act9mini

Alright. I'm in.

—Us... together.

Justyna, are you going now?

Play your flute again, won't you? Whatever you want. Everyone loves hearing you play.

Beautiful.

We won't get to hear that again for a long time. Everyone's gonna miss you.

Aren't you worried about going so far all alone? We know you get lonely, you're just too shy to admit it. Always sitting quietly off to the side.

You think the wind might carry your voice back home?

You're going to be a knight. We all believe you're going to be an amazing one, like that Radiant Knight you're so fond of.

Good luck, Justyna.

Don't be a stranger now.

Now that we're here, we're safe. Someone will meet us out front.

How are your wounds?

Fine. Just a scratch, barely worth mentioning. But you Infected knights, you base yourselves here in the city? Not out in a village somewhere?

No one would allow the Infected to live within the city limits. Just what are you up to?

Nothing.

When you've got money, you can do anything.

Hah... money. True enough. So long as you have money, you can do anything here.

But if word gets out, you'll be arrested.

Anyone eager to open their mouth gets a word with my arrows first.

I won't allow anyone to harm the Pinus Sylvestris Knightclub.

Then lead the way. I can't stand the thought of the Armorless Union scum on the loose out there. I'm working against the General Chamber of Commerce now, so I need to move fast.

Show me to your Infected knight leader, who forced one of your strength to drag me out of the hospital against your will.

Not against my will.

What?

It wasn't Sona who sent me to rescue you. It was my own choice. Not at all against my will.

But how? I understand we have a mutual distaste for one another.

Or is this some kind of big picture play?

No.

It's just... you have a family.

What are you talking about?!

Those insects! They dare move against my boy?!

Don't worry, Sona has eyes on him. The Armorless backed off. They didn't touch your son.

Then I must offer my thanks.

You owe them to Sona. It was all her idea.

As for me, my personal feelings towards you have nothing to do with whether or not I'll let you get hurt.

I just... your son...

Without you, he'd have nowhere to go.

Justyna the Knight has a home, with family and friends waiting for her.

But Justyna the Infected doesn't.

An Infected has nowhere to go.

No, it's not just the Infected. Here, in this place, there are a lot more people with nowhere to go.

It's too late for me. I can't go back.

If the wind really can carry my voice home...

Then I'll have to ask it not to. Don't carry anything but the sound of my flute.

Let Justyna stay a simple, ordinary girl... dreaming of knighthood.

卡西米尔1.5-5

On what will you shine your light? On what can you shine your light?

To do your utmost. That is the glory that all knights should seek.

Glory. Glory did not betray Kazimierz. It is the people that abandoned glory.

That does not mean glory is meaningless.

The word glory itself is far too intangible, Margaret. Wearing it on one's sleeve is foolish.

That is why knights must prove themselves by their deeds alone.

Suppose the cause to which you've dedicated your life turns to sneer at all that you are... Do your deeds still hold meaning?

Ngh...!

Uncle!

How many times I have told you? Never speak to your opponent in combat.

Then why won't you use your Arts?

I should ask you myself. Your Arts have improved. You must have realized the truth, then?

About that... yes.

However...! Uncle Młynar, right now, I would prefer it if you—

Say no more.

You sent my sword flying. That means you've won, Margaret.

Even though... you never used your Arts at all?

It was a match, nothing more, nothing less. All other factors are mere excuses. When have I ever taught you to be so indecisive?

If you've come to understand the price your grandfather paid for your naivety, then you must understand the meaning of your return.

Margaret, you are trampling my father's will.

For us to become cowards?

'Fear neither hardship nor darkness.'

Right. Fear neither hardship nor darkness... You won the battle. You won the chance to continue your mistakes.

Do remember to say your prayers, and pray that your stubbornness won't drag too many souls into its wake.

Uncle...

Do you still believe those times are forever behind us?

Margaret, how dare you ask me this question?

I have a telephone meeting later. Everyone is busy with the Major. As for your little charade... Try not to do anything to distract me from my responsibilities.

Face reality. See how others must live. See their needs. And stop imposing your fantasies on them for your own glory.

You find yourself disappointed, sooner or later.

But what if I don't end up like you?

Like me...? You?

Looks like those Sarkaz friends of yours took excellent care of you during your exile.

Margaret!

Margaret, are you okay...?

Yes... I'm fine.

Okay, Maria. Stop squeezing her like that. Her arms must be going numb.

Oh! S-Sorry... Does it hurt?

*Sigh*. I never imagined I would find you two dueling today—

—Młynar hits hard, doesn't he?

How has he been the past few years?

Normal. He's been living a pretty normal, routine life. He heads out early for work and comes home late, always busy with meetings or dealing with difficult clients, and, once in a while, he gets into debates on account of the 'Nearl' name.

But I'm sure this 'normal' feels enough like a punishment for him.

I mean, he used to be so... Uh, never mind! Let's talk about something else!

Look at how you frown. You won, but it doesn't feel like it, does it? Seems that stubbornness runs in the family.

At least Uncle Młynar's agreed to let Margaret compete in the Major, right?

If she takes the crown again, I'm sure that'll be the end of his complaints.

After, it's all for—

For what?

For family. For myself. For... a knight's glory.

To tell the truth, I know the bounty of the land of the knights today is a far cry from the glory of the past.

Maria? Why so quiet all of a sudden?

Ah...