Chapter 11: Light, Shadow, and Gray (Part 1)
One week before Prophet woke up, top floor of the Chernobog Ursus Grand Hotel.
"…Do we really have to go this far? Talulah?"
"It's not too late to give up now."
"If we don't do it, just waiting here for other heroes to help us, wouldn't that be too cowardly?"
Looking at the two people before her with worried faces, Talulah remained calm.
"The future can only be seized by one's own hands. This point, you two should understand better than I do."
"But the appearance and reason for this ability are still unknown, moreover, if connected and infused with full power, the potential damage…"
"You don't understand, Amiya. If this sacrifice can allow others to have a better future, no one would be stingy. We are all people destined to die; now that we have the ability to resist fate, then even if the possibility is one in a billion, we will give it a shot."
"But this is a bit too cruel…"
Seeing the fate Talulah was embracing, even though Amiya was already mentally prepared, a sorrowful expression couldn't help but appear on her small, delicate face.
It wasn't the death of dozens, hundreds of people, but hundreds of thousands, millions of people singing songs of triumph as they marched together into hell. That was absolutely not a scene Amiya wanted to see. Once this plan was implemented, then the Infected in Chernobog, the Infected gathered from all over the world, would have no chance of survival.
They wanted to create a paradise for the Infected in this heavily guarded, mutually surveilled world. A group of tormented patients using their last lives to transmit into a tower, for the sake of final hope and dignity. Such a future was not a good future. A battle situation even more tragic and brutal than the infinitely recurring battlefield in Columbia could be foreseen appearing around Chernobog. Amiya didn't want to see such a scene no matter what.
Because this was, in fact, tearing apart the territory of an already insane militaristic nation, ripping off the mask covering their faces. Even if a large amount of manpower and resources were spent to resist the Catastrophe, the heavily battered Reunion Movement would still have to face the encirclement and suppression by Ursus regular forces. That was one of the top military forces in this world. And with half a year of technological advancement, they were very likely to come with the mentality of consuming old equipment to conduct brutal, unrestricted bombing on Chernobog. And judging from the news coming from the mayor, those Ursus council members didn't seem to mind such things.
The future was almost devoid of light, seemingly hopeless, yet this was something that had to be done.
"The world doesn't fear the Infected because they haven't yet witnessed our power. Someone has to tell them that we Infected are not their slaves, we are not monsters anyone can bully; we are also people with personality, with families, with thoughts and freedom. And all this requires strength."
"But, if we fail…"
"So you, Speaker, are the second and third paths."
Sitting elegantly on the chair, lifting her teacup, Talulah, with a calm face, spoke as if discussing something completely unrelated to herself.
"I will hold fast here, until the day I die. I will stop any superficial hostility here. The armies of the Ursus Empire, attackers from other organizations, I will meet their challenge here. Similarly, you will spread out like scattered light, growing around, preserving the embers for us."
"Talulah…"
"I won't optimistically assume I will definitely not fail; no, perhaps I am bound to fail."
Looking at her own reflection in the teacup, thinking of her mood a year ago, Talulah smiled at her reflection in the water.
"I might die here, but if people like me don't stand up, Oripathy patients will still be bullied, still be trampled upon. People's understanding of respect is mutual. As long as we exist for one day, they will respect Oripathy patients for one day. If they ever propose so-called peace, salvation, propose that Oripathy patients should be treated well, it must be because we once existed. Because they need us. The world needs us. We are an indispensable part of them."
"I will play the role that makes them feel pain, and Amiya, you and your Rhodes Island will lobby at the upper levels. You are the last hope and ember, letting the higher-ups have a most superficial layer of goodwill towards Oripathy patients. They need you to heal their illnesses. Their children are the best weapon."
"You are the kind Oripathy patients; you and we are opposed to each other, you must remember this point. And the Mayor is the best tool for publicizing these things."
"I believe under such division, we can achieve a completely clear separation."
"Miss Talulah…"
Looking at Talulah before her with a natural expression, Amiya opened her mouth wanting to say something, but found she couldn't say anything.
All reasons had already been blocked; things had already reached the final juncture. The Catastrophe Messenger had already issued a warning, yet countless Oripathy patients were left behind, extorted for huge sums of money, and many Oripathy patients were even left to die in the mines; this was something the Reunion Movement could not accept.
No matter what, they had to make a choice. Regarding things like Catastrophes, no one could do anything. The originally calculated time was no longer enough; with Eden's technical support, the originally required two months was shortened to one week. The Reunion Movement, which was preparing to slowly gain momentum, had almost no choice in the face of this sudden reality. Either abandon these brothers and sisters who had already been developed, flee in embarrassment, hiding here and there. Or directly rise up in rebellion, announcing their existence.
The former was impossible; they would not abandon their lives, nor would the Reunion Movement accept such a thing happening.
So what remained was only to rise up in rebellion. Even though the price might be the blood of millions.
Hasty uprising, insufficient preparation, not enough manpower, elite troops not yet arrived, and allies could only hide in the dark. The Reunion Movement had almost no other better way. It was as if this world itself disliked them, forcing them to make a choice at this time.
"Miss Talulah, this path you've chosen, is really…"
Looking at the calm-faced Talulah, Amiya, sitting in her seat, showed a hint of unbearableness.
But Talulah, already mentally prepared, instead returned a steady smile, actively comforting the leader of Rhodes Island.
"Don't show that kind of expression, Amiya. I might not necessarily die here. If I can win over the help of Eden and other forces, I won't die here. Lungmen has already shown us goodwill; we are not fighting alone. Someone will eventually hope for our appearance. Even if it's just to target Ursus, someone will help us."
"…Excuse me. Is the meeting room this way?"
"Oh, please come in."
Hearing the voice from outside the door, facing Amiya's surprised gaze, Talulah said with a calm face. And the Iron Fist Mayor, who had been silent all along, also showed a slightly playful smile, looking towards the direction of the meeting room door.
And a girl with a golden ponytail, wearing some slightly strange attire, arrived in the room, looked at everyone, and nodded.
"Nearl, a knight of Kazimierz. Very pleased to meet everyone working hard for Oripathy."
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