INTERMISSION
The Bent and Abandoned Thorn
1
Imperial capital, third military hospital.
This was the sole hospital within the Empire that specialized in astral diseases. Though very few could use Curse, Brainwash, and Poison astral powers, that also made treating such afflictions exceedingly difficult. And because of that, the doctors at this hospital were all experts in treating astral illnesses.
The hospital’s second ward.
“Well, looks like we’re gonna get busy. This is an astral illness we’ve never seen before, after all.”
The hallway was bathed in bluish-white light.
The cheerful voice echoed through the milk-white tiled hallway as a thin man briskly walked down the hall. His assistant wearing a white coat accompanied him by his side.
“It’s the eighth checkpoint. We believe the incident occurred about seven hours ago. Is that right, Michaela?”
“Yes.”
“Thirty-nine victims in total. Twenty Imperial soldiers who were guarding the checkpoint. And nineteen elite Nebulis forces that were trying to invade Imperial territory. All of them were taken down. Their common symptom is a coma caused by some unknown factor. They have been unable to regain consciousness. So what’s been tried thus far?”
“Noises, including calling their names. External physical stimuli, such as hitting their shoulders. Strong stimulants. None had any effect.”
“All right.” The emaciated man nodded in satisfaction once Michaela, the medical professional, had finished her smooth delivery of the report. “Michaela, the chart, if you could?”
“Chief Newton.”
“What is it?”
“You already have the chart in your hand.”
“Oh my. It seems you’re right. I was so lost in thought, I’d forgotten. It’s like when you’re wearing your own glasses while looking for them.”
When Michaela pointed that out, the bearded chief smiled wryly. The Saint Disciple of the tenth seat was Sir Karossos Newton, the laboratory’s chief.
His nickname was the “sickliest researcher.” The man’s shoulders and limbs looked as though they would snap with a light breeze. They showed he was an exception—he was the only civil official among the greatest military force called the Saint Disciples.
“Do you think the one who did this is the Founder Nebulis?”
“That is what will be reported to the public. We received word from Ms. Risya that the truth is one of the Eight Great Apostles’ secret experiments went rogue. So in more concrete terms, it means the Nebulis Sovereignty’s First Princess Elletear was the one who did this.”
“A witch of yet-unknown capacity, then…,” Chief Newton murmured quietly. “That does seem to align with the astral illness we are dealing with this time. We haven’t seen any precedent for it. The Eight Great Apostles were likely trying to investigate whether they could create a witch greater than the one we already know exists. The thirty-nine at the eighth checkpoint were simply unlucky they were attacked. Though they’re also lucky to be alive.”
“You consider this lucky?”
“Of course. I can examine them, do my research, and help them recover—that is what I intend to do, at least.”
He flung out his arms and almost sang the words. That man stopped at a room at the end of the hall.
“Especially her. She is the only witness who has faced the witch Elletear and lived to tell the tale. Well…I suppose all thirty-nine survived, but she is the only one who can speak.”
“Please be careful,” Michaela said. She already had a gun holster conspicuously hanging off her hip. “She’s a purebred type. She may look like a young girl, but Ms. Risya has said she’s as dangerous and powerful in combat as the Ice Calamity Witch.”
“How exciting. Wonderful.”
“She’s in three different astral-sealing handcuffs…but we don’t know how well those will hold back her purebred powers. We’re keeping an eye on her with surveillance cameras, and I’ve requested she be shot if she shows any sign of hostility or abnormality.”
“What is the witch’s name?”
“According to the report…” Michaela scanned the paper in her hand.
“It’s Kissing.”
The door unlocked. It creaked solemnly as its massive metal facade swung open.
It was a witch interrogation room. It was furnished with a rectangular table and two nondescript chairs. The ceiling was equipped with three cameras. In addition, astral-energy sensors were installed in the corners of the ceiling and floor.
“Pardon me, my lovely girl.”
Chief Newton and Michaela entered.
A black-haired girl sat in one chair and did not so much as flinch. Her face was charming, and though small, her lips were a fine bloodred color. If someone were to pass by her on the street, they likely would have turned to take another glance at her beautiful features.
However…
She continued to stare at the ground, and she did not react to the two doctors in the slightest as they walked in.
“How are you feeling? We need to keep the handcuffs on you for our own safety, but if you have any requests other than to have those off, please tell me.”
“ ”
“And please don’t worry, my dear. We do not intend you any harm. Well, I suppose that may sound cliché. I won’t deny it’s a classic line that would be used to win someone over.”
“ ”
“Well, let’s cut to the chase, shall we? We—the Empire, I mean to say—would like to work with you.”
Newton took a seat. He faced Kissing across the table.
“You were attempting to cross into Imperial territory. As you approached the eighth checkpoint, you had the misfortune of encountering a monster. Isn’t that right?”
“Guh.” She flinched. Chief Newton didn’t fail to notice the slight shudder.
She was frightened.
The monster had left a deep mark on the psyche of a purebred type who made the Imperial forces shudder herself.
“I know you saw the monster’s power.”
“ ”
“We are looking for information. We need clues in order to treat those who have fallen prey to her. That includes your fellow astral-corps members, of course.”
“My…fel…low…?”
This was the first time the girl had spoken.
“My uncle…?”
“Hmm? Who’s this uncle of yours?”
“ ”
“Oh, pardon me. It seems you don’t want me to pry.”
Chief Newton dramatically cleared his throat. A few seconds passed.
“Now, I know you may have some reservations about working with the Imperial forces, but it truly isn’t a big deal at all.”
“ ”
“This is a trade—a strategic negotiation of mutual benefit, if you will. We are simply making a transaction that will help us both. You give us information about the witch’s secrets that you witnessed, and we will use that to research a method to wake the victims up from their comas. That means your fellow companions will awaken, too. Now, isn’t that a happy thing for us both?”
“ ”
The girl remained silent.
Though she had shown fear for a moment and temporarily broken her silence, that was like nothing more than the ripple of water in a fountain. The water would reclaim its serenity in the same way the girl’s face immediately grew clouded over in deep shadow.
She had no intention of talking to him.
No. Her will to talk had been eroded away—that was the impression she gave.
“Hey, hey, hey, hey!”
Right at that moment, there was a commotion and the sound of footsteps.
“I’m coming in, Newt!”
The door was theatrically kicked open, and a wild-looking female soldier came rushing in.
This was the Saint Disciple of the third seat, the Incessant Tempest, Mei. She had messy long hair and tanned skin, as well as bizarrely long canines that peeked out from her lips.
She wore a combat-uniform-style tank top from which her arms of steel protruded. The gleam in her eyes gave her the look of a large feline predator.
Right then, her eyes flashed.
“Newt, you really caught that witch?!”
“Hmm? How unusual. Why would you leave your post guarding His Excellency to come to a gloomy place like this?”
“Out of curiosity, obviously. And I came here to horse around a little.”
She triumphantly entered the interrogation room. Then she looked down at the handcuffed girl seated at the table and let out a “wow!”
“I am Kissing Zoa Nebulis IX.”
“My nickname’s the Incessant Tempest. I’ll teach you why I’m called that.”
They’d fought to kill each other in the past when the Imperial forces tried to attack the Nebulis palace as part of an operation. Mei had headed to the Moon Spire and begun a battle with Kissing.
At the time, they’d concluded in a draw.
“Wow, what a surprise. It’s really her. How’d you catch her?”
The Saint Disciple peered at the witch who was her sworn enemy.
“Been a while, missy. Too bad we were interrupted back then. Wait, didja really get yourself captured before we could even settle things? Or what? Did you let yourself get caught just so you could see me?”
“ ”
The young witch still did not respond. She remained silent and continued to look down. Mei didn’t seem worried and simply drew her face close out of curiosity.
“Hey, c’mon, answer me, will you? You can still use your astral powers even with those handcuffs on, can’t you? Unlike those guys, I can tell. Stop pretending to comply and attack already. C’mon.”
“ ”
“Heeey, missy. You still waiting for something?”
Mei leaned forward.
She playfully looked at the witch’s face, which was still downcast. However…Newton and Michaela could see Mei’s face cloud soon after. At first, she’d seemed curious, but then her expression steadily turned sour. And finally…
Whoom!
She suddenly threw the table right into the ceiling.
“Eep!” Michaela screamed and cowered. “Wh-wh-what do you think you’re doing, Ms. Mei?! Why would you destroy a table?!”
“’Cause I’m frustrated.”
The table had turned into splinters when Mei had kicked it while righting herself. The wreckage flitted through the air and fell on Michaela’s and Newton’s heads.
“Boring…,” Mei grumbled.
The black-haired girl still hadn’t so much as flinched despite the destruction. Mei looked down at her soberly.
“She’s been completely broken.”
“Hmm?”
“Yeah, Newt, questioning her is meaningless. There’s nothing left in there. She’s just a husk that’s lost all her spirit and willpower… Ugh, why’d I even bother coming?”
She let out a dramatic sigh.
“There’s no point in even provoking her. See ya, Newt. I’m leaving her to you.”
She turned her back on them without waiting for a reply.
There was something despondent about her footfalls as the Saint Disciple of the third seat disappeared down the hall.
Fifteen minutes had passed since then.
After the witch had remained silent no matter how they addressed her, both Newton and Michaela had also given up on negotiating and left the room.
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