catap

I'll pay for your ticket. Come on.

Alright.

(Sounds good up front.)

(But how come it feels like something's not quite right?)

Should be this row.

(Sits down)

This is a sofa?! Whoa, it's so comfy!

This young master really spares no expense huh.

This indoor arena's even bigger than that tower he lives in.

It's our town's landmark, at least until the factory's all built.

It's big, it's got style, and it's comfortable.

We get to enjoy all this, so of course we've got a few nice things to say about him.

Heh, sounds right.

Hm?

How come there's a terminal on the seat?

Oh, that?

Listen up, Catapult. This is how I make money.

What do you mean?

Welcome one, welcome all to the arena! I am your commentator for today's game.

First off, let us welcome the rising star of our town, the independent knight Raz!

Raz?!

Didn't he used to be a cop for the old fart?

What's going on here?!

A lot of people lost their jobs that day, thanks to you. Raz's one of them.

At first, he said he was going back home to work the fields, but ever since he met that high-class knightess, suddenly all he'd say is 'I'm going to become a professional knight' and stuff.

I thought it was just talk.

But he was serious.

And he was one of the first to sign up when they started running competitions here.

The guy always had decent looks, and he's not half bad too. He's pretty popular all over town.

And of course, the most important thing is that...

He wins.

I'm not so sure about today's match, though...

And his opponent—former Glorious Shield equipment tester and independent knight—Mr. Stone!

Equipment tester...?

Hey, hey. This guy's definitely no pushover!

Yeah, I know. Calm down.

Your terminals are now active.

Care for a little wager? Or maybe buy some chips to drop in supplies to help them out?

The fate of the knights lies in their hands—and yours!

The terminal's on...

(Taps the terminal for a while)

What are you doing?

Quiet. Give me a minute.

The odds are stacked against Raz... but...

The payout, though...

Alright, I'm betting on Raz!

(Taps the terminal for a while)

You bet... 5000?

That's... not a currency, right?

It is. It's just a number right now, but whatever you punch in during the competitions, you'll have to pay if you owe anything after the match.

There's bound to be people who can't pay it back, right?

If you can't pay... you make it up to the young master by working for him.

Do you know what you're doing?!

I'm betting on Raz!

As long as he wins, I'll be swimming in cash! Get it?!

I did my research. Raz's numbers don't look good, but he will win.

I'm sure he'll win!

But what if he loses?!

Right, I sometimes slip up.

But as long as I bet on Raz, he's going to win!

Just trust him, and trust me, okay?!

Let the games begin!

(Ignores Catapult and stares intently at the competition.)

(Filon...)

(Raz can't match that Stone in skills or equipment. Don't you know that?)

(He may be talented, but that's a country guard fighting a veteran mercenary!)

(I know you're lucky, but this...)

That's it, Raz! Good one!

(He's giving it all he's got right up front. If Dobermann was here training him, he'd be getting the whip.)

I'm telling you, Raz's going to win.

(Enters 1000 on the terminal's keypad)

That's what I'm talking about, Raz! Beat the living hell out of him!

(How long will he last?)

15 minutes later...

What's wrong, Raz? You can take that hick!

H-Hang in there! I'll send you some supplies!

(Taps the terminal for a while)

(His opponent is starting to fight back...)

(Hold on?!)

That outsider hick's not holding back at all!

I-It's a no-limits match...

Ugh.

My money... M-My money...

(Switches on the comms)

(Whispers) Hey, can you hear me?

Loud and clear. What's the matter?

Are you getting arrested?

(Whispers) Something like that. Get ready, and drive to the arena in the town center.

(Whispers) Think you'll be able to get us out alive?

Understood, and worry about yourself first.

Keep the channel open.

(Whispers) Thanks.

(Reloads ammo)

(Pressurizes weapon)

Raz! Raz, you can't lose!

I don't care if you die, but what about my money?!

Out of the way!

(It won't be easy to land this hit without collateral damage from this distance...)

(Aims)

(Argh, whatever! I'm going for it!)