level_act13side_st02

Doctor?

You know, you've been frowning ever since you came back from the restaurant.

If you're feeling worn out, then I'd be more than glad to––

What'd you think of the meal?;What do you think of Malkiewicz?

It went well. You're getting pretty slick around these kinds of events, aren't you?

I can tell. Even though the directors didn't show up in person, those corporate execs are all fond of you...

I said it already, but a certain spokesman took the fall and resigned over the Radiant Knight incident.

Malkiewicz was given that position in turn, but before that, he was a complete nobody, a minor player at best.

Though he still has a bit of that unvarnished human touch... I don't think it'll last very long in the environment he's in.

Do you think Rhodes Island's plan is feasible?

Let's set that aside for now... So, do you really trust me?

The infiltration of the General Chamber isn't some kind of conspiracy. In the face of money and a changing society, even if the K.G.C.C. did nothing, the knights would still fall to capital.

The courtesy that the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi has extended to Rhodes Island is almost certainly linked to the Radiant Knight. That being the case, should a person as particular as you... inadvertently fail to return that courtesy, you'll be the one to suffer.

Thanks for the warning.;That much I already know.

So, what are you thinking?;What should I do then?

Brassrust Knight... is going to fight again?

Yes... Based on video evidence and the testimonies from other knights, the Knights Association proved to the National Council that what happened to that Infected was an exacerbation of his disease due to excessive casting.

Because the cause of death was 'Oripathy,' Brassrust Knight was not directly responsible, so...

Even if that was the case... then we should at least...

Leave me.

Very well.

Put me through to the associate justice of the National Council... on a private line.

The busy tone rings out twice from the phone.

Malkiewicz suddenly flashes back to his childhood, to the copper-colored telephone that sat on the desk in his father's study.

Spokesman, have you come up with a solution?

As long as Mr. Czarny no longer has the evidence, it's fine, right?

Of course... But as a friendly reminder, if this goes public late, we will both end up taking the blame.

Therefore, the safest option... is to get rid of him.

You have my assurances.

My assurances... that I can keep Mr. Czarny muzzled.

There's no need to concern yourself with my methods.

Very well then... As long as you can demonstrate your sincerity.

Tomorrow, I will begin the retrial of Olmer Ingra's case. If you can do that within seven days...

Olmer Ingra will thence disappear from the Major.

...I will.

Right. At the very least, you must prove to me that Mr. Czarny truly 'would never betray us.'

Malkiewicz remembers. He remembers that bronze-colored telephone.

Telephones were not as popular back then, and cables still coursed above bars, hostels, and roaring construction sites.

When it rang, it would bring joys and sorrows alike.

That was life in Kazimierz... Life in modernity.

There's one thing I hope you understand...

You're provoking a spokesman.

You know as well as I do that I'm only a stand-in. I enjoy no support among the Board of Directors.

But that does not mean that I will abide your butchery.

The power to command the Armorless Union... was once in the hands of Mr. Czarny. And now...

Please don't mistake my intentions. I'm not trying to challenge your authority.

Authority.

I'm simply reminding you.. to make sure our future cooperation goes smoothly.

After all you've said, it wouldn't behoove me to run amok. That would be too discourteous after all.

All I need is your assurance. Olmer Ingra is just another corrupt noble, and it hardly makes sense for someone like that to get in the way of our relationship, yes?

Indeed.

Then, there's nothing more for us to talk about.

Wait! Hold on, Mr. Malkiewicz, please––

You smiled.

Woah! Mr. McKee, when did you...

I've never seen you smile like that before, my man.

Did you need something?

Naturally, the Armorless Union has already received their orders, and we still have a role to play in these matters. However...

Actually, never mind. Carry on with your work.

Alright, Mr. McKee.

Authority is the sweetest taste. Wouldn't you agree, Mr. Malkiewicz?

Nothing beats strolling through these streets in the evening.

As long as there's no work to be done, that is.

Reporting. Monique has led her team to the designated location.

The target of this operation has been confirmed, and there are now about a hundred Infected hidden throughout the area.

Ah. Score whatever kills you can. As I said before, the pay is determined by headcount.

Same old rules apply, no friendly fire.

Yessir.

Hey, hey! We've got Armorless!

Wh-What? You're kidding, right? This is the middle of Kawalerielki! They wouldn't dare start a bloodbath?!

Not enough.

What? Wasn't Wild Mane supposed to distract the Armorless like you wanted?

But, it's not enough.

Did we overlook something...?

Prepare for the worst, Fartooth.

Don't underestimate the Armorless.

Run, run now!

Calm down. What did you see?

B-B-Blue... A blue bow.

Huh?! You're kidding!

H-Hurry, tell the others, spread out and run! Hide in the garbage dumps if you have to!

Tell the Infected civilans to not resist. They can't resist, no matter what––

N-Now, if there's anyone who can contact Pinus Sylvestris... Please hurry...

Haha... Ahahaha...

Reporting. We found three Infected.

Hahaha... Haha...

Right, did I tell you about the offer I got from the Board of Directors?

300 gold for an illegal Infected. Twice that for an Infected knight.

Stop right there!

Dammit! They found me!

Each Infected is worth a ticket to the Major. An Infected knight is worth half a good car.

So.

How should we deal with a special individual who isn't in that price schedule?

Huh?

How many forms of code signing have you been trained in?

Um, I think I remember how to use three.

Hmm... Forget it. No need for any of that. If you see me... Mmm... Yes, snap my fingers.

If you see me snap my fingers, act immediately. No hesitation.

Yessir.

Alright. I'll head up to say hello.

Lazurite Roy walks forward, and the street lights flicker several times.

The blue-brick road stretches forward, not a single person on the street.

There is a bench on the side of the desolate road.

And upon the bench sits a desolate person.

Good evening. And a wonderful one at that, yes?

Did you happen to see the news? Tonight, it's nothing but the Radiant Knight.

This place sure is empty. Haven't seen anyone else around. I hear it hasn't been too peaceful around these parts either.

Ahem.

What are you doing here all by yourself?

Roy... I just finished work. Just resting here for a spell.

My, did you only get off work just now, this late? What a workaholic.

But... What kind of work would you be doing around here?

The only folks around these parts are the Infected, illegal immigrants, and black market traffickers, right?

Just waiting for someone.

What, are you even going to ask who I'm waiting for?

No, no, no, why would I?

Waiting for someone, huh? Let me guess... you had a date with a beautiful lady? Haha, just kidding...

But, we both have business here.

I'm afraid I have to ask you and your friend to step aside.

You mind your business, I mind my business.

Do you have any idea what you're saying, Młynar?

Was I speaking Gaulish?

Oh, come on. If you're here, my underlings might slip up because they're so nervous.

Sigh...

Oh, Młynar, did you know... if I wanted to kill you right now... how little effort it'd take?

Roy slowly lifts his hand.

In the dark, the Armorless Union assassins wait, poised to strike.

Though perhaps nothing than a faulty premonition, the masters of hiding in the shadows always feel most prone to being seen.

Młynar Nearl.

They begin to pray, praying that Roy would not give any signals––

A white-horned Sarkaz with a sword.

*Sigh*...

It really was... a beautiful lady, eh.

Am I late?

No.

What are you looking at me for?

Do your job, Roy.

Hm.

Roy's eyes meet with those of the Sarkaz for a moment.

There is only one thing on his mind.

How to strike up a conversation later, without embarrassing himself too much.

Haha, I suddenly had a change of heart. Turns out it'll rain later tonight, and I happened to forget my umbrella.

But...

Should I take this as evidence that the Nearl family intends to shelter the Infected?

Take it however you'd like.

...You...

Margaret won again.

You ought to stop her.

Forgive me.

But if that is what she wills, then I will support her... I will be her pillar.

You? You're a Sarkaz...

As for the Infected situation, I'll assume you already contacted Rhodes Island.

Your assistance is appreciated... The Armorless Union is a powerful enemy.

If he insisted on slaughtering every Infected hiding in this area, I fear we would be powerless to stop him.

I just wanted to sit here.

Nothing more.

If you want to know what Margaret has been through the last few years, I'm willing to tell you what I know.

Of course, if you'd prefer to ask her yourself...

...I don't care.

I already understand, just from the look in her eyes.

Her mother and father, and even me in the past, all embraced that era of resplendence and glory.

You... are her true family.

You already know everything you need to know. From now on, I won't be lifting even a finger.

You can tell Margaret, and that... 'Rhodes Island.' Tell them beneath the glory-gilded exterior of the Grand Knight Territory... the extent of the rot on the inside.

But a more practical suggestion I have is to leave the Grand Knight Territory as soon as possible. Leave Kazimierz.

Try your best to leave this entire era behind. That's probably one of the few right choices anyone can make.

What a complicated person you are.

You... stay away from me!

Damnit, are you with the Armorless? You––

No, you're not... You're... a Sarkaz?! Who are you?

I come in peace. The Armorless Union has already left.

Wh-What are you talking about...?

Just now, just now, that Sarkaz blocked the Armorless...

Just who are you? How do you have the guts to stand against them?

I'm a physician for the Infected.

A Sarkaz... who claims to treat the Infected? What...

It's so crazy I can almost believe it.

Fine then... So what do you want?

Kazimierz has the means to provide medical treatment to the Infected... That being the case, why do you still hide here, within the cracks of the city?

You're not from Kazimierz?

No, this is something that even most people from Kazimierz wouldn't know... Wait, you said you're a physician for the Infected?

You... You're from Area 0?!

I'm from a pharmaceutical company. This Area 0 that you mentioned... is that the place that shelters the Infected?

The Adeptus Sprawiedliwi Kazimierz has funded the establishment of a clinic hub specifically for the examination and treatment of Infected knights...

Shining is in no hurry to finish her sentence.

In the eyes of the Infected in front of her, she sees doubt, mistrust towards her, fear, and the slightest glimmer of hope.

You really aren't from Kazimierz... But that makes sense, they also hate the Sarkaz here. Ugh, sorry, but that's just how things are.

Do you treat the Infected over there?

Yes.

Don't you think it's strange?

Such a big mobile platform has practically become a cage for the Infected knights. Did you know the Infected knights are examined and treated there, but they also 'live' there?

As if existing like that can be called 'living' at all.

Alright, it seems you outsiders don't even know this much.

But if all the Infected were to live there...

Then there's not enough space, right?

Those Infected who can still make money will step back into the arena, or carry on... finding whatever odd jobs they can.

For those who can't become knights, they'll be sent to off to do some iffy work... Mining, transporting, all in dangerous environments.

And if you get hurt, and you can't even do that kind of manual labor...

Take a guess, outsider. Where do you think those Infected from Area 0 end up?

You may think it's a hospital, and the knights may think it's a prison. But let me tell you, it is neither.

The Infected are shipped there, washed of their dignity, stripped of their basic worth, and finally sent to the cutting boards to be culled.

What you're looking at, Sarkaz, is a glorified slaughterhouse.