act13d5

I might... really be nothing like my sister.

...Maria won. That match'll have been broadcast on every terminal in the four cities.

But... it's not that simple. You gotta help her, Młynar.

Truly a miracle. If you're so worried for Maria, why ask me to help her, and her to give up on her idiotic path to knighthood?

Młynar!

That's enough... If the spokesmen and the Knights Association are to directly intervene, I won't have a single hand to lend...

This is precisely why I was opposed to Maria becoming a competition knight in the first place.

Maria decided to do this for her family, y'know.

Nobody ever asked her to... Don't give me those self-righteous excuses.

There are times when responsibility makes a burden. For the sake of a life lived clearer, we should all be a little smarter.

Młynar, you...

—If this is all you came to tell me, you can go now. I have other things to deal with. I'm still not done yet with some files the Director wanted...

...I thought you were down in a slump, Młynar.

Don't be presumptuous, Marcin.

Yeah. Maybe you're right. You've really disappointed us all, Młynar.

And the same for all of you.

If you can't even bring yourself to care for Maria's safety... then we'll look after old Nearl's granddaughter for him.

You're leading her to ruin and you know it clear as day.

Wasted my breath... go on, pretend I never came, then.

...Any trouble those two sisters make should be theirs to sort out.

...How long do we have to keep hiding, Sona?

Don't rush it, jeez...

We can't stop... we don't want any of our Infected here to starve. And we already lost one we could've saved.

Heading back to the arena's too risky, though. Dunno how the National Council feels about us, either...

National schmational... I don't there's any justice in Kazimierz anymore. Not even in the law.

But we can't let ourselves forget we're all in the right. It's not our fault if they say right's wrong. The problem is if the National Council comes in to say we're guilty, then we lose. Just like the Radiant Knight.

But, hey... haha, their minds must be blown. Honestly, I did NOT expect it either... What do you think they'll do next?

Think they'll be watching all the Infected now? The ones we bought and freed...

...It's all been one game. Die to the arena, or die to some assassin's arrow. No difference.

Hahaha. You got that right.

But let's just hold out a biiiit longer. No reason to get Nearlie and all her people wrapped up in our stupid underground fight.

...Alright. I'm gonna trust that you have a plan.

Who the hell knows? We've been doing this dumbass tightrope act since the beginning.

Aren't you scared, Ashley?

Sona!

We're not the sort of people to run into some resistance and think twice about it. Remember all we did just to get some titles... and the blood we spilled for them.

...You're right, you're right. I'm thinking too hard.

Yeah, you are... long as we're together, long as we've got a pair of fists to fight back with, we're golden.

Man, you're getting better and better at talking all the time. Where'd that 'Ashen Curse' go again?

Oop. You mad now?

卡西米尔 8上

Team battle?

It's a two on two, a rather uncommon competition format. Originally, to showcase the teamwork within the Knightclubs, it should've been at least three on three or four on four.

No matter the format, you don't have a Knightclub, so we need to find you a partner.

Oh... Who am I up against?

The competition schedule says it's the Snowyheel Knightclub.

...They have some decent archers, and even one knight that uses meteor hammers. I don't know who you'll end up against.

Maria's finally reached the point where we'll know her opponents by name alone, huh.

Ahaha......

I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing...

Maria, defeating Tytus is definitely something worth celebrating, but it also means that there will be a lot more eyes on you.

Draw on the lessons you learned from Flametail and Ashlock. Don't tip your hand.

It's important to compromise and work with the corporations when you have to. Times have changed. You can't hold onto your glory with wins alone.

...Why didn't you help me convince her last time?

I did have a proper conversation with Maria after you slammed the door——By the way, you broke my door that time.

Ugh. I'll cover it...

Where's V and Kowal?

It's 'that day.' They're not back yet.

Ah... They're at the gravesite. Shit, I wanted to ask if he could help repair Maria's equipment...

Just use his workshop.

He even said so himself, one time last year, drunkenly. If you ever wanted to, Maria, he would gladly pass on his workshop to you.

Eh?! Why haven't I this before?

Either way, he's still sworn to never touch the anvil again.

*Sigh*... Even after so many years...

It's hard enough for anyone to let go of the past, let alone us oldies who have nothing but the past.

Lets forget about them for now. Maria, you'll need to fix up your equipment yourself.

And then... Do you have a partner in mind?

Me? Umm...

D-Do I actually not have any knight friends?

That's why I wanted to introduce you to someone. A known quantity is always safer than getting a random stranger assigned by the Association.

Err, who is it?

The Fartooth Knight. She's an expert archer.

Just like you, she fought her way up as an independent knight, refusing to accept sponsorships from the corporations. I've heard she's even planning to form a completely self-sufficient knightclub.

I think you'll be able to get along, and cover each other's weaknesses in battle. You'll come to understand that team battles are completely different from melees or one-on-ones.

If only we had more time, you could get to know each other better on the training field. Unfortunately, you'll have to improvise.

...O-okay.

This is the disadvantage of being an independent knight... Temporary allies fighting against a battle-hardened team will always be at a disadvantage.

I wonder what she's like... I'm a little nervous...

This is our third time passing this street today.

Ah, yes, Mr. Czarny...

You're very accustomed to such work. Running between the various arenas and joining in countless teleconferences.

Ah, no... There's nothing to be said for someone like me...

Your appearance is somewhat sloppy. One's appearance is also an important bargaining chip, is it not?

A-Apologies... To be honest, I was unemployed not too long ago... So...

Oh... What has that got to do with this?

I don't dislike employees like you. Only those who have fallen to rock bottom are able to understand the cruelty we face. It is only when you have acknowledged it, that you will be able to make satisfactory decisions.

Remember each and every word I have said, each and every action I have taken.

Eh? Ah, the meeting minutes for the Snowyheel Knightclub? Don't worry, I've prepared——

No no no, their sponsor is an old friend of mine. They won't trouble us much.

It's just for a particularly insignificant...working habit of mine.

...Maria.

Hm?

You know I never approved of you becoming a competition knight, not since the beginning.

Eh, huh? Where did that come from? I knew that already...

But you've proven yourself.

Though it was always by the skin of my teeth...

Rather than your motivations, platitudes, promises or whatnot... Winning in the arena is the only proof of your determination.

Even though you're still very naive.

Ahaha......

Maybe...it's your desire to win back the glory of the Nearl family that makes you so strong.