act9mini

Uh... Per the rules...

I'm not allowed to know.

Whatever. It's either something about the Infected or the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi.

As long as we don't have to lift a finger, it's all fine by me.

Młynar...

Młynar!

...Do you need something?

Are you... okay?

Margaret might've stopped herself in that last duel, but you weren't wearing your helmet...

You needn't worry about me.

She caught you by surprise... didn't she?

She caught all of us by surprise. After all... she's become far stronger than any of us could've imagined.

Is that all you have to say...?

I'm worried about you, Młynar.

I've fallen so far that it falls on you to worry about me.

Right. I'm sure even you have realized.

It's just a sprain, nothing more... Her swordsmanship has come a long way, but she's not yet at the point where I can't handle her.

But... hmm.

You're wondering what made Margaret like this?

Of course, there are her Sarkaz friends. They are all... noble souls. Shockingly noble.

It might just be that she's gone through more over these past few years than either of us could imagine.

Maybe... you could swallow your pride just a little and talk to either of them?

Confident enough to order me around now, are you? Did coaching Maria give you such a sense of fulfillment?

Before Margaret became the center of attention, you and your brother were heroes to all of us.

I know how you see the rest of us. Marcin does as well, and so do V and Kowal. Though... at the same time... I am just as disappointed in you.

Let's leave it there. Have fun with work.

Looks like someone used to live here...

Right, there are still traces of their lives... but... are they hiding?

This is... the third settlement we've come across.

In a glittering city, the Infected always run to cold, cramped corners like these.

It's hard to believe... How could Kazimierz be this heartless...?

Are these the Infected Amiya and the kind old knight talked about?

Right... If even the knights knew about this, then things can't be that simple.

Do you still have any strength left, Nightingale? It's getting late. We can head back for some rest, if you need.

No, I can hang on for a little longer.

Okay...

In that case—

Ah—What's the noise?

A wrecking crew... They're tearing down the buildings... and the subterranean structures beneath.

What if there are still Infected hiding below?

Remember everything you see, Liz.

Perhaps Nearl knows something about this.

The Radiant Knight walks down the hallway in silence.

The portraits of past champions line the hallway like fences on the side of the road, filling her entire path with their glory.

Maria...

Hm?

You... Are you... the Radiant Knight?

My apologies. Is this place not open yet?

Oh, uh... No... More accurately, it's not open to the public yet, though I am not sure you count as the public...

Right, sorry about this.

Uh... Forgive me, I haven't yet introduced myself.

Please, call me Malkiewicz. I am the spokes—I am the staff member in charge of maintaining the wall of champions.

Forgive me for asking, Radiant Knight, but what are your plans right now?

Radiant Knight, huh? It wasn't until today that I finally regained that title.

So the Association gave their approval... Congratulations.

Malkiewicz comes back to his senses. The two of them turn their heads forward, to a portrait of the Radiant Knight herself.

Though she stands right next to him—or perhaps precisely because she's right next to him, a strange feeling washes over Malkiewicz.

The stubbornness is finally starting to loosen, and those things that are locked in place will soon be shattered.

You look much more gallant in person.

It's been a few years, after all.

I understand that you... have your differences with the Knights Association and many others. Perhaps this isn't something someone the likes of me should say... But...

I still would like to tell you. I say this not in a professional capacity... But... Rather, as a regular enthusiast of the knighthood and a citizen of the Grand Knight Territory...

Please, go on. You needn't be so reserved.

Welcome back to Kazimierz, Radiant Knight.

I truly believe this is the beginning of something great.

Huh? Margaret, where have you been?

I took a walk around the Grand Knight Territory. Where is Uncle Młynar?

He got summoned to a meeting just as I got home.

Good thinking, taking a look around town since you just got back. What do you think?

Not much seems to have changed.

Really? I kind of remember there have been a bunch of new fast food joints opening up at the mall the last couple years, though.

But it feels a lot emptier in here...

We had to sell off a lot of the furniture...

Uncle Młynar is working for the corps, and I've been helping out at Master Kowal's workshop too. We don't have any troubles with our day-to-day expenses, actually, though Uncle Młynar doesn't tell me a whole lot...

But Old Marcin told me there are a lot of knight families and merchants who don't look too kindly on the Nearl family these days. Uncle Młynar might be facing a lot more pressure than we know.

So... Do you think we'll ever patch things up with Uncle?

It'll be difficult, but I'm sure we can.

I had a few arguments with him before I left Kazimierz.

It was Auntie Zofia who told me that Uncle Młynar's been depressed about a lot of things, ever since our parents went missing.

But now... I can't bring myself to agree with what she said, not completely. I... I've seen a lot of people, and a lot of things on my journeys, and now... to face Uncle Młynar again...

Remember the story Grandpa used to tell us when we were kids? How, on their very first trip together, Uncle sorted out a lowly noble who hiked up the tax rates and made life hard on the countryside commoners?

I remember. We just couldn't imagine he used to be a brave young man like that.

It's not always the magnificent things that change a person's mind, Maria. I've come across many of those cases.

Maybe... he's been disillusioned ever since.

So how does it feel to be a knight now?

Actually... It's not quite how I imagined it.

Yeah... I know what you mean.

That's why I will compete in the Major. Even if nobody understands me.

Margaret... No... You have people in your corner too, right? Really impassioned supporters!

Do I?

Of course! I'm talking about Shining and Nightingale.

I only met them briefly, but when I saw all of you standing on the stage for such a highly anticipated match, I couldn't help but feel I could trust them with my back.

I've been meaning to ask, what have you been through these past few years?

I will tell you soon enough.

It will be a very long story, though, and it doesn't have a happy ending, not like those novels about knights I used to read to you.

Well, we're sisters.

We are.

Take everything you see and kill everyone! Get the food!

A knight? What's a Kazimierz knight doing here?! All the people here are dead, and you'll still get in our way?!

The Radiant Knight...?