Arknights, but the Family Has Fallen Again, Again, and Again — 24

Oute did not believe that Wei Yenwu's ideal combination punch was born of pure goodwill.

After all, even Old Wei himself had said, "They can't refuse, even if they know everything I offer will be hard to swallow. I've done this before, and I'll continue doing it in the future. No hesitation, no regrets."

Then behind this lavish gift package, there was most likely an IF route where Rhodes Island lost its autonomy under Lungmen's generous terms, becoming a local Lungmen pharmaceutical company, a Yan state-owned enterprise, or even using the shortcut of serving as a policy expert to enter the front three rows of Yan's court.

Thinking about it carefully... it wasn't quite right to call it "not pure goodwill," either.

But for the legitimate Kazdel and the Rhodes Island government-in-exile, that ending would be one hell of a dark joke.

If that IF route truly became reality, Oute might actually laugh himself to death.

The Sheep Whose Fate Was Still Uncertain

Knock, knock.

"Come in."

Oute casually tossed his pen onto the desk and set aside the paper he had marked up.

Specter promptly offered him a cup of hot tea at just the right temperature.

When Earthspirit pushed open the door, Oute was holding the teacup and staring at the nun in astonishment.

Specter... she... took the initiative? Why?

"Dr. Oute, this is the Catastrophe report you requested." Facing such a major figure in the field, Earthspirit seemed somewhat uneasy.

As he accepted the report, her file swiftly passed through Oute's mind.

Earthspirit, female, Caprinae, born in Leithanien, Infected. A geologist and Catastrophe Messenger, assigned to the Support team at Rhodes Island.

Due to the special nature of her duties, her direct superior was... me.

Not surprising. Geology plus Catastrophes—put those two tags together, and wasn't that just Originium?

"Ah? Right. Have a seat first." Oute took a sip of tea through the opening in his hood in an extremely awkward posture.

The taste was decent enough, but this hood... Had someone plucked a Liberi?

But where had Specter gotten it...?

All of a sudden, Oute spotted the tea leaves somewhere in the office.

The packaging was nothing special. It was not some expensive, high-grade tea.

If Oute had bought it himself, this was exactly the kind he would have chosen.

After all, first, he drank it to stay alert; second, he did not like plain water.

As far as Oute was concerned, any tea would do. If there was no tea, coffee was acceptable too.

"..."

Oute was silent for a moment before getting straight to the point.

He said to Earthspirit, "I believe that after a day has passed, you've heard more or less about yesterday's rescue operation."

Earthspirit nodded. "Yes, Doctor."

"What are the others saying?"

Huh? Small talk? No way?

"The field operators are all talking about your miraculous command."

Oute tapped the desk. "Skip the pointless praise."

"Ah, that was also my mistake... Ahem... Normally, no one would be willing to say such things in front of the patient."

After another day of Arts treatment, Oute's postoperative recovery was progressing well. Including today, he would likely be able to say he had fully recovered in another two days.

Using his elbows as support, Oute placed his hands near his chin and leaned over the desk.

He said flatly, "The other rumors are true as well."

After discussion, under Oute's lead, Rhodes Island's "inner circle" had decided to truthfully record Oute's amnesia, though the official account would be...

"Because my brain was injured, and accompanied by brain damage, I lost most of my memories."

Earthspirit abruptly stood up. "What!? This is a disaster for the academic worl—"

She quickly apologized again. "Sorry, Doctor. I was rude."

"I'll take it as concern for me." Oute waved for Earthspirit to sit back down.

"According to Kal'tsit, many textbooks in the Originium field are inseparable from me..." Oute sighed. "But now, my knowledge in that area is no different from that of a layman."

As a scholar herself, Earthspirit wore a worried expression.

"But there's no need to worry too much. What I lost was mostly episodic memory. My procedural memory and intelligence haven't suffered much damage. For a scholar, that can be considered a blessing amid misfortune." Oute smiled. "There are people in this world who hurt their heads and can't even understand the formulas they wrote themselves!"

"I'm already very fortunate."

Was he forcing a smile?

Earthspirit had no way of knowing.

"In short, I need a... crash review."

"Only, I don't really know how long this review will last..."

Oute took another sip of tea.

Could it be...?

Earthspirit was somewhat resistant to that possibility.

"The operators on the island who can help me complete this review..."

As if startled, Earthspirit cut Oute off. "Pardon me for reminding you, but I only receive one salary. I work eight hours a day, and overtime requires additional overtime pay."

Oute was somewhat astonished.

Earthspirit could actually say something like that right in front of her direct superior!?

What kind of workplace wish-fulfillment novel was this!?

Could you be the protagonist?

What was that called again, Ground Spirit Straight Earth? Half-Groundspirit Tree?

He gave two dry coughs and said, "At present, your role in Rhodes Island's Catastrophe early-warning efforts is irreplaceable. Personally, I have no desire to divert your energy from that work."

Earthspirit blushed. Had she misunderstood?

She had indeed misunderstood, because Oute was not targeting her.

"Have you read this paper before?" Oute flipped the paper he had just marked back to its cover page, turned it around, and handed it to Earthspirit.

On the first author line of An Investigative Report on the Relationship Between Originium and Catastrophe Formation was an interesting name: Adele.

Adele Naumann.

"This is... Eyjafjalla's paper?"

Earthspirit leafed through it.

She had indeed read the paper before, but this time, what she wanted to see was not the paper itself, but Oute's annotations.

The Doctor's professional knowledge had indeed been severely damaged, but his logical thinking had remained unaffected... He still possessed keen insights into the social impact of the Originium industry...

Earthspirit focused on analyzing Oute's notes.

Oute nodded.

"According to the records, she has not been with Rhodes Island for long, and her condition is quite troublesome as well..."

Oute produced another application.

"Application to join the Operations Department!?"

This was far too reckless! Doctor, you absolutely could not approve this!

The thought brewed in Earthspirit's mind, but she did not voice it.

Because she had finished reading the stamped application and saw the department Eyjafjalla had ultimately been assigned to.

"Although she meets the requirements, I won't approve it." Oute nodded before continuing. "Her complications include severe hearing loss and reduced vision. Leaving the logistics roster and joining the Operations Department in that condition... even if it is only for field scientific surveys, could easily cause her further irreversible harm."

"But taking Eyjafjalla's own wishes into account, I have currently decided to temporarily transfer her from the Catastrophe early-warning department to my office, where she will serve as my assistant until her condition stabilizes."

Oute's gloved index finger lightly tapped the desk once more.

"First, this can indeed be considered part of the Operations Department. Procedurally speaking, it fully complies with her wishes. Most of the time, I will remain at Rhodes Island to handle work, so Miss Eyjafjalla will not need to serve in the field for extended periods."

"Second, this will help monitor the progression of her condition and allow us to adjust intervention plans in a timely manner."

"And third, this is partly my own selfish desire. Miss Eyjafjalla has not been with Rhodes Island for long, and I have not seen much trace of her in your files."

"Transferring Eyjafjalla to serve as my assistant and privately tutor me will basically not affect your work efficiency."

Earthspirit was somewhat moved. To take care of a child like Eyjafjalla, Oute had truly gone to great lengths and come up with so many excuses.

"However, this procedurally belonging to the Operations Department does not mean she will necessarily accept the outcome easily. Everyone has their own understanding of what is right and what is wrong."

Oute left the desk, looked out through the porthole, and clasped his hands behind his back.

Two "moons," one bright and one dim, shone upon the wilderness.

"Ahem. I'm not sure whether Rhodes Island's goodwill might be too subjective a matter of right and wrong to her."

"You mean...?"

Oute turned back to Earthspirit. "If she is unwilling, then... Earthspirit, today I only called you here to learn about..."

"Mm, to learn from our Catastrophe Messenger about the Catastrophe that struck Chernobog."

"There is no application."