Ada

Overview

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“	I served as a member of the nursing team assigned to the Sudan campaign. What I witnessed there . . . was hell. Troops were encircled and annihilated. Screams. Sprays of blood. I could not do a thing. I could not even let them die in peace! I shamelessly survived and returned to my country. The only way I can expiate my sins is through nursing!	”
—Ada to Baldroy

Ada
Kanji	あだ
Rōmaji	Ada
Alias	Miracle Healer
Characteristics
Species	Human
Gender	Female
Professional status
Occupation	Chief Nurse
Base of operations	Athena Sanatorium, Wiltshire
Personal status
Status	Alive
First appearance
Manga debut	Volume 31, Chapter 171
Portrayal
Japanese voice	N/A

Ada (あだ, Ada) is the chief nurse at the Athena Sanatorium who is often referred to as the "Miracle Healer."

Appearance

Ada in color

Ada is a woman with short tousled reddish brown hair, amber eyes, and a prominent scar on her face. Back when she served as a nurse in the Sudan campaign, she had long hair.

Personality

Ada is a forceful, assertive individual who is strict about cleanliness and who inspires loyalty in her team. She firmly believes that her patients are able to recover due to treatment involving rigorous hygiene control and the elimination of bacteria. She is averse to the label "Miracle Healer," for a "miracle" does not take into account her and her team's diligence in providing quality, well-researched medical care.

Ada is afflicted with survivor's guilt after witnessing "hell" while serving as a nurse in the Sudan campaign. She intensely regrets not being able to let the troops die in peace; to her, dignity is as important as life. She despises that former servicemen are being kept alive in horrid conditions, as such is an indignity, and dedicates herself to preserving the lives and dignity of her patients through nursing, in order to atone for her sins of having "shamelessly survived." She wrestles with a guilty conscience for drawing blood from her patients, but believes that such is a necessity to ensure and afford proper care for them.

History

Ada in the past.

Ada served as a nurse in the Sudan campaign, where she witnessed "hell" and was incapable of letting the troops die in peace. She returned to her country, consumed with guilt and shame, and was relieved of her duties.

Afterward, Ada worked as a nurse at a suburban sanatorium. What she saw disillusioned her: the tale that Nightingale was an angel was not true; old ways and unhealthy practices prevailed, which she protested and, as a result, was treated as a nuisance by her colleagues. She moved from sanatorium to sanatorium, and ultimately ended up at the Karnstein Hospital, where a doctor, who was also an Aurora Society member, asked her to bring to fruition a "more healthy way of nursing."

Ada seized the opportunity to carry out her ideal way of nursing care, but Aurora Society's condition for establishing Athena Sanatorium was that she collects blood from her patients for it to be used as "specimens for new medical research." Although she had her doubts, she acquiesced in their demand. When she read the news about Sphere Music Hall, she intuitively knew that Athena Sanatorium was involved, but she chose to turn a blind eye in order to protect it.

Plot

Blue Revenge Arc

Ada and her team are summoned when Baldroy and Lau enter the Athena Sanatorium. They, while wearing protective suits, hose Baldroy and Lau down in bleach, strip off their clothes, and proceed to disinfect, sterilize, sanitize, and dress them in patient gowns.

Ada and her team.

Ada states that pathogens are not allowed in the sanatorium and therefore Baldroy and Lau must be cleansed. Lau asks if she is the so-called "Miracle Healer." While donning a mask, she avers that the patients in the sanatorium are able to recover due to treatment involving rigorous hygiene control, which is not a miracle. The other members concur with her point, declaring that they ensure bacteria does not get into the sanatorium. Ada adds that such is the "core" of the sanatorium.

Ronald Knox enters, inquiring if Ada has finished her "elaborate disinfection event." He introduces himself as Doctor Knox and says that he will be in charge of Baldroy, who is operating under the alias "Burgh."

Ronald tells Baldroy that they should work together on his recovery and questions who Lau is. Lau introduces himself as Chang, the private physician for the Burgh family, and explains that he has been using Eastern medicine to treat Baldroy. Ada orders Lau to leave, since he is an outside physician, and Lau excuses himself.

At Lau's departure, Baldroy experiences a breakdown, to the astonishment of Ada and Ronald. Lau hugs and comforts Baldroy, assuring him that he is not alone. Ronald defers to Ada on what to do, given Baldroy's serious condition. Ada agrees to Lau staying with Baldroy, even though such a stay is against the rules, stating that it is important for both Baldroy's body and heart to be cleansed for his recuperation. In response, Ronald attempts to flirt with Ada, who sprays him. Ada informs Lau that he has permission to stay with Baldroy and adds that she will escort them to their ward.

Ada and Ronald escort Baldroy and Lau to their ward. Baldroy notes the cleanliness of the area, commenting that there are no rats or flies. Ada reveals that the sanatorium was built according to Florence Nightingale's innovative design, and Baldroy recognizes her as "the Angel of the Crimea"; Nightingale is renowned for improving the hygienic environment of hospitals and elevating the status of nurses during the Crimean War. Ada declares that none of Nightingale's accomplishments can be attributed to a "miracle"; rather, her ingenuity as a nurse, statistician, sanitarian, and architect allowed her to save patients. Ronald avers that anyone staying in the sanatorium can return to society, even if they have been told that they will die soon.

Layla reports to Ada and introduces herself to Baldroy. Upon noticing that Lau has been observing her, Layla asks if something is wrong, to which he says no.

Ada blocks Baldroy.

Later, Ada makes night rounds to check on patients. She intercepts Baldroy, who claims that he needs to use the restroom, and elects to accompany him.

Ada supervises Baldroy and Lau as they exercise.

The next morning, Ada wakes up the patients, and has them gather in the courtyard. Once Baldroy, Lau, and the others are gathered, Ada constrains them to perform "healthy, vigorous calisthenics," which are a series of exercises. After the session, Ada tells Baldroy that she will show him around the facilities after his meal, and Lau volunteers to tag along.

After the meal, Ada and Ronald lead Baldroy and Lau to the rehabilitation room, where wounded soldiers undergo functional training, and the operation theatre, where patients who received inappropriate treatment undergo a second operation with the latest technology.

Afterward, Ada and Ronald lead Baldroy and Lau outside toward a cylindrical building. They enter the building and ascend the stairs. Ada reveals that the last facility is the blood-drawing room.

Ada states that the blood drawn from patients in the blood-drawing room is sent to a "certain research institution" for the sake of contributing to advancement in medicine; said institution fully funds the sanatorium, which receives more support than other sanatoriums due to their provision of specimens. She argues that the sanatorium cannot sustain itself on the traditional operating model of solely relying on donations; it requires the institution's funds in order to serve its patients properly and with adequate nursing care, so that its patients can be guided back to society.

Ada thanks Conny.

Ada's outburst.

Ada says that they only draw blood from young, strong patients who have consented to such. Conny announces to Ada that his blood has been drawn, and Ada removes his tubing and thanks him for his cooperation in providing a half pint of blood. Conny offers to have his blood drawn every day rather than on a monthly basis, but Ada emphatically declines the offer, to their collective surprise. She explains that lack of blood leads to poor health and urges Conny to rest. Conny responds that he will never be sick there, and she asserts that she will not allow him to fall ill. Other patients announce that their blood has been drawn, and she instructs them to rest.

Ada bows to Baldroy.

Baldroy talks to Ada.

After the patients leave, Ada tells Baldroy that she will not force him to donate his blood, especially given that his family has already donated to the sanatorium upon his admission. She then bows as she requests that he cooperate, should his condition improve and he is strong enough. Baldroy says that he will think about it.

Baldroy confronts Ada in her office.

At night, in Ada's office, Baldroy confronts Ada with a gun. Ada says that she has been expecting him; she knows that he is not the real Matthew Burgh, for he once screamed that the war was in America, not Africa where Burgh was supposedly stationed. She asks him why he has come to the sanatorium, and he deduces that she must have a guilty conscience for showing him the blood-drawing room despite being suspicious of him.

Baldroy explains that he is under orders from "a certain gentleman" to investigate a secret organization collecting blood, which is associated with Sphere Music Hall. He asks her how she can put her patients at risk, and she denies as such, saying that she will protect the lives of the former servicemen, as well as their dignity, by providing their blood. She states that she cannot condone patients being kept alive in horrid conditions, as "dignity is as important as life," and discloses that she served as a nurse in the Sudan campaign, where she witnessed "hell" and was not able to let the troops die in peace. She further states that she "shamelessly survived" and returned to her country, and that the only way she can atone for her sins is through nursing.

Ada is touched by Baldroy's words.

Baldroy recounts his history to Ada. Afterward, he tells her that, while they both lost what was precious to them and survived, they are different, because he was driven to kill others, while she was driven to save others. She is touched by his statement that she is truly the "Miracle Healer."

Ada recounts her own history to Baldroy. Then, she reveals that, recently, those funding the sanatorium have drastically increased the amount of blood required. She has objected to such, as her patients' health would be at risk with that amount, but they threatened to stop funding the sanatorium if she did not provide the blood.

Ada makes a promise to Baldroy.

Ada laments the fact that she is being pressured into inflicting harm on her patients, which, to her, is out of the question, but also that she is unable to save them without the funds; thus, she is in a quandary, where she does not know which is the best choice to make. Baldroy points a gun at her, saying that he was given the command to thoroughly mantle any blood-collecting operations. He asserts that, if Ada continues to collect blood, he will be forced to kill her and drive out her patients, but, if she stops collecting blood now, he will be her ally, much to her surprise. He assures her that there is nothing wrong with her dreams and efforts, which are vindicated by the joy of his fellow patients, and asks her to promise to adhere to her principles and never deliver blood to Aurora Society again. Ada promises him as such, and he puts away his gun. When she says that the next blood collection takes place tomorrow, he tells her that he will handle it and that she should keep working as usual for now.

Ada heads to the facility where the blood is stored. She is worried about the fact that the collected blood is lacking in quantity, as well as the possibility of endangering her life and the lives of her patients.

Baldroy barges into the building, requesting a hand. He has secured two pigs from a farmer in the neighborhood, so that they can use the pigs’ blood in lieu of human blood to buy time. Ada expresses her concern with the prospective blood transfusion, and Baldroy assures her that the blood will never reach its client.

Ada supervises Layla.

The next day, Ada directs Layla and the other staff members to unload a wagon and transfer the goods to the warehouse. When the wagoner requests the "payment," Ada shows him crates of blood, much to his approval. He leaves with them.

While watching the crates of blood get wheeled away, Ada recalls her fake-blood scheme with Baldroy last night. At Layla's call, she snaps out of her recollection. When Layla asks if Ada is feeling well, Ada claims that she is fine before setting off to supervise her patients' calisthenics.

Ada finds Lau propping up Baldroy.

Having heard a gunshot from Lau's room, Ada rushes in and finds Lau supporting a severely wounded Baldroy on the ground. Lau discloses that Baldroy was stabbed deeply in the back and has lost plenty of blood. Ada checks Baldroy's condition and realizes that, should they do nothing, he will soon die from blood loss. She tells Lau that they must take Baldroy to the operating theatre.

Baldroy extends his hand, requesting that they report to Ciel that the sanatorium will never again deliver blood to the enemy. He laments that, in the end, he was unable to collect his wages and asks Ciel for a leave from work.

While bleeding out and experiencing a dreamlike state, Baldroy visualizes the ground crumbling and phantoms of Ada, Lau, Conny, and Nicholas seizing his foot in an attempt to drag him down into the chasm.

Ada discusses Baldroy's condition.

Baldroy wakes up in the blood-drawing room, surrounded by his fellow patients. Ada approaches Baldroy, explaining that he was about to die, as he was bleeding profusely from an arterial injury; Lau, Nicholas, Conny, and the other patients volunteered to provide him with their blood.

Ada as the Miracle Healer.

Ada admits that, with that technology, they can, indeed, save more patients, but the sanitorium must be shut down immediately. The announcement raises a furor among the patients. Ada shouts that she cannot abandon patients who still require care, and considers remaining there until she can secure facilities. Baldroy cuts in, telling Ada that their enemies will send someone new to kill her next time, and advises that she go into hiding.

Lau interjects, suggesting that Ada and the patients relocate to Shanghai, where he has authority and thus can guarantee their safety. He confesses that he had doubts about the "Miracle Healer" and the "technology of immortality," but, when Baldroy risked his life for someone else, he was able to witness the "miracle" for himself. He adds that he was moved and that his homeland will surely welcome them, as this is a "dragon's egg."

Ada weeps.

Lau carries on, averring that the enemy organization is unlikely to pursue them all the way to Shanghai; Ada will not be killed; the patients need not be banished to the streets; and he will receive credit, so it is a win-win scenario. Ada grabs Lau's hands, expresses her gratitude, and weeps. The patients look on with joy.

Quotes

• (To Baldroy) "I will protect the former servicemen's lives, but that is not enough. I can protect their dignity by providing their blood. Patients are in filthy beds, lying in their own excrement. Rodents and bugs are everywhere. They're merely kept alive in horrid conditions. That is the quality of nursing care all over this empire. I cannot condone that! Dignity is as important as life!"

Trivia

Etymology

• "Ada" comes from the Germanic adal ("noble"). It was originally only used as a nickname for names that begin with this element, such as Adelaide or Adelina.