Liberi Reader

Folinic... Are you angry?

The way they were acting, I know what it means. I know it all too well...

But... But Atro wouldn't get herself into trouble. She knows Leithanien better than any of us!

Yeah! I'm sure she's fine!

At least, I hope...

......

......

Isn't this place eerily quiet?

Yes. Stay close.

I'm seeing plenty of Infected among the citizenry, but that's not the main point.

I was thinking about it when we fought those rioters before. This residential district is pretty ordinary in design, isn't it?

They've just gathered up all the Infected to live together. There's nothing explicitly discriminatory about it.

Hm...

But the truth is they're still having their personal freedom restricted. And aside from a few remarkable Infected, most people live more or less like prisoners.

What they have is not a prison, but an entire street of cells with a dozen times more inmates.

Look here, how long do you think it's been since this bakery was open?

Ew... I think I saw an Originium slug crawling around... so unsanitary.

No one's been sweeping up the dust and leaves around the door. There's no functioning economy here. No daily life.

I understand they've fallen on hard times, but no one wants to buy or sell bread? There's no public transit? This isn't normal.

Maybe, maybe it's because of what happened before? Like the shop owner got scared off or something?

At least they have the right to live, they—

Shh! Miss Folinic...! Lower your voice!

......

I wasn't criticizing them. I was just talking about... those 'armed Infected.'

Do you think they're...

That policeman mentioned 'Sarkaz.' We need to look into that first.

If they do have anything to do with the 'armed Infected groups' we know, we'll have to tread carefully. Things here may be far more complicated than that policeman knows.

Really?

If the Infected are living well enough, it's only because the situation isn't desperate enough.

They must be hiding something from us.

Folinic?

Please don't worry. Atro is very smart.

I...

You've been looking very scary since that meeting. But don't worry.

As long as we try really, really hard, we'll be able to handle this, just like the senior operators!

So can you relax for me? At least a bit?

Aw, is little Lisa comforting me again? Why's that?

Hehe, let go of all your troubles, big and small!

Doctors, please wait a moment—!

It's you.

Didn't I say we don't need any help? All we need is access...

I'm sorry. I know you said as much, Miss Folinic, but considering the circumstances, and your unfamiliarity with this place, we have to take precautions to guard against potential accidents.

...Miss Folinic?

Fine... The locals may be more welcoming if we have one of their own with us.

That's true! *Cough cough*! Zwölftontechnik Strasse was once Wolumonde's biggest Infected quarter...

And now, for certain reasons, it's become Wolumonde's number one protest district.

Then what do you plan to do now?

I don't think it's wise to go any deeper into this place... But if you want to learn more about the situation in Wolumonde, that is a good choice.

Let's just go for a stroll here. No need to rush things.

I'd be very happy if you were willing to tell me more about Dr. Atro.

You... really worry about Dr. Atro, don't you?

We went to school together. And she is one of my very few trusted friends. Not to mention an employee Rhodes Island can't afford to lose.

...I see.

Ah, please come this way. Schaukelplatz is just up ahead.

What was Atro doing here?

Um... Treating the local Infected, giving psychological counseling to those who were suffering.

Wolumonde was unable to avoid the Great Rift because of an error the Catastrophe Messengers made, and we suffered immensely for it.

Dr. Atro could have left, but she decided to stay. After Wolumonde moored here, she set up a temporary medical facility to better serve the Infected.

Dr. Atro... is their hero.

...She was just doing what she had to do.

She's always been better at practical work than rote learning.

......

Heh. I can see her face right now, looking so self-satisfied. That's Atro.

This is the first time you've smiled since coming to Wolumonde.

Is it?

You've been pretty scary all day long, Folinic.

Oh...

There's... a lot of people up ahead. Is that where everyone is?

Shouldn't you do something?

Peaceful assembly isn't a crime. That alone isn't grounds to detain them.

They're looking this way...

......

......

Why is everyone quiet all of a sudden?

No, this isn't right... Who's that talking to them?

Huh?

Behind them, in the very back, there's—

A Sarkaz...?

Sarkaz...?

Miss Folinic!

I know! They're coming at us! Hey, you, protect yourself!

O-okay!