King of Thorn (Ibara no O) (いばらの王 -King of Thorn-)

The WHO held an emergency conference on the 3rd

Note: WHO stands for World Health Organization.

concerning ACIS, Acquired Cellular Induration Syndrome,

more commonly known as Medusa.

The cause, among other details, is still unclear.

If no actions are taken, apart from the possibility of global political unrest,

this will be recognized as a S-class epidemic.

Note: S refers to those are susceptible to the infection.

The WHO has advised each nation to focus on keeping the peace by implementing physical measures

as well as making information available to the public.

...kind of chemical substance, you see.

When infected with ACIS, we've confirmed that

a large quantity of it is generated inside the body.

By measuring this quantity, the presence of infection

can be determined.

However, the cure aside,

the cause hasn't even been determined yet.

In the first stage, 30 to 60 days pass from infection to onset.

Only a short time period of 12 hours passes until death,

or petrification, occurs at the end of the second stage.

The mortality rate is 100%.

Unfortunately, the only information we have at the moment

is still limited to simple statistics.

All over the country, people are in fear of becoming infected,

attempting to flee the country only to be held up at the borders as refugees.

The government has begun discussion on plans to strengthen the border patrol as well as mobilize the country's armed forces.

The air raid on the 20th has been claimed as

an unavoidable act of self-defence against the country itself,

thereby justifying the preemptive strike.

The United Nations Security Council has established

a temporary council regarding this matter.

Due to the closing of factories and companies

accompanied by the significant loss of the workforce,

corporate earnings are down all across the board.

Stock prices continue to fall at a drastic rate,

resulting in a recorded -47% deficit compared to last year.

The United Nations Security Council has unanimously voted

to declare this a state of emergency.

They are conducting expert panels at paced intervals...

Large chemical manufacturer Venus Gate and their CEO Vega

are holding a press conference at the company headquarters.

He announced the launch of an astonishing project.

In response to humanity's greatest and unprecedented crisis,

one company has gone beyond the call of social responsibility.

On the behalf of that company, I unveil our secret project.

We call it...

Cold sleep.

You mean to suggest that Medusa... no, ACIS,

is most likely an act of bioterrorism launched by Venus Gate?

Yes.

This sudden claim of yours is difficult to believe.

While Venus Gate is an important chemical manufacturer for our country

as well as a well connected corporate ally,

these past couple of years, they have not made any announcements regarding actual products.

Meanwhile, they have been gathering samples of biological species from all over the world,

storing them in their corporate facilities.

These would be the cold sleep centers they unveiled?

On the outside, yes.

On the inside is a heavily fortified and guarded structure,

an armored fortress if you will.

However, the other party is, as you've stated, an important and distinguished chemical manufacturer.

All of the significant political powers receive a large amount of donations from them.

Venus Gate's current major stockholder is a religious cult thought to have been disbanded.

So this center is supposed to be their Noah's Ark?

Also, CEO Vega used to be a distinguished officer in charge of investigating scientific affairs

for the former Russian Ministry of Domestic Affairs.

However, due to a certain thoughtless remark he made,

he was dismissed.

And the thoughtless remark was?

"I was chosen... to find the path God has laid out."

The drop in metabolism brought on by cold sleep

slows the progression of the disease.

Our company's research has proven this

to be effective against ACIS.

While temporarily asleep, our patients will embark on a journey

towards the day when a cure is discovered.

We have no time to spare.

According to analysis from our intelligence departments,

the commencement of their cold sleep center operation will coincide with their next course of action.

In other words, we have concluded that there is a high possibility that this very event is the second stage of their terrorist acts.

We won't have another chance to strike or defend if we let this opportunity go.

Is the President aware of this?

The President passed away at 1206 hours.

His cause of death was Medusa.

Please make your decision.

Unfortunately, the center's capacity is limited to only 160 people.

In the event that the number of candidates increases, we will hold a lottery.

Then what will you call the operation?

Sleeping Beauty.

Once upon a time, in a land far away...

there were a King and Queen with a close relationship,

but they were not happy.

The two of them were unable to conceive a child for the longest time.

The doctors and magicians were of no use.

Their servants and citizens pitied them.

Each day, they prayed to the heavens.

One day, a frog appeared in front of the Queen while she was bathing and said the following.

''Your wish shall be granted.''

''The heavens shall bless you with a child.''

But the strangest part was to come.

And what could that be?

As foretold, the Queen gave birth at last to a cute, baby girl.

The King was overjoyed and threw a celebratory banquet.

He invited not only his relatives...

but a great number of the country's citizens and foreign guests to the castle as well.

Even specially invited guests came.

Look! Look, Kasumi!

It's a castle.

Hey, Shizuku.

On second thought, let's go home.

Geez, how many times does this make since we got here?

It'll be fine.

You've got nothing to worry about.

That's not what...

The 13 witches had special powers.

Their blessings would ensure the small princess a future.

That's Sleeping Beauty, right?

That story.

That's right. Your parental authority no longer covers him.

He's entitled to his rights.

I submitted an application on his behalf, and he was selected.

I got a new event!

Quit that.

You guys always follow the same pattern anyway.

You probably want to ask how I'm feeling right now.

Oh fine.

Film the scenery.

Got that?

What, not gonna film us?

We finally got to go on a field trip, so I tagged along.

Not even one commemorative photo?

Keep quiet!

Ouch!

But how could this have happened?

Of the royal tables specially prepared for the special guests, there were only 12 in total.

The 13th village has entered the hall.

Welcome to the Cold Sleep Capsule Center.

In a moment, representatives from our company will come to guide you.

For the moment, please stay where you are.

We have prepared anything you may need.

Please feel free to use any of the facilities.

BNN here, how do you feel at the moment?

Ah, BNN here!

Excuse me, BNN here. How do you feel...

Hey, Shizuku.

This again?

Excuse me.

BNN here. How do you feel at the moment?

Please stop.

The rest area for accompanying guests is this way.

If you are not feeling well, please raise your left hand, and someone will guide you to a rest area.

Should I get some of the scenery?

Excuse me...

Yes! How do you feel at the moment?

Never been better!

Are you getting this?

Yeah.

Welcome.

Yeah, nice meeting ya.

Come on.

Please proceed to the front reception desk.

Please do not stop and continue forward.

Next person please.

Welcome to the Cold Sleep Capsule Center.

The candidate Kasumi Ishiki and her accompanying guest Shizuku Ishiki, correct?

Yes.

Please put out your left hand.

KHM050.

This is your ID number.

Only those with this bracelet on may proceed any further inside.

Make sure you do not remove it.

Excuse me...

The orientation will be held in the chapel in 30 minutes.

Please make haste.

This way please.

I shall show you the way.

Shizuku.

It'll be okay.

I'm visiting after all.

When the 11th witch finished her blessings,

the 13th witch, convinced that she had been ignored, said this to the 12th witch.

''On the Princess's 15th birthday, she will be pricked by a spindle and die.''

Those were the terrifying words of a curse.

Alright.

With the formalities out of the way, does anyone have any questions?

Then if I may?

Go ahead.

If while we're asleep...

I'm not sure if I should say this...

Feel free to continue.

What if the facility staff here die from Medusa?

I see. I fully understand your point of concern.

Then if I may introduce to you...

Our state of the art master control system...

ALICE!

This system oversees not only the underground cold sleep capsule room

but also has the ability to permanently maintain the castle and the surrounding facilities.

According to our calculations, its functional capabilities will last...

Over 100 years!

100 years?