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...Why are you asking that?

I've seen your interactions with the messenger. You've been investigating Rhodes Island's trail.

That drug company... I had assumed they only got caught up in that war, but turns out, the truth isn't so simple.

Especially, Scout...

...According to your plan, we were in charge of all the other fronts during the battle to hold Chernobog.

Yeah, and you guys did a great job—

But, someone still found him, the ghost of Babel. You chose to find him yourself, and then you let him go.

In the past, I would've seen this as a sign of untrustworthiness.

But by the looks of things, you didn't plan to keep that secret for long anyway.

Ugh, what point is there in hiding that?

If you've ever fought in a battle, you're bound to know some people who have a bit of a reputation.

After all, if those people have been fighting tooth and nail to hang on, there's no getting around it.

What's your plan now? We shouldn't have had to fight against them in the first place.

If that Kal'tsit is still in charge of Rhodes Island, this might be a chance...

No.

What do you think my objective is?

...I see.

You said you'd help me do this one thing. We agreed on it.

Dishonest mercenaries are worth just as much as dead mercenaries, so I don't mind making some extra arrangements.

Ines can no longer help you.

And soon... I'll have to leave too.

Oh, I haven't heard about this before. Where to?

I'll head back to Victoria with the messenger. It'll be about a three or four-month trip. We'll leave tomorrow morning before sunrise.

...Are you in that much of a hurry to reunite with Ines in death? With your reputation, you plan to head back to Londinium carrying all that sin on your shoulders?

You'd probably be better off fleeing back to Kazdel.

You killed Garcin and reorganized the mercenaries. Someone has to report this to the Regent.

If nobody goes to report this, he'll treat us like disowned children and cast us straight into the next warzone. A battlefield within his reach.

When that time comes, there really will be no place to run.

You're taking this risk to cover for me? Why would you do that?

Her Majesty, Theresa... She remembered my name. And my family.

Though Her Majesty is no longer here, there's a part of her left in this piece of shit, no good squad.

How come I've never seen it?

Mm. No matter how perverse the Sarkaz's personalities and methods may be, judging from the results, they're still fighting for that lofty, unrealistic idea.

...Do you even know what you're talking about?

We've known each other for a long time, W.

That's all.

Out of compassion, let me also give you a reminder.

This is your best opportunity to escape Kazdel. Leave from here, past Lungmen and Ursus, to the distant lands beyond. I'm willing to keep one eye closed.

But if you go back, know that you will die.

Hah... Just earlier, you said you wanted me to help you do your thing.

If your idea of helping me is just committing suicide, then I suggest you hang on to your life instead.

When it's my turn to collect, I'd like some of my debtors to still be alive.

I wouldn't necessarily be going there to die. Depending on the Regent's mood, there are many possible outcomes.

Reunion has been manipulated into something far beyond what you can imagine. The Regent may well change his mind.

...In any case, I no longer have the luxury of running away.

I've left Kazdel. And I'm about to leave here. What's the worst that could happen? Patriot has already taught me enough.

You've been influenced by him a lot, just from your short time here.

Just like you were, with Theresa. It's all the same, isn't it?

Theresis sits on his throne. Even if I am only able to grovel my way up there with my head pressed against the ground, I must reach where he is, and figure out what he is thinking.

Otherwise, if we continue acting recklessly as we are now, that will truly be committing suicide.

You know, you could also just submit to him.

I've thought about that before. Just so you know, Garcin was always suspicious of you. He even gave me the order to kill you once.

Oh? Sounds like things would've been a bit more entertaining if you had listened to him.

Sorry, but I'm not into the same kind of stuff you're into.

Now, let's decide.

Hm... I won't deny that I'm curious about what Theresis is up to.

Seems like I have no choice though.

That's right. Even if you rejected my proposal, I don't plan to let you keep running the show.

You're not gonna say that this is for my good, right?

Of course not. What kind of Sarkaz goes around taking care of others?

...How disappointing, you've just gone right back to your old ways. I thought you were going to keep falling.

So, do you already have a plan?

Why don't you go ask Ines?

That's a really unfunny joke.

Then, before I leave, let me tell you another joke.

Ines once told me that you looked more and more like a lunatic, but your actions got less and less decisive.

Who, me? Do you really believe that?

Have I been using fewer bombs recently?

Maybe. No matter how good you might be at hiding it, we've worked together for far too many years.

Who's to say, maybe we trusted you this whole time.

...So, which line was the joke?

...Oh, it's you. Sarkaz mercenary, Hoederer, huh?

I heard you were leaving. What business do you have with us?

Before I leave, there's something I'd like to confirm...

Did any of you personally see Ines fall in battle?

No.

As soon as we received the support request, the battle was over.

The street had been torn apart, and the Originium crystals left by the Catastrophe caused a violent chain reaction.

We got the situation under control with fairly minimal—

...What are you doing?

Ursursian, you're pretty calm for someone who just saw a companion fall in front of your eyes.

You give off the stench of conspiracy and war. A stench that is all too familiar—

If Ines was still here, that's definitely what she'd say.

So that's what this is about. It's all too common for people to vent their anger on the Infected over a fallen comrade.

I just thought you would've been a little smarter than W.

...A little smarter, huh?

Yeah, looking back, I've been a bit overprotective of her. Always have been.

But not because I was afraid she'd get in trouble. You see, I was more afraid that I'd have nobody to kill.

After all, I'm also a Sarkaz... the real deal.

You——!

I have seen your report.

Your achievements with Reunion are, to say the least, not worthy of commendation.

However, that being said, you have indeed procured some unexpectedly useful information.

Thank——

No, there is no need for thanks. At least, not this time.

You are all impressive warriors, and until your deaths, you are entitled to the rewards you've earned by virtue of the blood, sweat, and tears you have shed.

His Majesty the Regent knows well the acts and deeds of all Sarkaz, even those as insignificant as yourself.

The Infected are not the only thing in this temple gradually depreciating. Do you understand?

...I do.

Mm.