But that's where the bad man who hurt Papa is? Are you going to punish him?
Will that bring Papa back?
No?
Then... I don't want you to go.
You have to go? But I don't want you to go back to Ursus... The bread there is so hard. And winter is so cold.
Mama?
Mama...
......
......
Mama never came back either.
I used the money she left me to continue my studies in Ursus, and to live.
Alone.
I waited alone for years. I lived alone for years.
Until Dr. Kal'tsit appeared before me. She said she was the head of a research institute, and she came to get me.
Dr. Kal'tsit was tired then. Even more tired than she is now. I later learned she had just returned from some faraway place when she found me.
After that, I joined Rhodes Island.
I asked Dr. Kal'tsit where Mama went. She didn't say much, just that Mama and Papa were together, buried deep inside Ursus.
She is my most respected teacher, my most honored leader. She guided me, educated me, not only with her words, but also through what she and her countless operators did for the Infected.
But the one thing Dr. Kal'tsit never did... was answer my simplest question...
You shouldn't be. I'm just going to look around and see if maybe there are some clues about that armed Infected group.
Suzuran
Do you think they're behind it?
Folinic
I'm not sure. That's the obvious answer, since we have no evidence.
Folinic
But with the town as it is, they're the most likely suspects, aren't they?
Folinic
And 'Winterwisp.' Severin wouldn't say much about it, so I can't be sure exactly what it means. But since they're in cahoots with the militia group, they're at the top of the list too.
Suzuran
The mountain range near here is called the Winterwisp Mountains. It's a barren place, covered with ice and snow year round... could that have to do with anything?
Folinic
I really don't know. All I can say for sure is I have to find our murderer, and then pull my answers out of them.
Suzuran
Folinic, you've been really... scary. Since yesterday.
Folinic
I'm sorry, Lisa.
Folinic
Not everyone is so easily calmed.
Folinic
This is the second time I've had to say goodbye to someone like that. And this time, I'm not leaving with regrets.
Aww. I like to think I'm pretty good at hiding. How did you see me?
Mudrock
Hmm... Intuition? Let's call it that...
Mudrock
Who are you?
Click
(Oof. This guy seems like a pain in the ass.)
Ayerscarpe
(Then stop talking to him.)
Ayerscarpe
I've gone through some of Rhodes Island's battle records. You're no ordinary Infected.
Mudrock
Rhodes Island? So you are Rhodes Island Operators...?
Click
What do we do? Fight?
Ayerscarpe
GreyThroat isn't back yet... We have to stall him, at least.
Click
——!
Ayerscarpe
Calm down. Don't attack him. Click!
Ayerscarpe
Don't do anything stupid!
Click
Gah! I- I'm sorry!
Mudrock
Hm...? Did I see your pupils flash red for a moment? Is that some kind of stress reaction?
Mudrock
Did I scare you? Sorry. I just wanted you two to know, you can't fight me.
Mudrock
If you are from Wolumonde, you'd better leave. It's dangerous. If angry Winterwisps or Infected found you... You'd be in mortal danger.
Ayerscarpe
Thanks for the warning.
Ayerscarpe
But why are you here?
Mudrock
I just came to lay some flowers. And then I'll leave.
Ayerscarpe
Is that an ordinary wildflower you're holding there?
Mudrock
It's cold here in the fall. I dream a lot... I dream of these flowers. They're like the children of that snowy mountain... icy cold.
Mudrock
Rest in peace.
Click
(Did he really just come to pray? He wouldn't just be using this as a cover for some kind of Originium Arts, would he?)
Ayerscarpe
(With his face hidden, I can't tell whether he's lying or not. But...)
Ayerscarpe
(He does seem genuinely sad.)
Mudrock
——?
GreyThroat
Don't move. Don't turn around. Put your hands up.
Click
GreyThroat!
Mudrock
When did you get here? You're pretty smooth...
Mudrock
Whatever. Your bolts can't hurt me, Rhodes Island crossbowman.
GreyThroat
I said don't move. I just want to ask you something.
Mudrock
A conversation doesn't reveal your strength... what's the point?
GreyThroat
Don't say I didn't warn you!
Mudrock
Look. I've caught your bolt. You can't put a scratch on me.
Ayerscarpe
He blocked her shot with a rock?!
Click
N- no! It's Arts! He actually 'caught' the bolt! With mud!
GreyThroat
Oh?
Mudrock
No.
Mudrock
At least you didn't shoot without warning. I hate sneak attacks. You're not so bad.
Mudrock
And... Hm, if you wound up that second bolt... what would've happened?
GreyThroat
That depends on whether or not you have time to protect your neck with your Arts.
Mudrock
Hm... Even if I don't, I do have a very thick suit of armor...
Mudrock
Doesn't matter. Since you have no intention of fighting to the death, I've had enough.
Mudrock
Can I go?
GreyThroat
Sorry, but no.
Mudrock
...As expected. *Sigh*.
Mudrock
So many Leithanians have joined us, and our ranks have grown bountiful and diverse...
Mudrock
But... You, a crossbowman, you would not have missed this symbol. This is a symbol that once belonged to the Infected.
GreyThroat
Reunion lit the fire that was, is, and will always be burning across all corners of Terra.
GreyThroat
But, Reunion does not represent all Infected.
GreyThroat
So, what about you? Are you from Leithanien yourself? Or are you an exile who wandered here, weighed down by sin and intrigue?
Mudrock
Me...? Hm... I guess so. Our aimless journey began in Kazdel. And we've been on the run ever since.
GreyThroat
Wolumonde is a mess. And I'm sure you had something to do with it.
Mudrock
Right. There's no way we wouldn't.
Mudrock
But I... am not Reunion either. Not anymore. I'm just the captain of Mudrock Squad. A... mercenary? No, let's say I'm just an Infected.
Click
(Why does it seems like he's always talking to himself? What kind of Reunion guy thinks like that?)
Ayerscarpe
(Please be quiet while the team leader negotiates. If you really have nothing better to do, you can record it.)
Click
(Oh yeah! Fire up the camera...)
Mudrock
But, really... What am I? I'm not a mercenary. I'm not Reunion. As things are now, I'm...
Mudrock
Oh.
GreyThroat
What?
Mudrock
My Arts dirtied the flowers... They're so hard to find, this time of year.
Mudrock
If you want to fight, can we do it somewhere else?
GreyThroat
You have a way with words... But no.
GreyThroat
Click, Ayerscarpe, keep your guard up. But don't attack him. Stay clear.
Click
Phew...
Ayerscarpe
Roger.
Mudrock
Thanks.
GreyThroat
One of our operators seems to have gotten caught up in this fire. I need answers.
Mudrock
My condolences, but... We also lost four of ours to the fire.
Mudrock
We're not so good with crime scene investigation or anything like that... But there are a lot of Leithanians with us.
Mudrock
They've all been educated, and they have a natural talent for Arts unlike people from other countries.
Mudrock
At least... I am sure someone did this. And it was no accident.
GreyThroat
Who?
Mudrock
If we knew, he'd already be dead and the town would be at peace.
GreyThroat
Then tell me what you do know. Like, what was that Winterwisp you just mentioned?
Mudrock
I think you misunderstood. I am not your enemy. I'm only here to pay respects to my people.
Mudrock
But maybe someday we will fight each other. I have no reason to... trust you, or share information with you.
GreyThroat
So that's it then. But it doesn't matter. I've gleaned a lot from your attitude alone.
Mudrock
By the way, have you been to the town?
GreyThroat
Yes.
Mudrock
What did you think of it?
GreyThroat
It's a mess. The Infected have risen up in protest, and they're fighting with the non-infected.
GreyThroat
Your people whipped them into a frenzy.
Mudrock
That's not good. So many innocent people hurt... But...
Mudrock
But until Wolumonde admits its guilt, and until they hand over the murderer, there can't be peace.
Mudrock
How could I convince them to stop, when they're outraged by the deaths of their people...?
GreyThroat
It sounds like things have spun out of your ability to control them.
Mudrock
Yes... More and more people keep getting sucked into it. Sooner or later, so will we...
Mudrock
We are not in a position to move around so easily, but you are.
Mudrock
Oh... I've said enough. I still can't completely trust you, Rhodes Island.
Mudrock
Right. Still not enough trust. So that's it... goodbye.
GreyThroat
......
Click
GreyThroat! That guy's really scary! Even scarier than all those big Felines back at Rhodes Island!
GreyThroat
At least he wasn't being very aggressive. But if he does have a whole squad with him... Wolumonde is in no condition to fight them.
Ayerscarpe
So we let him go?
GreyThroat
A direct attack is out of the question, and agitating them will only make Wolumonde's situation worse. Not to mention, we still don't know where Atro is.
Ayerscarpe
If this does have something to do with Reunion, things will be much more difficult.
Ayerscarpe
Have we made contact with Operators Folinic and Suzuran?
GreyThroat
No. The town is so chaotic I was reluctant to even visit the town hall as an official representative of Rhodes Island.
GreyThroat
But I found something very concerning. This doesn't seem to be a typical Infected conflict.
Ayerscarpe
True. Leithanien has always been rather gentle in its treatment of the Infected. Something very unusual must have happened to push things this far.
GreyThroat
That 'Winterwisp' is an important clue. We might have to investigate it further. Ayerscarpe, you come with me. Click, I'd like you to scout out their camp.
GreyThroat
We need to get a handle on the size of their team, and their modus operandi. Just a quick look. Carefully.
Click
Roger!
Ayerscarpe
*Sigh*. If I'd known it would turn out like this, I would have stayed in the dormitory to watch Leonhardt play with rocks...
