act13side

Wild Mane.

Go on.

...Please... you have to...

Sona'll find your wife and girl.

Don't worry.

Look! The Originium is spreading across him! We can't wait any longer, put him in the container now!

What are you doing?!

Preventing infection.

...You... damned...

Iwona!

Remember their faces!

Remember... These knights... These Kazimierzians... These cold-blooded murderers...

Don't let them get away with it!

It's your turn. Deal already.

What's your rush? Just let me think.

What've you got to think about with this few cards left?

We now report on an urgent news story—

An accident occurred at a capture the flag event held today as part of the Major Show Tournament—

—an Infected knight concealed his condition before the competition and sustained heavy injuries during the match, all while forcing Originium Arts—

—went into shock partway through the event, and passed away after aid proved ineffective—

...Infected...

Passed away? Died? Died on the field?

According to reports, medical personnel on the scene have finished cleanup of the field, and the arena will return to normal use tomorrow following decontamination.

With only three hours since the incident, the National Council have already received mass complaints, and look to revise the Infected Knights Act—

Revise the act? Pull the other one, they're just petrified of owning up!

When the Blood Knight came about, they were pressured to recognize Infected as legitimate. If they fiddle with the laws now, how are they going to save their reputation?

The question of the Infected's no child's game... you think 'reputation' could affect their policymaking?

Was the knight nobles' 'reputation' ever any worse? Decades ago?

Times are different. I can't say I know what they're thinking now, but no matter whereabouts, enforcing the rules takes priority over any objective results.

We've all suffered for it.

Cleanup has been completed. All knights who took part will be given a medical examination within the next three days—

With regard to this incident, the Knights Association is paying a correspondingly high amount of attention.

Currently, several Knightclubs have cosigned a statement to the Association on the accidental deaths of Infected, uncontrollable Originium Arts, as well as the risk of large-scale infection breaking out during the Major...

Haah—!

No problems, Maria.

Your adjustments to the weapon core are perfect. It's been a long while now since I've wielded something so effortlessly smooth.

Ah... mm-hm!

I made them especially based on your past fights after all, heheh.

I will.

If we're done with all the theory, we'll want a little practical combat to try things out.

Maria, keep to one side.

Ah... okay!

You take it easy now, both of you!

I will.

My, that's a good look in your eyes, Margaret.

This is for real now. If you throw, my self-respect will be very sore for it.

Of course.

Now, then—

—Accordingly, we have invited numerous experts on knight competition to publish their own views. We now go to the Knights Association Officer-in-Charge.

Ah. Good morning, people of Kazimierz—

—Infected can cast without an Arts Unit; this is known to medical science—

But in the arena, such an ability is 'exceedingly unfair'—

(Fairness.)

Fairness, huh.

And surmounting the rulesetters within their own rules? Lunatic ravings.

Ugh...!

Careful.

Are you alright?

Oof... I—I'm fine, now let go...

I'm sorry, it's been a while since I used a weapon with a handle this long. I'm still not quite perfect at exercising it.

*Sigh*...

—Ma-ri-a? What are you laughing at?

Eh? Ah, I'm sorry, sorry.

Margaret.

You really have changed.

Hm? Have I?

I don't mean your appearance. Your hair's all messy now. Come here, I'll comb it straight for you.

Maria, bring the comb over. It's behind your worktable.

Ah, okay.

Let's sit and take a moment to breathe.

Alright. Thank you.

Honestly... it feels like it's only been the blink of an eye since you left.

(The blink of an eye... and you'll be even farther away from us.)

—According to reports, the deceased Infected appeared to be implicated in the illegal Infected incident. The relevant circumstances are still under investigation.

The Knights Association promises that an incident this minor absolutely will not affect the course of the Major's schedule—

Zofia... that's...

Ingra again, is it? For him to be killing on the field, though...

—Currently, visitors to events involving Infected knights are asking for the Knights Association to resolve the situation.

At the same time, 'Brassrust' Olmer Ingra and several other knights who were directly involved in this event have taken interviews—

Are you listening? Mr. Malkiewicz?

Oh, sorry, Jewell. Carry on.

Yes, sir. Actually, they're forms from the Knights Association, with the personal details and noteworthy points for all Grand Knights taking part this time.

The General Chamber would rather not ruin relations with these stars, so they're hoping we can be more attentive...

Let me see...

(They're all established athletes... oh, the Radiant Knight really is in here, too.)

Hm?

Does this 'Nightmare Knight' not have a Knightclub affiliation? I thought the Radiant Knight was the only case of an independent qualifying for the Major?

And besides, 'Nightmare Knight'... Aren't the Grand Knights' titles usually less of a mouthful? And he doesn't have a 'The' either?

He's not one of the Grand Knights, then? So what's so special about him?

Ah, this one... haha. He's been a great pain for the Knights Association to handle. I don't entirely know what's up, but...

He doesn't care a single bit about knight titles or any such thing, and brushes off all arrangements the General Chamber makes, but he isn't deliberately disobedient either.

He's a weird one.

A weird one, huh?

Yes, sir, but there's no doubt about his strength. And besides, I don't know why, but it seems some knight families are extremely curious about his identity. They've tried asking the Association countless times already.

But we're not too clear on what's going on with him either. Things suggest he came from some rural area near Sargon?

Mr. Malkiewicz?

...I understand. You're free to go.

Yes, sir.

Oh, one thing, Jewell.

Hm? What is it?