act13side

卡西米尔2 5-2

I was wondering why you would have that immobile Sarkaz along with you.

Now I know.

Um... Monique? I'm not sure I get it...

Then shut your mouth and stop embarrassing yourself.

The Armorless Union, is it? What do you want?

First things first, please allow me to apologize to the Radiant Knight.

That is, for the Armorless Union's kidnapping of your sister, Maria—

—Hey, hold your beasties. It wasn't my doing.

You... you wretched henchmen!

Maria should already have made it home safe. Relax. We have no more tricks to pull on you, and suppose we were going to do anything else, we would've gone for... less perfect results.

We at the Armorless Union are just doing our jobs, even if it's not exactly what we want to do. We've got eyes on us from above. You know what I mean?

You're attacking the Infected.

That's how the bosses arranged things. Don't lay the blame on us.

The cause doesn't clear you of your crimes.

I guess you're right...

But isn't that why we're paying you a visit today?

We have nothing to say to each other. If it is a fight you want, it is a fight you'll get.

Hey, now, let's cool our tempers, shall we? I'll be frank. We want to shake off the General Chamber of Commerce.

What...?

We're here today to make this clear. We're on different sides. I mean, we still belong to the Chamber...

But would you be willing to sign a peace treaty with us?

You, the Radiant Knight, the Nearl family and its subordinates, as well as this 'Rhodes Island.' I am hoping you will all refrain from getting in the way of our plans.

In return, the Armorless Union won't interfere with your quest for glory or lay a finger on anyone that's got anything to do with you.

What about the Infected...?

Sorry, but we can't possibly do everything either.

The Infected are a threat to us. Not to worry, though. We have a use for those Infected knights too.

To take the fall for you?

That's not what I want, Armorless Union.

—What is the Armorless Union?

Long ago, the local farmers and affinities pulled together and hired a group of veteran assassins to stand up to an indulgent knight noble.

But they all failed—Every last one of them.

The knight hanged the traitors atop his castle, to make an example of them. The villagers in the territory could only keep their mouths shut and give up their fight.

Some time after that, however, there was an archer who took matters into his own hands. Back then, everyone figured that bows and arrows were no match for a Kuranta knight's speed, so they weren't really holding their breaths.

Yet when the cruel knight's family awoke the next morning, they found the knight impaled through the ground by a long spear, mid-charge, his head still looking up.

When the crowd got closer, they realized it wasn't a spear at all. It was an arrow. An arrow forged by Darksteel.

'Darksteel,' the very first member of the Armorless Union.

I'm very well aware that we're hired killers, but nonetheless...

Legends like these aren't always without merit.

—Nearl! Above you!

The Radiant Knight lifts her head.

The streets are only barely lit, and the stars on the night sky are twinkling brilliantly.

Among them, a lone shooting star twinkles a few times before straying from the rest of the meteor shower's path.

It falls straight to the ground.

—An arrow?!

Break it!

Roger—!

Aaah—?!

Liz, watch out!

(Nearl and I both struck it at the same time... and... it didn't break?)

Are you two okay?

I-I'm fine... W-What was that just now?

Margaret looks to her side in silence.

There is a pitch black arrow long as a spear burrowed into the concrete.

Impressive... I've never seen anyone react to Darksteel's shots in time, much less dodge them.

Your swordsmanship is as impressive as the rumors say, Radiant Knight. That was an eye-popping maneuver from the Confessarius, too... Luckily, the arrow's not life deadly—

—Is that the smell of souls, Sarkaz?

I never expected to see such fine swordsmanship and Arts... from a doctor like you.

Save it... So much for your peace treaty.

I'm sure you know already, but that shot wasn't meant to take your lives. The Sarkaz sitting over there would be thoroughly dead otherwise.

So, now that we've broken the ice, please do give our proposal some thought.

I hope you understand that one shot just now, but the Armorless Union isn't begging on bended knee—

There are three 'Darksteels.'

How many of their arrows can you dodge?

Stop right there!

The Armorless Union members' figures disappear into the gap between the neon signs and the moonlight.

All that remains is the reverberating jazz music.

'Darksteel...' a metal with an obsidian-like luster. Very heavy.

It came falling down from the dark night sky... just as the name implies.

From the... night sky?

The night sky...

The Radiant Knight looks up again.

There are twinkling stars everywhere, seemingly ready to strike down and ambush them at any moment.

This arrow... They must have shot it from far away. It was the high slope of the trajectory that made it seem like it fell from the sky.

That makes no sense.

The Armorless Union... and 'Darksteel.' If everything's just like the smooth-tongued guy said, they were the origins of the term 'Armorless Union.'

These assassins might have their eyes on our heads right this moment.

You're right. We need to be more alert. This is Kazimierz, after all.

It's the fortress of their crimes.

Malkiewicz...

What's the matter, Mr. McKee?

It seems like you've lightened up a lot the past couple days. Did something happen?

No... I just figured out what it is I should be doing.

Oh yes?

I heard you have a close relationship with Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals, and that you even arranged for their leader to meet with a few other corporations the other day?

That's true... Is there a problem?

I'm sure you know, but public opinion on the Infected has been getting out of hand. We'll have to do something sooner or later.

Rhodes Island is one of the few foreign companies that operate in Area 0, but they have the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi's support nonetheless.

We must treat this Rhodes Island seriously. Actually, a few of the executives have already made clear that they want us to investigate... and make sure they're dealt with.

Dealt with... huh?

There are certain secrets about Area 0 that we can't let an outsider uncover.

We're deploying the Armorless Union here, and the responsible party will again be given the Platinum's command.

The Armorless Union?!

However... I also proposed to the Board that they put you in charge of this.

Mr. McKee! Thank you!

Don't mention it.

I'm hoping your relationship with Rhodes Island will keep things simple. When you do business in Kazimierz, you have to play by Kazimierz's rules.

I understand.

Another thing... Please make sure word doesn't get out on this whole affair, lest things turn dangerous. Even though Platinum and most of the Armorless Union are still under control.

There remains a problem with the Armorless Union's internal affairs. A huge problem.