act13side

You may come from a famous line of heroes, but do you know how many lackeys the General Chamber has here in the Grand Knight Territory?

So you have the Radiant Knight and Młynar. The two of them together might put up a little fight, but what can they really do? Can they really take on the thousands of assassins here in the GKT and escape legal liability?

I don't remember you being such a talkative gal... Are you nervous?

Maybe.

I mean, before, all I had to do was draw my bowstring, aim, and let go. Then, my target would die after a quick flash of pain.

These orders I've been getting, though? Not only do I have to go after kids now, I also have to arm wrestle with the Radiant Knight. *Sigh*... Work sucks.

The Armorless Union's really gone to hell lately, hasn't it?

Report!

Did the Radiant Knight give up?

No, it's just... E7 and E9 didn't answer during the regular check-in just now...

Why are you standing there, then? Get ready to fight.

All units, deploy immediately. Secure vantage points A1 and A2. Do not give the target a chance to escape.

Numbers three and four, cover me. We'll deal with the infiltrators.

(An explosion? They aren't the least bit worried about the hostage, are they—?)

(—No, that's not right. They're not here to rescue Maria.)

Hostiles in the smoke! Watch for attacks—

Nngh–...

(Loud clicking noises)

What's this...? A delivery cart?

Well, hello, Armorless lackeys.

Grr... Infected knights, huh...?

Whoa, huge backflip. Look at that distance. You're a nimble one—Hm?

Maria Nearl? What are you doing here?

It's... it's you...

Hey, can you move?

Y-Yes!

I don't know what's going on, but I ain't about to complain if this means the Radiant Knight's gonna owe me a favor.

Let's get this out of the way first. It's a serious crime to assault the Armorless Union. Haha, not in the legal sense, but whatever.

You can run away if you want, or—

—If I don't stop them here, they will keep going after my sister.

Whew, not a bit of hesitation. I'm starting to like you.

Too bad, though. I'm not gonna have it on my conscience to drag anybody into our fight against the Armorless. Besides, I get the feeling Sona's pretty fond of you. You'll have to do this another time!

Toland!

W-What?

Huh? Who are you?!

Come with me, will you, Young Lady Nearl? Oh, and by the by? You and your uncle are nothing alike.

Report to the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi... It's confirmed. The Armorless Union and the Infected knights' skirmish has begun. Maria Nearl's been taken away too.

It will do as long as the Radiant Knight's match goes uninterrupted. Over.

How long has it been since the match started? No one in the arena today has ever seen two knights duel like this!

Even Arts laymen can tell right away theirs are on another level!

This is a battle of lights! There's no doubt this has become the theme of this match! A weak candlelight versus a full-blown radiance!

Up till 9 o'clock, we've had two million viewers watching this match via the intercity net and other means!

For the first time since the 22nd Major, when the Radiant Knight took her title, we've broken the highest concurrent viewer record! There are countless viewers watching Margaret's heroics right this moment!

Ah, what a shame! I wish we lived in one of those sci-fi novels where fans from all the other countries could watch this match live—Ahhh!

The giant rays of light clash again—How blindingly bright! But amidst the rolling waves of light—That's right! The Candle Knight remains unscathed!

Phew...

Brilliant... Viviana.

With light and shadows... you weaved an untreadable swath of land.

I am honored that my little candle-flame could hold the Radiant Knight down for so long.

But you don't seem to be giving it your all. Are you perhaps worried about your family?

What are you doing is contradictory, Margaret.

You take pride in having such wonderful companions, but the course that you have charted for yourself... will cause you to leave your friends behind.

Perhaps one day, your sister will meet her fate in one of the Armorless Union's conspiracies, and the General Chamber will stand in your way, wherever you will be.

Viviana.

When the knight charged toward the endless waves, did you imagine that he was trying to overcome the entire world?

Ahh, so you are familiar with that knight legend.

My sister's a big fan of the book.

Centaurea's been ambushed by the Infected. It was Wild Mane.

If she can't take care of the likes of Wild Mane, then she should hand in her resignation already.

That said... What should we do? The K.G.C.C. made it clear they want the Infected dealt with... and as soon as possible.

Hmm... They are quite a pain in the rear... but we need them to keep stirring up a ruckus for us...

You're our star performer. It's your call.

Oh? Was that a compliment? You know, I've always thought that I look kinda like some star out there, ever since I dyed my hair blue.

Okay, okay, stop glaring at me like that. It's very simple. Kill a few of them, and as cruelly as possible, too. Spread the fear.

The ones left behind will come to hate Kazimierz and the K.G.C.C. even more, and things will only get more intense.

So?

Eh, so, let's dump all the troublesome mess on our little Platinum.

Let's kill some Infected. The ones who aren't knights or in the limelight. Just the perfect amount of cruelty, like we're hunting them down.

...Huff...

I see, so the moment your candle goes out is when you actually start casting.

Even a brief moment of darkness is enough to swallow my Arts whole. In that case, perhaps you can engulf the entire arena's light with each flicker of your candle's flame?

Impressive observation. There has never been a knight who saw through my Arts during a duel. Is this the result of your years-long exile?

Too bad, then. It seems I have yet to truly make contact with you.

I used to hate Arts more so than anything. The more outstanding my Arts are, the more I am reminded of my upbringing—

And the more I come to realize... the situation I am in.

Tell me, Margaret Nearl, the Radiant Knight. Each and every knight who keeps the faith feels particularly curious about you.

Tell me your answer. Your answer of what it means to be a knight.

—Both the Radiant Knight and the Candle Knight have stopped. They're cautiously sizing each other up, taking a stroll around the arena—

What's the matter? Is this a tea party to the two of them? Are the two knights going to share a dance together after all that careful probing?

Hoh, did you hear that? He said we could dance.

Please, then.

Like the gentle morning sun, her beaming radiance begins to extend its reach toward the candle-lit darkness.

Soon after, the light begins to flood the entire arena.

Kawalerielki tonight is as brilliant as any bright, clear day.

The Nearl girl went this way, didn't she? Quick, find her!

—There's no one here!

How can that be?! This place's listed in her file! It's Tremoriron Knight's bar!

Check if there's an attic or an exit out back—

Misters, I'm afraid we're not open right now.

Don't you dare!

Erk...

Don't you kill them, V. Not unless you want shit to really hit the fan.

Hah, how about you have a guess at how many artillery casters I captured during the war all those years ago to earn my military honors?

Son of a...! How dare you?! We're—

The Armorless Union? How about before that? Were you a robber? A bounty hunter? A veteran, or perhaps a down and out knight?

Let me tell you. We aren't scared of you.

You dare cross the Union even once, the Union will hunt you to the ends of the world.

It might happen today... maybe tomorrow. It might happen when you're eating, when you're asleep, or when you're spreading marmalade on your toast... You'll have nowhere to run!

Thanks for the advice. *Spit*.

To be honest, though, the Armorless ain't nearly as scary as the vanguards.