act13side

Far away from the loud markets and hustle and bustle, only traces of the city's warmth can be felt in this alley.

The warmth comes from liquor and song, as well as the aroma of baked goods that yet lingers as pedestrians come and go.

This doesn't change what we need to do.

And that's even if, after everything has come to pass, my journey is destined to be ridiculed.

—Like wings taking flight in the night breeze.

—Like a traveler with a heart full of dreams.

—The knight sets out on her journey.

—In search of true love.

What a beautiful voice...

Maybe it's a wandering singer.

Is there a place so romantic in Kazimierz too?

It's proof that there are people who live here.

—A fate as fragile as a cornflower.

—To face a test fierce as windstorms.

Hmm... Hmhmm...

Liz, would you care to dance?

Huh? Me? What...?

It's fine. Take my hand.

Alright...

Oh... S-Slow down, Nearl...

Alright.

The blue bird takes flight in the gentle night sky.

It dances amongst the glowing neon towers and navigates through a gently flowing river of time.

Taking the Sarkaz's hand, the knight waltzes back and forth under the dim lamplights.

The sight is reminiscent of the noblest statues found in Laterano.

You're beautiful, Liz.

R-Really?

Perhaps you will actually be able to dance one day.

When that day comes... will you be there by our side?

Of course.

The knight stops and kneels down before the lady of the lamp.

I promise, Liz.

Mhm...

We'll be waiting, Nearl.

At the end of your journey, before your light burns out, we'll be there with you.

When the time comes, if—

Nearl.

Good evening, Radiant Knight... and the lovely Sarkaz ladies.

I'm absolutely delighted to see you again so soon.

卡西米尔2 5-2

I was wondering why you would have that immobile Sarkaz along with you.

Now I know.

Um... Monique? I'm not sure I get it...

Then shut your mouth and stop embarrassing yourself.

The Armorless Union, is it? What do you want?

First things first, please allow me to apologize to the Radiant Knight.

That is, for the Armorless Union's kidnapping of your sister, Maria—

—Hey, hold your beasties. It wasn't my doing.

You... you wretched henchmen!

Maria should already have made it home safe. Relax. We have no more tricks to pull on you, and suppose we were going to do anything else, we would've gone for... less perfect results.

We at the Armorless Union are just doing our jobs, even if it's not exactly what we want to do. We've got eyes on us from above. You know what I mean?

You're attacking the Infected.

That's how the bosses arranged things. Don't lay the blame on us.

The cause doesn't clear you of your crimes.

I guess you're right...

But isn't that why we're paying you a visit today?

We have nothing to say to each other. If it is a fight you want, it is a fight you'll get.

Hey, now, let's cool our tempers, shall we? I'll be frank. We want to shake off the General Chamber of Commerce.

What...?

We're here today to make this clear. We're on different sides. I mean, we still belong to the Chamber...

But would you be willing to sign a peace treaty with us?

You, the Radiant Knight, the Nearl family and its subordinates, as well as this 'Rhodes Island.' I am hoping you will all refrain from getting in the way of our plans.

In return, the Armorless Union won't interfere with your quest for glory or lay a finger on anyone that's got anything to do with you.

What about the Infected...?

Sorry, but we can't possibly do everything either.

The Infected are a threat to us. Not to worry, though. We have a use for those Infected knights too.

To take the fall for you?

That's not what I want, Armorless Union.

—What is the Armorless Union?

Long ago, the local farmers and affinities pulled together and hired a group of veteran assassins to stand up to an indulgent knight noble.

But they all failed—Every last one of them.

The knight hanged the traitors atop his castle, to make an example of them. The villagers in the territory could only keep their mouths shut and give up their fight.

Some time after that, however, there was an archer who took matters into his own hands. Back then, everyone figured that bows and arrows were no match for a Kuranta knight's speed, so they weren't really holding their breaths.

Yet when the cruel knight's family awoke the next morning, they found the knight impaled through the ground by a long spear, mid-charge, his head still looking up.

When the crowd got closer, they realized it wasn't a spear at all. It was an arrow. An arrow forged by Darksteel.

'Darksteel,' the very first member of the Armorless Union.

I'm very well aware that we're hired killers, but nonetheless...

Legends like these aren't always without merit.

—Nearl! Above you!

The Radiant Knight lifts her head.

The streets are only barely lit, and the stars on the night sky are twinkling brilliantly.

Among them, a lone shooting star twinkles a few times before straying from the rest of the meteor shower's path.

It falls straight to the ground.

—An arrow?!

Break it!

Roger—!

Aaah—?!

Liz, watch out!

(Nearl and I both struck it at the same time... and... it didn't break?)

Are you two okay?

I-I'm fine... W-What was that just now?

Margaret looks to her side in silence.

There is a pitch black arrow long as a spear burrowed into the concrete.

Impressive... I've never seen anyone react to Darksteel's shots in time, much less dodge them.

Your swordsmanship is as impressive as the rumors say, Radiant Knight. That was an eye-popping maneuver from the Confessarius, too... Luckily, the arrow's not life deadly—

—Is that the smell of souls, Sarkaz?

I never expected to see such fine swordsmanship and Arts... from a doctor like you.

Save it... So much for your peace treaty.

I'm sure you know already, but that shot wasn't meant to take your lives. The Sarkaz sitting over there would be thoroughly dead otherwise.

So, now that we've broken the ice, please do give our proposal some thought.