The Petitioner

In the first week after being apprehended, the world's first patient with Chelation Disease died of massive internal bleeding at a local hospital. By then, however, the Chelation Disease had already begun to spread rapidly worldwide.

Chelation Disease is highly contagious even in its early stages. About two hours after infection by the pathogenic spores, the patient's bodily fluids become capable of infecting others. The pathogenic spores enter the circulatory system through mucous membranes and accumulate near the capillaries in the brain. During this process, the most striking change is a drastic drop in serotonin levels—this is also why the initial symptoms of the illness resemble depression.

Subsequently, the chelated zygotes within the spores gradually mature, forming oocysts. The nuclei and cytoplasm within the oocysts repeatedly divide and proliferate, generating tens of thousands of daughter spores. When the oocysts rupture, the spores are released en masse, breaching the blood-brain barrier directly on a physical level and completing their control over brain activity.

The moment the blood-brain barrier is breached is also the moment the afflicted completely lose their minds, becoming mere puppets of the Chelating Fungus. Even if the afflicted still briefly retain their ability to socialize normally and care for themselves, they can hardly be called "human" at this point.

Chelated Beings are born criminals; they are enthusiastic about killing. Although this does little to further spread the pathogenic spores and may even expose their infected status prematurely, the Chelated Beings engage in it with gusto.

Chiba drove, taking Hesta for one last spin around the Severn Mountain area. She spoke slowly about the history of Chelation Disease. Underneath a towering tree, she stopped the car, leaned by the window, lit a cigarette, and said softly, "But this isn't the most terrifying aspect of Chelation Disease."

Hesta looked at her, waiting for her to continue.

Chiba went on, "Before the onset of symptoms, Chelation Disease patients don't sneeze or run a fever. Even if they feel exhausted and weak internally, they can put on a brave face and appear positive to others. Humans have only one way to verify if someone is infected—by drawing cerebrospinal fluid.

"In other words, before an official diagnosis, it's difficult for outsiders to determine if there are patients nearby based on clear symptoms... This greatly amplified people's fear of Chelation Disease.

"During the period when Chelation Disease was rapidly spreading, no one dared to show their exhaustion in front of others. If someone appeared to have lost their vigor, they would be considered a potential Chelation Disease patient. In that era, this was the most terrifying thing."

"Why...?"

"Lynchings," Chiba said softly. "All over the world, 'Chelated Being Cleaners' spontaneously formed. They tirelessly hunted down those they identified as infected with the Chelating Fungus. Many were wrongly killed because of this. Besides those suffering from depression, there were also a considerable number of introverted and inarticulate people.

"Even suspected cases were treated like this, let alone those who were confirmed. Due to extreme fear of Chelation Disease patients, many people engaged in reverse causality, believing that only those with impure and filthy hearts would be invaded by the Chelating Fungus. People couldn't accept the possibility that they too could commit such evil acts. They would rather believe that Chelation Disease patients were inherently evil murderers from the start, and that's why they were chosen by demons... As a result, even patients who had undergone active treatment and recovered could not return to their normal lives.

"This is also why most Chelation Disease patients who had clearly felt changes in themselves were unwilling to seek medical help until the onset of the disease—it just occurred to me that you grew up in a convent. You must have heard those stigmatizing reasons many times by now."

Hesta recalled Sister Gurdin's past admonishments. She remained silent, saying nothing.

"In short, at that time, many people experienced unbelievable bullying," Chiba exhaled a puff of smoke. "There's also an interesting statistic—ah, perhaps it can't be called interesting. About 31% of Chelation Disease patients, after realizing they might be infected, would carry a sharp object with them: scissors, a dagger... even an axe. Do you know why?"

Hesta's body trembled uncontrollably. "...Why?"

"Because they were afraid they were truly infected but didn't dare to confirm it, so they prepared a sharp object to commit suicide if necessary—however, these items often became the first tools they used for their evil deeds after the onset."

The girl bit her lower lip tightly.

"In short, to curb Chelation Disease, we paid an extremely painful price... In recent years, Chelation Disease has begun to proliferate in the wilderness, showing signs of resurgence. We need companions, we need them very, very badly." Chiba looked at Hesta. "What do you think? Are you willing to join us?"

Hesta couldn't say a word, only nodding stiffly.

"Then I'll take you to the AHgA Base in Tanyi City now. You'll receive special training there to learn how to identify and fight Chelated Beings. By the way, I've also contacted psychological support from the aid plan for you. If there's anything you can't process, feel free to talk to the therapists. They'll measure your mental state and provide an assessment of whether you're suitable for combat training... Did I explain clearly?"

Hesta nodded. "Miss Chiba, could you do me one more favor?"

"Mm-hmm?"

"This scrapbook... could you find a suitable place to keep it for me?"

Chiba glanced at Hesta's hand. "No problem."

The two got back into the car.

Hesta stared blankly ahead, recalling the last time she saw the real Director Elma. She had seen a hint of sadness in the old woman's smile.

How did Director Elma spend her last month?

With surprise, fear, regret... perhaps mixed with other emotions she would never know. The gentle and kind director, in her final moments, had become complicit in darkness, forever trapped in the iron cage she and those around her had woven.

Hesta suddenly remembered the femur mentioned by the anthropologist, the emphasis on friendship and mutual aid by Sister Gurdin and Director Elma, and the phrase, "When we are in difficult situations, yet still able to help each other, that is the beginning of our civilization."

Perhaps she had never truly understood that sentence, nor had she realized that seeking help from one's own kind requires immense courage, and the closer the relationship, the harder it is to speak of.

The cigarette between Chiba's fingers was almost burned out. She stubbed the butt into the ashtray. "Do you have any other questions?"

Hesta shook her head.

"Good," Chiba said cheerfully, the car engine rumbling to life. "Then let's go."

The rear wheels of the folding-frame car kicked up yellowish-brown dust on the deserted mountain road as the two set off again.