Cracked

She hasn't caught up yet.

...If we really run into her head-on, there's going to be trouble.

You shouldn't use your Arts on Talulah. This isn't the first time either. We must always be careful of what we see.

...Something must have happened to Talulah. We have to tell W.

We've got a lot of heavies suspicious of us thanks to W's little plans. Do you want to make things even worse?

What exactly did you see?

The old Talulah was just a rebel. She freed the Infected and gave them an opportunity to fight back.

But now? There's no effort made to curb their base desires. There is only mindless destruction and killing.

That doesn't prove anything. That's how the other races have always treated the Infected. They're not like Sarkaz.

...You don't understand.

The behavior by itself isn't a big deal, but I'm talking about the consequences...

Talulah... She's sabotaging Reunion, on purpose.

...Why?

Don't you think this situation feels familiar?

She is an excellent leader who can rally ordinary Infected into battle, and win.

But she's the only one who could dismantle the very tower she built, piece by piece, totally undetected.

I could even say...

Talulah herself is just a slightly fancier brick, something that can be crushed at any time.

Are you saying that...

It's just like three years ago.

But he... he might've always been like that. He did it all without hesitation... He was just good at hiding it.

Talulah isn't like that. Her change was too sudden.

Her shadow... It's as if there are two shadows, but I see no traces of Arts. It's more like...

A set of ruins. Ancient and imposing, still full of lingering power.

The nature of your Arts is very special. But your feelings are too vague this time, and I can't base my decisions on vague feelings.

But W needs to know!

Quiet, we've already been noticed.

Anything we do can be used against someone else. You understand this, yes?

Do you think we can survive a second Babel incident?

I'm not sure...

...I know W can't.

I'll go find her. Garcin is dead, so she should be the new leader.

Wait! If Talulah really has her eyes on us already, if you do this—

I can't wait any longer. Don't give me orders, we're still the same rank.

...Hmph.

I say that, but this is the first time I've disobeyed your orders.

You shouldn't always overthink things, Hoederer.

...

(W should be right ahead. Once I cross this alley...)

(Isn't that the base camp? What is she doing?)

(Anyway, I need to hurry up...)

——

...Who are you?

...

Infected...? What do you want with me?

Watch your tone, devil.

First, a few mercenary teams defected. Then, enemies started showing up in the city.

Your bunch has made too many mistakes. Did you really think our leader hasn't noticed?

Out of my way. I don't have to listen to your whining.

You have to answer to Talulah.

...I know. After I report to W, I will then report to Talulah.

There's no need for that.

That's not the kind of 'answer' we need.

What...

Tch... Are you serious?

We got attacked, and the fighting spread over here. Ines, one of the mercenary team leaders, is dead.

You're not going to identify the body?

...The fighting was pretty noisy. It's drawing a lot of attention. Blow the whole street, now.

Got it.

Wait a second.

Reunion also needs people... who fight like her until the very end.

...I understand.

Take care of my family. They're still back in town.

Of course. I promise.

...Make his corpse look a bit more... Yeah, just like that.

W will notice soon... Let's go.

...

Ah...

Not letting Hoederer follow... turned out... to be the right call...

...Tch.

Turns out... they decorate the streets of Chernobog...

...with birch trees...

...Haha.

It looks... just like that old place... with all the shadows weaving together...