22. Bell

A Relic Component?

Maybe... called a Fission Reactor.

It uses energy to trigger fission reactions in objects, including emotions, depending on the situation.

Emotions?

What I'm about to say is just a guess, but the true power of Yulia's speeches could come from...

... the emotions replicated and disseminated by the Fission Reactor.

That's your hypothesis...

I think we should send a team to verify it.

I have another question. How did the Relic Component come to be in Yulia's possession?

What is it?! Don't look at me like that! I guarantee it wasn't from one of us!

It better not have been.

Absolutely not. We've been searching for the Relic for some time, but the trail went cold, and we had to stop looking.

Oh... I see... You take care of the investigation. I've got other things to attend to.

Yes, ma'am! As soon as I learn something, I'll let you know.

So... we're just going to let her take the old lady?

Sova... What are we going to do...?

Everyone.

Lieutenant.

Okay. I've got the general idea. Pull out now.

Lieutenant, Snezhana, she...

I know, but right now a unit of Raspartan troops is bearing down on your positions.

Raspartans?

Gura is a member of Rasparta.

You knew she was a member of Rasparta? Why didn't you warn us?!

Because I also need to find out... where Yulia is hiding out.

We can talk about that later. Right now, I want you to get out of there. I'll try to find the safest route for you.

I understand.

What's happening? Are you running away?

Yes. And you should come with us.

These must be the targets Gura spoke of.

Rasparta's assassins are here already!

She's got some brainwashed guards with her. They could slow us down.

Then we'd better make short work of them.

EAT THIS!!!

No... Don't...

Deena, stop.

Huh?

You're... not going to kill me?

Sorry. We're in a rush.

Let's go.

And please don't say ''kill'' or ''die'' in front of the children.

Hey, look.

No way... Why's she still following us...?

...

Maybe we should knock her out, otherwise the enemy will have a constant lock on our location.

But... I got the feeling she wanted to tell us something... and didn't deliberately set the mob on us.

Hey! Toughen up, buttercup. Snezhana just got brainwashed. Now is not the time to let our guard down.

Sova, what do you think?

Awakener, you think you can talk to her?

I can try.

Hm... I'll give you one minute.

Sova!

Why did you stop?

Deer over there. We only have a minute. Can you tell me what you're doing?

I... um... I...

Forty-three... Forty-two...

Let's start with names. What's your name?

I'm... I'm called Sui.

And you work for Yulia?

I... I... um... actually, no.

You belong to Rasparta?

Uh... no... I don't know what Rasparta is...

Twenty... Nineteen...

Okay. And one last question, why are you following us?

I... um...

Sorry, time's up. Let's go.

Too bad, Awakener. You tried.

I, !

I wanna save Nanook! I'm afraid she's going to die!

Wakey, wakey. The mob is coming.

(Sigh)... Knock her out and take her with us.

I told you, please don't talk like that in front of the children.

Hng... My head...

Huh? What am I...?

What are you doing on my back?

P-Please put me down!

I'd love to put you down, but Eriri says she wants to keep an eye on you.

Awakener, DO NOT put her down!

Yes!

Sorry, but you're stuck on my back for now.

Wait. I hear something.

Hey! What are you doing? Why aren't you marching?!

They're Niz's lackeys!

You're the lackeys!

Language, Deena.

Hm. I'll let my fists do the talking then.

We should avoid pointless skirmishes! Put me down. I know what to do.

I can't put you down... but I can hand you the scepter...

They are not your enemies! Let them through!

Like this is going to work.

Ah...

Think about what you're doing. You will find the answer you seek.

Okay.

Now's your chance. Hurry! I can't control them for much longer.