act13side

Hah! I haven't felt as good as this in years!

Looks like their buddies are on to this... Sorry, Marcin, but that might be it for your shop.

Oh, that's too bad. I paid two years' worth of rent upfront.

You! What have you done?!

You dare resist—Form up, ready your crossbows—Uh?

The Armorless points his crossbow forward.

The bowstring has snapped. More accurately, it is being twisted.

W-What?

Take this!

Ugh?!

It's been a while since I used any Arts... Guess I've gotten rusty.

Hmph, since when did the Armorless have this many men?! The K.G.C.C.'s got too much money to throw around, huh?

Hah, that's why we wiped the floor with all of them!

Watch out! The bald guy's Tremoriron Marcin, and the other two are campaign knights!

Keep two squads here. Keep them alive. They will be our trump card against Nearl. The rest of you, find Maria—

Hey, this isn't looking good, V!

You want to try begging for mercy, then?

Ready, fire—

What? Who is it this time?!

You...

What have you done to Maria?!

Radiance. The word 'radiance' is starting to be wear on everyone in the arena.

The sun-like prismatic colors dye the area behind the Radiant Knight. Standing opposite her is a small candlelight that has lit anew.

Then, right when the audience is starting to grow tired of finding the two knights in the blinding glow...

The faint sphere—Its rays, its halos, and all its light blink away.

*Pant*... *pant*...

Viviana... You are truly impressive...

Look, my light... have been swallowed whole... *Pant*.

I'm honored to have exhausted the Radiant Knight.

But it seems you rely on more than just your dazzling Arts.

With her Candle Sword held up high, the Candle Knight begins to steadily lower her blade.

The candle's flame has extinguished, leaving behind a glistening brilliance on its milk white cross section.

The candle, now halved, flutters down toward the earth like a feather.

You've broken my blade. It seems I have lost.

I, The Candle Knight, Viviana Droste, admit defeat.

The Candle Knight has conceded! I didn't hear that wrong, did I—? The Candle Knight has just accepted defeat! The committee has confirmed her request. So there you have it—

After this excruciating, protracted duel, the winner is our young legend, the Radiant Knight!

The Radiant Knight, suddenly returned from exile, has defeated her first Grand Knight opponent after an extraordinary match of the highest level!

The Candle Knight may have suffered defeat, but there is no doubt she is basking in glory! The two knights are shaking hands and trading salutes! Take a good look! This scene is going to be all over the headlines the next couple weeks!

What?! The Candle Knight lost?! That's a couple months' paychecks down the drain!

Serves you right for not listening to me... Not that I earned much myself, but well... *Sigh*... This match's probably giving me some kind of eye disease down the line.

Hnnf...

To be a knight is to be the noble light that illuminates the land...

Hmm...

Viviana.

I won't comment on your background—and that matter that weighs on your mind. However, you are among the strongest knights I have ever met.

That is more than enough.

In the classic knight tales... the knights always opened their hearts to each other by crossing swords.

Reality has proven to be less romantic. Though I've only just met you today, Margaret.

Show me how far you will go.

I'm looking forward to seeing.

Tch—

(—I managed to block that strike, but I still almost lost my grip on my weapon—She's tough—)

My next shot will pierce through your legs. You won't be able to run anymore.

The next shot after that will pierce through your armor.

The final shot will blow right through your chest. You'll struggle in agony for a moment, before dying in the dirty, wet street.

Hah... No wonder Sona told me to run as soon as I ran into an Armorless elite.

You've really hit it big for someone your age. Bet the people higher up the ladder there are some serious monsters, eh?

You'd better pray you never find out—Hm?

Wild Mane! We'll cover you! Get out of here!

(Hurried beeping noises)

Alright, Justice, if that's what you say. Today's not the day for us to settle the score with the Armorless anyway.

See you next time, Platinum!

*cough*, *cough* *cough*...

She's gone.

What's her deal with explosives...?! *Cough*, there's ash everywhere... and I just washed my hair.

*Sigh*... How am I supposed to explain this...?

No need to explain anything.

We saw all that.

A fair number of the Infected just now are part of the Pinus Sylvestris.

They banded the Infected together fairly quickly. Since when has the Grand Knight Territory had this many Infected?

If we have to play the blame game, I guess that's on both the sloppy engineering contractors and the Catastrophes.

That's why we need Area 0 to do its job... Oh.

Little pegasus? I have a favor to ask you.

Ask away... I just screwed up in front of my bosses. I'm not about to object.

Will you investigate this company for us? They have dealings with the Radiant Knight, and they are in Area 0 right now.

We'll take over this whole thing about the Infected... And this company has to do with the Radiant Knight anyway. I'd say it falls under your purview.

Rhodes Island.

I just need to investigate?

They were even gung-ho enough to get in touch with the General Chamber. Man, it looks like this foreign company is extra greedy.

If they prove beneficial to us, then they can do whatever they want. I'll even be okay if they end up solving the Radiant Knight problem with money.

But this whole affair is up to the Board of Directors. Somebody there will come looking for you soon. No need to worry about what we think.

What will you two do, then?

Since when have you had the right to question the Lazurites' business?

I... I wouldn't dare.

Now do your job.

It's the Candle Knight! Please sign this for me!

Candle Knight! Look this way, please! Ah—!

You look like you're in a good mood.

Did you know, McKee?

I heard that the Radiant Knight's legend as the youngest ever champion ended with her exile.

She was infected and then exiled, but it wasn't until I met her six years later that I realized this: They are all tall tales.

Just now...

...she was as radiant as the sun at high noon.

Phew... That was a pleasant meeting, Dr. {@nickname}.

I'm sure you've gained the favor of the top brass. Those were all key members of the General Chamber of Commerce.

Thank you very much. This is all thanks to you.;......;I learned quite a few things.

But my guess is... You are seeking more than just a mutual relationship on paper, right?

I'm curious... are there many researchers familiar with the battlefields of commerce in other countries?

Perhaps...;Society is changing. It's a necessity.;I might just be one-of-a-kind.