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Didn't think I would ever see you surprised like this.

I gave you a hint, after all.

That rock? Very funny.

I thought...

Who did you think would come? Manfred?

I'm thinking Theresis must be getting senile if he let you live. You even get to roam around Londinium like this?

I thought you guys were long dead, since I haven't heard anything from you in ages.

Well... you know what they say about assuming? See, you were right. I've become sentimental, almost forgot we're mercs.

Your detonator hand slowed down, W.

And your hand isn't trembling this time.

What about those mercenaries you brought from Reunion? Did you really come alone?

Why would I bring them? So that they could get bought out by the Regent, like you?

Looks like you care about them. No wonder I didn't see any familiar faces.

Speak for yourself. I saw lots of old friends in Londinium.

You really like headhunting under my nose, don't you?

Let me guess, Schwab is dead, isn't he? You killed him, didn't you, Hoederer? He knew you longer than he knew me, right?

Did your hand tremble when you killed an old friend? One who carried you on his back for an entire day, dodging dozens of Theresis's killers?

You're remembering it wrong. He was gone by the Battle for Rhodes Island.

Alright, you've always had a better memory than me for the people we fought with.

I've always wanted to ask... does it make you feel better to remember the dead?

I don't think so. I can see it in your eyes. Your dreams haunt you now more than ever.

I've known you for as long as you've known me.

You're only trying to hide your own feelings when move to provoke me like that.

Ha, like you'd know.

In the old days, you would have thrown out those useless resistance fighters as bait.

If someone told me that W volunteered to be the rear guard, I would have told them to find a funnier joke.

Did your time in Chernobog drive you mad, W?

Did Talulah burn your brains out, or are you seeing the shadows of the dead?

The mad never admit their madness, right? How do you know I'm the one who's mad?

Schwab's head isn't enough to buy Theresis's trust. What was the price you had to pay?

Could it have been her? Don't tell me...

Don't even say it.

Oh? There's a reaction.

We've done all we could.

You were too slow, W.

Did I hear that right? Are you looking for an excuse for your screw-ups? Who was it who told me he had a plan for everything?

When do you think I lost my eye?

You don't mean that Ines...

Yes, she's dead.

Again?

I'm not...

Mercenaries pay a price for breaching trust. I've paid mine.

We're out.

We've been lucky, haven't we?

The Sarkaz got drawn to the explosions in the south. The ones guarding the interrogation room got taken out by Dublinn.

Nothing good comes of relying on luck in battle.

Ha. Did you think you would have lived this long, if not for lady luck?

W-Who's she? Did they escape from the interrogation room too? Are they friends?

Enemies.

(Aim.)

(But hold your fire.)

Can't talk without your crossbow raised, soldier? Don't think I didn't know you only got out by following us.

You want me to thank you? Then you'd better take a trip with me to the hardest prison in Londinium.

I'll give you credit.

You're not like the nobles that seep oil from every pore.

They're the ones who kneel before anyone to cling to their way of life. Sarkaz or Dublinn... it makes no difference to them.

You, though... you just won't give up. You're like flies, getting in my way no matter where I go.

That's my line.

Why you...!

*Cough* *cough* Mandragora...

Your friend's in pretty bad shape.

Same to those soldiers behind you.

Looks like we're both in a hurry.

It's a shame that I don't have time for you today.

Suits me just fine.

Make way.

Let's go.

By the way, soldier—

Huh?

You had better not die at the hands of the Sarkaz...

Before I have the chance to impale you with my rock.

Whew... they're gone.

Good. Save your ammo for the Sarkaz.

Do you mean...?

Don't you think it's too easy?

Whoever Dublinn took from the interrogation room, I doubt the Sarkaz would let them go so easily.

Or us, for that matter.

Do you have everyone, Lady Heidi?

Yes, Amiya. They're all here.

Careful!

Let the weakest go first. We'll take care of any pursuing mercenaries.

Feist, can you still fight?

Of course.

Hang on tight, Bill. Things could get bumpy.

More enemies ahead! They must have come in from another entrance!

Target found!

Over here! Get them!

Hey, don't run too fast. Got to keep a pair of eyes in the back of your head when moving.

A few got away.

Still not enough?

Get that caster first. Don't let him cast any Arts on our wounded.

Thank goodness you are back.

We aren't late to the party, are we?

Great.;What luck.

Whew... Doctor, you didn't tell me there was only one fighter meeting up with us.

One is enough.;There's more than one.

You know, Doctor, the more I learn about Rhodes Island, the more mysterious it seems.

But at the end of the day, the most mysterious one is always you.

You always have a card up your sleeve, don't you?

On this point, we're the same.

It looks like the Sarkaz have been drawn over here. But we didn't see many souls on the way.

The ones holding off the enemies inside... I'm worried about them.

I'm worried about W...

W? The one who made such an impression on all those operators at Chernobog?

Er, yeah.

Rhodes Island really IS filled with talent.

We have a... temporary understanding.

Doctor, I felt something eerie in her gaze when she said she was looking for Lady Heidi.

What did you feel, Amiya?;Isn't she always like that?

Her emotions can be unusual, but there are times that she doesn't try to hide them. Her eyes don't lie at times like that.

The last time I saw that look from her was when she was yelling at me for the codes to stop the core city.

Is she still hiding something?

Ask her when she comes back.;She's W. She'll be back.

Alright... I trusted her once, I'll trust her again.

Huff... huff...

You're bleeding a lot.

You've got a few holes in you.

You should have hidden another bomb on yourself, like you used to. That way, you'd at least have a chance to take me down with you.

*Cough*... Hoederer...

How much is my head worth? Enough to buy a small house in Londinium?

Sorry, W. The Regent has better things to do than remember the name of a random merc.

Ha... did you say that to Ines too? Before she gave her life for your little dream?

Still talking big, eh?

What were you expecting? A big laugh and a standing ovation for your dumb shit? No tears on my face, Hoederer. That's not like me.

Who's the dumb one? You're on the ground, not me.

Like I said, I'm just... a little surprised.

So surprised you missed multiple chances to maim me?

Now that's not like you, W. What made you lose your cool?

Let's see... how about an old friend coming back from the dead and trying to put his sword through me?

I can believe that.

W... who is this old friend you're talking about?

That's what I don't like about you... You always think you can see right through me, same as her.

Too bad for you, I'm right again.

It's been a while since you snuck into Londinium. There aren't too many distractions like this in here. What did you see in the city?

You're the one following Theresis, not me. Have you not kowtowed to his traitor throne enough times? Still can't see through his tricks?

So you knew.

Stop playing this game of you-know I-know. Look like a mercenary for once, Hoederer.

I can't let you leave here alive, W.

Of all the old friends that I've killed... you're probably the one who could best understand the choice I'm making.

Now who's indecisive?

I'm not taking my eyes off you. I want to see the Sarkaz who had the nerve to put his sword through me.

Alright then.

Goodbye, W.

...Huh?

Something deflected my sword... a dagger? Where did it come from?

Don't move.

It's been a long time, Ascalon.

Hey...

Same to you. Don't move.

*Cough* Or what?

Wait, you came to save me, right?

Don't tell me you came to help him? Don't you know what Theresis did to her—

Maybe work on your aim? I just barely dodged that, what with my injuries and all.

Too bad.

You know you can't kill me now, right?

You've been my boss, and I've been yours. But there's someone here who's been boss to both of us. And she's clearly not in a good mood.

I know. Our heads could drop off our shoulders at any moment.

I have nothing else to say.

...W.

Each word will make you bleed a little faster.

I know, thanks for the concern.

Looks like you'll have to accept a little failure if you don't want to die here together, 'Captain' Hoederer.