act30side

Long time no see, Uncle Chester.

Saintess.

Just call me by name on these occasions.

Enya... I'm so glad to see you safe and sound.

The feeling is mutual. I'm relieved that you're in good health.

Now then, I shall take my leave, Holy Saintess, Sir Enciodes.

Very well.

My Lord.

Yes, Holy Saintess?

All else aside, I hope you have a wonderful time in Kjerag.

...Thank you for your kind words.

Kjarr.

Yes, Saintess?

Please have the maids clean the mess.

Oh, there's no need for that.

The good soldiers not only helped clean everything up, but even took away the leftover food. They said they were going to bring it to the Infected soldiers who weren't able to attend the banquet.

This Viscount actually seems quite respectable. It feels as if he's playing the villain.

Though, I trust that's something Sir Enciodes here can relate to.

You flatter me, Saintess.

It's getting dark. Be careful on your way back.

You too.

Saintess.

Did you need something else?

In the name of Kjeragandr, Kjerag has arrived where she is today despite the gulf between us.

What would Kjeragandr think, were She to look down upon Her land today? Would She condemn us?

Are you getting cold feet?

Of course not. The miracle three years ago will forever be engraved in the hearts of all Kjerag.

Even I must admit that Kjeragandr indeed is the bedrock of this land.

We are all but children playing atop Her body.

If so, that question isn't for me to answer.

Perhaps, it's not for Her to answer either.

Alright, we're back.

I can go the rest of the way myself.

Oh, really?

...It was just a minor miscalculation.

Hold on, I need a moment.

Certainly.

No, not at the main door. Head around the side.

What's the problem? Worried someone might see you?

Someone might be working overtime.

Who'd be working overtime at this hour?

Me.

And you too, probably.

Are you complaining that I haven't given you enough overtime pay?

Alright, Gnosis, sit down already. Nobody will see the drunken and indecent behavior of the CTO.

If you ask me, you're holding your own image to too high a standard.

You're a lot more talkative after a few drinks, Enciodes.

If anything, you owe Degenbrecher more overtime pay.

He actually owes me a few lives.

Too lazy to keep count.

The two leaders of Karlan Trade, squatting in the lobby of the company headquarters in the middle of the night to discuss unpaid wages?

Gnosis is fighting on your behalf.

Did the booze melt his brain?

It's not like I got sloshed for your sake––

Degenbrecher looks over at Enciodes, who only gives a shrug.

What an embarrassment.

Degenbrecher hands the canteen of water she brought over to Enciodes, and the latter naturally reaches out to accept it.

The last decade has seen countless such moments.

Do you still remember Walden's?

Who?

The first time you had to carry me and Gnosis back.

Oh, that banquet.

Yes.

Where Gnosis got piss drunk and you didn't, yet you were worse for wear because of it.

Look at him now. His liver is clearly a lot tougher these days.

At least he's not passing out all over the place.

You sure this one's still conscious?

Before you two start badmouthing me to my face, blurgh––

Can you bring me some hangover remedy?

The man slumped over on the steps does not lift his head, merely stretching his hand out towards his ill-spirited friend.

Degenbrecher raises her eyebrows, then takes a pack of pills out of her pocket and places them in Gnosis's hand.

She watches him open up the blister pack with practiced motions and swallow the contents along with a big gulp of water. After a while, she lets out a sigh of relief.

That's a bit better.

But this doesn't seem to be the same medicine I took before.

It's not a hangover cure.

It's a poison I made.

Enciodes put me up to it.

Yes, quite right.

Is that so? Then, why am I not dead yet? Doesn't seem like your poison's very effective.

How dull... Are you two not tired of this routine yet?

I thought it was pretty funny.

It was more fun back when you actually believed it and tried to make yourself vomit.

That was years ago.

But, that was a different pill, wasn't it?

It didn't look the same as the previous one.

Riley sent it.

He often goes drinking with the Victorians and says this one works better.

Enciodes, it seems that Degenbrecher has become the most popular of us three among the people of Kjerag.

Noticed the promotional pictures of the Black Knight hanging off the burdenbeast billboards by the station?

Hand-drawn, too.

Is that a problem?

Of course not.

I've become increasingly busy in recent years and have neglected many things.

Once the situation calms a bit, Gnosis and I really need to start going out more often.

That's for sure.

If you don't show your face in public every once in a while, people will start to worry about your private life.

One popular line of speculation is that you've thrown yourself into work as you've been heartbroken over certain things.

There are quite a few variations too. Want me to give you a rundown?

Hahahahahahagah–– *cough* *cough* *cough*–– * Bluuurgh––

I pray you don't choke to death laughing and vomiting at the same time, Gnosis.