Semmelweis: Here we are, Lorelei.
Lorelei: ...
Lorelei doesn't answer. She's gazing absently at a spot in the sky, as if there's something intriguing there.
Lorelei: I see beautiful moonlight flowing down like white silk. I should sing for it.
She raises the conch to her lips.
She takes a deep breath and starts to sing.
But no one can hear the song. The silent melody drifts across the empty square.
The mirror in Semmelweis's pocket flashes like a gleam of light caught in the spray of a flowing river.
Then, the song crosses the barrier into reality and reaches Semmelweis's ears.
Semmelweis: This is ... the song I heard in the mountains!
Semmelweis: No, something's different ...
This song sounds clearer. More distinct.
It falls like a stone into water, creating the ripples of a hallucination.
Semmelweis: I see red everywhere ... the white peaks of snowy mountains ... distant boating songs ... What is this?
The once-commonplace hallucination now carries a different meaning.
Semmelweis: The red is ... starting to melt? Wait, I get it! I understand!
In a matter of moments, the drawer of hallucinations opens before Semmelweis.
She sees. She sees the truth that lurks behind the song.
An immense joy washes over her. It's almost overwhelming. But soon, all this joy transforms into peaceful relief.
Her long-cherished wish has been fulfilled. This is the moment of success. It's true ...
Semmelweis: Silence.
Lorelei isn't lying. The way to cure the Beyond Disease and survive the transformation is hidden in her song.
The song itself has no meaning, but it contains a truth that cannot be conveyed through words.
For a mixed-blood arcanist who lacks the gift of arcanum, this truth is not easily understood.
Semmelweis: The world's spirit is growing restless. The "Storm" is coming.
Semmelweis: It must be, else I wouldn't have understood the truth in the song.
Semmelweis's thin arcanist bloodline does not allow her to understand this truth until the "Storm" is near.
Semmelweis: "Expand" the boundaries of spirituality; "embrace" the new arcanist bloodline.
Semmelweis: I never thought the answer would be so simple.
Lorelei: The true answer is always simple, my dear.
Lorelei: Countless threads can be woven into a beautiful dress, but this doesn't mean the threads themselves are complex.
Lorelei is no longer singing, but her song still echoes in Semmelweis's ears.
Lorelei: You've already taken the first step; the vampire bloodline is becoming a part of you.
Semmelweis looks down at the palm of her hand. The pain has vanished, and her hallucinations are gradually fading away. The vampire bloodline's influence is growing more profound.
Semmelweis: At this rate, the transformation will be complete before long.
Madam Lindsay: I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, Semmelweis.
Madam Lindsay's voice cuts through Semmelweis's thoughts.
Semmelweis: Madam Lindsay, your response is more delayed than I expected.
Madam Lindsay: I'm angered by your betrayal.
Madam Lindsay: I suppose you're aware of the implications of your actions.
Semmelweis: I know exactly what I did.
Madam Lindsay: You hid it well. You deceived us all, including me.
There is a rage behind her voice.
Semmelweis: ...
Semmelweis: Heh ...
Semmelweis smiles softly. It's genuine.
No more pretenses, no more beating around the bush, no more hypocrisy.
Semmelweis: I'm sorry, Madam Lindsay. Very sorry for deceiving you.
Semmelweis: But I'll admit it now. I don't care about the Foundation or their mission for peace. I never did.
Semmelweis: Everything I've done has served to achieve my own ends.
Madam Lindsay: Anyone who betrays the Foundation must pay the price. No exceptions.
With the flash of an array, several personnel in Foundation uniforms appear before Semmelweis and Lorelei.
Razor: Investigator Semmelweis, I never thought that this would be the circumstances of our next meeting.
Razor: I must confess, I bear considerable responsibility for your infection.
Semmelweis: You needn't worry. It's a good thing. In fact, it fulfills a dear wish of mine.
Razor: Neither dying from illness nor dying for betraying the Foundation could be considered "good" by any measure.
Razor: I'm curious. What kind of power have you gained that makes you willing to betray the Foundation? What gives you the courage to speak this way in front of the Special Agent Squad?
Semmelweis: Come see for yourself. What better way to test the results of my transformation than through battle?
Lorelei: I'll help you, little musical note.
COMBAT
Razor: Phew ... Ugh ...
Razor: I'm surprised. I didn't expect an Infected with such newly acquired arcane skills to last so long against us.
Semmelweis: Heh ... Me neither.
Semmelweis: If it weren't for the Storm Syndrome, I'd have lost long ago.
Razor: Still want to fight? I thought you knew that your failure was just a matter of time.
Semmelweis: Heh ... not necessarily. How much longer can you withstand the Storm Syndrome?
Razor: Let's see who gives out first.
Madam Lindsay: Enough, "Razor." Stop wasting time.
Razor: This is my battlefield, Madam Lindsay. Please don't question my judgment.
Madam Lindsay: I can't let you take this risk. I have another way.
Semmelweis: Ha, you ARE desperate. Are you really going to use it, Madam Lindsay?
Madam Lindsay: I don't want to.
Semmelweis: It would surely affect your political position in the Foundation. The higher-ups will be reluctant to trust a politician who needs to rely on last-resort measures to control her subordinates.
Madam Lindsay: I'd rather not use such means on someone who was once one of my most trusted subordinates.
Madam Lindsay: But I need to take responsibility for the Foundation's "Razor" squad.
Semmelweis: "Scorching Heart"—an arcane skill created by the Field Agent Administration to control the members of the Field Agent Squad.
Semmelweis: If we show signs of betrayal, the Field Agent Administration can activate the arcane skill at any time and eliminate us.
Madam Lindsay: You were doomed to fail from the start.
Madam Lindsay sighs and starts casting the arcane skill.
A scarlet light flashes from Semmelweis's chest, followed by an intense pain.
The smell of burning fills the air as black mist billows from her chest.
Madam Lindsay: I'm sorry it has to end this way, Semmelweis.
Semmelweis: ...
Semmelweis: No ... not yet.
A pained, indistinct voice comes from within the mist; it's Semmelweis.
Lorelei: You did it!
Semmelweis: Ha ... I should thank Valentina. She gave me the idea.
The black mist disperses to reveal Semmelweis kneeling weakly, covering her chest with her hands.
It's charred and blackened, but there is no doubt that she's still alive.
Madam Lindsay: What?!
Razor: I see. You temporarily transformed your heart into mist to avoid having it incinerated.
Razor: But this arcane skill must've drained your energy. It'll only make you fall faster in battle.
"Razor" steps forward, the weapon in his hand glinting.
Semmelweis: You're right. So, I have a proposal ...
Razor: A proposal?
Madam Lindsay: I won't hear a word. You're a traitor. You can't be trusted.
Razor: Just listen, won't you, Madam Lindsay?
Razor: Maybe she really can come up with a solution. I'd rather not take action against another member of the Foundation.
Madam Lindsay: Let me remind you, "Razor," that from the moment she decided to betray us, she was no longer part of the Foundation—
Madam Lindsay: ...
Madam Lindsay: Hm? Yes, I'm Lindsay ... Have we met?
Madam Lindsay: ...
Madam Lindsay: I understand. It's a logical decision.
Madam Lindsay: Rest assured, I'll be sure to abide by it.
Semmelweis: It seems I'm more valuable than I thought.
Madam Lindsay: The Foundation accepts your proposal.
Semmelweis: At least someone agrees with me. Perhaps my luck isn't so bad after all.
Madam Lindsay: As a living Infected and a field agent who can survive the "Scorching Heart," your value to the Foundation is extremely high.
Madam Lindsay: However, this betrayal of yours will not be written off. You'll still be punished accordingly.
Semmelweis: I accept your terms.
Semmelweis looks at Lorelei.
Semmelweis: But I would also request that the Foundation take in this arcanist. Her arcane skill will be of great research value to the Foundation.
Madam Lindsay: My orders are to bring you back, not any other arcanists.
Semmelweis: ...
Lorelei: Thank you, but that won't be necessary, my dear.
Lorelei: I never wanted to escape from the "Flood."
Semmelweis: Lorelei, you need to live ...
As Semmelweis's eyes meet Lorelei's, she falls silent. She realizes that she cannot convince her.
Lorelei: I'm not leaving. There are still people waiting for my help, including my mother and father.
Lorelei: No, not the hallucinations, but the real Mama and Papa that exist in another world.
Lorelei moves over to Semmelweis, takes off the conch, and gently hangs it around Semmelweis's neck.
Lorelei: See you, Semmelweis.
With a smile to Semmelweis and a wave to the "Razor" Squad, Lorelei leaves without so much as a backward glance.
Semmelweis: Lorelei!
Lorelei is humming and dancing a cheery dance, as if she's on her way to a pleasant dinner party.
Semmelweis: ...
As she watches Lorelei leave, Semmelweis strokes the conch around her neck.
Semmelweis: Madam Lindsay, "Razor," I surrender.