Ch.48Chapter 6. The Price of a Name (End)

# Somehow, after applying the medicine, the pain quickly subsided. It didn’t heal instantly like some “game mechanic” would allow, but recovery was still fast.

Kibele makes terrible canned food, but their pharmaceuticals are well-regarded. The tooltip said something about activating cells to enhance healing ability. Seems it works that way in this world too.

It’s a bit unsettling, but I have no alternatives. Kibele has a monopoly on medical supplies. It’s not surprising, considering the company was originally created to exploit Elza and brings in huge profits for Römer.

Of course, it’s not a cure-all. It can heal the rescued people’s wounds, but it doesn’t work on tendons. They said it’s ineffective on very old injuries or physical defects.

It doesn’t have much to do with immunity either. It won’t cure diseases. It just helps the body heal wounds.

Maybe that’s why my lips hurt more than my body wounds. They’re swollen and burning. I think they might be slightly torn. Not to mention the sweet foreign sensation on my tongue. The memory of that touch refuses to fade.

“Why would someone who’s so bad at kissing do something like that?”

To be fair, Camilla did pinch my lips too. Said it was punishment for asking unnecessary questions.

“Like you were any better?”

“I was bad because it was my first time!”

“It was my first time too, you know?”

We both realized too late that this wasn’t something to proudly announce. Embarrassed, we continued our conversation while looking in different directions.

“I thought you were popular?”

“I was popular, sure. I worked as a model. But you know what? I almost developed misanthropy. There were so many creeps that after photoshoots, I’d change clothes and live in the swimming pool. That was the only way to relieve stress.

So, during college, I was busy taking photos to pay for tuition and living expenses, and working out. After graduation, I was running around, shooting guns and appearing in propaganda ads. I was too busy for that. I didn’t want to date anyone, and I didn’t have time for it anyway.”

She applies ointment to my wounds and asks:

“…Johan. Have you never dated anyone?”

“Well, about that.”

“Never mind. Looking at your personality, I wonder if you even had human friends, let alone girlfriends.”

What kind of judgment is that?

“That’s not true. I had lots of friends. At least a hundred who shared life and death with me.”

It’s true. I have a list. I filled up the “game friends window” that had a limit of 100 people, and also filled the block list with 200 people, so I had over 300 friends.

Most of them were people who used the “find friend” function to follow me around trying to kill me, or people I hunted down and killed. Isn’t that what friends are all about?

“…Anyway, let’s say neither of us has friends now. Johan, is there anything you like? Besides killing zombies.”

Camilla never seems to tire of asking questions.

“I like animals.”

“Really? What about them?”

“If the hierarchy is clear, you can become friends with them.”

“I’m sorry, Johan.”

“For what?”

“I shouldn’t have asked.”

Camilla didn’t ask anything more after that. I didn’t volunteer any information either. After applying all the medicine, I got dressed, gathered my equipment to stand guard, and Camilla went to sleep.

I left the door slightly open, but it felt awkward being in the same room, so I placed a chair in the hallway and sat there keeping watch.

“What am I doing with my life?”

It feels like a visceral reality, like dreaming about re-enlisting. Partners, she says. I remember when Camilla was staggering around with that MRE.

– You’re a coward, you know? Pretending to be strong, pretending you don’t mind being alone, but actually you just hate being betrayed!

She probably doesn’t remember saying it, and I’d rather not recall it either, but it sticks like residue and won’t go away. Maybe because everything she said was true.

But how many people actually like that sort of thing, and how many can remain calm when it happens to them?

“…What am I doing?”

It’s time to switch shifts.

Camilla is sleeping so soundly it seems a shame to wake her. But I need rest too.

Tomorrow we’ll be moving things all day, and though the chance is small, we might encounter zombies or gang remnants hiding somewhere.

I need enough rest to prepare for unexpected situations.

“Camilla.”

She makes a sound and turns over. The moonlight reveals her silhouette clearly. Feeling like I might get drawn in if I keep looking, I pulled the blanket up to cover her.

She gently takes my hand but doesn’t open her eyes.

“Time to switch?”

“Yeah.”

“How’s your body?”

“Much better.”

Camilla sits up so quickly it seems like she wasn’t sleeping at all. Before I can say anything, she throws off her gown and efficiently puts on clothes she had prepared. It was bold enough to make looking awkward. Saying something would probably make me seem stranger.

“Johan.”

“Yeah?”

“We’re leaving tomorrow, right?”

“That’s the plan.”

“I’m coming with you. No, that’s not right. I’ll follow you. This is a notification, not a request.”

“Why state the obvious?”

“Shoot me if you want to. And also… let me ask one more favor. You know the 8th Corps number, right?”

The 8th Corps number? I do know it. It should still be saved in my phone. But why would she… wait.

“Are you trying to call the National Military Police?”

Camilla, moving more smoothly now, puts on her bulletproof vest.

“No matter how I think about it, they’re the only ones who can take those people in. If we tell them these people were held as slaves, they’ll be happy to use it. Those bastards love propaganda.

I thought about staying behind, but no. Those people need professional care. I’m not a doctor, so I can’t provide that level of care.”

This was unexpected. To Camilla, the National Military Police were something she’d like to see dead. So this approach seems surprisingly progressive.

“Does my plan sound strange?”

“No. It sounds good. I heard on the radio they were taking credit for rescuing hostages in Lambert. They’ll probably do the same this time.”

“They’re experts at propaganda and fabrication.”

“I just didn’t expect you to think of the National Military Police. I thought you were uncompromising about them.”

“People need to be saved first. What’s the point of an Elza without Elzans?”

When she says the word “Elza,” Camilla’s face changes. Her emotions seem to become more abundant. If I had to describe it, love? No, not love. Something different.

“Camilla. What is Elza to you?”

“Hm? To me?”

I nodded silently. Moonlight shone on her through the curtains. She looked like someone sitting on a theater stage. As if it was her turn, her turn to speak her lines.

“…A homeland I’ve never visited.”

“That’s poetic.”

“My parents always said that. To us, Elza is a homeland we’ve never visited. We walk on Elzan soil, we were born and raised here, but this isn’t what we wanted… what we dream of. So we’ve never been to our homeland.”

Camilla stood up. Yet the moonlight still illuminated her. As if urging her to say more if she had anything to say.

“People say Elza doesn’t exist. That it’s fiction. That historically, Elza was never Elza. But that’s not true. Those people don’t know how much blood was shed to reclaim Elza’s true name. It’s not… such a trivial name.”

The moonlight faded. Camilla whispered.

“…Never.”

Taking a deep breath, Camilla crossed the room. She picked up her rifle while I untied my boot laces. They were new and fit well.

“Johan.”

The warrior woman turns to look at me.

“Yeah. I’m listening.”

“I don’t fully understand your situation. I won’t ask you to come all the way with me. But… when our real homeland returns. When Elza lives up to its name under the blessing of the Goddess of Hunger… then. I’d like to be able to do what you did.”

Camilla’s eyes sparkled.

“We’re partners, right? I’ll save your share.”

“Sure.”

I lay down on the bed with just my bootlaces untied. The thought of getting up to dress again is bothersome. Suddenly I remembered the motorcycle she was riding.

War Caller.

It belonged to that Explosive Angel gang member, who probably wrote that to look cool. I don’t know what the previous owner was like. But it seems the new owner is a good match.

Footsteps. It’s Camilla. She doesn’t come in but quickly opens a drawer and then closes it.

“Did you forget something?”

“Oh. I had something to say but forgot.”

“What?”

“Tomorrow’s not good, but starting the day after, exercise with me. I’ll teach you. Looking at you, you’re too weak and that won’t do. In exchange, you’ll cook for us. Fair, right?”

“No.”

“Just so you know, this is also a notification, not a request.”

And with that, she closed the door and left again.

No way. With an ominous feeling, I checked the drawer. A box labeled <Ultra-thin…> was gone.

She’s a good kid, but she’s got some loose screws in strange places. It must be from hanging out with bad friends like Hans for too long. Indeed, one should choose friends wisely.

…Besides, there’s no law saying objects must only be used for their intended purpose. Sometimes those ultra-thin things can be useful in other ways. In a famous movie, a priest filled them with holy water to make vampire-specific grenades.

But there are no vampires here.

“I don’t know.”

I should just sleep.

* * * * *

A few days later.

8th National Military Police Special Task Force Medical Company.

The daily routine began as always.

Virginia came to the special detention room with her usual smile. She dismissed all her subordinates and had a private meeting with Cassandra. And as always, Cassandra kept her mouth shut tight.

But today, this routine is about to change.

“Congratulations. There are two pieces of good news. No bad news, everything is going very well.”

Cassandra’s eyes were lifeless. Completely dead eyes. Just emptiness. Virginia stared steadily at those cold eyes.

“The first piece of news is that the long isolation period is finally over. Everyone, including you, will be able to be discharged in three days. That’s all.”

“…And the second?”

“Hm?”

“You said there were two pieces of good news.”

Cassandra’s voice was desolate.

Anyone trapped in this ward would end up like that. Their soul emptied out, leaving only a shell. A room perfectly isolated from all stimuli. That’s why Virginia liked this kind of room. It made it easy to break someone’s will.

“Ah. After this interview, you’ll all be staying in the medical company barracks. You’ll have freedom, but in exchange, we need some ‘humanitarian medical service.’

Our proud special task force has rescued slaves who were being oppressed by a gang. You can leave this place. However, you are the exception.”

“Why?”

“Now let me tell you the second piece of good news. This is the last time I’ll ask you these worthless and meaningless questions. Thinking about it, this is good news for me, not for you.

Choose whether you want to cooperate with me and keep the name Cassandra Wilson, or continue behaving like this and return as Ophelia Osborn. If you go back as the only daughter of the war criminal Osborn family, people’s reactions will be quite a sight.

Since you went to medical school, you can count to three, right? This is the last time I’m giving you the freedom to choose. After this, I’ll choose your name for you. Three. Two. One.”

“I’ll cooperate.”

“Oh. Finally?”

“Yes.”

Cassandra’s voice sounded almost like sobbing. Humiliation, frustration, and a sense of defeat seemed to ooze out like mud.

The humiliation of having to betray others to keep the name she chose. But on the other hand, the hope that somehow, if she survives this place, she might find him.

‘…I’m sure he took that fake jewel. He took the real one too.’

Cassandra knows the maker of that jewel. In this harsh world, such valuables become even more valuable.

And she knows where and through what channels these jewels are distributed. Everyone knows her father was falsely accused of war crimes and unjustly killed. The hidden butlers still support her in every way.

If only he would appear again and sell the jewels obtained from Lambert. Then, she could find him again.

“Yes. I’ll tell you everything you’ve been so eager to hear.”

Of course, another victory. Virginia was satisfied.

“Good. I’ve prepared all the writing materials. This time, I’ll take notes specially. So. What happened with V? What conversations took place?”

“He touched my breasts.”

The very first line went wrong.

Virginia looked at her slipped pen. And then at Cassandra.

“…What did you say he did?”

“Breasts. He touched them. Fondling. He gently caressed my breasts over my clothes. As Cassandra’s body tensed…”

“Now. Now you’re… you dare insult… the commander!”

Virginia’s face turned bright red. It was closer to shock than anger. Her hands were even trembling. But Cassandra remained empty.

“Cassandra was that desperate. She wanted someone to believe her. So only to him, she gave what others coveted.

Only he… he who smelled so good… was different from you all. Cassandra trusted him, and he trusted Cassandra. They even shared tokens of trust. He was the only person in the world who believed Cassandra’s words as they were.”

Virginia wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. She could hardly concentrate.

“…And then?”

“But then he tried to run away without Cassandra. Cassandra wanted to be with him, so she climbed into the driver’s seat with him. Grabbing his chest, sitting on his thighs, rubbing my body against his…”

“I can’t listen to any more of this!”

Virginia jumped to her feet. Her violet eyes shook wildly as if about to shatter.

“Didn’t you say you wanted to hear Cassandra’s testimony? Cassandra is telling you honestly.”

Still those dead green eyes. Long black hair, eerily glossy. Virginia felt suffocated. She couldn’t bear this.

“Why, why don’t people listen to what you say? You should reflect on that first! Lewd… vulgar…! Shameless and presumptuous…!”

Virginia slammed the door and ran out. Cassandra stared blankly at the empty chair and muttered.

“…Viruses mutate. Constantly. They repeat degeneration and evolution and find breakthroughs. They never stop. So why won’t anyone listen to what Cassandra says?”

But the commander didn’t hear those words. She was gasping for breath in the hallway. The military police looked at Virginia in shock.

“Commander, are you alright? Is there something…”

“No. No. I…”

Virginia’s large chest heaved. After glaring once at the hospital room, she hurriedly left the medical company. On her way out, she ran into Letitia.

“Ah, Commander. I was just looking for you… Commander? What’s wrong?”

The iron-blooded commander was pale and trembling. She was so flustered that her hands were slipping.

“…In-intelligence officer?”

“Did something happen during the interrogation?”

“Officer. I, I’m not the kind of person who asks for this… this kind of favor. But I’m really sorry.”

Letitia rolled her eyes. What on earth could have happened to make the commander act like this?

“Would you like me to interrogate in your place?”

“Would, would you do that?”

Asking with both hands clasped together. It was even more chilling. ‘Is this something I can’t handle?’ Fear came belatedly, but.

This was an opportunity. A chance to make a deep impression on the commander.

“I’ll do it. Please leave it to me.”

The commander handed over the pen and interrogation form. No, she started to, but then grabbed the cover page and tore it off.

“S-sorry, but please write it from the beginning. Really, I’m sorry.”

And then she disappeared like the wind. Even in that moment, her elastic chest bounced beautifully. Thinking this was all very strange, Letitia approached the special detention room. The military police had similar reactions.

“…I wonder what terrible things she said to make the commander act like that.”

“Don’t you know what happened either?”

“You know how it is. When that door closes, the soundproofing is so thorough that even if a patient smashed their head, we wouldn’t know.”

“…I see. I’ll have to prepare myself.”

Letitia flung open the door. A gloomy-looking woman tilted her head as she stared at her with blank eyes.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Intelligence Officer Letitia. I’ve been delegated to interrogate Dr. Cassandra Wilson. So… ah. You just need to testify about what happened with this person called V.”

“…Again?”

A voice devoid of any vitality. Letitia decided to be a bit more soothing.

“Doctor. I understand this is very difficult for you. But please help us a little. Since you work at the Disease Control Agency, you’ll understand that we’re also a bureaucratic organization. In the end, we have to follow what our superiors say…”

“I understand.”

“Thank you, Doctor.”

Smiling, Letitia gripped her pen. Things seemed to be going better than expected.

“So, what happened?”

“He touched my breasts.”

She almost broke her pen, but Letitia is an elite officer. Crossing and uncrossing her legs, twisting her body, she meticulously wrote down every word of the story.

“…Intelligence Officer?”

The military police were even more shocked. Letitia’s entire body was drenched in sweat. Her white shirt was so wet that her underwear was almost visible. Her face was red, steam was coming from her mouth, and she was crossing and uncrossing her thighs.

“M-move her t-too, to the b-barracks.”

Letitia crossed the hallway with a peculiar gait. ‘Is she having stomach problems? Why are they all acting like this?’ The military police whispered, but she bit her teeth and pretended not to notice.

Almost crawling back to her desk, Letitia waited until everyone had gone home, then worked overtime to complete her report. She sealed it much more tightly than usual and stored it in a locker that only the commander could open.

Without sleeping at all, Letitia drank all night and ended up taking sick leave for two consecutive days.

Looking equally haggard, Virginia approved the sick leave without asking any questions.

She continued chain-smoking while reading and rereading the report. When she left work, she smelled of cigarettes, hard liquor, and strong rose perfume.

The secretary didn’t blame the commander for her negligence.

She was only afraid of the contents of the report that had shocked and angered even these two formidable women.