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At the very least, give Maria some time to fawn on you.

A-Auntie! What are you saying?!

She's been working really hard lately, you know?

I-I haven't...

Yes, I know. I'm proud of you, Maria. You've really... really grown up.

Maria Nearl, you will be an excellent knight.

Oh... right.

About that... Margaret. If you're thinking of joining the Major, you probably won't have time to rack up the points you need, right?

It will be difficult, but not impossible.

Right... Just like the Candle Knight who's been popular the past few years. I understand it didn't even take her a month to earn enough points.

That may be the case, but the Candle Knight racked up her points early in the preliminaries. Even if Margaret gains the Knights Association's approval right away, we'd still be cutting it close.

What's your plan?

The competition's rules have changed, but the basics are still the same. So long as I scrape together a win in the melees, I should still stand a chance.

But... that's too risky! I drew a lot of attention when I stepped into the ring. If you take to the arena yourself, you're bound to attract even greater opponents...!

Right, and we can't say for sure that the corporations won't pull their dirty tricks on you.

Anyway, we need to come up with a plan as soon...

I... I have an idea.

Maria?

Independent knights... like me and Margaret... aren't part of a knightclub, so we compete as part of a 'knight family,' right?

That's true... You used the Nearl family coat of arms during your matches.

And, if I remember correctly, it's not just knights of the same knightclub who are allowed to transfer their points, right? Those from the same knight family are allowed to do the same?

—Maria?!

No, I can't accept that.

Maria, those points are proof of your gallantry as a knight. I can't—

—I don't care!

I... I chose to become a knight because I wanted our home to be ours.

The Nearl family's ancestors... Grandfather... Father... and you. I didn't want to lose all that. I wanted to protect the Nearls' glory.

But... But then I realized... I was too naive about all this.

If we followed them into the Major, if we became their knights just to uphold our knightly name... then... we wouldn't have changed anything.

Margaret...

...I don't actually want to become a knight.

Knights can't change the knighthood, Margaret.

Maria...

If there is something only you can do, I beg you to do it.

I... I just want this home to still be our home...

I understand, but I still need some time to think.

Alright now... Don't be so gloomy. We've got lots of ways to go about this.

Why don't we go to Old Marcin's bar for a drink later? It's been such a long time. I'm sure he wants to talk to you.

What about Uncle...?

You should try not to bother him. I'll check up on him.

There's one thing, Margaret.

There are a lot more Infected in the city than before, and the Armorless Union is also much more active.

Be careful.

Report.

What's the situation?

The Radiant Knight and Młynar Nearl just fought each other in a duel.

I read their lips. Neither looked very happy.

*Sigh*... I seriously hope she'll just stay home and spend some time with her family. They haven't seen each other in so long.

Please don't get yourself mixed up in anything you shouldn't, Radiant Knight. I don't want any more trouble to deal with.

Uh, Platinum, so what should we do...?

Keep an eye on her.

If she tries anything, let me know right away.

Of course.

What are the others up to? Mission-wise?

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?