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A knight softly sighs on the terrace of a Kjerag bar.

Harsh winds these days, friend. Best you don't stay out there too long.

Something up? Why all the sighs? Aren't you on vacation?

Ah... I'm fine.

I've been in Kjerag for just a few days now, but whenever I'm outside, kids circle up to point and laugh at me. Little tiring is all.

Haha, they don't mean anything by it. You're a Kazimierzian knight, no?

Some of your people've been showing off in Kjerag recently, and the kids want to try on your armor.

This standard issue competition armor? It's not exactly high-end stuff...

Competition...? Are you here for the Black Knight, maybe?

Oh? You know the Black Knight?

Of course. All Kjerag knows her. Couldn't find you a single soul here who hasn't met her.

What is she into? Or what makes her angry? What does she actually care about?!

I...!

...I'm actually a fan. I want to know everything about her.

Settle down, fella. Ask away, I know her well enough.

If she weren't so busy I'd figure a way to let you meet her, even.

What keeps somebody busy in Kjerag?

Don't believe the foreign nonsense, 'Kjerag's so poor it only has snow' now, you hear?

Look at the newly built streets out there. Kjerag is changing by the day, and we have lots of places needing more hands.

It's true some spots are still a little poor, but one day, each and every one of Kjeragandr's people will rise up from the valleys.

But that time isn't now, is it?

Heheh, that's where you're wrong. Now, when everything's starting up, is the most interesting of times.

So you're telling me, the legendary Black Knight has been busy laying bricks in Kjerag?

Uh... Actually, I haven't a clue what she's been up to lately.

I haven't seen her in the city for a while now. Been a while since our last chat.

Sounds like you aren't that close to her.

It would seem that way...

Another sigh on the terrace.

Truth be told, I met the Black Knight yesterday. It was our second meeting.

Many years ago when I had just become a competition knight, the General Chamber told me my debut fight wouldn't be in the arena.

They wanted us to rush over to the city outskirts, to intercept and prevent a determined and unstoppable warrior from leaving.

Fortunately, the younger me only happened to spot her from afar, before she kicked a little rock in my direction, hitting me square in the head.

I woke up in the hospital and eavesdropped on the gossiping nurses, where I learned the others had gotten hit by her greatsword instead.

And their fates were beyond miserable.

It was then that I knew, the Black Knight would be the focus of my life—

My goal, is to defeat her.

<p=2>Yesterday...</>

What exactly do you want?

Heh heh. I didn't think you'd remember me.

I don't.

But you've been dallying here for so long, you're interrupting my work.

Then let me tell you of a young knight, many years ago, on the outskirts of Kazimierz—

What?

Put the fowlbeasts down first!

Degenbrecher stops in her tracks and sizes up Chilly Knight. In her arms rest four or five fowlbeasts, with many more scurrying around her on the ground, letting out the occasional cry.

...Never mind. I'll keep it brief.

Because of you, I've endured years of humiliation and hardship. I finally made a name for myself in the arena, becoming a well-known knight with a string of victories under my belt.

All for one reason: a real match against you, here and now!

...You even brought a camera with you?

Afraid I'll capture the Black Knight's pathetic defeat? Heh—

Draw your greatsword! I'll take it you accept my challenge so long as you brandish it!

She... looks away? Before the Chilly Knight can even wonder why, Degenbrecher suddenly bends down to scoop up a fowlbeast that has dashed over to her feet.

You should go. Stop bothering me with this nonsense.

I didn't think 'The Black Knight of Kazimierz' would refuse a fight...

Did the Darksteels wound your courage along with your body?

A fight? Each and every one of you comes with cameras in hand. I suspect you're just trying to get some B-roll for your commercials.

I'm retired, so think whatever you want. Don't get in my way.

So... you're just willingly staying here in the depths of this old forest, following orders and doing pointless busywork?

Any stalwart local could deal with these runaway fowlbeasts.

Don't we competition knights... no, don't all warriors exist to duel and push ourselves to the limit?

Are you done?

Let me through.

While Chilly Knight is busy rambling away, Degenbrecher has managed to capture all the fowlbeasts, and briskly walks past her agitated visitor without even returning a glance.

...I'll bring your true self back! You <i>will</i> draw your blade, Black Knight!

Madam Degenbrecher—I-I finally found—

Calm down. Did Hans wander off again?

Hans?

Phew... Of course you'd know!

I'll look for him once I'm done returning these fowlbeasts. Give me a moment.

Your grandson lost or something?

What? Grandson? Hans is my outpost burdenbeast.

To such a trivial matter, the Black Knight nods with a smile. As he thinks about the cold and dismissive attitude she showed him...

Chilly Knight clenches his fists.

<i>Kurwa!</i>

The sudden display of anger startles the barkeep, drawing the other customers' curious looks.

...Sorry, sorry. I lost my cool.

All good. I don't even know what that 'coo-vah' means.

Many tourists come to Kjerag just to let off steam, you know? Run off into the mountains, yell their hearts out. Why not give it a try?

But the Black Knight lingers on my mind... Right, do you know anything else about her?

Hm, let me think... Many years ago, when she was still new here, the old boss would ask her for help whenever we had too many supplies to deal with.

I was just a nobody who helped out with odd jobs then, and had no inkling of her foreign fame. But one night...

Yo, you're the knight or whatever they were talking about?

A guy here told me you could drink from dusk till dawn, and still manage to walk straight back home.

...Who told you that?

Don't you worry about it. We're not going to give up our rep just yet, so don't even think about leaving the place if you can't drink past us!

I have one condition: All of you write down your home addresses on a piece of paper first.

Easy!

Wait, what did she want with their addresses?

Slow down, pal.

Those punks regretted the challenge after the first mug. Degenbrecher finished a bottle in two chugs without even pausing.

They started to play dirty, saying they'd take turns against the Black Knight, but she was downing mug after mug for two hours straight.

By then, all the drunken louts were passed out on the floor, and she carried them back to the outpost.

Only then did I realize what she wanted the addresses for. No one ever dared to bother her like that again. Haha.

...An incredible story, but that doesn't tell me about her interests or character.

Don't you get it? She loves booze most of all! How else would she have won the drinking contest?

Well...

Hah, just listen to him babble. The man is practically a stranger to her.

*sigh* Fine, if you're so chummy with her, share some wisdom, will you?

I sure will!

Listen to me, buddy. Know what Degenbrecher loves the most?