I managed to persuade the Trafalgar couple after explaining the reality from the Navy's perspective, the movements of the surrounding nations, and our preparations for the evacuation.
However, since treating the patients and preparing for the escape would take time, they requested a half-day window.
We ended the meeting there, and I left several medical staff members—including Dokutol—to assist them while I headed back to the Royal Palace.
"Any progress?" I asked, stopping the men in charge of searching the palace.
"Sir! We found something of extreme importance. Please look at this."
He handed me several documents. As I flipped through them, my eyes narrowed.
"...A geological survey report of the kingdom's strata."
It was a formal report, complete with the signatures of the Royal Family and the World Government from a hundred years ago.
"Should we submit this to headquarters, sir?"
"No... I'll take charge of this. Besides, why on earth would that King leave something this incriminating just lying around?"
Reading further, I saw that the properties and toxicity of Amber Lead were explicitly detailed. Both the World Government and the Royal Family had clearly known about the danger while actively promoting it as the country's primary industry.
"The search of the palace is mostly complete, so the search party is joining the carriage preparation. Do you expect many refugees, sir?"
"Yeah. The children must be the priority. After them, the doctors and hospital staff. If there's still room, we'll take whoever else wants to go. Regardless, it's impossible to take everyone. Some will have to manage on their own..."
Though I knew "managing on their own" was nearly impossible... I'm sorry.
"What about the valuables in the carriages? There's a massive amount of gold and jewelry."
"Pack it up. We're going to use it for 'distribution' later."
"Understood, sir! We'll lead the carriages into town as soon as we're ready."
"Good. I'm counting on you. This is Krieg—Captain Jonathan, respond."
『This is Jonathan. What is it, Rear Admiral?』
"Pick out some islands that aren't officially nations but have decent medical facilities or space for them."
『Moving the refugees, I see. Indeed, a recognized country wouldn't welcome them—they'd likely try to drive them away.
Understood. I'll look into it immediately. I'll search for islands with significant Navy branches but no sovereign government.』
"Thanks, Jonathan. Depending on the location, it might take a while to get there, but it's pointless if we don't have a place where they can be treated in peace."
I finished up the tasks at the palace, and finally, dozens of carriages—once meant for a King's greed—rolled into the city alongside me to pick up the suffering citizens.
The Boy in the Shadows
"Young man! Hurry and get into the carriage!!"
As I watched the sisters and my classmates boarding the wagons one by one, a large man wearing a dull grey breastplate under a Marine coat spoke to me.
"Mr. Marine!! My sister is dying! And my father and mother haven't come yet! I can't go!"
"It's okay. We'll make sure your sister and your parents are brought out, so go with your friends."
"But..."
As I hesitated, the voices of the nun and my friends drifted over.
"Law-kun! Hurry! They're about to leave!" "Come on, Law!" "It's okay! The Marines will bring Lami out too!!"
"See? The Sister and your friends are waiting. Go."
The large Marine placed a hand on my back and pushed me toward the carriage.
"I understand... please... please take care of Lami! And my father and mother!!"
I thanked the large Marine and climbed into the wagon.
"Is that all the children? Anyone else? ...Marine, move the carriage!!"
As the Sister shouted to the Marine driver, the carriage began to move slowly. The hospital, the place where I had grown up and spent so many memories, began to fade into the distance. Tears welled in my eyes as the life I knew disappeared.
But was it really okay to leave Lami behind? Shouldn't I have stayed with her? The more I thought, the more my heart filled with dread.
"Sister! Everyone!! I'm sorry! I'm too worried about Lami! I'm going back!!"
Ignoring their cries, I jumped from the moving carriage. I hit the ground hard, but the pain was nothing compared to what Lami was going through.
"Law-kun!! Come back! It's dangerous!!"
I ignored the fading voice of the Sister and ran back the way we came. It had been a while since the carriage started, but I ran with everything I had.
By the time I made it back, the sun had set, and the world was dark, but my eyes were met with a horrific sight.
The hospital was engulfed in a roaring, brilliant inferno, lighting up the night sky.
Why? How? The words spun in my head.
"Lami!! Father!! MOTHER!!!"
Then, the Marine's words echoed in my mind.
『It's okay. We'll make sure your sister and your parents are brought out...』
I see... they never intended to help us from the start. Everyone said the King ran away... the Navy only cared about that!
"Damn you... MARINES!!!!!"
Everyone who went ahead in the carriages... they were probably killed too, by those guys in the hazmat suits I saw on the way! They had guns! I saw them shooting people!!
Watch me, Navy. I'm going to survive. I'll take revenge for everyone!! I'll break everything!!!!
The image of that large Marine with the villainous face was burned into my mind. He's the one. He's the leader.
Stifling the rage boiling inside me, I turned on my heel and began to run, desperate to escape this hell.
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