act12mini

Don't cry, I'll be fine. I'll yield if things aren't looking good, and I'll be back with you safe and sound.

...It's too late for an interview.

Like I said, I'm picking up my son.

One informant was 'unfortunately' lost in the accident, just as planned. No other casualties.

Target has returned to his hotel, accompanied by his bodyguard.

That's unfortunate. It would have given us an edge at the negotiation table if he'd gone off on his own and gotten into an accident at the abandoned district.

But impromptu plans rarely go smoothly.

What about Nearl?

Unknown.

...He must have left with someone familiar with the secret passages.

Also, a letter just arrived.

At this hour?

Yes, sir. For your eyes only.

From the bounty hunters... alright, back to your station.

You know I keep my promises, Toland.

A certain someone says he recently dreamt of us? Come on, you must be so worried that you can't sleep.

I know what you're planning, Czcibor, and I suggest you think twice.

You were always the calmest and most rational of us.

I didn't use force or cause any trouble. All that happened is that someone sent us records of Gale Industries and your knightclub working with each other.

Ha. As if there were another way.

A man who did not wish to be named rescued more than 20 children from the fire in the abandoned district.

Although he declined to talk about his experience and avoided cameras, witnesses report that his cloak was covered in ashes.

You were really cool, Dad.

Ha. Now you think so?

I want to be a knight too.

No.

Why not?

I want to be able to save people, just like you.

That's not how it happened.

You always spend the whole day at home working on this stuff. Why not make me a suit of plastic armor too?

Mom said we didn't use to have so much money. You used to make your own equipment because you had no sponsors.

She told you all that?

Never mind. Starting tomorrow, you don't need to go to school. In fact, you're not allowed to go out at all until I say it's okay.

Huh? But I need to visit my friend at the hospital.

No. Haven't you learned your lesson? Do you want to sleep in a hospital bed too?

I'm not scared! Knights aren't scared of things like that!

Like I said... forget about becoming a knight. Knights can't protect people like you think.

The bigger the dream, the bigger the disappointment.

Now get to bed.

Dad's letters are always the same thing, all stiff and serious. You still want me to read it?

'...It is the way of the knight to protect the poor and distraught, but one should be careful with one's companions.'

'Do not let those whom you are tasked to protect suffer with you, nor should you obsess yourself with reforming the wicked and gathering the weak.'

There, he scolded you. Satisfied?

He doesn't think what we're doing is wrong, just futile.

'To save the crops, you must first plough the soil.'

Nov 30th 11:20 P.M.

Village Outside Dzwonek

This humble village sure has been busy these past few days, what with all the knight captains and nobles gracing us with their presence.

Isn't that so, Sir Młynar?

...Give the Infected a place to stay. He's accused of instigating the riots.

I-Is this the safe place that you told me about? You're handing me over to bounty hunters?

Don't worry, you're not carrying enough cash to be worth robbing.

(Nervously touches neck)

So if our good knight brought you here, that must mean you must know something.

Do you have family? Do you need to send them a message, tell them to flee?

I, er...

Here, pen and paper.

As for you, Młynar... Ah, I guess you carry that sword around just to annoy folks in the Grand Knight Territory.

Since apparently you don't even need your weapon outside of the city.

You've got a long line of people queuing up to claim your head in this place alone. Have you gotten so cocky that you thought you could take 'em all out with just a tree branch?

Then why aren't they doing anything? I'm standing right here.

...But I entrusted my sword to the campaign knights for maintenance. I'm here for a grave matter, Toland.

I know, I know, I'm kidding, sheesh. You're picking up your weapon tomorrow, right?

We would've been so sad over here if you'd forgotten all about us.

After all, there's no guarantee that you'll be coming back from your meeting with him.

Hey, don't give me that look. And don't tell me you don't suspect anything, either. Why else would you be coming to me about a 'grave matter' at this hour?

...What do you know?

Just some educated guesses, but probably not far off what you're thinking.

Why don't we give the poor man some space, though? Let him write home in peace and quiet.

The night is deep, but the lights at the river valley factories just keep on shining. The former manor of House Paleniskos... brings back memories, doesn't it?

...Pardon me, I saw smoke and thought there might be a fire. Did I disturb you?

Nothing to worry about, I just threw a few notebooks in there. I suppose burnt leather doesn't smell too nice.

Good to hear it was nothing serious.

Also, the Craftsman's Guild is asking about the sword.

...Leave it for now. It's a shame, but the owner probably won't be back to pick it up for a while.

Yes, sir. All the preparations are ready for the ceremony tomorrow.

Have a seat while you're here. I'd like to hear your thoughts on the operation.

Yes, sir.

But I'm just a junior knight. I'm not sure how useful my input could possibly be.

Don't worry. I was only a junior knight when the previous captain ordered me to infiltrate Leithanien.

You've seen and done the most in this operation so far. Your thoughts mean more than anyone else's.

Besides, you're the Knight Primus of House Marek. You're no longer an ordinary knight.

...Thank you.

House Marek prides itself on nurturing true warriors. To my shame, I have yet to have had the chance to bring glory to my family crest.

...Forgive me if I'm intruding, but what about you, sir? We've never heard you talk about it.

I... true, it's something that knights would normally bring up. But the name of the house I serve has not been spoken of in years.

I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked.

No worries. We're just having a chat.

I used to live around here.

When I was a child, Dzwonek roamed the borders, standing off against the cities of Leithanien.

Great shadows moved across the wilds when the sun was out. Children who would later become knights used to pretend they were the great heroes of history, arguing over whose wooden spear found the other first.

That's what brings me nostalgia.

Were the knights of the house killed in battle?

No. They committed treason.

Oh...

I was the young son of a retainer, without status or position. When the family's collusion with Leithanien was discovered, its title was revoked by the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi Kazimierz.

Wait, do you mean the legend of the Tenebrous Knight? The ringleader of the traitors, House Paleniskos, had gathered a dozen highly-ranked campaign knights, but they were assassinated on the night they planned to carry out their plot.

But surely the stories are exaggerated? How could anyone defeat so many knights on their own, not to mention the casters from Leithanien?

The Tenebrous 'Knight,' hm...

I begged the young wanderer who barged into the banquet to show mercy, but no one who was party to the plot was spared.