Highmore was brought to Rhodes Island for medical treatment after being involved in an operation in Iberia. Based on observation and her test results, she was approved to become a field operator and now supports various missions around Iberia.
The ATK of next attack increases to 165%, attacking twice consecutively
Mastery 3 · SP cost 2 · Initial SP 0ATK +60%, gain 60% Physical dodge, and recover 10% of max HP whenever an enemies dies within range
Mastery 3 · SP cost 30 · Initial SP 20 · Duration 20sRecover 35 Elemental Injury for each enemy hit during attacks, up to Block count
In [Mizuki & Caerula Arbor], ASPD +25, Block +1
If some work is beyond even your power, then how can I possibly take on a share?
That nightmare still comes to mind, even now. My life denied by some grand ecology... no, not denied. It would admit everything, it was more sublime than life itself... it made me feel shame at the selfishness of life.
I don't want to belittle the Medical Department's effort, but I don't believe life can be 'cured' like a disease. Human or Sea Terror, I'm doomed to live on as half-baked, and that's the price I pay for my own foolishness.
That special 'collaborator' of yours is just something other right now, using biological function to imitate his old form, and you should know that better than him. You're still seeking possibilities in him? I hope you aren't repeating my mistakes.
I've felt at ease in my time residing aboard the landship, even come to recognize it as a feeling similar to my long-lost home... You don't need to be concerned. Even if Iberia will never be a home to the Ægir, I'd never refuse to execute my responsibilities there, such as we've agreed.
Anything that seems to be given for free will eventually demand some price of you. That's the lesson I learned. And some of what you do appears to practically overturn that... I'll have to wait and see.
You're wondering what this song is? It's just something my mother taught me when I was young. I didn't take much interest back then, only humming perfunctory notes to follow along. It was only after losing her, I realized... these melodies form one of the few things I still have to my name.
An ignorant girl gives up her song, and gains naught but a dream snuffed as quickly as the foam in return. It sounds just like a fairytale, doesn't it? And the fact that such a stupid girl could be saved at the story's end... seems like a fairytale, too.
You've helped me recover the courage to trust in other beings, so I hope you see this responsibility through. Lead those willing to follow you, and put an end to those disasters that should never have befallen the innocent. Please, don't disappoint me.
You see them in your dreams too, don't you? All those faces who've quietly left your life.
So, you'd be the 'Doctor'. I don't have much to introduce about myself. If I'm standing here, you must have read and approved all the files about me.
I still remember how disorganized we were when Highmore first arrived at Rhodes Island. Those of us who were present at the time should still remember it clearly. The Hunters from Ægir had only just finished their report at the Rhodes Island Landship and left when Tulip and Mizuki sent us such a big surprise. Even Dr. Kal'tsit was still in talks with Iberia... Though we always say we can't ignore a wounded patient in need, we're still responsible for the safety of the other personnel after all. If it weren't for Amiya using her power and guaranteeing that Highmore was different from those appalling creatures, we wouldn't have known what to do. I even heard that Medical faced some technical difficulties when operating on her wounds and the hyperplastic tissues? That's not all. After the surgery, Mizuki even requested us to accept her as an operator, to allow her to once again experience life amongst people... We weren't the only ones surprised, I'd wager even Amiya couldn't hide her astonishment, and Tulip was next to her just coughing lightly. As for me? Well, I ended up being the one in charge of arranging and recording her test results. ...No, I don't think there was anything worth remembering or discussing, especially not her weapon impact tests on bionic dummies. If you're really interested, have mercy on me and go check the recordings yourself.
During a trip back to the landship, Highmore came to the abrupt realization that the mission she had just participated in was simply a short line on a random tactical planning map. To be clear, this should have been obvious with a bit of logic. The difference this time was that she had suddenly discovered countless other lines just like it, along with operator codenames crammed wherever they fit, as if weaving a constellation chart, each point connecting people together. Why had she never paid attention before, despite having seen similar things so many times? Heh, without even realizing it, you all are gently re-weaving the homes that humans rely on. Or perhaps, it could be us.
Highmore does not shy away from revealing personal information, and readily cooperated with our background investigation. When the topic of her parents came up, Highmore continued to maintain a facade of calmness and indifference, but we were able to get a glimpse of her feelings through her phrasing and micro-expressions. The tragedy she experienced is little different from that of many other Ægirs in Iberia. Whether it was her father being spirited away by the Inquisition under the pretense of his Ægir identity, never to return, or her mother gradually becoming mute in the few remaining years of her life before finally dying of despair, their departures left an irreparable mark in her life. Surprisingly, she does not seem to harbor any grudge or regret towards the Inquisition. Instead, she blames the townsfolk for falsely accusing her father to save their own skins, the neighbors for spreading false rumors of her mother's alluring voice, and herself for being helpless to change anything yet unable to let go. She directs her hatred toward human weakness rather than ill will, and perhaps that is why she continues to wallow in remorse and shame to this day.
Ho'olheyak6★ · Caster
Hoederer6★ · Guard
Honeyberry5★ · Medic
Horn6★ · Defender
Hoshiguma6★ · Defender
Hoshiguma the Breacher6★ · Defender
Humus4★ · Guard
Hung5★ · Defender
Iana5★ · Specialist
Ifrit6★ · Caster
Indigo4★ · Caster
Indra5★ · Guard
Ines6★ · Vanguard
Insider5★ · Sniper
Irene6★ · Guard
Iris5★ · Caster
Istina5★ · Supporter
Jackie4★ · Guard
Jaye4★ · Specialist
Jessica4★ · Sniper
Jessica the Liberated6★ · Defender
Jieyun5★ · Sniper
Ju5★ · Sniper
Kafka5★ · Specialist
Kal'tsit6★ · Medic
Kal'tsit Esperanta6★ · Medic
Kazemaru5★ · Specialist
Kestrel5★ · Vanguard
Kichisei5★ · Sniper
Kirara5★ · Specialist
Kirin R Yato6★ · Specialist
Kjera5★ · Caster
Kroos3★ · Sniper
Kroos the Keen Glint5★ · Sniper
La Pluma5★ · Guard
Laios5★ · Guard
Lancet-21★ · Medic
Lappland5★ · Guard
Lappland the Decadenza6★ · Caster
Lava3★ · Caster
Lava the Purgatory5★ · Caster
Lee6★ · Specialist
Leizi5★ · Caster
Leizi the Thunderbringer6★ · Guard
Lemuen6★ · Sniper
Leonhardt5★ · Caster
Lessing6★ · Guard
Leto5★ · Guard
Lin6★ · Caster
Ling6★ · Supporter
Liskarm5★ · Defender
Logos6★ · Caster
Lord/Sharp6★ · Guard
Lucilla5★ · Supporter
Lumen6★ · Medic
Lunacub5★ · Sniper
Luo Xiaohei4★ · Guard
Lutonada4★ · Defender
Magallan6★ · Supporter
Manticore5★ · Specialist
Mantra6★ · Caster
Marcille6★ · Caster
Matoimaru4★ · Guard
Matsukiri5★ · Vanguard
Matterhorn4★ · Defender
May4★ · Sniper
Mayer5★ · Supporter
Mechanist6★ · Defender
Melanite5★ · Sniper
Melantha3★ · Guard
Meteor4★ · Sniper
Meteorite5★ · Sniper
Midnight3★ · Guard
Minimalist5★ · Caster
Mint5★ · Caster
Misery6★ · Specialist
Miss.Christine5★ · Caster
Mitm5★ · Vanguard
Mizuki6★ · Specialist
Młynar6★ · Guard
Mon3tr6★ · Medic
Morgan5★ · Guard
Mostima6★ · Caster
Mountain6★ · Guard
Mousse4★ · Guard
Mr. Nothing5★ · Specialist
Mudrock6★ · Defender
Muelsyse6★ · Vanguard
Mulberry5★ · Medic
Mutsumi Wakaba5★ · Specialist
Myrrh4★ · Medic
Myrtle4★ · Vanguard
Narantuya6★ · Sniper
Nasti6★ · Supporter
Nearl5★ · Defender
Nearl the Radiant Knight6★ · Guard
Necrass6★ · Caster
Nian6★ · Defender
Nightingale6★ · Medic
Nightmare5★ · Caster
Nine-Colored Deer5★ · Supporter
Noir Corne2★ · Defender
Nowell5★ · Medic
Nyamu Yūtenji5★ · Guard
Nymph6★ · Caster
Odda5★ · Guard
Orchid3★ · Supporter
Pallas6★ · Guard
Paprika5★ · Medic
Papyrus5★ · Medic
Passenger6★ · Caster
Penance6★ · Defender
Pepe6★ · Guard
Perfumer4★ · Medic
Perfumer the Distilled5★ · Supporter
Phantom6★ · Specialist
Philae5★ · Defender
PhonoR-01★ · Supporter
Pinecone4★ · Sniper
Pith5★ · Caster
Pith6★ · Caster
Platinum5★ · Sniper
Plume3★ · Vanguard
Podenco4★ · Supporter
Poncirus5★ · Vanguard
Popukar3★ · Guard
Pozëmka6★ · Sniper
Pramanix5★ · Supporter
Pramanix the Prerita6★ · Caster
Projekt Red5★ · Specialist
Provence5★ · Sniper
Proviso5★ · Supporter
Ptilopsis5★ · Medic
Pudding4★ · Caster
Purestream4★ · Medic
Puzzle5★ · Vanguard
Qanipalaat5★ · Caster
Qiubai6★ · Guard
Quartz4★ · Guard
Quercus5★ · Supporter
Raidian6★ · Supporter
Raidian6★ · Supporter
Rangers2★ · Sniper
Rathalos S Noir Corne5★ · Guard
Ray6★ · Sniper
Record Keeper5★ · Medic
Reed5★ · Vanguard
Reed the Flame Shadow6★ · Medic
Reserve Operator - Caster3★ · Caster
Reserve Operator - Caster4★ · Caster
Reserve Operator - Defender3★ · Defender
Reserve Operator - Defender4★ · Defender
Reserve Operator - Guard4★ · Guard
Reserve Operator - Logistics3★ · Medic
Reserve Operator - Medic4★ · Medic
Reserve Operator - Melee3★ · Vanguard
Reserve Operator - Sniper3★ · Sniper
Reserve Operator - Sniper4★ · Sniper
Reserve Operator - Specialist4★ · Specialist
Reserve Operator - Supporter4★ · Supporter
Reserve Operator - Vanguard4★ · Vanguard
Ripresa5★ · Caster
Roberta4★ · Supporter
Robin5★ · Specialist
Rockrock5★ · Caster
Rope4★ · Specialist
Rosa6★ · Sniper
Rose Salt5★ · Medic
Rosmontis6★ · Sniper
Saga6★ · Vanguard
Saileach6★ · Vanguard
Sakiko Togawa6★ · Guard
Sand Reckoner5★ · Supporter
Sankta Miksaparato6★ · Defender
Santalla5★ · Caster
Saria6★ · Defender
Savage5★ · Guard
Scavenger4★ · Vanguard
Scene5★ · Supporter
Schwarz6★ · Sniper
Senshi5★ · Defender
Sesa5★ · Sniper
Shalem5★ · Defender
Shalem5★ · Defender
Shamare5★ · Supporter
Sharp5★ · Guard
Sharp6★ · Guard
Shaw4★ · Specialist
Shining6★ · Medic
Shirayuki4★ · Sniper
Shu6★ · Defender
Sideroca5★ · Guard
Siege6★ · Vanguard
Silence5★ · Medic
Silence the Paradigmatic6★ · Supporter
SilverAsh6★ · Guard
SilverAsh the Reignfrost6★ · Vanguard
Skadi6★ · Guard
Skadi the Corrupting Heart6★ · Supporter
Skybox5★ · Sniper
Skyfire5★ · Caster
Snegurochka4★ · Vanguard
Snow Hunter5★ · Sniper
Snowsant5★ · Specialist
Sora5★ · Supporter
Specter5★ · Guard
Specter the Unchained6★ · Specialist
Spot3★ · Defender
Spuria5★ · Specialist
Stainless6★ · Supporter
Steward3★ · Caster
Stormeye5★ · Sniper
Stormeye6★ · Sniper
Surfer5★ · Vanguard
Surtr6★ · Guard
Sussurro4★ · Medic
Suzuran6★ · Supporter
Swire5★ · Guard
Swire the Elegant Wit6★ · Specialist
Tachanka5★ · Guard
Taraxacum5★ · Medic
Tecno5★ · Caster
Tequila5★ · Guard
Terra Research Commission1★ · Sniper
Texas5★ · Vanguard
Texas the Omertosa6★ · Specialist
Thorns6★ · Guard
Thorns the Lodestar6★ · Specialist
THRM-EX1★ · Specialist
Tin Man5★ · Specialist
Tippi5★ · Specialist
Titi6★ · Medic
Toddifons5★ · Sniper
Tomimi5★ · Caster
Totter4★ · Sniper
Touch5★ · Medic
Touch6★ · Medic
Tragodia6★ · Supporter
Tsukinogi5★ · Supporter
Tulip5★ · Vanguard
Tulip6★ · Vanguard
Tuye5★ · Medic
Typhon6★ · Sniper
U-Official1★ · Supporter
Uika Misumi5★ · Supporter
Ukusik5★ · Medic
Ulpianus6★ · Guard
Umiri Yahata5★ · Specialist
Underflow5★ · Defender
Utage4★ · Guard
Valarqvin5★ · Supporter
Vanilla3★ · Vanguard
Varkáris5★ · Guard
Vendela5★ · Medic
Verdant4★ · Specialist
Vermeil4★ · Sniper
Vetochki5★ · Defender
Vigil6★ · Vanguard
Vigna4★ · Vanguard
Vina Victoria6★ · Guard
Virtuosa6★ · Supporter
Viviana6★ · Guard
Viy6★ · Caster
Vulcan5★ · Defender
Vulpisfoglia6★ · Vanguard
W6★ · Sniper
Waai Fu5★ · Specialist
Wang6★ · Specialist
Wanqing5★ · Vanguard
Warfarin5★ · Medic
Warmy5★ · Caster
Weedy6★ · Specialist
Whislash5★ · Guard
Whisperain5★ · Medic
Wild Mane5★ · Vanguard
Wind Chimes5★ · Guard
Windflit5★ · Supporter
Windscoot4★ · Guard
Wiš'adel6★ · Sniper
Wulfenite5★ · Specialist
Xingzhu5★ · Supporter
Yato2★ · Vanguard
Yu6★ · Defender
Zima5★ · Vanguard
Zima the Raging Tide6★ · Guard
Zuo Le6★ · Guard
'Justice Knight'1★ · Sniper
12F2★ · Caster
Aak6★ · Specialist
Absinthe5★ · Caster
Aciddrop4★ · Sniper
Adnachiel3★ · Sniper
Akafuyu5★ · Guard
Akkord4★ · Caster
Alanna5★ · Supporter
Alliance/Supportive Operator4★ · Supporter
Almond5★ · Specialist
Ambriel4★ · Sniper
Amiya5★ · Caster
Andreana5★ · Sniper
Angelina6★ · Supporter
Ansel3★ · Medic
Aosta5★ · Sniper
April5★ · Sniper
Archetto6★ · Sniper
Arene4★ · Guard
Aroma5★ · Caster
Asbestos5★ · Defender
Ascalon6★ · Specialist
Ash6★ · Sniper
Ashlock5★ · Defender
Astesia5★ · Guard
Astgenne5★ · Caster
Astgenne the Lightchaser6★ · Supporter
Aurora5★ · Defender
Ayerscarpe5★ · Guard
Bagpipe6★ · Vanguard
Bassline5★ · Defender
Beagle3★ · Defender
Beanstalk4★ · Vanguard
Beehunter4★ · Guard
Beeswax5★ · Caster
Bellone6★ · Guard
Bena5★ · Specialist
Bibeak5★ · Guard
Bison5★ · Defender
Blacknight5★ · Vanguard
Blaze6★ · Guard
Blaze the Igniting Spark6★ · Caster
Blemishine6★ · Defender
Blitz5★ · Defender
Blue Poison5★ · Sniper
Bobbing5★ · Supporter
Botani5★ · Supporter
Breeze5★ · Medic
Brigid5★ · Sniper
Broca5★ · Guard
Bryophyta5★ · Guard
Bubble4★ · Defender
Cairn5★ · Defender
Cantabile5★ · Vanguard
Caper4★ · Sniper
Cardigan3★ · Defender
Carnelian6★ · Caster
Castle-31★ · Guard
Catapult3★ · Sniper
Catherine5★ · Supporter
Cement5★ · Defender
Ceobe6★ · Caster
Ceylon5★ · Medic
Ch'en6★ · Guard
Ch'en the Dawnstreak6★ · Guard
Ch'en the Holungday6★ · Sniper
Chestnut4★ · Medic
Chiave5★ · Vanguard
Chilchuck5★ · Vanguard
Chongyue6★ · Guard
Civilight Eterna6★ · Supporter
Click4★ · Caster
Cliffheart5★ · Specialist
Closure6★ · Vanguard
Coldshot5★ · Sniper
CONFESS-471★ · Vanguard
Contrail4★ · Specialist
Conviction4★ · Guard
Corroserum5★ · Caster
Courier4★ · Vanguard
Crackborne5★ · Defender
Croissant5★ · Defender
Crownslayer6★ · Specialist
Cuora4★ · Defender
Cutter4★ · Guard
Czerny5★ · Defender
Dagda5★ · Guard
Deepcolor4★ · Supporter
Degenbrecher6★ · Guard
Delphine5★ · Caster
Diamante5★ · Caster
Dobermann4★ · Guard
Doc5★ · Guard
Dorothy6★ · Specialist
Dur-nar4★ · Defender
Durin2★ · Caster
Dusk6★ · Caster
Earthspirit4★ · Supporter
Ebenholz6★ · Caster
Ela6★ · Specialist
Elysium5★ · Vanguard
Enforcer5★ · Specialist
Entelechia6★ · Guard
Erato5★ · Sniper
Estelle4★ · Guard
Ethan4★ · Specialist
Eunectes6★ · Defender
Executor5★ · Sniper
Executor the Ex Foedere6★ · Guard
Exusiai6★ · Sniper
Exusiai the New Covenant6★ · Specialist
Eyjafjalla6★ · Caster
Eyjafjalla the Hvít Aska6★ · Medic
Fang3★ · Vanguard
Fang the Fire-Sharpened5★ · Vanguard
Fartooth6★ · Sniper
FEater5★ · Specialist
Fiammetta6★ · Sniper
Figurino5★ · Specialist
Firewatch5★ · Sniper
Firewhistle5★ · Defender
Flamebringer5★ · Guard
Flametail6★ · Vanguard
Flint5★ · Guard
Folinic5★ · Medic
Franka5★ · Guard
Friston-31★ · Defender
Frost5★ · Specialist
Frostleaf4★ · Guard
Fuze5★ · Guard
GALLUS²1★ · Caster
Gavial4★ · Medic
Gavial the Invincible6★ · Guard
Gitano4★ · Caster
Gladiia6★ · Specialist
Glaucus5★ · Supporter
Gnosis6★ · Supporter
Goldenglow6★ · Caster
Gracebearer5★ · Guard
Grain Buds5★ · Supporter
Grani5★ · Vanguard
Gravel4★ · Specialist
GreyThroat5★ · Sniper
Greyy4★ · Caster
Greyy the Lightningbearer5★ · Sniper
Gummy4★ · Defender
Hadiya5★ · Guard
Harmonie5★ · Caster
Harold5★ · Medic
Haruka6★ · Supporter
Haze4★ · Caster
Heavyrain5★ · Defender
Heidi5★ · Supporter
Hellagur6★ · Guard
Hibiscus3★ · Medic
Hibiscus the Purifier5★ · MedicMaybe I shouldn't doubt the value of these records, like I did before.
The more you seek from a power you should reject, the deeper you fall into it. Eventually, it will engulf your entire being. You understand this, don't you?
You wish to forge a space that can admit me, and hope for me to admit everything surrounding me...? An arrogant notion, truly. But maybe I could bear witness with you, until the day you give up.
Looks like we've gotten our approvals. It's time to go.
I might bring their ruin, but only you can bring our victory.
Let us reap those naive delusions and immature obsessions.
I hear the sound of the flooding tide.
Do you have instructions for me?
Do I still have to wait?
As you ask.
I have no doubt.
They have no position to evade.
They have no power to withstand.
They have no way to advance.
They have no path to escape.
Sometimes, your grasp of the surrounding situation makes me instinctually fearful. Yes, I believe you could make even Sea Terrors comprehend fear. So, do you intend to feel happy about this?
The waves have subsided. If you have no other tasks, I should leave immediately to undergo a 'routine' inspection.
Were you showing mercy? Are enemies of this level worth your indulgence?
We should go. Before the next wave has us drowned.
So this, too, is the place you promise I can belong.
Did you need me?
This place might be more... calming than expected.
Arknights.
I don't expect much for the new year, nor do I want to. I just want to take a walk around and see whether anything's changed, compared to my memories of the last year. If it won't bore you, I don't mind you accompanying me.
We still have some time, before the tide floods the soil beneath us.
Look at this mountain of gift boxes. They symbolize everyone around you who treasures you. And I add: this, my present to you. I'm so glad these petals and pearls my mother gave me didn't fade with time, just like how she taught me to string flower garlands.
Does Rhodes Island's intent to cure Oripathy stem from its mission as a healer, or its core members' self-interest as Infected? Now, under this starry sky, another threat has appeared to endanger us all. What will Rhodes Island do? You already have an answer, don't you, Doctor?
When the townsfolk attempted to pry open the door—to take away her mother's corpse—shouting, cursing, declaring the drought to be a curse she'd brought about, wanting to purge it by incinerating the body... It was still afternoon, the sun still high up in the sky. Yet, I swear I saw starlight through the window. It formed a humanoid body, looking grand and divine, with bright blue stars marking an old man's joints. They fluttered around like spores in the wind, while lines of starlight coalesced into blood vessels. Countless moist and vibrant organisms converged harmoniously, drawing out the lines and contours of a human body. When the old man raised his arm, it was like a bite had been taken out of the crowd. Where his hand passed, there remained no noise, nor any marks, or even bloodstains. The wriggling starlight consumed all violence, leaving only silence in its wake. When the entire street was fully illuminated by starlight—it took but a moment—the grandpa, the bishop, started walking towards me. Behind him flowed a living carpet, or a cape, or something, formed of nothing but the stars and the ocean. It was serene, beautiful, brilliant. Ah, so this is what humans should really be like... I, too, wish to join that patch of starlight.
[Miscellaneous Records] Child, I am not against your desire to change, starting with your name. However, I do not give you this name for you to simply blindly chase after some vague higher goal. Humans are infinitesimally small, unbelievably small. We are each but a tiny grain awash in the waves. In our imaginations, the lives of ordinary people able to live self-sufficiently may suffice to represent all of humanity. However, within such imagination, the term 'humanity' eminently excludes the Infected, the impoverished barely able to eke out a living, the wanderers without a home in the wilderness, the Sarkaz branded with the epithet of evil, and we of Ægir. Such massive-yet-myopic idealism does not even include the land and the sea humans rely on to live, nor the flora and fauna that are reduced to mere resources. It contains only humans, and the creations they pride themselves upon. This irrationality stems from the weakness and inefficacy of humanity, their inequality and distrust. Only by shedding our laziness and degeneration, by shattering our biases in the pursuit of evolution, can we finally realize the value of a human being. Oh, Highmore. How dearly I wish for you to stand higher, to discover the means to bind all of this together, to find all the myriad paths to walk towards this future, instead of simply basking in the faint glory of any one pioneer.