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Haha... I didn't expect Rhodes Island's engineer to be so good at comforting people.

Huh? What are you even talking about? I'll have you know I'm Rhodes Island's ace psychological consultant. Even Kal'tsit... uh, a real mean boss of mine comes to me and opens up to destress!

So, hurry up and hand me the wrench.

Huh?

Let's get working already! What, you want me to crack a few more jokes to lift your spirits?

There's gonna be some real intense battles soon. Us Engineering Operators are like the backbone of the backbone. There's no time for all that moping!

Ha... haha... Alright, let's get working.

Right, show me that drone... Rock-17. It's lacking a flight stability module. I took one off my broken babies.

Huh? You sure about that? Are there any patents or anything?

Shh, quiet! I did it behind Dr.{@nickname}'s back!

*cough* *cough* *cough*.

Now that you know how lucky you are, what are you standing there for? Get me my wrench!

W-What did you say...? You saw Lady Golding? What did she say?

Understood... We need to send word about this to the commander right now!

Nngh—! H-Hostiles! They found us! Rockrock, retreat!

Find the captain! Rebels spotted on Euston Road!

Seize them!

Run!

What's this buzzing thing...? A drone? I get it. You were at the port this morning!

Rock-5—! What's the matter? Did we miss?!

Is it because we didn't calibrate it...? We didn't spot the enemies just now, either... Nngh!

Feline, don't you think that's going to work. It might've worked on the Royal Court's squaddies, but it won't work on us.

Rockrock, is your drone dead?!

It's okay... Even without it, I can still fight.

Tsk... I didn't expect to take damage from you. Looks like your Arts are no less impressive than your courage.

I'll put in a word for you with my captain and let you die here. You don't have to go to the factory anymore. Saves you a painful death.

Ugh––!

Rockrock, get going! I'll hold it here!

No, we'll go together!

You need to get Lady Golding's message back...! The Commander must know... She must know... that the Messenger...

This message... is very important!

Bill!

I believe... in the commander... and I believe in you and Feist.

Listen to me. Stop fighting. We're... all a family. Back then... we were only able to escape because your dad... your dad stood in the Sarkaz's way too.

I...

Go!

*Cough*... *cough*! What's with the thick smoke... Did he have a grenade?!

How dare you hurt my men! You aren't getting out of this alive!

Captain?

Take him back, and lock him away with the other rebels.

Captain, this guy tried to blow us up and got himself caught in the blast. He won't live much longer.

He doesn't have to live much longer.

Very well. it's the general's orders, right? Should we go after the rest of them?

Do it.

Don't hold out too much hope, though.

Boss, you were right. We lost them.

Those rebels... Crafty little sand beasts, the lot of them. Just five seconds, and it's like they all burrowed into the sand without a trace.

Sure enough, and that's why we shouldn't waste our energy on them.

Guard your position well, until they poke their heads out of their holes again.

Sure. You're the boss.

Looks like you found yourself a bunch of loyal subordinates, 'Boss.'

They think it'll pay dividends. It's good for morale.

They trust you too. I can tell. It's far more than what a mercenary should afford another mercenary.

Just goes to show how effective Manfred's plan is.

You think real highly of him. I almost forgot. You two are practically brothers from another mother these days, right? Just look at the mansion he gave you. The den alone is larger than your old backyard.

It was a count's estate. I killed its previous owner.

Don't tell me that's weighing on your conscience.

He was having afternoon tea at the time... His wife and their three children were sitting right in front of him.

Sure, this is nothing like the kind of work we used to take, but you're the one who agreed to the job. Nothing to mourn when our consciences died so long ago.

Then let's not ask these questions. Whatever it is you want to know, just take a look for yourself. Not like you don't know already.

Is you being under a lot of stress supposed to somehow make me feel better?

Whatever. Let's talk about something else. It's not the time for us to find comfort in each other. I'm here because I have some advice for you—Pay attention to what's under your feet.

You mean...

Mercenaries aren't all that trustworthy.

If you don't pay attention to the shadows when you walk, your efforts might just be all for naught.

Is that all you came here for?

No, that's not all.

What I really wanted to say is—After drifting around for so long, she's on the road.

Are our men in position?

Yes, all at that place per the Sarkaz's orders.

Don't be daft. I'm not talking about what the Sarkaz want us to do.

Captain, are we really going to start this operation tonight? Are you sure we won't...

You trying to ask if we'll fall into Manfred's trap?

Do you think I'm so stupid that I can't tell what he's trying to do?

No, of course not... I wouldn't dare to...

He's trying to test me, and I'll let him test me.

Our men are his to order around... but he doesn't know how many of us there are.

So, we still have to be the Sarkaz's gatekeepers, then?

Shut up.

I hate putting it that way. It makes it sound as though we're the Sarkaz's... the Sarkaz's...

Gah, whatever. We just have to bear with it today. Once we're done with this last thing, we'll leave Londinium straight away.

W-Will we really? That's wonderful news!

Ever since I was a kid... I... I've always hated Londinium. My parents both came to this place and never went back...

This city eats people!

Right, I don't like it either. Have you ever seen another city like this? So many plates, so many tall towers, and so many sewers?

Every time I smell that stench... The smell of grease on the nobles' dining tables, it makes me want to puke.

And now we can finally leave.

Get the word out, and put on your best performance tonight. Do not give Manfred anything he can use against us.

And I want the ten best fighters to come with me.

As for you, I want you to tail Manfred... You saw where he was heading, right?

Yes, Captain.

Good.

Tonight, I'll rescue our 'spy.'

I've stayed here in Londinium for so long, I have to at least get one thing done before I can go home with my mind at ease, right?

I... I won't let our leader down again.

Horn, you're back!

I am. Where's Robben?

The team got back a while ago.

Good. Did they find any medicine? Let me check on Salley.

There's... There's no need.