Everyone finally arrived on the landship. It was a massive behemoth of metal that traverses the earth rather than the sea. Such a sight had me and my kouhai amazed. Boarding Rhodes Island, we followed an attendant assigned to us and made our way in the interior. Minato-kun moved close to my side, wanting to speak without others listening.
"Before we get ourselves questioned, what's your take on this place?" (Minato)
"Mmm…the people here aren't too bad. My Sympathy Magic isn't giving me any unfriendly vibes, mostly curiosity. Although, since no one really knows what happened in Chernobog, most of their attention is on the Doctor." (Kaito)
"Alright, I'll trust you on that." (Minato)
"Why'd you ask? Is it because you're worried we'd be interrogated unfairly?" (Kaito)
"By all accounts we are suspicious. Two random dudes dropped from nowhere and clobbered an entire revolution movement." (Minato)
"You've got a point. Well, let's just trust these people are accommodating and aren't too antagonistic." (Kaito)
"What are you two whispering about?" (Doctor)
Doctor came up to us and struck up a conversation. Perhaps he's as worried as us walking on the unfamiliar ship.
"Minato-kun here isn't fully optimistic about how Rhodes Island's operators will view us." (Kaito)
"Really? Everyone here seems nice. And why wouldn't they appreciate rescuers like you?" (Doctor)
"They're nice to you because you have history with them. We don't have that benefit other than from our lie about having relations with you." (Minato)
Doctor appeared shocked by Minato-kun's words and looked pensive for a moment.
"I'll ask Amiya just in case you guys might face some difficulties. I don't know how much effect my words will give, but given that you saved our asses how could they mistreat you?" (Doctor)
"I'm happy you've got our backs, Doctor." (Kaito)
"Glad to see you returning the favor so soon." (Minato)
Doctor shook his head thinking that it wouldn't be enough to repay everything that's happened. It would be inconsiderate for me to tell him to forget about it, so I'll just accept whatever gratitude he has for us in the future. In the meantime, we resumed our chat.
"If you want to help out more, tell us about this world." (Minato)
"Are you sure you're asking the right guy for this? I do have amnesia." (Doctor)
"Someone must've filled you in at least a little bit of this world when you woke up. It's better than nothing. We're in need of as much information as we can so we can establish our identities in this world." (Minato)
"Good point. How will we answer our backgrounds when questions come?" (Kaito)
"Well alright, I'll tell you everything I've learned." (Doctor)
And so, we learned a little more about this world called Terra. Almost every major civilization in this world lives in nomadic cities that periodically move around due to the catastrophes brewing. Countries themselves have their own unique culture such as Laterano City, the haven of the Sankta race, which Minato is impersonating right now.
Our mood turned sour when the topic reached Originium. It's a crystalline substance of unknown origin, mostly left behind by catastrophes or mined from beneath the earth. These stones have mysterious power in them and are used as an energy source on par or superior to that of electricity. It also seems to empower 'Arts' in this world, which I'm guessing is this world's equivalent to magic. But as seemingly wonderful this source of energy appears, it's a carrier for a lot of tragedy in this world. Direct contact or prolonged exposure without any protection can infect people's bodies with a terminal disease called Oripathy, for which a cure has not been created yet for a long time.
"The problems of this world are more severe than I imagined despite bearing so many similarities to our Earths." (Minato)
"I can only imagine how bad the problems of this world are if that thing is running rampant." (Kaito)
"Well…we've seen a taste of how Oripathy has plagued this world just earlier." (Doctor)
"You mean those Reunion thugs or something?" (Minato)
Doctor nodded in response to Minato-kun’s question. That militant organization is a gathering of Infected, people who contracted Oripathy, and follow the ideal of eliminating the discrimination against the Infected. The Infected are oppressed and shunned on Terra no matter where they are. That's why Reunion sprung up to declare that they will liberate their suffering.
‘The Infected's suffering will be answered by the hands of the Infected,’ or so their ideology goes.
"To think their suffering pushed them to stage a terrorist attack on an entire mobile city." (Kaito)
"Whatever their intentions were, I haven't excused them for that shit they pulled." (Minato)
I couldn’t help but feel sadness for the Infected and the misfortunes they endure. But I still didn't see it fit to condone their extreme methods, an opinion mirrored by Minato-kun. Regardless, I didn't have much of a strong opinion because I've never felt their pain or seen much of this world’s struggles to a great extent to come to a conclusion so soon.
"Ah, but I'm sure things will look up again. Rhodes island has a mission to cure the Infected." (Doctor)
On the reverse side of Reunion, there exists Rhodes Island as one of the few, if not the only organization, aiming to develop a cure for Oripathy. Supposedly a pharmaceutical company providing care and treatment in the meantime as it strives to find a cure. It's got its own landship, signed contracts with others, and employed hired operators with combat skills to fend off skirmishes here and there.
"Do all pharmaceutical companies in this world carry a military division? Like, I haven't seen a single person here who doesn't carry a firearm or a weapon on their person during this tour." (Minato)
"Don't look at me. I only woke up hours ago." (Doctor)
"I'm thinking that excuse is gonna get a lot of mileage. Either way, this Rhodes Island is more ‘black ops’ than pharmaceutical." (Minato)
Minato-kun’s blunt assessment hung in the air, and the Doctor looked visibly awkward, likely because the observation was accurate. I stepped in to console him.
"B-But isn't that great, Doctor? You get to be a part of something much bigger than yourself." (Kaito)
As I tried to lighten the mood, I realized Minato-kun had a point. Apart from the Doctor, I hadn’t seen anyone who looked like they belonged to a medical branch. Everyone else was armed and seemed more suited for combat.
"By the way, Doctor, since your name is…well, Doctor, what kind of degree do you specialize in?" (Kaito)
"Apparently, I have a doctorate in neurology and contributed to research on Oripathy in the past. Beyond that? I wasn’t told much about myself." (Doctor)
"Aaahh, what a strange coincidence this has turned out to be." (Kaito)
"What’s with this plot? We got an amnesiac with a past for researching the disease plaguing the world and being a member of the one organization with the same goal. And wouldn’t you know it, the moment he wakes up, there’s an antagonistic force with opposing ideals standing in his way. Cliché much?" (Minato)
"…I have nothing to say to that." (Doctor)
Damn, Minato-kun. Can't you mince your words a little? Poor Doctor is slumping on his shoulders. I gave him a few reassuring pats on the back.
"Still, I can see how much of a pain it is to get rid of Oripathy. Those blackened, crystalized patches on people’s skin must be that Oripathy you were talking about. I've seen it numerous times back at Chernobog." (Kaito)
"Well shit. That’s not something conventional modern medicine can fix. If the medicine in this world is anything like in mine, I’d say the odds are slim." (Minato)
The three of us shared uneasy expressions as we passed more operators along the way. Unlike the other two, I remained somewhat optimistic, after all, I’d already done something that could greatly impact the fate of this world, whether intentional or not.
"On that note, I'm a lot more fortunate seeing as I hadn't contracted the same disease when I ate Originium." (Doctor)
"Yeah, that’s, wait, what?" (Kaito)
"Run that by me one more time?" (Minato)
Both of us whipped our heads toward the Doctor, staring at him in sheer bewilderment. Am I hearing that right? People are suffering from a magic rock disease, and this guy ate one and did not suffer the same fate?
"I mean, I was hungry after waking up." (Doctor)
"Who the hell eats rocks, disease-ridden rocks no less, as their first meal after waking up with no memories!?" (Minato)
"But I couldn't resist!" (Doctor)
Why does this guy have so little care for himself to happily munch something like that? The rationale here was completely skewed, and yet the Doctor didn’t seem to find his actions even remotely concerning. What a peculiar guy.
"My headache was unbearable back then. When I saw that clump of black crystal by my feet, it just…felt natural. I picked it up, popped it into my mouth, and after digesting it, my head felt much clearer. I thought I was invincible. My consciousness stopped slipping, and my focus sharpened. Look, let me show you." (Doctor)
Okay, this madman has gone too far now. I internally debated whether to stop this man when he pulled out that black crystal with a white diamond symbol on it. Guy was absolutely confident of himself. I still have some Fruits of the World Tree in the worst case scenario.
And…I heard crunching noises. Eh? What just happened?
"…Minato-kun, am I hallucinating?" (Kaito)
"How…did he eat that without taking off his mask?" (Minato)
We both were in a stupor. How did that get in his mouth through the mask? Like, it just disappeared when he held it in front of him.
Huh???
"See? Still no Oripathy." (Doctor)
"Yeah, but how—" (Minato)
"Er, let's not get into it too deeply. It's one of those things you're not supposed to question much like how nobody seems concerned about what the Doctor's face looks like." (Kaito)
And so, Minato-kun promptly shut up in agreement and we continued on our merry way.
"Doctor, I'm so happy to see you getting along with your old friends." (Amiya)
"Hmm? Ah yeah, it feels…good to know I have such wonderful friends, Amiya." (Doctor)
That rabbit girl, Amiya, noticed us and walked forward. She had a happy expression on her face watching the Doctor enjoying his time with us. Ace and Scout were also close by and took their turn to talk with Doctor.
"Here we are, Doctor. Since you've just woken up from cryosleep after three years and endured the invasion of Chernobog, you're in need of a medical examination." (Amiya)
We were led to the entrance of an ICU for the Doctor's care.
"Kaito-san, Minato-san, you’re welcome to join us as well." (Amiya)
"Are you sure about that? This doesn't seem like something that's got to do with us." (Kaito)
"Dr. Kal'tsit is waiting inside. She’s one of the leaders of Rhodes Island, and she’s expressed interest in meeting both of you personally." (Amiya)
"I see. Got it." (Kaito)
I consented to her suggestion and gestured for Minato-kun to do the same. At that moment, Scout chimed in.
"I'll come along too. What I have to share carries a lot of weight and is highly confidential. I need to make sure less ears catch wind of this." (Scout)
"Scout…Okay, you have my permission to join us too." (Amiya)
Amiya looked reluctant but accepted anyway seeing Scout's serious face. With that settled, she turned her attention back to the Doctor.
"Dr.Kal'tsit will look after you, Doctor. And… please, put your trust in her when you meet each other." (Amiya)
I was confused by what she meant by that. Minato-kun and the Doctor had similar reactions, but the latter was already on his feet and made his way to the door.
"I smell complicated history in the air." (Minato)
"You know what, Minato-kun? I feel much the same." (Kaito)
Afterword:
Author: "If you're wondering where I've been, I was busy writing smut for a request. Now if you want to read it, I posted it in a public place, so you'll have to do some searching on your own."
Serious-senpai: "EEEEHHH!? S-S-SMUT!? That's lewd! Lewd! You're so unbelievable to write something like that! Hurry up and get executed! Execution!"