act9d0

Months ago, after contacting Reunion

10:14 P.M. \ Clear

Ursus, unnamed desert outskirts

...You've met all the Reunion leaders.

What'd you think?

Are you asking me, or her?

If you ask me, I'd say nothing out of the ordinary. The stuff they do is pretty par for the course for people like that.

A strange bunch. There's a child who seems to been purposefully pushed into that position to the point of becoming cruel, and then there's a warrior whose toughness is beyond imagination.

There are some incredible people, but then there are also some two-bit villains.

All I can say is, we've seen all kinds of people after fighting wars all these years.

But, there is someone who caught my eye...

Oh, you must be talking about that one. The one who was waiting at the side with that other little rabbit.

Their squad seemed on a completely different level compared to those ordinary Infected. That kind of Sarkaz warrior can be said to truly bear the mark of war.

Sarkaz...?

Yeah, but you don't see Sarkaz like that every day. He claims to be with Ursus, saying he broke off contact with Kazdel long ago.

How pitiful. He never needed to live such an exhausting life.

Maybe we should all go meet him.

The impression I got from him... was that he has become much more than a 'warrior.'

And you, don't you love thinking about things? Instead of philosophizing, why not have a chat with someone like that?

We might all learn a lot from him.

You're talking about...

Pardon. I would like to. Speak with you alone.

...Speak of the devil. What's up?

To who do I owe the pleasure?

My name. Does not matter. For the time being.

Rest assured. Right now, I am not. Here on behalf of the leader.

I just want to hear...

About my countrymen. About my homeland. What has become of them.

I know that, in Kazdel. Many things happened.

Some things, I have heard. But details, no.

You're just Ursine.

These two identities. Do not conflict.

The bloodline. Has not changed. Dark, and deeply rooted.

I care not for it. But run from it? I cannot.

So even if I told you, what do you plan to do?

These things happened a long time ago for me—

Nothing. There is nothing. I can do.

But, it has been so long. Since I saw Theresa.

Ooh...

From your reactions. I see. She is with you. Her mark is here. After all, you are Sarkaz.

Muddied. Blood-soaked.

She is a hero, at least. So respected. A great warrior. A worthy ruler.

My flesh. Loyal to Ursus. From my people, I exiled myself. But I, am still Sarkaz.

I want to know. What happened to her Kazdel.

I just, want to know.

En route to Chernobog

5:22 A.M. \ Clear

Chernobog, Sarkaz mercenary garrison

...Need something?

We hope that your mercenaries can give us an explanation.

First, your team defected. The people who went after them reported back that you weren't even trying.

A few hours ago, some enemies managed to infiltrate Chernobog. Again, due to your negligence.

Combined with the fact that when we first captured Chernobog, someone tipped us off that you let—

Okay, okay, I got it. The client's dissatisfied with our performance. Can you say that with fewer words?

We're simply in a 'cooperative' relationship, and I'm the leader now. If I get on this table and start grovelling, will Talulah be happy?

Or, did having Papa Patriot around give you the illusion... that Reunion is actually good at fighting a war?

Make no mistake about who the people actually capable of bringing you victory are.

If you've figured it out, hurry up and crawl back to that dragon girl. I'll tell her what she wants to know soon enough, so don't rush me.

There's one other thing.

Just now, stragglers from an enemy party were detected inside the city. That mercenary, Ines, died after exchanging fire with them.

Reunion also participated in this battle. The enemies were very strong, and we all suffered losses.

This is all due to your negligence.

...There's no need to get pushy with me.

Seems like something happened to the east of here not long ago.

Precisely.

So... where's the body?

Unfortunately, I have bad news.

I'm talking about the enemy's corpses. Ines wouldn't use such flashy, destructive Arts.

Our casters were also involved in the battle. The entire street was destroyed.

Don't you think you're being a bit too blatant here?

I don't know what you're talking about.

...So, from your side's point of view, how should this situation be handled?

...Our main force is focused on the battle that will take place in Lungmen. We have no time to waste here.

The Leader won't investigate your responsibility in this just yet, so you should handle it yourself.

Hmm... You have a pretty thick Ursus accent.

...What of it?

You guys...

...Didn't really think that I'd take some random excuse, did you?

W, stop.

(Put that wand away and calm down first.)

Sorry, got a bit carried away there. You can breathe a sigh of relief first and be grateful that you get to live.

What's the meaning of this?!

...Don't get me wrong. The death of one Sarkaz won't affect the outcome of the next battle.

And neither will the death of the entire Reunion Movement.

If you don't believe me, you're welcome to try me.

...I'll make sure our Leader hears about your true attitude.

There won't be a next time.

You heard 'em.

Since you let that Rhodes Island squad escape, Reunion has never allowed us to act alone.

If they could put half this much effort into their actual battles, they wouldn't be getting their asses handed to them so badly.

Despite that, you still deliberately let that traitorous blademaster get away.

...I didn't deliberately let him go. I just didn't want those idiotic Infected to kill a Sarkaz I brought here.

...The old you would've slaughtered Flamebringer on the spot to get Reunion's attention off of you.

Regardless of what you wanted.

Eh? Was I the only one who couldn't remember his codename? How embarrassing.

So, is Ines really...

Now's not the time...

She... I'll have someone identify her, identify her c— ...Tch.

Let's talk business first.

...Three things.