act9mini

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...

Are you hungry?

A-Auntie!

Let's give Margaret some time to rest.

...Hello?

My apologies. I just got home, and I had some family matters to deal with... Not a problem. The documents have been annotated.

Sponsoring the Major...? Me? No, please, stop pulling my leg. You know I'm not suited to something like that...

Right... Of course. It's work. I shouldn't be trying to bargain. My apologies.

Yes, of course. I will be there right away.

The window's open, Toland.

You're getting rusty. I could sense your presence.

But, please, come in through the front door next time.

Okay... Doesn't look like you're hurt.

He held back.

Yeah... He didn't use his Arts after all.

And actually, it's been a long time since he had that look on his face...

—Alright! Get up.

So what's your plan now? You need to report to the Knights Association, don't you?

There is a complicated process, but it's not time yet.

Margaret... We barged into that unfinished match... Is it really going to be alright?

Alright? You're looking at an exiled Infected, Maria. She smashed through the arena walls and waltzed onto the field, remember?

With all that she has done, what's interrupting a match or two?

R-Right... You have a point...

Trouble is an old friend. Be it then or now, so long as Kazimierz remains as it is, we will face all manner of obstacle in our path.

So are you going to compete in the Major, Margaret?

I am.

Is that... something that you absolutely have to do?

...Maria.

It's just... you finally got to come home... I don't think the Association would make things difficult for Uncle and the family...

But if the Chamber of Commerce have their eyes on you again like they did a few years ago, then we—

Maria has a point, Margaret.

It doesn't matter how the Knights Association deals with this, or what the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi's decision is. To the masses and the knights, you are still the Radiant Knight.

I have to admit... I don't get it either. I don't understand why you insist on competing again... I don't understand what you're thinking.

But I'm sure you have it figured out. Stubbornness may run in the family, but that's not the same thing as recklessness.

This is just the beginning...

Whether I take the crown or not... it's just a beginning.

Maria, Auntie Zofia. If all we do is cower on the sidelines and look on at society with indifference, if we only comfort ourselves, insisting that nothing can be done—

—then when will we truly regain our glory?

Are the knights of Kazimierz destined to wallow forever in times long past?

So you want to...

Shining light on the tragedies of the world is not a permanent commitment to dispelling the darkness.

Sometimes... Sometimes, it's just to illuminate the path forward, to help those who are lost see things from a new perspective.

Even in today's Kazimierz, there is still meaning to keeping our faith.

Margaret...

Alright... Sounds like you've made up your mind.

But you put on such a show as soon as you got back to Kazimierz. If there's a chance... Margaret.

Don't forget you're home. You have family and memories here. You have Maria... and me.