act12mini

...Did you see an Infected with a white scar on his arm?

(Shakes head)

I don't care who you are, we're not scared of you...

...What's going on here?

C-Could you help get our friend out? His leg got caught on a sharp piece of metal, and it bleeds if he tries to move.

(Did he just glance at me?)

If only I had my tools... If this was one of our workers, we'd have just dragged him out.

...I don't have any better ideas.

Waaaaaaahhhhh!

I-It's bleeding... the wound looks scary...

Don't cry, I'll tie it up with some clothes.

And don't worry, my dad used to get hurt all the time. He says a couple of days is all it takes to get better.

...Just a flesh wound.

Get it treated at a hospital.

Alright... come on, take my shoulder.

Leithanian.

How long do you plan on watching from there?

This abandoned district is even worse than the Infected district in the Grand Knight Territory... When I catch that brat, he's getting a stern lesson on where is and is not appropriate for a noble to visit.

...Dammit, where did he go?

Hey, did you see any kids playing around here?

Whose kid? It's such a big place, I can't possibly remember the face of every kid...

Then cut the crap.

Why are you trying to run? There's nowhere else for you people to go in this city anyway.

Look, I'll pay you to go back and rescue any children you see.

And if you run into anyone else, you can tell them too. That I'll pay for each child that they bring back to me.

Wh-Who are you? This isn't some kind of sick joke, is it?

Here's the cash. You can choose whether you want it or not.

T-This is...?! Yes, sir, whatever you say, sir!

Sending people into a fire, eh? Must be nice having money to burn.

Mr. 'Plastic' Szewczyk.

I have no idea what you're talking about.

Don't worry, I know a lot of things, and you're not one of the important ones.

If you're not here to help, then don't waste my time.

Let me put it this way... obsolete goods like you are worth less than nothing. It takes a bigger target to start this fire.

What do you mean? Who caused the explosion?

Who dares harm my son?

No need to shout, you don't scare me.

But I do enjoy watching rich folks like you flee for your lives, losing whatever you hold dearest.

If you think you can get under my nerves with this crap, then you're wasting your time <i>and</i> mine.

Look. That billboard is about to fall.

How many evacuees will it kill, and will your son be among them? Wanna bet?

An arrow whistles past him before he can finish his sentence.

Tch.

Zero, and no.

The billboard is now pinned to a wall by the arrow.

Now, let's talk business.

I could use a guide who knows the lay of the land here.

You want to go in yourself?

I'm finding my son and getting him out of here. Now get moving, unless you'd like to be pinned to a wall too?

I must warn you that any threat made upon my life will result in a diplomatic incident between Kazimierz and Leithanien.

Diplomatic incident? You'd better explain why you're here, first. Since when were our slums considered a tourist attraction?

I don't recall threatening you either. All I did was tell you to come with us.

You're hostile towards me... towards Leithanien.

Do you really think your deceitful words and suspicious activities truly represent all of Leithanien?

Perhaps we've misunderstood each other. Someone else is responsible for the explosion.

But I will not let my guard down against you. My hand is on my wand.

Suit yourself.

S-Sir, someone's calling for help over there. Can you hear it?

Should we help or... well, actually, I was wondering, aren't you afraid of being arrested for being with me like this?

There's no reason for them to do that.

And you're not worried about getting infected?

...Let's go.

If you here to help these people, I'm more than willing to demonstrate my good faith.

Of standing around and doing nothing?

...I regret not using my Originium Arts to aid the child, out of concern for my own safety.

Visitor from Leithanien... why did you come here?

...Please don't doubt my good faith.

To be honest, I came here because I envy the cities of Kazimierz.

...The modern Kazimierz?

Yes, where nobles, entrepreneurs, and commoners can all walk on the same street without anyone having to give way to one another.

Where the goods in the shops are made for everyone, whether they can use Originium Arts or not, whether they appreciate music or not.

Here, people can pursue any lifestyle they want, as long as they have money, and there is plenty of opportunity for that.

I only wish the people in my fief had the same energy, and that more of them could live better lives...

Opportunity? A better life? Don't tell me someone of your position and experience could be blinded by superficial appearances?

Of course I understand that I'm only being shown the best side. I've seen more than enough gold and jewels in the brief time that I've been here.

Which is exactly why I wanted to come to where the poor live, to see the people whom your rules have cast aside.

Thus, I will learn from them and improve upon the system.

No, I don't want to die! I can't walk yet... please...

A secondary explosion...

It must be due to the high temperatures.

It's dangerous here... Are we really going to look for the person you mentioned? What if they've already fled?

I can't have you getting hurt helping me.

...I have my own business here.

If you truly are acting in good faith, Leithanian, you will open a path here.

There may yet be hope, if we head there immediately.

The voice came from behind the wall.

The door's warped... I'll try to clear a way with my Arts.

...It'll take some time though.

Go ahead. If I'd meant to harm you, I would've done so by now.

Very well...

*cough*... The fire's spreading.

I was caught in a fire once, many years ago.

Someone tried to set the count's tower ablaze, the day the Witch King's light faded from Leithanien.

The arsonist was never found. Perhaps many who had been slaves to fear threw kindling upon the flames all at once, the moment they could breathe again.

The fire itself didn't cause too much damage. My father's casters quickly brought it under control.

Treasures could be replaced, as could servants.

But I couldn't help but think... that the fact that I continue to live in comfort and luxury is perhaps the reason they lit that fire.

And what of you? Why do you stand in the flames with no fear on your face? Even if you deny it, you look like one who has seen the burning fires of war up close.

—Done.

The voice becomes increasingly discernable as the dust clears.