To Thaw a Lost Heart

Taste of Despair

Are you willing to make the choice?

Shortly after Tirpitz is admitted to the emergency room after the failed mission, Bismarck is the first one informed that Tirpitz is in a critical condition that she doesn't have much time to live. Her fate is sealed as Tirpitz remains unconscious, unknowing that her body has reached its limit and is slowly dying.

"Tirpitz......"

Rather than remain in her office, Bismarck sits by the beach by herself and watches as the sun retreats and the sky slowly falls into the night. She stares at the glass cube with metallic frames concealing what appears to be a fragment of a wisdom cube floating inside. Unlike regular wisdom cubes, it's darker and emits cold air on every corner.

"Tirpitz's wisdom cube has been damaged. She won't live for more than twenty-four hours"

A feminine figure concealed in an abstract glitch and mixed voice stands right behind Bismarck. It's no Siren, but her presence feels much different than a regular kansen.

"Bismarck, what you have in your hands is the only thing that could save Tirpitz"

The disguised kansen walks to Bismarck's side and gently reaches her fingers towards the transparent cube Bismarck is securely clutching.

"......" Bismarck stares at sealed fragment
"Why do you hesitate? Do you not want to save Tirpitz?"
"I know the risks.....but I still sent Tirpitz to that mission. As a result of my decision, Tirpitz is about to die"
"Your guilt hangs on you. I, too, wish to save Tirpitz. That's why I appear before you and no one else"

The kansen takes one gentle step and her foot sinks centimeters below the sand, her weight contrasting with the pressure of her step. She stares into the horizon that welcomes the first hour of nightfall as if she empathizes with Bismarck's guilt.

"This is from a defeated META. There are risks if this is fused with Tirpitz" Bismarck remains hesitant
"Then are you willing to risk death than the only chance of keeping your younger sister alive?" The kansen looks back at Bismarck
"....." Bismarck stares at the cube in her hands
"Bismarck, that core is fit for Tirpitz. It would immediately synchronize with her wisdom cube and give her a new chance in life"
"Something like this is too good to be true. Besides, we tried to touch it and our fingers froze. What's the catch?" Bismarck is immediately suspicious
"Everything must pay a price and you know that very well. Of course, I won't hide the fact that it will certainly take something from Tirpitz"

Bismarck is already suspicious just seeing how the kansen refuses to reveal her true appearance and even voice. All Bismarck could see standing in front of her is humanoid form. She could sense that even with the glitch as her disguise, Bismarck could sense the dreadful gaze of the mixture between resentment and pity.

"If Tirpitz were to lose something-"
"That's a small price to pay compared to her life" The kansen cuts her off
"Tirpitz would survive but she would pay the price.....if I decided to go through with it"
"You said it yourself. It's your fault Tirpitz is in this situation" The kansen slightly bends forward
".......!"
"You sent your sister to her death. She's fighting for her life without knowing it. At this rate, she'll die while you don't do anything"
"You're toying with your words"

Bismarck shakes her head and refuses to quickly succumb to the pressure of someone who keeps herself in a disguise.

"No, I'm telling the truth. If you were to leave Tirpitz be, you're practically her murderer. You didn't do anything when you could have done something. Do you think your pride could live when the fault would lie to you?" The kansen appears to taunt Bismarck
"I dislike deception. I suggest you start being direct and honest before I strike you down" Bismarck takes a deep breath
"Do you think I have time to play these games, Bismarck?"