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Sparks, Extinguished in a Touch
Hui-chieh:
If memory serves me correctly, and I don't trust it to, the old man's name was Ivan Iziaslav.
A very common name. And he was the sort of peasant farmer you could find anywhere.
But he sacrificed himself. For a whole mess of reasons, he gave his own life...
I think about it every now and then. Am I truly worth people sacrificing their lives?
Alina went with me. She was gentle most other times, but would suddenly just come out with venomous tongue-lashings. That made me uncomfortable, to say the least.
The plan was proceeding smoothly.
In accordance with my own ideas, rapidly, the Infected of this place would surely unite as one.
I hoped it would be effective.
And I hoped it would be enough for the old man to rest peacefully. Aside from the old lady, no-one else had been closer family to me.
February 7th
Third year without the Black Snake
- Talulah
Sir, I'm...
- Infected
Whatcha here for? Don't like the look of your clothes. Some old vet, are you?
- Infected
Get lost! There's nothing even left here. You lot stole it, all of it! And what you couldn't steal, you burned!
- Infected
Bastards! You came to kill me? Kill me, then! Goddamned demons!
- Talulah
No, sir, I'm here to tell you that the Infected Patrol Unit is sweeping this area today.
- Infected
Then let 'em sweep! Let 'em kill us all, why don't you!
- Infected
We built our pathetic, unlivable village all the way out here, and they still come for us! What else can we do but let 'em!?
- Talulah
Sir. You can hide yourselves, and I'll talk to them. Or I can conceal myself...
- Infected
And who're you? I always said, you military noble bunch, no matter what you pretend! You're all just out for our lives—
- Infected
Hah, you're not quite their sort. You actually talk with us! And they think we're barely even worth whipping!
- Infected
Huh? Hello?
- Infected
Gone...?
- Infected
What kind of stunt is this? Oh... damn us all...
- Infected
Damn us all. What a pathetic ending.
- Infected Patrol Unit
It's no bad thing to know your own damnation.
- Infected
Ah... Mr. Patrolman...
- Infected Patrol Unit
...Destitute and lousy. Bad physique. You wouldn't be much use even if we sent you to the mines.
- Infected Patrol Unit
How do you want to die, then? Painlessly? Slowly?
- Infected
...Mr. Patrolman! Look at me... what harm would leaving me alive do you?
- Infected Patrol Unit
You say that with a weapon in your hand?
- Infected
...Sorry, Mr. Patrolman! This was for whoever that was just a minute ago! I don't know where she's gone now, but...
- Infected Patrol Unit
Even burdenbeasts are worth more than you Infected. They can at least move goods. Your existence is a waste of His Majesty's land!
- Talulah
Why is that?
- Infected Patrol Unit
——
- Infected Patrol Unit
Where did you come from?
- Talulah
From far, far east.
- Infected Patrol Unit
What the hell are you...? You, are you Infected too?
- Talulah
I am.
- Talulah
I can think. I can speak.
- Talulah
We Infected live and die. Why should you decide when and how?
- Infected Patrol Unit
What is this bullshit?!
- Talulah
If you could let us die peacefully on our own terms, we'd hardly even be upset about it...
- Talulah
But, my Infected brother, look up at him! Look at his face, his grin, his laugh!
- Talulah
They want to decide our fates. Control us. Perhaps our lives aren't worth much, but do you think you'd be worth a single gold coin?
- Infected Patrol Unit
You!
- Talulah
My brother, in all their past outrageous acts, have they ever spared someone for their conduct? Have they ever let another live for following instructions?
- Talulah
They have not! Each time they let you live, it was only because they still saw worth they could squeeze from you!
- Talulah
With no money and no land left, they'd kick you to the floor. After all, the cities don't even give Infected the chance to live!
- Talulah
How should we Infected live? How should we die? That is for us to decide!
- Infected
......!
- Infected
But... who are you?
- Infected Patrol Unit
You good-for-nothing! Tell me your name at once!
- Infected Patrol Unit
In the name of the Emperor! For daring to lead his citizenry astray with these ludicrous ideals, we sentence you to death!
- Talulah
To my brothers, I have no name. Refer to me how you wish. If you must call me something, you may call me Talulah.
- Talulah
To my enemies, you have no need for my name.
- Talulah
But my fires will set you alight.
