liskam

She's serious when it's time to be serious, and she enjoys life whenever it's the right time to.

If we were still at Blacksteel, she wouldn't have that luxury. Blacksteel doesn't give its Infected members that kind of treatment...

And don't even ask if they'd let us stay together as partners.

Even though Franka got infected, she was still able to think about how to live her life to the fullest.

On the other hand, I... I'm nothing compared to her.

But haven't you already found your goal, Liskarm?

You want to go back home, and to bring peace and change to Vouivre.

I know you'd definitely give it a lot more thought than me. I-I'm sure of it!

I'm... still not strong enough.

I don't have a clear goal like Franka does.

I still don't have the slightest clue what I'd have to do to start a new organization and run the whole shop myself.

Even so, I know it's definitely possible to bring change to Vouivre with the power I have.

I really think so.

I'm sure it is!

Vanilla told me that Vouivre has lots of special dances and food, and even though life may be pretty simple for the tribes in the outskirts... they are all very hopeful about the future.

Looks like you're getting all hyped up about Vouivre again.

Well, I mean... both the story and the protagonist are really special in this book.

I'm sure stories that take place in Vouivre will become more and more popular.

I... I even want to pay Vouivre a visit, actually. Just once.

Of course... If I have time, I could take you around and be your bodyguard.

Not even you too, Liskarm... *Whimpers*... Is Vouivre such a scary place?

Right now? It's way too dangerous.

Coming across bandits is the least of your worries. If you found yourself caught in a fight between the mercenaries there...

T-That's a little...

That being said, Vouivre will become a place that's worth paying a visit, Jessica.

When that happens, you won't need a bodyguard. You'll be able to travel through the countryside, the wilderness, and the cities freely.

And to make that happen...

*Yawns*... Hey, Liskarm, you there?

Who told you to just come in without knocking—

What'cha writing?

Don't just go looking at my report.

Hm? What's this? A novel?

Don't just start rummaging through my bookshelf either.

'Vouivre Love...' Oh, isn't this—

I knew it. This is yours.

Isn't this the romance novel I left in your room?

So you really didn't care for it, huh...?

It's such an emotional story. Kinda makes me want to start a book club about it.

So you never so much as opened it after I lent it to you?

Jessica borrowed it from me the other day, and she just returned it.

Well, I'll talk to Jessica about it, then. I'm never recommending books to you ever again, you party pooper.

Hmph, it's just a made up story. There's no reason to read it.

You know, this is the hottest romance epic among girls right now, and it's one of the few stories out there that takes place in Vouivre.

I guess it's kinda weird to have someone from Vouivre read a Columbian novel about Vouivre, but still.

I actually wouldn't mind hearing you criticize how different the book is from the real life over there.

Well, I can tell you at the very least that your favorite part, the part where they keep sending letters to each other, is never going to happen there.

Tch.

But well... After she finished the book, Jessica now knows a lot of the places and names there.

She's also very curious about Vouivre now. Even borrowed quite a few of my research reports.

That's the kind of power that novels have.

Yeah, I guess I could research it from a cultural perspective.

You know, you really aren't a romantic at all.

We just aren't interested in the same genres.

If you'd brought me some sci-fi...

That's got no romance in it at all.

It's weaponry and equipment research! Anything wrong with that?!

A-Anyway, did you need me for something?

Hm... What was it again?

What?

Just kidding.

We got a new mission. Mutant Originium Slugs.

I was kinda thinking I could just take this mission on by myself or not tell you at all, and you'd be so mad.

So how about it? Wanna come join me on the hunt?

(Breathes in)

(Breathes out)

Yeah.

I just finished this report.

Alrighty then.

Well—

Let's get going already.