I'm on the Ark, and I start out as Gretchen.

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In the corridor not far from the laboratory—

"!"

Saria, who was rushing over, was startled by the loud explosion and hurriedly ran towards the laboratory with a grim face.

However, when she rushed into the laboratory, the expected flames and heat did not appear. Instead, she saw only injured researchers, a devastated laboratory, and a biting cold.

Then, before Saria could make any move, the "culprit" of this chill took action first.

Upon noticing Saria's arrival, Sakura gently picked up Ifrit, who had been completely submerged and unconscious by her, and walked towards her.

"I'm sorry for acting without permission, Section Chief Saria. The situation was too urgent at the time. Here..." After a brief explanation, Sakura carefully handed Ifrit, which she was holding, to Saria in front of her.

"……Thanks for your hard work."

Without saying a word, Saria whispered her message to Sakura, then picked up the unconscious Ifrit and quickly left, rushing towards the other intact laboratories.

At this moment, she didn't even need a machine to examine her; she could see with her naked eye that Ifrit's condition was extremely poor...

"..."

Watching Saria's departing figure, Sakura followed without hesitation.

After all, such a big thing happened; even if she didn't go now, her section chief would definitely contact her later. Besides, if she went, she might be able to provide Möbius with some useful information.

"I...I'll go too!"

Seeing what Saria and Sakura were doing, Himeru, who was quite injured, struggled to get up from the ground and limped over to follow them.

However, before she could take more than a few steps, she was stopped by the people who came in to clean up the mess.

“Miss Himer, why don’t you stay and treat the wound? Even if you need to treat the patient, there’s no rush. Besides, we have Section Chief Seria with us.”

"...Alright, then please hurry. That child, that child isn't doing well." Hearing this, Hermer gently bit her lower lip, hesitated for a moment, and then agreed.

Although still worried, out of trust in Saria, Himer ultimately chose to undergo treatment first.

"Don't worry, we'll try to do it as quickly as possible."

-----------------

Möbius's office —

Compared to the commotion outside the structural engineering department, Möbius's laboratory was unusually quiet.

"..."

Sitting at her desk, Mebius's expression remained largely unchanged, but the slight glint in her eyes and her clenched hands betrayed her true emotions.

"Ha~"

Finally, with a low chuckle, Mebius slowly lowered his eyes, concealing the gloom within them.

Sakura had no idea what the lab was like, but she knew it perfectly well...

Honestly, although Mebius had calculated from various data that Ifrit's body might reach a critical point today, she never expected it to be such a massive outburst...

No, that's not right. Rather than saying there isn't one...

It's less that Mebius anticipated such a massive outbreak and more that he never expected that Ahrendts Parvis, that madman, would increase the dosage of the experimental drug to such a terrifying level in such a short period of time.

Far exceeding her expectations, it also caused Ifrit's body to erupt uncontrollably.

"call……"

After slowly exhaling a breath of stale air and calming himself down, Möbius quickly made contact with Bianca in his mind.

'Bianca, move the afternoon aside. Let's prepare for the final experiment...'

'...Okay, you should contact the volunteers first.'

Although Bianca was somewhat displeased with Mebius's order, she ultimately refrained from speaking up against the man who was in a fit of anger, as she had been informing Rhine Lab of what was happening through telepathy.

After all, family members know each other best. If you argue with them... well, I can totally imagine what will happen next—their outburst and the potential "retaliation" that might follow...

'Um. ’

Mebius rubbed his aching temples, ended his conversation with Bianca, and quickly stood up and walked outside.

The accident was too sudden, and given that he didn't know the specifics of Ifrit's situation, Mebius could only prepare for the worst.

If necessary, after the clinical trial this afternoon goes smoothly, she will have Ifrit receive Bianca's, or rather, Black Abyss White Flower's, treatment tonight...

While planning the treatment, Mebius also intended to use this accident to teach certain guys a lesson.

Furthermore, Möbius successfully put the plan to meet Kristen Wright on his agenda...

P.S.: I was experiencing writer's block and my period today, so I was practically bedridden... I even posted a notice of absence at the end of the last chapter, and I had the lights off and was about to go to sleep. Suddenly, I found myself featured on the recommendation list.

Then came a sudden, dramatic awakening from a near-death experience...

Chapter 100 Sakura's Righteous Provocation

After arranging for Ifrit to be transferred to another laboratory for various examinations and treatments, Saria suppressed her anger and looked at Sakura beside her, saying, "Come out with me for a moment."

"Ah."

Knowing that Saria wanted to ask about her situation, Sakura nodded gently and followed without any resistance, her expression calm.

After finding a quiet, secluded spot, Saria stopped and asked Sakura, "Tell me about what happened in detail."

"it is good……"

Sakura then recounted the events to Saria without embellishment.

As for why they didn't embellish the story or exacerbate the conflict, it's simply because there's no need to resort to such a low-level method. After all, lying about something like this and being exposed would be difficult to cover up.

"..."

After listening to Sakura's account, Saria frowned, her fists clenching so tightly they cracked.

"call--"

After calming down for a moment, Saria slowly exhaled a breath of stale air and said to Sakura, "I understand the situation. You should go back and rest. I'll need your help again tonight."

After saying that, she turned to leave...

Seria had reached her limit; Ifrit's actions were clearly against the rules. She needed an explanation from Ahrendt Parvis, and an account of Ifrit's actions.

However, just as Saria was about to leave, Sakura suddenly spoke up, her tone and expression serious: "Please wait a moment, Section Chief Saria..."

"Um……?"

Although she was anxious, Saria stopped and looked back after hearing her subordinate's words.

"Although I may not know as much about this whole matter as you do, Section Chief, and I don't know your opinion, I still want to raise this question."

At this point, Sakura paused slightly, then asked solemnly, word by word, "Is this patient named Ifrit truly receiving treatment, or is it a human experiment disguised as treatment?"

"!"

Sakura's sudden words caused Saria's pupils to shrink slightly, and her whole body to tremble slightly.

Then, various fragmented clues connected in her mind... leading her to a direction she had been somewhat avoiding and unwilling to think about.

"Section Chief... do you know why I, who have always been a traveler, joined Rhine Labs?"

Before Saria could answer, Sakura said her own answer: "Because I saw it, I saw the expectations that the people at the bottom of society, the infected, have for you researchers and scientists."

"That's why I, a rough martial artist, suddenly chose to join Rhine Lab's defense department, wanting to do my part."

"but……"

At this point, Sakura fell silent, but her meaning was revealed in her azure eyes, which held complex emotions... causing Saria, who was looking at her, to feel a pang of shame.

"..."

"It's my responsibility. I will severely punish those who violate the rules and bring everything back on track," Saria said firmly after a moment of silence.

This promise wasn't just for Sakura, but for herself, Ifrit, and the entire Rhine Lab...

Hearing Saria's serious and firm words, Sakura slightly...

He paused, then smiled and said:

“I trust Director Seria. Let me share some of the burden with you. If there’s anything else you need me for, please let me know. Consider it for the sake of that child.”

"Thanks……"

……

In the end, although Saria was quite moved by Sakura's words, she still ordered everyone to go back and rest.

After all, Sakura would need to trouble Ifrit that evening, and besides, she wasn't the type of boss who exploited her subordinates.

After they separated and there were no more obstacles, Saria set off again to find Ahrendts Parvis.

------------------

the other side--

Sakura, who was told by Saria to go back to rest, was currently communicating with Mebius in her mind.

'His acting was pretty good.'

"Doctor, don't laugh at me. You know perfectly well what's going on." Sakura replied helplessly to Möbius's words.

While Sakura doesn't necessarily refuse to lie or disdain lying, she has never been very good at it. Even the long speech she just gave to Saria was something she had prepared beforehand.

'Alright, this phase of the plan is complete. Next, Sakura will quietly guide Saria in investigating the [Flame Demon Project].'

"Hmm. By the way, Doctor, do you need me to pick up the volunteers for this afternoon's experiment?" Sakura asked, as if suddenly remembering something.

"I was just about to tell you about this. Sakura, could you please take that little white mouse to the place I've prepared outside? As for what to be careful about, I think you already know."

'Okay, I understand.'

Knowing that time was of the essence, Sakura immediately began to carry out the task after accepting it from Mebius.

……

Möbius Laboratory —

After realizing that Sakura had already set off, Mebius began making final preparations in the laboratory.

Because this clinical trial was not being conducted in her lab, she had to prepare in advance and pack the necessary items to take with her.