tiger

I mean, it's not just a good night's rest. You can always get something warm to eat here, and you don't need to worry if the bastard across you's gonna pull somethin' out an' mug you while you're chewing.

We left Londinium ages ago. When've we ever had it like this?

One, two, three... I haven't seen any blood for a whole fortnight. Tell me somethin', Morgan, show me the light. How'm I gonna get used to this?

Listen to what comes out of your mouth. It's all proof Vina was right to bring us to Rhodes Island.

Rhodes Island can give us everything we need. And I don't just mean a bed and some food. And you've never had an interest in me talking about it, but you know it yourself, don't you?

Yeah. Don't need to know who my enemy is, just gotta know they're the enemy. I can tell who my real friends are, and who can be of use to Vina.

And I still haven't forgotten what I came here with her for. I wanna see her draw her sword. For that day, I, Indra, will do whatever it takes.

But... Morgan, in my dreams recently, I've been seeing all those kiddies we left behind.

I get it. You're actually worried about those bunch, aren't you?

Who'd worry for 'em?! You think I'm the bleedin' heart sort?

Honest?

I dunno...

That's the thing! I don't know anything!

I don't know how they're doing, if they got hurt, if they got sick, if... someone else's givin' 'em trouble. Especially all that lot.

I lie on this comfy, clean mattress, and I can't help but think, what about them? How are they doing, right now?

You understand those girls better than anyone. All these years we've gotten to know each other, like the backs of our own hands.

Like you could forget. We know better than anyone, living in Londinium since we were kids, how to make it out of each fight alive, don't we?

I believe in 'em.

—Just like they always believed in me. Morgan, you remember too, right? Each one of them kept up with us, right behind our arses while they were still little.

Ha, of course I remember. Right, and you kept behind my arse.

Hey, no interruptions, yeah? Me behind you was 'cause you ran too fast. I was lookin' to kick you up there with the right opportunity.

Either way, back then... we swore an oath. Never mind if our days would ever be sunny—at the very least, no matter what, each person would have a share.

And now... now... *sigh*.

Don't go sighing. We've followed Vina so far. Do you really regret it now?

Indra.

Here.

Do you understand the battle plans I just laid out?

First half I'm clear as day, but the last bit... Vina, you didn't say where I head to after I'm done.

For that part, I want you to choose for yourself.

You can come to this position, and meet up with me.

You can also head for that position. They'll be waiting for you there around then.

And then you need to get moving with them quickly. Do whatever you need to after that. Don't come back here, and don't find me again.

Vina... do you...?

Yeah, I need to leave now.

Is it the bunch from outside?

The dark clouds are getting closer. Surely you've sensed it too.

Tch. That bunch of bastards are sticky as the snot in my nose! I'll send 'em packing whether they're one or the lot.

This isn't as simple as brawling for territory anymore. More and more are getting wounded. It won't be long before the situation's beyond what we can handle with our current strength.

We can't sit and wait to get killed. Before that... I need to seize the initiative.

Fine. Morgan said as much anyway.

But—I'm not like her. I don't think about all that much rubbish. I just need you to tell me. Has this day come?

Yeah. This day has come.

You're all in danger if I stay here. None of you would want to be cowards, and neither would I. But needless sacrifices disgust me more than that.

And besides, the struggle's never going to end, whether in Londinium or beyond. We'll always have things to do.

Then I'll follow you! Wherever you are, I'll be. Long as there's a day you need my fist, I'll be with you!

Indra, you're my most trusted friend. I enjoy every battle we have side by side. But today, I want you to understand I'm not ordering you to go with me.

Because I'm not certain myself when I'll be able to return here. If you decide to come with me, you won't be either. From here on, we'll be wandering somewhere different than before every day.

You can imagine all we'll face in future. You don't need me saying it.

And besides... you're the first person I'd ask. After all, before I joined Glasgow, you were the head. I was thinking, maybe you'd be more willing to stay here for them.

I told you, this isn't anything I even need to think about.

The moment I recognized you as my Master, my Majesty, I decided every day of mine right there.

Where you need to go, that's where I need to go. For you, my two hands will deal with your enemies, and hug your friends.

Today, if you want me to stay behind, I won't say a single word back. I'll stay behind for you.

But if you're asking me—then you don't need to ask more than once.

I've only got one answer.

I believe in you, Vina, you're my liege!

Regrets... never. Not for all eternity.

Following Her Majesty's the most correct decision I've ever made in my life!

Ay-yi-yi, you're gonna wake Vina up from the other end of the corridor, raising your voice that high.

Hey, don't give me lip. Yesterday night she was thinking things over so late, she must be sleeping like a baby right now.

Alright, alright, you're alive enough that I don't need to keep chatting with you now.

Keep punching a hole in that wall. Make your way through, you can escape whenever you want, nah?

Haha.

I bloody well... I...

You bastard, Morgan. They didn't write the word 'escape' in my dictionary!

Forget it. Tch.

Rhodes Island. My liege chose Rhodes Island.

Then so do I.

...Doesn't change how crap of an eyesore being stuck in this room is!

Does my head in! Does my flippin' head in!

Oi, who is it? You're not Morgan. Idiot would never learn how to knock.

It's—it's me, Operator Indra.

...Eh?

Pounded up like that and you can still stand straight? You're pretty good, tyke.

Oh, you mean these wounds? Haha, I'm alright. The misses at Medical all helped treat them for me. When my dad used to take me training, sometimes I'd mess myself up just as bad too.

So you're not here to get one over?

Uh, revenge? No, it's okay, these injuries you left were all from helping me train, right?

You little tyke. I think I might like you.

Heheh, is that a compliment, Operator Indra? Then can I ask you to train with me next time too?

You still wanna get whupped?

Just now in the medbay, I was thinking, your style—uh, not style, your fighting! Yeah, your fighting! Your fighting's really awesome, Operator Indra!

I could tell there was so much I'd never learned before, and I wanna learn it properly from you! Pleaaase!

...You wanna learn from me?

Hey. You sure? I just beat you black and blue and you've still got the guts to hang around me?

Part of why I got beat's because I wasn't strong enough. That's not your fault.

Hah. People here really are nothin' like the ones outside.

That Perro with the whip...

Mm-hm, that's Miss Dobermann! She's our Instructor.

Don't matter what she's called! ...Tch, what's that look on your face for? Fine, I get it, Dobermann, okay.

That Dobermann? She said if I was prepared properly, I could go back.

So let's give it a whirl and see.

Woah! You're really gonna do it? This rules!

Hah, too early to get happy. I don't do manners with my fists up.

But... heh, learnin' from one another, eh. Just puttin' on some restraint, ain't it? Nothin' hard about that.

Givin' a rascal like you some pointers, that's all. Never been a problem for me!