act9mini

卡西米尔1.5-4

Mr. Malkiewicz!

Over here. Please, this way, Mr. Malkiewicz!

Oh, so this is the right place.

Sorry. I'm not too familiar with the roads here, so it took me a while. Sorry to keep you waiting.

And thank you for agreeing to come pick me up.

No need to thank me. It's the least I could do.

Please, this way. The venue is in the district across the way.

R-Right.

Excuse me, but...

Yes?

No, never mind. It's nothing.

Today's forum takes place right before the Major's main events... doesn't it?

Yes, that's right. The General Chamber of Commerce organized this meeting, and while it is a forum, the format is somewhat relaxed. All spokespersons and corporate representatives will be in attendance.

Hm...

Just show the invitation letter and you'll be let in.

Of course. Of course... I have it right here...

Um, excuse me...

Y-Yes... I'm here. Yes, please, go ahead!

Pardon me for asking, but do you need any assistance?

Uhh... Excuse me?

Frightfully sorry. I noticed you've been adjusting your coat...

If you've run into any trouble, if there is anything I can assist you with at all, please don't hesitate to tell me.

Oh, no... My coat is fine. I mean, no, it's not a huge deal. It's just...

It's just... I'm not used to it yet... Sorry, this is a personal problem. Please don't worry about it.

Is that so...

You seem a little nervous?

Yes, just a little. Sorry.

It's my first time at one of these forums. I'm afraid I'm... still not quite used to this.

You needn't be so nervous, Spokesman Malkiewicz.

This forum is a meeting organized by the General Chamber of Commerce. The spokespersons who represent the Chamber are the most esteemed attendees...

Please, try to calm down.

But... I'm no big shot... certainly not esteemed. I... It was just a coincidence...

Something's gone wrong somewhere. I shouldn't be here...

You are too humble, sir...

I—

Sorry, I have a phone call.

Please, go ahead.

Hello? This is Malkiewicz... Please go ahead.

Y-Yes, not a problem...

It fits very well. I don't need anything more. Thank you very much.

Oh, no, I should be thanking you. For sending someone.

N-No, not at all! He's very kind, and he didn't offend me in any way whatsoever. It only took us so long because I was slow to get ready. Please, don't make things hard for him...

It's a joke...? Y-Yes... Of course...

Yes, I will be there shortly.

Okay, see you later...

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Not at all, sir.

About what we just discussed—

—Agghh!

Please watch your step, Mr. Malkiewicz!

We'll head upstairs via Corridor 4. Please follow me.

Uh, y-yes. Sorry.

The venue is right ahead. Please make your way there and show the attendant at the door your invitation.

Yes, yes... thanks.

In that case, please excuse—

W-Wait!

Go ahead, Mr. Malkiewicz.

Actually... I was going to say... I'm not one of those people you'd call esteemed...

So you really needn't talk to me like this. What I'm trying to say is... just call me Malkiewicz.

I'm afraid that... wouldn't be appropriate.

You are the spokesman for the General Chamber of Commerce. As a staff member of the Chamber, I admire your work, and you have my utmost respect...

If that's it, I really don't deserve your admiration.

I haven't done anything of importance. Perhaps everyone will realize I'm not cut out for this job after this meeting today.

And if I got a phone call right now, telling me I'm fired right this minute, I wouldn't be surprised at all.

You're overthinking it.

The General Chamber of Commerce must have appointed you spokesman after due consideration... Your abilities were recognized.

My... what?

I dialed the spokesman's number, and you answered.

Therefore, you are the spokesman.

I... I don't quite think so.

If I have to give a reason, all I can say is... perhaps it's just something Mr. Czarny came up with on a whim...

And I was only picked because I happened to be there...

I am sorry, but I beg your pardon?

No, it's nothing... Don't worry about it...

Actually...

Yes?

I... I've met you before, Mr. Malkiewicz. I was fortunate enough to work on a project with you.

Oh...

It's only natural that you don't remember. It happened a long time ago, after all, and it was only a brief collaboration.

Gerald, the team leader...?

You remember my name? I'm honored.

I knew you right away, actually... but, like you said, it was a long time ago. I wasn't sure if it was something I should bring up.

If I remember correctly, we were reaching out to newcomers for the knightclubs... and we were assigned to the same list of names.

Yes, that's correct.

Do you remember the knights we were assigned to contact?

I... I'm sorry, but I don't remember.

It was a few infected knights...

Right, right. Yes, the Infected.

Please... don't call them that...

They were just knights, unfortunate enough to get infected.

Yes... Truly unfortunate...

However, they were fortunate enough to have met you. Thanks to you, they were able to join a proper knightclub. I am sure that was more than those Infected... I mean, the knights could ask for.

About that...

I think you might be mistaken. We didn't actually finish that job.

What...? Hold on, if I recall correctly...

Was it... the time we tried to recruit the Flametail Knight, the Fartooth Knight, those ones?

Do you remember now? That's right. They had just won a few matches... You reminded them to review the contract the knightclub provided them.

The knights were still young. We couldn't bring ourselves to lie to them.

It's true that the knightclub's terms for the infected knights weren't very reasonable. I mean, they may seem fair at first glance.