act13side

...Salute! Our hero!

...Knight.... Knight...

The Blood Knight gazes at the sky.

He can no longer move a muscle.

The sky.

Even if the nomadic city has moved past that lightless night, the Blood Knight still remembers.

He remembers there was never a moment... when the night surrendered to the city.

...It's your win, Radiant Knight.

Fresh blood spills onto the ground.

Though unable to maintain the basic structure of his Arts, the Blood Knight still clutches the weapon that looks like it could dissipate at any moment.

No! What are you doing? The winner... should not be propping up the loser...

*cough*... There is no loser here, Blood Knight.

W-W-We have a winner!!

The one left standing at the end–– No, more accurately, the Radiant Knight is holding up the Blood Knight! The Blood Knight... can't stand on his own!!

The panel is still tallying up the score, and until now, their scores were neck-and-neck! But, based on what we just saw–– if the Blood Knight is unable to continue fighting, then––

Then, without a doubt––

––The champion of Kazimierz's 24th Special Knight Tournament... is none other than––

...THE RADIANT KNIGHT! MAAAARGAREEEET NEAAARRRRLLL!!!

––Execute the plan.

The various teams are moving to strike. The special detachment has entered the arena, targeting Maria Nearl and Whislash Knight.

While the crowd is in chaos––

What a deafening roar of applause.

I really do envy the knights' popularity.

There are some knights who aren't as popular.

It seems like you have some other reason for saying that?

The old knight-lords always remain at the very top. Frustrating, isn't it?

How curious. I wonder what kind of lives you bounty hunters lead to be able to mingle with the knights?

Ursus artillery destroyed our town. We became a pack of hunters in need of prey to survive.

One rainy night, we hunted a wild mangler until dawn, only to discover that a 'knight' had long snatched up our prey.

Oh, that seems like an interesting story.

He was a decked-out princeling, all glittering and gold, pretending to use the rain to wash off the blood on his face. So we asked, what would a knight be doing all the way out here.

Wanna guess what he said?

What?

He said, 'I'm not a knight yet, just a wanderer.' Then he asked us, 'Who were you again?'

Grr.

Oh my, Monique, when'd you decide to fly in? I thought your part of the operation was quite some distance from here.

And what's more, you even got hurt.

Cut the crap, Roy. Either call the thing off, or come help me out over here.

Now what kind of wind would be able to blow our own 'wanderer' back here?

Roy the Lazurite is about to get up, but a hand presses down on his shoulder.

A Sarkaz hand.

Heh. 'Wanderer,' huh? At the time, I thought to myself, why the hell are you playing dumb?

So this is what I said back to him––

––'Standing before you is Kazimierz's strongest bounty hunter.'

Radiant Knight! Radiant Knight! Radiant Knight!

A few months ago, what analyst could've predicted this outcome?! That our champion would be the Radiant Knight, Margaret Nearl, after suddenly and shockingly returning to the arena?!

Now, let your cheers fill this arena! The prize pool for today's competition has reached an unbelievable amount!

It's no exaggeration to say that the Radiant Knight's legendary experience has scored her enough wealth to rival that of an entire corporation!

Even the General Chamber of Commerce will be here today to make a huge announcement to everyone!

To our wonderful friends in the arena and those watching from home! The Knights Association officially confirmed yesterday that they will hold a champion's press conference tomorrow. But right now, there's a truth we must share with all of you!

Six years ago, the Radiant Knight was exiled by the Knights Association for 'concealing her status as an Infected!' But today, the Radiant Knight's name has finally been cleared!

Her exile was the result of a criminal conspiracy! The scoundrels bought off the Knights Association and forcibly expelled the Radiant Knight from the country on false pretenses!

Yes indeed! Here, as a representative of the Knights Association, the National Council, and the General Chamber of Commerce, I solemnly announce to the entire audience––

––that all accusations against the Radiant Knight are hereby dropped! The Radiant Knight, our great champion, is not an Infected!

Doctor!

I knew this would happen.;I warned Nearl about this.;This is what Margaret meant.

Wait... Doctor, did you purposely...

'If you deny your own heart, and conceal the truth from the world, there is no glory to be had.'

Before Nearl left Rhodes Island, the Doctor told her about the possible consequences.

Even if the K.G.C.C. does not take this as a threat, Nearl... will eventually call upon Rhodes Island to be her notary.

For the sake of–– Wait, wait...

Why now of all times to come clean? Goddammit, the K.G.C.C. is trying to get the Infected to turn on each other!

This is bad. They're trying to make it look like the Radiant Knight doesn't represent them, and that their champion lost––

...To make it seem as if... my sister... lied to everyone.

Wh-What's going on? Is Margaret not Infected?

In order to protect the young and energetic Margaret, Old Nearl purposely had her exiled.

She was exiled... because of Grandpa?

Even Margaret herself did not know about this. She truly believed she had contracted Oripathy during the competitions, and even came to terms with it.

But Oripathy is not something that can be hidden forever. After this many years, she must've discovered the truth long ago.

...Margaret...

(Now's our chance. Go, go!)

Stop right there!

Ugh! What–?! What just knocked my dagger––?!

You worthless–– I'll handle this!

The Armorless?! Maria, watch out!

Huh?

Zofia stands her ground in front of Maria.

The Armorless assassin raises the dagger in his hand.

...Despicable cutthroat.

Gah! You did that with just your hilt?

Damn you––!

Innocent people will get hurt here.

I'd prefer you not disturb the peace.

This one's mine!

Urgh!

Th-Thanks, Shining...

Hey, what's the meaning of this?! The Radiant Knight isn't Infected?!

I... What kind of sick joke? I thought this whole time... she was fighting for the Infected! But all along, she...

Could it be that the Radiant Knight was lying to us?

You've been made a pawn.

I realized it shortly after leaving Kazimierz.

Oripathy is like a curse, and yet my body... showed no signs of it.

The rest fell into place soon after that. My grandfather had me leave Kazimierz, all for the sake of protecting my rash and impetuous self.

The General Chamber of Commerce will not relent until the 'Radiant Knight' is no longer a thorn in their side.

...*cough* *cough*... *cough* *cough*...

Here, lean on my shoulder.

Many thanks.

If not for the worsening of your condition, I well could've been the one to lose this match.

There's no point saying things like that... Do you think I fought my way here just to use my Oripathy as an excuse?

No.