act13side

Are you girls even Nearls? Stop staying so much at Zofia's. It's unbecoming.

I'll be gone for a while, so during that time... Margaret.

Are you sure you want to stay in Kazimierz?

Yes.

You should already know what you'll be up against.

Nobody will understand you.

Of course. I've always known that.

If that's the case, then I have nothing else to say.

Why the sudden change of heart?

Toland...

Why'd you decide to leave all of a sudden, huh? For what purpose?

What do you see when you look at me now?

Why are you asking? You should know better than anyone else.

But to be completely honest, you've let us all down.

You don't have to hold rank in the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi, or be the person who changes the National Council. But you should at least have been our hero, our Nearl.

I don't know where you plan on going after you leave the city, but let me say this –– you let them all down. If they see your face again, they may well decide to take your life.

Think they can beat me?

Hmph.

I've given up a lot of things, Toland.

But I still find myself often clinging to a rather idealistic sentiment.

They should still be out there somewhere.

He was the eldest son of a war hero. My brother, the most powerful knight in the family.

And she... is the most beautiful woman in all of Kazimierz. Elegant and dignified, like a gemstone.

They were my pride and joy, veritable gifts from heaven. They shouldn't have disappeared without a trace like that.

It's been over a decade.

I've never stopped thinking about it.

It's already been fifteen years. After wasting all that time and effort, why are you now––

This is just... paid leave.

All by yourself?

Isn't one person enough for a hopeless vacation?

You're not the type to get swept by the emotions the Radiant Knight brought, so I won't ask why you decided to do this––

You know how to find me... 'Us.'

The one I need to find... is myself.

Rhodes Island, huh.

They're able to provide you with treatment. And they won't force you to do anything.

Since that's the team the Radiant Knight used to play for... then I guess they're trustworthy?

Yes.

Their ideals will one day illuminate this world. Even now, I still believe in them.

Will you ever head back there?

...I will, one day.

Be sure to spar a few rounds with me then.

I-Iwona!

What? Who wouldn't want to challenge the champion?

Count me in too.

A legendary lineage of knights... Really gets you going, doesn't it?

You have my word. I'll entertain you when the time comes.

Ahaha... Look at you guys, all fired up right after a tiny bit of rest..

You knew from the beginning you weren't one of us Infected, right?

Yes.

But you still chose to fight for us?

I fight for the downtrodden.

The Board is very upset.

Looks like we'll lose a few months of bonuses.

Bonuses, huh.

What we did cost the lives of so many Infected, so many knights, and even the Armorless Union. All that only adds up to our bonuses?

About that...

Come with me, Malkiewicz. We ought to discuss where you go from here.

What you said earlier about the telephone really made sense, after I had some time to mull it over.

Whose call are we waiting for?

A newsman's.

Hm... a newsman? Do we have to sit for an interview?

They call him that. It's just a title.

Wait a sec... Newsman? You can't mean–

McKee?

It's me. Let me first introduce you to the person on the other end of the phone. He is the chairman of the Rose Paper Union, 'The Newsman' Kain.

Malkiewicz is here too.

Yes, it's an honor to speak to you.

I paid good money to buy Malkiewicz from Mieszko Industries. He will be my right-hand man.

In other words, there are no strangers among us, McKee. You can call me 'father.'

Yes, father.

Good, how's your mother doing?

Very well, father. She thinks of you often.

And what about you? Are you married yet?

I... Not yet, I'm afraid.

How are you, father? Where are you right now?

Columbia.

When will you come back to Kazimierz?

Haha... It's not time for that yet, McKee.

Those short-sighted idiots don't see the truth, but Columbia is the real enemy that threatens Kazimierz.

Our newspapers have yet to cover their city, and our voices have yet to reach Columbian ears.

The speed of their development is frightening, and we must move to contain them... to seize their markets.

The games between countries are most fascinating, McKee.

But, those... Nobles. Bah. So rigid in their ways... Victoria, Ursus. These powerful countries are so ignorant that one cannot help but feel for them

Malkiewicz.

Yes!

Are you willing to give everything for the General Chamber of Commerce?

You are a capable person. I can tell, just from reading a few words of your report.

Could it be that you still... harbor compassion for those knights?

Seems like I hit the mark.

Child, let me pose you a question.

When the number of Kazimierz's attack ships far exceeds that of Ursus, when Columbia is flooded with Kazimierzian caravans and goods, when our border strongholds more than double in number––

Will that be the end of war? Would Ursus still threaten us? Would Kazimierz still be weak?

Of course not.

The knights are the true parasites on Kazimierz. Imbeciles barking for glory. Nobles? Bah.

I heard about what happened at the Major. Does the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi think they've 'protected their honor?'

Honor and glory. Give them as much of it as they want.

The time, and the people, are on our side. After a few more tournaments, the masses will forget about the shockwaves brought by the Radiant Knight, and return to invest in the next round of consumption and entertainment.

For them, arguing over 'which knight is stronger' and 'whether knight merchandise is fairly priced' is more important than looking after the dregs we leave behind.

The country stands on our side. Kazimierz is already inextricably tied to the economic foundations laid by the K.G.C.C. Those pitiful campaign knights... Look how many have already voluntarily surrendered to us.

Malkiewicz.