()||9<黑屏1>0,10BGM_Empty: ()||<黑屏2>166BGM_Room:Outside Galatea Sanatorium. NPC-Light(2)Light||:Frau Angelia! ()||:Light catches up to Ange, panting heavily. NPC-Ange(6)Ange||:Boy. ()||:Ange comes to an abrupt halt. NPC-Light(2)Light||:Hm? NPC-Ange(6)Ange;NPC-Light(2)||:If the situation were any different, I would never have let you follow me around. +If you insist on working with me, we've got to lay down some ground rules... First of all, don't "Frau" me. NPC-Ange(6);NPC-Light(2)Light||:Uh... Sure? NPC-Ange(6)Ange||:We'll leave the rest till later. ()||:Ange turns away coldly and marches on. NPC-Light(1)Light||:(Sighs) AK12(12)AK-12||:Don't mind her. Ange isn't being particularly hard on you. +She's like that to everyone. NPC-Light(3)Light||:Okay... Thanks. ()||:Light smiles helplessly at AK-12 and gives her a nod before catching up with Ange again. +After a few paces, the grandiose building appears before them. Ange stops again, seemingly in no hurry. NPC-Ange(7)Ange||:So this is it? The sanatorium where Leone's been admitted to? NPC-Ange(7);NPC-Light(3)Light||:Yes, Leone is currently receiving treatment here. NPC-Ange(7)Ange;NPC-Light(3)||:Humph... I didn't think she'd agree to meet. +If she refused to see me, I wouldn't be able to force her in this kind of place. NPC-Ange(7);NPC-Light(3)Light||:Fortunately, Leone seems quite eager to talk. +She accepted your invitation almost immediately. NPC-Ange(7)Ange||:I hope she'll give us something useful. ()||:Ange crosses her arms and glances at the main entrance. NPC-Ange(7)Ange||:For a place that's meant to be peaceful and quiet, there are a lot of random people hanging around, don't you think? +15? AK15(6)AK-15||:We're detecting a large amount of cameras. NPC-Light(2)Light||:...Oh. ()||:Light seems to have realized something and scratches his head sheepishly. NPC-Light(3)Light||:They're from Berlin Television Broadcasting. NPC-Ange(6)Ange||:Berlin Television Broadcasting? NPC-Light(3)Light||:The main branch of the Deutscher Fernsehfunk, the largest state-sanctioned broadcasting company in Germany. AK12(12)AK-12||:What are news reporters doing here? Other than Leone, are there any other high-profile patients in this sanatorium? NPC-Ange(6)Ange||:Maybe...it isn't a patient. ()||:Ange gazes at the door thoughtfully. ()||:... ()||<黑点1>: ()||<黑点2>160m_avg_casual:In the sanatorium. +An interview with a certain high-profile figure is well under way in an isolated room. NPC-Shadowless(0)Shadowless||AVG_21Winter_Camera_Flash:Thank you very much for making the time to attend this interview today, Mrs. Gray. NPC-Shadowless(0);NPC-MrsGray(1)???||:You are very welcome. This is something we've agreed upon. +It is very important for someone like me to play nice with exceptional reporters like you. NPC-Shadowless(0)Shadowless;NPC-MrsGray(1)||:You jest. As one of the best surgeons in Germany...in the entire world, even... +I doubt you'd need to pay any heed to public opinion. NPC-Shadowless(0);NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:Haha... I don't believe it is a reporter's job to sway public opinion. +Your remark makes it clear that you still harbor some kind of misunderstanding and skepticism towards me. +The way I see it, your job is to showcase the true side of society for more to see. +In a certain sense, you are the bridge through which we communicate with the people. It is entirely up to you to convey our aspirations accurately. NPC-Shadowless(0)Shadowless||:Does that mean you consider yourself separate from "the people", Mrs. Gray? ()||:The young and attractive reporter asks a very pointed question, but this woman known as Mrs. Gray is not fazed at all. NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:Indeed. Many are afraid of admitting this⁠—a fear that I don't understand. +As a doctor, I have dedicated most of my life to spreading hope to more people. +This is precisely why I know better than anyone else that scalpels alone will not improve people's lives. +I wish to become an advocate who can bring about positive change and improve the welfare of the people. +To do that, I must first come to terms with what I'm doing. +If I don't even have the courage to admit it, why should people believe in me? NPC-Shadowless(0)Shadowless||:You sound exactly like a politician. +But I must say you are incredibly persuasive. If you ever decide to run for office, I will definitely vote for you. NPC-Shadowless(0);NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:Thank you, Miss Shadowless. You honor me with your support. NPC-Shadowless(0)Shadowless;NPC-MrsGray(1)||:Now back to the subject. We wish to learn more about "Idunn", the new anti-Collapse serum that Galatea is about to distribute, in the interview today. +Idunn is being marketed as an affordable but highly effective drug. According to the spokesperson of your company, it is completely unlike any other existing drugs. +This bold claim has been called into question by multiple scientists and dignitaries, but as a surgeon, you are extremely outspoken in your support for Idunn. +Nobody doubts your professional skills or ethics, but it's quite interesting that you would vouch for Galatea's product even though you are in their employment. +Does your support stem from any commercial consideration? NPC-Shadowless(0);NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:I agree that to an outsider, it must be strange for a surgeon to vouch for an anti-Collapse formulation. +After all, certain medical fields are sometimes so far apart they might as well be different industries altogether. NPC-Shadowless(0)Shadowless;NPC-MrsGray(1)||:People are having misgivings mostly because of this. How would you respond to such doubts? NPC-Shadowless(0);NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:Here's my response—don't worry, I will never exploit the trust that my patients have in me. +I may have a bit of a reputation, but I'm still only one among all my fellow physicians. +My confidence in Galatea's new product is based on its own merits. I simply wish more people will benefit from its success and receive better medical treatment. NPC-Shadowless(0)Shadowless;NPC-MrsGray(1)||:Thanks to Galatea's prevalent marketing campaign, Idunn's alleged effects are no secret in Berlin. +The drug has indeed yielded some remarkable results in clinical trials, but it still has to go through a lot of standard procedures before official distribution can begin. +The general public perceives this vetting process as evidence that the government is impeding Idunn's distribution and is even taking to the streets in protest. +Is this a premeditated marketing strategy on Galatea's part? NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:... ()Cameraman||:...Hey, Shadow! NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:The recent unsanctioned demonstrations in Berlin are deeply regrettable. +Galatea gives the government its full support and understanding in following standard procedures. We also have absolute confidence in passing the rigorous vetting process. +Please wait patiently for dawn to break. +Do not fall before the first ray of sunlight pierces the darkness. NPC-Shadowless(0)Shadowless||:Thank you once again for attending this interview. ()||AVG_20Winter_Book:Shadowless closes her notebook and bows politely to Gray. NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:I'm sorry that the interview had to be cut short. NPC-Shadowless(0)Shadowless;NPC-MrsGray(1)||:No problem at all. I understand you have an extremely busy schedule that's frequently subjected to last-minute changes. +I am a bit curious though—why have you suddenly made a detour to this sanatorium? Do you have patients here? NPC-Shadowless(0);NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:No, this visit is not work-related; it's a personal matter. NPC-Shadowless(0)Shadowless;NPC-MrsGray(1)||:I see. +In that case, we'll be taking our leave. The interview will air after some editing. NPC-Shadowless(0);NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:Thank you, Miss Shadowless. NPC-Shadowless(0)Shadowless||:Don't mention it. Just doing my job... Hm? ()||:Shadowless suddenly lets out a sound of surprise while she is packing her bag. NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:Is something wrong? NPC-Shadowless(0)Shadowless||ClothingUp:No... It's nothing. I just saw a familiar face. +Sorry, Herr Wechsler, please tidy up for me. I'll be right back. ()Cameraman||:Hold on, Shadow! ()||:Shadowless leaves the room in a rush. NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:Then if you'd please. ()Cameraman||:Dear me... Young people are always so driven. +If she caused any offense with her youthful candor, please do forgive her. NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:Not at all. Miss Shadowless is a brilliant young lady. ()||:Mrs. Gray gets up from her chair languidly. NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:Excuse me while I go to the restroom. ()||:... ()||<黑点1>: NPC-MrsGray(0)Mrs. Gray||<黑点2>325BGM_Empty:... ()||AVG_21Winter_Water_Tap:The running faucet under which Mrs. Gray is washing her hands produces the only sound in the otherwise quiet restroom. +Mrs. Gray fastidiously cleans her long, slender fingers with foamy soap and rinses it under the faucet. NPC-MrsGray(0)Mrs. Gray||Stop_AVG_loop:I don't take unscheduled interviews. ()||ClothingUp:After pulling out several tissues, she starts tidying up her appearance in front of the mirror and says out of the blue. NPC-Ange(7)Ange||BGM_Brain:... ()||:In an inconspicuous corner of the mirror, a woman suddenly emerges. NPC-Ange(7)Ange||:Your reputation precedes you, "Lady of Ashes". NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:Please, just call me Gray. ()||:Mrs. Gray dries her hands and inspects them again. Satisfied that they are thoroughly clean, she balls up the tissues and discards them in the nearby garbage can. NPC-Ange(7)Ange||:You don't seem at all concerned about being stalked by a stranger. NPC-MrsGray(0)Mrs. Gray;NPC-Ange(7)||:If you were a stranger, I would have alerted the guards immediately. +But I do have the patience to entertain a certain Miss Anna Viktorovna Tsoi. NPC-MrsGray(0);NPC-Ange(7)Ange||:You know me? NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray;NPC-Ange(7)||:You are quite the big name in the Berlin government right now. NPC-MrsGray(1);NPC-Ange(7)Ange||:Should I be surprised that a doctor knows all about the government? NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:A lot of my patients gossip. ()||AVG_Door_Open_Close:Ange gazes at the reflection of Mrs. Gray's serene face in the mirror and softly closes the restroom door. NPC-Ange(6)Ange||:I have some questions for you. NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:As a fellow woman, don't you understand the importance of respecting a lady's moment of privacy? ()||:Through the mirror, Mrs. Gray sees what Ange just did, but it doesn't seem to alarm her. Instead, she casually takes out her pressed powder. NPC-Ange(7)Ange||:I don't have the need to preen in front of a mirror in a restroom. NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray;NPC-Ange(7)||:With that face, I can see why you don't. NPC-MrsGray(1);NPC-Ange(7)Ange||:You've heard of Leone Michel, I gather? NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray;NPC-Ange(7)||:Of course. Leone is an expert in biochemistry. +Galatea has offered an olive branch to her many times, which she repeatedly refused. +She is certainly a woman of character—just like you, Miss Angelia. NPC-MrsGray(1);NPC-Ange(7)Ange||:Her character didn't do her any good. NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:Hard to say if yours will also lead you down the same fate. ()||:Ange's eyes narrow at Mrs. Gray's subtle threat. NPC-Ange(7)Ange||:There seems to be more to your relationship with her than you're letting on. NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:Sorry to disappoint, but I am both mentally and physically a heterosexual female. +Otherwise, you would make a decent partner. NPC-Ange(7)Ange||:... ()||ClothingUp:Mrs. Gray puts away her powder and fishes out a lipstick. She turns around and looks at Ange. +Ange's gaze drift from the lipstick in Gray's hand up to her lips out of reflex as the flirtatious remark sinks in. +Gray seems to have no intention of applying the lipstick. She is just playing with it, twisting the lipstick piston up and down. +At her mocking and disdainful gesture, Ange inhales through gritted teeth and balls up her fists. NPC-Ange(6)Ange||:You know exactly why I've brought up Leone. +She couldn't have committed those crimes in Bremen all by herself. +She has somebody behind her, who pulled some strings to have her transported to Berlin—to this very facility—after she was arrested. +They also helped her evade legal sanctions. NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray;NPC-Ange(6)||:What a gruesome tale. +So let me get this straight... You suspect someone exploited their authority to help Leone escape her punishment. +Then you appear before me under such pretext. +How astonishing. What on earth have I done to raise your unfounded suspicion? NPC-Ange(6)Ange||:The Flora Institute has a very limited number of collaborators, especially in Berlin. +The only person on that list who also happens to be here is you, Mrs. Gray. ()||:After twisting her lipstick up and down countless times, Gray finally lifts it up to her lips and applies it delicately. +Ange watches her go through the practiced motion. Her lips, painted bright red to begin with, appear even more sultry. NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:Is that all you've got? +I don't even know what to say... Don't you think you've made quite a few logical leaps in your deduction process? +The Angelia I've heard so much about is an extraordinary special agent. +Not some third-rate detective who makes groundless accusations based on subjective speculations. ()||:Gray replaces the cap on her lipstick and smacks her lips lightly with hooded eyes. +Ange is still watching her unblinkingly, gauging her reaction. NPC-Ange(6)Ange||:You've worked together. That's evidence enough for me. +A surgeon collaborating frequently with Leone, who specializes in biochemistry. +What were the two of you doing? ()||ClothingUp:Gray lifts her head and stares at Ange coldly. She slowly reaches into the right pocket of her coat. NPC-Ange(6)Ange||:... ()||:Ange is bracing herself for whatever Gray extracts from her pocket, but it turns out to be nothing but a lollipop. NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:Miss Angelia. +If I remember correctly...you're from the Soviet Statesec, aren't you? +From my limited understanding, there has been some conflict between you and Statesec, and you do not answer to them anymore. +Yet here you are, all alone in Germany, being in frequent contact with the Stasi. +If everything I just stated is true, I must admit you have me very much intrigued. +What exactly are you doing here? What happened between you and the Neo-Soviets? NPC-Ange(6)Ange||:...Humph. ()||:Gray shoves the wrapping she just removed into her pocket and puts the lollipop into her mouth, leaving only the stick hanging outside. NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:Everyone has their secrets, Miss Angelia. I understand if you do not wish to satisfy my curiosity. +After all, who doesn't have a skeleton in their closet? +My situation is also rather complicated. Trade secrets are still secrets, even if they aren't anywhere near as important as state secrets. ()||:Every word she just said sounds like jab at Ange. NPC-Ange(7)Ange||:Your non-answer is an answer in itself. +This whole business lacks a logical explanation. +And since you refuse to give me one, I'm afraid I'll have to substitute it with my own. ()||:Gray's lollipop stick wiggles up and down like the pendulum of her thoughts. +After a moment of silence, she shrugs and opens her mouth hesitantly. NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:Actually, I answered this very question just a few minutes ago...asked by a reporter. +The research of the Flora Institute is indeed rather irrelevant to my profession, but I have never been one to be constrained by such field categorizations. +I simply wish to make this world a better place—I know you may find that hard to believe, but it is the truth. +I have both the interest and courage in trying new things as long as I see the potential. +This goes for Leone's work as well as Idunn. I have also funded a lot of other research. If you're so inclined, you may investigate them one by one and I'll be happy to assist in your investigation. After all, I don't know if there are other cases like Leone in my portfolio. ()||:She lets out a sigh. The lollipop knocks against her teeth inside her mouth. NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:Leone is very talented. Her research could have been such a boon for humankind. +I deeply regret that she has gone down this misguided path. NPC-MrsGray(1);NPC-Ange(7)Ange||:She was used. +The real source of evil is whoever's manipulated her from behind the scenes. NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray;NPC-Ange(7)||:Then I sincerely wish you all the success in hunting down this manipulator and bringing them to justice. NPC-Ange(6)Ange||:... ()||:Ange's fingers twitch. +It suddenly occurs to her that she is dealing with someone who's a different kind of trouble. NPC-Ange(6)Ange||:What if the people who interviewed you finds out about this scandal? NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray;NPC-Ange(6)||:Then I'll be forced to issue an apology. +I will apologize for not discovering my collaborator's criminal intent in time and denounce the Flora Institute for their unethical practices. +Meanwhile, the Gray Institute of Biotechnology will make a donation to support medical aid. NPC-MrsGray(1);NPC-Ange(6)Ange||:After that, this incident will be swept under the carpet, along with anyone who investigated it? NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray;NPC-Ange(6)||:You Soviet agents are so amusing. +Don't make a movie villain out of me, Miss Angelia. +I really do like you, you know. NPC-MrsGray(1);NPC-Ange(7)Ange||:...Do you now? Well, I don't know what I've done to deserve your admiration. NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:Perhaps one day, we will find ourselves standing on the same side, fighting for the same goal. +Before that, I don't mind making friends with someone like you—I don't usually bother wasting so much time on idle chit-chat with people I don't like. ()||:Gray straightens up and makes for the door. She puts her hand on the door knob. ()||Rope:—! +Ange grabs her by the arm out of reflex. NPC-Ange(6)Ange||:... ()||:Gray's arm is incredibly slender. Ange has the feeling that she could snap this important tool upon which Gray's entirely livelihood depends if she just applied a bit more strength. NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:... ()||:Other than wiggling her lollipop stick, Gray does not react to Ange's impudent action. +She gazes at Ange's arm and after a two-second pause, she reaches into her pocket. NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:Your prosthetic limbs seem to be in terrible condition, Miss Angelia. +You are very welcome to visit me at my private clinic. +I'd be happy to fix you up, free of charge. ()||:She produces a name card and offers it to Ange. +On the card is her name, "Mrs. Gray", and the address of her clinic. NPC-Ange(6)Ange||:... ()||:Ange slowly releases her grip and takes the name card wordlessly. NPC-Ange(6)Ange||:Are you this friendly to everyone? NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:Not at all. You're a special case, Miss Angelia. NPC-Ange(7)Ange||:Am I? I wonder why. ()||:Gray takes the lollipop out of her mouth with an ambiguous half-smile and tosses it into the garbage can by the door. +She suddenly leans in close to Ange, who takes a step back instinctively, only to find a wall directly behind her. NPC-MrsGray(4)Mrs. Gray||BGM_Empty:It's been a pleasure talking to you, Angelia. +...Tell me, do you miss the time you spent in Bremen? ()||:Gray's lips hover right next to Ange's earlobe. She murmurs each word distinctly in a low, husky voice. NPC-Ange(4)Ange||10106:...! ()||:While Ange is still frozen in shock, Gray has already opened the restroom door and swanned off. NPC-Ange(4)Ange||:Wait! ()||AVG_Walk:Ange recovers from her momentary daze and bursts through the door in pursuit. +Gray is already on the other end of the hallway with two security guards in tow. +Just before she disappears around the corner, she glances back at Ange with a sly smile. NPC-Ange(4)Ange||AVG_Punch_Hit:Flipping hell... Dammit! ()||:Ange punches the wall in anger. Sprinkles of dust fall from the ceiling. ()||AVG_21Winter_Close_Stool:The toilet in a locked cubicle inside the restroom suddenly flushes. The door opens and RPK-16 saunters out. RPK16(7)RPK-16||:What an interesting woman, don't you think? NPC-Ange(6)Ange;RPK16(7)||:It's her. +She's the one behind Leone! There's no mistake! NPC-Ange(6);RPK16(7)RPK-16||:What a shame. Maybe I should've made my move before she left? NPC-Ange(6)Ange;RPK16(7)||:...There's no point. We can't do anything to her. +She knows that, which is why she was being so brazen. NPC-Ange(6);RPK16(7)RPK-16||:Should we just take her out? NPC-Ange(6)Ange;RPK16(7)||:That's even more pointless. Paradeus surely has more than one Gray. RPK16(8)RPK-16||:I understand. ()||:Ange inhales deeply to collect herself. +Gray's face is deeply imprinted into her mind. NPC-Ange(4)Ange||:This isn't over yet... Just you wait. ()||:... ()||<黑屏1>: