act9mini

...Ha.

I've got other assignments. Dealing with the Infected is pretty small-time. You guys have it.

It doesn't matter what tantrums Adeptus throws at the K.G.C.C., neither's gonna wanna keep Infected in the Grand Knight Territory.

The nobles aren't gonna care whether Infected live or die, are they?

...How the...

Flametail!

It's the Armorless... the Armorless suddenly attacked us!

Stay calm. What went down?

They sealed off the street nearby two hours ago. We were busted long ago. And then they... used gas to force us out of the houses...!

A few knights picked up on it. They used their own bodies to block the Armorless's shots, but some still...

Where...?

Where do we go next? If the Armorless Union got us the first time, they'll get us the second, the third... we...

Save the eulogies. First, we need to... move the rest of the Infected.

Should we get out of the Grand Knight Territory? Go somewhere in the countryside...

At least! At least get the Infected civilians out of here—

We've been leaning on our knighthood so hard to give them some kind of cover.

When there's no knighthood involved, when they're out of the Grand Knight Territory, it's only gonna get worse for them...

So we just... take it?! We give up and accept this?!

...The Adeptus.

We still have... that on the table, don't we.

Sona!

I'm back.

How was it?

I was dealing with an old knight... Definitely one of the Adeptus higher-ups, no doubt about it.

Best we don't trust the Grand Knight Territory nobles too hard, Sona.

It was Demian... vice-president of the Knights Association.

Ha, there's a big guy for you. VP Demian, the renowned campaign knight.

I remember him. Huge ruckus for the news when he was discharged and came back to the Territory to do boring old civil service.

A descendant of the heroes, like that one Maria girl.

And the conditions...?

If you're back here, that means there's been actual headway, correct? What conditions did the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi set?

A separation. A Great Separation.

He wants to borrow our efforts... to put this city... to sleep.

...Uh. What's that mean?

That's how the plan goes, roughly.

We can do this... right?

Are you asking me?

Maybe. I'm not giving up until I see those dumb knight nobles bowing to me.

You guys?

Real simple plan. We fail if we're not strong enough. We get even stronger next time, we're good.

Long as we don't die, yeah?

...Relax. Uncoil, don't get nervous.

Pinus Sylvestris just needs to stay Pinus Sylvestris... and we'll be fine.

Whether or not we succeed, we only have one way open to us. There's no difference, really.

...Difference, huh.

Sona!

Hm?

You've been zoning out a lot lately. What's wrong?

Nah... nothing, really.

Let's go. We've gotta find a place for the Infected, still.

Run away... hurry!

Away from the sawdust... fire everywhere... chokes your sinuses... the soil's too hot to touch...

Ore... Originium... gashing...

The Kaliskas abandoned their subjects—

(Did I... fall asleep? On a bench?)

Ashley'd be on my case again if she was sitting here.

Phew...

Lot of people... out on the street.

(Infected under the Knights Association's supervision aren't allowed to walk around freely.)

(If all these pedestrians... knew there was an Infected out in broad moonlight here, I wonder what they'd think?)

Without knowing why, a thought flits through Sona's mind.

'They wouldn't think much.'

Pedestrians bustle, coming and going as life demands, melting together under the rainbow lights.

The Zalak called 'Flametail' silently watches the city before her.

Hm? Oh, hey, it's Ashley. What's up—

Trouble! Sona, they found the underground shelter!

We're not gonna make it in time to move everyone! Whoever we save, we save! Hurry, get back—

This is an Infected...

Right here!

卡西米尔1.5-灰松鼠

Where are we going, Granny?

It's not the right time for you to ask.

Hold tight to your pouch, and stay close to me.

Yes, Granny.

We're almost there.

What's that there?

An arena. Built by bastards from the Grand Knight Territory.

Humph.

Are we going to see a match?

A match? No.

I'm taking you for training.

Do you still remember the things I taught you?

Yes, Granny, I haven't forgotten any!

It's shield up, cannon up, and bombard!

Eyes on the enemy, watch your ammunition, don't let your cannon go!

And, um...

When the cannon fire rings through the air, victory is already within sight!

Very good.

You're a lot more dependable than your father.

At least someone else will remember these before I close my eyes for good.

Please don't be so gloomy, Granny...

Heh. A tree may be a century old, but its roots will all be rotten.

Better to be fertilizer for the new buds than to wither away like this.

*cough* *cough*...

Granny!

It's all right, it was just a little cough. Nothing to worry about.

Your father's generation. Even my few brothers. They've all long forgotten how the Kaliskas came to prosper.

Forestry? That forest was given back to us upon our high deeds, upon our cannon fire!

'When the cannon fire rings through the air, victory is already within sight'... All those bastards, with all their money, can't even remember the saying!

Granny, please don't get angry...