"A dokutah?"
"Yes, a doctor," Xia Yu said with a straight face. "As for this armor, one needs a few tricks for self-defense if they're going to wander the wilderness alone these days."
Standing behind her, Alina nearly lost her composure. She recalled the massive, thick pillar of light Xia Yu used to rescue her, which had vaporized three bandits in a flash. You call that a few tricks for self-defense?
In places without top-tier experts, she could essentially go on a one-woman slaughter.
Then again, remembering the scene where the wound on her foot was healed by that golden light, Alina felt the claim wasn't entirely wrong.
As they spoke, they approached the infected camp.
"Who goes there... Oh, Talulah," the sentry on duty spotted them first. "Is Alina alright? And, uh, who is this?"
"This is Ms. Xia Yu. If not for her, I'm afraid I wouldn't have made it back," Alina proactively introduced her. "She is a friend we can trust."
"Oh, a friend? Then please, come in," the sentry said happily. "Ma'am, thank you for saving Alina."
"It was just a small favor," Xia Yu nodded slightly.
"But Talulah, you'd better get inside quickly. The Captain and the others were just about to send people out to look for you."
"I understand," Talulah dismounted and approached the sentry, patting his shoulder. "Thank you for your hard work."
"Hah, it's nothing," the sentry replied, though his tone sounded quite moved.
Seeing this, Xia Yu helped Alina off the horse and then put away Torrent, intending to follow them in on foot.
She also noted the sentry's way of addressing Talulah—calling her by name rather than 'Leader.' This meant the current Talulah hadn't yet achieved a leadership position in Reunion; she was still in the phase of integrating with the infected guerrilla forces.
In that case... things would be easier. After all, the issue of the Black Snake couldn't be ignored. Based on her experience in Teyvat, she usually left after resolving certain matters. Now that she was in the Ursus tundra, it was hard to guess what exactly she was meant to solve here.
If Talulah hadn't taken power yet, it would be much simpler to unite with the guerrillas to deal with the Black Snake.
Her eyes, hidden beneath the helmet, watched Talulah's back.
'Black Snake, huh.'
'Just wait. Sooner or later, I'll let you have a taste of the Frenzied Flame... Damn it!'
Just as she entered the infected guerrilla camp and stood among those suffering souls, the Frenzied Flame—which had been sluggish before—suddenly felt as if it were filled with power, beginning to burn fervently!
'Grandmother's sake, it's acting up.'
Alina, seeing her body tremble from behind, hurried forward to support her arm. "Are you alright? What's wrong?"
Talulah, walking ahead, also stopped and looked back with concern.
"The people here... are they all infected?" Xia Yu asked.
"...Yes, we are all infected," Alina's voice paused, sounding somewhat fearful. "I'm sorry for hiding these things from you earlier..."
"It's not exactly a secret," Xia Yu gave a bitter smile. "I had some guesses from what you said before. I just thought perhaps someone in your family was infected; I didn't expect it to be on this scale."
This was a camp of over a thousand people, and one could hardly find a single non-infected person.
"If you can't stand the infected, then why did you come here?" Before Talulah or Alina could speak, an icy voice drifted from ahead. "Are you looking for death?"
"Don't be like that, Yelena," Talulah hurriedly stepped in to stop FrostNova. "She saved Alina's life. Besides, it's our fault; we didn't tell her there were so many infected in the camp before she came."
FrostNova froze awkwardly. She had just heard news of Talulah's return and rushed out, only to hear someone sounding like they despised the infected. Naturally, she blew up instantly.
Now she realized this person was Alina's savior and hadn't known the situation...
"...My apologies." Her relationship with Alina wasn't bad. Although she disliked those who looked down on the infected, she had to acknowledge this debt of gratitude.
"No need to apologize, and it's not that I can't stand the infected," Xia Yu shook her head. "It's just... I am destined to not stay with the infected for too long, especially those of Ursus."
First, plant a seed of doubt, then slowly reveal the truth—a long-term game.
Hearing this, FrostNova's brow furrowed again. What did she mean by 'can't stay with the infected for too long, especially those of Ursus'? But given the woman was Alina's savior, she couldn't very well lash out.
Talulah's expression wasn't great either. Only Alina knew more, so she keenly sensed that Xia Yu likely had some unspeakable difficulty.
"It is good... that you returned," Patriot approached, weapon in hand. He stood still, staring at Xia Yu for several minutes.
"Guest, from where... do you come?"
"I just wanted to trade for some salt and seasonings," Xia Yu said. "That's all."
"The hour... is late," Patriot's voice was raspy. "Better to stay... for now. We shall speak... tomorrow."
"That works," Xia Yu nodded indifferently. "Then I shall trouble you all."
"No need for such politeness," Talulah forced a smile. "You are Alina's savior, after all. Come, I'll take you to a tent..."
"Talulah," Patriot spoke again. "This is... a distinguished guest. Arrange for... Central Tent Three."
"...Alright, I understand." Talulah looked stunned for a moment, then seemed to realize something. She nodded and led Xia Yu toward the center of the camp.
"Captain?" Watching them walk away, a nearby Shieldguard also sensed something was off and looked toward their leader.
"Do not sleep... tonight," Patriot said simply.
The Shieldguards' expressions turned grim, realizing the severity of the matter.
"Understood!" they whispered.
"Father," FrostNova looked at Patriot, who was watching Alina.
"To my tent," Patriot said succinctly. "Tell me... how you met... this distinguished guest."
"I... alright," Alina was also quite surprised.
★ ★ ★
On Xia Yu's side, Talulah led her into a tent. Although simple, it had everything one might need and felt lived-in.
"Is this alright?" Xia Yu tilted her head. "This clearly belongs to someone, doesn't it?"
"This is FrostNova's tent," Talulah replied. "It's fine. She'll sleep in my place tonight, and I'll sleep with Alina. Ms. Xia Yu, I'm sorry..."
"I told you, no need to apologize," Xia Yu shook her head. "I don't discriminate against the infected. It's just... sigh."
She put on an act of having a past too painful to recall, and Talulah tactfully didn't ask further.
"Is there anything else you need..."
"Nothing in particular," Xia Yu shook her head. "I already had dinner with Alina. Let's end it here for today. I haven't slept in a proper bed for a long time; I'm a bit tired."
Talulah fell silent. This was clearly an excuse; Xia Yu knew she had to go back and hold a meeting with the others and was being considerate.
Sigh. They couldn't mistreat Alina's savior, but the woman's attitude toward the infected was a bit...
After bidding her goodnight, Talulah left the tent.
Xia Yu took off her helmet and lay comfortably on the bed. The bedding wasn't very soft but had a faint, clean fragrance. Was this FrostNova's bed?
Before falling asleep, she reviewed her plan once more. Yes, no problems.
In a situation like this, she normally wouldn't be allowed to stay, but she would use her skills to make the guerrillas beg her to remain.
How did the saying go? A favor offered unprompted is cheap, but help in a time of desperate need is remembered forever.
★ ★ ★
On the other side:
"Talulah, you're back," FrostNova looked at Talulah as she entered the tent. "How is that distinguished guest?"
"She's already asleep." Talulah frowned and looked at Patriot. "Old man, is there something wrong with Ms. Xia Yu?"
"She is strong. Extremely... strong," Patriot said solemnly. "Even in... my prime, I would not... be certain... of victory."
"Ah, Captain, really?" Before Talulah could speak, a Shieldguard couldn't help himself. "I can tell she's powerful, but that evaluation is a bit..."
"No... exaggeration," Patriot shook his head. "The last time... I saw such... power, was two hundred years ago... when four nations... besieged Kazdel."
"You have seen... too little. Naturally, you cannot... tell."
"In that case, Alina, how did you meet her?" FrostNova looked at Alina.
So, Alina recounted their meeting.
After listening, Talulah gripped Alina's hand, her eyes filled with self-reproach. "If only I hadn't insisted on letting them go..."
"It's alright, Ata," Alina helplessly steered the conversation back. "We're discussing Ms. Xia Yu right now."
"Is she from Ursus?" That was FrostNova's biggest concern.
"Impossible," Patriot shook his head before Alina could speak. "Ursus... has no such... powerhouse. If they did... she would not... be unknown."
"And if they... did, they would not... enter the camp... like this. Would they not... bring an army... to surround us? The spell... Alina described... piercing the sky... how efficient... on a battlefield. To use it... for assassination? A total... waste!"
"Alina, you had... the most contact," Patriot looked at her. "What is... her attitude... toward the infected?"
"No discrimination, no repulsion," Alina recalled carefully and summarized. "But a necessity to stay away? That's the feeling Ms. Xia Yu gives me. It's very strange."
"Yes, I have the same feeling," Talulah nodded. "I never hid my status as an infected. She was willing to invite me to ride with her, showing no hesitation about physical contact with an infected person."
"From that perspective, she has no prejudice. Those words seem more like she has some unspeakable reason why she must stay away from us."
"Now that you mention it, that does seem to be the case," FrostNova thought back and nodded. "How strange."
"In that case... tonight, take turns... keeping watch... here," Patriot assigned tasks. "Keep the warriors... alert."
"Tomorrow, we shall... speak with her. Whatever she... needs, we shall... strive to provide."
The goal was clear: maintain normal precautions against accidents, but try to stay on good terms. No one wanted to offend such a powerhouse for no reason, especially one who had saved a member of their group.
The night passed without any disturbance from the tent.
★ ★ ★
"Ms. Xia Yu," in the early morning, Alina carefully carried a portion of toasted bread to the front of the tent. "Are you awake?"
Xia Yu, who was already prepared, opened the tent and was about to head out, but Alina stepped inside immediately.
"I brought you breakfast."
"Bread," Xia Yu's eyes lit up. She reached for it, then remembered the guerrillas' situation. "Have you eaten?"
"Me? I've already eaten," Alina said with a slight hint of panic, her conscience clearly pricking her. "This is for you."
"Come, let's eat together." Xia Yu pulled her down to sit, tore the bread in half, and stuffed it in front of her. "I'm not used to eating this much in the morning. Help me out."
"But..." Alina wanted to say more, but Xia Yu quickly blocked her mouth with the bread.
"Don't forget, you were injured yesterday and lost a lot of blood," Xia Yu urged. "I healed the wound, but I can't replace the blood. You need to eat more to recover."
"Besides, this has your saliva on it now. I can't very well put it back in my own mouth, can I?"
Alina had no choice but to eat with her.
Xia Yu's thought process was simple. Breakfast? In a situation like the guerrillas', even the soldiers probably didn't get three meals a day. This was likely prepared specifically for her.
After eating, they walked out together.
"We are the Infected Guerrilla," Alina introduced. "I wonder if you've heard of..."
"I've heard a few things," Xia Yu nodded. "Your deeds of raiding mines and rescuing the infected."
"You're doing well. I've disliked Ursus for a long time."
"I'm glad you can understand," Alina sighed in relief, not asking why Xia Yu didn't want to get close to them.
"We have some seasonings in the camp. I'll take you to see," she led Xia Yu toward the rear.
The people around them looked at Xia Yu with strange expressions. Word of what she said last night had likely spread—she hadn't hidden it, after all—but someone was keeping them from causing trouble.
They reached the rear, passing several tents where a group of somber-looking people gathered, sighing.
"Big Sister Alina," a child grabbed Alina's hem. "Anton... Anton, he..."
"It's okay, Enno, it's okay," Alina knelt to comfort him. "Anton... we'll find a way."
In truth, there was no way. Anton's Oripathy was too advanced. They were gathered here today to say goodbye.
The world of the infected was cruel. Even as they were dying from the pain, they couldn't have friends and family by their side. Those who died from Oripathy would undergo crystallization and shattering—the timing was random; some happened immediately, others within hours. Even in death, they were a threat to those around them.
Healthy people would catch Oripathy; the sick would see their symptoms worsen. Thus, when an infected person was about to die, everyone could only say goodbye while they still had a breath left, before sending them to a distant or sealed place to wait for the end.
Today, another child had reached the end of his life.
Alina looked pained but forced a smile for Xia Yu after comforting the child. "Ms. Xia Yu, please come with me."
Xia Yu didn't move, her eyes fixed on the crowd.
"I'm sorry, Ma'am. That child is about to pass," Alina explained. "I... I can't help it..."
"Don't cry, Alina," Xia Yu shook her head. "I understand. I understand everything."
She put on a hesitant posture.
"Please, just come with me," Alina took her hand. "Even if you are a doctor, you can't save him."
That magic was miraculous, but this was Oripathy...
"But I can at least make his final days a bit less painful." Xia Yu shook her head and looked toward the center of the crowd. The child's right hand was almost entirely covered by hideous Originium crystals. From his face to his ankles, crystals were visible. He was gasping for air, eyes brimming with tears.
Xia Yu reached out, produced the Golden Order Seal, and activated an incantation.
[Incantation — Blessing of the Erdtree]
An incantation from the ancient Erdtree that slowly and greatly restores HP.
As the golden magic circle spread across the ground, countless golden particles formed bands of light that enveloped the entire area.
In the distance, Patriot gripped his halberd and watched.
Near Xia Yu, the Blessing of the Erdtree caused the pain of those around her to lessen significantly. Even the dying child looked a bit more spirited.
Everyone turned to look at Xia Yu. The effect of the spell was beyond expectations.
But she wasn't done. Xia Yu had always had a theory.
Was Oripathy... truly a disease?
To the people of Terra, of course it was. An incurable one. But Xia Yu knew this wasn't a physiological illness; it stemmed from the Originium's biological information collection process.
Since its birth, Originium's directive was to slowly consume and assimilate this planet. When the project began, Terra was a wasteland with no civilization, so the Precursors had no moral burden.
But while the overseers slept, waiting for the project to finish before waking for the final step, primitive creatures like the Sarkaz developed intelligence and built the first civilizations. Then, various races descended from the stars, flourishing on this land.
Talk about bad luck. The Precursors hadn't expected this. Originium was still fulfilling its mission, gradually devouring the planet.
And Oripathy was born from this tragedy.
Perhaps it shouldn't be categorized as a disease at all. Thus, Xia Yu raised her seal and prepared the next spell.