Preparing

But it makes a person short-sighted. We've already suffered for it.

Hah. Keeping a clear head sure ain't my style.

You don't need to keep it, just charge ahead with it, that's all.

I can roll with that. Sure, I'll leave the complicated stuff to you guys, and the fights, you leave to me.

I've been holding this in forever, Sona.

I know.

Before Szewczyk and Ashley come back, we need to find people who were there... reporters work, heck, eyewitnesses work. The more, the better.

...The Great Kawalerielki Separation.

External reports said it was an industrial accident caused by damage from Leithanian extremists, to shatter the smooth running of the Major.

No city comes that weak. More than likely it was everyone dragging each other down.

But what's clear is the whole shake-up showed people just where Kawalerielki... this 'City of Greatness' was rotting through.

......

Never mind me, you're sort of a famous knight too, aren't you? Won't strutting around like this get you recognized?

Who'd care about a nobody like me while the Major's on?

Why are you the one going with me? I thought it'd be that sniper. She's a better fit with this sort of thing.

Justyna? She's more liable to get exposed than I am, actually, not to mention she's already the one who dared to rescue you.

No need to keep dangerous elements together, and you're both bow knights. If you did get attacked in the streets, it'd be tough to handle.

Isn't that nice. No, you just wanted to keep an eye on me, didn't you?

Hmph.

A knight-noble wouldn't make peace with the Infected, even if he clashed with the Armorless. Do you really think I'd let my guard down around you?

Rubbish. I worry I'll get infected, and I worry my family will. What's wrong with that?

Don't think you're my lone disbeliever, Ashlock Knight.

Really? Then now seems like your best chance to escape, Plastic Knight.

So long as—

—You shut up, you petulant brat.

......

I didn't come to play rise of the weak with you. I don't give a damn about your demands, or whether you need your trust in each other to live—

—I only came to hunt those audacious bastards down. I guarantee the Armorless will give me hell, and they'll put my family through worse doing it, so I'm making the first damned move.

That's why I'm here now. My wife, my child, and no one else. Believe me, I don't have the slightest concern for your ridiculous cause.

Don't get so full of yourself, Infected. You think the only thing that makes up this city is 'your enemies' and 'your friends?' What a model victim complex...

Let me tell you, in Kazimierz, in this society of ours, the majority are 'not concerned with you at all.'

It's quiet around here.

This is the General Chamber's ground floor. Only nomadic city engineers and maintenance crew are allowed into the structuring below us. We'll have to stop here.

Hmph.

......

Relax, no need to be so cautious. No cameras here.

But can you guarantee there's no Armorless?

Hilarious. The Armorless wouldn't choose a public venue—especially not a hub of the elite like this to start killing.

It'd give the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi too much of a hold on them. That's where they draw the line, and we're going to toe that line for all it's worth.

Realistically, how many knights does Kazimierz have? They've got nothing but ID-type fodder to judge who's who... it's child's play to disguise.

So what is your family going to do?

Aside from my missing wife and child, they've been sent out of Kawalerielki already.

The Armorless Union has its informants far beyond where Kawalerielki ends.

I know that.

Maybe if I get another chance, I'll cut back on the recklessness. At least until my child grows up, and can take care of himself.

But the K.G.C.C. don't sell remedies for regret. This is where we are, Infected, so we'd better put the complaining to rest.

Huff... dammit, the supermarkets and restaurants are all shut. Why did they set a meeting for this time.

*Sigh*... If I revise the draft early morning, maybe they won't chew me out so hard in editing—

—Huh?

Sorry to bother you. You must be pretty beat after a long day of work, huh, Mister Reporter?

A... A knight? Where did you come from?!

Easy now, sir.

Want a sandwich?

H—Huh?!

C'mon. I'm asking because you look like someone dragged you through a car wash.

Please leave immediately, or I'll sound the alarm! Even if you're a knight, this is...

Eep?

Your phone lines are cut.

Here's the deal. Both your neighbors are out far away, and right now, my partners in crime are pretending to be renovation workers, carrying out rush repairs on this building's elevator and entrance.

Wh... What the hell are you trying to do? I don't have any money, I don't know anything...

Easy, there, wind it down. You make me out like I'm a robber here.

You. There was a report on the 'Great Kawalerielki Separation' a few years back. You wrote that, right?

M... Me?

With an incident that huge, every outlet in the whole country would be reporting on it. There's no way I didn't write something...

B—But, I'm just a net editor... I was still working at The Illuminator then, and by now that whole paper's been bought out.

Mm-hm, I know, which is why you only need to answer a couple questions for us, and then we're gone. Sound good?

We just want to get an idea of the situation. And we got you supper on the side.

(Err... is she actually carrying a bag of sandwiches?)

You had an interview in your report with a pretty unassuming janitor, who said 'I thought there was an earthquake, and I climbed out of the transport pipes, I was so desperate.'

Looking at the picture, this is the General Chamber of Commerce Tower, right? During the Great Separation, the electricals were all out, but the Chamber has a standalone power source.

Can you give me some details about what you... saw of things?

Reporting in, 'Lazurite' Monique.

We have traces of movement from a few targets here. They've split up to investigate something. And the Kuranta 'Wild Mane' Iwona Krukowska is nearby guarding the Infected.

They've set up an Infected community.

But they're still hoping their own strength, their own violence will protect it from falling apart?

Is this how stupid knights have gotten these days?

Right. Here's their list of contacts... and some calls we've intercepted from them.

They're very cunning, steering clear of wireless communication. There's a good chance these messages are all a smokescreen.

Forget anything else, they're investigating the 'Great Kawalerielki Separation.'

Er... how do you...

If your deductions are as convoluted next time, either you're dead, or you're out of a job. Learn a thing or two.

R—Right! Please give your instructions!

(Exasperated sigh) With Wild Mane Knight left alone, what instructions could you even need?

S—Sorry, I'll go give the order to surround—

If anything happens with the media or Adeptus Sprawiedliwi, will your heads on the chopping block even make up for it?

I... I can't...

Forget it. I'll go myself.

Y—You don't need to go to the trouble!

It's not right to pull off that big of a maneuver before any official orders come from up top.

Taking out an Infected knight's nothing difficult, but it has to be silent, no hide nor hair. Can any of you do that?

Well...

If you get it, then zip it, and while it's zipped, drag Roy back for me. They could've picked anyone to keep watch on the Nightzmora. Why waste a Lazurite's time on the clock?

Seriously...

Target, confirmed. Wild Mane Knight, Iwona Krukowska.

Date, weather, present state of mind... but this isn't an official assignment. I shouldn't need to record so much detail.

Hmm. And no need to kill too many Infected. It'll be terrible on the million-to-one I get infected myself.

Anyway...

Huh, wonder what that sweet smell's about.

Flowers? Who's planting flowers here?

(Relaxed beeping noises)

Whaaat?! Who knew you could do this stuff too, Justice!

(Hurried beeping noises)

(Loud beeping noises)

Justice! You're amazing! Did you learn to do this yourself?!

(Loud beeping noises)

—What?!

Whoa, watch out! The wall's come down!

(Hurried beeping noises)

No questions! Move!

(Hurried beeping noises)

Tch—

(Couldn't confirm my position, so she immediately began vacating. Solid intuition.)

(But... this is too slow of a pace.)

I'll be seeing you.

So we just come back like this? And, uh, the Union shouldn't be randomly waltzing into the General Chamber's building, should it?

*Sigh* Of course we can't, logically.

But you can't ignore a Lazurite's orders... ugh, I didn't have a boss this annoying back when I was a merc.

Won't it be a little... unsafe, leaving Monique alone in the Infected ghetto?

Ha, you're worrying about her? What, us? Worried about a Lazurite?

Well... the Lazurites are people too, and she looks pretty young...

*Sigh*... You've never seen the Lazurites get serious first-hand? You'll wanna make sure to prepare yourself, then.

Have you heard how it goes? 'Platinum' needs to be someone with the leadership to guide a team, the brains to plan out the big picture in the most involved operations.

As for the 'Lazurites'... they say the ones of the past, whether one or two... were all chosen because they could 'kill any one target in Kazimierz.'

Uh... you're kidding, right? Any? Including all those campaign knights?

Well, that's lost to history... I'm not sure if it's true or not. They say even a few campaign knight leaders were—

Oh, hey, what's got you two so excited?

Erk...

R-Roy, sir!

You know something? People will suspect the Armorless Union, showing up publicly at the K.G.C.C.

It might be comedy to you, but you guys should take a guess. There's a reason they don't let the Union wander in and out of here... why?

(Shudder) I—It... it's not like that...

Sir, this is a misunderstanding. Monique wanted us here to notify you. Otherwise, we would never—

Ahahaha, why so tense? What, you scared I'm gonna eat you?

......

As... long as you understand. Monique's carrying something out in the Infected ghettos, and she wanted us to inform you.

Infected, huh.

Alright, got it. Thanks for the notice.

Now get out of here quick, it smells of sterilizer everywhere. Hm, but the coffee downstairs is pretty good. You can steal a cup before you go.

See you. Hope you have fun with work~

Phew.

......

...Ulk... *cough* *cough*... urp...

Where's the bathroom... *sigh* I told you to prepare yourself.

I'm lucky enough I was a merc, but most others who switch jobs to join us are in for a little roughness. Just ride it out.

Urgh... hah, hah... am I still alive?

You are, you are. Now you get it, don't you? We shouldn't get mixed up with their work.

And Monique wouldn't mess up.

—?!

(Another wide shot? What's the deal?)

(But this force—I still can't clock the position—is the enemy messing with me?!)

Dammit—

Is this all I can do?! Run?!

Missed... grr.

You...

Hey, miss, don't give me that look. I just wanted to ask you about something.

......

Am I disturbing you? If you're not up to answer, I'll go on my way.

What is it?

Ah, thank you. Actually, I'm looking for someone—

—'Lazurite' Monique. It's a pseudonym, of course. Heard of her, if you don't mind me asking?

As it happens, I'm looking for someone too.

Oh? Sorry to confess, I'm fresh on the boat here. Can't say I recognize all that many heads or tails yet.

That's alright, he's a plenty infamous bounty hunter. Seeing him once would be enough to remember.

Hoo. Go on, do tell?

The 'Guildmaster', Toland Cash.

Thirteen counts of murder, eight of robbery, twenty-three of disturbing the peace, six of illegal Originium dealing... and to top it off—conspiracy, on one count.

Also, most importantly, he's gotten in the way of my work... twice, now.

I hate people who get in the way of my work. Despise them.

Well, well... Say, ever think you've gotten the wrong idea about him?

All of us turn a blind eye to the bounty hunters' influence by default... but they shouldn't have organized, let alone grown large-scale.

That's not fair to say. With 'Flamelung' and 'Yellow Smog' suddenly AWOL—poor brothers—that big of a territory without any boss, of course there's gotta be an organization. Work needs it to go smooth.

......

Go ahead. Calls always come at the worst times, don't they?

It's me. I'm working.

...Got it.

It seems you're leaving. What an awful shame.

Tell Miss Monique I said hi.

Likewise, then. Tell Toland this for me.

Tell him—

—That slippery little clown face of yours spoils my appetite.

We really had a close shave there, Kuranta.

She might not catch up to me, but I'm sure she'd win the fight.

Who... the hell are you?

I'll introduce myself again. Toland Cash, just a bounty hunter.

I come in good faith—that's my real name, you know. My old daddy gave it to me before he drank himself to the other side. True story.

Bounty guy, just now, that was the Armorless Union's...

The Armorless Union's Lazurite. Put away any funny ideas of chasing her—you'd all be done for then.

But if even the Lazurite's showing up to this party, that means I'm in the right place.

You're mad off the mark if you want treasure. Only the Infected, homeless and penniless living out the days here.

What are you here looking for? Huh, bounty hunter?

The will to rebel.

I came on this informant's info, see... heard you guys were planning something real extraordinary.

I don't want you to jump the gun, now. There's no traitors in your gang, and I can tell you they didn't have the loose lips to blab to me.

But when the city moves forward, it sucks everyone into the wake. You can't just make believe it's only 'heroes' and 'villains' in the Grand Knight Territory, right?

I'm not Sona. I'm not all good at chewing this stuff over.

But seeing how you just saved my life, I guess I can show you to someone or other.

Now THAT'S what I call lifesaving.

(Slow beeping noises)

Oh? What's this? A takeout cart?

Takeout, my ass! This is my pet! My pride and joy! You watch what you say!

Hah, knights really have gotten interesting.

I suddenly understand why I hate seeing Toland Cash so much.

Why's that?

Because he's too much like you.

*cough*... Are you calling me out?

Get on with it. What did you interrupt me for?

You've been too hard at it lately. Isn't it nice, relaxing every once in a while?

I'm heading back to work.

No, nuh-uh, you've been getting more and more workaholic lately.

See, the curtain's pulled open on the Radiant Knight's Major adventure, and I'm not exactly resting easy with just Platinum on the case.

And the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi has been scarily quiet this year. Usually they'd be firing opening shots against the Board of Directors by now, what with all their documents and meetings.

And this is your grounds for shirking work?

Not entirely. The 'three above' are having us keep this in check lately.

Hmm.

To be strict about it, the Infected are creating an opportunity for us.

Darksteel'll seize that to eliminate the last of those who know what really happened, and shift the blame to the Infected.

What we should be doing now isn't harming the Infected. When it comes to it, in fact, we even ought to give them a little help from the shadows.

But we can't be too obvious about this, so I let you enjoy the hassle of finding them, seeing it through to the end.

Work really does shift under your feet when it wants.

We're on the Board of Directors's dime, after all. All we can do is be their people.

Provisionally, of course.

Heh.

How's the Nightzmora business going?

Not much to be concerned with, just a moron tracing the footsteps of old-timey legends.

We'll fix up a match for him to face one of the Grand Knights later. After the 'Nightzmora reenactment' thing gets enough buzz, it can get dumped.

That's 'knights' for you, after all. A Nightzmora orphan living in the present day—it's gotta be hard on the soul.

......

Batbayar, what are you following me for?

You can drop that tone with me like you're on your victory lap. There's youth in your voice. Odds are you're younger than me.

Are you always so... aimless?

......

Don't you have anywhere to go? A titled Major knight being a tramp in Kawalerielki, really?

......

Cities disgust me.

Walking helps clear the mind. Kurantas always walk the grasslands.

It ain't no grassland here.

It should be.

And you just go on like this?

......

How long has it been?

Ten years or so. Or however many. I can't even remember now.

Er... but you did get a lift to reach Kawalerielki, right?

......

You crossed Kazimierz on foot?!

R—Rubbish. You've really never 'stopped' before? Don't you even need to rest?

Batbayar, do you know of the 'Khaganquest?'

...What...

It was once... the apotheosis of a Kuranta's glory.

At the time a warrior comes of age, in order to manifest their glory as a Kuranta, in the company of their mother and father, they would make a promise.

From the place they were born, they would leave for a distant site of trial. Taking only a weapon gifted by their parents, they would go on foot.

A site of trial...?

The site of trial is decided by themselves. True courage must be recognized by themselves.

The way of the courageous spans a thousand folds of the earth, while the cowardly only dared choose the forests before their own door.

A distance or lack of it was by no means the sole judge. Some brave brought back the heads of prey; some brave cut off their enemies' ears; some brave were empty-handed, but bountiful with pure gold and spices.

Our forebears never once forgot this tradition. This was proof of valor. Countless Nightzmora soldiers walked the Khaganquest, as the start of their long journey.

So, right now, you're... you're completing your rite of adulthood alone?

Where's your parents?

Since I can recall, I had no one at all.

Batbayar, I'm not ashamed to admit. To be with you, one of the same blood, no matter how distant, consoles me somewhat.

At least, it lets me take in that, in this age twistedly proceeding, my past brethren... are still alive.

Alright... Are you gonna hang around the Grand Knight Territory like this for the time being, then?

Kawalerielki... I learned from the travelers, this place is the center of the land of the knights, Kazimierz's glory.

Yet now I see, it's no more than a rotting fort, trampling the glory, the honor that should shine esteemed.

Once, my brethren were trialed in their Khaganquests by beast and Catastrophe. And what I face now, is a forward-roaring, grassland-crushing metal titan.

......

It happens to block my Khaganquest.

So I will conquer it, in order to prove my fatedness.

Each knight in Kawalerielki has their own reason to fight.

Maybe many of the ignorant beyond Kazimierz would criticize the modern knight competitions as 'defying tradition,' 'renouncing glory.'

But we're not of that mind at all. The times are changing, industry and finance are expanding. Do you honestly still want the people putting stock in the traditions of killing? Rampant duels paid with blood, in modern society?

No, the General Chamber of Commerce finds it very hard to sanction such things.

Cities springing up, engines rumbling as they turn.

This is an age of rapid progress. Yes, wildly unlike it was over a decade ago, Mr. McKee.

Madam Droste. The General Chamber expects your certain victory.

The Infected knight crisis is intensifying. Taken as a locus, the Radiant Knight will extol it, and the Board of Directors will lose great face over it.

I understand.

I... *sigh* I don't mean to trouble you—I'm guessing you still won't accept our proposals, will you?

But I hope you'll realize, you won't actually need to do anything.

McKee.

I want to decide a victor between me and the Radiant Knight, fair and square.

......

'I won't need to do anything.' These last few years, I've always been solicited as such.

Mr. McKee, as a knight, inaction itself is one brand of action. Can you sympathize with that?

I...

Am I not even allowed the satisfaction of a single request anymore? Mr. McKee?

No... if you really are so determined... I'll try and talk over the Knights Association and the other spokesmen.

But... can you tell me why? You have no preexisting relationship with the Radiant Knight, as far as we know... What makes you so insistent?

Why is the General Chamber so focused on her?

Though she's of a famous family, she is no more than a knight once banished, in the end.

Tell me, just what is the K.G.C.C. so focused on?

This isn't something you and I should discuss right now, Madam Droste.

But... alright. Behind this affair, it's a contest between the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi and the General Chamber.

In fact, neither the K.G.C.C. nor the Adeptus ultimately care too much who 'takes the championship.'

Do you understand? I've currently obliged with you... I respect your way of thinking, but your steadfastness is harming the K.G.C.C.'s outlook towards you.

I'll explain to the knightclub myself.

Our Leithanian visitors wouldn't want to see any mishaps befall you in the arena, either.

Mishaps? Losing to an Infected champion, you mean?

I've no illusions of the way they work. The Candle Knight Viviana Droste is celebrated so because she is a Leithanian.

A Leithanian, finding success in the Kazimierz knight competitions, makes them beam.

And since the Black Knight, it's a glory they've taken for granted. I became a substitute for the Black Knight by luck, no more.

No more than vanity.

It might be vain of them, yes, but their support for you is authentic. The K.G.C.C. is hoping to sign a trade agreement with the nobles at this moment, and your impact cannot be ignored.

McKee.

Two knights meet in a contest, hoping to fight a fair battle. Is this something so inherently forbidden?

No. You're... you're right.

Kazimierz, Leithanien. The home that birthed me.

In childhood I imagined, that the place I lived was one where romance and glory could coexist.

I simply want to... see, with this 'special case,' this Radiant Knight. See who comes out on top.

At least this once, I won't need to consider how to 'win beautifully.' I only need to consider how to claim victory.

Is that not abideable?

The outcome won't change.

The K.G.C.C. will find some way to force the Radiant Knight's loss. Losing to you was the most appropriate decision to make.

You support them?

In order to prevent this situation from degrading further... in order not to give the Adeptus more excuses to revolt, yes, I support this decision.

......

McKee.

Yes?

I'm somewhat disappointed in you.

My deepest apologies, Madam.

But... I believe it is the best option...

My deepest apologies.

There's a celebration feast tonight. I'll need to be on my way soon.

Right... May you travel safely.

McKee.

I merely, simply want to be witness in this age to a knight's radiance. True radiance.

She's just as if a verse.

Nothing more than that.

Farewell.

A verse, was it?

Perhaps. But those poems you read... I've never once actually managed to make sense of one, Viviana.

Mr. McKee? Did you order flowers? The doorman's gotten a bouquet of marigolds, and says you ordered them.

Yes.

It was your anniversary recently, wasn't it?

Oh—uh? It was—you remembered that?

It's my gift to you two. You've been a credit to your job. Don't forget to go home and spend time with your family.

Wow! Mr. McKee! Thank you! Thank you so, so much!

That's fine. If you've got nothing important, go on and sign off a little early.

You can't live without treasuring life.