6-14 Frost Upon the Tundra

The... the Yetis...

...I feel so bad for them to all die in Lungmen like that. One less hope, one less legend for the Infected.

Move it. The L. G. D. are on the way.

I know.

...There's something not quite right about your eyes.

To be honest, I always thought you were a spy for Lungmen.

How about now?

No one would believe it anyway.

A real spy would kill you to keep you quiet.

I'm not worried about you killing me. Look at the state of Lungmen. Even if you were a Lungmenite, you can't go back.

You'd have an even worse time than we did.

...So I'm not. I'm not really anything anymore.

What are you doing? Wow, is that a flower?

Oooh, is this your Arts? It's pretty.

Someone has to leave them a token of respect.

Such dilly-dallying... such a waste of time.

I think it was well done. I can give top marks for wiping out the entire Reunion Movement in the city of Lungmen in a single day.

Wei Yenwu is impressive.

Taihe, have you heard that rumor?

You speak of Wei Yenwu's history?

Delve not into such things.

Forgive me. But how do the skills of the Black Cloaks compare to those of the Imperial Guard?

Hmph. You overestimate them. But they do indeed have some exceptional skill...

Look out!

You bastards!!!

——Infected?

Hiss!

——Wire?!

You don't really want to kill me, do you? You can use Arts.

I've always heard that men who use wires as weapons are all, literally all, psychopaths.

Indeed, they do say that...

Infected, do not interfere with official business. Take care that I lump you in with the others.

Not much to be done about unidentified armed units getting killed on the battlefield, is there?

We can likewise testify that you are acting in coordination with Reunion.

You don't have the authority to investigate my partner.

We are well aware that a vessel belonging to an 'Infected Countermeasures Specialist' is docked in a Lungmen berth, Superintendent Ch'en. This is the only reason Miss Blaze has not yet come to harm.

Then how much more do you need to see? How much more must you test the people of this city with their very lives?

Speak with respect. We are assessing Lungmen's risk control capabilities due to the importance with which we regard you.

Then forgive me. I'll rephrase.

Are you enjoying this farce?

Pfft.

Stand down, Blaze. We do not serve these fine, upstanding individuals, and they're not with the raincoats either.

Apologies, Miss Blaze. I hope I did not cause you any displeasure.

...You're very polite. But your tone pisses me off.

You have an ear for Yan speech.

You inherited much from your father. Alas, now you are but an Infected. Your path is rough. And short.

......You......?

Come.

Goodbye then, Miss Blaze, Superintendent Ch'en.

Wait! What did you just say about my dad?!

Stop!

Blaze!

......

Remember the mission!

Right.

Officer Ch'en.

We found no trace of the enemy commander.

Which?

We only know of Mephisto.

Let Rhodes Island handle the rest.

No need to rush into it. This campaign is all but over.

But he has to pay... for the atrocities he committed.

Then we'll leave it to you.

Let's part ways for now. I have one more thing I need to see with my own eyes.

Wait a minute, L. G. D. lady.

What is it?

...Thanks for that, back there.

That's all.

Sure. You too.

Why did you have to pick that moment to act? Blaze... You're not the type to make mistakes at a time like this.

For one thing, I was really mad...

For another, I could tell that L. G. D. lady, Ch'en, was getting mad too.

We also can't tell which of the two sides has the right to speak.

So I pick the one I like.

Sorry. It won't happen again.

...No, Blaze. It's my turn to say it won't happen again.

But I can't say that. I can't promise that.

The Yetis...

......

Silly rabbit.

Hey, don't pat my head. I need to get taller...

...At least, don't pat it too long.

I know, I know.

How do you feel?

I was in the neighborhood.

Your emotional state is fluctuating. It seems you had a deeper interaction with this Reunion unit in the Chernobog ruins.

As far as I can tell, the captain of this unit did not participate in the battle.

Lungmen won't keep chasing these Infected. But Rhodes Island has to do more.

Lungmen won't interfere with what happens next. And you can choose not to participate.

...But you will participate. Whether the Infected is codenamed 'Mephisto' or 'FrostNova.'

I have my work cut out for me.

Oh, and Dr. Doctor......

Don't look at me like that.

But you and I don't need trust.

You need the trust of Rhodes Island's operators, not me.

——I know you too well to trust you. Just like you never trusted me, in the old days.

......

Right.

......

I misspoke. Forget it.

Be careful in the next operation. Only the most dangerous of commanders would train such a squad of Infected who would fight to the death without flinching.

Of course, it's up to you if you want to see it through to the end.

And do conserve your energy. We may not have time to rest.

It's not that simple. At least, that's what I think.

Dr. Doctor, from now on, it's up to you to decide if you will shoulder the burden of responsibility for Rhodes Island...

...'Whether or not to be one worthy of the trust of a Rhodes Island operator.'

Ah, FrostNova, ma'am, you're awake...

...Take it easy! Let me help you.

I'm fine. I'm not... so fragile.

——

Where are you going? You can't go back.

......

Then, my brothers and sisters...

...You can't go back!

It was for your sake that they...

Don't insult my squad!

Ugh!

They did... *cough* look out for me.

But it was for the Infected that they gave their lives so bravely!

They fought their last battle so that more of their people could live, not for the sake of any one person!

*Cough* *cough hack* *cough*...

*Cough* Guh... Mmg...

FrostNova, ma'am...

Enough with the ma'am. Are you calling me that because I look weak to you?

......!

Sorry!

It's just, they put you in our care like this.

And now they're gone, and I never got to keep my promises to them.

I don't even have a chance to make amends.

FrostNova...

...The one slumped at the wall there.

Mephisto.

He's still unconscious?

We don't know. He's been like that the whole time. He says nothing. Does nothing.

......

Take him back. It's enough.

Understood. Phew, I thought you'd...

I'd what?

I thought you'd kill him.

There's no need for that anymore. I think I know what happened outside the slums.

That disheartened look in his eyes...

Oh...?

...And, from time to time...

I recall that day, three or four years ago, when he tried his very hardest to sing.

He can sing? But Faust said, his throat...

He really tried.

Just like all of us Infected. Though we will all someday succumb to Oripathy...

We still try our very hardest to live.

Let the rest of his life continue to punish him.

Tell me, Phantom Crossbowman, was Rhodes Island involved in that fight?

Do you mean...?

...No, as far as I know, they didn't fight the Yetis.

...So childish.

Are you sure you want to stay?

They may not come after us, FrostNova. You don't have to die here.

I met a few people in the ruins. I want to see them again.

I promised them, actually.

And I know they're coming.

FrostNova...

Go on, brother.

Reunion lost this battle. And just maybe, Reunion did wrong.

But you haven't. You still have a choice, you can do better.

Go on. And don't look back.