Saiyan stowaways on the Ark

"Why did you say something thought-provoking to that guy, but give me the kind of nonsense you'd tell a child?"

Sonia directed her anger at Tomat for this differential treatment, but thankfully she wasn't so agitated that she needed her friends to intervene.

“I won’t reflect on what he said. As for why you can’t get it, isn’t it because you’re just a clueless Ursus kid who thought that time in Chernobog was painful? Did it make you grow up and get used to the cruelty of reality?” But the one who responded to Sonia was Broken Bones, “I don’t care what you went through there. Thanks to you, the pain I experienced far exceeded yours!”

The words "Broken Bones" drew the attention of Sonia and the Ursus girls around her to Tomat. Sonia, in particular, seemed about to erupt in even greater rage, gritting her teeth as she asked:

"...Do you Rhodes Island people really think that the harm we've suffered is nothing compared to what the Infected have experienced?"

"Stop stirring things up, kid. You two are evenly matched." But Tomat turned around and said this to the indignant Broken Bones first, then snapped his fingers.

That small shock, which seemed to stir the air throughout the space, shattered the ice shell binding the broken-boned legs.

Rather than a simple act of kindness, it seemed more like a deterrent to both sides present not to resort to violence.

Only then did he respond to Sonia, "As for you, little girl, what I said to you was just stating the facts. Some of my former colleagues were given long leave by the boss because their swearing affected the company's image. They were permanently suspended. If I really wanted to get rid of you, I would have used an even more outrageous reason."

"And I have no intention of holding a misery contest based on the tragic experiences you've had, and then deciding who is more miserable."

He then refuted the misunderstandings that had arisen among Sonia and the others due to Shattered Bones's remarks.

"I'm asking you, what would it take for you to stop arguing, or at least stop arguing here?"

"Tomat asked."

This is a question that could silence both sides, because they both realize that they are now on "someone else's territory." Whether you are a member of the Reunion Movement or a refugee rescued from Chernobog, continuing like this will not benefit anyone.

“Chestron was beyond saving long ago. The women and I... had planned to start our lives afresh on the Rhodes Island, but that doesn’t mean those things are over. Since there’s a member of the culprit organization here, of course we have to get to the bottom of this. Who told him to give us a straight answer and just say things that make us furious?”

Sonia was hoping for a "confession" from the perpetrators, for them to admit that they had committed a foolish crime.

“I have nothing to say to you. Even if I did, it wouldn’t be what you want to hear. What do you want to hear? Repentance? Apologies? Our purpose and motives are that simple, and you know that better than anyone else. You just refuse to accept the fact that you are also perpetrators.”

What Shattered Bones wants is for the victims to accept it, to let them know that this is the consequence of their own "self-inflicted suffering".

They were once again at loggerheads over each other's demands.

Tomath then looked at Frostnova, who was with Misha—Misha hadn't left because of the remaining bone fragments, and Frostnova was ready to stop them again at any time.

However, neither of the two people arguing felt the humid heat inside; they, on the other hand, were feeling dizzy from the sauna-like temperature.

It seems we must quickly end this "little squabble" that is happening between children but has deep roots in the entire land of Terra.

Should I come?

When he noticed Tomat looking at him, he assumed that Tomat was finding the current situation difficult and was going to hand it over to him.

However, Frostnova received a nonsensical response from Tomat.

"No, I have something special to say next. Frostnova, just try to stay calm."

"calm?"

Is there anyone here calmer than her?

Froststar had witnessed countless arguments like this, whether it was insults between two people or wars between infected and non-infected armies; she was already used to it.

"Ahem, you lot."

Before another round of arguments erupted, Tomat spoke again, drawing their attention to his side.

"First of all... black stockings, oh no, it's broken bones."

Tomat arrived at the broken bones, who, even after breaking free of the ice, were still standing next to Misha.

What were you originally going to call me?

Thomas naturally ignored Broken Bones' question and continued:

"Chestron is destroyed."

"Of course I know that."

After all, he was the one who abolished Chernobog's function as a city. How could he forget the time when he destroyed this oppressive city of infected people with a sense of honor?

Moreover, he also witnessed the rare natural disaster, the Originium Rain.

There's no need for Tomat to emphasize that Chernobog was destroyed.

"I mean something more thorough, something slightly better than being wiped out, meaning that the perpetrators you hate, as well as the bystanders, basically don't have a good ending."

But Tomat emphasized it again—emphasizing the broken bones, or rather, the situation that none of the people present knew.

"...What? Was it done by the Ursus army!?"

The Ursus army would even fire naval guns at crowds to capture a single prisoner—the same was true in their own city-states.

It is not impossible to ignore the very few remaining citizens and carry out a scorched-earth operation on Chernobog.

While being questioned again by Shattered Bones, Tomat glanced at Frostnova beside him. Although Frostnova's eyes widened at Tomat's words, she remained calm.

Regardless of Froststar's opinion, Shattered Bones wouldn't care if such a city turned to ashes.

The surprise on both sides was mainly due to the fact that the Reunification Movement's command center was also there.

"Then there's that little girl over there. The Reunion Movement that caused you so much suffering has also been dismantled. Isn't this the fate that a terrorist organization that indiscriminately affects others deserves?"

Sonia was speechless for a moment.

In the intermission, Tomat casually answered the question about broken bones:

"It wasn't Ursus, it was just destroyed by one of the affected guys."

Broken Bones couldn't understand the logic behind it and even thought it was nonsense.

But Froststar understood the meaning behind those words.

However, she did not immediately lose control of her emotions and question Tommat about "someone's" situation. Instead, she suddenly took out the amulet from her bosom, the same amulet that Frostnova had taken out when she thought her life was about to end in the ruins of Chernobog's branch city.

—The amulet seemed no different from usual.

She showed an expression of far greater surprise than before, and, almost imperceptibly, let out a sigh of relief.

"So, you've achieved what you wanted, haven't you? Although it wasn't something someone deliberately did for you."

The city of sin has vanished.

The same applies to the organizations that organize riots.

But no one showed a satisfied expression.

"Or have you realized that what you really want is something else?"

[Main Text] Rhodes Island Stroll Guide: Chapter Four - Come Attack Me!

"Sister Anna... what does 'vanished into thin air' mean? Gummy doesn't understand the complicated Yan language... why is everyone silent? Have they... made up?"

"It's okay, I'll teach you when we get back..."

The blonde Ursus girl who called herself Gummy was not actually relaxed by the quiet atmosphere. The way she leaned against the blue-haired Ursus girl with a monocle called Anna showed that her talk of "making up" was just a pure hope.

"How is that possible!"

Sonia was denying it, denying Thomas's "Are you satisfied now?" attitude.

Who would expect that kind of thing to happen? And even if it did, how much would change?

"Nonsense!"

Shattered Bones, however, refused to believe his claim that "integration has been destroyed."

The integration was destroyed without his knowledge? What a joke, that's impossible.

But it was precisely because they denied this result that "met their demands" that both sides realized that what they had expected might not have been what they had hoped for before.

But what exactly is it?

"Seeing how much you care about that kind of thing makes me want to laugh. Whether it's true or not, you'll find out soon enough. Until then, just wait patiently. Those who are injured should get treatment, and those who aren't injured should find something to do instead of creating problems for others."*1

When confronted with their denial of his words, Tomat offered no comment, instead adopting an indifferent attitude that it was up to them to believe or not.

Their argument did indeed temporarily stop because of what Tomat said.

"Let's go back."

These words echoed among the caregivers of both parties. Anna, along with the others, took Sonia's arm, while Misha also grabbed the hem of Broken Bones's clothes and tugged at it gently.

"You guys, wait a minute."

Even as Frostnova was about to leave the stuffy room with Misha, Tomat shouted at them again.

"I can't guarantee that you'll calm down after seeing my message, nor do I object to you fighting each other because you don't like each other."

"Huh?"

The surprised exclamation came from someone who was puzzled as to why, after the atmosphere had finally eased, someone would bring up something that would stir up conflict again.

"But if you want to fight, let's do it in Rhodes Island's operator training room. Instructor Dobermann can arrange a suitable place for you."

Thomas spoke to Sonia and Broken Bones, who had stopped.

"Instead of trying to understand each other with a bunch of words in this small room, it's better to open our hearts with our fists—I mean mentally, not physically."

He also raised his fist, and continued:

"If you want one of you to shut up, then fight. The loser shouldn't be resentful. But if you want to maintain the status quo, constantly causing trouble for each other to pass the time, and even causing trouble for the people here..."

Tomat glanced at Broken Bones, whom he had once defeated, and at Sonia, whom he thought had been treated like a child.

"How about you defeat me first?"

Shattered Bones did have the idea of ​​finding an opportunity to fight Tomat again, but he was currently injured, in enemy territory, and his sister Misha had recognized him. At this time, it was not a good time to start a fight.

Sonia was more inclined to accept the former suggestion because she didn't actually want to cause too much trouble in this place where she had decided to start her life anew. Being able to have a good fight with Bonecrusher and defeat him would relieve some of her resentment—and incidentally, prove her strength, making it easier for her to join Rhodes Island.

The conflict between them ultimately stems from each other, so why provoke a fight that is unrelated to each other?

Although they are just children in Ursus, they still possess the rationality that is expected.

"However, the latter is too impossible for children. How about this, I won't use... 'Originium Arts', nor will I touch you with my hands or feet. If you touch me even once, you win, and I will never interfere in your disputes again. How about that?"

Until Tomat said those words.

"Who do you think you are?!" (Ursus profanity)

This time, it wasn't just Frostnova who covered Misha's ears; Anna also covered Gummy's ears.