act13d5

How can you denounce progress itself? My friend?

Don't call me 'friend' this or 'friend' that. There's not a single friend of yours here.

Finish up fast and trot on home. Maria isn't on display here.

No, my friend, you are wrong once again.

Of course I do not stand in front of a knight simply to demean her status. No, but every knight has the obligation to recognize her own responsibility to Kazimierz.

Knights are no exhibits, but the most noble and lavish of the showcases, for all the world to gaze upon the beauty of Kazimierz! I dearly hope you can all understand this.

Ashley... you think we went overboard this time? Hey, Ashley, come on. Did you pass out?

Ggh, it's so loud... shit hurts...

Haha, yeah, I get you... but we have to keep up the pace. Want me to carry you?

...In hell!

They haven't caught up with us yet... What street are we on, even?

There's... their breath, from the front! Turn left!

Okay—hold on tight—!

...When's the next match?

Oh, my apologies, I'd almost forgotten what I was here for.

It's three days from now, and your opponent will be the Left-hand Knight... 'Left-hand' Tytus Topola.

As a sidenote, Miss Maria, if you accept any of the Knightclub proposals I've put forward to you, then even supposing you have no luck in the Major—

—I can still guarantee the legitimacy of your noble knighthood will remain secure.

I'm sure Miss 'Whislash' Zofia, and the Radiant Knight, far away wherever she is, will both be reassured.

...I appreciate your kindness.

I'll make Kazimierz recognize the Nearl family. I won't let all my ancestors' efforts go to waste. I WILL prove that the Nearl family deserves its knighthood!

Well, well, you'll prove... in the competition... Tell me, will you prove?

Is cooperation with a corporation not the greatest proof a knight could have of her status? When you face your most ardent fans, tourists from all corners of Terra, the loyal clientele of Kazimierz, what is it that you so desperately want to tell them—

—What will you prove?

...I will prove...

—Pardon?

I...

I'm sorry, please wait a moment.

Hello? Speaking. What? No, I'm currently... Right, I understand. Please, don't worry.

Regretfully, Miss Maria, it seems I cannot wait for your answer.

And to you, gentlemen, pardon the offense I've caused, and I hope you have a pleasant evening.

Keh. Get outta here.

Well, then. Let me bid you farewell. If you ever change your mind, contact me at any time.

Makes me want to hurl seeing that corp slime face.

Say, V... Why'd he know your...

...I'd like to know myself. Since my grandpappy passed on, been the better half of a century since I heard a soul call my old name.

And his pronunciation was a pile of shit.

Things are getting risky. Knights Association and the corps are looking into us now. Looking into all of us.

Someone might've already started making moves.

Don't look like that, Maria. You're not alone here. We owe a hell of a lot to your old Grandpa Nearl. We're all—

Anyone here—!? Sorry, we got a casualty—

...The Flametail Knight?

Nearl...? Uh, let's make this quick—could you help us out here a bit?

Ugh... well, this sucks... I was looking forward to our arena matchup. Now I get to remember you as my nurse first, huh?

B-Both of your injuries...! Come on, just come with me, quickly—

Wait, what are you all—

Maria, you look after the wounded. Don't need to worry about anything else.

Kowal!

Here's your bow, you old bones!

Looks like they brought company.

...They didn't come with.

Pfah. Who're we dealing with? Who sics themselves on competition knights in broad daylight?

That kid's an Infected. Let's go see what's what. Might need more than just Maria for this.

—Marcin?

...On my way.

卡西米尔 6下

The previous Platinum harbored a secret love for his target, and so for the sake of protecting the object of his affections, he died at the Armorless Union's hands.

As a result, the girl of today was pushed hastily into the position, our 'youngest Platinum.'

...She is a gifted mark, make no joke, and I must say her strong potential makes her unignorably suited for the role... but in all other respects, she is far and away one of the least mature to ever assume the position.

I-I see... Why are you telling me this? The Armorless Union's existence should be classified... so aren't you...

Oh, do lay your concerns aside. It's simply been on my mind quite a bit as of late. Had I not made the effort to get to where I am today, I would hardly enjoy the privilege to ponder it.

Did you know? Our present Platinum was elected to the position by the very Platinum before her, doomed to die as he was.

A great deal of food for thought... Not to mention why the Armorless Union would listen to a traitor, to say nothing of how electing this girl would have absolutely no impact on his own death sentence. For what reason did he do this?

Before the arrow of his own colleague shot through his chest, did he think to cry out? To whom? Of what? To what end? Would it have been that easy?

If I remember correctly, you a Słoma employee, correct?

Y-Yeah... so far in the event, I've been responsible for liaising between the major companies and the Knights Association...

Errand work takes quite the toll.

It's no problem. If I can contribute to the business, that's what I'm here for—

No no no, your work is what they pay your salary for. You needn't use such humble language.

You apparently had your own business before. What made you abandon it?

Ah... I didn't have what it took...

What distinguishes failure and success may be more than ability. Perhaps you have chosen the wrong path to walk, or perhaps you walk as I do now.

P-People like me only...

In Kazimierz, anything is possible.

Zofia... feels like an age since I saw you.

Oh, Marcin...

...Have you seen Maria?

Something cropped up. Had her head back home.

I see—

—I smell blood. Hold on. What are these bandages?

Has Maria been hurt? Who was she fighting? What happened?!

I told her not to be rash! Why doesn't this silly girl—

Steady, now. It's some other kid who got hurt.

...What happened?

Someone went for the Ashlock and Flametail Knights out of nowhere... Ashlock got injured, and by a mighty stroke of something, they ended up in here.

This morning, they said they didn't want to cause Nearl any more trouble and left.

...Do things like that just happen?

They're in a hell of a tight spot, but our hands are tied.

Seen the news this morning?

What's Maria doing now?

Competing.

Competing in what? Against who?

Unguarded one-on-one, just like with Ingra. Head to head.

Against 'Left-hand' Tytus Topola.

Hold on—who?

Blade Helmet Knightclub commander. Noble knight, big commercial name, been as far as the Final 16. Tytus Topola.

But... But there should be no way Maria gets matched against him at her point level, and his social standing is...

Someone came looking for Maria. It wasn't good.

She's just like Margaret used to be. Obsessed with charging forward, no idea how to deal with the corporates.

You think... she's like Margaret?