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//ڂΎvoB
//㇗ƍ炫U铍̉ԁB
//̉Ŗazo̐Xcc<k>
  Closing his eyes, Taoluo remembers.<K>
  The peach trees in full bloom, and the fond memories that were made beneath them......

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<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st̃^I[g" face="ڐO" align="right">
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//ࣖƍ炭Ԃ̉ŁA<R ALT="^I["></R>͌ĂB<k>
  Under the vast canopy of peach blossoms, Taoluo stands with sword in hand.

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//敗h炷сA
//ԕق͔򖗂U炷@ɒ𕑂B
//܂Ŗɖ؂̐CAXƈo邩̂悤ɁB<k>
  A spray of white flowers fills the air each time an occasional soft breeze rustles the branches, as though the vitality brimming within the trees is overflowing into the garden.

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//ۂ̒bB̂ɁAɌēłȂ
//̓I񂾂̂́Aق̋CłB
//߂Ă邾łS̍炫Ԃ𒭂߂邤A
//ɐĝ𓮂Ȃ̂B<k>
  It was a mere whim that led Taoluo to choose the peach garden for his daily training rather than the usual practice hall. Upon beholding the magnificent sight of the peach blossoms, he simply could not resist the urge to exercise his body.

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//sČyɉA
//R͗z΂̔ȂɂEƂ̎@B
//ႢZƎgplZ܂ɂ͍Lė]̂́A
//ƂĈƂȂƁA̐c`̓ɂB<k>

//X̒낪̎ɖqł̂A
//<R ALT="^I["></R>̕喇͂Đ݂ߑݔ̎łB
//͗]ꂽߎ̓VWŕA
//͉邱ƂȂAt̂炩ȗz𗁂тĂB<k>
  The Kong family estate lies in the Kunlun Mountains on the banks of Lake Yangcheng, far from the hustle and bustle of the Demon City, Shanghai. Though too large for the needs of a young brother and sister with few servants, they could never move if it would mean abandoning this garden that was left to them by their ancestors.

  That this ancient grove, passed down over generations, is still able to thrive in this age is thanks to the small fortune spent by Taoluo's father on modern facilities. Shielded from environmental pollutants by a dome of pressurized resin, the garden is free to bask in the beautiful light of spring.

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//ł͂Ȃ̂܂܂A
//ԍs񂾋󒲂͂ނ₩ŐSn悢B<k>

//C̒ɂĒOcɖCAēۂݍ݁A
//CJԂB
//掟ɐĝyȂ̂ĂA
  Taoluo has not changed from his everyday clothing into lighter practice wear, but the flowery fragrance permeating the air is so refreshing that he hardly needs it.

  After charging his <I>dantian</I> with <I>qi</I>, he begins the internal breathing process to cycle the energy through his meridians.<K> Once he feels his body growing lighter with each repetition,<se src="_00_blade01" mode="on" option="single"> he slowly draws his sword and assumes the raised-knee balance position from which he will begin his drills.

//ނ<R ALT="͂Ƃ">Γ</R>̏𕥂AGt̎p`ɓB<k>

//2836A߂64<R ALT="Ƃ">H</R>̑ՓV@́A
//ɂΏł邪A
//<R ALT="Ђ傤">L</R>ׂ̂ĂƂȂ΁A
//ah˂ɂȂBœKB<k>

//אgŔ󂭕Аn̓gcc
//ȂƂł͑ɓ`oA
//<R ALT="^I["></R>͓hDŎgĂB<k>
  The sixty-four forms of Daitian Swordplay are comprised of twenty-eight <I>dao</I> and thirty-six <I>jian</I> forms. Although it can be adapted to any type of sword, in order to make use of every skill it is best to choose a weapon suited to both slashing and thrusting attacks.

  A slender, slightly-curved, single-edged blade is ideal. Most practitioners use the <I>taiji dao</I> or <I>wo dao</I>, but Taoluo prefers the saber used by disciples of the Southern Xia Fist.

<se src="_00_blade01" mode="on" option="single">
//ԕق̈ꖇ؂ŕƁA
//Ђ͉ȂdɊB<k>

//Ȃɓd̎艞AmɎwőƂɁA
//<R ALT="^I["></R>͖B
//͌v̍ႦBɂ܂ŖĂB<k>
  He slices through a falling petal with the point of his blade. Making no sound, the petal splits neatly into two pieces.

  Taoluo is satisfied to feel his fingers pick up the negligible weight of the flower petal. His kung fu is strong today. Even the sword in his hand is practically glowing with <i>qi</I>.

<se src="_00_blade02" mode="on" option="single">
//2A3ƌ`d˂Ă<R ALT="^I["></R>̐ߑtɁA
//ӂɏ_炩ȋՂ̉YꂽB<k>
  As Taoluo continues through the second and third moves of the form, the soft strains of a <I>guzheng</I> suddenly join his rhythm.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st̃^I[g" face="\" align="right">
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<BOX TYPE=3>
//uccHv<k>
"......Hm?"

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<BOX TYPE=0>
//΂炻ɂ̂A؂̍ɍ~낵<R ALT="C["></R>A
//]XƋՂtłĂB
//<R ALT="^I["></R>̎ɉāAYۂ΂ޖB<k>

//<R ALT="C["></R>܂A̕̍炫ԂɐSUA
//ȑtłȂ̂낤B
//KɒX͍̂̂AƂ͂Ƃ
//łȂȏꏊŌUĂ<R ALT="^I["></R>B
//Ԃ̕ɂ́AނՂ̉̕悭B<k>

//ɎɉȂ́AĒbBɏ邱ƂȂB
//ނ돬C悢̃YɌ̐ߑtd˂Ă݂΁A
//܂܂̉sB<k>
  He looks up to find Ruili sitting at the base of a tree, streaming notes from her <I>guzheng</I> off into the air. She responds to his surprised gaze with an impish smile.

  His sister must also have been enchanted by the richness of the peach blossoms. Normally Taoluo would not want to be disturbed during his training, but this time it is his fault for choosing this place instead of the practice hall. After all, the sound of the <I>guzheng</I> is a far better match for the elegance of the garden than is his sword.

  Moreover, the pleasant music is hardly an impediment to his training. By matching his sword strokes to the brisk rhythm of the <I>guzheng</I>, he in fact finds his movements becoming even more finely honed.

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<se src="_00_blade03" mode="on" option="single">
//𓥂ݕςȂAw_ہXxAwlCcxAwfɁx
//OAB
//錕q̂悤ɁAՂׂ̒ɔqށB
//Z̉ɊF𕂂ׂāA
//<R ALT="C["></R>̉t܂ܒe̐𑝂₵ĂB<k>

//dɂ藐A[𑝂ĂՂ̉ɁA
//ނČ𑝂<R ALT="^I["></R>̌B
//l̋Ղƌ̋ŹA݂ɋ悤ɁA
//ꂼꌺ̓x[߂ĂB<k>

//<R ALT="^I["></R>̒OcŁAĂȂقǂɏ[삷B
//̎艞ɐSOB<k>

//Ȃ΁cc
//BĂȂZ錕̈A
//邢͂̂ɂł̂ł͂ȂH
//ɐ҂ƂčRȂ~A<R ALT="^I["></R>𗸂ɂB<k>

  Shifting feet, Taoluo performs the triple combination of Cloud and Mist Cover All, Part the Four Seas, and Split the Shala Leaf.

  Like pieces in an orchestra, the sound of his sword cleaving the air provides the beat for the <I>guzheng</I>'s melody. Overjoyed by her brother's response, Ruili begins to add even more strings to her performance.

  The music of the <I>guzheng</I> grows in complexity, forming a multilayered tapestry of interwoven notes, and the intensity of Taoluo's sword dance mounts accordingly. As though vying with each other for supremacy, they delve ever deeper into the secrets of their respective arts.

  Taoluo's heart soars as he feels his <I>dantian</I> filling with more <I>qi</I> than it has ever held before.<K>

  With such energy suffusing his body...... might he not now be able to accomplish one of the secret techniques he has yet to master? For one who has devoted his life to the martial arts, this hunger is impossible to resist.

<se src="_00_wɒ" mode="on" option="single">
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//ubIv<k>
"Ha!"

<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="^I["></R><R ALT="傤傤">ꐺ</R>AnRč炩ɒ𕑂B
//q]̂Ŏp̓Vnt]ȂA
//ቺ̋ɕUԕفÂ10߂B<k>

//Ɍ܂ō܂韆Bꂷ1b100ɕ߂̎ɁA
//珃̔Ђ͓悤Ɏ~܂ČB<k>
  With a mighty shout, Taoluo leaps high into the air. Twisting in flight so that his body is inverted between Heaven and Earth, he focuses his gaze on ten of the flower petals floating in the air beneath him.

  His entire body is bursting with <I>qi</I>. Each millisecond seems to take an eternity to pass, and the white leaves appear frozen before his eyes.

<se src="_03_ZoUD01" mode="on" option="single">
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<wait time="1">

<background src="ev_x09">
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//zB
//ꙋ߂͂ȘZ̊ԁAȂׂ̏uԁcc<k>

//Tڂɂ͏\̌A܂瞂悤Ɍ낤B
//ꂼՓVh@̐Zw<R ALT="肭񂳂񂱂ނق">ZoUD</R>xB
//_ɂ<R ALT="">k</R>̌h́AガƂȂne͎h˂̎ceƂA̔ZłB<k>
  His sword flashes. Time collapses to an interval of surpassing minuteness, a single breath in the void.<K> In that moment, an observer would see ten streaks of light, all unleashed at exactly the same time. 

  This is Seamless Sword Scatters Soul in Six Domains, the ultimate art of Daitian Swordplay. Although it appears to the untrained eye to be a single sweep of the sword, that is only an illusion caused by the afterimages of what are in fact separate thrusts, so transcendent are their speed and precision.

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//<R ALT="VGu">嶕</R>̎pŒn߁A񂾋΁ccɕĒɕԕق́A̐A14ЁB
//10𗼒fĂ΁AЂ20𐔂铹łB<k>

//ӂ̓fƂƂɓ߂΁A
//̐؂ɎỎԕق\ĂB
//\̂ÓAԕقa܂łɐnȂ̂B<k>

//̌rɗŏ\]NẢ`̉ɂ͎ȂB
//炽߂<R ALT="^I["></R>͑ՓVh@̉[ɊB<k>
  After landing in perfect <I>xie bu</I>, Taoluo looks up at the shredded air...... and sees only fourteen petals fluttering in his wake. If he had split all ten of the flowers, there should now be twenty pink blossoms above him.

  With a disappointed sigh, he inspects his sword to find three petals stuck to its tip. Of the ten thrusts, three were not fast enough to sunder their targets.

  He has devoted himself to the sword for over ten years, and yet is still unable to master this greatest of secrets. Taoluo finds himself awed anew by the profundity of Daitian Swordplay.<K>

//ӂƖڂグƁAƂɋՂe~߂<R ALT="C["></R>A
//X˂悤ɖڂὂ߂ĂB<k>
  Realizing that Ruili has stopped playing the <I>guzheng</I>, he looks up to find her glaring reproachfully at him.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stlC[ʏ" face="ӂ" align="left">
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<BOX TYPE=2>
//uZlB킽̋Ղ𒮂ĂĂ񂾂Ƃ΂vĂ̂Ɂv<k>
"How could you, brother? I thought that you were listening to me play."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st̃^I[" face="fR" align="right">
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<BOX TYPE=3>
//uAς܂ccv<k>
"Yeah...... sorry."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//r̖`́A
//t𖳎ĕ肾摖Ă܂悤Ȃ̂B
//Ղe<R ALT="C["></R>ʔ킯ȂB<k>
  Taoluo's venture into the unknown was no different than a dancer performing with no thought to the music. Of course Ruili would be annoyed.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stlC[ʏ" face="ӂʂQ" align="left">
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<BOX TYPE=2>
//uZlAv<k>

//uɎŌA
//ȂĊᒆɂȂ̂ˁv<k>
"You're always like that."

"When you have that sword in hand, it's like I don't exist to you."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st̃^I[" face="f" align="right">
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<BOX TYPE=3>
//u󂶂ccȂv<k>
"It's...... not like that."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//ނ閅<R ALT="Ȃ">G</R>߂悤ɂA<R ALT="^I["></R>͂܂ЂƂ؂ꂪB<k>

//ccɑłނ܂肷莸OĂA
//<R ALT="C["></R>ɂǂȕɐ邩A
//炻̂Ƃɂ΂蓪Y܂Ă̂B<k>

//Ȃ̂ɏoۂA
//܂ꌾv؂oȂ@𑹂˂Ă܂Ƃ́B
//<R ALT="^I["></R>͉䂪g̉I舂Ɏ݂B<k>
  For a man trying to placate his sister, his voice is rather lacking in confidence.

  In the first place - though it had slipped his mind while he was absorbed in the sword form - he has been trying to decide how to approach Ruili all morning.

  And yet upon meeting her, he managed to upset her before he even had a chance to broach the topic he had planned. Taoluo can only curse his own carelessness.

<bustup name="st̃^I[" face="fR" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uĂOA
//̌ɍ킹ĒeĂꂽ񂾂H
//AŐ肷v<k>
"But you were playing to my sword, weren't you? That's why I got carried away."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stlC[ʏ" face="ӂʂQ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//űȂ̂ẮHv<k>
"So it's my fault?"

<BOX TYPE=0>
//ς炸ʂAẐ̌́A
//<R ALT="C["></R>ɂƂĂ܂񂴂łȂ炵B<k>
  Although still pouting, Ruili does not seem entirely displeased by her brother's words.

<bustup name="stlC[ʏ" face="ӂ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uBƒĂĂ̂ȂA
//̋ȂĂĂȂv<k>
"Alright then. If you were really listening, then tell me what I was playing."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st̃^I[" face="ڐO" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//ur܂ł́w躋xȁB
//ł̐́AƁccv<k>
"It started out as Song of Jade Heaven, right? But after that, I'm not sure......"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stlC[ʏ" face="yɘb" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="^I["></R>͌񂾂̂́A
//<R ALT="C["></R>͕s@ʂÊĂ悤ɂĔj炵B
//܂ŉ_Ԃ˂̂悤ɕ\邭ȂB<k>
  Despite Taoluo's inability to finish, Ruili's frown breaks into a bright grin, like the sun showing through the clouds.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stlC[ʏ" face="ɂ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u̐͏oLڂB܎肩̋ȁBccČZľAǂǂ񑬂ȂĂ񂾂́Bw躋xǂȂv<k>
"That was nothing special. It's a tune I've been working on."

"Your sword kept getting faster and faster! I just couldn't keep up with Song of Jade Heaven."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st̃^I[" face="fR" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u܂̈ӏ̂Áv<k>
"That was your own creation?"

<BOX TYPE=0>
//yȂɌ鑢w̐[͒mĂA
//ɂ<R ALT="^I["></R>B<k>
  Taoluo was aware of his sister's deep knowledge of dance and music, but had not imagined that she had reached this level of skill.

<bustup name="st̃^I[" face="" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uccf炵B
//ĂƂ̖ȂƂ΂ccv<k>
"It was magnificent. I was sure that it had to be a famous piece."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stlC[ʏ" face="ɂ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uĂĉɂoȂBv<k>
"Flattery won't get you anything," she replies with a cheerful smile.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stlC[ʏ" face="D΂" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//N炩ɏ΂ĂAӂ<R ALT="C["></R>͖ʑ،hɉ߂B<k>
  Her expression then changes to one of awe.

<BOX TYPE=2>
//uȂ̂AZl̍Ō̌̕
//قǕBῂācc
//Ǝv炢v<k>
"Besides, your last technique was far more impressive. So fast and bright...... It was like a bolt of lightning."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st̃^I[" face="ڐO" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u͂ȁcc񂾁v<k>
"That? ......That was a failure."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//̎^ɁA<R ALT="^I["></R>͜΂ƂƂɖڂ炷B<k>
  Taoluo looks away, answering his sister's praise with a smirk of self-derision.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st̃^I[" face="ڕ" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uÂ͎ȂB̐gɕĂȂA܂͂ȂZ`邱Ƃccv<k>
"No matter how I try, I can never reach it. I have devoted myself to the sword, but still there remain secrets I have yet to uncover......"

<BOX TYPE=0>
//Ȃ̖}v̊vсA<R ALT="^I["></R>͂ēՓVȟZq<R ALT="z[W">R</R>̍˔\Ɏi݂A]B
//قǂ̌A`̂߂Ƃ͂V̍˂̂Ă𓾂ȂȂƂ́ccÂ^Ƃ͔ɉ^Ԃ̂炵B<k>
  Whenever he is reminded of his own meager ability, he cannot help but feel a respect bordering on jealousy for the genius of Haojun, the man who was once his elder disciple in the Daitian School.

  That such an extraordinary man was forced to throw away his Heaven-granted talent for the sake of loyalty...... Fate always seems to have a penchant for irony.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stlC[ʏ" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uāAȂɂ[́Hv<k>
"Is the sword really so profound?"

<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="C["></R>̐ȂA<R ALT="^I["></R>͎Ƃ߂B<k>
  Taoluo's keen hearing picks up Ruili's whispered words.

<bgm src="M02" mode="fadeout" time="5" option="Loop">
//Ɩߎɘbyׂ΁A܂<R ALT="C["></R>DB
//SD́AɋC𐮗łĂȂ̂B
//̋𖱂߂Z̐ƂɂāB<k>

//cł悤ɁA<R ALT="^I["></R>܂EƂ̒jqB
//ւ荂_̈łB<k>
  Whenever the topic turns to his duty, she always shows this same sorrowful expression. His gentle sister still has not come to terms with her brother's position as the Society's assassin.

  But like his father and grandfather before him, Taoluo is a son of the Kong family and a proud member of the Qingyun Society.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st̃^I[" face="fR" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uȂ<R ALT="C["></R>ccv<k>

//u͕s˂̊ȂǁA<R ALT="ǂ">v`</R>â̌ccOSĂ邾낤H@_̑V́v<k>
"Listen, Ruili......"

"Though the sword may be a thing of evil luck, it is the purpose of the righteous blade to cut down the unjust."

"You know the great burden that we of the Qingyun Society shoulder, don't you?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stlC[ʏ" face="ӂ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uccv<k>
"......"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st̃^I[" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//usł͂܂܂Ȃʂ̂l̐BʋƂ̂͂BlɈl̉ccZpĂȁv<k>
"The world of men cannot be changed by reason and compassion alone. There are times when foul deeds cannot be avoided."

"I am the one man in a thousand who must commit those sins, but...... do not be ashamed of your brother."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stlC[ʏ" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uāccv<k>
"Even I......"

<BOX TYPE=0>
//v̏낤ƂāA<R ALT="C["></R>͌B<k>
  Ruili stops herself from blurting out everything that is in her heart.

<bustup name="stlC[ʏ" face="ӂ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uccāAĂ܂BłEƂɐ܂ꂽgł́Bǁccv<k>
"......Believe me, I understand. Even I am a scion of the House of Kong, after all. It's just......"

<bgm src="M05" mode="fadein" time="5" option="Loop">
<bustup name="stlC[ʏ" face="" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//uǁccƂǂv́BZl̐S̒ɁȂɂ͉ЂƂȂȂĂ܂񂶂ȂAāv<k>
"It's just that...... sometimes I worry. What if one day, there is nothing left in your heart but the sword?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st̃^I[" face="fR" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u<R ALT="C["></R>ccv<k>
"Ruili......"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stlC[ʏ" face="" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//ủ~̓̂ƂAA҂̂ƂAYāccǂ̓͂ȂꏊɍsĂ܂Łv<k>
"I fear that you will forget everything - this peach garden, that I await your return - and vanish to some place were I cannot reach you."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st̃^I[" face="fR" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//AB<k>

//n̉AԂ茌̔򖗂𗁂тXB
//xC蔲悤ƁA̐Ƃɖ߂<R ALT="C["></R>B
//̓ς炸DȀΊ炪}ĂB<k>

//v΂<R ALT="^I["></R>́AhĐS̋ύtۂĂꂽB
//|VŎxقǁAނ̐_͋Ղł͂ȂB<k>

//܂ŋƂߍȖ߂ʂĂ̂A
//Sɖ̖ʉe𗯂߂Ă΂AȂ̂B<k>
  How can he respond?

  Taoluo's days are spent evading the blades and bathing in the blood of his foes. Yet no matter how many times he must fight through the jaws of Hell, he can always find Ruili waiting for him at the house of their birth. Her ever-kind smile is always there to greet his return.

  This knowledge is the only thing that allows him to maintain the balance of his soul. Taoluo's will is not so strong that it can be supported by duty and virtue alone.

  It is by keeping the image of his sister in his heart that he has been able to fulfill the brutal role of assassin until today.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stlC[ʏ" face="" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uZĺA
//Ȃ񂾂^ācc|v<k>
"When you wield the sword, you're so very intense...... It frightens me."

<bustup name="stlC[ʏ" face="D΂" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//ATȋC𕥂ƂĂA<R ALT="C["></R>͂܂ΊB<k>
  Ruili smiles again, perhaps trying to dispel the gloomy atmosphere.

<BOX TYPE=2>
//uǍ̓̊łA
//̖̂ƂzĂꂽȁccāv<k>
"I just thought that if you could spare your sister the tiniest fraction of that devotion...... That's all."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//̐SɊÂāA<R ALT="^I["></R>͏΂ԂĂ̏𗬂ƂłB
//ɂ́Aޏ̖ɑUΊ̌łA
//܂ɂɂ܂B<k>
  Taoluo could return her smile and accept the invitation to let this topic go, but for the heart-wrenching stiffness of it, so obviously forced.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st̃^I[" face="ڐO" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//ȂƂ͂ȂAɂċтB
//ƂŁA<R ALT="C["></R>͈ɏ΂낤B
//v̏`悤ɂA<R ALT="^I["></R>̌t͂܂<R ALT=""></R>B<k>

//ȂȓɌāA<R ALT="C["></R>߂܂Ă܂̂H
//ƂʂȓɁAޏzCm炵߂āA
//`ɂē`āÂ߂<R ALT="^I["></R>͒
//Y܂ĂƂ̂ɁB<k>
  He wants nothing more than to cry out in his defense, to insist that she is wrong about him. He knows, though, that a sorrowful smile will be her only response. Taoluo lacks the eloquence needed to communicate his feelings to her.

  Why did he have to upset Ruili today, of all days? This was supposed to be a special occasion, for which he has struggled since morning for a way to show how much he cares for her.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st̃^I[" face="" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u<R ALT="C["></R>Aڂ҂Ăv<k>
"Ruili, close your eyes for me."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stlC[ʏ" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uccHv<k>
"......?"

<clear>
<background src="B__01">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//X閅̊ɁA<R ALT="^I["></R>͂ƏYāA
//L킳ق낳B<k>
  His sister looks askance at him, but Taoluo puts his hand over her eyes and gently shuts them.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st̃^I[" face="" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uccoāv<k>
"......Hold out your hand."

<clear>
<background src="ev_x07">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//邪܂܁A݂ȂɍoꂽׂB
//<R ALT="^I["></R>͉܂A炸ƌgĂY݂̎cc
//̂߂ɏoA̘rւ肾B<k>

//ǂ̍vāAǂȌtƂƂɑ΂̂cc
//ɖĂ͕΂ȂB
//A̍قUĂꍇł͂ȂB
//ȕ<R ALT="C["></R>QȂ߂́Â߂̑蕨Ȃ̂B<k>

//ЂƎɐGꂽGB
  She follows his instructions, holding out her slender wrist as though she has nothing better to do. Taoluo reaches into the breast of his shirt and withdraws the cause of his headache - the silver bracelet that he had specially made for today.

  With what timing should he give it to her, and with what words? In the end, he never came up with a good plan, but now is not the time to be worrying about presentation. The purpose of this gift is to <I>keep</I> Ruili from grieving, after all.

  At the sudden sensation of something cold against her wrist, Ruili pulls her hand back in surprise.<se src="SE_01_02" mode="on" option="single"> The bell rings out, clear and beautiful.

//<R ALT="C["></R>ނƁAAƗ̗邪B<k>

<background src="B__01">
<bustup name="stlC[ʏ" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//ucc!?v<k>
"......!?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st̃^I[" face="" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uaA߂łƂv<k>
"Happy birthday."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="ڂƂ">pc</R><R ALT="^I["></R>́A܂ő蕨ȂǂƂȂB
//ނcq̍<R ALT="C["></R>Ɋߋ𔃂^̂Ƃ͖󂪈ႤB
//ȂƂAǂ菇̂AǂȌt̂A
//ĂŌȂB<k>
  Being naturally unsophisticated, Taoluo has never given her a present before now. This is nothing like the toys he used to buy for her when she was a child. He has not the slightest idea what to do or say in this situation.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st̃^I[" face="ڐO" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//úccCɓĂꂽAv<k>
"Um...... I hope you like it."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//ǂČȂ̌́AȎ䎌oĂȂ̂H
//Ԃp炤OɁẢȂȂ̖A
//<R ALT="^I["></R>ɂ͉䖝ȂȂB<k>

//ނwl̈ɒ҂ɏƂA
//lȂ킯ł͂ȂB
//A͂ŎߑRƂȂBȂ̋UʐS`̂ɁA
//ľt؂Ă̂̂cc<k>
  Why is everything he says always so banal? Taoluo curses his oafish self, unable to behave with refinement even towards this purest of maidens.

  He considered begging the advice of someone skilled in the treatment of ladies, of course, but decided against it. It just did not seem right to borrow another's words to express his true feelings.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stlC[ʏ" face="" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//ĂɈ킸A͕ŜĂŎ̘rւ𒭂߂ĂB
//Ƃ߂ǂȂ<R ALT="^I["></R>̋ɗNオsB<k>
  As expected, his sister is still staring in shock at the bracelet on her arm. Taoluo feels panic quickly rising within him.

<clear>
<background src="ev_x07">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//ӏD݂ɍȂH
//d傫ς킵H
//vΔޏ̘rւȂǐgɂĂȂB
//I舂BȂ́AՂeƂ͂ƎזɂȂB<k>
  Is the design not to her liking? Is is too big or heavy for her? In retrospect, he has never seen her wearing a metal bracelet before. How foolish of him. He should have realized that it would get in the way of her playing the <I>guzheng</I>.

<clear>
<background src="B__01">
<bustup name="st̃^I[" face="fR" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uccς܂B́ccv<k>
"......Sorry. I didn't, you know......"

<clear>
<background src="B__01">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//lт錾tɂ<R ALT="^I["></R>ɁA
//<R ALT="C["></R>͍QĂ悤ɂԂUB<k>
  Unable to even apologize properly, Taoluo is nonetheless spared when Ruili cuts him off with a vigorous shake of her head.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stlC[ʏ" face="" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//ucc߂ȂB́A
//܂ɊAccv<k>
"Wait...... I'm sorry. I was just so happy that I......"

<BOX TYPE=0>
//CȂڌɐGwŁAݏo܂@lqɁA
//<R ALT="^I["></R>͂rɕ邵ȂB
//ߒQ̐Sɂ͏Ί킹Ačx͗܂Ȃ
//тɂAƂ̖dsvcɁB<k>
   She raises a hand to her eyes, smoothly wiping away the tears that have appeared there. Taoluo can only look on in amazement, wondering at the mysterious nature of young women that they can smile even in sadness, and speak of joy through tears.

<clear>
<background src="ev_r24">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

<BOX TYPE=2>
//u肪ƂAZlB{Ɋv<k>
"Thank you, brother. I love it."

<BOX TYPE=0>
<se src="SE_01_02" mode="on" option="single">
//<R ALT="C["></R>UƁAD悤ɂ܂邪B<k>
  With a light shake of her wrist, she coaxes the bell to ring softly.

<BOX TYPE=2>
//uꂩ́AƈꏏłB
//₵Ȃ񂩂Ȃccv<k>

//u̗邪邽сA
//AZl̂Ǝvo܂v<k>
"I'll treasure it forever. I won't be lonely now."

"Whenever the bell rings, I'll think of you."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="C["></R>AĂь΂݂́cc
//ꂽĤ悤ɐݓnA
//<R ALT="^I["></R>ė~Ɗʂ̏Ί炾B<k>
  This time, when Ruili smiles......<K>
  Bright and pure as the cloudless autumn sky, it is just the smile that Taoluo was hoping for.

<bgm src="M05" mode="fadeout" time="5" option="Loop">
<clear>
<background src="#000000">
<wipe effect="fade" time="30">

<clear>
<bgm src="M07" mode="fadein" time="5" option="Loop">
<background src="B_̏CVOΊ">
<wipe effect="fade" time="20">



//~̖AzƐ񂾈ł̔ޕɂ́AX̓Ƃ킯ῂB<k>
  When viewed through the frigid darkness of a winter night, the lights of the city appear especially bright.

<clear>
<background src="B_ň01">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//̃XXɉBZވňt<R ALT="cFEC[^[">ӈB</R>̐fḮA
//ޕɎWRƋPZfՋ̖iĎꂽB<k>

//ƍ䂩Si]ł鑋Ȃ΁A
//ꂾłlt낤B
//Y]̊񂾎OɁA
//̂قǂɑ傫тp̌QA
//Y̋P݂܂ɎՂĂB<k>
  From the secret clinic of Xie Yida, hidden in the Hongkou slums, one can see the distant lights of the Financial District shining brilliantly against the sky.

  If he had a higher room, one with a view of the whole skyline, he might be able to command a better price. Unfortunately, the glitter of Pudong is blocked out by the ruined buildings that stand defiantly between him and the cold Huangpu river.

<clear>
<background src="B_S[Xg^E_03">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//100Nk̂ɂ́ẢYł悤ɋߑAWA
//ےsȌzւAÕA[EfRwzSB
//]KD}ÓA
//Âǂ̏Č֌łB<k>

//CMX̎ق͂߃TbX[nEXAEs{XȂǁA
//lIlTXlIobN܂œ藐ꂽsȌzŚA
//ss@\̒𑼂ɏC̗jIƂ
//όqWߑA̓킢₦邱Ƃ͂ȂB<k>

//j]ƁAɔԂZfՋ̗Dɂĕ̈ێɂ肪ȂȂsǂ́A̗jVzꋎ邪܂܂ɕuB<k>

//ł͈S̖肩痧肳A
//όq͉Y]VDꂽp]ł́A
//݂肵̉h؂ÂԂ΂łB<k>
  One hundred years ago, the art deco high-rises of the Bund made it what Pudong is today, a magnificent architectural symbol of modern Asia. And as the main port for boat traffic coming down the Yangtze, it was also the gateway to Shanghai in the good old days.

  Even after the central functions of the city moved elsewhere, the hustle and bustle of the Bund did not lessen.

  With its dazzling array of neo-Renaissance and neo-Baroque architecture, embodied in such buildings as the British Consulate, Sassoon House, and the old Bank of China headquarters, it became a major attraction for tourists interested in Shanghai's history.

  But when the financial collapse, hastened by the political favoritism afforded Pudong, made it impossible for the government to maintain its cultural budget, these old buildings, for all their history, were left to rot.

  Now that access is restricted due to safety concerns, tourists can only gaze upon the abandoned ruins from luxury yachts on the Huangpu River, mourning the glory that once was.

<clear>
<wipe effect="fade" time="20">

<background src="B_fÏ02">
<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stcFOX" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

//ʂĂOnSiɁA͂邩Ί݂̉Y̓]ށcc
//Ă⛌̂̕тiA
//<R ALT="cF"></R>͂̂悤ɎrȂ璭߂ĂB<k>

//䂪g̒vm点AȂƋӓIȒ߂낤B<k>
  The dead streets of the Bund spread out before him, the light of Pudong visible on the distant shore...... As always, Xie finds himself struck by melancholy as he takes in the desolate view, drink in hand.

  How symbolic the scene is. It reminds him of his own fall from grace.

<clear>
<background src="B_̏CVOΊ">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//̃WO\[pŶ悤Ɍ`̂т֊s
//ԌԂAޕ̉ỸC~l[V_Ԍ邽тɁA
//<R ALT="cF"></R>͉䂪g̉^̔ɂĎvvɂ͂ȂB<k>

//Ĕނ́Ǎ̒ɐguƂB
//Nm낤B̂ԂꂽVA
//Ă͓d]_ow̌ЂłA
//鮓]ʂ̑l҂ƂĊw킹̐lƂ́B<k>
  Whenever he catches a glimpse of Pudong's shine through the fractured jigsaw puzzle of the empty buildings, Xie cannot help but reflect upon the ironies of fate.

  Once upon a time, he was part of that glow. Who could imagine that this pathetic old man had been hailed as the star of the cybernetics world and the foremost expert on soul transfer?

<clear>
<background src="ev_x08">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//_Ɠ̂̕BLƐi̐lAʎqBli̕
//\ƁȂOɗ͂<R ALT="CXo[">ER</R>Ƃcc
//ȊwjォĂȂقǐsIŁAMB
//̊Ŝ<R ALT="cF"></R>m̂B<k>

//̋ZpɂċϗρA
//\@I͂܂ɂr傾B<k>

//_Ƃ_̐EB
//̍_Ȃʐl͂݁A<R ALT="ق܂"></R>ɂ邱Ƃ̋ЁB
//̐ӂ𕉂ɂ́A܂lނ̎Љ͂܂ɖncc
//f邾̌Aw̎҂ɂ͂B<k>

//eʂ狊eAɂ͊wǕāA<R ALT="cF"></R>Uɂ́g֊hƂ̏d΂ڂꕕ󂳂ꂽB<k>
  Separation of the mind from the body. Digitalization of memory and personality. Duplication of the soul, and the mystery of wraith burn, which makes it impossible......<K> New fields of research bursting with opportunity, more radical than any that had come before, and leading the way into the uncharted land was Doctor Xie.

  Alas, the threat to morality and inevitable legal problems presented by this technology proved too great.

  The terrifying possibility that man would unlock the secrets of the soul, wrest it from the hands of God, and bind it to his will...... With no small humility, the wise scholars judged that the human race was still too immature to take on such responsibility.

  Surrounded by enemies, Xie at last found himself exiled from the academic world, the research to which he had devoted his life branded "anathema" and sealed away.

<clear>
<background src="B_fÏ02">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//ߓ̉h؂Əccł́Ȃ̂炭B
//HnɊl忂ƂmʁA
//C񍇖@TColẗlłȂB<k>
  His former glory has vanished like a dream. Now he is nothing but a poor black market cyber-doctor, one of countless others lurking in the back alleys of Shanghai.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stcFOX" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//gǂl̂̕͘т̂cch<k>
(The grave of a visionary is a lonely place......)

<se src="_00_hARj" mode="on" option="single">
<clear>
<background src="B_ň01">
<wipe effect="noize" time="0">

<BOX TYPE=0>
//JD̑zɐZȂ犚݂߂ÎAsӂ̑łӂB
//ȊEGɂ͑Ȓxɕ⋭Ă͂̔A
//ƂeՂRjAO̒jꂽB<k>

//č𕂂<R ALT="cF"></R>́AN҂̂̕ĎA
//߂č蒼B
//\ʗK҂ł͂Ȃ炾B<k>
  A sudden noise shatters the silence, tearing him from his melancholy thoughts. His front door, though reinforced against the considerable dangers outside, has been kicked down like so much plywood by a man in a black coat.

  Xie leaps up in surprise when the door crashes in, but upon seeing the intruder calms down and reseats himself. This visitor is not unexpected.

<background src="B_fÏ02">
<bustup name="stcFC[^[薳" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uĂї邮炢͂Hv<k>
"I seem to remember installing a doorbell."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//łÂĂ݂͂̂́A
//ʂ鑊łȂ͉̂肫ĂB
//g̔n񂰁AɕԂ茌݂̐jOɁA
//ނ<R ALT="cF"></R>̕ÂُłB<k>

//g[@̚X]ɂ݂݂₦ẮA
//ފOC̗₽AƂj̔EĈB<k>
  His sarcasm is lost on the man in black, not that he expected a response. Faced as he is with an intruder holding a naked blade, sleeve stained with blood, it is Xie's composure that seems the most unnatural.

  Despite the whir of the heating units, the room is growing colder by the second. Is it the chilly night air blowing in through the door, or the frozen malice emanating from the man in black?


<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[" face="{" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//ucc͂ЂƂv<k>
"......I have one question."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//ࣁXƔRoƂ̑OɁAj͍fグB
  Eyes glittering dangerously, the man raises his left hand.<K><se src="SE_01_02" mode="on" option="single"> The sound of a tiny silver bell rings out clear and pure, so very unsuited to this setting.
//Œꂽȗ邪ȀɂʘN炩Ȑ炷B<k>

<BOX TYPE=2>
//u𔄂̂͋MlȁH
//<R ALT="cFEC[^[">ӈB</R>v<k>
"Was it you who sold this, Xie Yida?"

<clear>
<background src="B_fÏ02">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//nȋ׍H̘rցB
//vڂɂĂȂAނ<R ALT="cF"></R>ɂ͌oB<k>
  It has been some time since he last saw the exquisite silver bracelet, but Xie of course recognizes it instantly.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stcF" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u̒ʂBN̔<R ALT="Zb"></R>ɔB
//ݑ̃J^ɂȁv<k>

//uwdx<R ALT="R">E</R>ƏoȂAƍ邾낤ƂĂccv<k>

//u<R ALT="Zb"></R>ɂ͋wɂȂB
//załǂ낤Ɂv<k>
"It was. I sold it to Shi the pawnbroker for the price of a drink."

"I told him he would be able to fetch a high sum for it from Kong the Lightning Palm, but......"

"Looks like it cost him his life. Did you really have to kill him?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[g" face="{" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//ûȂzłAav<k>
"I've cut down a man who committed no sin."

<bustup name="st^I[g" face="{" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//uMĺcca邾ł͍ς܂v<k>
"You, therefore...... will not get off so easily."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stcFC[^[薳" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uN̖̘rւ𔄂AˁHv<k>
"Why, because I sold your sister's bracelet?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[g" face="ς؂Ȃ{" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uƂڂȁIv<k>
"You know why!"

<se src="_03_^ɂȂ" mode="on" option="single">
<clear>
<background src="#ffffff">
<wipe effect="noize" time="0">
<wait time="1">

<background src="B_fÏ02">
<wipe effect="noize" time="0">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//nXAŤ˒I^ɂȂĕꗎB<k>
  His blade howls through the air, splitting a nearby cupboard neatly in two.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[g˂" face="{" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uMl͈Bwqxcc
//l̍𔄂鉺ib!!v<k>
"You are evil, Profane Scalpel...... a demon who deals in souls!"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stcFC[^[薳" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//ӖŌĂ΂āA<R ALT="cF"></R>͗΂Ɍc߂B<k>

//wqxcc܂킵ٖɂ͖󂪂B<k>
  At the sound of his alias, Xie's lips twist into a chilling smile.

  Profane Scalpel...... There is a reason behind this name.

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//č鮗ʎq̌ɂĂ͊SĂ<R ALT="cF"></R>Aނ̊m_R[h̒o@́A팱҂̒Ɋo_oɉߓx̎h^邱Ƃœ]ɔmCYՒfƂ̂B
//}jAꂽ͎AƓ`̓êłB<k>

//́ǵhɂĔA
//邢͔pl팱҂͌₽ȂB<k>

//w̒ǕA
//<R ALT="cF"></R>̖ώɂ߂wSɎ~߂邱Ƃ͂ȂB
//ǂ납h_ƂŖ@ϗ̑ꂽ<R ALT="cF"></R>́AA_[OEhɐg𓊂AXƂĈ̌𑱍ŝłB<k>

//̂̊SAsVs̉\B
//̏ꏊςĂA<R ALT="cF"></R>W]ɖďW҂
//₽ȂB
//҂͎񋟂A
//܂҂͂̂ĝƂčoācc<k>
  When Xie was still the leading authority on soul quantization, the method he established to extract brain data involved deliberately aggravating the subject's pain receptors through the course of the procedure, by which he was able to eliminate the noise that had always corrupted previous copies.

  This technique, which became the standard, was in truth nothing short of torture.

  His test subjects continued to meet with "accidents" that left them insane or crippled.

  Even his banishment from academic society failed to put a stop to Xie's near-fanatical quest for knowledge. Quite the contrary. Now free from the legal and ethical bonds that had come with his fame, Xie happily went underground to continue his demonic research.

  Absolute freedom from the body. The potential for immortality.
  Xie might have changed offices, but there was no shortage of individuals entranced by the possibilities that he hinted at. Some provided capital, while others donated their own bodies to his cause.

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//ƍ߂̗̈ւƑyݍ<R ALT="cF"></R>̐l̎́A
//̍܂<R ALT="傤"></R>̋ɂ݂ɂB
//Aނ]؂JXɂ́wx̖ĂB<k>

//܂鮓]ʂƂZpvʕɉp͂߂̂A
//KCmChɂZbNXYƂłB<k>

//팱҂Ɏ炵߂ȂxɒoǧЁhłAKCmCh̏XNvgɕt`Ő̃ɏނƁA̐l`͌ĉZł͕\łȂglԖho悤ɂȂB̐l`Ƃg̏ƂႤzAꂪꕔ̐|҂ɐȐlC𔎂̂łB<k>

//č鮓]ʂ{ꂽ񍇖@KCmCh́A
//ubN}[PbgŖ@OȉiŎ悤ɂȂA
//VȔƍߎs`͂߂B<k>

//ނň҂͕킵̂́A<R ALT="cF"></R>mm]ʃvZXłB]ʌƂȂ]͑󂯁Aɂ͐낤B̎v𖞂߂ɁATColeBNXZp̕yɂĔpĂ프ƂrWlX`ςĕB̔]̔łB<k>

//lЂƂ̔]󎀂܂łɁA肭s50̈ȏ̃KCmChɍ鮓]ʂ{ƂłBlU̖Aň҂̃{ɏ]҂͐mȂB<k>

//n򒆓Ŏ҂̒ɂ́A󂳂͖̂Ɗ؂āA̔]זE؂蔄肷悤Ȏ荇܂ŌnłB<k>
  It was during this period, when Xie had just taken his first steps into the criminal world, that his ghastly practice reached its peak. Before he knew it, people had christened "Profane" the scalpel with which he opened men's skulls.

  And with the rise of the gynoid porn industry, the technology known as soul copying began to develop in an unexpected direction.

  Even a "soul fragment" too small to kill the source was, when combined with a gynoid's emotional scripts, enough to give the doll a touch of "humanity" that no program could ever emulate. Neither truly doll nor human, such sex slaves became enormously popular among a certain class of deviant.

  These illegal soul-copied gynoids commanded an obscene price on the black market, and thus a new criminal enterprise was born.

  The process used by underground doctors was, of course, a copy of that once pioneered by Doctor Xie. It invariably caused damage to the brain of the source, and at times even threatened her survival.

  To fulfill the demand, the old organ trade, which had fallen on hard times since the rise of cybernetics, was resurrected in a new form - as the provider of fresh brains.

  In the best case scenario, one brain can provide soul data for over fifty gynoids before dying. Sold or kidnapped, countless victims disappeared into the laboratories of black market doctors.

  Eventually, even impoverished drug addicts started selling their brain cells, having reasoned that the damage was no worse than what the drugs would do to them.

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<background src="B_fÏ02">
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//Ȏm邾ɁA؂Ȗwqx̋֘AꋎꂽƒmƂcc<R ALT="^I["></R>̓{Ɛ]͋ɂ܂B<k>
  When Taoluo, aware of these circumstances, learned that his precious sister had been taken to the Profane Scalpel...... his rage and despair must have been inconceivable.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[g" face="{" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uBMl<R ALT="C["></R>ɉHv<k>
"Answer me! What did you do to Ruili?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stcF" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uႢĂĂ͍邪A
//͂܂ň˗ɉ̂Ƃv<k>

//u<R ALT="WEW{E">ɛ</R>A<R ALT="rEC\">k̐M</R>A<R ALT="`EEVI">Λ`</R>A<R ALT="EEBV">Đ</R>A
//ĕˎ<R ALT="EEz[W">R</R>ccv<k>
"Just so we're clear, I merely fulfilled my clients' request."

"Zhang Jiabao, Bin Weixin, Zhu Shaoyan, Ng Wing Shing, and the <I>fu-zhaizhu</I> Liu Haojun......"

<bustup name="stcFC[^[薳" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//u5lÑ̖NjbNɒSłBނ̐l`́gihƂĂˁv<k>
"These five carried your sister into my clinic. They wanted to use her as doll parts, you see."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[g" face="{" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uR!!v<k>
"You lie!!" Taoluo roars, practically spitting blood.

<bustup name="st^I[g" face="ϖ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//f΂<R ALT="^I["></R>͋񂾁B<k>

<BOX TYPE=2>
//u<R ALT="z[W">R</R>cc
//zȂƂ󂪂ȂI
//́ccv<k>
"Haojun wouldn't...... He wouldn't do that! Not him......"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stcF" face="ɂ" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u}JIŒNɎaꂽA
//܂Yꂽ킯ł͂܂Hv<k>
"Surely you haven't forgotten who cut you down in Macao."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[g" face="{" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uccb!!v<k>
"......!!"

<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="^I["></R>̐ĝh炮B
//<R ALT="cF"></R>Oɂĉ{A
//Ȃd̂]ɋr̗͂Dꂽ̂B<k>
  Taoluo staggers, borne down by a weight of despair far greater than his anger towards Xie.

<bustup name="st^I[g" face="ϖ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//ucćAmĂHv<k>
"......How do you know about that?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stcFC[^[薳" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u猾ł͂ȂB
//<R ALT="EEz[W">R</R>ɗƁB
//ނ̌璼Xɕv<k>
"Like I said, Liu Haojun was here. He told me himself."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[g" face="fR" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uRccv<k>
"It can't be......"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//ǦłāA<R ALT="^I["></R>͘낢܂܏ꂽB<k>
  Taoluo falls limply to his knees, his head hanging in disbelief.

<BOX TYPE=2>
//uȔnȁccRccv<k>
"No...... Impossible......!"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stcFC[^[薳" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uAłȂ<R ALT="EEz[W">R</R>̌v炢v<k>
"Actually, I'm afraid the whole thing was Liu Haojun's plan."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//̂Ă<R ALT="^I["></R>OɁA<R ALT="cF"></R>͂܂ŗRƌB<k>
  Despite Taoluo's obvious shock, Xie's tone remains utterly dispassionate.

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uȂ΂傻ꂽƂ͂łB
//ł́Äň҂ƕςȂv<k>
"I wouldn't be able to do something this grandiose otherwise. I'm no different than any other black market doctor now, after all."

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<background src="B_fÏ02">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//TCo[|mƊEɉāAɂ߂Ęc񂾌`Ƃ͂vƋo鮓]ʂ̃eNmW[B
//̈ŁA<R ALT="cF"></R>̖{̉ۑł鍰̕A
//]ʕۑƂ͑܏Hɓ˂ĂB<k>

//팱҂̔]זEj󂷂<R ALT="CXo[">ER</R>A]ɔn̋Ɂcc
//2_ɂẮA𖾂̎猩ȂB<k>

//s߁A<R ALT="cF"></R>Ɋ҂X|T[Apl̊댯`Ă܂Ő_̓]}A₪ē̂̋@BƔ]̂̂̉uɊ҂o悤ɂȂĂB<k>

//āwqx̓Ŗ炵]A㌩l͖̒ڂ𕢂΂łB
//ł͂đ̈ň҂XAKCmCh̔񍇖@ŌЌ𗽂łLlB<k>

//Vӂ͍鮂̕ċA
//܂l̍Ałт^̓̂𗣂Ċς悤Ƃ鎎݂Â낤B<k>
  Twisted though it was, a lucrative market had been found for soul-copying in the cyberporno industry. At the same time, however, Xie's original research - namely the duplication and preservation of the soul - suddenly found itself at a dead end.

  Wraith burn, which destroys the subject's brain, and the hellish torment that accompanies the transfer...... These two problems were nowhere close to being solved.

  Even Xie's sponsors, who had pinned their dreams of immortality on him, were unwilling to transfer their minds at the risk of becoming vegetables. They chose instead to place their hopes in cyborg bodies and treatments to prolong the life of the brain itself.

  Absent his wealthy backers, the Profane Scalpel's fall from favor was swift and sure. Now he is just another black market doctor, doing illegal modifications on gynoids to eke out a living.

  Heaven has forbidden the duplication of the soul. Perhaps he is also being punished for seeking a way to preserve the soul from the fated death of the body.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stcF" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uWL[̑΂cc܂邲ƈl̎ɓ@Ȃǂ͂Ȃv<k>
"Day in and day out, I deal with nothing but junkies...... I never had a chance to acquire a whole specimen for my experiments."

<bustup name="stcFC[^[薳" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//uȐ܁Am̗FlUv<k>

//uƂ鏭₵B_̉܂œOIɁccΒxǂ̋@ł͂ȂAƂˁv<k>

//uȂB́v<k>
"And then, out of the blue, I get a call from an old friend."

"He wants to torture a certain girl, he says, torture her until her mind breaks...... and wouldn't I like to be there to take advantage of the opportunity?"

"I agreed without a second thought."

<bustup name="stcF" face="ɂ" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//uoACvƂ̂͑̍IȂ̂v<k>

//u_onɗ^鑹͍ŏA߂č_IXgX𔭐AŏIIɂ͎⊴FƕfNv<k>

//ulłȂgmhƂĈ邱Ƃecc_ԂA]ʂɂ͗zIłˁv<k>
"In my experience, rape is more efficient than regular torture."

"It does minimal damage to the nervous system while causing extreme mental stress. Ultimately, subjects lose connection with identity and emotion."

"They accept being treated not as people, but as things...... This mental state is ideal for the transfer."

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<background src="B_fÏ02">
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<BOX TYPE=0>
//Ö꓁gČꂽ<R ALT="^I["></R>OɂāA
//<R ALT="cF"></R>̂ӂȕِ͈ӂ钧ȊỎłȂB
//x͕G܂<R ALT="^I["></R>AĂы̓{Ăъo܂B<k>
  Taoluo has come bearing the blade of vengeance. Xie's self-satisfied tone is nothing less than a malicious attempt to court his ire. Mad fury rises again within him, pushing back the despair that brought him to his knees.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[g" face="ϖ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uccŁA<R ALT="C["></R>͎񂾂񂾂ȁHv<k>
"......Ruili died here, didn't she?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stcFC[^[薳" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uǔʁA3ԂŔ]gv͒قB
//ŇƂ́ÂƂHv<k>
"As a result of the transfer, her brainwaves went silent in three hours. Is that the death you mean?"

<se src="Q˂" mode="on" option="single">
<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[g" face="ς؂Ȃ{" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//ɗ͂邠܂Ag݂ɐkB
//n̗₽ˌÂɂ炿Ɩcc
//<R ALT="^I["></R>̑oƂ́AȂĂB<k>
  Taoluo clenches his sword's grip with such strength that the blade begins to tremble, light reflected from its cold steel dancing about the dim room. His eyes, however...... grow as cold as the grave.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stcFC[^[薳" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//Ȋ፷󂯎~߂ĂȂA<R ALT="cF"></R>̊ɋ|̐F͂ȂB<k>
  Xie meets him stare for stare, yet shows not the slightest fear.

<BOX TYPE=3>
//u{pƂA
//N͊Ԃׂ񂾂Hv<k>
"You know, you should be glad that I was the one who did the operation."

<bustup name="stcFC[^[薳" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//uA
//鮓]ʂ𐿂ň҂͂܂Ƃv<k>

//uȎ荇ɂĂ΁Aޏ100stȏu󂯂Ă낤v<k>
"These days, just about any back-alley doctor will do a soul transfer."

"If she'd been taken to one of them, she no doubt would have gotten a one hundred-percent irreversible procedure."

<bustup name="stcF" face="ɂ" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//u̓_A̎́cc
//ޏ̑hژ_ނ̂v<k>
"My experiment, on the other hand...... provided for her restoration."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[g" face="{" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uccHv<k>
"......What?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stcFC[^[薳" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uN̖͐Ăv<k>

//uޏ͓̂ł񂾂A
//̍ς̂Ɓv<k>
"Your sister is alive."

"Although her body has been destroyed, her soul has simply changed vessels."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[g" face="{" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//ul`̃vOɍւāAcc!?v<k>
"You mean she's been turned into dolls!"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stcF" face="ɂ" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//΂łԂU<R ALT="cF"></R>̎d́A
//q̓ۂݍ݂̈Qt̂悤B<k>
  Xie shakes his head with a rueful smile, like a teacher lamenting the ignorance of his student.

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uႦ΁AB
//_𐅂̂悤Ȃ̂Ɖ肵Ă݂悤v<k>

//ur̒̐5̔tɋݕāAꂩʂ̕rɏWߒBccŏ̕rƐVrƁA͓̐̂Ȃ̂ۂHv<k>

//u_ɑ΂鏜ZƉZB͂ăvX}CiX̓[ɂȂ̂ccv<k>
"Consider this. Suppose that the mind is like a bottle of water."

"You pour the water into five cups, then pour those five cups into a different bottle. Is the water in the new bottle the same as the water in the old bottle, or not?"

"Simple division and addition, applied to the mind. The question is whether or not they balance out."

<bustup name="stcFC[^[薳" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//u<R ALT="CXo[">ER</R>̉𖾂ɂ͌qȂA
//ƍ̗ʎqƂ_ł́A
//[݂ɂȂv<k>
"This experiment has nothing to do with my wraith burn research. As it relates to the quantization of the soul, however, it is most interesting."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//Xƌ<R ALT="cF"></R>̌꒲́AڑOɂl̂ł͂ȂB
//ُ̈Ȃ܂ł̎M<R ALT="Ԃ">b</R>SA
//<R ALT="^I["></R>̎EӂՊE_̎Ԃŗ܂点ĂB<k>
  Xie's tone is much too calm for a man who watched someone die right before eyes. The otherworldly confidence that shows through his words only serves to bring Taoluo's murderous rage closer to the breaking point.

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uN̖̔]́A
//̓ezoĉ󎀂v<k>

//u͎̍ꂽ킯ł͂ȂB
//fAꏊςĕۑĂv<k>

//uČāA
//Ƃ<R ALT="REC[">E</R>ĐłƂcc
//ǂˁHv<k>
"Your sister's brain was drained of its entire contents and died."

"However, her soul is not lost. It has been divided into parts, each of which is being kept in a different place."

"If it were possible to piece them together again, to restore Kong Ruili to her original self...... what would you do?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[g" face="fR" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uccôHv<k>
"......Can it be done?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stcF" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uv<k>

//u낤H@ƁB
//_͂ꂩov<k>
"I don't know."

"I said this was an experiment, didn't I? The conclusion is yet to be written."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stcFC[^[薳" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uA̗_ƋZpM̂Ȃcc
//N͎Ɋӂ邾낤B̉lƂĂˁv<k>
"If, however, you can trust my theories and skill...... then you will surely hail me as your sister's savior."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//ْ[Ȋw<R ALT="cFEC[^[">ӈB</R>̓`́A<R ALT="^I["></R>mĂB
//lԂ̐_]Ƃ͈Ⴄ}̂Ɉڂcc
//ꂱނ̖ڎwŏIڕWB<k>
  Taoluo has heard the legends of the mad scientist Xie Yida. To transfer the human mind to a vessel other than the brain - <I>that</I> is his final objective.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stcF" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u̎A
//NCAgBɂ͖łƂv<k>

//uނƂẮACv鏭̐_
//]ʂłZtKvB
//̎vfȂǋȂ낤v<k>
"I performed this experiment without the permission of my clients."

"All they needed was someone to transfer the soul of a girl after they raped her. They couldn't care less about my plans."

<bustup name="stcFC[^[薳" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//uƂ͂A͐_̊B
//ȘATvĉȂǁA
//̘Vɂ͍v<k>

//uꂪłX^btقxceȂB
//Ă̒ʂ̕nR炵łˁv<k>
"That said, they are officers of the Qingyun Society. I'm far too old to go retrieving the samples from them."

"Nor do I have the luxury of hiring staff to do it for me. As you can see, I'm living a frugal life."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stcFC[^[薳" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uŎ́AIȋ͎҂̂
//҂ƂɂB
//lAS肪ȁv<k>

//uN̐́AȂ̏ԂŒ͂łB͂̏Cɕ߂Ɠłv<k>

//ucc܂1N҂Ƃ
//vȂˁv<k>
"So I decided to wait for a volunteer to show up. I had an idea where I could find one, you see."

"I'd learned of your survival through my own sources. It seemed inevitable that you would return to Shanghai eventually."

"......I didn't expect to have to wait a whole year, though."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[g" face="{" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//y῝<R ALT="^I["></R>PB
//{AAāccقǂəRA]B<k>

//ǂ܂ł^Ȃ̂B
//ǂ܂łCȂ̂cc<R ALT="cF"></R>Ƃj̓̒́B<k>
  A wave of dizziness washes over Taoluo.
  Anger, confusion...... and hope, so fleeting as to be absurd.

  How much is true? How sane is this man Xie, really?

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[g" face="ϖ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uɁAMl̑ɂȂƁHv<k>
"You want me to be your errand boy?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stcFC[^[薳" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uN͖̋w镠悤A
//Ԃ͂܂Ŏ̂Ă̂ł͂Ȃv<k>

//uAނւĒQׂȁH
//́gޏh̋l΁v<k>

//u5ꂽŃ̖A
//Ă鍡ԂݕɂȂ葱ĂB
//ޏJ߂҂̎苖łˁv<k>

//uЂƂn̋RmɂłȂāA
//ޏ~oĂ݂Ă͂ǂˁHv<k>
"I imagine you intended to take revenge for your sister, but things are not so bleak as that."

"Actually, they might be even worse, when you think about the situation your 'sisters' are in."

"As we speak, the five pieces of her are still being used as playthings. By the very people who defiled her, no less."

"Why not play the white knight and save them from their tormentors?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[g" face="{" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uMlccv<k>
"You fiend......"

<BOX TYPE=0>
//VȊw҂̗_؂łقǂ̒m<R ALT="^I["></R>ɂȂB
//ނނ̔|ĂmƁAĂɔɂ́A
//łȂؕ|ĂB<k>
  Taoluo lacks the knowledge to challenge the viability of the old scientist's hypothesis. Indeed the depth of Xie's expertise and the infamy it has brought him fill Taoluo with not only loathing, but awe.

<bustup name="st^I[g" face="ϖ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//ہccVȊw҂̌ťf𐢖ƂĈRɂ́A
//܂ɂ<R ALT="^I["></R>͎ォB
//<R ALT="C["></R>̎ے肷錾tȂAǂȋYłMcc
//肤ŠB<k>

//ȂAVȊw҂̌ťf
//܂܂Ɠۂݍ܂Ă邱ƂoĂ<R ALT="^I["></R>́A
//{̐Ԃ邵ɂȂB<k>
  Moreover...... Taoluo is far too weak to dismiss the doctor's words as the delusions of a madman. If it will deny Ruili's death, he is willing to believe any fantasy - and this desire has made him vulnerable.

  Realizing that he is being drawn into the web of Xie's words, Taoluo can do naught but revile him with fury in his voice.

<bustup name="st^I[g" face="{" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uMl͐l̖cc
//AƎvĂcc!?v<k>
"For what do you take people's lives...... people's souls!?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stcFC[^[薳" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uāAƎvׂȂ̂v<k>
"Yes, what indeed."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="^I["></R>̓{CWɎ󂯗āAwqx͌␂߂B<k>
  The Profane Scalpel shrugs, easily brushing aside Taoluo's anger.

<bustup name="stcF" face="ɂ" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u̖₢̓ǂ߂āA
//͈ꐶU₵ĂB
//cc̉ʂĂÃU}v<k>
"My entire life has been spent in pursuit of the answer to that very question. And you can see where it's gotten me."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//CӂɘrUāAꂫ̗Ll<R ALT="cF"></R>̌ɂ́A
//}̏΂݂ĂB<k>
  Xie indicates the cluttered room with a lazy wave of his arm, a smile of self-mockery on his lips.

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uāAԎ𕷂ĂȂH
//N҂bオ̂ǂv<k>

//ȕ͖[AĂB
//Ƃ͌N̈ꑶ悾v<k>
"Now then, may I have your answer? I'd like to know that I haven't waited in vain."

"My preparations are complete. All that remains is for you to decide."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[g" face="{" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uccv<k>
"......"

<se src="Q˂" mode="on" option="single">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//͂̌Ɉ肵߂<R ALT="^I["></R>̎̒ŁA`̕aށB<k>
  The <I>wo dao</I>'s grip clenched in Taoluo's rage-whitened knuckles gives off a faint groan.

<bustup name="st^I[g" face="ϖ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//̌Łcc
//c炸aĎ̂Ă镠B
//ẃwqxł͂ȂB
//ނ𗠐؂<R ALT="z[W">R</R>B<R ALT="C["></R>J߂傽Blc炸̑SB<k>

//AEƂȂΎc炸SB
//̐mȂANɎn悤
//ɂӖ͂ȂB<k>
  With this sword, he is prepared to cut them all down. The Profane Scalpel is not his only enemy. Haojun who betrayed him, the officers who raped Ruili - every last one of them will fall to his blade.

  Of course. As long as he intends to kill all of them, the order matters little.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[g" face="ڕ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u낤ccv<k>
"Very well......"

<se src="a_Ɏ߂" mode="on" option="single">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//EřꂭƁA<R ALT="^I["></R>͔g̘`Ɏ߂B<k>
  With a low growl, Taoluo returns his <I>wo dao</I> to its sheath.

<BOX TYPE=2>
//uMľƂA
//܂͛̓z炩ɁAv<k>
"I'll do as you say. I'll hunt the Society members first."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//傽SՂɏグAÃKCmChc炸
//Ă݂΁A<R ALT="cF"></R>̌ɂ͗B
//̒jǂ邩́Aꂩ猈߂Ăx͂ȂB<k>

//<R ALT="^I["></R>͋ƂāA̐lԂĂBȌȂ
//Ɉ˂ȂA̘VȊw҂͓B͂ȂB
//ِ̕Â߂̂̂ł͂ȂB
//̒j͖{<R ALT="C["></R>h点cc
//́AȖϑzɜ߂ꂽlB<k>

//邱ĒTo悤ɁA
//܂eՂɋꏊ͂߂邾낤B
//ŎEƂƂ͂ȂB<k>
  After he has slaughtered the officers and recovered their gynoids, the veracity of Xie's words will be made clear. It will not be too late to decide the doctor's fate then.

  As the Society's assassin, Taoluo has hunted countless men. His instincts tell him that this old scientist will not run or hide. Xie's claims were not made to buy time. He truly intends to resurrect Ruili...... or is a madman who believes that he can.

  Just as he did tonight, he can easily find the doctor again. Even if he spares him now, Xie will not get away.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stcFC[^[薳" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u܂肾ȁv<k>
"Then we have a deal."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//悤Ɏł炵A<R ALT="cF"></R>͉S̏ΊB
//ȏΊŎɗՂވt΁A
//ǂȊ҂łgĐgC邾낤B
//̃t@EXgƖ񂾈A
//邢͂ȊĂȂB<k>
  Xie claps his hands once in celebration, a satisfied grin on his face. With a smile like this, no doubt even the most anxious patient would be happy to go under his knife. Perhaps Faust's Demon wore a similar expression when he made his bargain.

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uł͌NɁAâv<k>
"Now that that's settled, I have something for you."

<clear>
<background src="#000000">
<wipe effect="fade" time="30">

<clear>
<background src="ev_r21">
<wipe effect="fade" time="20">



<BOX TYPE=2>
//ucc́Hv<k>
"......What is this?"

<BOX TYPE=3>
//u̓̂߂ɗpӂĂA
//ʂȃKCmChBAčsv<k>
"A special gynoid that I prepared for this day. Take it with you."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//KCmChBÅXɌJo΂łڂɂߋB
//<R ALT="^I["></R>猩Β_̑鈫B<k>
  Gynoids. These days, you see these sex toys wherever you look around the city at night. It makes Taoluo's skin crawl to imagine what people do with them.

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uꎩgɕĂǂAזȂgNɂłl߂ĎΗǂ낤BvėcN^ɂv<k>
"You can have it follow you if you like, or stuff it in a suitcase if it gets in the way. That's why I made it child-sized."

<BOX TYPE=2>
//uAǂƁHv<k>
"What am I supposed to do with this?"

<BOX TYPE=3>
//u̚gbŌƂ
//gVrhv<k>
"It's the 'new bottle' that I spoke of earlier."

<se src="SE_C[N" mode="on" option="single">
<clear>
<background src="ev_r22">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//ĂAقǉi炭uĂ̂낤B
//N@Bd|̏NƁA
//O甖U藎B<k>
  The mechanical girl must have been left lying here for some time. When she activates and sits up, a thin layer of dust falls from her hair.

<background src="B_fÏ02">
<bustup name="stcFC[^[薳" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u̐l`̃ɂ͓̃[eBeBCXg[Ăv<k>

//ughݕςA킷cc
//鮓]ʂƍČ̃vOv<k>

//u傽ɑKCmCh烁̓ezoÃf[^ƌv<k>

//uN͂̐l`̃ɁA5̂̃KCmCh̍鮂Ђ[]ʂĂ΂v<k>
"This doll's memory has a unique utility installed."

"A program to take 'water' and mix it together...... In other words, to reconstitute a transferred soul."

"If you connect it to one of the gynoids I gave to the officers, it'll drain its memory and merge it with the data you've already collected."

"All you have to do is transfer the soul data from all five of the gynoids to this one's memory."

<bustup name="stcF" face="ɂ" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//u5̕Ƃcc
//Ń̖A̐l`̒ɕv<k>

//uޏ͐̔]lH]ւ100̈ڍsʂAŏ̐lނɂȂ邾낤v<k>
"When all five pieces have been gathered...... you sister will be restored within this doll."

"She will become the first human to achieve a one hundred percent transfer from a living to an artificial brain."

<clear>
<background src="B_fÏ02">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="cF"></R>̌ɁA<R ALT="^I["></R>͋󋰂낵̂B<k>
  Something in Xie's words fills Taoluo with a vague sense of fear.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="fR" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u<R ALT="C["></R>ʂɂȂǂA
//ǂĊm߂Hv<k>
"How will I be sure that Ruili has returned to normal?"

<BOX TYPE=0>
//Ƃl̍̎ʂȂǁAPʂŌv̂ł͂ȂB
//ЂƂш􂩂ꂽ<R ALT="C["></R>̍鮂񂹏W߂āA
//ꂪߕsȂ̂ƂǂČ̂H<k>
  After all, the quantity and quality of the human soul cannot be measured by any means. After being torn apart and then stitched back together, how can he say for certain that Ruili will come out whole?

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stcF" face="ɂ" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uꂱ̎̏œ_v<k>

//uς<R ALT="REC[">E</R>̍A
//ʂ<R ALT="REC[">E</R>̐lƌ邩ۂccv<k>

//ul̓ełNɂf
//ł܂B炱NI񂾂̂v<k>
"That is the crux of this experiment."

"Having changed vessels, is the soul of Kong Ruili truly the same Kong Ruili, or not......"

"Only you, her sole relative, can make this judgment. Which is precisely why I chose you."

<bustup name="stcFC[^[薳" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//uׂĂIAЂƂN̎ς
//ĂقB̐l`̒ɂ鍰A
//{ɌN̒m閅ǂv<k>
"Once everything is finished, I would like very much to hear your opinion on whether or not the soul inside this doll is really your sister."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="fR" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uccv<k>
"......"

<BOX TYPE=0>
//ÁwqxƂāA킹Ă킯ł͂ȂB
//ގg̓߂āA
//ȏꖖɂ܂ŗ뗎Ă̂B<k>
  Even the Profane Scalpel himself does not possess the answer. Indeed it was the pursuit of this very secret that led to his downfall.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stC[苹" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//xbh~ėオcN^KCmCh́A
//󋕂Ȋ፷҂<R ALT="^I["></R>ɐĂB
//I[i[ƂĔFlqA
//ȏ̋[͈،ȂB<k>

//<R ALT="cF"></R>̌ƂA{Ɂg̕rh
//cc{ñhCoȊO͉ĂȂ炵B<k>
  Having gotten out of bed, the girl-doll affixes Taoluo with her blank stare. She appears to have recognized him as her owner, but shows no other behavior.

  She really is an "empty bottle," just like Xie said. It looks like she has nothing installed but the most basic motion drivers.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stcFC[^[薳" face="j" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u񍐂҂ĂB<R ALT="RE^I[">E</R>v<k>
"I'll be waiting to hear from you, Kong Taoluo."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//߂Ďo<R ALT="cF"></R>]ɁA
//<R ALT="^I["></R>͖ɗ₦₦Ƃ፷ŕnĂB<k>
  Ignoring Xie's proffered hand, Taoluo casts his unnaturally cold gaze about the room.

<BOX TYPE=3>
//u̐ݔȂA葫`ɂ邭炢
//Ȃ񂾂낤ȁv<k>
"With this equipment, it should be easy for you to make a prosthetic limb."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stcF" face="ɂ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u_B10Ύv<k>
"Of course. It wouldn't take ten minutes."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="ڕ" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u͉肾v<k>
"I'm glad to hear that."

<bgm src="M07" mode="off" option="Loop">
<se src="_04_" mode="on" option="single">
<clear>
<background src="#ffffff">
<wipe effect="noize" time="0">
<wait time="1">

<background src="B_fÏ02">
<wipe effect="noize" time="0">

<BOX TYPE=0>
//IOɁȀ₩甒nB<k>

//Xcc
//sӂ̈aɏPA
//<R ALT="cF"></R>͐ĝ̋ύt߂Ƃł]|B<k>
  Before he has finished speaking, his sword has cleared its sheath.

  Xie feels a sudden loss of balance, as though the floor has tilted to the side. Unable to regain his footing, he topples over.

<bgm src="m08b" mode="fadein" time="5" option="Loop">
<se src="_03_{I|" mode="on" option="single">
//肪߂ĉjrAތ˒IЂԂB
//|ꂽ͌ɐ܂ĂB
//<R ALT="cF"></R>̉ErccĕĜ肩AN򖗂ĂB<k>

//ɎĂ悤₭A<R ALT="cF"></R>͕Ћr؂藎ƂꂽƂɋCB
//ɂ݂͔FƓɏPĂB<k>
  His arms flail for purchase, tearing down shelves piled with books. The floor where he lands is slick with blood...... blood gushing from the stump of his right leg.

  Here Xie finally realizes that his leg has been chopped off at the knee. The pain hits at the same time.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[g" face="cȏ΂" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u܂茌̔񂤂ɏuB
//̒xŎȂĂ͂܂v<k>
"You should take care of that before you lose too much blood. I wouldn't want you to die so easily."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//ߖグĂ̂܂<R ALT="cF"></R>Rƌ낵A
  Watching coldly as Xie howls and thrashes in agony,<se src="_00_blade01" mode="on" option="single"> Taoluo flicks the blood from his sword and returns it to its sheath.

//<R ALT="^I["></R>͓U肵ĂĂяɊ荞܂B<k>

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//ubccDcc!!v<k>
"Gah......guh......!"

<se src="a_Ɏ߂" mode="on" option="single">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="cȏ΂" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//ul̒ɂ݂ȂǈӂɉzA
//ȂȂǂāA
//䂪g̒ɂ݂ɂ͒B҂ɒQȂv <k>
"I find that those who care nothing for the suffering of others are the ones who scream loudest at their own pain. Don't you agree?" 

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u```b!!v<k>
"```!!"

<BOX TYPE=0>
//_̒xŗ͂ȂA
//̂Ƃ<R ALT="^I["></R>邱ƂɂB
//Ăё悤ȂÂƂ͕Ћrǂł͍ς܂ȂB
//SɌ߂āAƂ͈˂ꂸɏRjoĂB<k>
  This is hardly enough to satisfy Taoluo, of course, but he has decided to exercise restraint tonight. The next time they meet, Xie will not get off so easily. Thus resolved, he exits through the collapsed door without a backwards glance.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stC[苹" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uccv<k>
"......"

<BOX TYPE=0>
//Ɏcꂽl`܂A
//̏̏󋵂ɑΏ郋[`͉킹ĂȂB
//ЂƂ𑖍́ÅCɒ<R ALT="cF"></R>ɂ͖ڂꂸA
//I[i[FľǂǂŒǂB<k>
  The doll, now alone, lacks the routines to deal with this situation. After a scan of her surroundings, she leaves Xie in his pool of blood and shuffles after the man she now recognizes as her owner.

<bgm src="m08b" mode="fadeout" time="5" option="Loop">
<clear>
<background src="#000000">
<wipe effect="fade" time="30">

<clear>
<bgm src="m04" mode="fadein" time="5" option="Loop">
<background src="B_{ЃrEВ">
<wipe effect="fade" time="20">


<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uꂪA<R ALT="W"></R>̃KCmCh̎v<k>
"This is the head of Zhang's gynoid we found."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT=""></R>e[uɍڂc[́ASȗLlB
//VX̗Hnɂ̂ĂĂ̂A
//܂3܂uĂ̂B
//_炩OlɐHr炳āA
//Z~bN̍ioɂȂĂB<k>
  The severed head that Ng sets on the table is in horrifying shape. It took more than three days before it was found abandoned in an alley off Moulin Street. Its soft outer layer has been gnawed at by rats, leaving the ceramic skull exposed.

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uL@͊SɏĂĂB
//ԈႢȂ<R ALT="CXo[">ER</R>v<k>

//uĂꂪccv<k>
"Its organic memory is totally fried. Wraith burn, no question."

"Then there's this......"

<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT=""></R>͂A
//x͔j̋̏Ȃe[uɍڂB<k>
  Ng displays yet another severed head, this one showing less damage.

<BOX TYPE=3>
//u<R ALT="`E"></R>̕ɎcĂKCmCh̎c[B
//̃A܂v<k>

//u܂<R ALT="RE^I[">E</R>́A
//獰鮓]ʂꂽKCmCh̃f[^
//zoĂ܂Ăv<k>

//uւ<R ALT="オ">ӎ</R>邾낤A
//<R ALT="R">E</R>ɂƂނA
//l`̕ړĂȂ̂v<k>
"The remains of Zhu's gynoid we recovered from her room. Its memory's in the same shape."

"In other words, Kong Taoluo is going around sucking up the data that was soul-copied from his sister."

"I'm sure he still wants his revenge, but it's starting to look like the dolls are his main target."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="str" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uāAȐ^Hv<k>
"What madness could be driving him to this?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uˁB
//̒ʂAĂ邾ȁv<k>

//u̖̉A
//x߂Ăȁv<k>

//u̖̔]؂gɂȂĂ΂܂ĂƂȂAg`ƂĂsvc͂Ȃv<k>

//uŁAǂȂ񂾁H@zǂ蔤́̕v<k>
"Who knows? He might be crazy, just like you say."

"He was always overly fond of his sister."

"I wouldn't be surprised if he went nuts when he found out that her brain'd been chopped up and scattered."

"Anyway, how's the hunt for him going?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="str" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uccĂ̏܋҂lA
//smꂸɂȂĂv<k>
"......A number of famous bounty hunters have gone missing."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="r">k</R>̐͜RƂČłB<k>
  Bin's voice is hardened by his frustration.

<BOX TYPE=2>
//u͂܋̂͊ԈႢ
//Bǂ<R ALT="R">E</R>̋ꏊ͂łA
//̂pSĕ񍐂悱Ȃv<k>
"It might have been a mistake after all to put a bounty on his head. Even if they find Kong, they don't report his location for fear of competition."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uŁẢʂĂɕԂ蓢ɑāA
//ǐՂ͐Uoɖ߂킯v<k>

//uǂĂA
//Ĕn΂Ȃ񂾁Hv<k>
"So when they get themselves killed, we're back to square one."

"Why are they all such idiots?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڕ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u<R ALT="`E"></R>ƓBATC{[OccOƌ@<R ALT="傤"></R>B<R ALT="R">E</R>Ƃ̂̂ƕĂA܂܂Ɠz̓̎KɂȂv<k>
"They are the same as Zhu. It's their pride in their cyborg bodies and <I>waijia</I> kung fu. They underestimate Kong because he is <I>neijia</I>, and end up as rust on his blade."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="str" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uׂ͂̕Bˎ̂ƂA܂łĂ킯ɂ͂Ȃv<k>
"As I said before, we should use the Society's soldiers. We can't keep the <I>zhaizhu</I>'s death a secret forever."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڐO" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u܂v<k>
"It's still too soon."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//؂|ᖡfU肷猩A<R ALT="E"></R>͂ƈRB<k>
  Liu dismisses the Advisor's suggestion without even pretending to consider it.

<bustup name="stEʏ" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uˎ̑Vɂ́Al̎񋉂Ȃ΂ȂBłȂΛ̖ʎqɂB܂<R ALT="R">E</R>̎nĂ炾v<k>
"When we lay the <I>zhaizhu</I> to rest, we must offer up the head of his killer. Otherwise the Society's reputation will be tarnished. First we must take Kong's head."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uAxĂ̂邾낤v<k>
"Yeah, but there's gotta be a limit to how long we can wait."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="E"></R>Ǝ킹Ăł<R ALT=""></R>A
//܂ŗƕˎ̕ȂȂĂB<k>
  Even Ng, who has been an accomplice to Liu's plans until now, no longer understands the <I>fu-zhaizhu</I>'s intent.

<BOX TYPE=3>
//u܂B<R ALT="`E"></R><R ALT="W"></R>Eɂꂽ́AXɒmnĂ񂾁Bz̎nɎԎĂAꂱ̖ʎq낤Ȃv<k>

//ûŌɁA͞ˎ܂ŎEĂ܂AȂăI`Ă݂BፕЉ̏΂v<k>
"It's getting bad. The whole town knows that Zhu and Zhang were done by Kong. If we don't finish him soon, it'll be just as bad for our reputation."

"<I>Then</I> try telling everyone, 'Oh by the way, he killed the <I>zhaizhu</I> too.' We'll be the laughing stock of the underworld!"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڕ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u<R ALT="R">E</R>𑊎ɁA
//]oƂ􂾁v<k>
"It'll be worse if more Society members are slain by Kong."

<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڐO" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//uہA<R ALT="R">E</R>͎苭B<R ALT="W"></R>ɑ<R ALT="`E"></R>܂łB͐Tdɐi߂ׂv<k>
"His strength is real. Not only Zhang, but even Zhu have fallen to him. We must proceed with caution."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uԂႢĂ񂩁Hv<k>
"So, what? We should just keep waiting?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uꂱőP̍Ȃ̂B
//źwdxɑ΂Ắv<k>
"That is the best countermeasure against his Electromagnetic Discharge."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//ɂȂH<R ALT=""></R>OɂāA<R ALT="E"></R>͂܂ŏ]eƑB<k>
  Despite Ng's uncharacteristic resistance, Liu's response is perfectly calm.

<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڐO" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//udƂ́A
//g̐ĝɑȖv<k>

//ű肾́AlāAz̔C̍Ԃɂ͏[ȃC^[ov<k>
"The technique known as Electromagnetic Discharge places a tremendous burden on the wielder's body."

"When he was the Society's assassin, this was taken into account and he was given ample time between missions."

<bustup name="stEʏ" face="" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//uƂ낪Az͂ȕɐĝJĂ闧ꂶȂBڂ<R ALT="W"></R>B<R ALT="`E"></R>ccv<k>

//uȍ~Aẑ͖悤ɒǂ̏܋҂ǂƓn荇Ă킯v<k>
"Now, however, he is in no position to take care of his body. Zhang the first night, Zhu the next......"

"And every day since, he has been fighting off the bounty hunters on his trail."

<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ΖڐO" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//uTC{[OƂ̗d˂邲ƂɁA<R ALT="R">E</R>͖̐茸ĂB̑OɌ鍠ɂ́A̗Ll낤ȁv<k>
"Each time he does battle with a cyborg, Kong shaves off a little more of his life. By the time he reaches us, he'll likely be dead on his feet."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uccv<k>
"......"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڕ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u̕܂ɂĘQKv͂ȂB΂炭AǌǂďՂĂv<k>
"There's no need to waste our soldiers as cannon fodder. Let the wild dogs chip away at him a while longer."

<clear>
<background src="B_{ЃrEВ">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//؂͒ʂĂB
//NՓVh̓dɂĒmľtB
//͂[ɂB
//łA<R ALT="E"></R>̐lmĂl͎ߑRƂȂB<k>
  Liu makes sense. No one knows more about the Daitian School's Electromagnetic Discharge than him. Yet despite the considerable weight of his words, these two men who are familiar with him are not entirely convinced.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uȁB񂽂܂
//GɐSȂāv<k>
"I don't get it. Since when do you care so much about our foot soldiers?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="str" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uXN\D悷̂A
//񂽂̃X^CƎvĂv<k>
"I always thought your style was to prioritize efficiency over risk."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//ul͒N̂v<k>

//u<R ALT="C"></R>ˎSA
//̐_SgƂĂ͂ȁcc
//܂ňȏɁÅFɂ͈v<k>
"We all mature."

"With Li <I>zhaizhu</I>'s passing, I bear the weight of the Qingyun Society's future...... Now, more than ever, I feel love for our comrades."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="j" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//unv<k>
"Heh, bullshit."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//łÂ<R ALT=""></R>͈΂悤Ƃ炵A
//ˑRł܂܂̋C̒ł͕sɏIB<k>
  Ng attempts to lighten the mood with a laugh, but fails to cut through the thick tension.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ڐO" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u܋̊z悹B
//ƁA񋟂ɂ蓖oƂ悤v<k>
"Raise the bounty. Also, let's offer a reward for information."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="str" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uKZW܂΂肾Hv<k>
"You know we'll get nothing but garbage."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uI蕪Ă
//Cx߂炢ɂ͂ȂB
//莝Ȃ񂾂낤H@Ov<k>
"Sifting through it will at least put your minds at ease. You seem to have time on your hands, no?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="str" face="{" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uccv<k>
"......"

<bustup name="str" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="E"></R>̞̂錾ɁA<R ALT="r">k</R>̊፷ȂB
//ɂi̓SʔÛ́A
//ł՗͉̒B悤ȂB<k>
  Bin's eye narrows dangerously at the mockery in Liu's words. Although he swiftly regains his usual haughty expression, he is unable to conceal his anger.

<clear>
<background src="B_{ЃrEВ">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//ނɍグĂA<R ALT="r">k</R>͌낷<R ALT="E"></R>ÎB<k>
  Rising from his chair, he spears Liu from above with his stare.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="str" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uYȂłA<R ALT="E"></R>B
//ܛєz肪A
//XɎˎ̊₤ޗɂȂv<k>

//uS񂽂ɂ́A
//łĂقȂv<k>
"Remember, Liu. Your every action is being used to judge your fitness to be the next
<I>zhaizhu</I>."

"As your supporters, we don't want you to fail."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uSĂv<k>
"I'll keep that it mind."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="str" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uccv<k>
"......"

<clear>
<background src="B_{ЃrEВ">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//ȂBh悤ɉs<R ALT="E"></R>˂ĂA
//<R ALT="r">k</R>͔wĎВ̐pGx[^[ɏ荞񂾁B
//̔wォAɔj炷<R ALT="E"></R>B<k>
  After a final glare to drive the point home, Bin turns around and leaves by way of the President's personal elevator. Once he has vanished from view, Liu breaks into an amused grin.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="cȏ΂" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uĂȁB<R ALT="r">k</R>̓zv<k>

//ůʂ̎ɂẮA
//oĎˎ_Ɓcc
//̂H@́v<k>
"I suppose that was Bin's way of threatening me."

"If I fail to prove worthy, he'll supplant me as the next <I>zhaizhu</I>...... Could that be what he wanted to say?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uz͂ƂA
//ɂ͂ȍb㐫͂˂B<R ALT="E"></R>v<k>
"I don't know about him, but I'm not cut out for that sort of thing."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//΂ˎƂ͗ɁA<R ALT=""></R>͂ɂȂ_ɁA
//}g}ŉB<k>
  In contrast to the smiling <I>fu-zhaizhu</I>, Ng's response is unusually subdued.

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uccȂAċĂB
//lĂHv<k>
"So come on, Liu, be honest with me. Just what're you planning?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//ûƂHv<k>
"What do you mean?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uccv<k>
"......"

<BOX TYPE=0>
//Ő^ӂ₢Aȓx<R ALT=""></R>ɂ͂ȂB
//Ƃ킯肪<R ALT="E"></R>ƂȂ΁B<k>
  Ng lacks the nerve to question the truth of a man's words by stare alone, especially when that man is Liu.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="stEʏ" face="ΖڐO" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uזȁAВv<k>
"I'm sorry for disturbing you so early, President."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//łCӂɂA<R ALT="E"></R>Duƃ\t@獘グB<k>
  Unaffected by the heavy atmosphere, Liu rises from the sofa in a single smooth motion.

<bustup name="stEʏ" face="" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uA͕̎ĂāA
//ocƖɗłv<k>
"Forget about the schemers. I'm counting on you to manage this business."

<clear>
<background src="B_{ЃrEВ">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//XcƁA<R ALT="r">k</R>𑗂߂ĂGx[^[ɎpB<k>
  Leaving behind those hollow words, he disappears into the elevator that swallowed Bin.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="st" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uccv<k>
"......Dammit!"

<se src="_03_R΂" mode="on" option="single">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//Gx[^[̃P[W\KŁA
//<R ALT=""></R>͔lȂ獕h̊R肵B<k>
  After watching the indicator drop several stories, Ng curses and kicks his ebony desk.

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uւŝ߂ĂꍇH@v<k>
"Is this the time to be fighting with each other!?"

<bgm src="m04" mode="fadeout" time="5" option="Loop">
<clear>
<background src="#000000">
<wipe effect="fade" time="30">

<clear>
<!--<bgm src="y" mode="fadein" time="5" option="Loop">>
<se src="_03_l̒01" mode="on" option="single">
<background src="B_C01">
<wipe effect="fade" time="20">


<BOX TYPE=0>
//n̉AтƋn钪̂߂B<k>

//KȂ҂ƂĂȂlɂ́AC̔ޕ痬ꒅY
//邱ƂȂςݏオA
//ɕ֏悵ĕs@ꂽp̎RA
//ł񂹂gɐ邪܂ܕuĂB<k>
  Beneath the cold, clear sky, the waves beat their lonely rhythm against the shore.

  Piles of flotsam cover the deserted beach, washed up from the world's oceans. Atop these rise mountains of illegally-dumped waste, left on the sand to be bathed by the tide.

<bgm src="M03" mode="fadein" time="5" option="Loop">
//RAɒ߂C݂łB
//҂lƂ̗̂́AlڂȂΉłǂB
//<R ALT="^I["></R>ĂȏꏊIŎw肵̂́A
//P<R ALT="C["></R>CƂAꂾ̗RB<k>
  This beach is in the Baoshan District, close to Wusong. For the rendezvous Taoluo has planned, any place far from prying eyes would have sufficed. The reason he chose this particular location was that Ruili wanted to see the ocean - that is all.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stC[ʏ" face="yɘb" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u킟ccv<k>
"Wahhh......"

<BOX TYPE=0>
//lʕsKN^̐XɁA<R ALT="C["></R>ڂPB
//KƏdƑ̗܂ȃIuWF̌Q́Aq̖CȖڂŒ߂ΐS点ِĚiςɌȂB<k>
  Ruili's eyes sparkle as she takes in the vast quantity of debris covering the sand. To the unclouded eyes of a child, perhaps the twisted shapes of rusted metal, rotting plastic, and tangled seaweed seem the fantastic scenery of another world.

<bustup name="stC[ʏ" face="ɂ΂" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uAI
//[O[W[̂ɂ݂Iv<k>
"Wow, look! It's like the Dragon God's garden!"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//肵Ďw<R ALT="C["></R>̗lɁAR<R ALT="^I["></R>̖joށB<k>
  As he watches Ruili point and jump with glee, Taoluo's lips curve naturally into a smile.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stC[ʏ" face="yɘb" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u^}eoR邩ȁH@邩ȂHv<k>
"Is the jade box here too? Is it?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="D΂" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//unnccǂ낤ˁB邩Ȃv<k>
"Haha, I wonder. It just might be."

<se src="SE_03_05" mode="on" option="single">
<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="^I["></R>BŁA<R ALT="C["></R>͂삯ŊC݂ɌĂB<k>

//]ƂAKX{xseƂ̗ނ
//ȂBsȋ׋ہAƂނ̊댯ȂA
//<R ALT="C["></R>ɂ͖ڂ𗧂ĂĒӂ̂ƂȂB
//Ƃ킯拭Ƃ킯ł͂ȂA
//łKCmCh̃{fB͐lԂ̂قǐƎł͂ȂB<k>
  That vague response is enough to send Ruili racing towards the shoreline.

  From where he is standing, Taoluo sees nothing that might be explosive, such as gas tanks or discarded ammunition. As for sharp objects and chemical or biological hazards, such things pose no significant threat to Ruili as she is now. Although not especially durable, her gynoid body is nevertheless stronger than a human's.

<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="D΂" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uccv<k>
"......"

<se src="_03_l̒02" mode="on" option="single">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//ł񂹂gƋYlȂA
//<R ALT="^I["></R>͏߂āwqx̃NjbNŏôƂvoB<k>
  Watching her play among the waves, Taoluo is reminded of the night they first met at the Profane Scalpel's clinic.

<clear>
<LAYER SRC="#999966" TRANSPARENT="50">
<background src="ev_r22">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//̂Ƃnꂽ̂̂R̔kƂ΁A
//̔ޏ͂͂Ɛ̑߂ĂB
//<R ALT="C["></R>́AB<k>
  She was empty then, no better than a corpse, but now there is an undeniable breath of life within her - Ruili's life.

<background src="ev_r05">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//̍鮂́A
//܂̂̃KCmChԂ񂾂ȂB
//t͂ǂǂALӂ₾A
//<R ALT="C["></R>͊߂ĂB<k>

//vl͂F͂͂܂ȂB
//Ă݂ΌtoĂ̎q̂悤ȗLlB
//T݂p炢ƂvʂYĂԂA
//ނ덡<R ALT="C["></R>͊\fŏXB<k>
  Only two of the five pieces of her soul have been recovered, but though her speech is childish and her memories are fragmented, she has clearly regained some of Ruili's emotions.

  Her higher reasoning and cognitive abilities have not yet returned. In a sense, she is like a child who has just learned to talk. Indeed with such adult concerns as shame and decorum forgotten, her every expression seems to glow with innocence and sincerity.

<se src="_03_l̒02" mode="on" option="single">
<clear>
<background src="B_C01">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//<R ALT="^I["></R>͎߂ȏꏊɓ]ĂpԂUA
//̃tF_[ɍ~낵B
//ZӎvȂƌĂƂA
//<R ALT="C["></R>͂ɋ삯߂ĂĂނ悤ɎB<k>
  Taoluo walks over to the nearby hulk of an abandoned car and takes a seat on its fender. As soon as she realizes that her brother is not following her around, Ruili runs back to him and tugs insistently on his hand.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stC[ʏ" face="敗Ɋyɘb" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uɂ܂A^}eoRɂI@CƂv<k>
"Come on, brother! Help Ruili find the jade box!"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//unnccȂBʎ蔠Ȃāv<k>

//u^ł邩B
//<R ALT="C["></R>TĂŁv<k>
"Haha, I wouldn't know it if I saw it."

"If you find it, I'll carry it for you, so just keep looking."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stC[ʏ" face="ɂ" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uv<k>
"Okay!"

<clear>
<background src="B_C01">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//fĂ܂UւƖ߂<R ALT="C["></R>́A
//ق̈ꎞƂÂƂĂ͂Ȃ炵B
//܂ŗcq̖̍Ă悤ŁA
//<R ALT="^I["></R>̐S͒ǑzւƔԁB<k>

//̏Cɂ΂ł<R ALT="^I["></R>ɁA
//c͗VёłB
//̍A\ĂȂߖłڂAłł邾낤B<k>
  Ruili nods obediently and returns to her explorations, apparently unable to stay still for even a second. Watching her behave so much like his sister as a child, Taoluo finds his heart racing down the path of memory.

  Back then, Ruili was always begging Taoluo to take some time from his zealous training to play with her. Might it be possible now to make up for the time he failed to spend with her then?

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stC[Ў藖ˉ" face="yɘb" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u˂ˁAɂ܁A
//̂ڂA[I[̃o`v<k>
"Brother, brother! This stick looks just like the one from Warrior Lanling!"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="D΂" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uccv<k>
"It does......"

<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="C["></R>Eグ̃`[úAЋԂP[u
//oɂȂĐꉺAȂقǁwˉx̕yŎgA
//g<R ALT="΂"></R>ɌȂȂB<k>
  The metal tube Ruili picks up has red cables dangling from the broken end, making it indeed resemble the tasseled baton used in the dance called Warrior Lanling.

<BOX TYPE=2>
//uĂ̂H@wˉxccv<k>
"You remember Warrior Lanling?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stC[Ў藖ˉ" face="ɂ" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uv<k>
"Of course!"

<BOX TYPE=0>
//𒣂<R ALT="C["></R>͂ɂB<k>
  Ruili puffs out her chest with unshakable confidence.

<bustup name="stC[ˉ" face="yɘb" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uɂ܂ɁA񂾂B
//킷ꂽ肵Ȃv<k>
"Brother taught me. I wouldn't forget!"

<clear>
<background src="B_C01">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="C["></R>͗E܂`[uU肩AȍɂԁB<k>
  Ruili brandishes the tube with gallant flair, the fingers of her tiny left hand extended in a sword seal.

<bgm src="M03" mode="fadeout" time="5" option="Loop">
<se src="SE_01_02" mode="on" option="single">
//JAJAJcc<k>

//rւ̗ŕɌĂĐU炵A@̂őtł́cc
//Ɂwˉx̗J̔tB
//o̕GXƏグȂA<R ALT="">o</R>̕n܂B<k>
  *Ting*, *ting*, *ting*......

  Keeping rhythm with the chime of her bracelet, she begins to hum a tune...... none other than the dragon flute accompaniment to the opening piece of the performance. Next she lifts one bare knee high into the air and attempts the first movements of the dance.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="Ζڕ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//gAccvoh<k>
(Ahh, of course...... Now I remember.)

<bgm src="M05" mode="fadein" time="5" option="Loop">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//cA̒bBɖZAŁA
//poƑʁXs˂<R ALT="C["></R>G߂邽߂ɁA
//<R ALT="^I["></R>͎肸炱̕Ă̂B<k>
  When the young Ruili, envying her brother his endless training in the sword, demanded to learn swordplay with him, he placated her by teaching her this very dance himself.

<clear>
<background src="ev_r02">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

//ˉB
//ނĂ̍ɔڏGȉB
//ނ́̕A̔eɌ邠܂ɂȂȂB
//ŉ͌߂̉ʂĐɖ]݁A
//ǍRjƂB<k>

//ҏ̗Ep𕑋Ȃɂ́wˉx́A
//镑ŷłƂ킯yؗȂ̂ƂĒmB<k>

//炵ʑf_ȓ́A
//<R ALT="C["></R>ɂ͌̌`ƍ̂ȂɌ̂낤B
//<R ALT="C["></R>͖ɂȂėKɗ݁A~ƌ킸ƌ킸A
//xĂ̂B<k>

//̍̂܂܂̌CŁA<R ALT="C["></R>͐LѐLтƐĝLāA
//C݂͂ނ悤ɋ삯B
//^т͂ɂقALт₩ɘrU𒵂˂<R ALT="킵܂"></R>́AĂ邾ŗc͂𕪂^悤B<k>

//<R ALT="^I["></R>̐Sb܂X̑zA􂢗悤ɐĂB
//ނ<R ALT="C["></R>ƈꏏɂȂāAwx̑䎌݁A
//蔏qłĂB<k>

//ȐĝŁA
//ł͈tɑ傫U肩ORӂ̎dB
//qɂ͊mȂقǗE܂āAꂪނ눤炵B<k>
  Once, it is told, the state of Qi was ruled by a king of surpassing beauty. The king's soldiers, however, were so entranced by the fairness of his features that they were unable to fight. Whereat the king rode into battle wearing a mask in the shape of a terrible dragon, and thus led his men to victory against the army of Zhou.

  Warrior Lanling, which immortalizes in song and dance the beautiful general's heroic exploits, stands out for being a particularly lively and flamboyant performance.

  Its quick, bold movements, so unlike those of other dances, probably seemed no different to Ruili's childish eyes than the sword forms practiced by Taoluo. Mastering them became her passion. Indoors and out, she would dance the day away.

  With no less enthusiasm, Ruili now flits across the beach in leaps and bounds. Although her footwork leaves much to be desired, her jaunty gestures and high-flying jumps seem to share her youthful vitality with her spectator.

  Taoluo feels his spirits lifted, the worries that clouded his heart swept aside. He finds himself accompanying Ruili, singing the lyrics to the song while beating time with his hands.

  The tiny girl brandishes her stick with all the vigor she can muster, mimicking a general rebuking his armies. Coming from a child, the pose is so dashing as to be laughable - which makes it all the more endearing.

<se src="_03_l̒02" mode="on" option="single">
<clear>
<background src="B_C01">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

//Ȃɂcc
//ȂɂKȂЂƂƂA܂Ăі키ƂɂȂ낤Ƃ́B<k>

//v̏ɋl܂ACɂނƁA
//r[ɑȂȂB
//ꂸɚ~߁A<R ALT="^I["></R>͗đɊPށB<k>
  To think...... To think that he could experience such bliss once more.

  At the sudden influx of emotion, Taoluo forgets for a moment to maintain his breathing. Pain instantly erupts in his chest, and a fit of coughing forces him to break off his singing.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stC[ˉ" face="ӂʂQ" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uB܂߂ɂĂBɂ܁Iv<k>
"Come on! Do it right, brother!"

<BOX TYPE=0>
//Ȗjc܂ČZȂA
//ł<R ALT="C["></R>͊yɕx鑫x߂ȂB<k>
  Even as she pouts cutely and scolds her brother, Ruili does not cease her joyful dance.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="D΂" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u܂A܂ccv<k>
"Sorry, sorry......."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//΂ĘlтȂA<R ALT="^I["></R>͌ɓYĂƐ@B
//ԁXƎUf̔򖗂AR[g̍znɂȂ΁A
//قǖڗƂ͂ȂB<k>
  While smiling in apology, Taoluo discreetly wipes off the hand with which he covered his mouth. Against the black fabric of his coat, the dark red streaks of coughed-up blood are barely noticeable.

<clear>
<background src="ev_r02">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

//ĉ߂ԂAiłĂقB
//䂪gɎcꂽԂׂ̂ĂȀΊƂƂɉ߂B<k>

//Ȃ<R ALT="^I["></R>gA䂪g̍s͗ĂB
//xdȂd̎gpɂāA
//<R ALT="^I["></R>͉񕜕s\Ȃ܂ł̓𕉂ĂB<k>

//͂ȂBvĂB
//ň̖AȂ炦闝RȂB<k>

//Aĕxl`<R ALT="C["></R>̖ʉe邤ɁA
//ĂѐɎ鎩B
//ɉ߂KȑzoAɉ߂aȓXA
//܂߂čČłȁAȊ]Ă܂B<k>
  How he wishes that this time would last forever, that he could spend his remaining days gazing upon her smile.

  Taoluo knows the fate that awaits him, knows it better than anyone. His repeated use of Electromagnetic Discharge has already damaged his internal organs beyond recovery.

  No regrets, he told himself when he began his quest for vengeance. With his beloved sister lost, there was nothing left to live for.

  Now, however, as he beholds the shadow of Ruili within the dancing doll, he finds his hunger for life returning. Hope has even awakened within him, hope that they might once again live together in peace and joy, as they did so long ago.

<se src="_03_l̒02" mode="on" option="single">
<clear>
<background src="B_C01">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

//͌āAȂB
//cẃAƂRlcc҂͓Sǂ̉ɘUA܂҂͋ɂߔpgāA<R ALT="^I["></R>̑Oɗ͂邾낤B<k>

//͏C`iВ̍ɏwԗŁx<R ALT="EEBV">Đ</R>B
//Ê̒BlwSx<R ALT="rEC\">k̐M</R>B
//ĂĂ̌ZqAwSlx<R ALT="EEz[W">R</R>cc
//҂󂯂鎀̉ʂĂɁA̐ĝۂ]݂́AȂB<k>

//Ēʂ͂ȂB
//zɎꂽA<R ALT="C["></R>̌ЁB
//̑SĂ߂ď߂āA<R ALT="C["></R>͊SɂȂ̂B<k>
  Alas, that dream can never be. Three foes yet remain. One hides within a fortress of steel; the others will surely face Taoluo with the mighty arts they have mastered.

  Ng Wing Shing the All-Consuming Poison, now President of Shanghai Cybernetics Corporation; Bin Weixin the Hundred-Handed Weaver, renowned for his skill with weapons of assassination; and Liu Haojun the Demon-Eyed Adonis, once Taoluo's elder disciple in the Daitian School.

  There is no hope that his body will survive the deathmatches that await him - not the slightest glimmer.

  It cannot be avoided, for Ruili's fragments are still in their clutches. They must all be recovered. Only then can Ruili be made whole.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="ڕ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//gƂ̐gʂĂ悤ƁA
//<R ALT="C["></R>AÓcch<k>
(Ruili. Even should my body turn to dust......)

<BOX TYPE=0>
//΂x<R ALT="C["></R>̎pɏĂA̎pɐ𗧂ĂB<k>
  Taoluo sears the sight of Ruili jubilant into his heart, and upon it swears his oath.

<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//gK߂ĂBʂ̂OɁcch<k>
(I will restore you to your old self. No matter what.)

<clear>
<background src="ev_r02">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="^I["></R>̂ȔߜƂȑz]ɁA
//<R ALT="C["></R>͂ࣖƁA܂łgłۂ𕑂B<k>
  Oblivious to Taoluo's sorrow, Ruili continues to dance happily among the waves.

<bgm src="M05" mode="fadeout" time="5" option="Loop">
<clear>
<background src="#000000">
<wipe effect="fade" time="30">

<clear>
<!--<bgm src="y" mode="fadein" time="5" option="Loop">>
<se src="_03_l̒01" mode="on" option="single">
<background src="B_C01">
<wipe effect="fade" time="20">

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uccv<k>
"......"

<BOX TYPE=0>
//ӂƔwɎA<R ALT="^I["></R>͌zɔwMB<k>
  Suddenly feeling eyes on his back, Taoluo turns to look over his shoulder.

<clear>
<background src="B_C02">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//̒j<R ALT="^I["></R>̎ɓOA
//đɑ𗧂ĂȂ߂ÂĂB
//ƂɊQӂȂƂAs[Ă̂́A肪҂ŁA
//ǂɂ̂قĂ邪̂낤B<k>
  Even before entering Taoluo's view, the man deliberately makes noise as he approaches in order to show that he means no harm. This effort suggests that he knows who Taoluo is and the position he is in.

<se src="SE_lj" mode="on" option="single">
//󍕂̈AƂ̂ȂNjB
//тꂽn`OXɈ̑ϊR[gB
//ǂɂłlv̂̕B<k>

//łAv̐j͐\킹ʂ̎ĂB
//ŗ͂lȂ̂͊ԈႢȂB<k>


//ĂѕlӂɖڂƁA<R ALT="C["></R>͗xɖɂȂ邠܂A
//Ȃ܂ŗĂB
//b𕷂Ƃ߂ĆAȂB<k>
  He is an unremarkable middle-aged man, his skin dark and dirty, wearing a worn-out hunting cap and a cheap environmental coat. No one would think him anything other than your everyday laborer.

  Nevertheless, he has arrived at exactly the appointed time. He can only be the man that Taoluo has been waiting for.

  Looking back toward the beach, Taoluo sees that Ruili's impassioned dance has carried her quite some distance away. He need not worry that she will overhear their conversation.

<bgm src="M09" mode="fadein" time="5" option="Loop">
<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stX`Ot" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uccϑ炢ĂƎvB
//^ԂUďoƂ́A
//債xȁv<k>
"......I thought you'd at least be wearing a disguise. You've got some guts to be walking around in broad daylight."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//JԁAj͗΂܂<R ALT="^I["></R>𝈝B<k>
  The first words out of the man's mouth are accompanied by a mocking smirk.

<BOX TYPE=3>
//u񂽂ǂāȀCɉCnCGi
//Ă邩mĂ̂Hv<k>
"You have any idea how many hyenas are scouring Shanghai for you?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="ڕ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//um肽ȂȁBς킵v<k>
"No, and I don't want to know."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//܂ł5l̎hqaĂB
//ׂĒǂ̋Cz@_ŊPɐ񂶂ē߁A
//܂Ƃ͂ȂBԂ̖肾낤B<k>

//_񂪒XɑgDǐՂn߂΁A
//C͘A̒낾BuԂɕ͂B<k>

//ނ떢ɛA쌢΂肪݂ĂLlɁA
//<R ALT="^I["></R>͓SŎXĂB
//̒ɂ͂<R ALT="r">k</R><R ALT="E"></R>A
//Ȃ̈Ђ𐓂ɂčU߂ĂȂ̂H<k>
  Taoluo has already killed five would-be assassins today. As he was able to sense each pursuer's presence and strike first, his refuge has not yet been discovered. However, it is only a matter of time.

  Once the Qingyun Society begins to hunt him in earnest, there will be nowhere in Shanghai for him to hide. He will be surrounded by enemies in the blink of an eye.

  In fact, Taoluo does not understand why the Society continues to hold its hand, choosing instead to send feral dogs after him. Why have Liu and Bin, who should be commanding the Society, not used that power to crush him?

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stX`Ot" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uX͂񂽂̉\Ŏ肾v<k>
"The city is buzzing with rumors of you."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//C̕Ɏ␂߂ȂA
//j<R ALT="^I["></R>̉ɕŔpԂ̉ɕIaB<k>
  Turning up his collar against the stiff sea breeze, the man walks to Taoluo's side and rests his elbow on the roof of the abandoned car.

<BOX TYPE=3>
//u挊oĂwdxAg`AƂ̎̐_Ɋ݂ĉĂccv<k>

//u傪laꂽB
//񂽂̎ɂ30A
//ꏊ̏񂾂ł2ccv<k>
"They say that the Lightning Palm has returned from the dead, that he's gone on an insane rampage against his old masters, the Qingyun Society......"

"Two officers have been killed already. Your head's worth three hundred grand, or twenty for information on your whereabouts."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u񂽂͔Ȃ̂Hv<k>
"You didn't sell me out?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stX`Ot" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//u
//mRmȐɗƎvHv<k>
"If I did, you think I'd show up here like an idiot?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="Ζڕ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uȁB
//񂽂2̏܋_ɐUāA
//킴킴ɉɗv<k>
"You have a point. So, you gave up twenty thousand yuan just to meet me here."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//sT悤ɒj˂A<R ALT="^I["></R>͉₩ȌőB<k>
  Taoluo spears the man with a probing stare, his voice calm and cool as he continues.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="cȏ΂" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uR͂ǂA
//_ɋwȂlԂ炾B
//ႤHv<k>
"Whatever my motives, I am an enemy of the Qingyun Society. That is your reason, isn't it?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stX`Ot" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
<se src="a__΃C^[" mode="on" option="single">
//j<R ALT="^I["></R>̎ɉ邱ƂȂIRƁA
//oɉ΂_B<k>
  Without meeting Taoluo's eyes, the man casually lights a cigarette.

<BOX TYPE=3>
//u͂A񂽂mĂB
//̖wdx<R ALT="RE^I[">E</R>v<k>

//u̎d̒U߂A
//ǂ󂠂ĉȂ񂼂Ɖ̂A
//Ƃm肽Ăȁv<k>
"I know who you are, of course. The famous Lightning Palm, Kong Taoluo."

"What I'm dying to learn, though, is why the Lightning Palm wants to meet with a guy like me."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="Ζڕ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uȂȂA񂽂mĂ邩炳B<R ALT="`EVF">`</R>v<k>
"Simple. Because I know who <I>you</I> are, Feng Xian."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="cȏ΂" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uƂ~nCEX`Ot
//Ăł낤H@<R ALT="^@[VV">u</R>v<k>
"Or maybe I should call you Mikhail Stugrev. Eh, <R ALT="rpy">comrade</R>?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stX`Ot" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uccv<k>
"......."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//ق̒AXƁA
//j̉率^ыĂ䂭B<k>
  A long silence ensues, broken only by the howl of the ocean wind as it carries the man's smoke off into the sky.

<BOX TYPE=3>
//u̒NH
//̃X`OtĂ̂́v<k>
"Who? I've never heard of this Stugrev guy."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="ڕ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uOWAE}tBÁg󂵉hB
//p`̓SChA
//W̒̔]X̓XuYv<k>
"He's a saboteur working for the Georgian Mafia. He might look like a mongoloid, but the brain in his head is pure Slavic stock."

<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="Ζڕ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//u_̑d`X_āA
//̏CłĂHv<k>
"He's been skulking around Shanghai for years, looking for a chance to take down the Qingyun Society."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stX`Ot" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uڂˁv<k>
"You seem to know him well."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="ڐO" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u܂_ɂAa悤
//Ƃ2xقǂv<k>
"When I was still in the Society, I was sent to kill him twice, after all."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uŏɎâ͉e҂ŁAlڂ܂m؂ȂBނ뉴̊A<R ALT="`EVF">`</R>A񂽂{ɂł񂾁v<k>
"I killed his double the first time, and we never really confirmed the second. If you ask me, Feng Xian, my instincts say that you're the real thing."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stX`Ot" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uӂccv<k>
"Hmm......"

<BOX TYPE=0>
//j͋ĈȂƂāAz̉lɎ̂ĂB<k>
  The man makes a noncommittal sound, then tosses his half-smoked cigarette onto the sand.

<BOX TYPE=3>
//uA
//X`OtƂcc܂ȁB
//lĊXɖ߂ɂ͂܂Hv<k>

//uǂЕ́A
//̏Ŏ̂ɂȂ邵Ȃv<k>
"But if you're right, and I am that Stugrev...... then we're both in trouble. There's no way we're leaving this place together, right?"

"One of us'll have to end up a corpse here."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="cȏ΂" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//ûɂKv͂ȂA񂽂
//̂ɂȂĂB͐Ă
//X`Otɗpłȁv<k>
"You have no reason to kill me, and I don't want you dead either. I need the living Stugrev, you see."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stX`Ot" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uuX`Ot̓s͂\ȂHv<k>
"With no thought to what's convenient for Comrade Stugrev?"

<clear>
<background src="B_C01">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="^I["></R>͔΂āApԂ̃tF_[獘グB<k>
  Taoluo rises from the car's fender, a thin smile upon his lips.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="ڐO" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u󂠂āAwC`ixĂƂv<k>
"For certain reasons, I want to destroy Shanghai Cybernetics."

<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//uƂȂƏU߂B
//{bɂȂB
//ccŁA񂽒B̎؂肽v<k>
"Which means a fortress assault. I'll never make it with just this sword."

"......So I want to ask for your help."

<clear>
<LAYER SRC="#ffffff" TRANSPARENT="50">
<background src="B_̏CVO01">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//ƂWIƂep钆Ał͐̊ƂA
//̎LnɌĂ̂ݒ@KIȎqi邱Ƃ
//eFĂB<k>

//ɏC`î悤ȌÂ̂Ƃ́A
//݌RƂĂߌł͂ȂقǏd̕ۈZNV
//ۗLĂ̂킾B<k>

//ȂWI<R ALT="EEBV">Đ</R>ɒ߂<R ALT="^I["></R>A
//G܂PxĂA
//ꂫЉɗĂ܂܊Oo錄悤ƂȂB
//ȂƋdiɑi𓾂ȂA
//Ȃ΂ꑊ͂̕pӂ邵ȂB<k>

//<R ALT="^I["></R>ڂ̂A
//X`OtVAE}tBA̔jHB<k>
  With large corporations now a frequent target of terrorism, many have received special permission to take extralegal defensive measures within the confines of their private property.

  Corporations like Shanghai Cybernetics, those that are involved in shady business, tend to be particularly cautious. It would be no exaggeration to say that their heavily-armed security teams are in fact private militias.

  Taoluo has chosen Ng Wing Shing as his next target, but the enemy appears to be on guard against him. Ng is currently holed up inside the headquarters building, with no sign of setting foot outside anytime soon.

  In which case there is no choice but to resort to extreme measures, measures that will require a considerable amount of firepower.

  For this purpose, Taoluo has chosen to enlist the aid of Stugrev and the saboteurs of the Georgian Mafia.

<clear>
<background src="B_C02">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uVǍ䓯EɂƂĂA
//bȂ낤H@_̉䍜
//ւ܂Ă`Xv<k>
"I think your comrades in the motherland would agree that it's a good deal, don't you? This is your chance to break the back of the Qingyun Society."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stX`Ot" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uA傢Ɍ\Șbȁv<k>
"Yeah, I'm practically watering at the mouth."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//̊ԂɂƂɉŝ܂܂ȂA
//X`Ot͐̉xB<k>
  Stugrev's voice lowers in tone, a sharp light suddenly shining in the depths of his eyes.

<BOX TYPE=3>
//u̒x̂ƂŁA
//ŉX񂽂ɗȂȂȂHv<k>
"But why do we need your help for something like that?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="Ζڕ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//肪bɏĂ艞āA<R ALT="^I["></R>͓Słق΂ށB<k>
  Taoluo smiles to himself as he feels the tug of his prey taking the bait.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="cȏ΂" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uAĂ񂶂ȂB
//X`OtÅXɗĉNoHv<k>

//uƂ璆lłȂ񂽂A
//獜܂Ă݂ĖʂȂ񂾂v<k>
"Come on, Stugrev, accept it already. How many years has it been since you came to this city?"

"No matter how hard you try, a fake Chinese like you will never be able to fit in."

<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="Ζڕ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//uςāAȍLgɂĂȁAꂾ̐S̏ɂ͓荞߂ȂBꂪl̍ЉĂ񂾁v<k>
"You can change your face and learn to speak perfect Chinese, but that's not enough to get you into the places that count. That's how the underworld works here."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//߂ƂAWA̓`ƍߑgD́A
//̗j̐[␼̃VWP[gƂ͊iႤB
//i炭ŠւĂނ́A
//̓Ɠ̚koōI݂Ɉٕqk̂B
//@ɑalł́Aĉ؂͂ȂB<k>
  The societies and other criminal organizations of Asia possess a depth of history and tradition that sets them apart from the syndicates of the West. After centuries of iron-clad brotherhood, they have developed an extraordinary sensitivity to the scent of outsiders.

  Westerners ignorant of such subtleties will never be able to destroy them from the inside.

<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u񂽒Bɂ͋͂KvȂ͂B̊XƐ_̎ɒʂlԂ́ccȁv<k>
"I know you need help...... the help of someone who knows this city and the Qingyun Society."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stX`Ot" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uꂪMlAĂ̂Hv<k>
"And that's supposed to be you?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="ڐO" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uNԂ̌ÑA
//܂lŎgRl͎cĂv<k>
"I've been away for a year, but I still have some personal connections among my old associates."

<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//u񂽂͋ƕB͏ƁA
//@ޒB̃[gpӂBǂHv<k>
"You supply the money and soldiers. I'll get you information and smuggling routes. Well?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stX`Ot" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//X`Ot͕\̓ǂ߂ȂŁA𒭂߂ĂB
//lɎč蒼Ů́A
//ꂱʂ̂悤ɓȂB<k>
  Stugrev gazes at the distant ocean horizon, his expression unreadable. His face, remade to look Chinese, is so still as to seem itself a mask.

<BOX TYPE=3>
//ucc܏C`iׂꂽA
//_I肾ȁv<k>
"......If Shanghai Cybernetics goes down now, the Qingyun Society is finished."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uccv<k>
"......"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stX`Ot" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uꂱꑫ4NȏA
//͒lɐ肷܂Ăv<k>

//uOƓHāA悤ɒāA
//U镑ācc邤ɁA
//O̍lgɕtv<k>

//ugAmAMA`AEAmhcc
//l񌾖ڂɂ͌ɏo
//DȌ܂蕶1ZbgBȁHv<k>
"I've spent four years as a Chinese, give or take."

"I've eaten what you eat, talked like you talk, acted like you act...... and I've learned how you think."

"Courtesy, Benevolence, Honor, Righteousness, Courage, Wisdom....... You Chinese love to talk about these things every chance you get, don't you?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="Ζڕ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//X`Otׂ̕ZɁAv킸<R ALT="^I["></R>͎΂B<k>
  Taoluo cannot help but chuckle at the six words Stugrev lists.

<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="cȏ΂" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uɂAw̘Zv<k>
"Indeed. Those are the Six Virtues we're all taught in elementary school."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stX`Ot" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uɂOɂƂẮAeZJĂ̂厖Ȃ͂Bě̐Ă̂́AJłȂv<k>

//u܂ŕRƁA
//e͂Ȃ؂ȂāccȒlA
//͂܂ڂɂƂ˂v<k>

//uȓz͐MpĂ̂ˁHv<k>
"As I understand it, the bonds between family are more important than anything. And the oath you take when you enter a society is supposed to be even stronger than blood."

"For you to betray them so easily, without batting an eyelash...... I've never seen a Chinese who can do that."

"Can I really trust someone like you?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="cȏ΂" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u܂ml̂񂽂
//<R ALT="Ă">F</R>Ƃ͂ȁv<k>
"I never expected to be lectured on fidelity and brotherhood by a westerner."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//<R ALT="Ђ傤Ђ傤">GX</R>ƂƂ͗ɐn̔@sX`Ot̎A
//<R ALT="^I["></R>͗΂Ŏ󂯗B<k>
  The sharp, knife-like glint in Stugrev's eyes belies his indifferent tone, but Taoluo dismisses it with a chilly smile.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="Ζڕ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uɂ񂽂̂́A
//llƂĐ铹B
//ȁA͂lł邱Ƃ߂v<k>
"What you speak of is indeed the path that humans should live by. I, however, have abandoned my humanity."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stX`Ot" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uccv<k>
"......"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u炠񂽂ɂ`s
//ѓȂBpĂ炤v<k>
"So I have no intention of showing you loyalty. I'll simply use you for my own purposes."

<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="ڐO" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
//uȕɂ񂽒BA
//ĝĂCŗpB
//ʓ|LƂ͍lȁv<k>
"You do the same. Just think of me as a disposable pawn, and don't worry about what doesn't concern you."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stX`Ot" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uccOǂ܂ő悤Ə肾A
//͒n̒܂ŕtCȂ
//XXȂv<k>
"......You want to fall into Hell, that's your business, but I'm not gonna take the plunge with you."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="ڕ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uȂATdɂȁB܂rԂ邱Ƃv<k>
"Then you'd better be ready to jump off before we get there."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//Ȃ̂Ă<R ALT="^I["></R>AłɃX`Ot̔]̓V
//ǂɌXĂ̂́AmMĂB
//_񂩂痠TColeBNXs̔eD悷邱Ƃ́A
//VA}tBA̔ߊ̂͂B
//댯ȔłłAX`Ot͕KĂB<k>
  Despite his brusque response, Taoluo is certain that Stugrev's mental scales are already tipping in his favor. He knows how desperately the Russian Mafia wants to seize control of the black market from the Qingyun Society. However risky the gamble, Stugrev should have no choice but to accept.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stX`Ot" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//ucc{̕Ɋ|Ă݂B
//邶イɕԎ悤v<k>
"......I'll talk to my superiors back home and let you know later tonight."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="Ζڕ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//u҂Ăv<k>
"I expect good news."

<clear>
<background src="B_C02">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//X`OtԂA낤Ƃācc
//΂炭ĂUB<k>
  Stugrev turns and walks away...... but only makes it a few steps before turning back toward Taoluo.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stX`Ot" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uO_ĎElڂȁA
//mɃX`Otv<k>
"About the second guy you killed when you were hunting me. You did get a Stugrev, you know."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="\" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uccȂɁHv<k>
"......What?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stX`Ot" face="ڊJ" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uh~[gBEX`OtB̒킾B
//̂Ƃ̕Q̐AYꂽƂ͂Ȃv<k>
"Dmitri Stugrev. He was my little brother. I haven't forgotten the oath of vengeance I swore then."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="ڐO" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uccv<k>
"......"

<bgm src="M09" mode="fadeout" time="5" option="Loop">
<clear>
<background src="B_C02">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//ꂾcƁA
//X`Ot͓xƐUԂ邱ƂȂĂB
//̔wȂA
//<R ALT="^I["></R>͋ƂĐĂXɑzyB<k>
  So saying, Stugrev vanishes without another backwards glance. Watching him go, Taoluo reflects upon the days he spent as the Society's assassin.

<se src="_03_l̒01" mode="on" option="single">
//ڂ݂Ύr̎RBςݏグ͐mꂸcc
//ȐlɔA}ʂ̉l̂́A
//<R ALT="C["></R>Ăꂽ炾B<k>

//<R ALT="C["></R>̂ȂEɂ́AԂ̂͂ȂB
//󂵂ĂBNlc炸Ƃ\ȂB<k>

//SĂB
//Ȏg܂߂āB<k>
  Behind him stands a mountain of corpses. The enmity he has earned is immeasurable. The one thing that gave such a life meaning, that allowed him to fight on, was that Ruili was always there for him.

  A world without Ruili, therefore, has nothing of value.<K>
  Let it all be destroyed. Should none survive, he will count it a small loss.

  Anything is worth sacrificing.<K> Himself included.

<background src="B_C01">
<bgm src="M03" mode="fadein" time="5" option="Loop">
<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stC[ʏ" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//ucc˂Aɂ܁Hv<k>
"......Brother?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uHv<k>
"Hm?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stC[ʏ" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//̊Ԃɑ܂Ŗ߂Ă̂A
//U<R ALT="^I["></R>͕sɔނグ<R ALT="C["></R>ƖڂB<k>
  Turning to the unexpected voice, Taoluo finds Ruili staring apprehensively up at him.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stC[ʏ" face="fQ" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uȂ̂͂ȂAẮH
//܂̂AHv<k>
"What were you talking about? Who was that man?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="Ζڕ" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//ułȂBmȂlv<k>
"It was nothing. Just a stranger."

<BOX TYPE=0>
//Rɂk̂͊ȂB
//<R ALT="^I["></R>͕iƕς炸N炩ɖ@B
//<R ALT="C["></R>͉CɂȂĂB<k>
  Taoluo feels no shame at his easy lie. He has always assuaged her fears thus. Ruili need not worry about anything.

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uAʂɂȂ邩ȁv<k>
"Soon, everything will be back to normal."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stC[ʏ" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uHv<k>
"?"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="D΂" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=2>
//uɂƍI悤ɂȂB
//Ղ̒evoB
//ccÓÂ̂܂܂<R ALT="C["></R>ɖ߂񂾁v<k>

//uO̎̑SāA
//̎Ŏ߂v<k>
"You'll be able to dance even better, and you'll remember how to play the <I>guzheng</I>. You'll go back to being the old Ruili."

"Everything that you've lost, I will take back."

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="left" mode="off">
<bustup name="stC[ʏ" face="\" align="right">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=3>
//uHHHv<k>
"???"

<bustup name="U摜" face="U\" align="right" mode="off">
<bustup name="st^I[⍞" face="cȏ΂" align="left">
<wipe effect="fade" time="7">
<BOX TYPE=0>
//t̏ΊŖ݂ȂA
//<R ALT="^I["></R>͋ɉQC̔MĂB<k>
  Even as he comforts his sister with his brightest smile, Taoluo can feel the flames of madness burning within him.

<bgm src="M03" mode="fadeout" time="5" option="Loop">
<clear>
<background src="#000000">
<wipe effect="fade" time="30">
<wait time="30">

<a href="r{4">
