Tin Man suddenly felt parched, though he no longer possessed organs capable of such sensations. Even so, he inwardly sighed at Felix's bold gamble and extravagant promises.
Yet, thinking of the Revenants' temperament after being confined for so long, Tin Man hesitated before speaking. "I am not suitable for the task of persuading them to leave the furnace."
"Then who is?"
"Do you have any Djalls?"
Tin Man's tone shifted. "A Djall can read the emotions within a person's heart. If one were sent to guide the Revenants, it might achieve unexpected results."
"…."
Felix fell silent. Little Nymph was a Djall, but she was far too young. He had no intention of employing child labor, much less forcing such a burden on her shoulders.
Tin Man seemed to sense something. "It is only a suggestion. Some Revenants have terrible tempers, and once released they may not follow your instructions. But they are also a kind that finds the world endlessly dull. If you can provide something for them to do…"
So basically they complain, but deep down they're very obedient?
Felix's expression darkened. He understood.
By evening, Felix returned to his home in Trimount, where he finally met one of Muelsyse's water clones that had been waiting for him.
Felix got straight to the point. "How is the situation?"
"The operation is still ongoing."
After giving him a quick hug, Muelsyse yawned. "The military has begun investigating the nearby underground waterways. My water clones already spotted their traces. Our time is running out."
"How long until Old Goat finishes the operation?"
"It may take a few more hours."
Felix flicked his wrist, releasing several dozen drones that shimmered into invisibility before flying out the window. They began scanning the underground passages, marking which routes were compromised and which remained safe.
Not only did the surgery have to succeed, but everyone needed to evacuate without incident.
"Go take care of your tasks first. The Maylander Foundation owes me a favor. They'll repay it this time."
Felix muttered quietly, "The military's actions have crossed the line. They may have already ignored government orders."
Muelsyse did not understand the meaning of that last sentence, but she still relayed the message to those in the operating room. There, Old Goat was enthusiastically boasting about how many female scientists he had charmed during his prime university days. Once he heard Felix's update, his chatter paused for a moment before he casually shifted to discussing his old research subjects.
Saria, exhausted by days of strain, had unknowingly fallen asleep. In this operation she could do little. Old Goat's hoarse, steady voice became the perfect lullaby, and she drifted off on the sofa.
When she awoke again, her internal clock snapped her to full alert. She turned sharply to the nearby clock: it was already past 9 pm. She had slept two hours without realizing it. Someone had draped a blanket over her, though she did not know who.
The operating room was quiet, yet the surgery continued. Old Goat's hands remained steady, though his words had grown sparse.
Simply from fatigue.
Saria set another alarm and lay down once more. She needed to conserve as much energy as possible. Figuring out how to get Ifrit safely out of the city after this would be her true battle.
An hour later, she sat up and saw that the operation had entered its final stage. Old Goat was suturing the wound, his eyes bloodshot and a yawn barely suppressed.
For a man his age, staying up all day performing surgery was no small burden. But the results were worth it. He had obtained the structural department's needed data and made progress in biological reconstruction. Both sides gained something.
"You've worked hard, Director Ahrens."
Saria stepped forward. Ahrens shook his head. After removing his mask, he took a sip of water and worked some stiffness from his waist and legs. "Ifrit's vital signs are stable for now. But using arts will increase her risk of infection every time unless it is an absolute emergency."
"The military clearly never intended to observe her long-term."
His voice turned dry. "To them, Ifrit was only a short-term product. Her 'shelf life' might have been no more than a decade."
Silence asked softly, "Professor, if Ifrit never uses her arts again, how many years could she live?"
"Hmm... alright, then let's look at this from the perspective of an Infected. If an Infected doesn't overwork and simply lives a relaxed, comfortable life each day, how long do you think they can live?"
Ahrens spoke like a patient teacher guiding his students. In the end, he answered his own question.
"The truth is, they can live just as long as any ordinary person, as long as they take their medication regularly."
"How long can Ifrit live? In fact, if she doesn't use Originium Arts, her lifespan is no different from a normal child."
After Ahrens finished, he added a quiet "however."
"However, she has fragments of the Diablo embedded in her. The Diablos, a long-extinct Sarkaz race, were known for their overwhelming flames and destructive power… If Ifrit doesn't use Originium Arts at regular intervals, it's very possible the fragments will burn her from the inside out. That is the negative consequence of the fragments."
Silence's lips trembled slightly.
"Professor… you mean that even if Ifrit never uses Originium Arts, she'll still be burned alive by the Diablo fragments?"
Ahrens remained silent.
Muelsyse stepped in to ease the tension.
"Actually, using Originium Arts won't necessarily worsen the infection. Of course, there's a limit. And that limit can be decided by Director Saria and Silence, right?"
Although it was strange how Muelsyse lumped the two together, Saria still nodded.
She stood up and looked at the girl lying in bed, who seemed to be slowly waking. Ifrit blinked her star-bright eyes and gave her a small smile. Saria pressed her lips together.
"…Can you help me pass on a message to Kristen?"
Ahrens sighed. Silence's eyes widened. Muelsyse muttered quietly,
"I really don't want to take responsibility for that… Saria, are you really leaving?"
"My staying will only bring trouble to Rhine Lab."
Saria clenched her fists until the joints cracked. The pressure from the military left her with no choice but to compromise and take the one path left that could help her friend escape disaster.
Muelsyse had no words. In truth, Saria was absolutely right. Many of Rhine Lab's former partners and contracted projects had abandoned them due to military pressure.
Saria had already made her decision. Since she might not return to Trimount for a long time, she should report to Central Administration.
But their devices were under surveillance. Turning on anything would immediately alert the military. So Saria picked up pen and paper and began writing.
This was not farewell forever, only a temporary parting. Her face was expressionless, her true emotions hidden deep within.
She and Kristen had spent decades together in Trimount, vowing to achieve greatness in the scientific world. They worked side by side, developing rapidly with the military's support.
Success by the military, downfall by the military. Because of them, she now had to leave.
Ten or maybe twenty minutes passed. Muelsyse, eyes closed, sensed something. She gently pulled the door open a crack, and a spherical device drifted inside.
She recognized it. One of Felix's special drones—"Clever."
A glow formed above Clever, gradually shaping into a blue terran figure, Felix's projected image.
"It's been a while. I'd love to catch up, but time isn't on our side."
Without greeting anyone, Felix continued,
"Director Ahrens, Silence, the two of you leave first. My drone will guide you. The nearby sewers are full of military patrols and surveillance."
Ahrens nodded slightly. He glanced at Silence, who seemed about to speak, then quietly began gathering his belongings.
"Muelsyse, once you dispel your water clone, meet me at home."
Felix turned to Saria.
"Saria, thank you for everything. You'll need to take Ifrit deeper into the underground waterways. Under any circumstances you cannot appear on the surface. The military's drones will spot you immediately."
"What should we do?"
"The Maylander Foundation has prepared RHIB for your escape. Take Ifrit there, and I'll meet you at the designated point."
"I understand."
Saria lifted Ifrit into her arms. She glanced once at Director Ahrens, who was about to depart, and at Silence, whose eyes were filled with complicated emotions. Saria handed them the letter for Kristen.
"Until we meet again."
"Good luck, Director Saria."
Ahrens gave a faint smile and quickly retreated under the guidance of another Clever unit. As his footsteps faded, Muelsyse looked toward Saria.
"Don't worry. I'll walk this part of the road with you."
"Thank you."
The two of them, following the drone's directions, moved deeper inside. As time passed, they noticed more and more metal and mechanical structures appearing along the walls.
"This place is…"
"The core conduit sector of Trimount, though you're only at the outer perimeter."
Felix explained.
"You don't have access clearance, so don't even think about forcing your way into the mobile city's core."
"Thank you for the explanation."
Saria continued forward with Ifrit in her arms, unhindered by anything in their path. Soon, at a turn, they found what Felix had mentioned: the RHIB provided by the Maylander Foundation.
Trimount was currently docked near a region with a river. It was also where Trimount disposed of waste and drained its underground water, though purification was performed beforehand.
The place Saria and Muelsyse passed earlier was the purification chamber. Now, Saria boarded the boat with Ifrit, while Muelsyse stood by with a gentle smile.
"See you soon, Saria~"
"…"
Saria looked at Muelsyse, her lips moving slightly.
"Thank you, Muelsyse."
"Oh come on, there's no need for thanks between the two of us."
As Muelsyse dissolved into flowing water and disappeared, Saria held Ifrit close and stepped toward the unknown future.
———
Kristen sat upright in the Chief Office, her gaze cold as she stared at the new proposal submitted by the military — a plan for militarized terran experimentation.
Such documents should never have appeared on Rhine Lab's desk, yet the military had delivered it anyway. It was a challenge and a warning.
"She's gone."
Yara gently pushed the door open, looking toward Kristen.
"…I know."
For a brief second, Kristen's expression was as fragile as a lost young girl. Then she composed herself again, her face empty of emotion.
"Felix's plane took off an hour ago. After the military's routine inspection, neither Saria nor the experimental subject Ifrit were found."
Yara gave a calm, reassuring smile.
"He contacted us before leaving Trimount. Saria and Ifrit are both safe."
"…Is that so."
Kristen clenched her hands so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.
She had been so focused on exploration, on the Horizon Ark, busy with stars above… that she forgot the person beside her.
She hadn't protected her.
Back then, Saria had smiled and said she would walk forward to protect her dream, yet Kristen failed to protect Saria in return.
Kristen bit lightly on her silver-white teeth.
The pain and regret surged like a rising tide, suffocating her.
"With Felix there, Saria will be safe."
Yara comforted her.
"We've done everything we can. Felix too. You as well. Saria will be gone for a few years, not forever."
"I understand."
Kristen nodded, her gaze dim.
"The military is still the same as before."
Yara nodded slightly.
"The Maylander Foundation wants to make contact with us."
"…Fine."
Even after Felix's departure, the military continued to monitor Rhine Lab closely. They believed Saria had hidden the experimental subject somewhere in the city, and Rhine Lab suffered heavy pressure because of it. Several scientists were threatened or bought out and left, shrinking the institution's size and draining the lively atmosphere it once had.
Yet those who remained felt reassured. Neither the Director nor her students left. They continued working as they always had, as though the military's interference changed nothing.
Everything proceeded in an orderly manner.
———
Border Airspace: Columbia–Kazimierz, 10,500 ft,
01:57, heavy rain, turbulent winds, radio interference high.
On the plane, Saria removed the coat with the stealth module. She realized it also carried an isolation system strong enough that the military scanners, even at close range, hadn't detected her.
She walked to the cockpit to accompany Felix, and she noticed that it was still raining heavily outside.
"Felix, where are we going?"
"Home."
"…Home?…"
"Yes."
"...You've worked hard, Saria, get some sleep... Let this storm carry us home."