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Win!

Humiliating... I've wasted my time humoring nothing but trash...

Will you beg for my mercy only once I have crippled you?

You're just like 'Whislash' was—prepare yourself!

Now—!

I'm still trying to learn from Margaret. The way she used Arts. That turn of her wrists.

But—

You... block me again?!

You utter—

N-Now that's no coincidence! Maria's once again blocked the Left-hand Knight's onslaught! What's going on?! Could Tytus be toying with the already cornered Nearl!?

...Good. Very good. I don't know what you're thinking... but no matter. I will crush every speck of your light to dust.

Come.

Look closely, y'all! This is the first time the Left-hand Knight's ever taken that stance! The first time he's ever let his opponent pull one over on him!

Even against Nascent Nearl, don'tcha think this is a little extreme?! No! Anyone who knows Tytus knows it's not! All his fans here in the arena know the score!

But he's really hit his head against it today! Maria's resolve hasn't wavered one bit! I've gotta admit, folks, the way she's hanging in there, even I'm shedding a couple tears!

Listen up! Everyone who supports Maria Nearl gets an entry in a post-match lottery! Your chance to win is a lofty 0.2%! Who wants to be the lucky one?!

—Something isn't right.

Fatigued, timid, the fear of humiliation overcoming her, pushed to the edge as she is—

In her heart lies only victory. She wills to win. She's conjured countless ways to grasp this one last chance firm.

But in this instant, she can only question that victory she's been pursuing all this time.

...Maria Nearl, for what reason did you join the Major? Glory? Wealth? Or was it your family?

For... myself.

Nothing more... Mr. Tytus.

...Hmph.

An instant's feint. Arts focused on your shield. You really do... have the blood of a pegasus... tch.

You fought a radiant fight, Nearl...

We've just had—the lengthiest duel of this entire season—! And the one who fell was none other than 'Left-hand' Tytus Topola!

Who could've seen this coming—! I ask you! Who could've seen this coming?!

Completely unreal odds and titanic prize money—hey, show us those numbers, now—this is enough to start your own little business!

A miracle—! No doubt about it, this is a miracle! Maria Nearl! The Nearl family has brought us a miracle once again!

The audience all wait.

They wait for Maria to raise the scratch-ridden sword in her grip, and declare victory.

An upset to talk about. Astronomical wagers. A soul-stirring, heartrending comeback.

(What now?)

Is this the Major? What is it you won? What did you get from all this?

Glory, wealth, your family's honor, but what is it you're missing...? Hm, what is it you're missing?

And without much time to think about it, as if in pure response to the cheering all around her, Maria holds her sword up high.

Only the pain, sharp, radiating from her hand, overcomes the applause.

Hfff...

(I can't... I can't stand—)

Maria!

A... Auntie?

Maria... Maria...

A-Auntie Zofia... let go, let go, it hurts...

Oh, sorry... did you break a bone??

Mm-hm... but it's no big deal...

Maria... I'm sorry... I might've been too harsh on you before.

You're just like your sister. You're a knight, and you should be able to choose your own path—

...No...

Maria...?

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?