act14side

The other possibility seems to have been the correct one.

So what was all of that?

That... was all planned by Enciodes from the very beginning.

Didn't we know that all along?

I mean, including Gnosis showing up.

Huh?

Do you mean that––

Sharp.

Your orders, Doctor?

Enciodes always had contingencies in place.

I need you to rescue Arctosz and Ratatos.

...I'm not sure I understand.

...I need a reason to act, Doctor. This goes beyond my duty to protect you.

At this point, Enciodes has already won.

Even if Arctosz and Ratatos aren't in danger.

Kjerag is bound to undergo tectonic shifts.

My duty is to uphold Rhodes Island's interests, and protect you.

And from a practical standpoint, the things going on here have nothing to do with you, Doctor.

Even if Enciodes wins, no harm would come to you, as you are his guest.

From another perspective, he was the one who formed business ties with Rhodes Island, not the other two clans, let alone Kjerag as a whole.

If anything, interfering with Enciodes's plans is more likely to threaten Rhodes Island's interests, as well as put your safety at risk.

What I am going to do... is prevent wars and save lives.

Doctor, people are dying in every corner of this world.

If you go around committed to saving people, genuinely devoting yourself to that cause, you're just going to end up overcome with guilt when you fail.

I break with a lot of Rhodes Island when I often find myself thinking that saving and protecting lives is kind of pointless.

I believe in the victories you bring, and the discernable value that comes with those victories.

Kjerag's population is in the millions. The people you are talking about aren't just a few. Not dozens, or hundreds, but tens of thousands, maybe even hundreds of thousands.

...Is this the victory you promised today?

Trust me, Sharp.;Just treat it as overtime.

Alright. I'll see it done.

Guh...

Ugh... Launching a sneak attack during the chaos? Don't let them get away!

Sciurus!

Yucatan!

Hurry!

Stop!

Out of the way!

Stand down, Yucatan of the Browntail clan.

If you come peacefully, the Master will treat you mercifully. He has no interest in taking your lives.

(As long as Rus can get away––)

Gah...

*cough*... Rus, hurry...

Sorry.

Hurry, Sciurus!

Yucatan is still back there! And, Monch too!

You're still talking about the assassin? You idiot!

...She didn't do anything!

But Yucatan... What about Yucatan?! He's my husband!

Look at what's going on around you! Yucatan sacrificed everything to save you, and you plan on jumping back into the fire?!

So you're just going to abandon him?!

If I was giving up on him, I wouldn't be fighting back!

Now stop being a damned fool!

Fine fine, I'll just keep running!

(Yucatan...)

Gah... Where'd these freaks and their weird armor come from?

Sir, Enciodes's forces outnumber us too heavily! We're getting overwhelmed!

What do we do?

There are no cowards in the Paleroche clan!

Arctosz, stop trying to play the hero! We need to team up and cut our way out of here!

How do you expect me to live that down?!

You won't have a say in the matter if you die here!

Dammit... Damn it all!

Gulo, gather the warriors and follow me! We're going to break out of here!

Yessir!

(*whispers*) Sorry about this.

The Tschäggättä already have this place surrounded.

You still have the option to surrender before you pass the point of no return.

Lackey of Enciodes, you speak only lies! We will fight our way out!

I would prefer if you calmed down first. You stand no chance.

You can't run.

Actually, they can.

Who's there?

A tall man stands in the corner at the entrance of a corridor, under the shadows of the eaves.

Behind him, several Tschäggättä, who were supposed to have the perimeter secured, lie in the corridor.

Out from the shadows strides one of the operators most familiar to Courier during the time he spent at Rhodes Island.

He knows exactly what this means.

You... Who are you?

You're... that Doctor's...

Why are you saving us?

It's not my job to tell you things.

The exit is this way. I've already dealt with the guards outside.

Aurora, escort them out.

Got it!

You aren't getting away!

Urgh...

Who's next? Try me.

Don't do anything rash! Get in formation!

Get in formation? Just for a single person?

GET IN FORMATION!!

...Understood.

Very good.

Captain Sharp...

I'm so sorry.

There's no need to apologize to me, Courier. Nothing personal.

It's just business.

Fifteen minutes later...

Captain! You... You're injured?

There were a lot of 'em, and Courier's blade is still pretty quick.

Captain... Courier, he...

I spared him, don't worry.