Cradling the exhausted, sleeping Eyjafjalla in his arms, Revy boarded the aircraft returning to Rhodes Island early.
Although the mission hadn't completely met its original objective, Revy didn't believe that Eyjafjalla was in the right mental state to continue her research right now.
What she needed was rest.
Naturally, Revy also brought back the volcanic rocks they had collected over the past few days. These natural minerals containing Originium crystals were far more reactive than synthetically purified ones. Extremely dangerous, yes—but their research value was immense. To Eyjafjalla, they were treasures.
At the moment, the little Caprinae girl lay peacefully asleep in Revy's arms. Her soft, steady breathing gently rustled the hair falling across her cheeks, where tear tracks had yet to dry.
"I know this probably isn't my place… but may I ask, Mr. Revy, what exactly happened these past couple of days?"
The question came from the operator piloting the aircraft. Revy remembered his name: Barty. Whether it was his real name or just a codename, he wasn't sure.
Barty seemed to be familiar with Eyjafjalla. During the trip to Leithanien, the little sheep had introduced him to Revy.
"I'm not really sure if it's my place to tell you… After all, most of what happened falls under Operator Eyjafjalla's private affairs—her family matters, to be exact."
After a moment's hesitation, Revy finally spoke:
"I think it would be better for Miss Eyjafjalla to decide for herself, once she wakes up."
"I understand."
Barty didn't push any further.
But Revy's words had already revealed a few clues. For someone who knew at least a little about Eyjafjalla's background, that was enough to start piecing things together.
"I remember you, Operator Barty… You were an acquaintance of her parents, weren't you?"
Revy rarely initiated small talk, but Barty's familiarity with Eyjafjalla—and possibly his role as an elder figure—made Revy curious. He wanted to learn more about her from someone who had known her longer.
"An acquaintance… you could say that," Barty replied with a wry smile. "More accurately, Professor Naumann and her husband were my benefactors. Because of that, I actually knew Miss Eyjafjalla long before coming to Rhodes Island."
Revy looked down at the girl sleeping soundly in his arms.
"So… you joined Rhodes Island for her sake?"
It wasn't a strange question. After all, Barty wasn't an infected individual. Since he hadn't come seeking treatment, he must have come for some other reason.
Barty nodded.
"After the accident involving the Naumann couple, I kept an eye on their daughter. Unfortunately, I'm not a professional Catastrophe researcher—I couldn't assist her studies, nor could I convince her to give them up."
Clad entirely in his Rhodes Island uniform, Barty's expression was hidden, but there was undisguised sorrow in his voice.
"Later, I heard that Miss Eyjafjalla had contracted Oripathy and made her way to Rhodes Island…"
"But in your day-to-day life, you don't seem to go out of your way to interact with her?"
"We're not supposed to interact—I'm just a relic of a bygone era."
His tone was neither bitter nor kind, just factual.
"Honestly, I never intended to meet Miss Eyjafjalla again. I just wanted to watch over her quietly, help with her treatment however I could. But I was eventually recognized during a meal…"
"You should spend more time with her. She doesn't have many friends," Revy suggested sincerely. "Eyjafjalla's naturally shy. She doesn't really have anyone she can talk to at Rhodes Island. You're one of the few who might qualify."
"Sigh…"
Barty didn't respond directly. He simply let out a sigh and gave Revy a sidelong glance.
"…Take good care of Adele. She's suffered… far too much."
Revy found himself unable to speak.
"Mr. Revy—no, Revy, my young friend," Barty said again, glancing at the sleeping Eyjafjalla. "You don't need to explain. I already understand."
"Adele is extremely guarded. After what happened to her parents, she became even more so. Unless she truly trusts someone, she wouldn't let them anywhere near her—much less let someone hold her like this in her sleep."
"As far as I know, you're the second person she's ever fallen asleep against. The first… was Professor Naumann."
Revy lowered his gaze.
Even if nothing physical had happened between them, his relationship with Eyjafjalla was clearly no longer simple. It might be a natural progression, but in front of someone like Barty—a familiar face, maybe even a father figure—it still felt a little awkward.
"…I will take good care of her."
That was all he could manage to say, but he believed Barty would understand what he meant.
"Mr. Revy… What do you think of the Doctor?"
Barty suddenly changed the subject, clearly not wanting to linger on the previous topic.
"I heard it was your efforts in Chernobog that allowed Rhodes Island to recover the Doctor safely."
"I was just following orders. They told me to save her, so I did. If one day, Amiya and Kal'tsit order me to kill her, I'll kill her too."
His face cold and unreadable, Revy spoke in an emotionless tone.
"Back then, my orders were to save her. So I would have risked my life to do it."
"I'm sorry… Mr. Revy, I didn't mean to—"
Realizing too late that there was something strange about Revy's response, Barty realized he'd touched a nerve.
"…It's fine. I'm still alive, after all. Compared to me, Rhodes Island lost far more."
Barty fell silent.
The truth about the Chernobog operation couldn't be hidden. The scale of the mission and the number of sacrifices made were nearly unprecedented in Rhodes Island's history.
That was why, when the Doctor first arrived, some people—those who didn't know her—began to question whether it had all been worth it.
They weren't doubting the Doctor herself, but whether the cost had been justified.
"Mr. Revy—do you… hate the Doctor?"
"Heh."
At Barty's question, Revy narrowed his eyes, a trace of sardonic amusement curling at the corners of his mouth.
"I don't hate her… I just ignore her."