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Then where is the place you plan to begin your trials?

That's not for you to know, pegasus.

But you no longer have a leader to answer to, or a family to return to.

You have no plans to come back.

Vogelweide told me everything, Nightzmora.

I've watched your matches. I can't stop you from leaving.

What?

After you've completed your journey, if you still wish to return to Kazimierz, you can become a great knight and step onto the battlefield honorably.

People of your kind are rare, and you are an exceptionally rare talent bearing the Khagan's blood.

Though that bloodline no longer runs thick, I do believe you'll always be an excellent warrior. You deserve a chance to experience true, glorious combat.

So arrogant.

You and all the knights I've seen the entire way across Kazimierz have all been the same. Arrogant.

Fighting for you, fighting for this eyesore of a country, is supposed to be glorious?

I simply do not wish to see such a promising sapling seek out its own death.

Hah. My choices are mine alone, pegasus!

Leave. Get out of my way. Leaving this city is only the beginning of my journey!

Hmm? Huh? Whaaaat?

A knight? Why are you here? The elder never told us we'd get a Grand Knight to visit...

I bought a plot of land nearby.

Ohhh! You must be the knight who bought old Jackie's plot! Ahh, a pleasure to meet you!

Umm, please forgive me if I guess wrong, but judging by your dusky red armor and your sturdy posture, your title... what was your title again?

Hm... I'm not a knight anymore.

Then, if I could be so bold, you... might you be...

Dikaiopolis, the Blood Knight?

I was once called that.

My god... You, you really are...

All of us are huge fans! Why did you retire all of a sudden? You and the Radiant Knight... Ah! If you're out here, you must be in some money trouble, right? I mean, just ask and–

No, no, what am I even saying? I'm so sorry... You're the great champion, of course you'd have more money than us... Come, come, I'll show you around...

Yes. Alright.

Look, right here is the biggest shop in the village. The old master's not doing so great these days, and now his daughter's taken over...

Oh? And who might this knight be?

We were just talking about him too. Crazy coincidence isn't it? He's the one who bought that plot! Take a guess at who he is–

No, right now, I'm–

It's the Blood Knight! The champion! The Blood Knight, Dikaiopolis!

The champion? Is it really him?

The Blood Knight is coming to stay with us?!

Th-The Blood Knight?? In the flesh??

Yes.

I...

Oh, I'm so sorry! Ahem, I let myself get carried away there. Here, if there's anything you ever need... Just let me know, and I'll get it for you. Don't worry about the rest!

I mean it! No need to be shy!

In that case... what crops do you have here?

C-Crops, you say? Normally, we purchase all the seeds we need for the village in bulk, but if you have any special requests, I'll arrange it for you!

Just out of curiosity, do olive trees grow here?

Olive trees? Th-The kind from Minos? Hold on, maybe the village elder will know...

Don't worry. It's not urgent.

Just let me know when you find out.

I-It's no problem at all! I'll be right back!

Oh my, where are my manners... Am I being a bother? Hey! Give him some space! He must be tired after coming all the way here from the city!

Over here, sir! I'll walk you back!

One moment.

If you recognize me, then you also should know... that I am an Infected.

Hm? An Infected... Oh, yes, right, you're an Infected knight.

You're not afraid of Oripathy?

Of course we are!

But what of it?

Then you all should keep your distance from me.

Ohhh, that's what you meant... Right, you are an Infected after all. I'm sorry, I was way too excited.

But still, don't you need people to help you out every now and then?

See, farming isn't something you can just jump right into... Um, you don't have any prior experience, right?

There are a few students in the village. When I head back, I'll ask them if they know if you can grow olives here... Oh, that's right, about the Oripathy. Um...

Can they treat Oripathy in the city?

Not effectively. That's why I chose the plot of land farthest from the village. If you don't have any particular business with me, it's better to stay away. It's very dangerous.

Then, do you think I can get an autograph first?

...Heh.

What's your name?

Me? Oh, haha... I forgot to introduce myself. They all just call me the old dentist. You can call me that too if you'd like.

Sure.

If there's anything I need help with, I'll be sure to ask.

But at least right now, I need to...

Sir?

...Haha.

'Go home first.' Need a change of clothes too. Can't always be walking around in a full suit of armor. Why don't you head back home for now?

Right, right, I should do that!

Well, I won't keep you any longer, Sir! See you later!

...*cough*

*Hack!* *cough* *cough* ––

Whew. I really do need to hurry back... and grab a change of clothes... *cough*...

Wow... I never expected to actually meet the Blood Knight in person... I can still hardly believe it!

Hm? But now that I think about it, when did he announce his retirement? And he even chose to come to a place this far out in the sticks... I wonder if there's some other reason he can't talk about? Hmm...

Hmm? Another visitor? Since when is our sleepy little village so lively? Maybe living in the big city really isn't all it's chalked up to be, haha!

Hello there! Where are you from? The road ends up ahead! Come this way!

Good day to you, mister.

■■ years later, Northern Ursus, 'Border of Civilization'

1:43 P.M. \ Light snow

Why are we still out on patrol on such a cold day?

Stop your whining... There's not so much as a village around these parts, only a Sami observatory a bit further off... Well, it actually belongs to a Columbian.

That's strange!

I heard–– but this is only a rumor, that yesterday, a Sami priest of some sort was in a real hurry to see the boss.

A Sami priest? Oh, you must be talking about those snowpriests. Why are those terrible things crossing the border all of a sudden?

Hell if I know. Well above our pay grade though. Not something we need to know... Just keep your head down and your eyes fixed on the endless snow in front of you. Each and every day, 'til your eyes hurt.

Fair enough–– Wait, slow down!

Up ahead... Are you seeing that over there?

Is that... a horn?

Looks like it's been left here for a while too... I don't see any wheel markings or footsteps. What do we do?

Let's head back and report it to the boss. There shouldn't be any man-made objects around here... Can you tell what this horn might've been used for?

Doesn't look to be anything Sami at least. Seems pretty old, and worn out.

Hm?

Did you hear that, or am I just imagining things?

Huh? Probably just imagining things.