Silence Maintained

Just 'hold them accountable?'

I don't have to explain our accountability processes to a couple of tourists.

Do you have anything at all to tell 'a couple of tourists' then? 'Schultz?'

I do. You're strong. Stronger than I'd expect a doctor to be. Impressive.

And... thank you for the assistance.

Usually, we go by 'Operator.'

Now can you tell us where Atro is?

It's not safe here. Let's talk somewhere else.

......

Good work, Miss Folinic.

Sorry I'm not much help in battle...

It's fine. You did your best. If I'd known what was happening in Wolumonde, I wouldn't have brought you along.

Even if we're just helping resolve some disputes, you're too young to be dragged into—

Miss Folinic!

—*Sigh* ...Fine, fine. Little Lisa's all grown up now. Did you get hurt?

No, I'm fine.

But you were spacing out back there. What's wrong?

The quarantine zone is right near here. Everything seems to have gone back to peace and quiet after we drove off the protestors.

Mm... It doesn't seem that different from any other place.

You're right, it's not that different. They have shops, cafés, ads for music halls and art salons...

No one's getting rounded up by guards and sent out to the tundra to die. They get to live pretty ordinary lives... You might even say they live well.

The Infected get treated so differently all around the world.

If every place was so good to the Infected...

We'd be out of a job.

Wha?! I mean, that's true, but I'd be really happy about it! E-even though I just became an operator...

I'm kidding... The fact that Infected can roam the streets freely only serves to underscore how special the situation in Wolumonde is.

...They're hiding something from us.

Huh? Where did that come from—

Shh! Lower your voice! We'll talk once the officer is gone!

The Infected rebels are acting really weird. And they keep talking about a 'fire' and a 'doctor,' right?

Add in that officer who definitely knows who we are, and who really doesn't want to tell me anything about Atro...

And I can't shake the feeling that something rotten is brewing in this town.

Even Leithanien wouldn't go so far as to let the Infected riot in the streets. Where are the guards? Why isn't anyone stopping them?

Now that you mention it...

I've got a bad feeling about this.

M-maybe everyone's just a little on edge? Considering what the town's been through...

...I pray that's all it is.

I'm so sorry to have dragged you into all this just as you've arrived. It's shameful...

Oh, don't worry about it.

Are you part of the local Gendarmerie?

Not really. But everyone in Wolumonde undergoes military training. When the time comes, we have a duty to take up arms...

But Uncle... Err, Schultz Severin is our town's highest official.

The middle-aged smoker who really doesn't want to do his job? Too bad, but that irresponsible disregard for duty doesn't exactly come off as mysterious.

There's a reason he is the way he is—

No... never mind...

Oh right, how should I call you two?

Call me Operator Folinic, and this is Operator Suzuran.

Folinic, Suzuran... these are code names?

Where we come from, most people prefer not to use their real names at work. Just like 'Atro.'

Dr. Atro...

Seems you're acquainted.

Yes... Sorry. I know you have your doubts, but the Schultz will give you the answers you need. It's not my place to say.

Now, come with me please.

Of course.

How much did you tell them?

Not much. Not enough to upset anyone.

I... I've put forward some unreasonable ideas, but you're always free to reject them.

That's a creative way to dodge responsibility. But you'll get no comfort from me.

If I stood here and told them the whole, unadulterated truth right now, would you be happy? Would that make everyone happy?

I represent the people, but you're the leader of Wolumonde. What does it matter if we're happy or not?

I don't want to make things difficult. Especially when I'm hosting guests at the same time the Infected are stirring.

*Sigh*... Put it away. You want to make a good impression on Rhodes Island. Now's not the time to be lighting cigarettes or playing with crossbow bolts.

I think we're well past any good impressions...

You——Wait, are they the two young girls out there?

Young girls? Hah, wait until you see them fight. Then you'll start wondering if Leithanian schools focus too much on the arts, just like those bureaucrats.

Sirs, they're here.

Ah, it's the doctors from Rhodes Island! Welcome to Wolumonde! I am so sorry you had to get roped into our local affairs like that. Let us make it up to you with an evening—

Thank you for the offer, but we're only here to establish Dr. Atro's whereabouts. We don't intend to stay long.

So, where is she?

Erm, well—

The local Infected seem to know 'Dr. Atro.' You're stalling, and I'd prefer you not.

Doctors, I'm very sorry, but things in Wolumonde are very complicated right now. We need some time to give your company a proper explanation, in order to guarantee—

She disappeared.

Wha?!

...Sir, when it comes to matters such as this, you might want to shed that flippant attitude of yours.

The truth is flippant. It's simple. No need to sugar coat it. You're angry now, but you're not surprised. You already guessed it, didn't you?

We received the Infected doctor who called herself 'Atro.' And we greatly appreciate her help caring for the many Infected residents of Wolumonde during this difficult time.

And you show your appreciation by telling us 'she disappeared?'

No need for hostility here... *Cough*, *hack hack*—

Sir, you look unwell. You should quit smoking.

It would probably be a good idea to get a physical examination, as it could be—

...No thanks, but I appreciate the concern.

Back to business, after Wolumonde steered over here to avoid Catastrophe, Dr. Atro set up camp on the edge of town. She was housing some Infected residents.

But not long ago, there was a fire in her camp.

......

Er...

...A fire?

I know what you're thinking. But according to what we currently know, it seemed to be an accident.

Dr. Atro left town after that. And we don't know where she went.

How can you act like this is all no big deal?!

Miss Folinic! C-calm down!

We... We'll investigate ourselves. But you tell us she just disappeared after a fire like that's not going to upset us!

...I'm very sorry.

If I'm not going to talk lightly, all I can give you is 'I'm very sorry.'

Dr. Atro is a good egg. She's got no Leithanian blood. No connection to us at all, really. And yet she's nobler than anybody around here.

And when the Catastrophe struck Wolumonde, she didn't run away. She offered us help.

I have the utmost respect for the good doctor. I hope nothing happened to her.

But after the fire, you saw it yourself, some of the Infected folks don't have the same ideas.

Not that I blame them. The town's cut off from the outside world. We're short on supplies. And a gang of armed Infected are out there circling.

Armed Infected?

Outlanders. All of them Infected, all of them armed. Most are Leithanian, but there are a few devils among them.

The term is 'Sarkaz,' please. I hope the meaning of the word is not lost on you. Do you have any other information about the armed Infected?

They're merely vultures waiting to pick our bones. And they're not the first.

Oh? So why didn't they immediately show up to plunder the town? Why are they just 'loitering' out there?

Just come out with it already.

Wolumonde's lack of sensitivity toward the Infected is understandable.

After all, it's a miracle Leithanien was letting infected people live alongside non-infected people for so long—

—But it's also an opportunity for bad actors to take advantage of such leniency.

What do you mean?

I told you, Rhodes Island isn't just a bunch of doctors. We're also experts at dealing with the Infected.

There are some areas... where I'd rather trust our own judgment.

For example... have you ever heard of the 'Reunion Movement?'

Before the Great Rift, I saw that name in the newspapers from time to time. Mostly reports from Ursus, but occasionally in Leithanien.

But to a small tourist town, it doesn't mean much. Folks around here would rather listen to the gossip from the next town over than official reports on faraway countries.

What are you getting at? You think Reunion has something to do with this?

No, I don't want to jump to conclusions. Let's leave it there for now.

Right... *Cough*. Either way, thanks for the info.

Speaking from experience, I don't think your side of the story will have much influence on our mission.

That's too bad. But honestly, I didn't expect much.

We may have to do some investigating around town. We need to find out what the deal with this 'disappearance' is...

Rhodes Island will demand the necessary compensation from the relevant people.

Er...

...Understood.

I've no reason to argue with that face of yours.

You can move about the town freely, as Dr. Atro's associates. You are honored guests of Wolumonde.

Ah! But of course! Please, make yourselves at home here. Upstairs is the Wolumonde government's finest parlor.

You must be tired from your long journey? Please, take a rest upstairs while we—

No need. I have something to attend to.

Can we start our investigation now?

We'll prepare the paperwork and notify the residents after the meeting. As you wish.

Thank you.

Suzuran, let's go.

Oh? Er, okay! See you soon, Wolumonders!

...*Sigh*.

How long can you keep them in the dark?

Did you see her expression?

I did.

You did. Rhodes Island may not be the type of company to try to extort us, but who knows what they might do to avenge a lost colleague?

The way I see it, it all ends the same.

But... but, it wasn't our fault. Shouldn't they be after the damned Infected that caused the fire?!

We have no proof.

But we can't just take the blame either!

We tolerated the Infected as much as we could, and how did they repay us? Ever since the Gendarmerie left, they've completely been running rampant!

...Indeed. As for the truth, truth is a fickle thing. See this match? Matches are more reliable than the truth.

The doctor's right. You really should quit. You've got a long life ahead of you.

They're 'operators.' I only listen to 'doctors.'

Touché...

Tatjana, keep an eye on our guests. Make sure they don't get into trouble.

Ah, yes, sir! Of course!

Her?

That one, what was the name... Folinic. Yes.

Do you know what Folinic's expression of pain and anger reminded me of?

Don't keep me waiting.

Tatjana. It made me think of her. Why didn't she show me a face like that?

Thor was very nearly her husband. You'd think she'd be a little sad.