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Frozen crystal burdenbeast! Secret limited edition!

What kind of luck is that? I've been opening these boxes since the first day I arrived in Kjerag, and I've never gotten this one!

By Kjeragandr, this is not fair!

Trilby Asher, we're both in Her Grace's employ. Do you think you could...?

I'm afraid not, My Lord.

I must stay in Kjerag for a while longer after submitting my report.

Thanks to you, I just realized that... collecting burdenbeast accessories isn't such a bad pastime after all.

Can you stand?

Not dead yet. I'll be fine in a few days.

Good.

Gnosis?

He went down first.

He says he's footing the bill tonight.

He has lousy taste. Pick for him.

Okay.

You've been walking around in circles there for ages. You got something to say, out with it.

I'm thinking that my debt to you seems to keep growing, from Kazimierz to here.

One that I don't see a way to repay.

You're afraid I'd jump ship?

It would be a big loss.

You want to repay me?

Name your price. Gnosis will find a way.

Forget it.

All I did was follow an arrogant young man to these bleak frozen hills ten years ago on a whim, a place where the temperature hovers around freezing on the warmest days.

Life here didn't turn out to be so bad, so I started doing what I could.

What does any of that have to do with you, Enciodes?

I guess you're right.

You stayed for the land, not for me.

I didn't think I would hear it from your own mouth.

And don't put on that act about owing me.

Tell the truth. What are you thinking?

I'm thinking...

There will come a day when people from the outside will know more than just Karlan Trade, see more than just the snow, mountains and valleys.

They'll remember the name 'Kjerag'.

Don't get too excited.

You may have won this round, but at the end of the day you've just gotten yourself even more tough customers.

Should I thank you for bringing Kazimierz back to me?

Enciodes stays silent for a moment, then picks up a broken piece of ice from the ground and points it at the sun.

The ice is dauntingly cold, but it glitters under the sun, almost glaringly.

Yes. Kazimierz has come, Columbia is coming.

Things will only get more complicated.

You can't win every time.

Have you ever lost?

No.

That's too bad. You must never have met an opponent like me.

Oh?

Come with Gnosis to the Tschäggättä's training grounds. I'll take both of you on at the same time.

One hand tied behind my back.

Haha. Gnosis is actually not bad with a sword.

You're in a good mood.

It's all done.

Three years of perseverance have borne fruit at last.

We broke things wide open. Caster is no longer an existential threat.

The independence of Kjerag is no longer a pipe dream.

In order words, you've drawn the attention of both arrogant Victorian nobles and unscrupulous Kazimierz merchants.

Soon to be joined by scientists with no qualms about moral or ethics.

Even more people will hate you for bringing even more chaos to this country.

Let them.

I don't care.

All I care is—

Excuse me—

Are you the Black Knight?

...Yes.

So it's true! The Black Knight is in Kjerag!

It's really the Black Knight! This makes it all worth it!

And you... you're the president of Karlan Trade, aren't you?

I've been a fan of the Black Knight since I was five. Can I get her autograph?

That's up to her.

Do you want to sign for these young folks, Degenbrecher?

...Fine.

The campaign knights eagerly call out to their comrades.

A little line forms on the ice.

It is like one of the many small fan meet-and-greets on the streets of Kazimierz.

The campaign knights give Degenbrecher their cards, and Degenbrecher writes her name on them.

Enciodes chats with the knights every now and then, playing the part of a good host.

It is all very natural. No one has the slightest complaint.

Eventually, the knights leave, satisfied, and calm returns to the ice.

The campaign knights I know aren't that excitable.

Our partnership with Kazimierz has just begun. The Adeptus Sprawiedliwi Kazimierz wouldn't have sent 'real' campaign knights.

This is just the Browntails spending their own money to invite some youths over for a sightseeing trip.

And it probably took the Black Knight's name to get them to agree.

Heh.

How do you feel?

Maybe I'm no different from the Kazimierz that you hated. You're just another chip in my hands.

All of it is the same, be it your identity as the Black Knight, Kazimierz's exploitation of you, your martial strength, and your value as a soldier.

Do you find this unacceptable?

Now?

I've gotten used to it.

Let us once again welcome our friends from far away.

The doors of Kjerag are always open to those who come in good faith. Let us remember the friendships forged today.

By Kjeragandr.

By Kjeragandr.

By Kjeragandr!

By Kjeragandr!

Thank you for the invitation, Saintess.

You're... Muelsyse, from Rhine Lab.

It warms me up that you still remember me.

The mountains and rivers of Kjerag that I saw along the way were awfully pretty. I'm sure we'll have a great partnership.

Rhine Lab's partner is Karlan Trade, Miss Muelsyse.

But you are the one calling the shots in Kjerag.