Silence Maintained

Well... Tatjana should already have...

Yes, she told me. You had her tell me. I'm only reminding you what you've done.

What's the situation?

The Infected are still protesting. They've even started chasing off Infected newcomers.

What do they want?

They... they believe the fire was part of some kind of plot. They demand an explanation for Dr. Atro and the dead Infected.

A plot? An explanation? Great, someone must be riling them up.

Even the Infected wouldn't stoop that low. Most of them are from Wolumonde.

Have they had any contact with that militant group out there?

None, for now.

But the militants have been lingering around the outskirts of the hamlet. I'm worried they might influence the protestors.

Just a second, it's from the sentry—

Go ahead.

Two? Infected?

They claim to be from Rhodes Island? I know that name—

That would be Dr. Atro's company. *Sigh.* We knew this was coming.

Wh-what do we do?

Dr. Atro was a respectable Infected. They may be here looking for her. And they have a right to know the truth.

Let them in.

...You heard him. Do as he says.

Hmm, are you sure about this? What if they have something to do with the militants out there?

Between the Great Rift, the fire, and the Infected, do we have the luxury to be suspicious of everyone who knocks on our door?

What about after they learn the truth? What if Rhodes Island seeks reparations from us? How much is Wolumonde to suffer?!

...So what should we do?

Lock our doors and send them away? Lie to them? Tell them Dr. Atro took some Oripathy patients out on a hike?

I know we can't sweep it under the rug. But you don't have the final say in this. We have to prepare for the worst.

No one has the final say on the truth, but... Never mind. Do as you will.

I'm leaving.

Leaving? Where are you going this time?

...I have a problem to solve.

My only job is to get this town back on track. The decision-making process? I have little patience for your political games.

Hey! Wait!

I know you're suffering, and there's so much we could've done better, but we had no choice!

I understand. That's why I'm still talking to you nice and peacefully.

I'll leave Rhodes Island to you. You're good at these things. I'll walk the blocks.

That's the deal.

Severin! Severin Hawthorn! You are this town's Schultz! You can't be running all over the—

Ugh! Must he always...

Sigh...

Forget it. Tatjana, Severin, Thor. They're all tragic figures, really.

Let's get this place cleaned up. Rhodes Island will be here soon.

Wolumonde. Its name means 'The Eighth Moon,' and together with seven other nearby towns, it makes up Leithanien's flourishing northern trade network—

That's what the book said, anyway.

From what I'm seeing, 'flourishing trade' isn't exactly how I'd describe it.

Could it be because of the 'Great Rift' thing?

Yes. A Catastrophe of that scale is rare. It could be more than a thousand meters deep, with exposed active Originium on the cliffsides. I shudder just thinking about it.

But, Miss Folinic... You were very curious what would happen if you lobbed a shell into it...

Nay, that was just my academic curiosity speaking. Realistically, one wrong move and the entire plateau could get cleaved in half.

Considering the detour we had to take, looks like this town won't be moving an inch.

Visitors at a time like this? And such strange clothes. I hope this isn't an ill omen...

Look at her tails. Oh, and the crystals on her shoulder! Is she Infected?

But those clothes look familiar... Where have I seen them before...?

M-Miss Folinic, can we really just walk down the street like this?

The prevalence of Originium Arts in Leithanien have brought two major benefits: first, the incredible music scene, and second, a broad tolerance of the Infected.

There may be restrictions on your personal freedom, but should you want to live, you can win back that right as long as you're willing to pay the price.

...Price?

At least it's something affordable.

Wolumonde may be in the boonies and have its fair share of problems, but at least the Infected have a place to live... That's what she told me anyway—

—Oh, someone's coming.

...Hm?

(Hm? That man's uniform...)

(Is he with the Wolumonde Gendarmerie? Should we ask for directions?)

(He's coming toward us. Is this the welcoming committee?)

(I'm not sure...)

(Oh, he lit a cigarette.)

(He put his lighter into his pocket. Now he's holding the cigarette with his other hand. He switched hands again—)

(—He walked away without looking back! Miss Folinic!)

Excuse me—!

Hm.

Hello, we're—

Ah, Rhodes Island, I take it?

The Rathaus is just up ahead, right in front of the tallest tower. You see it? Good. Someone will meet you there.

Er, thanks. Can I ask your name...?

Me? I'm off duty.

Um, what?

I'm off duty. And I really don't want to talk so much when I'm off... I have my own business to deal with.

That's the deal. Later.

And he's gone?

He was kind of rude, but I think he's been through a lot...

Hah... as if we're not tired!

But at least he told us where to go. Let's go talk to the local—

Schultz! There you are!

The Infected are protesting again. The Gendarmerie are already on the scene, but they need you there leading them—

Ah! You're smoking! Did the shopkeepers get to you again? Please, you have an image to maintain. You wouldn't want to lose the trust of the people—

Hm? What is it?

......

......

...That's a... Schultz? A 'Schultheiß' is like a local leader?

Is something wrong, Schultz?

No. You're always working so hard, Tatjana. I admire you.

Do you? Thank you—

Now, about those two, they're not from around here, are they? Could they be the doctors from Rhodes Island?

Oh? Well, yes. We are indeed. I am Folinic and this is Suzuran.

(Doctors?)

(I think we count.)

(Even me?)

(I'm a fully-fledged operator assigned to the Medical Department. And Lisa, you've... studied with Dr. Kal'tsit, so we can call you a medical intern. I guess.)

I see... Oh! You two must be on your way to the Rathaus? I'm so sorry to get in your way!

Of course it should be the Schultz who receives you, but he really is needed at Zwölftontechnik Strasse... Er...

Oh, really, he can—

Ahem! Very good, Tatjana, you take them. I'll go look into this Infected situation.

You two.

—Yes?

I know why you're here. But our situation is dire.

Do you know what happened to Wolumonde?

The Great Rift.

Yes. I get to skip over so much when dealing with smart people.

So now the Infected are more riled up than ever before. If you don't want to get mixed up in that, stay away from Zwölftontechnik Strasse.

We are experts at dealing with the Infected.

I know. We had a Dr. Atro from your company working closely with us.

So you know we can help.

We don't need it yet. It wouldn't be right to drag our guests into this mess as soon as they've arrived. That would get us into trouble too.

...So what is Atro doing here?

Um...

She's not here right now.

So where is she?

She...

Oh no! Fighting has broken out!

Th-those Infected have weapons! What's going on?!

They've got blades! Are they going to kill us?

Schultz!

...I know.

You two are Infected experts, yes?

Come with me.