act13side

After all, she is the Radiant Knight—a pinnacle of Kazimierz knighthood, right?

Oh, Doctor! Quick, look at that big screen outside!

Is that... Nearl?

Margaret, I'm done!

Based on the suggestions you made last time, I adjusted the center of mass and added a retracting function. Now, it should be able to...

...Margaret?

What's on your mind?

Oh, Maria... Sorry, what were you talking about?

You don't usually space out like that. What's wrong?

I heard some of the rumors while I was at Rhodes Island...

But this place... really has changed a whole lot.

Yeah... We've sold off a lot of the furniture.

You know Uncle. Were it not for him, we might've moved somewhere else last year.

Yesterday, someone from the Knights Association came by again to harass us. Both you and I, we're always representing some knightclub, or the family. Otherwise...

Don't worry. I'll take care of it.

Hehe, now that's how a big sister should be.

Oh, right, here's your weapon. Master Kowal and I tuned it up for you.

But, you haven't had any matches lately, right? How'd it get worn out so badly? It's like a bomb went off next to it.

I never realized it before. The sheer number of Infected living in the Grand Knight Territory.

...Margaret?

Margaret gazes wordlessly at the skyscrapers in the distance.

She can't forget the dark, garbage-choked underground, or the flickering glow of flames.

Now, the Infected can become knights. The Blood Knight did something incredible. Judging by the results, he saved many Infected from misfortune.

But, this is not what a 'knight' should be. The Infected should not be callously treated as playthings just because they suffer from a disease.

Sona... might've just wanted to help those Infected as well.

The factory is running, the mines haven't stopped. The city is still developing, and more and more Infected will end up at the bottom.

They were all going to be exiled into the wilderness... but Pinus Sylvestris paid for them. Bought all those Infected with no home of their own.

That's what Master Kowal told me.

Except, that doesn't change anything. They still don't have a place in this city.

Right... some Infected knights have done similar things before, but there's a limit to how many of the Infected poor the General Chamber of Commerce will allow to hide in the city.

...and the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi Kazimierz will?

The ruling class is even more reluctant to watch the Infected walk openly in their city, and they'll also take measures.

All the news talks about lately is the Infected, and Oripathy research conferences...

They're whipping up hysteria.

They media's trying to make ordinary people fear the Infected, even if it threatens to undo the stabilizing effect that the Infected Knights Act has had––

––and the scary part is, this kind of rhetoric from the media... almost always succeeds.

Don't always look so glum. No money falls into the pockets of the despondent.

The Radiant Knight is answering a higher calling, helping out the Infected hidden throughout the dark alleys of the city. How noble––

And then what?

Can she give them their lives back? Can she treat their Oripathy? Can she help the Infected fight back against the rest of society?

Who knows? Maybe she can.

Cut the crap, Toland.

Do you have nothing better to do? Why don't you leave the Grand Knight Territory and crawl back to your den of thieves?

Now that the two sisters are safe and sound, there's no more room for me here?

You've already been paid back.

That little bit of cash was just a formality. You know exactly the currency we deal in, Master Młynar.

Who gave you permission to come in?

Mmhmm, this carpet isn't half bad.. The Leithanian textiles are being auctioned off tomorrow, yes?

That's none of your concern.

The origins of those two Sarkaz knights certainly raise eyebrows. As a Sarkaz myself, I do pity the fate of those 'knights.'

But I must remind you, this is no longer part of our business arrangement. My work here was done long ago.

I had my own reasons for coming to Kawalerielki, since it's not something I do often. I wanted to see if we could come to a mutual understanding–– but it seems that isn't possible.

Now now, don't make that face. Our relationship is already much better than it was before, Your Excellency.

After all, I'm just a no-name bounty hunter. To the Grand Knight Territory, I'm nothing at all. As for you–– Oh my, haha. Sorry.

It would seem that you're nothing as well. I guess that makes us two peas in the same sickly pod.

Doctor?

You know, you've been frowning ever since you came back from the restaurant.

If you're feeling worn out, then I'd be more than glad to––

What'd you think of the meal?;What do you think of Malkiewicz?

It went well. You're getting pretty slick around these kinds of events, aren't you?

I can tell. Even though the directors didn't show up in person, those corporate execs are all fond of you...

I said it already, but a certain spokesman took the fall and resigned over the Radiant Knight incident.

Malkiewicz was given that position in turn, but before that, he was a complete nobody, a minor player at best.

Though he still has a bit of that unvarnished human touch... I don't think it'll last very long in the environment he's in.

Do you think Rhodes Island's plan is feasible?

Let's set that aside for now... So, do you really trust me?

The infiltration of the General Chamber isn't some kind of conspiracy. In the face of money and a changing society, even if the K.G.C.C. did nothing, the knights would still fall to capital.

The courtesy that the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi has extended to Rhodes Island is almost certainly linked to the Radiant Knight. That being the case, should a person as particular as you... inadvertently fail to return that courtesy, you'll be the one to suffer.

Thanks for the warning.;That much I already know.

So, what are you thinking?;What should I do then?

Brassrust Knight... is going to fight again?

Yes... Based on video evidence and the testimonies from other knights, the Knights Association proved to the National Council that what happened to that Infected was an exacerbation of his disease due to excessive casting.

Because the cause of death was 'Oripathy,' Brassrust Knight was not directly responsible, so...

Even if that was the case... then we should at least...

Leave me.

Very well.

Put me through to the associate justice of the National Council... on a private line.

The busy tone rings out twice from the phone.

Malkiewicz suddenly flashes back to his childhood, to the copper-colored telephone that sat on the desk in his father's study.

Spokesman, have you come up with a solution?

As long as Mr. Czarny no longer has the evidence, it's fine, right?

Of course... But as a friendly reminder, if this goes public late, we will both end up taking the blame.

Therefore, the safest option... is to get rid of him.

You have my assurances.

My assurances... that I can keep Mr. Czarny muzzled.

There's no need to concern yourself with my methods.

Very well then... As long as you can demonstrate your sincerity.

Tomorrow, I will begin the retrial of Olmer Ingra's case. If you can do that within seven days...

Olmer Ingra will thence disappear from the Major.

...I will.

Right. At the very least, you must prove to me that Mr. Czarny truly 'would never betray us.'

Malkiewicz remembers. He remembers that bronze-colored telephone.

Telephones were not as popular back then, and cables still coursed above bars, hostels, and roaring construction sites.

When it rang, it would bring joys and sorrows alike.

That was life in Kazimierz... Life in modernity.

There's one thing I hope you understand...

You're provoking a spokesman.

You know as well as I do that I'm only a stand-in. I enjoy no support among the Board of Directors.

But that does not mean that I will abide your butchery.

The power to command the Armorless Union... was once in the hands of Mr. Czarny. And now...