The surgery lasted four hours. When the red light outside the operating room finally went out, Bagpipe stood up at once. The moment she saw the captain lying on the hospital bed, she could no longer hold back her tears.
"We completed the operation successfully," the medical officer said, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Ideally, this surgery should have been performed aboard the Venus, but your companion wouldn't have lasted that long. The injury has stabilized. The main issue now is weakness caused by excessive blood loss. She'll need about a week of bed rest to recover. Given that her physical condition is stronger than average, she may be able to walk again in five days."
"Th-thank you!" Bagpipe said hurriedly, bowing deeply in embarrassment.
The medic waved it off. "Saving lives is a doctor's duty. I only did what I should."
"Um… how much do I need to pay?"
"I'll bring you the bill shortly."
Bagpipe nodded. The captain had been gravely injured because of her. Even if her salary was modest, she would cover the cost no matter what.
As she pushed Horn back toward the ward, a distant rumble echoed once more. This time it seemed farther away, yet it still made her stagger slightly. To her surprise, the building itself did not shake at all. Only the black smoke and rising flames in the distance confirmed that another explosion had occurred.
After a flurry of activity from the medical staff, more wounded people gathered outside Tomorrow's Development. They were all Victorians who had suffered minor injuries in the earlier blast. The County Hillock Hospital of Tomorrow's Development refused no one, and the medical team quickly resumed their work.
Bagpipe looked around curiously. After settling Horn in the ward, she examined the room more closely. Every surface was covered in an alloy she couldn't recognize, and the windows were sealed with what looked like airtight metal mesh. She tapped on them out of curiosity, only to wince as pain shot through her fingers.
"…Is this really a hospital?"
She let out a quiet sigh of amazement and disbelief.
___
Solesar snapped back to his senses, confusion written clearly on his face. He wasn't the only one. The professional operators from the Blue Rain team exchanged glances, each finding the same lack of answers reflected in the others.
"Let me report what I found," Solesar said, rubbing his temples. "To be honest, I found nothing. We suspected the military might be behind the explosions, so we infiltrated the garrison to conduct reconnaissance. From what I observed, the Victorian army has remained completely inactive. No unusual movements beyond routine training and meals."
Dandao Dantart added, "I did notice their commander writing letters. Most of them were complaints about the Tara community. As for whether he's the mastermind, I couldn't find any concrete evidence."
"I saw two soldiers sneak out of the camp," another operator chimed in. "I followed them for a long time, but they just went to the red-light district in broad daylight."
"I didn't find anything either, Captain," someone else said. "Unless there's some hidden passage, the previous explosion doesn't make sense."
As they exchanged information, a another explosion erupted in the distance, right on cue. Solesar's expression darkened.
"Another blast, right under our surveillance. This is impossible to guard against."
"Quick, pull up the footage from that time."
After the first explosion, Solesar had set his drone to city-wide reconnaissance mode. It drained power at an alarming rate, but in a situation like this, there was no other choice.
On the retrieved footage, everyone saw a woman carrying bags of food, preparing to distribute them to the crowd. Judging by her clothing, she was clearly Tara.
Then the explosion occurred, just as before.
"Hiding bombs inside food meant for the Tara people," someone muttered. "That's beyond vicious."
Solesar's voice remained calm. "Now that we understand their method, what can we do to stop it?"
There was no answer. None at all.
Unless they could trace the source of the food, it would be impossible to determine how these supplies reached the Tara people, even if they turned the entire city upside down. With their limited manpower, such an investigation was simply beyond their reach.
At that moment, remembering the support of his close companion, Solesar couldn't help but feel a wave of frustration. Acting without his trusted partner was difficult, but giving up now would mean abandoning the innocent Tara people to their fate.
"Let's head back first," Solesar said after a brief pause. "Outcast might have information we don't. After that, we'll split up and try to trace the source of the food. The front line has already collapsed, and it's only a matter of time before the Tara nobles enter County Hillock. But as long as we're here, we won't allow another terrorist attack to happen."
The group withdrew from the Victorian military base. Their timing was fortunate. Solesar realized that if they had stayed any longer, they might have been spotted by Victorian soldiers assembling nearby. Back on the streets of Victoria, they finally relaxed, only to discover large crowds gathered in front of the Tomorrow's Development building. Many were Victorian civilians with minor injuries, all seeking medical treatment.
Entering through the back door, they reunited with Outcast. She had just finished communicating with the Venus and greeted their return with a tired, bitter smile.
"There have already been three terrorist attacks," she said quietly. "At least four hundred Tara people are dead. The Tara community has taken to the streets in protest against Victoria's tyranny and these blatant murders. The Victoria police have now invited the military to suppress them."
"Damn it… it's hard not to think this was all orchestrated by Victoria," someone muttered.
Outcast shrugged lightly. "At this point, all we can do is protect ourselves. There may be an even larger riot once the Tara nobles enter the city."
"Oh?" Solesar asked. "You mean the defeated nobles have retreated here?"
"Yes. Intelligence from the front lines suggests they're preparing to establish a final defensive line in County Hillock. They haven't given up."
"…Attack and defense," Solesar said slowly. "When that happens, have the ordinary operators carry out Contingency Plan A and evacuate first. County Hillock has already become a battlefield. We can't stay here for long."
Outcast nodded and relayed the order. The remaining operators moved out swiftly.
When lives were at stake, there was nothing worth clinging to in this outpost. That had always been the principle of Tomorrow's Development. In the face of danger, survival came first, and only then could one consider missions or equipment.
"There are two people I think you should meet," Outcast said.
She led the group toward the ward. In the quietest room at the back, she knocked and opened the door after receiving permission.
"Thank you so much for taking us in!" A Vouivre woman bowed deeply as she opened the door. Seeing so many visitors, she looked both surprised and flustered. "So many people came to see us? Thank you, truly!"
"Bagpipe, calm down."
"Yes, Captain!"
The hoarse voice from the bed brought order at once. The woman lying there struggled to sit up slightly. Bagpipe snapped to attention and saluted.
"Second Tempest Platoon, codename Bagpipe. Thank you, Tomorrow's Development, for saving our lives!"
"P-please, everyone, have a seat."
Bagpipe wasn't especially polished, but her sincerity was clear. Outcast smiled at her and took a seat, while the others either sat or remained standing.
Dandao Dantart paused thoughtfully upon hearing the name Tempest Platoon. The professional players exchanged glances. They were no strangers to the unit. The piledriver spear produced by Tomorrow's Development was said to be the Tempest Platoon's primary weapon. After acquiring its blueprints, Tomorrow's Development had refined and improved it, making it one of the most popular weapons among players.
"Second Tempest Platoon Captain… Horn," the woman on the bed said, inclining her head slightly. "To keep things brief, what's the situation outside?"
"There have been three bombings," Solesar replied. "The death toll among the Tara people has exceeded four hundred. They're protesting outside the government building, and the police and military have chosen suppression."
"…Madness."
Horn clenched the blanket, her fist trembling. Gritting her teeth, she said, "These explosions were very likely carried out by the Victorian military stationed in County Hillock."
That assessment matched the players' own conclusions.
"The military controls multiple secret passages leading into the city center," Horn continued. "They also control most of the food sources and supplies. The first bombing was indiscriminate. Explosives were hidden inside food packages."
"The second was the same," she said quietly. "The Tara people tore open the bags in excitement, only to find not food… but bombs."
"..."
Straightening herself, Horn picked up the communicator and attempted to contact her teammates stationed at the County Hillock military base.
"Triangle, Snare Drum, Bass, do you copy?"
"Mandolin, Cello, Oboe, return to your positions immediately."
There was no response from the other end. Horn was not alarmed. She simply shook her head and said calmly, "My men have most likely been detained and placed under house arrest by the Victoria garrison. It seems we're the only ones who can act now."
"If I'm not mistaken," Solesar said, "you want to stop the bombings."
"Yes. Once the Victorian nobles enter the city and see the Tara people rioting like this, they'll likely turn the entire area into a burning city." Horn's voice carried deep resentment and sorrow.
"Give us the location of the food storage. We'll help you deal with it."
Horn drew a deep breath. The location of the military food storage was classified information. Revealing it to outsiders would normally warrant a court-martial. But as a Victorian soldier, protecting the people was her duty. After a brief struggle, she clenched her teeth and gave them the address.
"Thank you," Solesar said softly. "You are a true soldier."
He turned and moved to leave. The members of the Blue Rain team immediately followed, disappearing one after another. In the blink of an eye, the room was empty except for Outcast.
"…What kind of organization is Tomorrow's Developments?"
Horn spoke quietly, her gaze sweeping over the tightly layered defensive structures around her, a mix of surprise and disbelief crossing her face.
"Just an ordinary company," Outcast replied.
"An ordinary company with defenses comparable to a military installation?"
"Indeed," Outcast said with a smile, her expression quickly turning serious. "Tomorrow's Developments wants to change the status quo of this land, to allow the infected and non-infected to coexist peacefully. Under that goal, Tomorrow's Developments is a security company, a logistics company, a manufacturing company, a medical organization, and of course, a research institute as well."
"…Just what kind of figure is your leader?" Horn murmured.
"His Highness originally planned to expand into Victoria to do business," Outcast replied. "He simply didn't want the nobles interfering with Tomorrow's development."
The words were blunt, but honest. Horn closed her eyes again. Her head still throbbed faintly, and when she tried to move, a wave of dizziness washed over her.
Bagpipe carefully pulled the blanket up over her and then looked toward Outcast.
"Ms. Outcast… is there anything I can help with? I can't just sit still while the captain is resting."
"We're short on medical assistants at the moment," Outcast replied. "Come with me."
The emergency ward of Tomorrow's Development quickly became busy once again.
At the same time, the Blue Rain team slipped past the Victorian police search, skillfully moving across rooftops toward the food storage facility. Despite the chaos gripping the city, the warehouse was still heavily guarded. At least three full squads were stationed there, enough to make Solesar hesitate.
One squad would be easy. Two squads could still be handled with professional coordination. But three squads meant risk. If even one managed to call for reinforcements, Blue Rain could be trapped.
Dandao Dantart sent their drone inside the warehouse. They scanned everything from basic rations to preserved meat, layer by layer, until they finally found a pile of bundled explosives. Nearby, several soldiers were chatting and laughing as they stuffed the explosives into food packaging bags. They were clearly preparing a fourth bombing.
"…Captain," Dandao Dantart murmured.
"We intercepted all the explosives along the route," Dandao Dantart added quietly. "These models are a few years old, but they'd still sell for a decent price on the market."
"Hm, good work."