Story Reader / Interlude / Untainted Prayer / Story
Ngh...
Suffering from the Punishing Virus while carrying Pfaff on her back, Rosetta can no longer summon up the strength to continue onward and falls to one knee.
GAAWR...!
A bionic seizes the opportunity to jump out of the surrounding forces to deliver the final blow to Rosetta.
At this time, a tall figure jumps out of the forest and stomps on the bionic leaping toward Rosetta.
Are you okay?!
Forest Guard...
The bionic struggles to get up, but a spear pierces its power connections, and it loses function instantly.
Oh? You're the old hunter and his granddaughter from before!
Thank goodness! Please, take my grandpa to the port! He's in urgent need of care...
Seeing the hope in Rosetta's eyes, Temia finds herself drawn to help her—but she bitterly looks away.
I'm sorry, the Forest Guards are not permitted near the port... This is as far as we're allowed to operate.
The unrelenting nightmare of the past eats away at the Arctic. It binds itself around not only Rosetta and Pfaff, but also the Forest Guards... and everyone here.
Rosetta peers at Temia with disappointment. She grits her teeth, and shuffles Pfaff on her back again.
I see...
The look in the girl's eyes tears at Temia's heart more than ever, even harder than the day she lost everything and became a Forest Guard.
But she does not catch up to Rosetta, for she has too much to bear. Not just the sins of the past, but also the future of the Forest Guard.
Rosetta returns to the port. People look in horror at the sight of the wounded and bloody girl.
Someone! Help... Save my grandpa...
Rosetta...! Is that you, Rosetta?!
Lisa! H-hurry, where's the hospital? My grandpa, he... needs serum... Help me find serum...
Lisa furrows her eyebrows in silence and hugs Rosetta. After some time, she finally opens her mouth to speak.
Rosetta... Your grandpa, he's already...
"...Dead." The words remain unsaid.
But Rosetta refuses to let go of Pfaff's body. As long as she held on to Pfaff, he would never truly leave her...
No, that can't be... Grandpa, he... Not even bionics the size of a bear could stop him. How could he...
Rosetta chokes up, weeping silently.
Rosetta! You're back?
The port manager pushes aside the crowd as he rushes to Rosetta. He signals Lisa to step aside and whispers to Rosetta.
What about the narwhal? Where's the thing that Pfaff promised?
Rosetta shakes her head and slowly lays down Pfaff's body. With tears streaming down her cheeks, she wipes his face covered in blood and vital fluid from the bionics.
Pfaff kicked it, huh... But no matter, I never had any faith in him to begin with.
Stopping the tide forever is nothing but a fantasy...
At that moment, the sound of an incoming connection request beeps from the port manager.
Hey, Manager!
What's the matter...?
We found the narwhal. It's beached near the forest like it's trashed or somethin'.
What! Pfaff still hasn't killed the narwhal yet?!
The port manager stares at Rosetta, but soon smiles again.
Well, well. This works too. We can still dismantle the narwhal... Looks like Pfaff lived up to his promise after all.
The port manager waves, signaling several technicians to come over. The technicians step forward, beginning to prepare to dismantle the narwhal.
He gave his life for the Arctic Route Union. I will honor my promise to him and allow you to join us.
The port manager pats Rosetta on the shoulder, but she shakes him off vehemently.
What are you doing?!
Rosetta grabs her spear and stands before the port manager and the others, blocking their path to the forest.
The narwhal, Derek... is our Guardian Spirit and my friend. I won't let you hurt him.
Guardian Spirit? You still on about this...?
The port manager and all of the other people in the port begin to uproar in protest, but no one dares to cross Rosetta's spear.
You're calling this plague that destroyed the port a guardian spirit? No way you'll fit in in the union!
Rosetta remains indifferent to the lambasting port citizens, for she has long since known that they are cowardly and timid.
These people... are the ones that Grandpa, Derek, and the Forest Guards are trying to protect...
Derek! Do you hear me?!
Rosetta yells out Derek's name to the heavens.
Run! Run wherever. Save yourself! Run for me and Grandpa! Then make your choice!
Whether you're still helping the humans despite their prejudice, or if you want war with them... I'll respect your decision.
Oi! Big guy's movin'... Ah!
Dammit! Stop it!
It's gone back to sea, mate. We can't catch up! What do?!
Good, Derek... Good...
Badly wounded, Rosetta is no longer able to provide any more support. She collapses onto the ground, completely unconscious.
Kill her! She's the reason the narwhal escaped...
A sinner like her... She needs to die!
No... I have a better idea... We'll turn her into a Construct and force her to join the Forest Guards. What do you say?
No! You can't! Rosetta, she...
Quiet, Lisa!
The Forest Guards are running shorthanded now. It's about time we try out some newer technology. She'll be the perfect lab rat.
This is where sinners end up—atoning for their sins in eternity... Forest Guard Rosetta.
