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July 26, early morning at 0600 hours.
South Ante Plain, fifty kilometers north of Raoul Mountain Pass, temporary headquarters of the Ante Bolsk Front Army.
Duke Meishikin coughed up for what seemed like the umpteenth time, pulling out his handkerchief, covering his mouth. After a series of violent coughs, he kept his mouth covered, hesitating to remove the handkerchief.
Everyone was watching him.
Meishikin, as if with great resolve, took away the handkerchief from his mouth and glanced at it.
At first glance, there was no blood, but as Meishikin slightly loosened his grip, the blood became visible.
His adjutant said indignantly, "The special medicine sent by the Federation just isn't working at all!"
Duke Meishikin reassured him, "Haven't you read the documents that came with the medicine? It's still an experimental drug, not even past its trials yet. That's one thing; secondly, they've described a course of treatment, and I've just started the first one."
