level_act9d0_06_beg

Months ago, after contacting Reunion

10:14 P.M. \ Clear

Ursus, unnamed desert outskirts

...You've met all the Reunion leaders.

What'd you think?

Are you asking me, or her?

If you ask me, I'd say nothing out of the ordinary. The stuff they do is pretty par for the course for people like that.

A strange bunch. There's a child who seems to been purposefully pushed into that position to the point of becoming cruel, and then there's a warrior whose toughness is beyond imagination.

There are some incredible people, but then there are also some two-bit villains.

All I can say is, we've seen all kinds of people after fighting wars all these years.

But, there is someone who caught my eye...

Oh, you must be talking about that one. The one who was waiting at the side with that other little rabbit.

Their squad seemed on a completely different level compared to those ordinary Infected. That kind of Sarkaz warrior can be said to truly bear the mark of war.

Sarkaz...?

Yeah, but you don't see Sarkaz like that every day. He claims to be with Ursus, saying he broke off contact with Kazdel long ago.

How pitiful. He never needed to live such an exhausting life.

Maybe we should all go meet him.

The impression I got from him... was that he has become much more than a 'warrior.'

And you, don't you love thinking about things? Instead of philosophizing, why not have a chat with someone like that?

We might all learn a lot from him.

You're talking about...

Pardon. I would like to. Speak with you alone.

...Speak of the devil. What's up?

To who do I owe the pleasure?

My name. Does not matter. For the time being.

Rest assured. Right now, I am not. Here on behalf of the leader.

I just want to hear...

About my countrymen. About my homeland. What has become of them.

I know that, in Kazdel. Many things happened.

Some things, I have heard. But details, no.

You're just Ursine.

These two identities. Do not conflict.

The bloodline. Has not changed. Dark, and deeply rooted.

I care not for it. But run from it? I cannot.

So even if I told you, what do you plan to do?

These things happened a long time ago for me—

Nothing. There is nothing. I can do.

But, it has been so long. Since I saw Theresa.

Ooh...

From your reactions. I see. She is with you. Her mark is here. After all, you are Sarkaz.

Muddied. Blood-soaked.

She is a hero, at least. So respected. A great warrior. A worthy ruler.

My flesh. Loyal to Ursus. From my people, I exiled myself. But I, am still Sarkaz.

I want to know. What happened to her Kazdel.

I just, want to know.

En route to Chernobog

5:22 A.M. \ Clear

Chernobog, Sarkaz mercenary garrison

...Need something?

We hope that your mercenaries can give us an explanation.

First, your team defected. The people who went after them reported back that you weren't even trying.

A few hours ago, some enemies managed to infiltrate Chernobog. Again, due to your negligence.

Combined with the fact that when we first captured Chernobog, someone tipped us off that you let—

Okay, okay, I got it. The client's dissatisfied with our performance. Can you say that with fewer words?

We're simply in a 'cooperative' relationship, and I'm the leader now. If I get on this table and start grovelling, will Talulah be happy?

Or, did having Papa Patriot around give you the illusion... that Reunion is actually good at fighting a war?

Make no mistake about who the people actually capable of bringing you victory are.

If you've figured it out, hurry up and crawl back to that dragon girl. I'll tell her what she wants to know soon enough, so don't rush me.

There's one other thing.

Just now, stragglers from an enemy party were detected inside the city. That mercenary, Ines, died after exchanging fire with them.

Reunion also participated in this battle. The enemies were very strong, and we all suffered losses.

This is all due to your negligence.

...There's no need to get pushy with me.

Seems like something happened to the east of here not long ago.

Precisely.

So... where's the body?

Unfortunately, I have bad news.

I'm talking about the enemy's corpses. Ines wouldn't use such flashy, destructive Arts.

Our casters were also involved in the battle. The entire street was destroyed.

Don't you think you're being a bit too blatant here?

I don't know what you're talking about.

...So, from your side's point of view, how should this situation be handled?

...Our main force is focused on the battle that will take place in Lungmen. We have no time to waste here.

The Leader won't investigate your responsibility in this just yet, so you should handle it yourself.

Hmm... You have a pretty thick Ursus accent.

...What of it?

You guys...

...Didn't really think that I'd take some random excuse, did you?

W, stop.

(Put that wand away and calm down first.)

Sorry, got a bit carried away there. You can breathe a sigh of relief first and be grateful that you get to live.

What's the meaning of this?!

...Don't get me wrong. The death of one Sarkaz won't affect the outcome of the next battle.

And neither will the death of the entire Reunion Movement.

If you don't believe me, you're welcome to try me.

...I'll make sure our Leader hears about your true attitude.

There won't be a next time.

You heard 'em.

Since you let that Rhodes Island squad escape, Reunion has never allowed us to act alone.

If they could put half this much effort into their actual battles, they wouldn't be getting their asses handed to them so badly.

Despite that, you still deliberately let that traitorous blademaster get away.

...I didn't deliberately let him go. I just didn't want those idiotic Infected to kill a Sarkaz I brought here.

...The old you would've slaughtered Flamebringer on the spot to get Reunion's attention off of you.

Regardless of what you wanted.

Eh? Was I the only one who couldn't remember his codename? How embarrassing.

So, is Ines really...

Now's not the time...

She... I'll have someone identify her, identify her c— ...Tch.

Let's talk business first.

...Three things.

First, Ines wanted to warn you that something's wrong with Talulah. She must've seen something more specific, but I'm not clear on that.

All she told me was, Talulah apparently had 'two shadows.' From her reaction, this isn't some common byproduct of Arts interference.

That damn coward... Why wouldn't she ever be straightforward...

Second, the old man has left. Received an order to go fetch something. Talulah didn't even make any efforts to hide it.

...Finally, a messenger has already set off for Victoria. Shortly, the Regent will know everything that has happened here.

Theresis knows many things, and he has just as many monsters around him.

If he is allowed to intervene, this would no longer be a simple question between Reunion and Ursus...

W! Are you listening to me?

...Too noisy. Since it's all good news anyway, let me have some peace and quiet.

You've had your hand on the hilt of your blade... ever since you walked through the door.

You were like that when we first met, as if you were ready to cut me down at any moment.

But the way you stayed calm back there was just like Patriot—

What do you really think about this?

That's not important.

And none of us are. We all know this, and bad habits die hard.

Ines, she...

I have the right to hear what she said, right? ...In order to respect her sacrifice.

...You two are both similar. Never considering the consequences of the things you do.

The Regent will not sit idly and watch them lose control. If you can't give him a suitable answer, Londinium's summons will destroy everything you've painstakingly put together.

Ironically, I still don't know what you're trying to accomplish, even now.

...Who knows?

Just, don't think you can handle everything alone, W. You'll come to regret it sooner or later, just like me.

The reason you have the right to ask questions is because you avoided the center of the whirlpool.

Really? Who's still left on Rhodes Island now?

...Why are you asking that?

I've seen your interactions with the messenger. You've been investigating Rhodes Island's trail.

That drug company... I had assumed they only got caught up in that war, but turns out, the truth isn't so simple.

Especially, Scout...

...According to your plan, we were in charge of all the other fronts during the battle to hold Chernobog.

Yeah, and you guys did a great job—

But, someone still found him, the ghost of Babel. You chose to find him yourself, and then you let him go.

In the past, I would've seen this as a sign of untrustworthiness.

But by the looks of things, you didn't plan to keep that secret for long anyway.

Ugh, what point is there in hiding that?

If you've ever fought in a battle, you're bound to know some people who have a bit of a reputation.

After all, if those people have been fighting tooth and nail to hang on, there's no getting around it.

What's your plan now? We shouldn't have had to fight against them in the first place.

If that Kal'tsit is still in charge of Rhodes Island, this might be a chance...

No.

What do you think my objective is?

...I see.

You said you'd help me do this one thing. We agreed on it.

Dishonest mercenaries are worth just as much as dead mercenaries, so I don't mind making some extra arrangements.

Ines can no longer help you.

And soon... I'll have to leave too.

Oh, I haven't heard about this before. Where to?

I'll head back to Victoria with the messenger. It'll be about a three or four-month trip. We'll leave tomorrow morning before sunrise.

...Are you in that much of a hurry to reunite with Ines in death? With your reputation, you plan to head back to Londinium carrying all that sin on your shoulders?

You'd probably be better off fleeing back to Kazdel.

You killed Garcin and reorganized the mercenaries. Someone has to report this to the Regent.

If nobody goes to report this, he'll treat us like disowned children and cast us straight into the next warzone. A battlefield within his reach.

When that time comes, there really will be no place to run.

You're taking this risk to cover for me? Why would you do that?

Her Majesty, Theresa... She remembered my name. And my family.

Though Her Majesty is no longer here, there's a part of her left in this piece of shit, no good squad.

How come I've never seen it?

Mm. No matter how perverse the Sarkaz's personalities and methods may be, judging from the results, they're still fighting for that lofty, unrealistic idea.

...Do you even know what you're talking about?

We've known each other for a long time, W.

That's all.

Out of compassion, let me also give you a reminder.

This is your best opportunity to escape Kazdel. Leave from here, past Lungmen and Ursus, to the distant lands beyond. I'm willing to keep one eye closed.

But if you go back, know that you will die.

Hah... Just earlier, you said you wanted me to help you do your thing.

If your idea of helping me is just committing suicide, then I suggest you hang on to your life instead.

When it's my turn to collect, I'd like some of my debtors to still be alive.

I wouldn't necessarily be going there to die. Depending on the Regent's mood, there are many possible outcomes.

Reunion has been manipulated into something far beyond what you can imagine. The Regent may well change his mind.

...In any case, I no longer have the luxury of running away.

I've left Kazdel. And I'm about to leave here. What's the worst that could happen? Patriot has already taught me enough.

You've been influenced by him a lot, just from your short time here.

Just like you were, with Theresa. It's all the same, isn't it?

Theresis sits on his throne. Even if I am only able to grovel my way up there with my head pressed against the ground, I must reach where he is, and figure out what he is thinking.

Otherwise, if we continue acting recklessly as we are now, that will truly be committing suicide.

You know, you could also just submit to him.

I've thought about that before. Just so you know, Garcin was always suspicious of you. He even gave me the order to kill you once.

Oh? Sounds like things would've been a bit more entertaining if you had listened to him.

Sorry, but I'm not into the same kind of stuff you're into.

Now, let's decide.

Hm... I won't deny that I'm curious about what Theresis is up to.

Seems like I have no choice though.

That's right. Even if you rejected my proposal, I don't plan to let you keep running the show.

You're not gonna say that this is for my good, right?

Of course not. What kind of Sarkaz goes around taking care of others?

...How disappointing, you've just gone right back to your old ways. I thought you were going to keep falling.

So, do you already have a plan?

Why don't you go ask Ines?

That's a really unfunny joke.

Then, before I leave, let me tell you another joke.

Ines once told me that you looked more and more like a lunatic, but your actions got less and less decisive.

Who, me? Do you really believe that?

Have I been using fewer bombs recently?

Maybe. No matter how good you might be at hiding it, we've worked together for far too many years.

Who's to say, maybe we trusted you this whole time.

...So, which line was the joke?

...Oh, it's you. Sarkaz mercenary, Hoederer, huh?

I heard you were leaving. What business do you have with us?

Before I leave, there's something I'd like to confirm...

Did any of you personally see Ines fall in battle?

No.

As soon as we received the support request, the battle was over.

The street had been torn apart, and the Originium crystals left by the Catastrophe caused a violent chain reaction.

We got the situation under control with fairly minimal—

...What are you doing?

Ursursian, you're pretty calm for someone who just saw a companion fall in front of your eyes.

You give off the stench of conspiracy and war. A stench that is all too familiar—

If Ines was still here, that's definitely what she'd say.

So that's what this is about. It's all too common for people to vent their anger on the Infected over a fallen comrade.

I just thought you would've been a little smarter than W.

...A little smarter, huh?

Yeah, looking back, I've been a bit overprotective of her. Always have been.

But not because I was afraid she'd get in trouble. You see, I was more afraid that I'd have nobody to kill.

After all, I'm also a Sarkaz... the real deal.

You——!