Enza stood over Athalia with her arms crossed, and an irritated expression on her face.
If another person were to look at the two of them, they would only see one.
The current Athalia was only Athalia to Enza, and only because she had watched everything happen.
Athalia's body no longer resembled one at all. It was only clear that it had once been organic life by the color and texture.
Not a single solid piece larger than a fingernail was left.
Enza had slid all of Athalia onto a bed of dark soil that covered a white sheet.
To an observer, her annoyed expression might seem strange after an event like this. Perhaps they'd think she was in such deep shock that she didn't know what expression to make.
But really, she was just annoyed.
She wasn't mourning, as there was no reason to.
The flesh was rapidly joining together…
If this happened on the Mountain, there would have been no chance of saving her. There wouldn't have been enough extra blood lying around.
Someone needs to make that rental policy stricter. This idiot definitely wouldn't be a good customer in the eyes of an insurance company. What was that again, chapter seven of volume four?
Enza glanced over at the Measuring Anchor that lay near the fountain's wreckage.
There wasn't a scratch on it.
At least the Instrument isn't damaged. Personally, I could care less about the fountain. I'm kind of glad it's gone, despite the outrage it might cause—which I can't say I can predict the extent of. That thing was too dangerous to keep around…
I have to wonder how this accident happened in the first place. It's not like she's incompetent with the anchor… it definitely wasn't the smartest decision to not take the safe route, but this outcome is still rather drastic.
What could have caused her to mess up, stage fright? I doubt it…
Perhaps the psychological problem from before?
It seemed like she had snapped out of it by the time we boarded the tram for the return crossing. But that's only my perception. I'm no mind reader. Psychological problems can present themselves in a variety of different ways. Insanity isn't bound by whether outsiders can detect it or not…
I shouldn't have to worry about it too much for now. No matter what, she won't be going on any expeditions anytime soon, nor will she be using any Instruments.
Well, all except one. But there's nothing the Institute can do about that, and that Instrument isn't likely to pose any risk even if she does have a psychological problem.
I would keep an eye on her just in case, but I think that's going to be taken care of very soon… She's going to be under close watch, and is definitely going to lose certain privileges… I mean, seriously, destroying the Fountain of Väinä?
Deep in thought, Enza leaned against the wall she had brought Athalia to. Five people in white uniforms were lifting the shrapnel from the destroyed fountain onto white rolling carts. The water source had been promptly shut off.
By the time everything had been cleaned up, Athalia was in one piece.
Enza glanced down at her. Here it comes…
Athalia gasped as her eyes snapped open.
Everything was green, her least favorite color.
This must be hell.
She blinked, and saw red again.
A leaf fell down her face.
Instinctively, she reached up and crushed it.
What happened…
She remembered everything at once.
She stood up quickly, tearing away the vines and leaves that had grown all over her body.
There wasn't a single mark on her body from the injuries.
She was scared to turn around. She didn't want to confirm her memories at all…
Her stomach sank the moment her head swung towards the fountain.
She saw Enza approaching from the corner of her eye. She turned to face her and screamed out in frustration.
"It wasn't my fault! I swear that the anchor mal—
Enza grabbed her arm and pulled her roughly to her feet.
"You think anyone's gonna believe that? Come on, you can't go to your sentencing without an escort."
Enza walked diagonally across the city square at a brisk pace, dragging Athalia behind her. A couple people laughed as they saw the two of them. Neither of the two women were unfamiliar to the citizens. Not all fame is the kind that is desirable, and that applied to Athalia especially.
They reached a a main street that bisected the city. At the far end of the street stood a large black tower. A low and flat building of the same color wrapped around it.
Athalia steeled her expression as she gazed upon the tower.
She could read the deeply engraved words even without tilting her head…
MOUNTAIN RESEARCH AND EXPLORATION INSTITUTE
She forced herself free from Enza's grasp and sped up, quickly overtaking her.
Outside the tower's main door, there were four people gathered around. All of them were wearing the same thick brown garments as Athalia and Enza. The design was exceedingly simple; there wasn't a single frill or element that lacked utility.
Nobody was saying a word. All of them were waiting in anticipation.
As much as they wanted to speak to Athalia, they weren't allowed. Giving her any ideas for how to defend herself would result in getting punished themselves.
Suddenly, a grotesquely out of tune bell was rung somewhere inside the building. It was closer to someone smashing a metal pipe against a rock than anything musical.
The door flew open. A man sprinted out holding a brightly colored plastic rifle.
He pulled the trigger.
Splash!
A jet of water hit Athalia directly in the face.
Splash!
A second jet hit her left ear, filling it with water. She wanted to lash out in rage, but she knew that would just be falling for the taunt.
The curly-haired man holding the water gun stood in front of Athalia. "That's an additional punishment, from me to you."
Without even a trial… I'll get you back for that. Don't think I'll forget…
The man stepped back and stretched his hands outwards, speaking to the whole group.
"I have a wager for all of you!
"I have a guess for what the punishment will be. I believe Athalia will be forced to swim across the River of Blood. If you wish, bet against my theory!"
Enza rolled her eyes. Athalia couldn't help but smile, despite her current predicament. Gambling on a trial… what an innovation…
An orange-haired man raised his hand first. "That's quite a specific guess, Kismet. What led you to think that?"
"I don't need to explain myself, as there is no way anyone could gain insider knowledge into the results."
The orange-haired man nodded and rubbed his chin. "I suppose that's fine. I think the punishment will be extensive community service work."
Kismet chuckled. "That's reasonable. It would also be a lot funnier than my theory. What would you like to wager?"
"What are you willing to give up?"
"For the right price, I'll give up anything."
The orange-haired man raised his eyebrows. "Does that include your job?"
"Of course. The question is, do you have something of equivalent value you're willing to part with?"
"I will perform any single favor for you. There are no limits. If it does not kill me, I will do it."
Kismet was shocked. Aleksi wants my position that badly?
"That's fine with me. If neither of us are correct, you'll win by default. However, I will add one clause for that scenario—you would have to wait four days after the result is given before taking my job."
Aleksi looked suspicious. "I thought you would say the bet's nullified if we're both wrong. Isn't this a little too stacked against you?"
Kismet shrugged. "As I said before, I have no need to explain myself. Now, are you ready to shake on it?"
Aleksi begrudgingly nodded, and they shook hands firmly.
Kismet's gaze flitted over the crowd. "Anyone else?"
There wasn't a reply.
But right as he was about to turn around and head through the open door, Enza spoke!
"I'll wager your left arm for my flytrap."
"Deal. But for this bet, if we're both wrong, it'll be nullified."
He grabbed Athalia's wrist and walked through the door, everyone else filing behind him. The crowd filed inside behind him. He took out a piece of white cord from his pocket and tied it around his head.
The interior of the tower was completely chaotic. There were 10 long rock benches that were in completely random places around the floor. Some of them were attached to walls, some were upside down, and some were in midair. In the center of the room stood an elevated platform with a lectern.
There were parchment pages scattered all over the floor. Other than the benches and the lectern, the vast majority of space was taken up by whiteboards. Dozens of them were scattered about on rolling stands, covered in red and blue scrawling. There were two closed doors on the far side of the hall…
The man with the black curly hair raised his hand, and smacked himself hard in the side of the head.
In the blink of an eye, everything in the hall took motion and returned it to an organized state. The whiteboards lined up and erased themselves neatly. The benches flew to the center of the room, right in front of the lectern.
Everyone except for Athalia and Kismet sat on the bench in the front. The two of them walked to the lectern.
Kismet picked up a small black orb. It had a cutout with a screen, which displayed an empty blue triangle.
He yawned.
"Athalia, I believe I don't need to explain your crimes to you. Do you have anything you'd like to say to the 8-ball in your defense?"
Athalia's thoughts had been racing the whole time in a desperate effort to think of what she would say.
She stared intently at the glowing blue triangle. "I believe someone interfered with my Measuring Anchor."
Kismet's mouth twitched.
"I felt a change in the trajectory I had set while in mid-air. I don't think this would be possible to happen by accident. There isn't much else I can give as evidence."
Kismet shook the 8-ball hard. Athalia's fists clenched tightly…
He looked down at the screen, and his face dropped.
"A-Athalia Darwin Bathory is sentenced to a month of solitary confinement. All of her body below her neck will be completely numbed. The punishment can take place wherever she wishes, granted she is alone. Nobody will be allowed to move her or interact with her until the month is up. She has one hour until the punishment begins."
Enza immediately tried to say something to Athalia, but she had already sprinted out of the building.
Kismet shivered. "Solitary confinement… that's awful. Anyways, it looks like I lost my job, huh? I guess I'll have to get it back with another gamble sometime soon. I'll relish the last couple days of work I have left.
"…The most recent Expedition was a success. Two lesser instruments and one powerful one were recovered. I actually don't know the full details yet… Unfortunately, that will have to wait until Athalia's sentence is over.
"Apparently, there are already plans to restore the fountain. None of you should have to do any work on it, but please monitor for any disturbances caused by the incident.
"The cable sensors say it'll be safe for another Expedition in a little over a month. If you're interested in making a team, fill out a form.
"Oh, and of course, we are still looking for those willing to explore the River. You will be compensated highly, depending on your skillset. If you wish to apply, speak."
People traded glances, but no one spoke up. Aleksi wasn't even listening, he was blissfully smiling at the floor.
Kismet looked like he had expected this reaction.
He clapped his hands, and everyone stood up to leave.
Enza chewed on her lower lip. I still don't understand why he was so confidently wrong. And the month of solitary confinement… that's totally insane…
What a short meeting, too. How lucky, they usually drag on forever.
After most of the crowd had already left, Enza strode out the door. Right before taking the final step, she turned around and saw two figures in bright white clothing entering a far corner of the hall.
She blinked, and they were gone.
I guess I imagined it…