Arknights story · Operator Records
Just Another Day
On Ceylon's birthday, Schwarz intends to handle business as usual before celebrating her lady's special day. However, something unexpected happens that morning,
1 scenes, 293 lines
1. Interlude
293 lines
Your tea, my lady.
*sigh* What a pity that after tomorrow, it will be quite some time before I can drink your tea again.
Once I complete my duty as instructor this year, I'll apply for a reassignment.
You should be saying something like 'since my lady wishes it, I'll never leave your side'!
Then I'll submit my resignation later.
Please don't. If you really did resign, the people on the landship would hold a huge grudge against me.
Alright, I should be heading to the office. You'll be at the Public Security Bureau today, right?
Yes. Charlie has been busy lately thanks to a band of bandits. He's asked me to help lead some newcomers, so I'll be heading over shortly.
See you for dinner, then.
The 'White Volcano', 6:00 P.M.
I know!
Sir?
Are you free right now, Schwarz?
Charlie's got a job for me, but I've got some time until then.
There's something about Ceylon I'd like your opinion on. I'm at the 'White Volcano'.
Time really flies, doesn't it Schwarz?
Yes, sir.
Back in the day, Barbara and I would kill time in eateries like this.
You've never mentioned that.
There are a lot of things I never mention in this heart of mine. I've no real appetite to talk about them.
But look where that got me. My own daughter had to learn about her mother from someone else.
I need to take responsibility.
You're thinking of discussing her mother with her?
A birthday party could be a good opportunity.
I'm just scared she won't want to hear me out.
Haha, I suppose you're right.
I'll have to prepare myself and tell her more about her mother, then.
Ah, yes. It must have been around '66. That year, Victoria was giving everyone in Parliament a big headache.
At the time, Barbara was up on the volcano doing some research. There wasn't any signal there, so I couldn't contact her easily.
I'd promised her I'd meet her at the foot of the volcano on our wedding anniversary, then we'd head to a restaurant in town.
But in the end, I was stuck in a government conference.
By the time I got to the volcano, it was already getting dark, and we missed our reservation.
I felt really bad because I'd ruined our anniversary.
*whispers* Heh, sucker.
But she wasn't even angry. Instead, she comforted me.
As I gazed at her side profile in the warm glow of the setting sun, everything suddenly became clear. I picked a few flowers from the roadside—
Ah, not Volcano Watchers, just the ordinary kind that grows all over the foot of the volcano.
As Herman speaks, he takes the decorative flower out of his drink as though living out his past, and hands it to the person who happens to stand next to him.
I tucked the flowers into her hair, then presented my anniversary gift, a ring.
What do you think? Should I tell her this story?
Um, thank you for the flower, Mr. Mayor...
Hmm? Where's Schwarz?
I'm not too sure myself. I heard a commotion, so I came from the kitchen to have a look.
Let go of me!
What's the matter?
Your wallet, sir.
What the—?! You little punk!
You're coming with me to the Public Security Bureau!
No I'm not, let go of me!
Allow me to handle him, sir.
Who're you?
She's with the PSB.
And who... err, you must be Mayor Herman, right?
Trust me, you can leave it to the young lady.
Of course, if you say so, Mr. Mayor.
You can go now, boy.
You're not going to lock me up?
Do you want me to?
No.
Hmph. Don't think I'm scared of you.
Why let him go?
There was mineral dust on his shoes, and his clothes didn't seem to fit...
Also, I saw crystals on his body when I grabbed him. Originium.
You think he might be connected to the workers illegally digging up obsidian?
Yes.
If so, why not leave it to the Bureau?
Charlie knows what to do.
You think he's doing a bad job?
No, he's done everything I asked him to before I left.
But I hadn't thought of everything back then.
We still have time, at least.
Lady Ceylon mentioned a Mr. Pelipper to me. I'm thinking of having a chat with him.
Private obsidian mining?
You've got the wrong guy, lady.
The volcano's already erupted. Who in their right mind would go against the mayor's decision now?
Everyone's on board now.
The eruption's just ended. To some, this is their best chance of striking it rich.
You think they bribed some miners into mining obsidian for them?
Yes.
And if I don't tell you, will it be my turn to be in a whole lot of trouble, former PSB chief Schwarz?
No, I'll go look for them myself.
Boss, I've got the newcomers dressed up as miners, like you asked.
Good.
From now on, forget being Bureau men. You're just a group of miners risking the volcano's heat.
Yes, ma'am!
Using them to draw out the bandits, boss?
No, I want them to learn what life in the mines is really like.
If they happen to draw out the bandits, then all the better.
Mind if I ask why?
They need to understand what the private obsidian miners actually do to solve this problem once and for all.
Is this... another one of Lady Ceylon's ideas?
Got it. I'll get changed into a miner's outfit myself.
Let's head out first. You can change on the way.
...
Wait.
Hmm?
I told Lady Ceylon that if she ever needed something done, I'd help.
And it seems to me like helping you is helping her.
So leave it to me. I'll pull some strings.
You guys new here?
What'd ya say, kid?
Hey, show me a little respect!
Without me leading the way, you'd never find any obsidian!
S-Sorry!
So, what's your pathetic reason for risking so much to mine obsidian?
The work that Pelipper fella got us barely paid us a dime, and we really need the cash...
Hmph, that's what they all say. That Herman guy's real stupid too. He's sitting on a gold mine but won't do anything with it.
You guys know the rules?
Of course. Never tell, never fear death.
Not bad. We're nothing like that Pelipper poser. If you dig something up, we'll pay you.
Follow me. There's more of your buddies down there.
...
You'll be working here.
Right, of course.
...
The boy heads deeper into the cave. Little does he know, there is a pair of eyes watching him intently as he disappears into the darkness.
It's me.
How's the fresh meat?
This new batch seems pretty strong. Should be able to dig up plenty.
Good to hear. Head on in.
...Hmm?
Thought I felt something go by.
Nah, how could anyone else be down here? Must be the mine getting to me.
...
*whispers* Just as expected.
*whispers* This camp was clearly built after the eruption. They must have already infiltrated the mining community if they could find somewhere this deep so fast.
*whispers* About twenty people in total.
*whispers* That boy should be up ahead.
Heard you went out into the city today.
H-how'd you know?
I thought I warned you not to go into town just 'cause you feel like it? You'd draw unwanted attention.
You guys won't give me any cash, and you won't let me get any fresh air either! I'm suffocating down here!
You nearly got caught by the most dangerous woman in town, you know that?
Dunno what got into her to let you go, though.
Is she really that bad?
Hah! Why do ya think we're hiding down here? We're trying not to piss that demon off.
Then there's Rhodes Island.
Good thing I've almost made enough.
Go tell the boys to get ready to unload.
Finally! I'm getting cooked alive in this hellhole!
'Unload'... What's that mean?
Well, since you wanna be one of us, kid, I suppose I should tell you.
'Unloading' means we're gonna kill all those miners down there, grab all their obsidian and cash, then scram.
Why do we have to kill them? Some of them just joined!
Well, too bad for them.
If you wanna be in our line of work, this is one thing you've gotta learn.
Never leave any loose ends.
They've seen you, you've seen us.
So if you'd rather be one of us instead of dying by my blade...
Then they've gotta die.
...
Don't forget who pulled you out of the mines after your ma and pa died.
I know, but...
You were the one who said you didn't want to end up like them, busting their asses for pennies! You wanted to strike it rich!
...
You got that? If you do, give me a proper answer!
I—
Huh?
...
Y-You're that lady from before—
I told you that if I saw you again, I'd take you somewhere much worse than the Public Security Bureau.
I-I don't want to kill those miners!
They're just like my mom and dad! I-I was just giving them a scare for fun!
Huh?
Before the boy can react, Schwarz moves to his side, knocks him out with a neat blow, and carries his stunned body onto her shoulder.
It's quicker this way.
In the distance, screams echo through the cave. The traps she set up beforehand are working. But louder still is the sound of footsteps gradually approaching.
It reminds her of the night she wiped out her enemies.
She was alone back then, outnumbered ten-to-one.
She realizes that if there were a child with her back then, she wouldn't have wasted time like the way she did earlier.
But now, what used to be a waste of time feels as right as breathing.
Y-You actually took out all those bandits on your own?!
As I told Charlie, split into two teams. One to sweep the bandits' den, the other to calm the miners.
Got it?
On it, boss!
Wait.
Yes?
Take this boy—
He has Oripathy. Allow me to examine him.
Put him down here, will you? The rocks are more even here.
Why are you here, my lady?
If Mr. Pelipper hadn't been worried enough to give me a call, I'm afraid I would have been in the dark about all this.
I could have handled this myself.
The disease hasn't spread very far. He must have been infected only recently.
Could you take him to Rhodes Island's office?
Understood.
What happened to him?
His parents were private obsidian miners who died in a mining accident. With no one to look after him, he caught the eye of those bandits.
Gangs like them love taking in kids like him.
I heard a lot of stories like that aboard Rhodes Island.
He's stubborn. I'm afraid he won't be changing his ways anytime soon.
Then what do you think we should do?
I'm thinking of handing him over to the Rhodes Island office in Siesta.
Caring for those with Oripathy is our duty, not to mention the fact that he's an orphan.
So sure, you can count on us to figure things out.
Good.
Well, that's all sorted then.
With those words, Ceylon claps her hands and smiles.
How about you? Are you hurt?
It was just some bandits.
I noticed the boy was unharmed too. Your doing?
Yes.
If you didn't have to look after him, how much quicker do you think you could have cleared out the bandits?
I'd say... ten minutes quicker, at least.
I might have been able to make it to your birthday party.
Don't worry, it's not as if I'd really be mad at you for something like that.
I'm rather happy, in fact.
You are?
I know what you were like before.
It took me quite a while to get used to that side of you, just like it took you quite a while to get used to living with me.
We've changed thanks to one another, but we've also learned to live with some of each other's stubbornness.
Like my obsession with Oripathy, or how you handle things.
I keep hoping you'll come back to New Siesta, and yet, there's a part of me that's afraid. Afraid that once we work together, we'd start butting heads.
Will we?
Not anymore, from the look of things.
So, I'll be waiting for you.
Anyways...
It's 5:30, and it'll take at least an hour to get to the 'White Volcano'.
I think we can consider my birthday party a bust.
Master Herman is most likely waiting at the restaurant to throw you a nice surprise. If we go now, we can still make it in time.
He's kept me waiting for this long, I'm sure he can handle a little longer.
So, where's my present?
And I'm not letting you off with an excuse like 'there was no time to get one.'
...
She returns her lady's gaze, a rare tinge of embarrassment in her eyes.
This is just how Ceylon is. Whatever she wants, she'll fight for it.
She has in fact prepared a gift. Right now, it should still be in the jewelry store in the commercial district.
If they head over there now, then to the 'White Volcano' right after, they should still be able to make it.
Schwarz plans to tell Ceylon that, but then she sees her face, outlined in the sunset's afterglow.
...
What is it, Schwarz?
I see what Master means now.
Are these... flowers?
Is this my present?
Yes.
Wildflowers from the foot of the volcano.
While they might not have the same meaning as Volcano Watchers, the fact that they can bloom under the volcano at all is proof of their tenacity.
The volcano represents Siesta, and from here, you can see all the sights the city has to offer, both Old and New.
Besides, ordinary wildflowers have their own meaning.
We're all just ordinary people living at the foot of the volcano.
But most importantly, they're beautiful.
I'll let you off the hook this time.
Apparently Master Herman did this once to patch up a rough spot in his marriage.
You could ask him yourself.
I feel like you've been taking his side a lot lately, Schwarz.
He has been waiting too.
I know, I know. I'll have a proper chat with him.
Let's go, I'm starving.
You're free tomorrow, right? I'll help you pack. There are a few gifts I was hoping you could help deliver to some friends on the landship.
Alright.
Speaking of gifts, what kind of cake did you get?
Chocolate hazelnut. You said you wanted to try it last week.
That's my Schwarz!
Ah... Ah-choo!
Oh, Mr. Mayor! Why are you here all by yourself?
I thought tonight was Miss Ceylon's birthday party?
Something came up on Schwarz's side, so my daughter went to help her.
Oh...
Will it be alright if you don't head over yourself?
By the time I found out, Schwarz had already settled the matter, and Ceylon was already there.
All I can do is wait for them here.
Well, as long as they're safe.
Oh, what's that you're holding—
Wildflowers. Went to the foot of the volcano today to pick them.
That explains why they look so familiar.
A long time ago, they helped me settle a rocky moment with my wife.
Today, I hope they can help me break the ice with my daughter.
You've planned this plenty well, so why still the long face, Mr. Mayor?
I had a feeling just now.
A feeling that this little trick of mine isn't going to help this time.
...But why?