act12mini

Sona, lend me your sword for a sec.

Sure, but what are you gonna do—

—Carve your name on a helmet? Jeez, leave it to you, Ashley!

It's not too good an autograph, but I'd say you can make it out... Take this, if you don't mind it.

I—!

(Gaze of disbelief)

Thank you so so so much... but this is just <i>too</i> precious of a gift. I can't accept this!

It's okay! I'm over the moons just getting to meet you two today.

And sorry, but I've got some work I need to do now. I've got just one request. If possible, could neither of you tell anyone you saw me?

Wait—

I've got to go. I hope we can meet again!

He was right there with us when the riot broke out. There's no way he took part in it. But...

You're kind of worried too, right? What if Zeno really was the guy who set it all up?

The big corps have always had an iron grip on what the news reports. They could suppress a single person's voice without lifting a finger... There's too much suspicious about this.

But on the other hand, I feel like I can't really say anything's off the table for an Infected, no matter how extreme. I mean, after you've gone through so much...

I just... don't want this to be the sort of person he is.

Mm... my intuition's telling me the same thing. This isn't the kinda thing he would do.

Well, if we care this much, then forget Rhodes employee regulations for now. Let's get to the bottom of this, Pinus Sylvestris-style!

We just need to pick up the pace a little, and we won't get caught. I bet the Doctor would understand!

...And? How do we do this?

Suppose Zeno <i>is</i> the prime suspect in this whole outlash. How'd they be dealing with him right about now?

With an incident of this level, they'd probably ship him off to the Grand Knight Territory for the National Council to handle.

So, if Zeno <i>hasn't</i> been sent to the GKT, and he's hiding somewhere else, doesn't that mean something else brought on this whole shebang?

I mean, obviously, Dzwonek is smaller than Kawalerielki, but it's still going to be hard finding someone who doesn't want to be found.

Not necessarily. Let's do it just like we used to. First we test the waters... If what Toland said before is still valid, then maybe we can find a bounty hunter and start our inquiries there.

And then—

Sona?

...No, I think my eyes just went funny. Felt like I recognized someone just now.

—Y'know what, let's get a move-on!

Built to stand testament to Kazimierz and Leithanien's friendly diplomatic ties, the 'Voice of the Knights' is now nearing completion. The cutting of the ribbon is anticipated to take place on the 1st of December.

Count Dierolf, representative of the visiting Leithanian delegation, will be personally attending, and is expected to give a speech.

Sadly, the Leithanian-born celebrity knight, 'The Candle Knight' Viviana, is unable to attend the ceremony.

However, she will be giving her blessings to the friendship between the two nations through an external connection...

You're quite transfixed by this statue, aren't you?

Pardon...?

Sorry to accost you so suddenly; I'm just a tourist here on my travels. Seeing you stood before this statue for so long, I couldn't help but try and strike up a conversation.

Personally, I greatly admire this work of art. Its creator is one of Leithanien's most distinguished sculptors.

The shield transfiguring into a music staff, while the gunblade and wand form notes—a beautiful message imparted through an exquisite design. What are your thoughts?

So a knight's arms and armor can do more than be consumed as ornaments, they can serve as instruments to sing ode to a brief peace. What relentlessly convenient things.

You seem to opine that it's not for a knight's sword and shield to perform such mild, elegant passages.

They can't even give voice, let alone sing.

And yet, better peace and cultural exchange than war and hostilities, correct?

If only people could see the cost and the value of our current peace.

If you'd let me be so bold once more, were you perhaps once military? No, I suppose in Kazimierz parlance, you would be—a campaign knight?

...Why do you ask?

Leithanians have a special regard for this city.

Dzwonek, 'the Caravan Bells' Terminus.' Kazimierz's fortress upon the southern frontier.

Even after so many years of peace, the bones of sentry towers and turrets lie hidden in its corners.

But even back then... even at the height of Leithanien's arrogance, when its war ambitions were most tumultuous, its military has never attempted to outright take this strategic town.

The spire casters' elite were forced to infiltrate through roundabout means, and that expedition left no survivors.

—That was thirty years ago, perhaps even longer. Most today would never even touch upon its scars.

—So I'm very curious as to your view.

Mine?

...If every tourist here is as prudent as you, then I fear Dzwonek city hall will need to redouble its efforts to put up this facade.

But you're wrong.

Like you, I'm also a mere passing tourist.

And as for my thoughts... they went and placed it in Kazimierz. As if the sheer comedy of it wasn't biting enough.

Flametail Knight? Ashlock Knight? What are you doing here?

So we <i>did</i> guess right!

You've got a bunch of plain-clothed goons standing around guarding an out-of-the-way building with no roof on it yet, in the middle of a Gale Industries construction district. A little too obvious, don't you think?

But hey, you need more than a few goons to stop us!

It's dangerous as hell here... Whoever you saw along the way, that was only a tiny fraction of the guards.

A giant group of them could be here any moment! Get out of here, quick!

We're here to take you with us!

I don't know what kinda tricks Gale Industries is up to, but if they really want to catch whoever started the riots, they're gonna have to do it by the book.

We're not gonna sit on our asses and let them play judge, jury, and executioner.

You didn't incite that riot, did you?

Ashlock, Flametail... I'm really grateful you'd go so far for someone you've only met once.

But I can't go.

Why not?!

Shh... Ashley, footsteps.

...Whatever the case, we're getting ourselves out from under their thumbs first. Follow us, Zeno.

We know full well how cities make Infected disappear. You can't remain in their hands.

This is probably just the beginning.

I truly do respect you two, and I'm more grateful than you know for everything you do for the Infected.

But I'm sorry. All my life I could never become a knight like you have, fighting in the spotlight for the Infected.

The most my life is worth is making my family's lives a bit better...

Can you get to the point—

Ashley, time's up!

...Mark my words, we'll meet again.

Phew. Anyone still following? ...Should be in the clear for now.

Sorry. I got a little rash just now.

I don't blame you or anything, just calm down a little. Before anything else, we need to take this from the top.

—Who's there?!

Flametail's sword comes quick as a flash. The instant she hears a footstep, she thrusts her rapier behind her like a shooting star, but it fails to make it far.

Its blade is firmly in the grasp of a gauntlet-wreathed hand, rendering her unable to even pull it back.

Until the figure in the shadows lets it go.

...So this is the sort of 'knight' that farce of the arena nurtures?

Drawing your blade with no forethought is tantamount to throwing your life away.

Hahaha... I guess my eyes <i>weren't</i> playing tricks on me, back near the plaza.

I recognize you. You're the head of the Nearls. The Radiant Knight's uncle, right?

Never got to talk to you back in Kawalerielki, but we heard from the Rhodes Island people how you did your part to protect the Infected back then. We really appreciate that!

...I hardly did a thing.

I also heard from the Radiant Knight how your swordsmanship's totally on par with hers, but you only ever go at 'em when you're angry, so I guess we don't get to ask if you can give us some pointers...

...'Pinus Sylvestris.'

Mm... hmm?

Why are you in an under-construction district?

Oh, we came on commission from Rhodes Island. We're aiding the Infected here.

After all, that's pretty much why we founded the knightclub too.

We thought it'd be a cinch at first, actually.