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The General Chamber would rather not ruin relations with these stars, so they're hoping we can be more attentive...

Let me see...

(They're all established athletes... oh, the Radiant Knight really is in here, too.)

Hm?

Does this 'Nightmare Knight' not have a Knightclub affiliation? I thought the Radiant Knight was the only case of an independent qualifying for the Major?

And besides, 'Nightmare Knight'... Aren't the Grand Knights' titles usually less of a mouthful? And he doesn't have a 'The' either?

He's not one of the Grand Knights, then? So what's so special about him?

Ah, this one... haha. He's been a great pain for the Knights Association to handle. I don't entirely know what's up, but...

He doesn't care a single bit about knight titles or any such thing, and brushes off all arrangements the General Chamber makes, but he isn't deliberately disobedient either.

He's a weird one.

A weird one, huh?

Yes, sir, but there's no doubt about his strength. And besides, I don't know why, but it seems some knight families are extremely curious about his identity. They've tried asking the Association countless times already.

But we're not too clear on what's going on with him either. Things suggest he came from some rural area near Sargon?

Mr. Malkiewicz?

...I understand. You're free to go.

Yes, sir.

Oh, one thing, Jewell.

Hm? What is it?

I'm still the same Malkiewicz you know... so no need to be so reserved with me. I'm not used to it.

Ah... as you wish, I mean, understood, Mal—Mr... Malkiewicz.

How should the National Council rule? With a severe incident on the inaugural day of the Major, what can the Knights Association do to respond?

After this commercial break, we'll be bringing you a live broadcast of the Knights Association press conference.

—Dun-dun♪♪

Blue Ear Wine Cellar—The traditional choice for three centuries, the taste of chivalry—

卡西米尔2 2-2

Welcome back, Iwona.

You look like murder.

No shit I do.

Didn't get to mangle every last inch of those knight sons of bitches' armor... grr.

It wasn't your fault.

He didn't tell any of us how bad it'd gotten.

With an infection like that, he should've stepped aside months ago.

He should've found his way out of Kazimierz, followed his dreams. Should've gotten to sort out his final days.

Olmer Ingra... the Kawalerielki knight noble to a T. Despotic, ignorant, no regard for human life.

I should've broken all four of his limbs in the arena when I had the chance...

It's not your fault either, Ashlock.

Dammit. And I was right there!

Did he... say anything... in his final moments?

You wouldn't want to know.

On the contrary, I wish I could.

Fine.

It's not rare at all... for Infected to pass on with regrets.

We'll remember his anger.

Sona?

His name was Jamie. He was a competition knight, and then an Infected after an accident.

He went through a divorce. He had a sweet little girl. He must've been underreporting his condition so he could keep on competing... He needed the money.

But in order to underreport his condition, he'd have to bribe the Knights Association.

I found the letters between him and the Association staff in his room. It was a bottomless pit.

He was the optimistic type. So optimistic to the point he couldn't even tell the sort of burden he was shouldering.

He caught Oripathy, he parted ways with his wife and daughter, but he kept on helping people.

Do you still remember? He was always up at the crack of dawn just to look after the kids.

He shouldn't have died in this indignity. It goes against the founding intent of our Knightclub, but...

But I can't get over it...

It was the end of the end, and someone so filled with passion for life, in his final moments, let loose such haunting, unforgettable hate.

If this is how things are—

...Sona.

You've had too much on your mind lately. Careful you don't get so fixated.

...Mm...

...I'm gonna leave all this knotty thinking work to you guys.

I'm gonna get stronger. Strong enough to crush those sanctimonious bastards between my fingers. Strong enough to clear the way all by myself.

The Blood Knight's a fine example. Since at least Kazimierz recognizes a 'knight' these days, that's the path we should be take.

Don't overthink stuff, Sona. It'll only slow you down.

...Sona!

Alright, alright, I get it. We need to step it up and check with Szewczyk—

The wind... there was a change in the wind's stirring. Even if just for a moment...

Someone's watching this place, and not just that...

The Armorless?

They know how to mask their breathing. But if they're after us, they should've attacked by now.

—Come out.

This is Infected territory. No uninfected would ever just wander in here.

If you don't—

Alright, alright. Keep the noise down, sheesh.

Never dreamed I'd see Infected knights around. I haven't been anywhere near Kawalerielki in over ten years, but the knight bosses and businessfolk are all out of their minds.

Who are you?

Don't get me wrong, I was in the neighborhood looking for someone. But, well, this might just be meant to be...

...I'm thinking we share some of the same interests, my Infected friends. Like... the Armorless Union.

Sorry, but we've been through some very unfortunate things today. If you really want to chat, try some other day.

Oh? That's some rotten luck indeed. My condolences.

Then I can only go somewhere else and try my luck there. Not every day I visit the Grand Knight Territory, after all.

I'll leave you all be, then... but we might see each other again very soon.

I found the knight who took Szewczyk. The runaway Fartooth Knight.

She's mingling with Pinus Sylvestris, of course. Infected knights have a way of sticking together—

—What's that noise on your end? Are you at a bar again?

Fine, looking into the Nightzmora's background, that's a decent excuse. When's the order being issued regarding the Infected?

...What?

Didn't the Szewczyk case end up like this precisely because they were 'still officially meeting to decide?' They sent a whole drone to bomb him—what point is there in still...

Well, jeez... tell me all you like, but the Major's running right now no matter what you say. They can't be all that cavalier about deciding.

Yep, mm-hm, I'm not slacking one bit, trust me.

It's true—hey, boss, you got any fries?

One moment.

Cool. Hey? Monique, you still there?

...Classic, she hung up.

Here's your fries, sir.

Oh, nice. Appreciate it.

Mm...! Who's the genius who came up with slicing a tater this thin and frying it too? The world wouldn't be so beautiful without you, whoever you are.

Come to think of it, that real standout Maria Nearl, she graces this place pretty often with Whislash Knight, if I'm remembering right?

If you came looking for an autograph, you'd better be extra lucky.

After all, this bar's for nothing but old retired fogies.

Who's that there? Couldn't be an Armorless Union spy?

God knows, he hasn't tried anything. Not like we can frisk him, either... hey, is he sizing you up?