice their physical symptoms at first. Or worse, hide them. This can create the false impression that new patients are still appearing.

Nobody's stupid enough to tell a doctor that they got infected in a gang war.

They'll just pretend they didn't see anything.

But if there was such large-scale, open conflict going on, why didn't the judges put a stop to it?

Judges? Haha, I don't know how they do things in the big city, but there are no judges out in the boonies.

The gangsters were backed by different famiglie, and they fought until one side drove the other completely out of town and took control.

The 'judge' you met earlier was just an ordinary mafiosa used by the winning famiglia to control us here.

Ugh... Sorry, I really only intended to ask about the Oripathy.

Thank you for helping us complete our mission.

Haha, I should be thanking <i>you</i>, if only for pushing my bad luck back one day...

That said, your little girl here doesn't seem to want my thanks.

Don't worry about her. She tends to space out, but I'm sure she heard what you said.

One more thing, after you head back, remember to take this medicine to control your condition. Take care.

Shamare.

I told you, Morte would help him. Why didn't you believe me?

No, that's not what I meant. Actually, you've already done too much, for too many people.

The next time you use your Originium Arts, make sure you discuss it with us first.

If you'd lost control doing what you did, you could've hurt other people very badly... maybe even yourself.

They always tell me that back at Rhodes Island.

As long as Morte doesn't get hurt, it doesn't matter.

And you always say that. As long as Morte is in good spirits, as long as Morte doesn't get hurt, it doesn't matter.

But the truth is, I can tell you're already extremely worn out. I can't let that build up to the point where it affects your health.

...I know.

I won't use any more Arts here.

Also... Give me another apple. Not the Arts Unit.

I want something to eat.

Haha, sure.

We've confirmed the source of the infection here, and now that we've finished our emergency treatment for the remaining Infected, it's time we headed back to the landship.

Packed up all your tools? If there's nothing else, be ready to pull out.

Oh.

My apologies. Everyone, pull your carts over and let the disabled woman through.

...Is your investigation over? I heard that your company was looking into the cause of all these infections. Did you get your results?

Ah, about that...

The time we have on these business trips is extremely limited, and unfortunately we were unable to determine a single cause of the outbreak. Our sincerest apologies.

Morte.

Go get her book for me.

(For some, being thrust into an environment that reminds them of the past would only stir up the pain buried deep in their hearts... But maybe, for Shamare, that was never a problem to begin with.)

(Though it's hardly normal, she is indeed growing in her own way.)

Um, Shamare, I have to praise you for having the composure to do what you did.

Huh? What do you mean?

The reason you used your Arts is probably because you—Or rather, because Morte felt a pain from this town similar to the pain it knew from before.

People treat each other with malice, and vent those emotions at one another.

And even though so many people knew that you weren't the source of the curse, and that you were completely innocent... nobody was willing to those words out loud.

So in this small town, you used your Arts to help everyone speak out, including the Infected.

'There are no words in that codex.'

You've grown so much I'm almost astounded.

You're... weird.

Morte doesn't need to think about complicated stuff like that, so I don't either.

Morte just wanted to eat that judge's emotions, so I fed it. Isn't that all there is to it?

I see. So you didn't put that much thought into it, huh?

And I spent so long mulling it over before finally authorizing you to use your Originium Arts...

But I guess in the end, I only felt like she was being a bully and had to be punished... I suppose simple reasons like that can be fine too.

—Hey, hold on, the thought that maybe I don't need to lecture you for this just suddenly popped into my head... Don't tell me that was another one of your 'spiritual suggestions'?

And why are you smiling?

I brought your crutches.

Alright. I'm going to rest for now. I'll let you know if I need anything later.

Gotcha.

Phew... I haven't heard of any more curses these last few days, so maybe this nightmare is finally ending.

What a pleasant Sunday morning. Now that the rain has passed, the air feels fresher than usual.

Hmm?

The legal codex she had offhandedly placed on the table is blown to a new page by a gust of wind.

Fwoosh, fwoosh.

She sees a line of writing on it. A line with the same handwriting as the curse from before.

'You will see these words on a Sunday morning, and shall incur a curse.'

'You shall tremble in fear before the consequences of your malice, and decide to change your evil ways.'