act13side

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?

Hrrm... just ignore him.

I've been getting the twitchiest eyes since last night... Can't shake the feeling something big's going to happen.

Finally hit the right age for insomnia?

Eh? I'm fit as a fiddle! What do you know! It was the twitches back then that told me we had incoming artillery fire—

What the hell big's going to happen to you? Are you going to squeeze olive oil out of your toothpaste tomorrow morning?

—Hmm.

Marcin. I can sense their aura now... it's someone major.

I've never had a premonition strange as this before... here's hoping they won't make trouble.

(Here they come. Nice and fast, too... mmm, I'll just let it happen.)

–– (Ancient language) The young hunter sets out on his Khaganquest ♪

–– (Ancient language) From dreams he goes, towards the shores of gold ♪

(This language...!)

What's going on? Kids these days wander into bars singing their own songs? What's the point of the jukebox, then?

The Nearls' light can't really have stuck to my lonely little bar, can it? But I've never met a knight like you in my time... V? What's wrong?

I... I don't know, it's just suddenly my heart feels a little...

(Ancient language) ...Batbayar, brethren, the last descendant.

(Ancient language) Why be in a place like this?

You...! You know that name?

The silent knight looks around. Where his gaze touches, the light hides.

Answer me. How do you know that name?

Hey, V, this a friend of yours?

Would you like a drink? Sir? If you've got no business, I have to tell you we don't welcome armed knights too warmly here.

(Ancient language) How sorry this is.

Hold on, don't just up and go—