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Seven or eight of her foes lie slumped on the floor around her.

Pah...

*cough*...

You are at your limit, Black Knight.

In truth, you can still choose to lay down your arms and surrender.

You're all mouth.

Lock up your silver tongues and come at me if you're brave enough.

Even you must bleed.

Would you not regret dying here, Knight?

...Hmph.

Meaningless drivel when said to someone—

Who holds their own life cheap.

Clang—!

She takes advantage of her foe's moment of complacency, sending him flying.

Most times, she could not let out a blow this strong. But now, her strength is fueled by a rage that had not burned in a very long time.

The mere sight of the scar-laden knight's furious form is enough to strike fear into the hearts of her enemies.

Some of them take half a step back.

What're you so afraid of?

The knight takes a shaky step forward, leaving behind two trails of blood upon the ground.

Her eyes shine brighter than ever, but it is the shine of bloodshot eyes. Her body is fast losing its ability to stand, yet her unwavering fervor still flows. From where, she does not know.

The candles of the hall slowly extinguish. The reflections on the floor become all the more blurry.

In the end, she staggers...

Several smoke grenades fly into the courtyard, covering everything in a cloud of fumes.

Who's there?!

They aren't Court guards. Someone our intelligence didn't account for is intervening. We can't continue the mission.

Abort mission, retreat with the wounded.

Made it right on time...

Victoria's elite hooligans won't be sorted that easily. We need to find somewhere safe.

Wake up. This is no time for a nap.

*cough* You're...

Sharp?

Take it easy with the talking, you're wounded.

Did the Doctor send you?

SilverAsh has been in contact with the Doctor the whole time. After hearing about the Catastrophe in Kjerag, the Doctor figured you'd run into trouble.

While we do have our hands pretty full at the moment, the Doctor <i>did</i> promise that if you ever found yourselves in a pinch, we wouldn't just stand back and watch.

I've already called Rhodes Island for reinforcements, they should be here any minute now.

What about Enciodes?

No need to worry. I believe SilverAsh has managed to take the reins of this situation.

Just hang in there, Degenbrecher. You're through the hardest part now.

...Are we able to maintain our current output?

Yes sir, ammunition stocks will be as expected. But, Chairman Edelweiss...

I can't help but doubt things. If what we're facing is the Duke of Caster's fleet, then even if we raised our efficiency tenfold, we still wouldn't be able to compete with them.

No need to worry. Just follow the plan.

We'll handle the rest.

I've worked for Karlan Trade for eleven years now, Chairman. I know what it's brought to Kjerag.

I believe in the both of you.

It seems you're ready now.

I suppose you don't need me for any further reminders, Master of Clan Silverash.

Since this is to be a negotiation, I thought I would change into something more formal.

Caster's army has laid siege to Kjerag, while her advance forces have control over several of our streets, forcing the civilians back into their homes.

Arctosz has brought his men to confront the Victorians, but they are a frail force in comparison.

The Duke's envoy came by Karlan Trade, asking me to pass you an 'invitation' to the negotiating table.

She is waiting for you, Enciodes.

It sounds like the situation is still within our expectations.

Look at you, admiring this lonely battleship... Does it not seem too weak as it is now?

Lately, I have found myself often thinking about a day from many years ago. The day my parents received an invitation from Clan Browntail.

My father told me that the reason why the Browntails and the Paleroches did not support us was because they had not seen what he had seen.

'If someone can take a step forward, even if it is only a single step...'

Even if it is the infamous Luca Browntail.

They knew of the worst-case scenario, but they did not hesitate.

Now I am at the age at which they passed away. Looking back, it seems that some things haven't changed.

But at least now I know <i>why</i> they did not hesitate.

In the wake of their passing, I followed my clan as we left Kjerag to head to Victoria.

It was a rough start. I was learning almost out of habit as I got used to the disdainful looks of my Victorian classmates.

The only thing that kept me going was the knowledge that one day, I would return to Kjerag.

But in the end, you went to Victoria too.

I fear I shall never forget the look on your face when I first greeted you at school.

...I was simply surprised by the way you greeted me, asking me if I still remembered our childhood promise like some sort of naive fool.

'Do you still want to make Kjerag big enough for the both of us?'

But it was also what convinced me that everything you said, the future you envisioned, was no mere fantasy.

Thus, I hitched my rope to Karlan Trade, which leads me to today.

Today is far from enough, Gnosis.

I am about to meet with the house, the most ruthless of creditors...

...No matter if I am there to see it or not, I <i>will</i> give Kjerag a tomorrow.

Finally, I want you to know that it's not just us supporting you. Many other people of Kjerag do too.

Karlan Trade's years of toil were not for nothing.

If you were to ask me what I had wished to hear at this very moment...

You always were able to get people to tell you exactly that.

Do you have an example?

Like when you told Degenbrecher you would treat her as nothing more than a pawn, and that when her contract expired, it was up to her if she stayed in Kjerag.

But you already knew her answer.

Perhaps why I wish to hear such words is precisely because I am not so sure you would give me such answers.

Hah, are you afraid?

When I declared I would make Kjerag into a grand stage big enough for us more than twenty years ago, I had signed away all rights to be afraid.

You have experienced it for yourself. I am sure you have not forgotten.

...But at times, I too need a few words of encouragement.

So, have Degenbrecher and I managed to provide you with them?

...Without a doubt.

I am truly glad... to have you both.

Perhaps, in the Kjerag to come, we will no longer need to make these usurious deals, or rely on the Vine-Bead Court to have faith.

Perhaps, you two will have the better of me in—

Enough with the self-flattery, Enciodes.

Go and see the Kjerag of your dreams for yourself.

If you are a coward who dares not face his own dream, then so be it. Degenbrecher and I have our own things to do.

Like right now. I should go.

As you wish.