act18d0

(Ancient Vouivran language) Our friend rests eternal here. He shall return to the boundless cycle of rebirth.

As the woman bowed her head and prayed, it was as if the fire of war, too, paused for this moment.

...Time is running short. We've paid what respect we can. Now, you must make a choice.

(A low, alert sounding.)

Correct, they are many, but their formation is in loose disarray. As an armed force, they're not in one heart and mind.

Before they find us, they'll make their own grave.

...I remember, now... I remember I saw your face before, somewhere... long ago... Teacher introduced you to me...

I thought you were only a theoretical researcher...

I remember... Your name is...

Kal'tsit...?

Mm.

You have quite a good memory, Elliot.

The young researcher, Elliot Glover, pays no attention to the mysterious woman as she leaves through the door.

In a daze, he gazes at the soil that half-buried his beloved teacher, the air scattered with dust.

He thinks to himself: I haven't even the strength to cremate my teacher's remains. It leads him, for an instant, to mourn.

Until the sound of warfare resumes once more.

1下

22 Years Ago

3:09 P.M. \ Clear

Central Sargon, Ibut Region

Adviser.

Confirm retrieval of target, and before any other teams form up and cut us off, pull out of here.

...Understood.

This is the op team. Advanced-Ops Adviser has retrieved the 'Sand Soldier' survivor along with target material.

Acknowledged.

Adviser, recon team has ensured the safety of our route.

Alright, then. Let's go.

Uh, Mr. Elliot, please kindly give that case to us.

The boy tightly clutches the case in his hands.

Adviser?

Leave him be.

Pardon me, but we should confirm whether our objective materials are intact. And ensure 'no matter the circumstances,' they're safe under our grasp.

You think he'll run?

No, of course... alright... understood.

Yes.

Uh, why did we stop?

Seems we broke down.

What's wrong? Caster, come take a look.

Couldn't be out of fuel, right... did nobody inspect before we left base? Who was in charge?

J5 from the Stouthammer Squad was on vehicle inspection, but they're all on the recon team. What should we do? Get in touch with them?

Elliot.

Huh?

Keep that case safe, and lower your head.

...What?

What just exploded—woah!

Recon team?! Hey, can you hear us? Tell your Casters to stop! It's us, wait, it's us!

Mon3tr.

Th—That thing in your hand—

(With vigor, it rouses itself.)

No, don't be rash.

Protect this child.

(Responds)

Hhhh—

What—What's happening?! Weren't they with you?! Here to help us?!

Stay alert, Mon3tr.

Agh—

(Dissatisfied)

Dammit! They split as cover to set up the whole goddamn circus...!!

Attention, Riverblade Squad, all members of Riverblade Squad!

The recon team has overtly attacked us, scratching every—clause of the contract! Caster division, ready up! Snipers, confirm bearings, and prepare to attack!

You all copy! The Stouthammer Squad has turned traitor! Fight back, open fire!!

In the barrens, escaping an armed motorcade on foot isn't much of a sagacious choice.

Stay here. This is the safest option.

Ugh...

Did you plan this, too?

No. War can bring great profit to Columbia, but nobody wants that profit in anyone else's pocket. Dividing up interests isn't just about size, and satisfying everyone is extremely difficult.

As their advanced operations adviser, I've given sufficient counsel.

Including all 'betrayal' possibility.

Right now, there's a war going on outside...

And you're just going to sit in here, unconcerned?

I have to remind you, Elliot, you also sit here, receiving my protection at that.

No... it's this box. They don't have the guts to attack us. I'm the one who's your protection, 'Adviser.'

(Discontentedly, it gazes afar.)

I don't intend to retort. They absolutely won't dare destroy an Arts prototype that could convert half of Sargon's rainforests into barrens.

Despite its disguise as... an engine on an all-new power source.

What—What are you going on about...

Adviser! We can't hold out for much longer! We need to pull back immediately, and change course!

Please, bring the survivor with us! We'll ensure your safety!

Understood.

How many withdrew?

Less than twenty. Wretched losses.

Let me say again, Captain, scores of our brothers just died.

Thanks to them pulling a heel turn out of their assholes in the middle of an operation! The company's gonna send people to wipe every last one of 'em off the goddamn map!!

I... don't know about that. If the Stouthammers had this planned in advance, I'm worried the company hasn't got the reach into Sargon...

Maybe they made a deal with some lord ameer. Or maybe, they just never...

Ugh... the adviser and the kid?

Right over there.

Let me... let me talk with them alone.

Adviser.

Before we entered Sargon, I gave you the heads-up.

The military needed to light a fire in Sargon, and then wait for war to bring riches their way.

Factories, mines, the arms trade—every second of its existence, Columbia has been gnawing away at this ancient country, strengthening itself.

So its military pulled a move, brought about the birth of the 'Sand Soldiers,' had them bring scientific researchers into Sargon... to carry out some 'tech support.'

—But the Bureau doesn't take things that way at all.

To be precise, it's the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Arts Units and Originium and its background desires that don't take things that way.

Perhaps Sargon is a backwards, rotting country to some people's eyes, but its ancient wealth and power still suffices to command servitude of all the dust in its sky, to become the desert under the Empire's gaze.

I have to say, the Bureau's viewpoint is correct.

One portion of Columbia's people has grown narrow-minded with its ballooning riches and power. They mistakenly think they can cause wanton strife in Sargon without paying a price.

Any one Padishah's maneuvering is enough to influence those Columbian entrepreneurs' stock prices, yet they turn a blind eye to Sargon's vast might.

The policymakers are free to be ignorant, and failure in judgment won't harm their core interests, but you yourselves need to know just what it is you're doing.