level_act46side_09_end

I am in position.

As Her Grace's latest instructions state, Ratatos's feigned death must have a reason. She is most likely carrying important information on her person, and is to be captured alive.

This is the front, the courtyard is empty. Prepare for direct contact.

Do not attract attention. End it quick.

The only thing to watch out for is the Black Knight, who is most likely still here.

But where is she?

The intruder looks about warily, holding his weapon tight.

Not good!

z

A black degenbrecher flies at unbelievable speed towards him. The intruder is sent flying by the incredible force, slamming against the walls.

Ah!

I heard... more fighting outside. What in the blazes is going on?

Quiet down!

The trickiest enemies for us to handle are outside right now. Degenbrecher's risking her life to protect us.

The only thing you can do right now is sit down, shut up and not be discovered.

I... I heard the broadcast say that I'm a hostage abducted by Kjerag? Why...

Heh... Your fellow Victorians got their weapons out and started up their tanks. They're not letting anything out of this place.

So are they here to rescue you, or are they here to keep people in the know locked up in here so they can get their other plans done? The answer is obvious.

You mean they're using my rescue as an excuse to invade Kjerag...?

It's what you said... and it seems reality agrees with you.

...How did it all come to this?

If you've got a way to get the information out, you can ask your fellow countrymen that question.

When I came to this place, I thought I could help the oppressed people. With my camera and my words, I would be able to let more people know about the true Kjerag.

I believed all that I did had meaning...

...Should I be thanking you for your kindness or something?

Alright, alright, I'll treat you as an actual kind-hearted lady then.

So don't play dumb with me now. Why do you think what you've seen is the 'true Kjerag'?

And who do you think is doing the oppressing here?

Melting snow atop the roof becomes water dripping into the courtyard, causing ripples in the intruder's pooling blood.

Before him, the face shrouded in light looks right back at him.

Within the great hall, the candle flames are like chained bloodthirst, raging and roiling.

Such power... No wonder the reports on Kjerag emphasized the Black Knight's presence.

I knew you people would try to sneak in.

You... Hmph, to tell you the truth, I can't tell which of you is which underneath those masks.

That colleague of yours who came to Kjerag before, surely he told you this land is not one you can trample as you please?

Indeed. Your fame is known to us.

We made sure to make ample preparations.

So you intend to win through numbers.

None of us could hope to claim victory over you. It is only a mission, nothing more.

Your clothes may mark you as elites.

But here's something you wouldn't know without feeling some pain—

If you wish to pass, it will only be as a corpse.

Come.

It's rare that I have the chance to go all-out.

...I suppose I should consider you all willing to die.

She takes up a killing stance as the air is filled with the muffled cries of unsheathed weapons.

With drawn blades and cold gleams, they slowly step forward, stepping onto the puddles reflecting a muddled sky.

Upon this holy ground, a savage melee is about to begin.

The humid air warms and dries. Falling snow melts. Steam rises. Droplets splash about.

From the clash of steel against flesh come sparks of scarlet.

Hah—

Not bad! Again!

...I never thought it would be like this.

Should I not have come to Kjerag, Madame Ratatos?

That's a question you need to answer yourself, along with your country.

On the Kjerag side of things, I might have also considered using one as pure-hearted as you, so I can't really blame Victoria for doing it.

...So what exactly does the information I have mean to Victoria, and to Kjerag?

They're just making a fuss out of you to make it look like the facts are already settled. Don't take it too seriously.

We're hostages, nothing more.

I feel like this is all rather absurd.

Well, that's one way to sum it up. If your camera still works, this would make some excellent material for you.

If... I walked out that door, the rest of you would be fine, right?

If you did, they'd point their swords at you and confiscate all your material. You yourself might even disappear without a trace, with nobody else knowing what had happened to you.

With things having come to a head... You're the one who's meant to understand them the most, not me.

So are we supposed to sit here and do nothing?

I don't think the Victorians want to lose you, Miss Hostage.

Just calm down, wait, and then...

I don't care what your plan is, Enciodes, it's time to put it into action.

Reporting in!

We've built some temporary fortifications, just like you ordered, Sir Arctosz.

The enemy fleet hasn't fired yet. Instead, they're marching towards a place three clicks from us. How should we respond?

Our explosives reserves?

We've moved over all we could. We'll be risking our lives, but at the very least, we can delay the Victorian advance for a while.

Good.

Go get the troops in formation! Meanwhile, I'll have a chat with these Victorians!

The ship stops in front of him, its dark gray armor plating reflecting the sun's light. This is one of the rare moments in Arctosz's life he is forced to look up.

Who's your commander? Tell him to come out for a chat!

My commanding officer does not wish to come to blows with you, Arctosz Paleroche.

That all depends on why you've come to Kjerag. Don't tell me you're all just lost in the woods.

Her Grace has already made everything clear in her open letter. We must defend Victoria's interests while helping Kjerag stabilize following the Catastrophe.

All we ask is for the mastermind behind Kjerag's troubles, Enciodes Silverash, to receive the trial he deserves, which I believe is in line with Clan Paleroche's thinking.

The only thing I'm thinking is this: if you take even one more step forward, you'll pay the full price for it.

The only way you'll be going any further into Kjerag is over my dead body!

Back already? What're the commander's orders?

No changes. We keep guarding this final checkpoint. Once all their people are in, they'll definitely find Kjerag's arsenal.

They've been searching for ages now, but they still haven't found anything?

Yep. Even if Kjerag can't make any big moves like they said, I'm not willing to bet that that Enciodes guy doesn't have something up his sleeve.

Maybe—Hmm? Another transport truck.

Well, this one's all yours, buddy. I'm all tired out from checking all those beans last truck.

Fine.

The guard waves down the truck slowly approaching him. It obediently comes to a halt.

Sorry, mister, but as per Her Grace's orders, all vehicles passing this point are to be searched.

Unload your cargo—

A thick baton smacks into his head with a 'bonk'. Before the other guard can cry out for help, a shadow appears behind him, tightening itself around his neck.

We've cleared the road again, sir, just like the plan said.

Update Sir Gnosis on the situation.

Get those supplies transported. We can't keep him waiting.

She is unsure whose blood is blurring her sight as it runs down her cheek into the corner of her mouth.

She tastes an iron tang she has not tasted in a while.

Her twin degenbrechers quiver as they fend off blades coming at her from all directions. While her enemies' wily tricks have left wounds all over her body, she has not taken a single step back.

Seven or eight of her foes lie slumped on the floor around her.

Pah...

*cough*...

You are at your limit, Black Knight.

In truth, you can still choose to lay down your arms and surrender.

You're all mouth.

Lock up your silver tongues and come at me if you're brave enough.

Even you must bleed.

Would you not regret dying here, Knight?

...Hmph.

Meaningless drivel when said to someone—

Who holds their own life cheap.

Clang—!

She takes advantage of her foe's moment of complacency, sending him flying.

Most times, she could not let out a blow this strong. But now, her strength is fueled by a rage that had not burned in a very long time.

The mere sight of the scar-laden knight's furious form is enough to strike fear into the hearts of her enemies.

Some of them take half a step back.

What're you so afraid of?

The knight takes a shaky step forward, leaving behind two trails of blood upon the ground.

Her eyes shine brighter than ever, but it is the shine of bloodshot eyes. Her body is fast losing its ability to stand, yet her unwavering fervor still flows. From where, she does not know.

The candles of the hall slowly extinguish. The reflections on the floor become all the more blurry.

In the end, she staggers...

Several smoke grenades fly into the courtyard, covering everything in a cloud of fumes.

Who's there?!

They aren't Court guards. Someone our intelligence didn't account for is intervening. We can't continue the mission.

Abort mission, retreat with the wounded.

Made it right on time...

Victoria's elite hooligans won't be sorted that easily. We need to find somewhere safe.

Wake up. This is no time for a nap.

*cough* You're...

Sharp?

Take it easy with the talking, you're wounded.

Did the Doctor send you?

SilverAsh has been in contact with the Doctor the whole time. After hearing about the Catastrophe in Kjerag, the Doctor figured you'd run into trouble.

While we do have our hands pretty full at the moment, the Doctor <i>did</i> promise that if you ever found yourselves in a pinch, we wouldn't just stand back and watch.

I've already called Rhodes Island for reinforcements, they should be here any minute now.

What about Enciodes?

No need to worry. I believe SilverAsh has managed to take the reins of this situation.

Just hang in there, Degenbrecher. You're through the hardest part now.

...Are we able to maintain our current output?

Yes sir, ammunition stocks will be as expected. But, Chairman Edelweiss...

I can't help but doubt things. If what we're facing is the Duke of Caster's fleet, then even if we raised our efficiency tenfold, we still wouldn't be able to compete with them.

No need to worry. Just follow the plan.

We'll handle the rest.

I've worked for Karlan Trade for eleven years now, Chairman. I know what it's brought to Kjerag.

I believe in the both of you.

It seems you're ready now.

I suppose you don't need me for any further reminders, Master of Clan Silverash.

Since this is to be a negotiation, I thought I would change into something more formal.

Caster's army has laid siege to Kjerag, while her advance forces have control over several of our streets, forcing the civilians back into their homes.

Arctosz has brought his men to confront the Victorians, but they are a frail force in comparison.

The Duke's envoy came by Karlan Trade, asking me to pass you an 'invitation' to the negotiating table.

She is waiting for you, Enciodes.

It sounds like the situation is still within our expectations.

Look at you, admiring this lonely battleship... Does it not seem too weak as it is now?

Lately, I have found myself often thinking about a day from many years ago. The day my parents received an invitation from Clan Browntail.

My father told me that the reason why the Browntails and the Paleroches did not support us was because they had not seen what he had seen.

'If someone can take a step forward, even if it is only a single step...'

Even if it is the infamous Luca Browntail.

They knew of the worst-case scenario, but they did not hesitate.

Now I am at the age at which they passed away. Looking back, it seems that some things haven't changed.

But at least now I know <i>why</i> they did not hesitate.

In the wake of their passing, I followed my clan as we left Kjerag to head to Victoria.

It was a rough start. I was learning almost out of habit as I got used to the disdainful looks of my Victorian classmates.

The only thing that kept me going was the knowledge that one day, I would return to Kjerag.

But in the end, you went to Victoria too.

I fear I shall never forget the look on your face when I first greeted you at school.

...I was simply surprised by the way you greeted me, asking me if I still remembered our childhood promise like some sort of naive fool.

'Do you still want to make Kjerag big enough for the both of us?'

But it was also what convinced me that everything you said, the future you envisioned, was no mere fantasy.

Thus, I hitched my rope to Karlan Trade, which leads me to today.

Today is far from enough, Gnosis.

I am about to meet with the house, the most ruthless of creditors...

...No matter if I am there to see it or not, I <i>will</i> give Kjerag a tomorrow.

Finally, I want you to know that it's not just us supporting you. Many other people of Kjerag do too.

Karlan Trade's years of toil were not for nothing.

If you were to ask me what I had wished to hear at this very moment...

You always were able to get people to tell you exactly that.

Do you have an example?

Like when you told Degenbrecher you would treat her as nothing more than a pawn, and that when her contract expired, it was up to her if she stayed in Kjerag.

But you already knew her answer.

Perhaps why I wish to hear such words is precisely because I am not so sure you would give me such answers.

Hah, are you afraid?

When I declared I would make Kjerag into a grand stage big enough for us more than twenty years ago, I had signed away all rights to be afraid.

You have experienced it for yourself. I am sure you have not forgotten.

...But at times, I too need a few words of encouragement.

So, have Degenbrecher and I managed to provide you with them?

...Without a doubt.

I am truly glad... to have you both.

Perhaps, in the Kjerag to come, we will no longer need to make these usurious deals, or rely on the Vine-Bead Court to have faith.

Perhaps, you two will have the better of me in—

Enough with the self-flattery, Enciodes.

Go and see the Kjerag of your dreams for yourself.

If you are a coward who dares not face his own dream, then so be it. Degenbrecher and I have our own things to do.

Like right now. I should go.

As you wish.