Last-Ditch Thrust

He didn't tell any of us how bad it'd gotten.

With an infection like that, he should've stepped aside months ago.

He should've found his way out of Kazimierz, followed his dreams. Should've gotten to sort out his final days.

Olmer Ingra... the Kawalerielki knight noble to a T. Despotic, ignorant, no regard for human life.

I should've broken all four of his limbs in the arena when I had the chance...

It's not your fault either, Ashlock.

Dammit. And I was right there!

Did he... say anything... in his final moments?

You wouldn't want to know.

On the contrary, I wish I could.

Fine.

......

It's not rare at all... for Infected to pass on with regrets.

We'll remember his anger.

......

Sona?

His name was Jamie. He was a competition knight, and then an Infected after an accident.

He went through a divorce. He had a sweet little girl. He must've been underreporting his condition so he could keep on competing... He needed the money.

But in order to underreport his condition, he'd have to bribe the Knights Association.

I found the letters between him and the Association staff in his room. It was a bottomless pit.

He was the optimistic type. So optimistic to the point he couldn't even tell the sort of burden he was shouldering.

He caught Oripathy, he parted ways with his wife and daughter, but he kept on helping people.

Do you still remember? He was always up at the crack of dawn just to look after the kids.

He shouldn't have died in this indignity. It goes against the founding intent of our Knightclub, but...

But I can't get over it...

It was the end of the end, and someone so filled with passion for life, in his final moments, let loose such haunting, unforgettable hate.

If this is how things are—

...Sona.

You've had too much on your mind lately. Careful you don't get so fixated.

...Mm...

...I'm gonna leave all this knotty thinking work to you guys.

I'm gonna get stronger. Strong enough to crush those sanctimonious bastards between my fingers. Strong enough to clear the way all by myself.

The Blood Knight's a fine example. Since at least Kazimierz recognizes a 'knight' these days, that's the path we should be take.

Don't overthink stuff, Sona. It'll only slow you down.

...Sona!

Alright, alright, I get it. We need to step it up and check with Szewczyk—

The wind... there was a change in the wind's stirring. Even if just for a moment...

Someone's watching this place, and not just that...

The Armorless?

They know how to mask their breathing. But if they're after us, they should've attacked by now.

—Come out.

This is Infected territory. No uninfected would ever just wander in here.

If you don't—

Alright, alright. Keep the noise down, sheesh.

Never dreamed I'd see Infected knights around. I haven't been anywhere near Kawalerielki in over ten years, but the knight bosses and businessfolk are all out of their minds.

Who are you?

Don't get me wrong, I was in the neighborhood looking for someone. But, well, this might just be meant to be...

...I'm thinking we share some of the same interests, my Infected friends. Like... the Armorless Union.

Sorry, but we've been through some very unfortunate things today. If you really want to chat, try some other day.

Oh? That's some rotten luck indeed. My condolences.

Then I can only go somewhere else and try my luck there. Not every day I visit the Grand Knight Territory, after all.

I'll leave you all be, then... but we might see each other again very soon.

......

I found the knight who took Szewczyk. The runaway Fartooth Knight.

She's mingling with Pinus Sylvestris, of course. Infected knights have a way of sticking together—

—What's that noise on your end? Are you at a bar again?

Fine, looking into the Nightzmora's background, that's a decent excuse. When's the order being issued regarding the Infected?

...What?

Didn't the Szewczyk case end up like this precisely because they were 'still officially meeting to decide?' They sent a whole drone to bomb him—what point is there in still...

Well, jeez... tell me all you like, but the Major's running right now no matter what you say. They can't be all that cavalier about deciding.

Yep, mm-hm, I'm not slacking one bit, trust me.

It's true—hey, boss, you got any fries?

One moment.

Cool. Hey? Monique, you still there?

...Classic, she hung up.

Here's your fries, sir.

Oh, nice. Appreciate it.

Mm...! Who's the genius who came up with slicing a tater this thin and frying it too? The world wouldn't be so beautiful without you, whoever you are.

Come to think of it, that real standout Maria Nearl, she graces this place pretty often with Whislash Knight, if I'm remembering right?

If you came looking for an autograph, you'd better be extra lucky.

After all, this bar's for nothing but old retired fogies.

Who's that there? Couldn't be an Armorless Union spy?

God knows, he hasn't tried anything. Not like we can frisk him, either... hey, is he sizing you up?

Hrrm... just ignore him.

I've been getting the twitchiest eyes since last night... Can't shake the feeling something big's going to happen.

Finally hit the right age for insomnia?

Eh? I'm fit as a fiddle! What do you know! It was the twitches back then that told me we had incoming artillery fire—

What the hell big's going to happen to you? Are you going to squeeze olive oil out of your toothpaste tomorrow morning?

—Hmm.

Marcin. I can sense their aura now... it's someone major.

I've never had a premonition strange as this before... here's hoping they won't make trouble.

(Here they come. Nice and fast, too... mmm, I'll just let it happen.)

(This language...!)

What's going on? Kids these days wander into bars singing their own songs? What's the point of the jukebox, then?

The Nearls' light can't really have stuck to my lonely little bar, can it? But I've never met a knight like you in my time... V? What's wrong?

I... I don't know, it's just suddenly my heart feels a little...

(Ancient language) ...Batbayar, brethren, the last descendant.

(Ancient language) Why be in a place like this?

You...! You know that name?

......

Answer me. How do you know that name?

Hey, V, this a friend of yours?

......

Would you like a drink? Sir? If you've got no business, I have to tell you we don't welcome armed knights too warmly here.

(Ancient language) How sorry this is.

Hold on, don't just up and go—

Kowal, Maria will be borrowing your workshop a while longer—

—Er.

Zo—Zofia, slow down... agh!

Why did you—stop, what's going on?

...You are...

...Nightmare Knight?

What's the rising star of the year doing here? Are you trying to sneak out intel on Maria and Margaret?

If so—

How clamorous.

—!

Watch out!

Wh... What are you trying to do here!?

Pegasus... a weak race. Only those pegasi with blood of flowing gold are worthy rivals.

But once the pegasi abdicated, this so-called 'Land of the Knights'...

Its grasslands turned feeble. You cannot be blind to it, can you, Kuranta?

In present Kazimierz, you people, all are called knights?

And in those... pompous arenas, you test your martial skills?

After your little act just now, I'm not finding the will to talk to you all nice and happy.

Hold it... boy, I still have things to ask you. The last thing I want right now is to put a bolt through your head.

Not bad... you have the will to fight still.

What about you, then?

Uh, me? Like, me? I'm just a fan of knights, just in the neighborhood. No need to waste the effort pretending I exist, I'll be fine.

I can't do a thing anyway, not a single thing, mm-hm.

......

(Tremoriron Marcin, proficient with warhammers. Vogelweide, campaign knight marksman. Whislash Knight, not much of a threat since she was injured... Maria, no need to monitor for the time being.)

(But none of that really matters... mm-hm... the Nightzmora came looking for Vogelweide after all...)

(Alright... now... what to do. Will the Radiant Knight come?)

This place is not worth even a quick visit. Keeping company with you people makes one uneasy to stand still.

Alright, boy, who d'you think you're looking down on?

(Ancient language) Batbayar, in the past you campaigned on the battlesands, fought with your own two hands, yet could only barely manage to protect your homeland.

(What's he saying?!)

War... you're a campaign knight? You recognize me?

(Ancient language) No, I'm no 'knight.' Nothing so ridiculous. Simply put, war is the only path in which you never shamed your ancestry, descendant.

(Ancient language) Though you stand here... in this city of steel and concrete, neon flitting through the rain, descendant, I hope you can still remember the breathing of the grasslands, and the vow the Khagan swore.

Khagan? What...?

You're going on about some stodgy old tale?

(Ancient language) I intended... before setting out once again, to seek my surviving brethren in this so-called land of the knights. It seems, now, I was simply deluded.

(Ancient language) No matter.

(Ancient language) Kazimierz's frailty spits on Khagan's accomplishments. Someone must set such conduct straight.

Stop right there! You still haven't answered me!

Hm... Though now you've lost all that made you, you're still at least half a brother... I should answer your question.

It was an old veteran who told me your name, and he, he was ruined in his age, not even able to run.

I seek every one of my brethren in Kazimierz. No matter how weak their relation, I seek them and nothing more.

Come again? Brethren? In Kazimierz, is that right?

It's no longer your concern, Kazimierzian.

Hold it.

......

Nightmare Knight... I've heard plenty about the badly-behaved newcomer you were.

You should've known we wouldn't let you go so easily after you kindly brandished your sword at us.

How about you take off your helmet and we have a nice chat?

'Nightmare'...? Ah, the title those city slaves plastered on me without permission?

Ridiculous... that knights are so obsessed with these names now...

It is only their inherent beliefs, and desire to grasp destiny, that urge knights to embark on their journey.

...!

The Knights Association won't be happy to look the other way with you picking arguments like this. Do you want to be stripped of Major qualifications?

If... only vapid knights like you remain in Kazimierz... then I really am wasting my energy. What harm would losing worthless qualifications be?

However, this pegasus by your side... seems to very much resemble someone I wanted to find...

What?! You mean... my sister?

—What do you want with the Radiant Knight?

What I want...? Look at all the Grand Knights Kazimierz elevates as champions—if there remains any opponent worth conquering in this present country, I fear it may be among them.

Of course... it may also happen that they're all disappointments.

You've gone mad, haven't you. You came here just for a fight?

(Ancient language) Mad?

(Ancient language) Yes... the people who choose to live in the Kazimierz of now often tell me so...

(Ancient language) ...which is why we are no longer brethren.

I said stop! Are you just leaving like nothing even happened?

Given this endeavor is fruitless, I have no need to stay...

Goodbye, descendant.

Grr...

What in the world was wrong with that man, all high and mighty...

I can only hope Margaret doesn't meet him in the arena.

Seems he came for a quick look at you, then? Is he from your home place?

......

He's... a Nightzmora?

What? There's still Nightzmora alive today?

Here I thought they were all in legends, or they were holing up in Sargon or some sort.

......

So what? What's someone from your grandpa's grandpa's side doing finding you?

...He's calling to us.

...Tch.

Oh! Oh! This is history, being made before our eyes!

Can 'Left-hand' Tytus Topola lead the Blade Helmet Knightclub in a breakthrough here, and return to his spot as one of the top sixteen tyrants?!

This battle reeks of revenge! All of you watching! I hope your blood's on fire! He's fallen short of the Final 16 over and over, but today, will 'Left-hand' Tytus Topola have what it takes to overcome himself?!

It all comes down to one thing—his opponent!!

In the long and storied history that is the Topola family's knightly record, only one time! Only one opponent! Has brought such colossal shame!

Damn you...

What have you been doing, all these years?!

(Why... to hell with this...)

(How do I fight now? Do I make some room? No, she... hff... why is she using a swordspear, of all the things...)

(Most important...)

......

(...is that she... somehow has me... pressured?)

(Since I became the Blade Helmet Knightclub's frontman, when was the last time I felt like this?)

Hah... heheh, it makes me want to laugh...

The Radiant Knight, are you truly the same woman?

To force me back to this degree... and yet you don't feel a hair of pride, not a drop of excitement? Where did the mettlesome you of yesteryear go?

Look at you now, so serene one could gag—

I don't mean to look down on you, Tytus. I never have.

However, you've already lost your way.

In the hunt that was the melee, at least, you were the last one standing. You forced your way free on nothing but a single arm like you had originally done, imbued purely with the desire to win.

Hahah... you've even learned to preach, now? Could it be? Your days of banishment have made you the lecturesome kind?

...Tytus.

Why would you let those logos bind you?

—Listen, Radiant Knight!

Weren't you always prattling on and on about those rancid traditions... urging us to—use the most traditional methods to decide victory?

A charge, a skirmish, an all-expending effort.

I will trample... all that you are!

Left-hand Knight is composed and steady! Does he plan to decide this with one final plunge?!

And the Radiant Knight is—now the Radiant Knight's slowly raising that bizarre weapon—

Who will be stand victorious after this final clash? What are you waiting for, audience?! You have the power to show your support for these knights, so do it—!

......

Is that the Candle Knight, Droste? What's she here for?

Maybe she's waiting for someone... quit staring, hurry up and sneak a picture... who knows if we can hit on some major scandal...

......

The Candle Knight! Madam, I'm very sorry to leave you unattended. Are you looking for someone?

It's alright, it was brash to come without notifying anyone. I just wanted to take a look at how the Radiant Knight cuts her figure.

After all, I imagine it's almost over.

Yes, Left-hand Knight Sir Tytus Topola lost ten minutes ago to the Radiant Knight. Sir Tytus has incredible strength, but he can't be too hopeful after falling into the losers' bracket in the first round.

Indeed.

Did you... really come just to meet the Radiant Knight?

I want to see. See just how different she is now, compared to what I've heard in the rumors of knights.

All the crowd's gone rushing over.

R—Right. Actually, ever since the Radiant Knight officially returned to competition, she's barely cooperated with our standard service activities.

She constantly leaves arenas without saying a word, and scheduled interviews and all sorts of PR items get rejected. It really makes your head spin.

Though actually, I think there's even more reporters mobbing the Radiant Knight than usual today. I wonder what that's about?

Ah... sorry, can you just let me through...

Miss Margaret, what are your views on the Infected knight who passed away on the field? Will this affect you in any way?

Madam Radiant Knight, do you have anything to say about the Knights Association's recent decision? Can infection actually contribute to an unfair playing field?

Ah, Miss Margaret, is it possible to reveal anything about the state of your infection? Can you confirm if the Knights Association's measures to keep it confidential are a disservice to the spectators and the other knights?

There are reports of you getting close to a few Sarkaz women! Who are they to you? Give an explanation, please!

Madam Radiant Knight! Please respond—do you intend to become the spiritual leader of the Infected knights?

—Will you be the second coming of the Blood Knight—

I won't be answering your questions.

Can we take that as an admission? Then what relation do you and those Sarkaz—

Well met, Madam Nearl.

And you are...?

The Candle Knight, Droste! The Candle Knight was waiting outside the arena for the Radiant Knight!

Give the schedule printout to me... that's right, they'll meet each other on the field... hey, get a snap of this, quickly! Snap it!

May we... walk and talk?

(I presume you don't want the media haranguing you any longer, either?)

Ah... yes.

Right then. Let's go somewhere else.

I'm sorry, please keep your distance—the press conference will be held at a later time, please can everyone just be patient for now! Patience, please!

......

Now then...

You've been through a lot, legend of Kazimierz.

Your banishment has conversely cast much of a veil of mystery on 'The Radiant Knight'... the holy, haloed knight, the awe-inspiring golden pegasus, the hero who returned like a shooting star...

I saw as I came close today, you were still very young, and disconcerted by such a sudden situation... Margaret Nearl, this is the real, living person.

Come what may, I thank you for helping me just now.

I assume you're a knight too, though I don't believe I know you?

It's been a while since someone asked me who I was. More than who I am, they care who they wish I was.

Er, I'm very sorry. I haven't been back in Kazimierz for too long...

...Heheh.

Are you concerned that because you don't recognize me... I may fly into a rage?

I can tell, you're quite unlike anyone else.

My, now, thank you for the praise.

I'm very pleased myself to get to know such a Radiant Knight. My name is Viviana Droste.

Or perhaps, you may also call me The Candle Knight.

The Candle Knight... no, Miss Droste, thank you once again for your help today. Were you seeking me for any reason?

Before long, we'll face each other on the field.

You are an Infected, and one who was once met with banishment. Make no mistake, I have no habit of connecting with my opponents before a match.

I come from Leithanien; I am an expatriate, living in this bustling city under an identity I could never imagine.

Kazimierz's recognition is already yours, Miss Droste.

I hear the Radiant Knight never approved of the current system of knighthood, and so, you were consequently banished. Do you still feel the same way?

The knights of Kazimierz are forgetting their obligation as we speak.

Have you ever been to the most destitute corners of Kazimierz? Conflict, starvation, infection... the common person suffers enormously, while the knights hide in their cities, making great shows of peace and prosperity.

The spirit of knighthood is almost completely lost. It's a legacy for capital to wantonly toy with.

How is it not a form of disgrace?

...I see.

It seems—it is you who stands as a true knight.

But you are... still no more than a knight.

......

How about your sister? She's been active on the field for the past while.

Has she renounced... the path of knighthood?

............

Miss Droste... and Miss Margaret, good evening.

Good evening, Mr. McKee.

Thank you for tending to the commotion just now.

...*Sigh*. So you do have that much self-awareness...

With two Grand Knights such as yourselves, the masses could make each and every move a hot topic. Put the two of you together in front of the media...

But never mind all that, there's always some way to sort it out. Miss Droste, you should be preparing for your meeting with the Leithanian noble tomorrow.

If you would, I'd appreciate you avoid exacerbating uncertain factors for the next while.

Such as, meeting with an Infected knight?

It seems the noble in question has come for your sake, Miss Droste. You have a celebrity status to the Leithanians too.

Mieszko Industries is very willing to assist them with construction planning in Leithanien, but the one putting the final seal on this trade contract is you, Miss Droste.

Of course... it is my obligation.

It seems I must apologize, Madam Radiant Knight, that I'm unable to continue my chat with you tonight.

It's alright. You gave me a pleasant surprise... that Kazimierz still has knights such as yourself.

The next we meet will be on the field.

Yes.

I look forward to the day.

A final word of advice... Madam Radiant Knight.

The storm is nearing.

The trails will be especially radiant in the starry sky, these coming days of ours.