Chapter 109 Chapter 109: If I Want To, Then I Can
Chapter 109: If I Want To, Then I Can
The two sat facing each other. The Doctor was not wearing that pitch-black face mask, instead letting her small face, which had regained some color over the past few days, be exposed to the air. Her medium-short white hair cascaded down her back.
She let out a long sigh, feeling only sorrow welling up from within.
Picking up a nearby bag of instant food, she stuffed it into her mouth. Then, grabbing a thermos of hot water that had just been boiled not long ago, she gulped down several mouthfuls with a gusto that made it seem as if the thermos didn't contain scalding water at seventy or eighty degrees Celsius, but rather a bottle of refreshing iced drink to ward off fatigue.
Gulp, gulp—
"Is this... heating it up?"
Kevin witnessed this rather peculiar scene and wasn't sure if he should intervene.
However, judging by her complexion, she was probably fine. Being able to heat instant food in her mouth suggested she wasn't as physically weak as her appearance might imply.
Channeling her grief and indignation into appetite, the Doctor silently swallowed the food in her mouth. Then, she stared blankly at the impassive man before her. Her profound gaze even made Kevin feel somewhat uneasy.
"Doctor, there's no need to dwell on it. Although I don't know Rhodes Island's ultimate goal, I once saw a will similar to [Kevin]'s in you. Though it may be small, you absolutely must not fail."
"In fact, whether it's Kal'tsit or Amiya, they can all see that I am not a member of this ship. This place is definitely not a resting place sufficient to bear me."
After arriving in this world and gradually understanding the definition of humanity, Kevin was no longer that lost individual.
He understood what he needed. This time, responding to Kal'tsit's invitation to "rescue the Doctor" wasn't due to some antiquated notion of "duty," nor was it because of that contract buried at the bottom of Rhodes Island's HR department files.
For a "selfish" person, the binding force of these things was almost zero.
What brought Kevin here was simply because he wanted to save her. He didn't want this friend, with whom he had once conversed so pleasantly, to die. That was all.
"If I want to, then I can."
If he didn't even have that kind of confidence, he wouldn't be Kevin.
Of course, as one of his bonds, perhaps the full support and companionship of a certain adorable Lupo was also part of his motivation?
Not everyone has the courage to break their own peaceful life.
"Keep this. Sending a letter takes too long. If you encounter any trouble you can't solve, this should at least help you in an emergency."
Kevin unscrewed a button from his own clothes. As he engraved something with his palm, a sword-like pattern gradually appeared on it, looking quite peculiar.
He left a wisp of his will inside it, somewhat similar to the "Stigmata" on FrostNova's back but without that level of power. It could only serve as a last-resort measure.
"Mhm."
After a long while, the Doctor nodded in acceptance. Strangely, the moment the button entered her hand, it transformed into something resembling a small badge.
She pinned it onto her outer garment; its appearance wasn't much different from before.
——————
On the bridge, Talulah and Lemontov were leading a group of guerrilla force members, waiting for Rhodes Island to finish photocopying the books. Even these rough-and-tumble men could vaguely understand from their Amiya's expression...
The importance of these books—which couldn't be worn or eaten—to the Reunion Movement.
"Lemontov, regarding our next habitat..."
Of course, Talulah wasn't idle either. She was discussing the Reunion Movement's next direction with everyone.
They had indeed occupied Chernobog. Regardless of who was behind the subsequent event of Chernobog heading towards Lungmen, they would have to solidly shoulder this blame.
Whether for show or genuine pursuit, it was foreseeable that the Reunion Movement would have a hard time for a long period to come.
With these supplies, at least they wouldn't have to roam the snowy plains like before. The most important thing now was how to achieve sustainable production and evade the searches of Ursus military police.
"...That Ms. Amiya had Rhodes Island's engineering department sell us a batch of cold-resistant grain seeds. That's a huge help."
"I'll thank her later."
Thud!
Just as Talulah was speaking, a cloaked figure walked up behind her. She instinctively moved aside to let them pass.
But she found that person stopping right in front of her.
"Talulah, you really are here."
She pushed back her hood, revealing her rather heroic face.
It was none other than Ch'en, who had taken special leave from the L.G.D. today. After learning that Talulah was suspected to have boarded Rhodes Island,
she had rushed over as fast as possible.
"Hui-chieh? You... how did you get here?"
Talulah instinctively took a step back. To be honest, she didn't know how to face this half-sister of hers either.
Especially under the circumstances where the Reunion Movement had just invaded Chernobog and had such a notorious reputation.
"It seems seeing me has affected your mood today."
Ch'en rested her hand on Chi Xiao at her waist.
The "Tyrant" of the Reunion Movement, the "Draco" representing destruction...
The things written in the intelligence reports might not be absolutely true, but they were certainly based on traceable circumstances.
Perhaps deep down Ch'en was still unwilling to believe it, but she knew Talulah was no longer that naive girl who had been abducted by Koschei back then.
"It seems you know exactly what I've done, which is why you're so distant from me. You're not even willing to call me 'sister' anymore."
Seeing Ch'en's slightly guarded demeanor, Talulah gave a bitter smile. No matter how Koschei had once bewitched her, those blood debts that couldn't be washed clean were ultimately stained on her hands. She wouldn't deny them.
"...Talulah, come back to Lungmen with me."
Ch'en remained silent for a long time before finally uttering these words herself.
Seeing the tense atmosphere, Lemontov and the others nearby quickly exchanged glances. With tacit understanding, they dispersed, leaving space for the two sisters to talk.
"Hui-chieh, you know that's impossible. Wei Yenwu wouldn't allow it, Ursus wouldn't allow it, and even I wouldn't allow myself to hide back in that city."
Moreover, her comrades were still waiting for their Amiya. "Talulah" still had many things to do.
"You've really changed a lot."
Ch'en saw that glimmer in Talulah's eyes and sighed. She also knew her idea was unrealistic.
"You've changed too, Hui-chieh. We're not children anymore. Standing before you isn't just Talulah; I am the Amiya of the Reunion Movement. I have to be responsible for them."
Talulah walked over to the bound books and touched their covers, which didn't actually smell that pleasant.
A smile appeared on her face.
"Let's not talk about these things anymore. Let's talk about what's happened over these years."
"I can tell you've experienced far more than I have."
"On that predatory tundra, many things were beyond one's control..."
And so, the two sisters sat on a bench, talking intimately knee-to-knee until nightfall.
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