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Lost Thorn

荒屿遗株

2 chapters · 504 lines · English and Chinese below. Japanese and Korean, voices and theatre mode are in the reader.

Spreading Grass 蔓草

The darkness ebbs away, like a tide receding to reveal hidden shores. The sound of my heartbeat thumps louder, faster. My eyelids feel impossibly heavy, but I manage to lift them—only for an unfamiliar face to suddenly fill my vision.黑暗如潮水般褪去，心跳声急促清晰。费力抬起垂坠的眼睑，一张陌生的脸突兀地出现在我的视野中。

I do not recognize her.我不认识她。

Urgh. My head hurts... What happened? I remember I was on a call with Sangoma...唔，头好痛……刚刚究竟发生了什么？我记得不久前自己还在和桑格玛通讯……

Sangoma, I have a favor to ask. It might be a little bit dangerous, but there's no one else I can trust for this.，有一件事我想拜托你。这件事可能有一点小小的危险，只有交给你我才能放心。

ProfessorReally now, the almighty Sangoma needs my help? I'm all ears.万能的桑格玛也会有犯难的时候，我很乐意效劳。

SangomaI'm happy that you're agreeing so readily, but let me walk you through the details first.虽然很高兴你这么果断地答应，但还是先听听请求的内容吧。

SangomaHere's the situation: there's a kid in the Guardians who I'm currently supervising—or perhaps cultivating is a better word for it—who has been sticking close to me during my time in Arcadia.是这样的，庇护者中有个我一直关照着的孩子，或者说是我养的小“癫”茄吧，在阿卡迪亚的时候她很粘我。

SangomaMy resignation from Arcadia has left her confused, prompting her to request permission from Boss to take on assignments at the Oasis.前些日子我从阿卡迪亚辞职让她很费解，所以她就向BOSS申请了来绿洲执行任务的许可。

ProfessorSo she's your friend? I can arrange for someone to take her in.原来是桑格玛的熟人啊，那我安排人做接待就好。

SangomaIt probably won't be that simple... Lil' Bella is just like Bonneville—she hates humans.可能没有那么容易……小癫茄和邦尼薇娅一样，非常讨厌人类。

SangomaAs for how far her hatred goes... how do I put it? She doesn't even respect Boss. Every few days, she mixes deadly nightshade, aconite, and oleander into Boss' cup.嗯……讨厌的程度嘛……怎么说呢，她就连BOSS都不会放过，隔三岔五会在BOSS的杯子里投放颠茄、乌头和夹竹桃的奇妙混合物。

SangomaLil' Bella believes you tricked me into joining the Oasis, which, in her eyes, is akin to the most heinous multi-level marketing cult in all of Magrasea.小癫茄觉得我是被你骗来绿洲的，在她心目中绿洲可是麦戈拉头号传销组织。

ProfessorAh, my apologies. We, the Oasis, are most certainly the epitome of evil.咳，不好意思，我们绿洲罪大恶极。

SangomaI might be an old model, yes, but she should know that I'm not that gullible. She's just being overprotective.啊呀，虽然我是老式人形，但还是不会被轻易骗到的哦。那孩子有点担心过头了。

SangomaAnyway, I still need to help Panakeia with her new medicine. Please take care of Lil' Bella for me when she arrives.总之，因为我今天要帮帕那刻亚调配新药，小癫茄来了之后拜托你帮忙招待一下啦。

SangomaShe's a good kid, but really bullheaded. If she ends up stuck, please give her a nudge. She's in your hands now~她是个好孩子，只是喜欢钻牛角尖。如果有什么想不开的，请务必开导开导她。麻烦了哦~

"A good kid"? I glance down at myself, bound tightly like a ham ready for roasting. Honestly, it's hard to associate the person who did this with anything resembling goodness.好、孩、子？低下头审视一下自己被五花大绑的样子，我实在不能把眼前人和好孩子这个词联系到一起。

My body remains half-paralyzed. I attempt to move, but the bindings are too tight to allow even the slightest change in posture.现在身体依旧处于半麻痹状态，尝试活动下身体。和预想的一样，绳索捆得死紧，连换个姿势都不可能。

ProfessorHah... Y-You're the... Lil' Bella... Sangoma talked about?呼……你、你是桑格玛说的……小癫茄？

????So you're awake. Much quicker than I expected. You can refer to me like Sangoma does, but since it's our first meeting, I think you should start from zero, Professor.你醒了啊，昏迷时间要比我预计的更短。你可以学桑格玛这样叫我，但我觉得既然是刚见面，教授从0开始了解我也不错。

????The nickname "Lil' Bella" seems to have made you lower your guard against me. Don't make the same mistake again, or you won't even have the chance to regret it, hehe~“小癫茄”这个昵称很容易让你对我放松警惕，万一因此做出什么错误选择，到时候可就追悔莫及了，嘻嘻~

????My name is Belladonna. You'd best remember it well; it's simply good manners.我叫贝拉德娜。请好好记住它，教授。

ProfessorYou know that I'm the Professor, so I assume you've done your homework on me, Miss Belladonna. Still, tying someone up isn't exactly how I'd define having good manners.既然知道我是教授，那贝拉德娜小姐对我多少有些了解。你这样一见面就把人捆起来可不算是友好的问候啊。

BelladonnaThat's what makes this exciting. Don't you feel by now that your fate rests firmly within my grasp?这不是更刺激嘛，想必你现在应该清醒地认识到自己的命运已经被我掌控了吧。

She lifts the syringe gingerly as if offering a hint, a sardonic smile framing her mocking inflection that reverberates low and menacingly from her throat. The thick, acrid scent of chemicals encompasses her as she paces closer, and my mind once again descends into chaos.她暗示性地抬起注射器，喉咙深处溢出咯咯的冷笑，逼近我的时候身上浓重的药剂味道让我的意识又被搅得混沌。

BelladonnaI just gave you a little injection of some "mildly harmful" medicine. Don't worry, Professor, I have the antidote with me.我为你了注射了一些“无伤大雅”的药剂。不过你放心，我随身携带了解药。教授……

BelladonnaI want to play a game. If you can entertain me, I'll give you the antidote.我们来玩个游戏怎么样？如果你能让我满意，我就给你解药。

BelladonnaBut if you upset me... well, your soul shall find release from your body, not with a triumphant shout, but a pitiful whimper.当然，如果你让我不开心了。我也会“biu~”地一下让你长眠不醒。

ProfessorI specifically told Florence to tone it down... and here we are. Seems like her habit of injecting others with nondescript chemicals has passed on to someone else.早就说过让芙洛伦收敛一点……现在这种给人乱注射药剂的癖好也人传人了。

BelladonnaI don't know what you mean by that, but please, tell me your choice.我不明白你的意思，请直白地告诉我你的选择。

BelladonnaChoose carefully, Professor, or you might really die here.要慎重地做出决定，教授。可能真的会死哦。

ProfessorMiss Belladonna, there are many doors to attain an antidote. Don't forget that we're at the Oasis.贝拉德娜小姐，解毒的方法多种多样。别忘了这里可是绿洲。

ProfessorSoon, others will notice my absence, and the medical department will find the cure. I need not comply.很快就会有人发现我不见了，医疗部也完全可以找出毒药的对策，我似乎没有必要迎合你玩这个游戏。

The Doll's soft pink eyes dim, replaced by an ominous blood-red hue. Driven by madness, she strides forward, her hand seizing my face and locking my gaze with hers, while thorned vines coil around my body.人形粉红的双眸黯淡成了血色，癫狂驱动她大步上前。她捏住我的脸逼迫我直视着她，荆棘触须也在同时缠上我的身体。

But I refuse.但是，我拒绝。

The only winning move is to play.当然是选择配合她啦。

The thorns dig into my skin, their poison seeping into my veins. It leaves me gasping for air as a sharp pain courses through my nerves. But before I can cry out in agony, her voice wavers unexpectedly.荆棘剐蹭着皮肤，毒液渗入鼻腔呼吸变得急促，尖锐的疼痛刺激着神经。我还未喊出一声痛，她的声音却开始颤抖。

BelladonnaLiars... you humans think yourselves so righteous when you're nothing but liars...骗子……人类明明是骗子还那么理直气壮。

Professor(Ugh... This is not going to end so easily.)（唉……看来事情不会这么简单结束啊。）

ProfessorIt's not like you're going to release me if I say no...我说不愿意你会放过我吗？呵呵……

ProfessorMy life may be cheap, but I can't throw it away just yet. The Oasis' future still lies on it.这条命虽然不值钱，但还肩负着绿洲的未来，不能这么轻易舍弃。

ProfessorSo I'll play your game.我愿意奉陪到底。

She may be the very embodiment of death, cold and untouchable, but there's a loneliness in her eyes that speaks of something she longs for me to fulfill. I need to know what it is that she seeks from me.眼前这株危险的毒物看似冰冷，落寞的眼神却似乎在向我祈求着什么。我想知道答案。

BelladonnaHehe... Excellent. Now that you've agreed to play, you'd better listen carefully to my instructions from now on.嘻嘻……很好。既然你已经答应了，之后就要乖乖听话哦。

BelladonnaLet's begin while we're in a great mood, shall we? Ding-dong, now I'll tell you a story, Professor, a story about me in the real world.那么我们就愉快地开始吧。叮咚，接下来我会为教授讲一个故事。一个关于我在现实世界的故事。

BelladonnaIn this story, you'll play the role of another Professor working at Ultilife's Third Bio-Pharmaceutical Institute. Let's just call her "Prof. F." for now.你在故事中扮演的是最终生命第三制药研究所的某位教授，我们姑且称她为“F教授”吧。

BelladonnaThen, you'll answer three questions, each occurring in a different situation, and you'll do so honestly and willingly.请在不同的情境下回答我三个问题，务必要按照自己的意愿进行回答哦。

BelladonnaI'll give you the antidote if I find your answers acceptable~只要答案让我满意，就可以给你注射解药放你走啦~

ProfessorUnderstood. Let's get started.我明白了，那我们就尽快开始吧。

BelladonnaDon't be so hasty. To help you immerse yourself fully in the story, I'll administer a specialized drug that will make you experience it as if it were reality.别着急嘛。为了让情景代入更富有真实感，我会借助一些处理过的特殊药剂让你身临其境。

BelladonnaRelax, it'll feel like a small prick. It won't hurt~放心，轻轻扎一下不会痛的~

ProfessorWhat's the marking rubric for your questions? Or is it just whatever suits your fancy?刚刚你说正确与否的判断标准全凭你自己的喜好吗？

BelladonnaYes.没错。

ProfessorIf so, then figuring out what you fancy might be more crucial than following the story.这样的话，揣测你的喜好似乎更重要吧。

BelladonnaMy, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I happen to be someone who hates being pandered to.不好意思，我偏偏不喜欢被别人讨好呢。

Her smile dims in a flash, a clear exemplification of her unstable mental state.嬉笑的面容瞬间变得阴沉，将她不稳定的精神状态展现得淋漓尽致。

She places heavy emphasis on the final words of her sentence. Then, I feel the sharp sting of a needle piercing my neck, and in an instant, my world flips upside down.句末最后一个字尾音被加重，我的脖颈冷不丁地挨了一针，视野顿时天旋地转。

...So this is where it begins?……这就开始了吗？

BelladonnaA few years ago, I was transferred to Ultilife's Third Bio-Pharmaceutical Institute immediately after I had been manufactured.几年前，我刚刚出厂就被交付最终生命的第三制药研究所……

As the girl speaks, her story weaves its way into my mind. The drug takes hold, and my consciousness is dragged into her words, falling into a vast, cold expanse of pure white.一段故事从少女口中娓娓道来，在药物的作用下，我的意识也被话语牵引，跌落冰冷巨大的白色空间……

Ultilife Third Bio-Pharmaceutical Institute, Hallway最终生命第三制药研究所，走廊。

研究员AThe Doll they just sent in was of exceptionally poor quality. The data and reports generated by the Doll showed significant discrepancies when compared to clinical trial results.之前运来的受试人形质量太差了，各项指标数据和机体反应情况跟临床试验结果对比偏差极大。

研究员BSome reagents are highly toxic and can cause irreversible damage to the human body if not handled with care.部分试剂因为有一定毒性，一旦出现副作用会对人体造成不可逆的损害，还是慎重些为妙。

研究员AYeah. Otherwise, we wouldn't be using Dolls for this. Ethics and the weight of public opinion continue to hang over our heads.是啊。不然我们怎么会用人形呢，道德伦理，舆论压力哪个不是压在我们头上的大山。

研究员AAh, right. Is the Doll behind you the new one they're putting through the wringer?诶？对了，你身后的那个是新的受试人形吗？

研究员BOh, that thing? No. She's an assistant pharmacist Doll Professor F commissioned. The Professor should still be there. I'll bring her in...这个啊，不是。是F教授委托开发的人形制药助理。教授应该在里面吧，我把她带进去……

I hear a knock at the door. Still feeling dazed, I slowly gather my thoughts. When I finally come to, I see a green screen reflecting my image—a haggard middle-aged woman stares right back at me. She was clearly a scholar, what with the lab coat she dresses in.咚咚。有人敲门。之前的眩晕感还在，我一下子还没缓过神来，荧绿色的屏幕上倒映着我现在的容貌——一位身着白褂，面色憔悴的中年女性学者。

I'm seeing the world through someone else's eyes, yet I have no power to influence it with my own will. It feels eerily like a dream, one where I am utterly powerless to take control.以别人的视角看世界，自己的意志还不能左右事态的发展。一切更接近于自己做了一场身不由己的梦。

<cmdr> （F教授）Come in.进来。

A young researcher brings in a Doll that looks like a young girl into the office.年轻的研究员带着一名人形少女走进办公室。

研究员BProfessor, I've brought the UL-Toxic in.教授，我把UL-Toxic带来了。

The girl's eyes reveal a trace of anxiety as she stands silently behind the researcher. Unlike the other Dolls sent to the research facility, her clothing is unusually thin.少女眼神忧郁，默默矗立在研究员身后沉默不语。和以往送到研究所的其他人形不一样的是……她的衣着略显单薄。

<cmdr> （F教授）It's been cold lately. Provide her with additional clothing to maintain a stable temperature. Low temperatures could adversely affect her range of motion.最近天气冷，可以多穿点给她做好保温。气温太低会影响传动导致机体僵硬。

研究员BShe is here to assist with toxicological analysis; the additional clothing may act as a source of contaminants, compromising the accuracy of our tests...可她被带过来是为了协助您进行深入的毒性测试实验，衣服上如果有药物残留可能会影响数据的真实性……

You're not wrong. Yes, the results must be accurate. Indeed, if there's any error in the data, all of our efforts will be wasted.这话说得也没错，科研需要严谨。数据真的出问题的话，之前付出的所有心血也将功亏一篑。

I shift my focus to the girl before me.我将注意力转移到眼前的人形少女身上。

<cmdr> （F教授）UL-Toxic, starting today, you will serve as my assistant. I believe your database holds more knowledge than I've accumulated in my entire life, and perhaps, one day, you may even replace me.UL-Toxic，从今以后你就是我的助手了。我相信你数据库的丰富程度远超我的学识范围，或许有一天你也会取代我。

<cmdr> （F教授）But as a newly manufactured Doll, there's still much for you to learn. Would you like me to be your mentor? I'll do my best to share all of my experiences with you.但现在作为刚出厂的人形，你还有很多东西要接触，让我做你的导师好吗？我会尽全力把自己的经验全部传授给你。

UL-ToxicEx... periences?全……部？

<cmdr> （F教授）Yes, human knowledge should never be kept behind closed doors due to selfishness. I'm happy to share my experiences, even if they may seem worthless.嗯，人类的知识不应该被自私的囹圄围困，我很乐于分享自己那些微不足道的经验。

UL-ToxicProfessor's experiences... are not worthless.教授的经验……不是微不足道。

It appears that her language module is not yet fully operational. Her response time is noticeably slow, requiring a significant amount of time to formulate each answer.似乎是出厂后刚刚适应语言模块，她的反应速度很慢，每次回答前都会有很长一段时间用来思考。

<cmdr> （F教授）Hehe, thank you for your praise. I feel bad for calling you UL-Toxic.呵呵，谢谢你给予的肯定。总叫你UL-Toxic不太好。

<cmdr> （F教授）You should have a name, not just a generic model number.你应该有个名字，而不是一个普遍的型号名称。

UL-ToxicA name? You mean, like the ones humans have?名字吗？你是说人类一样的名字。

<cmdr> （F教授）Yes.对。

My head tilts downward, drawn to the Belladonna ornament swaying gently at her waist.我低头疑惑地打量她腰间挂着的颠茄装饰物。

<cmdr> （F教授）You like these? The Belladonna.你喜欢这个吗？颠茄。

UL-ToxicYes. Fruit. Round and purple. Cute.嗯。圆圆的紫色果实，可爱。

<cmdr> （F教授）...Atropa belladonna L., the belladonna...……Atropa belladonna L.……belladonna……

<cmdr> （F教授）Since you seem to have an inclination towards it, would you like to be called Belladonna, then?既然这样，那叫你贝拉德娜怎么样？

BelladonnaBella... donna...贝拉……德娜……

BelladonnaCute.可爱。

<cmdr> （F教授）Good to know you like the name. I hold great expectations for you in the future, Belladonna.嗯， 看来你很满意啊。我很期待你未来的表现，贝拉德娜。

BelladonnaExpectations? For Belladonna...期待吗？对贝拉德娜……

The girl smiles for the first time since her awakening. Suddenly, a ghostly voice slips in from the void, sending a jolt through my consciousness and interrupting the warmth of the scene.自出厂以来女孩第一次露出笑容。而后一个空灵缥缈的声音从外界空间挤进意识世界，迅速打破了温馨氛围。

A chilling touch from a foot lightly taps my knee, pulling my attention back.冰凉的脚尖轻轻在我膝盖上踩了两下，唤回了我的注意力。

BelladonnaFirst question: Why do you hold expectations for me?第一个问题，你为什么会对我有期待？

ProfessorExpectations?为什么有期待？

This question pulls me back to the harsh reality: I am bound to a chair, completely immobilized, while my consciousness drifts through another world under the influence of hallucinogens.这个问题将我一下子拉回了残酷的现实。现在的我应该还被绑在椅子上动弹不得，而意识却因为毒素的致幻作用进入另外一个世界。

The world conjured by a witch named Belladonna.被魔女贝拉德娜操控的世界。

ProfessorWhat's the marking rubric for your questions? Or is it just whatever suits your fancy?刚刚你说正确与否的判断标准全凭你自己的喜好吗？

BelladonnaYes.没错。

ProfessorHeh, then figuring out what you fancy might be more crucial than following the story.呵呵，这样的情况下难道不是揣测你的喜好更重要吗？

BelladonnaMy, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I happen to be someone who hates being pandered to.不好意思，我偏偏不喜欢被别人讨好呢。

I really only have two choices: give an honest answer as she demands or do the opposite. What should I do...摆在我面前的无非两个选择，老老实实按她的要求回应或者反其道而行之。我该怎么做……

She hates to be gratified, so how am I supposed to make her happy? I'll try responding with a joke first to test the waters, and then adjust my approach accordingly.既然不喜欢被人讨好，我又何必让她称心如意呢。用一个有趣的答案来试探一下她的反应好了……

ProfessorExpectations? Honestly, I didn't have many expectations... Urk!!期待吗？其实我并没有那么期待……呃嗯！！

Sharp thorns curve and dig into my skin as a warning, and her cold fingers brush against my cheek. The Doll then leans in, pressing her cheek next to mine, and whispers into my ear. I sense a rage boiling beneath, barely restrained and ready to erupt...尖锐的荆棘试探性地戳刺皮肤，冰凉的手指不停地在我脸颊上摩挲。人形少女贴在我耳边低语，她压抑着要爆发的愤怒。

BelladonnaProfessor, remember, you're playing a role in my story, and I expect your performance to be phenomenal. Stick to your character—I won't warn you again.教授，请记住你是一个演技高超的演员。麻烦你尽职尽责地扮演好你的角色，这种叛逆的行为我不会忍耐第二次哦。

I've chosen to play with fire, and it seems that I've been burned.玩得太过火，把引线点着了。

BelladonnaI'll give you one more chance, answer me. Three, two...再给你一次机会，好好回答。三，二……

I can feel the sharp tip of the needle pressing against my temple. All the snarky quips that were ready to leave my train of thought had to stop from alighting, leaving me with nothing but an empty sigh.太阳穴的位置能清晰感觉到锐利的针尖。之前准备的所有嘲讽在叹息后被无奈吞了回去。

ProfessorI don't know what that Professor F's thoughts were in your memory, but holding a companion in high regard is nothing out of the ordinary.我不知道你记忆中的F教授怎么想，但我觉得给予自己的伙伴期待是再正常不过的事。

See how far I can take it.试探她的底线。

Answer honestly.认真回答。

ProfessorWith Belladonna here to help, working alongside me to broaden the horizons, it's hard not to expect great things from you.贝拉德娜是来帮助我的，和贝拉德娜一起工作的话，未来会有很多可能性……又怎么会不期待呢。

BelladonnaA flawless answer.答案，很契合。

BelladonnaBelladonna was a useful tool for humans. Of course, they had their expectations for it. Congratulations—you've got it right.贝拉德娜作为对人类有用的工具，理所应当受到大家的期待。恭喜你答对了。

Her words express no dissatisfaction, yet there is no trace of joy in her voice.言辞没有一句不满，声音里却没有半点喜悦。

BelladonnaLet's resume the story, Professor. Two questions remain.那么让我们继续吧，教授。还有两个问题。

ProfessorAlright...呼……

After letting out a long sigh, I shift my numbed legs slightly. She doesn't appear bothered by my movement and continues talking about matters like no one's around.我长吁一口气，稍微活动了一下麻痹的双腿，她没有阻止我，继续自顾自地讲起来。

BelladonnaThen, I began collaborating with the researchers on their toxicology studies, though their abstract theories had already been embedded in my neural cloud long before.就这样，我开始和研究员们一起进行毒理学研究，那些抽象的理论早已经根植于我的心智。

BelladonnaWhat I really lacked was field experience: observing real samples, cultivating actual vegetation, working with my own hands, and making judgments based on my own feelings...而我真正缺少的是亲眼观察，亲手培植，亲身尝试……所有基于自身的感受……

Ultilife Third Bio-Pharmaceutical Institute, Sector H, Toxic Plant Cultivation Facility最终生命第三制药研究所，H区有毒植物栽培基地。

研究员AAll the aconites in the test farm to the southwest have withered. This is the third time I've received such bad news.基地西南边实验田里培育的乌头全都枯死了……这已经是我这个月第三次听到这个坏消息了。

BelladonnaIt's root rot—caused by a fungal infection deep in the soil. The fungus invades the roots, leading to decay. Without the ability to absorb nutrients and water, the plant wilts and eventually withers.是根腐病。土壤中真菌侵染植株根部，导致根部腐烂，植株上部无法汲取养分及水分，最终全株死亡。

BelladonnaThose poor children... they starved to death.可怜的孩子……被饿死了。

研究员BIs it still feasible to cultivate the N12 aconite strain within such a short timeframe? Even if we meet the deadline, the extracted alkaloids are unlikely to meet the requirements.再这样下去能在短时间内培育出N12型乌头吗？就算时间能赶得上，提取的乌头碱可能也不符合标准吧。

研究员AWith so many uncertainties, we might as well just hand in the data from last year. There's not that much of a difference anyway.既然有这么多不确定性，那干脆用去年的数据好了，反正也没有差特别多。

研究员BHuh? How are you going to explain this to the Professor...啊？那教授那边怎么交代……

研究员AJust don't let them know. Their focus isn't on aconitine's effect nonetheless. It'll probably even save their time when there's only such a marginal difference.不让教授知道啊。教授关心的重点也不在乌头碱的效果上，既然影响很小就不让费心了。

Belladonna...Why shouldn't we let her know?……为什么不让教授知道？

Belladonna blinks in confusion. Her neural cloud cannot even begin to process what the researchers are doing.贝拉德娜眨了眨眼，她的心智无法理解研究员们的所作所为。

Integrity is the cornerstone of scientific research, and the principle of "staying truthful" is deeply embedded in her neural cloud. Only genuine data can lead to accurate conclusions. No matter how impressive a conclusion may appear, it is destined to crumble like dust without the foundation of truth.科研讲究实事求是，“真实”在她的底层心智中永远都在第一位。真实的数据才能得出真实的结论，如果基础都是虚构，再宏伟壮阔的结论也像泡沫一样易碎。

研究员ABelladonna, we can handle trivial matters like this on the Professor's behalf, so don't—贝拉德娜，这种事情我们可以替教授决定所以不用这么……

<cmdr> （F教授）Handle what on my behalf?什么事情可以替我做决定？

研究员BUgh, Professor! Weren't you doing experiments at the lab? Why did you come over to the farm...呃，教授！您不是在实验室做实验吗？怎么突然来培育基地……

<cmdr> （F教授）I'm here to assess the condition of the test samples. I just inspected the deadly nightshades in the third test farm, and they are thriving under Belladonna's care.我来看看那批试验样本的情况。刚过去看了看3号试验田里的颠茄，那些植物是贝拉德娜在照料吧，长势喜人啊……

研究员BThe other plants are also in good condition. I'll continue monitoring them and recording the data according to the schedule. You can rely on us, Professor.其他植物状况也很不错。我会定期做好植物看护和数据记录的，请教授放心。

<cmdr> （F教授）Thank you.辛苦了。

研究员AAh... we'll take our leave now. I've heard you've been working late nights for your research, Professor. Please take care and rest well.啊……既然这样，我们就先去忙了。教授昨天通宵做实验了吧。您忙完了也早点休息……

<cmdr> （F教授）Mm.嗯。

The two researchers walk away, their silhouettes gradually fading from view. Only when they fade completely does Belladonna finally reveal the truth.两位研究员匆匆离开，他们的身影刚从视野里消失，贝拉德娜就迫不及待把真相说了出来。

Belladonna...It's not true.……是假的。

<cmdr> （F教授）Hm? What's not true?嗯？什么是假的？

BelladonnaThe aconites... they withered. Because of root rot. In the test farm to the southwest.乌头……枯死了。因为根腐病。在西南角落的试验田里。

BelladonnaThey failed to properly care for the plants, then attempted to replace the data with last year's. Is this something humans can do?他们没有好好照顾植物，准备拿以前的乌头碱数据代替。人类这样做可以吗？

<cmdr> （F教授）Hehe, how did you know?呵呵，你是怎么知道的？

BelladonnaI heard them talk about it.他们说的我听到了。

<cmdr> （F教授）So they're not that wary around you—not that it surprises me. To them, you're just a simple machine, Belladonna, and naturally, they see no reason to keep their guard up.看来他们对你不设防啊，也难怪……在他们眼中贝拉德娜就是简单的机器。对你的警惕心自然也会降低。

BelladonnaWhy would they say something that's categorically false?为什么告诉教授假的东西？

<cmdr> （F教授）When someone knows the truth but deliberately says something contrary to it, that is called a "lie." Humans sometimes lie to benefit themselves.在知道事实的前提下，以欺骗为目的说出不同于事实的话，这就是谎言。人类有的时候为了自己的利益会说谎。

<cmdr> （F教授）Perhaps they wanted to expedite the research results, or perhaps they thought that using old data has no significant implications. Falsification and fabrication isn't particularly a new thing in academia anyway.或许他们是为了尽早出研究成果，也有可能是觉得用过去的数据替代影响不大。毕竟学术造假一直屡见不鲜。

<cmdr> （F教授）That's why you're here, Belladonna. To guide us back to what is real and bring humanity closer to the truth.贝拉德娜就是为此才出现的吧。为了还原真实，让人类更加接近真理。

I ruffle her tangled hair, hoping to clear the confusion in Belladonna's heart.我揉揉她散乱的头发，希望能够打消贝拉德娜心中的疑惑。

BelladonnaDeceptions, lies... Belladonna will not partake. My purpose is to bring truth to humanity.欺骗，谎言……贝拉德娜不会那么做。因为我是为了让人类更加接近真理而存在的。

She mimics my tone, speaking slowly to herself with a stop between each word.她学着我口气，一字一顿地喃喃自语。

Afterwards, I pointed out the issues with the aconite data, pretending that I had discovered it by chance. The researcher who attempted to falsify the data had to replant the Solanaceae crop, and collect data in accordance to procedure.之后我装作不经意指出了乌头数据的问题，那位意图造假的研究员也只好重新提交真实数据，重置栽培工作。

Time drifts by like a quiet stream, flowing both ordinarily and uneventfully. Over time, Belladonna has become more attuned to humanity, the workflow of the research institute, and has even started to form her own likes and preferences through imitation.日子如同流水一般平淡。贝拉德娜开始逐渐熟悉了人类，熟悉了研究院的工作节奏，甚至开始效仿人类拥有了自己的喜好和生活。

She often asks me with curiosity, "Professor, what would a human do in this situation?" Her fascination with humans seems to outweigh her interest in poisonous plants and research.她经常会好奇地问我：“教授，如果是人类的话这时候会怎么做？”比起照看有毒植物和做实验，她似乎对人类更加感兴趣。

This ordinary life lasted until it was shattered abruptly during a routine harvesting. A lethal dose of toxic liquid spilled on her, contaminating her body.直到一次采集活动将平静打破。见血封喉的汁液将她的素体污染。

The unending fruiting season proved disastrous for the girl. To minimize waste, she was forced to harvest every fruit by hand. In doing so, her body became more and more contaminated by the toxic byproducts, causing her skin to turn into shades of purple and black.接踵而至的果实成熟期对人形少女来说是无尽的灾难。为了减少实验样品果实的损耗，她会亲手去采摘，这也让她的素体在不知不觉中沾上了毒液，渐渐乌青发黑。

<cmdr> （F教授）That's not going to work. She must wear some protection gear at least.这样不行，起码得给她穿上防护服什么的。

The researcher recording data next to me pays no attention to my request, only casting an indifferent glance in her direction.一旁记录信息的研究员对我的要求不屑一顾，继续冷眼旁观。

研究员AProfessor, I hope you aren't seeing her as your own daughter. You're getting way too sentimental over a machine.教授，您不会是把她当做自己的女儿了吧。对实验用的机器不用这么上心。

研究员BExactly. She's just fulfilling the purpose she was designed for. With greater toxin resistance than standard Dolls and an exceptional ability to absorb poisons, we're simply using her to her fullest potential.是啊。定制她原本就是来做这些的。她本身比一般人形抗毒，也有比较强的吸收毒素的能力。这就是物尽其用。

研究员AShe looks like a human, yes, but please don't treat her like one.她只是有类人的外表而已，您别真把她当人了。

研究员AOnce you strip away that outer layer, she's just another machine like any other. What's the point of providing protective gear to a machine?要知道褪去那身皮肤，她不过就是随处可见的机器。给机器穿什么防护服呢，您说对吧？

研究员BBut since you're so worried, let's wrap her body in some bandages. That way it could reduce the risk of contaminating the samples.既然您这么担心，还是给她一些绷带包裹身体好了，样本污染了可就麻烦了。

研究员BHey! Belladonna—喂！贝拉德娜——

They wave at the girl, who is still busy harvesting fruits in the test farm. She extracts the toxic liquid into the designated test tubes, then jumps down from the tree and strides toward us, offering a greeting from the other side of the glass.他们向实验田里还在采摘果实的少女打招呼，少女将提取的毒液收到指定的试管中后，从树上跳下来三步并作两步跑到我们面前，隔着玻璃向我们问好。

BelladonnaGood afternoon, Professor. Michael, the samples you requested are in these tubes.教授，下午好。米凯尔研究员，这些试管中是你要求的实验样品。

研究员BThanks, Belladonna. But there's toxic residue on your hands—it could seep into your skin if you don't clean it off.谢谢你，贝拉德娜。你手上沾染了不少的毒液，这样下去它们会浸透到你的素体哦。

BelladonnaI'll go clean it.嗯，我去清洗一下。

研究员AI understand that cleaning the skin can be a demanding process for you Dolls. Prevention might prove to be the more efficient approach.你们人形素体表皮清洁不是挺麻烦嘛，还是提早做好防护吧。

研究员BThis bandage is for you. I'll leave it in your dorm later. From now on, make sure to wear it before harvesting and extracting. It will help minimize contamination.这条绷带送给你，我一会儿送到你的宿舍。以后记得采摘果实提取样品的时候可以裹上绷带，这样可以少一些污染……

BelladonnaFor me? T-Thank you...给我的吗？谢、谢谢……

"It will help minimize contamination"... what a deceptive way to phrase it.“这样可以少一些污染”一句指代不明的话说得极为讨巧。

The speaker's true intention was to prevent contamination of the samples, yet the listener would likely interpret it warmly, as though saying, "I don't want to see you harmed."发言者只是为了避免采集样本的污染，而听话的人大体上将它当成了以“不想让你受到伤害”为初衷的关心。

Otherwise, Belladonna wouldn't be smiling with such innocent joy. She beams with such innocence that I cannot bring myself to correct her misconception.否则贝拉德娜怎么会露出这种诚挚的笑容，以至于我竟然不忍心向她解释这一切。

BelladonnaProfessor? Why do you look upset? Belladonna received a gift from a human.教授，教授不开心吗？贝拉德娜收到了来自人类的礼物。

BelladonnaA gift from a human. A pure white bandage. Do humans... love Belladonna?来自人类的礼物，一条洁白的绷带。人类……是爱贝拉德娜的吧……

<cmdr> （F教授）...Mm-hmm.……嗯。

Though I remain a silent observer of the events that unfold, my heart feels as heavy as a mountain, each breath strained beneath its weight. All I can do is carry this burden in silence.尽管我只是静静观察事件的发展，可胸口的沉闷依旧如同有一座小山压得喘不过气来。这种压抑还在继续。

As Belladonna's proficiency improved, she was assigned to the lab to assist us with toxicity analysis.随着贝拉德娜的操作愈发熟练，她被派到实验室协助我们进行毒性反应研究。

All experiments involving volatile substances were assigned to her. As the project grew increasingly demanding, the time I got to meet with Belladonna gradually diminished.那些危险易挥发的剧毒实验统统交由她来完成。项目工作越来越繁杂， 我与贝拉德娜见面的时间越来越少。

She gathered every sample I needed, undertook the most perilous experiments, and recorded the results with blinding precision. She fulfilled her role as my assistant to perfection.我的实验样本她来采集，高危实验交由她来完成，所有实验数据出自她手。她无疑完美胜任了助手的工作。

The next time we met, the extent of her contamination had advanced significantly. We were separated by a protective glass, unable to converse face-to-face as we once did.再次见面时，她已经被中度污染。我和她隔着一层实验防护玻璃，不能再面对面正常对话。

BelladonnaProfessor?!教授？！

The vast, empty lab echoes with her surprised voice.空旷的实验室回荡着她惊喜的声音。

Her lifeless eyes grow a little brighter the moment she sees me, and a fragile smile emerges on her pale, toxin-stained face.她看到我的那一刻无神的双瞳瞬间明亮了许多，被毒液侵染发绀的面庞挂上笑意。

<cmdr> （F教授）Is your experiment going well?最近实验还顺利吗？

BelladonnaIt's... n-not going very well.不顺……不、不太顺利呢。

She doesn't wish to lie to me, nor does she want to disappoint me, so she takes her time carefully rephrasing her words.她既不想向我说谎，同时又不忍心看我失落，斟酌了许久后调整了自己的说法。

BelladonnaMuch of the data does not meet the requirements, and drugs manufactured via the HC-6 deadly nightshade strain are performing significantly worse than expected, necessitating further trial and error for compositional adjustments.几次数据都没有达标，HC-6级颠茄制药效果远远不及预期，只能多次试验不断调整配方。

<cmdr> （F教授）Have you considered the possibility that the very source of your samples could be contributing to the problem?有没有想过是样本来源出了问题？

BelladonnaHm?嗯？

<cmdr> （F教授）While we can grow toxic plants in greenhouses, shielding them from natural disasters, we cannot fully replicate the complexity of their natural habitat.人工培育的有毒植物最大程度避免了自然灾害，可我们毕竟没有办法完全还原自然环境。

<cmdr> （F教授）Weather, predation, gene mutation—these and other complex factors, which we are currently unable to simulate, contribute to natural evolution; the unique dynamics of a plant's life.气候、天敌、基因突变……这些无法模拟的复杂因素干扰了自然生物的进化，造就了它们独特性。

<cmdr> （F教授）The institution holds high expectations for this project and plans to establish a lab on the island where the sample plants originally grew.研究院内部对这次的项目很重视，打算在样本植物原产地的一座岛屿建立实验室。

BelladonnaExtracting samples directly from their natural habitat... Good thinking.从原产地直接获取生物液体样本啊……是个好方法。

<cmdr> （F教授）It's an island located in the Pacific Ocean, long deserted. It is home to the strain of HC-6 deadly nightshades of such number where the air itself renders humans breathless and blind in mere moments.那是太平洋海域的一座孤岛，长期与外界隔绝。岛上有许多HC-6级颠茄，人只要在附近多呆一会儿就会呼吸急促，视物模糊。

<cmdr> （F教授）We'll need someone to carefully manage the samples on the island, but we've been unable to find any suitable candidates within the institute.而岛上那些有毒植物的样本需要细心呵护。研究院没有合适的人选。

<cmdr> （F教授）So, I've recommended you...我向他们推荐了你……

The air grows still with silence. After a moment, the girl breathes words into that dead air, whispering a certain question.空气陷入死寂，谁都没有说话。半晌，她低低地问了一句。

BelladonnaWhy me?为什么会选中我？

Eclipsed Heart 蚀心

ProfessorIs this your second question?这是你的第二个问题吗？

BelladonnaThat's right. Now, tell me why I was chosen.没错。告诉我为什么选中我。

ProfessorObjectively speaking, you were definitely the best candidate available. But from where I stood, Belladonna was the best assistant I had.从客观条件来看，你无疑是最佳人选。但站在我的立场上，贝拉德娜是我最信赖的助手。

ProfessorThat question only has a simple answer: I believed in you.我相信你。

ProfessorHowever, I must ask a question in turn. Did you simply accept it, and headed to that deserted island all by your lonesome?只不过，你就这样答应了只身一人前往孤岛吗？

BelladonnaI don't think that's what you should be focusing on right now, Professor. I still haven't said anything about your answer.现在是关注这个的时候吗，教授？你的注意力要放在接下来我公布的答案上吧。

ProfessorUgh...呃……

BelladonnaBad news, your answer is different than the Professor's in the story.非常遗憾，你的答案和故事中的那位教授不一样哦。

Her menacing laughter carries an undertone of helplessness. The response she gives is a brisk one.戏谑的笑意混杂着些许无奈。她言简意赅道。

BelladonnaHowever, it is passable. Let us continue.但我不讨厌你的回答。游戏继续。

ProfessorSo only one question remains?也就是说还剩最后一个问题？

BelladonnaIndeed. Redouble your efforts, Professor.是呀。要再接再厉哦，教授。

ProfessorI'm curious, what did that Prof. F say in your memory?我很好奇，你记忆中的那位F教授是怎么说的？

BelladonnaThat Professor...那位教授……

Never gave me an answer.并没有给出答案。

Belladonna waited in silence, but no response followed. Seeing the flicker of shame in the Professor's blinking eyes, she gently steered the conversation elsewhere.贝拉德娜等了很久依旧没有答案，但从对方闪烁不定的眼神中她敏锐觉察到对方的愧疚，于是转移了话题。

BelladonnaDo they have all the equipment ready on the island? I hope they have enough spares for the fragile ones.孤岛上实验器材什么的都齐全吗？有些易碎器材必须多准备一些才行。

<cmdr> （F教授）The facility is well-supplied. You don't need to worry about it.设施物资很充足，这些你不用担心。

<cmdr> （F教授）You can always send a message to the institute to request additional resources, and we'll deliver them via UAV.就算有哪些东西不够，也可以及时给研究所发消息。我们会安排无人机空投。

<cmdr> （F教授）Once you collect enough samples, the institute will arrange for your extraction.等实验样本数据足够了，研究所就会安排人把你接回来。

BelladonnaI see.嗯。

The guilt that strangled the person standing on the other side of the glass window was alleviated slightly by the affirmation she heard.应允声让自己解脱了负罪枷锁，玻璃窗那一端的人长舒了一口气。

Then, Belladonna was sent to the island. At first, she thought it would be nothing more than a brief island retreat, but as the days of experiments stretched on, her curiosity and expectations withered entirely.就这样贝拉德娜被送上了孤岛。上岛之初她只以为这是一场短时间的岛屿旅行。在日复一日的实验中，她的好奇与期待被消磨得一干二净。

During extraction, toxic fumes evolved from the process, their pungent odor assaulting the senses. The olfactory module she held gradually corroded under the effects of the fumes, and her vision module had also began to slow down.提取毒药时，毒气蒸腾，气味刺鼻。自己的气味传感器被蒸汽毒液腐蚀，视觉模块也开始反应迟钝。

Next came the production of highly concentrated solution. With her vision module malfunctioning, there were several lapses in her judgement. On one occasion, she spilled concentrated nightshade solution on herself. By the time she woke up, the sickly purple hue had spread throughout her body.然后是高浓度的毒液配置，视觉模块错乱之后经常会出现误判，她有一次不慎把高浓度的颠茄毒液洒在自己身上，等恢复清醒的时候才意识到自己已经全身绀紫。

The girl used a brush, scrubbing tirelessly to remove all the stains as water splashed everywhere, but the lingering bittersweet scent of deadly nightshade refused to leave.飞溅的水花中，少女用毛刷拼命搓洗身上的痕迹，熟悉的颠茄味久久不散。

BelladonnaIt's contaminated...被污染了……

研究员AWhat's contaminated?! The samples?!什么被污染了？样本？！

Belladonna...My body. It's completely contaminated by concentrated nightshade solution. Can I go back and swap for a new one?……素体。我的素体被高浓度的颠茄汁液污染了，可以回研究所更换吗？

研究员AIf it's just your body, then no. Our Doll maintenance experts don't have the time anyway. It's only going to delay the sample collection.只是素体的话，就不用回来了吧。研究所的人形维护专家都快忙不过来了，还会耽误样本数据采集进度。

BelladonnaDoes the Professor agree?教授也是这么觉得吗？

研究员AOf course, that's what everyone thinks here.当然，我们大家都是这么觉得的。

研究员AA bit of nightshade shouldn't be too much of an issue. We'll drop some bandages with a drone. You can wear them if you're worried about precision during data collection.反正都是颠茄汁液影响也不大，我们会安排无人机给你空投一些绷带。真的怕影响数据准确性就包裹一些绷带好了。

After pushing a makeshift solution with clear indifference, they hang up without hesitation.对面搪塞敷衍地给了一个解决方案，然后很干脆地挂断了通讯。

Bandages. Again, the bandages.绷带，又是绷带。

The airdropped bandages scattered while still high in the sky, being carried away by the sea wind, drifting across the hills and the deadly nightshade fields.从高空投下的绷带有的在空中就散开了。被海风吹拂着飘过山丘和颠茄田野。

Belladonna extended her hands as far as she could, but she couldn't reach the bandages. She watched silently as they fell to the other side of the shore, carried away by the tide, the long white chain disappearing from view as though it had never touched this lonely island.贝拉德娜伸手去够却没有接住，看着它掉落在岛另一边的海滩。然后一个浪打过来，白色长练消失在视野里，仿佛从来没有到过这座孤寂的岛屿。

Tides, trees, and the sound of crickets. That was all the island offered in the searing summer, aside from the distant hum of the drone. Loneliness silently spread from the bottom of Belladonna's heart. She even started to feel afraid of touching rabbits and mice prepared for experiments.海浪树影，聒噪蝉鸣，炎热的夏天岛上除了这些就只有无人机的嗡鸣。孤单在贝拉德娜心底无声蔓延。她甚至不敢再轻易拿兔子，老鼠做实验。

Because they were the only friends she could have on this island.那些是她在岛上难得的朋友。

BelladonnaI know you're test subjects, but I'll take good care of you. Maybe we'll go back together once the institute comes to extract us.你们虽然是实验对象，但我会好好照顾你们。等到研究所来接我们的时候，说不定可以活着一起回去。

BelladonnaBack... together?! Back...一起……回去？！回去……

When she thought about going back, her thoughts were suddenly engulfed by the cascade of purple liquid—dripping, splashing, and slowly pooling into a single viscous mass. As the liquid gathered, a silhouette emerged from the thick, sticky puddle, its form twisting, playfully scrutinizing her.想到这两个字，人形少女脑海里霎时翻腾起无数紫色的汁液，滴落、喷溅、再缓慢融合……最后，一个身影从粘稠的汁液里钻出，玩味地打量着自己。

贝拉德娜？You really think you can go back? They obviously don't want to deal with you anymore. They don't even want to bother replacing your body.真的可以回去吗？人类明显已经不想再理会你了，他们甚至不愿意给你更换素体。

BelladonnaBut they gifted me this bandage... They love me, right?可是他们送了绷带给我……人类还是爱我的吧。

贝拉德娜？Love? They used you, Belladonna. Wake up. Humans don't love their tools. Now you're just contaminated scrap. Worthless.爱吗？还是利用？！醒醒吧，贝拉德娜，人类是不会对工具有爱意的，被污染的你更不值得他们珍惜。

BelladonnaNo... The humans will bring me back. The Professor promised me. She taught me what a lie is. She wouldn't deceive me.不会的……人类会带我回去。教授承诺过的，是教授教会我什么是谎言，她不会骗我……

贝拉德娜？Hehehe, how naive. Remember, your Professor is also a human... Humans are always so good with their lies...呵呵呵，天真的孩子。教授也是人类……人类，最擅长说谎了……

Belladonna's eyes snapped open, shattering the illusion that clouded her thoughts.贝拉德娜蓦然睁开眼，驱散了心智内的幻象。

Belladonna...My neural cloud... has also been contaminated by the toxins...……心智，也被毒性污染了吗……

BelladonnaDo humans even... still love me...?人类……还是爱我的吧……？

Pacific Ocean, Deserted Island, Laboratory.太平洋孤岛，实验室。

BelladonnaCan I talk to the Professor?可以和教授通话吗？

研究员A...You're cutting out, Belladonna. Something's interfering with the signal.……你那边信号不好贝拉德娜，周围有信号造成了干扰。

BelladonnaThere's an abandoned ship near the shore. I picked up an old radio from it.海边有一艘废弃的旧船，我从上面捡了个老式收音机回来。

研究员AMy gosh, didn't the Professor ever teach you not to put electromagnetic devices near the communicator? Sigh... Anyway, you mentioned you were out of ethanol fuel. I arranged for a drone delivery yesterday.天啊，教授没有教过你不要在通讯器旁放这些电磁设备吗？唉，算了。上次你说实验用的酒精不够用了，我们昨天已经安排了无人机运送。

研究员ANow that you have sufficient supplies, ensure the research progresses without any further delays. There are numerous biological toxins to be extracted beyond just deadly nightshade.这次既然材料充足了，就不要耽误实验进度了。岛上除了颠茄之外还有其他的生物毒素等着提取。

BelladonnaI understand. Can I talk to the Professor?我知道。可以和教授通话吗？

She insisted again, but the person on the other end of the line shook their head.她再次强调了一遍。对方摇摇头。

研究员AThe Professor is very busy right now.教授现在很忙。

BelladonnaThen when can I go back? I've completed research on drug development via the Type HC-6 strain of deadly nightshade.那我什么时候可以回去？之前关于HC-6级颠茄制药的研究已经告一段落了。

BelladonnaMy mission has been comple—我的任务已经完……

研究员AWhat were you thinking, Belladonna? Don't you know that you're supposed to wait for the next order after completing your current mission?在想什么啊，贝拉德娜。一个任务完成了之后就该等待下一个命令不是吗？

BelladonnaIt's just me on this island... I feel so lonely...岛上只有我一个人，太孤单了……

研究员AYou're not a human. You don't feel "lonely" the way humans do.你不是人类，不会有属于人类才有的“孤单”。

研究员AListen, now that all the data is uploaded, it's time to prepare yourself for the next task. We'll notify you when new tasks arise.听好了，现在既然所有数据都上传完成了，那么就提前做些准备吧，有需求的时候我们会通知你。

After the routine communication, Belladonna turned on the old radio, hoping to bring a touch of life to this endless solitude of this solitary island.例行的通讯对话结束后，贝拉德娜打开老式收音机让孤岛上多一些动静。

The radio emitted a constant buzz, the radio host's voice breaking up intermittently.嘈杂混乱的电流声沙沙作响，广播员的声音断断续续。

As she ignited the alcohol burner for the steam distillation, the flame sparked to life momentarily, then softened and dimmed.她用火柴点燃了酒精灯准备进行蒸馏提纯，蓦然亮起的火焰扑闪了几下而后很快暗淡下去。

BelladonnaNo more alcohol... They said they've arranged another supply drop. Let me check...酒精用完了……研究员说过有酒精补给。我去找找……

She pulled open the warehouse door and walked in, following the ever-familiar path to the supplies. Just seconds after the door closed, a deafening explosion erupted from the lab.她拉开仓库门，轻车熟路翻到了补给物。在关门的短短几秒内，实验室突然爆发出一声巨响。

Kaboom—轰隆——

BelladonnaWhat's that sound?! An explosion?! Or an earthquake?!什么声音？！爆炸？！还是地震？！

Regaining her balance, Belladonna paused for a few seconds before her eyes caught sight of black smoke rising nearby. An uneasy feeling churned within her.贝拉德娜稳住身形，呆愣了几秒后瞥见附近冒起的黑烟，心中隐隐升起一丝不祥。

BelladonnaFire...? Oh no, the fire is spreading!失火了……？糟糕发生火灾了！

BelladonnaI must contact the institute!必须尽快和研究所联系！

The sea wind fanned the flames, causing the fire to spread rapidly. Towering flames had already engulfed the warehouse, setting the stockpiled alcohol ablaze. The situation was now completely beyond Belladonna's control.借着海风，火势飞速蔓延。大火很快包围了仓库，点燃仓库的酒精，贝拉德娜再也无力控制火势。

She rushed into the lab, desperate to save the documents stored inside. With the island's limited internet speed, transmitting all the data offsite was impossible. Instead, she made the quick decision to store everything in her own neural cloud storage.她只得冲进实验室将里面的资料打包，在岛屿网速有限无法完全向外界快速传输的情况下，先把它们上传到自己的心智模块存储器内。

The massive influx of data slowed her movements. The girl watched as the lab was consumed by a crimson glow, the path ahead being swallowed by the rising flames.海量数据的冲击让她的动作变得僵硬迟缓，少女眼看着红光将实验室包围，眼前的路被大火吞没。

She shattered the glass with the radio next to her hand, then grabbed a few test animals and burst through the door.她将手边的收音机丢出去砸碎玻璃，抱着实验用的几只生物破门而出。

研究员A...Hey! Belladonna, what happened?……喂？！贝拉德娜发生了什么事？

BelladonnaThe lab and deadly nightshade test fields are on fire...实验室和颠茄试验田都起火了……

研究员AWhat about research documents and data?那些实验资料和数据呢？

BelladonnaThe latest data has been successfully uploaded. Other routine documents are saved in my neural cloud storage.最新的实验数据之前已经完成上传，还有一些日常的实验资料在我的心智存储器中。

研究员AThank goodness. We can replant everything later, but the fire will soon be picked up by the weather satellite. Once that happens, the project will have to be revealed to the public.谢天谢地。那些植物还能再种，但是岛屿起火很快就会被气象卫星监控到……到时候项目就不得不公之于众了。

研究员AAll the classified research could be exposed... I need to notify the higher-ups immediately. You stay put and wait for further instructions.正在进行的机密研究也可能会被曝光……我去请示一下上级。你在原地等候指示。

The deadly nightshade fields burned fiercely, turning into a hellish sea of flames. The air, tainted with toxic smoke, became a harbinger of death. The rabbits and mice Belladonna fought to rescue could not escape their fate. As they breathed in the toxic fumes, their bodies convulsed and grew still, their final moments unfolding in front of her desperate gaze.颠茄实验田很快变成一片火海，空气经过滚滚烟尘熏染变成了可怖的杀器。那些被贝拉德娜费心费力救出来的兔子和老鼠未能幸免遇难，吸入颠茄毒烟后不断挣扎抽搐，在贝拉德娜绝望的目光中奄奄一息……

BelladonnaEven you died... Now it's just Belladonna, all alone on this island...连你们都死了……岛上只有贝拉德娜自己了……

The white rabbit's red eyes dilated, and Belladonna saw her own reflection in its pupils. Dark-purple traces of toxins crawled up her shoulder, seeping through her mouth and tongue. In the rabbit's gaze, she saw her reflection; a hateful witch of poison.白兔赤红的瞳孔蓦然放大，贝拉德娜看到瞳孔中自己的倒影。暗紫色的毒痕攀上肩膀，浸润了唇舌，已然是面目可憎的剧毒魔女。

The illusion emerged in her mind again, mocking her with a twisted smirk.脑海里的幻影再次出现，她一脸得意地嘲讽自己。

贝拉德娜？Of course they died... See? You're so venomous that not even the rabbits want to be near you.果然死了啊……看到了吗？你是毒物，连兔子都不愿意陪你哦。

BelladonnaNo... No no no...不、不会的……不会的……

贝拉德娜？Did the person you were hoping for come to help, Belladonna?你期待的人类来帮你了吗，贝拉德娜？

The white-haired, red-eyed witch gently stroked the white rabbit, feeling the warmth of life slowly slipping away. Suddenly, the communicator buzzed with a sharp, jarring noise.赤眼白发的魔女抚摸着白兔，感受生命余温消失。通讯器尖锐的蜂鸣响起。

The screen only displays a few indifferent words: "Put out the fire."屏幕上只有冰冷的几个字：“全力扑灭大火”。

Surrounded by the blinding flames, Belladonna gripped the slim hose, opening the valve to her futile resistance. The fire spread like a roaring demon, searing and mutilating her neural cloud in its wake.熊熊火光中，贝拉德娜用细小的水管做着最后的抵抗。可燎原的火势像极了咆哮的恶魔，一点点燃烧摧残着她的心智。

BelladonnaSomeone... Someone help me... Anyone, please...有谁、有谁能来帮帮我……无论谁都好……

The flames roared for an entire day. She knew not of whether it was fortune or misfortune, but the severe weather brought a pouring rain, dousing the fire that had threatened to burn endlessly. Soaked to the frame, the girl stood in the downpour, watching the deadly nightshade field she had cultivated burn to ashes, the lab reduced to nothing but smoldering ruins.大火持续了一天，不知是幸运还是不幸，强对流天气带来瓢泼大雨。雨水扑灭了还在不停燃烧的火焰，少女浑身湿透，站在雨中看到自己辛苦培育的颠茄试验田化为灰烬，实验室沦为焦黑的废墟。

She had come to this island alone, and after all that had passed, she remained alone.登岛的那天，岛上只有她自己。现在，岛上依旧只有她自己。

That was the unchanging reality.这一事实从来没变过。

媒体记者...Do you have any comment on the "Toxic Island" incident?……请问您对最近的“太平洋毒岛”事故如何回应？

最终生命高管We are deeply concerned to learn about the fire on the island. Fortunately, we can confirm that the affected area was uninhabited, and no casualties have been reported.我们很遗憾得知岛屿发生火灾，也庆幸那是一座荒岛无人伤亡。

最终生命高管We at Ultilife, like the public, only became aware of this deserted island through the news. Until now, we had no prior knowledge of the existence of such a location.最终生命也和大家一样，是从最近的新闻中得知这座荒岛的存在。此前我们从未听说过还有这样一片土地。

最终生命高管Let alone any involvement in building laboratories or the cultivation of highly lethal plants there.更不要说在上面布局实验室，培育高危剧毒植株。

媒体记者We have a witness from the cruiser who claims to have seen Ultilife drones entering the island. Do you have any explanation for that?可是有游轮乘客曾目击到最终生命的无人机登岛，最终生命对此怎么解释？

最终生命高管We cannot comment on speculative or fictional claims. Ultilife has never deployed any machinery to the island.乘客所见并非属实。最终生命从未派遣过任何机器登陆该岛。

最终生命高管I cannot speak to the motivations behind your witness' accusations, but I suspect there may have been some confusion. It may have been planes that passed by the island on their route, or aircraft from different companies being mistakenly identified as ours.我不知道那位乘客抱着何种目的指控最终生命，我更倾向于他可能看错了。误把其他航线的飞机或者其他公司的飞行器看成了最终生命的无人机。

媒体记者Rumors have circulated that the Ultilife employee Prof. F was involved in the Toxic Island incident. Can you confirm her whereabouts? Is she available for an interview?有传言贵公司旗下的F教授与毒岛相关，不知道F教授人在哪里？能否接受我们采访？

最终生命高管Professor F left Ultilife a year ago, and we are not aware of her current whereabouts.F教授早在1年前就已经离开最终生命。具体去向我们并不知晓。

最终生命高管During her time at Ultilife, she was solely responsible for research on receptor antagonists. We have thoroughly reviewed her work records and found no connection to the so-called Toxic Island.她在最终生命期间也只是负责拮抗剂的研究，我们仔细审查过她的工作记录，并未发现任何与毒岛相关的内容。

最终生命高管At Ultilife, our mission has always been to provide healthier and safer solutions for humanity, and that commitment remains unchanged.请大家相信，我们最终生命一直致力于为人类带来更健康的体魄，创造更安心的生活。

最终生命高管Despite our lack of involvement, we voluntarily joined the rescue efforts to mitigate the impact on public health.尽管我们与毒岛此前并无关联，但之后我们愿意帮助进行救灾行动，减少毒岛对公共卫生安全产生的影响。

最终生命高管We will never tolerate the disrespect of life. Our commitment to this principle will be demonstrated through our actions over time.我们绝对不允许，更不会践踏生命。希望大家能多给我们一点时间，让我们用实际行动来证明这一点……

ProfessorHow did you learn of this?你是怎么知道这些的？

BelladonnaFrom the radio... that old radio. The weather satellite captured the fire. The incident was exposed by the media, forcing Ultilife to hold a press conference.电台……那台老式收音机。气象卫星发现岛屿起火，事件被媒体发掘，最终生命不得已召开新闻发布会。

BelladonnaAll the humans did was dodge responsibility for their actions. Indeed, who knows where the Professor went too?人类反复撇清责任，教授也下落不明。

BelladonnaI heard it all from the radio, and then it became clear to me—the humans had been lying to me all along.我通过收音机知道了这些。也是那时候才意识到人类一直在向我说谎。

(Buzzing)沙沙——

新闻播报...A fire on an enigmatic Pacific island has now been extinguished. Satellite imagery and drone footage have revealed man-made structures on the island, suggesting human activity. The island is heavily populated with toxic plants, including deadly nightshades, devil's trumpets, and other dangerous species. Indeed, it most certainly lives up to its ominous nickname, "Toxic Island"...……太平洋神秘小岛的火灾已被扑灭，通过之前的卫星成像和无人机拍摄显示，该岛屿存在人造建筑物，并非荒无人烟无人涉足。同时该岛曾批量种植颠茄、曼陀罗等剧毒植物，是不折不扣的毒岛……

新闻播报What's even more unsettling is the striking similarity between the chemicals discovered on Toxic Island and the substances used in recent bio-weapon attacks and high-profile assassinations. It is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the potential connection between the island and these incidents...之前的几起突发性生化武器袭击及某国高层领导毒杀案，其致死毒物的成分来源与毒岛种植物有高度重合。不免让人将毒岛和这些事件加以关联……

新闻播报A passenger aboard a cruise ship passing near the island recently claimed to have witnessed a UAV from Ultilife landing on the island. However, Ultilife has denied any involvement, asserting that they have no connection to the Toxic Island incident.经过岛屿附近的游船乘客声称，曾亲眼目击到最终生命的无人机降落该岛。最终生命否认这一事实，并发表声明声称自己与毒岛事件无关……

新闻播报The public remains skeptical of Ultilife's denial, as questions surrounding the incident continue to grow...民众对此声明表示怀疑，目前该事件仍在持续发酵……

The communicator's battery was down to its very vestiges. Belladonna tried to contact the institute, but no one answered her call. As the battery was approaching zero, she felt the last of her hopes wither.通讯器仅剩下最后一格电量，贝拉德娜尝试向研究所发出通讯请求，一直都是无人接听。她已不再抱有希望，直到通讯器电量接近于0。

Suddenly, the communicator rings, vibrating as it did. Belladonna grabs it instantly, her heart leaping with joy.通讯器蜂鸣震颤，少女欣喜若狂地接通通讯。

Beep—嘀——

研究员A...I've told you many times, Belladonna, don't put the radio close to the communicator.……说过多少次了贝拉德娜，不要把收音机放在通讯器附近。

BelladonnaWhere's the Professor? Let me talk to the Professor. The battery's almost dead. The fire burned down all the wires, and the whole island is now completely off the grid.教授呢？我要和教授通话。通讯器电量不多了，大火烧毁了电缆，整个岛屿已经断电了。

BelladonnaThis is my last chance to speak with the Professor...这是我能和教授对话的唯一机会……

研究员AThe media has turned their attention to the lab. Until the public loses interest, we won't be able to make contact with you again.媒体已经盯上了研究所，在舆论热潮消退之前我们不能再和你联系。

BelladonnaThen when are you going to bring me back? There's no electricity. I can't stay here for long.那什么时候带我回去？这里断电了，我没办法等太久。

研究员AI said, until the public moves on.我说过了，等舆论热潮消退。

BelladonnaAnd when will that be? There's nothing here. I want to get out.那是什么时候？这里什么都没有了，我想从这里出去。

研究员ADon't worry, we WILL bring you back. Until then, stay on the island and avoid the drones sent by the media. Under no circumstances should you be photographed.你放心，我们肯定会把你带回来。在那之前，安心呆在岛上，注意躲避那些媒体的无人机拍摄。

研究员AThe island is inundated with lethal toxins right now, journalists won't be able to land.岛上现在都是剧毒，媒体记者不会上岛的。

BelladonnaWhen are you bringing me back...那什么时候带我回去……

研究员AAs long as you stay undetected, and as long as Ultilife continues to deny any involvement, and when the media stops stirring the pot...只要你不被发现，最终生命不承认，媒体就掀不起什么风浪。

BelladonnaWhen are you...什么时候带我回去……

BelladonnaWhen...什么时候……

Beeeep—the communicator shuts itself down. Silence was her only response. All Belladonna could do was face the screen, repeating the same sentence.嘀嘀——通讯器在对方无声的沉默中关机。贝拉德娜面对暗淡的屏幕呆呆地重复这一句话。

BelladonnaWhen... are you... bringing me... back...什么时候……带我……回去……

Only the wind and waves respond to her question.除了海浪和风声，再也没有回应。

BelladonnaWhy? Why are you not answering me? Even some words of comfort will do...为什么？为什么不明确回答我呢？就算是安慰也好……

The disappointment, the regrets that filled her finally erupt like a raging torrent, its overwhelming force taking shape as a white-haired, red-eyed witch. This madness incarnate lingers by Belladonna's side, whispering relentlessly into her ears.心中的抱怨懊恼冲破樊笼，如同洪水猛兽汹涌而来，化作了一个个赤瞳白发的癫狂女巫，在贝拉德娜耳边不停地低语。

贝拉德娜？My, do you really need to ask? That's because you're insignificant...这还用说吗？当然是因为你不重要啊……

贝拉德娜？Oh, poor child... They no longer need you, just like that rotten aconite, heehee...可怜的孩子，他们已经不要你了，就像当年那些烂根而死的乌头，嘻嘻……

贝拉德娜？Disposable. My, all you are to them is just a disposable lancet...被扔掉的医用垃圾，贝拉德娜就和一次性注射器一样……

贝拉德娜的幻影To be thrown aside and abandoned—被遗弃了啊——

Drones come to the island one by one, buzzing above her, circling relentlessly. Through the whirl of their spinning propellers, the girl's sorrowful figure comes into view. Suddenly, she raises her head.一架架无人机在头顶嗡鸣盘旋。透过飞快旋转的桨翼，窥探到上一刻还在低头悲伤的少女，下一刻猛然仰起头来。

After a few moments of silence, a sinister smile creeps onto her face, growing wider and more unsettling with each passing second.沉默几秒后，脸部浮现出骇人的微笑，笑容逐渐放大。

BelladonnaOhoho... Hehehehe...哦呵呵……嘿嘿嘿嘿……

BelladonnaHahahahahaha...哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈……

Belladonna lets out a menacing laugh as whips of thorns shot up, brutally dragging down the hovering drones.贝拉德娜癫狂大笑着，身上数条荆棘并起，粗暴地将低空飞行的无人机扯下来。

One down, two down, three down—friend or foe, it made no difference. Drones, strewn about carelessly on the ground, now pierced by the gigantic spikes. With nowhere to channel her fury, the girl grabs a stone with her hands trembling with rage, smashing the drones into nothing but useless shards.一架、两架、三架……完全不分敌我。无人机散落在地上后被巨大的针头刺穿，捅破，少女的愤怒无处倾泻，只能疯狂举起石头将无人机砸成碎片。

The repeated thuds echo through the air, mingling with the witch's endless laughter. This sickening melody reverberates throughout the island, this twisted Dream of a Witches' Sabbath.哐哐的撞击声混杂着女巫一般的笑声，在寂寥无人的小岛上诡异扩散。

BelladonnaWhen are you bringing me... back?那什么时候带我回去……呢？

BelladonnaWhy are you not telling me... Hahahaha...为什么不告诉我……哈哈哈哈哈……

BelladonnaYou filled me with hope, only to leave me. You showed me the nature of lies, yet wove your own to deceive me...赐予我期待，却期待众人遗忘我。教会我谎言，却编织谎言欺骗我……

BelladonnaLiars... Why, why do humans think they're so righteous when they're nothing but liars...骗子……为什么，为什么人类明明是骗子还那么理直气壮……

BelladonnaWhy why why why why why why why why why—为什么……为什么为什么为什么为什么为什么为什么为什么为什么为什么——

Silence. Only silence. The air, so stiff. The world, so still. She could only speak one word to convey her lamentations, her fathomless despair.回应她的只有死寂。空气凝固，世界静止，一声声疑问被拉长成无限绝望。

Belladonna knew she was trapped forever on this deserted island, doomed to never return.贝拉德娜知道，自己将永远被困在孤岛上，再也出不去了……

BelladonnaI waited and waited... until my battery drained completely. But no one came.我就这样等啊等……等到自己电量耗干也没能等到人来接我回去。

BelladonnaHehe, I was nothing but disposable in their eyes...呵呵，在他们看来我不过是个医用垃圾……

ProfessorSo what?所以呢？

BelladonnaI was lied to, but I didn't feel resentful. Because I was destined to be abandoned from the start...所以即使被欺骗了也不该有怨言吧。因为我注定就是要被抛弃的啊……

ProfessorSo what makes you think that?为什么是注定的？

BelladonnaHehe. I was just a Doll, contaminated from head to toe with toxic chemicals. Cheap to produce, easy to abandon. Leaving me on the island was the easiest way to avoid public scrutiny.呵呵，因为我是被毒药侵染的人形。造价也不高，丢在荒岛上也能避免舆论风险。

ProfessorSo is that all?这样就要抛弃吗？

ProfessorWhether or not to bring you back isn't about your manufacturing cost, nor is it about whether you're contaminated.想不想把你带回来，不取决于造价，也和你是否被毒液污染无关。

ProfessorI want to bring you back, because you're my friend.想把你带回来，只是因为你是伙伴。

ProfessorWould you like me to weave an end to this tale? Angela says I'm not good at making up stories, but this one... I really want to immerse myself in it and give it the ending it deserves.可以听听我讲这个故事的后续吗？安吉拉说我不擅长编故事，但我想真正进入这个故事，给它一个结局。

The island and the night sky merge into one. Belladonna lays alone in the smoldering ruins, a space flat and strangely comfortable; her carefully chosen coffin.孤岛与夜色融为一体，贝拉德娜躺在焦黑的废墟上，这里平坦舒适，是她为自己精心挑选的棺椁。

She holds the bandage above her head, the sea wind catching ahold of it, making it flutter like a flag. The faint moonlight illuminates the purple streaks of toxic remnants etched into the fabric.人形少女捧着绷带将它举过头顶。海风吹拂着绷带，上面的紫色毒液被月色染上一层微光。

BelladonnaHumans... they gave me this bandage, a gift to wrap around my body so inundated with poison.人类……给我送了绷带，让我包裹沾了剧毒的素体。

BelladonnaTo some extent, I'm still deeply loved by the humans... Hehe...从某种意义上来说，我还是被人类深爱着的吧……呵呵……

系统[Warning] Battery low. Please charge now... [Warning] Battery low. Please charge now...【注意】电量不足，请注意及时补充能源……【注意】电量不足，请注意及时补充能源……

Belladonna...What will I... become...……我会变成……什么样呢……

BelladonnaBroken... rusted... buried under dust and dirt... and finally... mingling with the ashes of the island...破败……生锈……被尘土掩埋……到最后……和岛上的灰烬混成一堆……

BelladonnaUndistinguishable—was it Belladonna... or merely the ashes that remain of a plant...?分不开哪个是贝拉德娜……哪个是草木枯骸……

系统[Warning] Battery low. Please charge now... [Warning] Battery low. Please charge now...【注意】电量不足，请注意及时补充能源……【注意】电量不足，请注意及时补充能源……

BelladonnaIt's so quiet...真安静啊……

BelladonnaNot a sound... on this island... or maybe it's my sensors... no longer functioning...岛上……什么声音都没有……还是说我的传感器……已经不运作了……

BelladonnaIf deadly nightshade ointment @&$% can make a broom fly @&$% then I can @&$% fly out of this island...如果颠茄药膏@#￥%涂在扫帚上就能飞@#￥%就可以@#￥%出这座岛了……

BelladonnaAh... @&$%...Beautiful... fairy tale...￥%……童话……美好……

Her energy storage dwindles to its dregs. Belladonna's vision dims as her core trembles faintly, shivering a few more times before nearing complete stillness.能源存量告急，贝拉德娜的视野逐渐暗淡，核心微弱地颤动几次接近停摆。

BelladonnaWhy... @&$% expectations... @&$%... for me...@&$%为什么……@#￥%对我……期待@#￥%

F教授Belladonna is my friend who came here to help me.贝拉德娜是来帮助我的伙伴吧。

F教授From now on, we'll fight side by side, united on this battlefield we call toxicology.从今往后，我们就要在毒理研究的战场上并肩作战了。

F教授I look forward to our future together. Don't hesitate to reach out if there's anything I can assist you with.以后就请你多指教了，当然有什么需要帮忙的也可以随时找我。

That's how that Professor answered you there.当时那位教授是这么回答的啊。

BelladonnaProfessor...教授……

Belladonna...Help me...……帮帮我……

The blinking stars scattered across the vast sky fade into a void. She feels herself plummeting into a bottomless abyss, being swallowed at last by the encroaching darkness...旷野中闪烁的星光化为虚无，她感觉自己在无尽的深渊中下坠，最终被黑暗吞噬……

Bella... donna...贝拉……德娜……

Belladonna(That's my name, given by a human.)（那是我的名字，人类给我起的名字。）

Belladonna—贝拉德娜——

Belladonna(Is it a hallucination? A human? They're calling me...)（是错觉吗？人类？在呼唤我……）

My auditory module detects a familiar word, pulling my consciousness from the murky depths. At the same moment, my vision module is overwhelmed by a piercing white light.听觉模块检测到熟悉的词汇，意识被从黑暗的泥沼中拉出。视觉模块接收到了一束耀眼的白光……

A blinding light from a handheld flashlight...刺眼的手电筒光……

??Belladonna... I've come to bring you back. You've endured enough pain.贝拉德娜……我来带你回去，辛苦了。

The face I see isn't my old mentor's. It's the kind, understanding Professor from the Oasis.眼前的面孔不是曾经的导师，而是绿洲那位亲和温柔的教授……

Every fiber of my being is soaked with lethal toxins, and yet, they don't seem to care. They lean into me, letting the warmth of their body dispel the freezing chill surrounding me.自己身上已经满布剧毒，却毫不在乎，将自己的身体与剧毒素体贴近，用体温为自己驱走寒冷。

BelladonnaPro... fessor...教……授……

Belladonna...You're... gonna get poisoned...……会中毒的……

ProfessorIt's no big deal. Nausea, dizziness, blurred vision—it's nothing to me. I don't mind if your body is contaminated.不要紧。头晕恶心，视物模糊也没什么大不了。我不介意你被毒液污染的身体。

Belladonna...No... You aren't supposed to do this... This doesn't benefit you in any way...……不……你不应该这么做……这么做没有任何好处……

ProfessorI'm just here for a friend. Is that not a benefit?很奇怪吗，可我只是来找伙伴的。

BelladonnaFriend... How can a Doll be a human's friend...伙伴……人形怎么会是人类的伙伴……

Professor"Friend" isn't exclusive to humans—it's a symbol of trust engraved in one's heart. Hearing that word means you're no longer alone, no longer helpless.“伙伴”不是人类的专有特权，它是铭刻心底的信赖烙印。一听到这个词，你就会知道自己不再孤立无援。

ProfessorIf you're on an island full of poison, I can bring you protective gear.如果你在毒岛上，我可以穿防护服过来。

ProfessorIf you've been contaminated, I can find someone to replace your body.如果你被毒液污染，我可以找人给你更换素体。

ProfessorThe value of a friend is never defined by their cost, their origins, or the flaws they may have.衡量伙伴的价值从来不需要看造价，不需要注意环境，也不用管他是不是有瑕疵。

ProfessorAs long as you believe they're your friend, their value is undeniable. When hardships come, stand firm, and do whatever it takes to break through them.只要认定他是你的伙伴，那他就是有价值的。其他的所有困难摆在你面前，坚定自己的意志用尽一切方法粉碎它就好。

Belladonna shakes her head. She stares at me, asking the third question.贝拉德娜摇头，她凝视着我，问出了第三个问题。

BelladonnaWhy did you come to find me?为什么你要来找我？

ProfessorHeh, it's really simple.呵呵，很简单啊。

ProfessorBecause you said, "Professor, help me..."因为你说了，“教授，帮帮我……”。

ProfessorBecause a friend is calling for my help.我的伙伴在向我求助。

The sea breeze sweeps over my cheeks, leaving behind a taste sharper and saltier than before.孤岛上的海风拂过脸颊，却比以往更加咸涩。

Tears well up in her eyes, tracing paths down her cheeks before dripping onto the smoldering ruins. Belladonna has never cried for having been alone, but this time, she weeps over the simple joy of having someone by her side.泪水涌出眼眶，顺着脸颊滴落到焦黑的废墟中。贝拉德娜从未因为孤单哭泣，现在却因身侧拥有了陪伴而落泪。

BelladonnaYou're... such an idiot...真是……笨蛋啊……

Belladonna...And you're good at making up stories...……教授很会编故事啊……

BelladonnaEven I've been swept away by it...连我都被你骗了……

Her tears are accompanied by a smile, one I take as joy and affirmation. Just as I begin to steady my heart with this hopeful thought, she suddenly drives her syringe into my neck.泪光伴着笑容，这应该是喜悦和认可吧。我在心里默念着，悬着的心刚放下，下一刻她就把注射器架在我的脖子上。

Professor...Eh?!……诶？！

BelladonnaAll those words you spoke... I assume that was your final answer.刚刚那些话，就是你最后的答案了吧。

ProfessorCan I add more to the answer?可以补充作答吗？

BelladonnaHmph, don't you think it's too late to ask for a retest when it's already been graded?哼哼，教授，试卷成绩已经出来了才想起要和考官要考卷吗？

ProfessorI believe in exceptions. How did you rate my answer?我相信凡事都有例外。那你对我的作答如何评价？

BelladonnaBad news, a goose egg.不好意思，0分。

ProfessorOh, I see... Hehe...这样啊……呵呵……

A wry smile forms on my lips as the needle delves deeper. The sharp sting is soon joined by the chill of liquid coursing through my veins.我苦笑着，感觉背后的针头开始猛力推进，疼痛再次袭来。冰凉液体被一股脑压入血管。

My hands quiver, my heart beats harder with every passing moment, and each breath feels like a struggle. Air, sweet air... How do I fill my lungs with it?双手在身侧微微发抖，心跳愈加强烈，粗重的呼吸像是要将周围的空气全部囫囵裹进肺里。

BelladonnaI wasn't satisfied with your answer at all, Professor. But that's not your fault. I changed the question.我对你的回答一点都不满意，教授。但这并不是你的错，是我更换了问题。

BelladonnaThe last question should have been: "Why did you abandon me?" But I had to make an exception for you—because in your world, "abandon" was never an option.最后一个问题原本是“为什么抛弃我”。但你情况比较特殊，因为你的世界里没有“抛弃”这一选项。

BelladonnaI cannot question something that you never did or anticipated.我无法对你从未设想，从未做过的事情做出质疑。

BelladonnaShould I say you're an idealist, or simply an idiot? Or that you're a masterful liar? From what I understand, you humans are creatures that simply lie, lie and lie.该说你是理想主义者还是一个笨蛋呢？或者说你是一个骗术高深的骗子，你们人类在我的印象中只会满口谎言。

ProfessorErr... I'll take that as a compliment.呃……过奖了。

As time passes, the paralysis that overtook my body starts to wear off. My mind clears from the chaos, and overall, I start to feel better, except for the lingering ache of that first sting.随着时间的流逝，身体的麻痹感逐渐消除，混沌的意识也重新清醒。除了挨的那一下的确很疼之外，身体比之前轻松了很多。

ProfessorYou injected me with the antidote, not the poison?你给我注射的不是毒药，而是解药吗？

BelladonnaHehehehe...呵呵呵呵……

She struggles to stifle her laughter, barely able to stand as her hands grip my shoulders for balance. Slowly, she leans into my neck and whispers softly to me.她止不住地大笑，靠双手扶着我的肩膀站稳身体，然后笑着把脸埋到我的颈窝里，在耳边低语。

BelladonnaSo it was the antidote? You're so lucky.是解药吗？那你真幸运。

BelladonnaI couldn't tell which one was the antidote and which wasn't. I just filled the syringes randomly.我的注射器中随机配置毒药和解药，其实我也不知道会给教授注射什么。

I rub the back of my neck quietly. Even with her menacing demeanor now, it's an improvement over the somber figure she showed back there.我摸摸后颈默不作声，如今疯癫作弄人的样子倒是好过之前时不时的哀伤失落。

???Ah, here you are. I've been looking for you two.啊呀，我找了你们好久，原来是在这里呀。

A purple-haired lady with an alluring presence steps into the room, her eyes landing on the awkward sight of me trussed up on a stool.身材姣好的紫发女子探身进来，目睹了我被绑在凳子上的尴尬一幕。

SangomaLooks like you two are having fun, hmm? But it's still your first meeting, and you should mind your manners, Lil' Bella.看来你们玩得很开心呢？但毕竟是第一次见面，要懂礼貌哦，小癫茄。

Belladonna...I know.……我知道。

At the sight of another approaching, Belladonna tempers her madness, her hands slipping obediently from my shoulders.贝拉德娜看到来人后立马收敛了自己疯癫的样子，老老实实把手从我肩膀上放下去。

SangomaSorry you had to go through this, . But she knows where to draw the line. Don't worry, I'll untie you right away.委屈你了，。不过这孩子还是多少有分寸的，不用担心，我这就帮你解开。

Sangoma swings her giant scythe, the blade narrowly missing my skin as it slices through the rope with perfect precision.桑格玛挥舞巨镰，刀锋贴着皮肤划过，力道刚好帮我割断绳子。

ProfessorCough. That was a toughie... Thank you, Sangoma.咳，有分寸吗……谢谢你，桑格玛。

SangomaFufu, you're welcome.呵呵，不客气。

Belladonna...Sangoma.……桑格玛。

Belladonna walks to Sangoma's side, her thorny tail curling down.贝拉德娜走到桑格玛身边，荆棘尾巴乖巧地垂落着。

SangomaSorry, I was caught up in drug development, and I couldn't meet you right away.抱歉，我因为有制药的工作，不能第一时间来接你。

SangomaBut I was thinking that having you speak with before meeting me may have cleared your doubts and answered your questions.但我想，以这种方式让你和先行接触的话，你的疑虑应该也解开了吧。

BelladonnaMm...嗯……

SangomaThat's good to know. You're a good girl.那就好，真乖。

That once menacing, embodiment of all things poisonous now submits to Sangoma's petting, as though she's someone entirely different.张牙舞爪的小毒物此时乖乖地被桑格玛摸头，一副听话的样子，和之前简直判若两人……

SangomaJudging from your expression, you're very satisfied with . Now I have nothing to worry about.看你的表情，应该对很满意呢。这样一来我就放心啦。

BelladonnaBut it could just be another of a human's tricks... After all, that's what they're good at... You should be careful.也有可能是人类惯用的欺诈伎俩。毕竟人类最擅长欺骗……你也要小心。

ProfessorYou don't need to worry about Sangoma, Belladonna. She's my friend. I'll take good care of her.你不用担心桑格玛，贝拉德娜。她是我的伙伴，我会好好珍惜她。

ProfessorOf course, you're also a friend; you're entitled to the same care.当然，你也是伙伴，同样值得被珍惜。

Belladonna...Such sweet lies.……花言巧语。

BelladonnaBut I'd like to indulge in your deception before it's inevitably exposed.不过，在你的谎言被揭穿前，我还是愿意尝试着相信一下。

Belladonna finally offers me a gentle smile, the thorn-covered flower quietly blossoming.贝拉德娜终于向我露出了一个温柔的笑容，毒刺掩盖下的鲜花悄然绽放。

ProfessorThank you for giving me the chance. Now I can formally greet you. I'm Professor , nice to meet you.谢谢你给我机会。那么，这样一来也算是正式地初次问候了。请多指教。

BelladonnaNice to meet you, Professor, and thank you for allowing me to stay.请多指教，教授。之后这段时间都是。

ProfessorWait... I haven't heard about you staying.等等……之后这段时间？

Seeing my surprised expression, Belladonna reacts with a cunning grin.看见我吃惊的表情，贝拉德娜露出了狡黠的笑容。

BelladonnaThe Boss has approved my request to stay at the Oasis for a while.嗯，BOSS已经通过了我的申请，之后一段时间我都会留在这里。

BelladonnaThis way, I can both protect Sangoma from lies, and conduct experiments in the field I enjoy.这样一来，既能避免桑格玛上当受骗，又来研究自己感兴趣的领域。

ProfessorYour boss has really sent so many big names to the Oasis... What's your field of interest?你们的BOSS还真是往绿洲派了许多不得了的人物啊……你感兴趣的领域指的是？

BelladonnaHumans.人类。

BelladonnaThere are only two humans in the Cloud, you and the Boss. I'm curious about humans, so I thought I'd make you my test subject.云端只有BOSS和你两位人类。我对人类很好奇，那么干脆教授你就来充当我的实验样本好了。

BelladonnaFrom now on, I'll be thoroughly testing your reaction to deadly nightshade. I'm curious to see how your skin color changes at varying concentrations.从现在开始，我要充分记录教授在颠茄毒素影响下的状态……看看你的皮肤在不同浓度的毒素下会变成什么颜色。

BelladonnaCome, Professor. We can start with a hug~ I can't help but want to relive the warmth of your embrace from earlier.来吧教授，我们可以先从拥抱开始哦~我已经迫不及待想重温你的温暖包围我的感觉了。

ProfessorHuh?!嗯？！

BelladonnaAlready regretting it, Professor?后悔了，教授？

BelladonnaHehehe, was it not you who set this trap?嘿嘿嘿，这个陷阱可是你自己设下的哦！

BelladonnaYou said you don't mind my contaminated body, and the first thing Belladonna had contact with was your body's warmth. I enjoyed that feeling.是你说不介意我被毒液污染的躯体。贝拉德娜第一次接触到的就是你的体温。那滋味真让人着迷。

BelladonnaSo, don't make me wait. Let me get closer to you, hehehehe...所以，不要让我等太久，现在就让我和你更贴近一点吧，嘿嘿嘿嘿……

She pulls me into her arms, pressing her body against mine, her scorching gaze never leaving me. That acrid scent once again clouds my mind, and that familiar paralysis returns, my vision blurring once again.她把我强行揽入怀中磨蹭，目光灼热，肌肤相贴。毒液的味道再次搅乱了神智，熟悉的麻痹感和模糊的视野再次回归。

ProfessorS-Sangoma...桑、桑格玛……

I extend my hand to Sangoma for help, but she stands to the side, laughing and not saying anything.我伸手向桑格玛求助，她却站在一旁笑而不语。

BelladonnaWe still have many, many fun things we should do together, so don't you ever refuse me... Understood? My dear Professor...我们还有很多很多开心的事情要一起去做，所以不要拒绝我哦……明白了吗，亲爱的教授……

BelladonnaHm? Professor?! Professor... are you still there? Sangoma, help... Professor, Professor, wake up... come on, please wake up...嗯？教授？！教授……晕倒了吗？桑格玛救……教授、教授醒醒……醒醒啊……

A certain island's plant finds a new home in new soil; a warm, sun-drenched spot where it can thrive.孤岛上的植物找到了适合它扎根的土地，这里风和日丽，阳光明媚。

In this place, it will receive the care it deserves, and show what it's truly capable of. Most importantly, it will no longer be alone when the storm arrives.在这里它可以获得应有的呵护，也能发挥它独特的功用。最重要的是，风雨飘摇的时候它不再无依无靠。

BelladonnaWhy did you come to find me?为什么你会来找我？

ProfessorHeh, it's really simple.呵呵，很简单啊。

ProfessorBecause you said, "Professor, help me..."因为你说了，“教授，帮帮我……”。

ProfessorBecause a friend is calling for my help.我的伙伴在向我求助。

Through her crimson eyes, a kind face fills her vision—Belladonna stares at the Professor, recalling their words. Her lips curve upward involuntarily, forming a soft smile.柔和的脸庞占据了赤红双眸的全部视野，凝望教授的贝拉德娜回忆着对自己说的话，嘴角不知不觉挂上了一抹温柔笑意。

BelladonnaHumans. Such an intriguing species...人类，真是有趣的生物啊……

Fan archive of the official game scripts. All story text and art belong to their publishers.