act46side

I am in position.

As Her Grace's latest instructions state, Ratatos's feigned death must have a reason. She is most likely carrying important information on her person, and is to be captured alive.

This is the front, the courtyard is empty. Prepare for direct contact.

Do not attract attention. End it quick.

The only thing to watch out for is the Black Knight, who is most likely still here.

But where is she?

The intruder looks about warily, holding his weapon tight.

Not good!

z

A black degenbrecher flies at unbelievable speed towards him. The intruder is sent flying by the incredible force, slamming against the walls.

Ah!

I heard... more fighting outside. What in the blazes is going on?

Quiet down!

The trickiest enemies for us to handle are outside right now. Degenbrecher's risking her life to protect us.

The only thing you can do right now is sit down, shut up and not be discovered.

I... I heard the broadcast say that I'm a hostage abducted by Kjerag? Why...

Heh... Your fellow Victorians got their weapons out and started up their tanks. They're not letting anything out of this place.

So are they here to rescue you, or are they here to keep people in the know locked up in here so they can get their other plans done? The answer is obvious.

You mean they're using my rescue as an excuse to invade Kjerag...?

It's what you said... and it seems reality agrees with you.

...How did it all come to this?

If you've got a way to get the information out, you can ask your fellow countrymen that question.

When I came to this place, I thought I could help the oppressed people. With my camera and my words, I would be able to let more people know about the true Kjerag.

I believed all that I did had meaning...

...Should I be thanking you for your kindness or something?

Alright, alright, I'll treat you as an actual kind-hearted lady then.

So don't play dumb with me now. Why do you think what you've seen is the 'true Kjerag'?

And who do you think is doing the oppressing here?

Melting snow atop the roof becomes water dripping into the courtyard, causing ripples in the intruder's pooling blood.

Before him, the face shrouded in light looks right back at him.

Within the great hall, the candle flames are like chained bloodthirst, raging and roiling.

Such power... No wonder the reports on Kjerag emphasized the Black Knight's presence.

I knew you people would try to sneak in.

You... Hmph, to tell you the truth, I can't tell which of you is which underneath those masks.

That colleague of yours who came to Kjerag before, surely he told you this land is not one you can trample as you please?

Indeed. Your fame is known to us.

We made sure to make ample preparations.

So you intend to win through numbers.

None of us could hope to claim victory over you. It is only a mission, nothing more.

Your clothes may mark you as elites.

But here's something you wouldn't know without feeling some pain—

If you wish to pass, it will only be as a corpse.

Come.

It's rare that I have the chance to go all-out.

...I suppose I should consider you all willing to die.

She takes up a killing stance as the air is filled with the muffled cries of unsheathed weapons.

With drawn blades and cold gleams, they slowly step forward, stepping onto the puddles reflecting a muddled sky.

Upon this holy ground, a savage melee is about to begin.

The humid air warms and dries. Falling snow melts. Steam rises. Droplets splash about.

From the clash of steel against flesh come sparks of scarlet.

Hah—

Not bad! Again!

...I never thought it would be like this.

Should I not have come to Kjerag, Madame Ratatos?

That's a question you need to answer yourself, along with your country.

On the Kjerag side of things, I might have also considered using one as pure-hearted as you, so I can't really blame Victoria for doing it.

...So what exactly does the information I have mean to Victoria, and to Kjerag?

They're just making a fuss out of you to make it look like the facts are already settled. Don't take it too seriously.

We're hostages, nothing more.

I feel like this is all rather absurd.

Well, that's one way to sum it up. If your camera still works, this would make some excellent material for you.

If... I walked out that door, the rest of you would be fine, right?

If you did, they'd point their swords at you and confiscate all your material. You yourself might even disappear without a trace, with nobody else knowing what had happened to you.

With things having come to a head... You're the one who's meant to understand them the most, not me.

So are we supposed to sit here and do nothing?

I don't think the Victorians want to lose you, Miss Hostage.

Just calm down, wait, and then...

I don't care what your plan is, Enciodes, it's time to put it into action.

Reporting in!

We've built some temporary fortifications, just like you ordered, Sir Arctosz.

The enemy fleet hasn't fired yet. Instead, they're marching towards a place three clicks from us. How should we respond?

Our explosives reserves?

We've moved over all we could. We'll be risking our lives, but at the very least, we can delay the Victorian advance for a while.

Good.

Go get the troops in formation! Meanwhile, I'll have a chat with these Victorians!

The ship stops in front of him, its dark gray armor plating reflecting the sun's light. This is one of the rare moments in Arctosz's life he is forced to look up.

Who's your commander? Tell him to come out for a chat!

My commanding officer does not wish to come to blows with you, Arctosz Paleroche.

That all depends on why you've come to Kjerag. Don't tell me you're all just lost in the woods.

Her Grace has already made everything clear in her open letter. We must defend Victoria's interests while helping Kjerag stabilize following the Catastrophe.

All we ask is for the mastermind behind Kjerag's troubles, Enciodes Silverash, to receive the trial he deserves, which I believe is in line with Clan Paleroche's thinking.

The only thing I'm thinking is this: if you take even one more step forward, you'll pay the full price for it.

The only way you'll be going any further into Kjerag is over my dead body!

Back already? What're the commander's orders?

No changes. We keep guarding this final checkpoint. Once all their people are in, they'll definitely find Kjerag's arsenal.

They've been searching for ages now, but they still haven't found anything?

Yep. Even if Kjerag can't make any big moves like they said, I'm not willing to bet that that Enciodes guy doesn't have something up his sleeve.

Maybe—Hmm? Another transport truck.

Well, this one's all yours, buddy. I'm all tired out from checking all those beans last truck.

Fine.

The guard waves down the truck slowly approaching him. It obediently comes to a halt.

Sorry, mister, but as per Her Grace's orders, all vehicles passing this point are to be searched.

Unload your cargo—

A thick baton smacks into his head with a 'bonk'. Before the other guard can cry out for help, a shadow appears behind him, tightening itself around his neck.

We've cleared the road again, sir, just like the plan said.

Update Sir Gnosis on the situation.

Get those supplies transported. We can't keep him waiting.

She is unsure whose blood is blurring her sight as it runs down her cheek into the corner of her mouth.

She tastes an iron tang she has not tasted in a while.

Her twin degenbrechers quiver as they fend off blades coming at her from all directions. While her enemies' wily tricks have left wounds all over her body, she has not taken a single step back.