Liberi Reader

Vina! The hell're you doing?!

Stop swinging already! You've nearly beaten him dead!

*huff*... *huff*...

I...

Vina! It's time!

Got it!

Vina, who do you wish to be when you leave this palace?

...

I choose—

Did you enjoy the play?

A Victorian duke's daughter falls in 'love' with a handsome Sarkaz youth.

In order to eliminate this formidable rival, her would-be suitors conjure all sorts of dreadful devilish plots.

Who would have thought the playwright who penned The Lady of Windsor could produce such a provocative work, albeit only after a hefty writer's fee.

What do you think, Lady Allerdale?

I can't say I'm too fond of the ending of Cemeteries of Londinium, Earl Morrill.

Under the heavy hand of persecution, the Duke's daughter and the Sarkaz lad elope, united in death as they are buried together in a public cemetery. A conclusion that's far too... formulaic.

I never expected a young lady such as yourself to have the tastes of a haranguing critic.

Is it not enough to bring tears to your eyes?

To whose eyes? Duke Cavendish's, or the Sarkaz Regent's?

Tears will only serve to blind us, my Lord, and are often an accomplice to popular works harboring ill intent.

A shame, truly. Here I was, thinking you would have some empathy for the leading lady, what with her bound to a fate beyond her control.

...

Ah, I am so dreadfully sorry! Pray forgive my inadvertent offense. You must know that my family was once on good terms with the Cumberlands...

I don't really mind.

It's common knowledge that Her Grace the Duke of Caster aided me at my lowest. I have only gratitude for her. I see no shame in my circumstances either.

Then since you're taking part in today's festivities, may I takes your words as Her Grace's own thoughts?

You may consider them a friendly reminder.

Londiniers should be wary of those mercenaries from Kazdel, heaven forbid some ridiculous story to sow the seeds of pity and sympathy in their unwitting minds.

Kazdel is far, far away, and they simply don't understand these Sarkaz in the slightest. Do not allow tears to blind their judgment, my Lord.

Your words would throttle a talented playwright.

Bringing the citizenry to tears would hardly be a difficult thing for a duke, I say.

Is this also Her Grace's opinion on the matter?

No matter what you might think of this playwright, I do believe 'The Lady of Windsor' is a rare work of art. I whole-heartedly invite you—and perhaps Duke Cavendish—to give it a thorough read-through.

'Fins have not the limbs to drag themselves out of the swamp. Man has not the eye to see beyond time.'

If Duke Cavendish can understand these words and take them to heart, while keeping a wary eye on this matter, he can avoid becoming the next Duke Windsor.

No offense meant, of course.

Oho, I must say I quite enjoy your incisive view on this topic, Lady Allerdale.

The eye to see beyond time... A rare thing indeed. In comparison, ambition beyond one's means is as cheap as chips, wouldn't you say?

I can't say I disagree.

Despite the many years past, there are still those who have not forgotten that Victoria once had a king.

And there are those who carry the former heir to the throne in mind, alongside that sword of royal authority.

Duke Caster's actions are hardly inscrutable. Whenever she dispenses advice to the other dukes, do not forget that there are eyes upon her in turn.

I will inform Her Grace, my Lord.

It's getting late. I fear I must be heading off.

Not staying for dinner, Lady Cumberland?

I have an appointment with my tailor to prepare some winter clothes. I'm sure you're aware that summer in Londinium lasts but a few fleeting days—

But winter? Winter never comes late.

Then I shan't keep you any longer, my Lady.

I shall send a ticket for opening night to you beforehand. If Her Grace would like to watch, Duke Cavendish would happily sponsor the troupe to tour the Caster demesne.

I pray that Her Grace will not be blinded by her own tears.

...

A most suffocating banquet, was it not?

And who might you be?

You may call me Clovisia. Based on that distinctive white hair of yours, you must be Lady Allerdale Cumberland.

Madam Ailshie of your estate has ordered some outfits for the upcoming season from our shop, but I'm afraid we haven't finalized the details of yours quite yet.

Sorry, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with Earl Morris. It seems your reputation as a critic of the arts is well-earned.

You flatter me. I presume you too are concerned about the present situation in Londinium.

Hardly, hardly. It's just rather difficult to not listen in as the clientèle discuss the recent changes when you work at a tailor's.

*sigh* It's getting dark. I should head home. Once you've settled on a design, please have Madam Ailshie contact me at your convenience.

Ah, right, speaking of Madam Ailshie, she asked me to pass you the Londinium Daily.

Farewell.

Might as well see if there's anything else newsworthy today, I suppose.

A vicious brawl in Norport Borough?

Is that...?

Feckin' 'ell! That's bloody ridiculous is what it is!

It's the third time this month. Been accident after accident here in the factory ever since that scoundrel took over the union.

Watch close enough and you start to notice how whenever some brave soul puts out a complaint about the union, he ends up dead in some freak accident a few days later.

Let's go then already! Take me to 'im. I'm gonna see just how brass this bastard's balls are!

Calm down! The union handles union business, the street handles street business. That's the rule.

Giving every bastard I see a right thrashing's my rule!

I know! Of course I know... But we've got no other choice.

The union's keeping it all hush-hush inside the factory. Not even the coppers can investigate.

This new foreman... Johnny, right? Who's behind him?

I remember hearing he's got some big name backing him. A relative of Duke Davendich, apparently...

Do you mean Duke Cavendish?

Yeah! That's the one!

Is he trying to get anything out of you lot?

Hasn't been asking for money or any of the sort... but ever since he became foreman, lots of the important jobs are getting taken up by workers from outside.

I see. You head on back. We need to talk this over a bit.

What're we waiting around for, Morgan?! Are we gonna let these bastards do as they like?!

It's not that simple.

You heard the man. This isn't your average union tosser. He's got the backing of a duke. Why's he going out of his way to play tyrant in some little factory, though?

Who cares why?! Since when did we need a reason to take out buggers like him?

I know Londinium's rather restless these days. The dukes've been playing their games around the clock. Don't tell me you haven't noticed all these fresh faces on the street lately?

Time to come up with a plan, Vina. We're all ears.

...

Since we've taken their protection money, it's up to us to do the legwork.

Let's go have a chat with this bastard of a foreman. Doesn't matter if he's got a duke behind him.

That's more like it!

Alright, if you say so, Vina...

But just to be safe, we should scope out the factory a bit, get some info. You're with me, Baird.

Sure.

Hey! Why didn't you ask me?!

...

What's wrong? You've been looking rather glum lately.

It's nothing. I was just thinking... I might be enjoying myself a little too much.

What, not too happy here?

You have a duty, Siege.

I've told you before, Dagda.

I've found a life for myself now, so why—

Is this life of yours helping your neighbors seek the justice of the streets, then heading to the noble manors to lob a few bricks?

There's no escaping some things.

You promised me you wouldn't talk about this in the gym.

Then I'll stay by your side, waiting for the day you have your answer.

...

What's the matter, Ailshie?

Did you not instruct us to keep a close eye on Her Royal Highness Alexandrina's whereabouts?

The chief of the Royal Police has just looked over the case file of that ghastly brawl in Norport.

It involved a video shop known as McClaren's Place and a street gang going by the name of Glasgow.

Here is the original copy of the file.

It's rather vague, merely a record of the involved parties, but I thought you ought to know.

Miss Allerdale, if you are near-certain she is Her Royal Highness... Why not seek her out immediately?

And what then? I bring her back to Cumberland Manor? Or send her off to Caster?

Whether or not she is Alexandrina no longer matters. The dukes are watching her closely. She can escape them no longer.

It sounds to me like she would be swallowed by the city itself.

Hah. We'll be swallowed too, Ailshie.

I'm willing to bet we're not the only ones with an interest in her. This matter has long since grown out of my control.

Considering Duke Caster's orders, should you not find her and bring her to Her Grace?

I need some time to think, Ailshie.

I saw her once before. I saw...

Her Royal Highness.

But no matter how you put it, it was all such a long time ago. Things being what they are, is an unknown heir truly so important?

It's merely an inkling... From the very first time I saw her, so many years ago, I always believed she would change things.

Let's go. There's a few workers I need to pop in on. I would also like to know how Her Highness has been doing these past few years.

Who's there?!

Grk—

The coast is clear.

I've handled this side too.

This is it. The place Charlie told us about.

We heard some chatter. Lately, the union's been keeping a whole bunch of goods inside this old factory, like they were a smuggling ring.

Johnny seized control of the union not just to skim some funds, but to do this sort of business.

What's inside those containers?

Just open 'em up and we'll find out—

Hannah! Slow—

Are those...?

...

...Originium weapons.

They're not standard Victorian issue. No idea of their actual provenance though.

Duke Cavendish's man sneakily taking over a factory, all so he can move weapons from God-knows-where into Londinium? What's he playing at here?

The dukes quietly stockpiling weapons within the city can only mean one thing.

And now we've left our fingerprints all over the place...

What do we do now, Vina? Looks to me like it's something way bigger than we can handle.

...

We can't handle it ourselves, but we can tell others.

Got a light, Hannah?

Bloody hell, you can still see the factory burning from all the way out here!

This is no laughing matter, Indra!

Of course it is! We messed up some wicked duke's scheme!

We... did something really big here.

At least we can say we've done nothing wrong, yeah?

Let the coppers handle the rest of it.

They say Londinium's so big it defies borders, but at times I feel it's rather small. Wouldn't you agree?

Who would have thought I would meet you here, Alexandrina. Your Royal Highness.

—!

Who are you?!

I'm Morrill, a humble guest at the Cavendish estate. Nobody in particular. And yet, I would say I'm one lucky chap.

You know about the factory... You know what Duke Cavendish is up to.

Though I can boast of sharing some of the Duke's burdens, I was not wholly in the know about His Grace's plans for Londinium.

However, at this moment, my only concern is you, Your Royal Highness Alexandrina.

...

I must say, seeing Your Highness standing before me really does call to mind the sight of His Majesty, all those years ago.

You and he are so very alike. The same childish sense of justice, the same... price you must pay for clinging to it.

What do you want?

Your little adventure with your friends this evening... Hardly matters, I say. A few boxes of lost merchandise is hardly anything compared to meeting you.

Come now. At the very least, I'll let your chums leave alive. How about that?

Why should I believe a word you're saying?

Excuse my impertinence, Your Highness, but the truth is you have no other choice.

Or should I say, you are free to try and escape, but I will be keeping a close eye on your whereabouts.

No.

Vina! The hell're you doing?!

Stop swinging already! You've nearly beaten him dead!

*huff*... *huff*...

I...

It's fine, he's still breathing.

Vina... What's this all about?

You lot... Get out of here.

The factory, all this, it was all my doing. Nothing to do with anyone else.

Are you havin' a laugh?!

Vina... What was he saying? Why'd he keep calling you 'Your Royal Highness'?

...Because she's the heir to the throne of Victoria.

The daughter of the late King Alistair II, Alexandrina Vina Victoria.

I... I didn't mean to hide it. I just thought... It didn't really matter...

You daft, mate?

I'm not asking who you are, I'm asking why you'd try and shoulder all this by yourself!

Hannah...

Sounds like there's a long story you need to be telling us.

Sorry...

No time for that! Save it, we need to leave right now!

Where can we go, though?

Out the city.

Right now. This instant. Immediately.

I can't—

We're nearly out of time. Once the police notice the factory's up in flames, they'll contact the Defense Forces and shutter each and every port. When that happens, we wouldn't be able to fly out, even if we sprouted wings.

Don't worry about Norport. I'll hold the fort.

...

Wait, Baird, you're not coming with?! Hey, Morgan, say something, won't you?

I get where she's coming from. The Glasgow Gang's always going to be home to us, Hannah.

Someone's gotta welcome you lot home when you get back, right?

...

People are watching you. But I'm sorry, Vina. We can't protect you. Against real titans like them, the Gang's nothing more than puny little musbeasts.

You were never a Norporter, Vina. Or should I say, never only a Norporter. I knew from the day you joined us.

It's all my fault. I just wanted to protect you all, but... but now, I've dumped a heap of trouble on your laps.

Not wrong. If you're going to blame yourself, though, there's something I hope you keep in mind.

...?

Remember that you owe Norport. Remember that one day, you'll need to come back here to repay everyone.

I swear. I swear I'll come back.

Yeah! It's our turf, after all! We'll snatch it right back someday!

But are you really set on coming with me? There's no need to tangle yourselves in all this.

I'm your trusted advisor, Vina. I'm worried for you.

If anyone comes looking to bother you, you're gonna need me to help bash their faces in!

Wherever you go, Vina, I will follow.

Never forget, Vina. No matter where you go, the Glasgow Gang will be with you.

I'll keep this place safe. We won it together, after all.

I promise you, Baird. I'll bring everyone back.

Hopefully sooner rather than later.

Here's to us. To the Glasgow Gang.

To the Glasgow Gang!

Dammit, dammit all... M-My Lady! It's the Duke of Cavendish's man!

My Lady, I-I'll contact Headquarters right away! Even if we must turn all of Londinium upside-down—

Suppress this event.

Very well, I'm contacting the hospital—What? Suppress it?

I will have my men handle this. Nothing to come will have anything to do with the Norport Police.

Do not worry. The chief of the Royal Police will not come calling on you about this or anyone else on scene, for that matter.

R-Really? How can you be so sure...?

While I cannot fix the future's course, sir, I can guide it towards a path of my liking.

This city will soon be welcoming a host of visitors. Do you not have more important things to handle?

You... Alright... Very well!

This too is part of your destiny, Vina.

...

Hey, who're you? Here to get some rounds in the ring?

I'd like to ask if this is where the Glasgow Gang is based? I'm looking for Siege. If I understand things right, she's your leader?

This gym's only got one leader now. She's called Baird.

Wait a sec... Lookin' at your clothes, you a noble?

Get out. You ain't welcome here.

Pardon me, then.

Wait.

You're looking for Vina? You know her?

I'm... an old friend of hers.

...

Vina's out on a trip. If you've got something to say, I can pass it on for you.

No, nothing in particular. It's just that as her friend, I'm concerned about her current situation.

Please let her know I'm wishing her all the best, when you can.

Sure. She's doing fine. I'll tell her on your behalf.