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Not at all...

You were given those orders in such a perilous situation. Did you not find it all strange, under those circumstances?

Mr. Czarny left in such a hurry... There were a lot of things I never had the chance to ask him.

Do you want to ask him?

I...

I'm somewhat well connected with the K.G.C.C... If it pleases you, I can help you find out where Czarny was exiled.

Don't get the wrong idea. Losing to the Radiant Knight again proved to me that I'm not the Tytus Topola who defeated seven knights with one hand anymore.

Before I retire, I have to curry favor with you spokesmen... What's that look for?

To tell the truth, I never expected this from a man of your caliber. You're the core of the Blade Helmet Knightclub, once a top 4 hopeful, and a candidate for the title of Grand Knight...

I never imagined you would entertain the idea of retirement yourself.

You are so... prideful in the arenas... I thought you would...

It's not easy to be a competition knight, Malkiewicz. Outside the arena, we're no different than you, and we need an exit strategy.

I'm plenty satisfied just to be able to fight this far with all four of my limbs intact.

The times for ideals are over, Malkiewicz.

In tonight's match, not only will we get to see two of the biggest names in the tournament duking it out, but we have two independent knights facing off. We haven't seen a spectacle like this in years!

No corporate sponsorship! No knightclub training or support! If they need their helmets polished and weapons sharpened, they have no one to rely on but themselves!

Yet they both stand here today in the arena. And one of them is a former champion! All eyes are on our champ, eager for her return!

Please welcome the young legend, the champion from the Nearl family, the Radiant Knight, MARRRGAREEEEET NEAAAAARRRLLLLLLL!

And on this side, the descendant of a race left on the pages of the history books, a rare Kuranta, war-god scions who flay the years past—

We could go through the entire history of the knight sports and find no one with purer blood, purer horror, and purer might than him!

Now, here comes the lone wanderer from the grasslands, the last Kheshig, Nightmare Knight TOLAAAAAAAAA!

What's this?! The Nightzmora's horn! The match is off to a fiery start! Will the champion fall to the ancient race?! Will this new conquest be cut short by the Radiant Knight?!

Let us—

Radiant Knight.

Ohh? Nightmare suddenly slammed his spear into the ground. W-What is he doing? Is he saluting his opponent?

I've been waiting for this moment... for far too long.

Kazimierz's knights have been a disappointment.

I've heard of you from Master Vogelweide, Nightmare.

What are you seeking?

I am seeking my fate, pegasus.

All who belong to my ancient race must set off on a Khaganquest when they come of age...

None of us know what awaits us during our Khaganquest, but it is only when our journey is at an end that our lives have truly begun.

Whether we fight fierce beasts or visit foreign lands, a Nightzmora who finishes his Khaganquest will know its meaning by the journey's end.

Then, we become plumules of terror itself, spreading fear as we make our way across the lands.

Only by knowing the world will we know our destiny.

Have you found your Khaganquest's meaning yet?

Not yet, Pegasus. The road ahead... is like a forest shrouded in fog.

I truly hope that you will be my meaning.

Come.

Are you Plastic's... Szewczyk's family?

Who are you?

I'm... a knight. A friend of his who's a knight.

Have you... been mistreated in any way at all?

Mistreated? I'm not sure I follow...

That day, a knight in white told me that Szewczyk was killed by an enemy he made in the arena.

After that, she brought us here, and we've been hiding ever since.

I got this from Szewczyk...

Oh! This is the wood carving I gave him.

Where is he? Is he doing okay?

I'll take you to him.

Let's make a deal.

As long as you can promise me that you will never again make an enemy of the Armorless Union, I can tell you where your wife is.

What...?

And you, Fartooth. Convey this to everyone in Pinus Sylvestris:

There's been some issues within the Armorless Union, even I noticed.

No one wants to be used for no good reason. That obviously sucks...

Unbelievable.

Can you alone represent the will of the entire Armorless Union? I mean, you may be Platinum—

But I'm still only middle management, huh?

Yeah, that's the deal... Most of the Armorless were hired by the K.G.C.C. I'm only here to manage things for them... and no one can stop the Board of Directors's plans.

Still though, wouldn't things be a lot easier for you if us middle managers stopped doing anything?

After all, the Board has been pretty angsty lately, and our new recruits kinda subpar...

What's that? It was the Armorless who took out the power?

Roy even wrecked the server room and laid the blame on us.

Is the Armorless Union... trying to shake off the Board's control?

Grr...!

So we've been used, right from the start?!

Our fight... our sacrifice... all of it—!

(Dejected clicking noises)

Sorry...

No.

After the Candle Knight rescued me, I ran into Ioleta.

—The Grand Knight?! You met the Grand Knight?!

Ahaha, she's a little younger and kinder than she seems on the papers and TV news.

She agreed to give us all... the legal status we wanted. Our deal still stands.

Ashley, do you have the chip?

Of course...

But, as things stand right now... the public thinks the Infected are the blame for everything that happened...

Sona, does this 'legal' status actually... mean anything anymore?

Words can't describe how I feel right now—

No doubt all of you are already familiar with the Radiant Knight's strength, but look at Nightmare Knight! See the stunning techniques this warrior of yore has in store for us!

This is just unbelievable! Neither of them are using any serious Arts. This is a contest of pure combat and weapon prowess!

This is more over-the-top than any action blockbuster I've ever seen. Look at their lightning quick moves, their powerful slashes! It's only been ten minutes, but the whole arena's already absolutely stunned!

Look! Check out Nightmare Knight's moves! He's on the same level as the champions!

I knew he'd be worth keeping an eye on! I spent four hundred on him!

What an extraordinary match.

I've never seen anything like the way the Nightzmora wields his weapon.

It's like the campaign knights' techniques, but also not quite the same... Hm...

What's the matter, Left-hand Knight, sir?

Looks like we have an unexpected guest in the audience... The rumors from the other day are true, then.

What do you mean—Ugh—!

A ray of silver light stands solemnly in the corner of the audience at the very back.

His presence may be matched by none, but even he is engulfed by the audience's cheers and screams.

It's my first time to watch the Major up close like this...

It makes me want to vomit.

And what's so revolting about this, Liam?

I see. I know your answer now.

In that case, from your point of view, what do you think of these two knights in the arena, the Nightzmora and the pegasus?

I have to admit... their techniques are beautiful.

The Nightzmora may not be a battle-hardened veteran, but a certain obsession has driven him to become a true warrior.