Liberi Reader

How'd things go on your end, Dagda?

Mr. Lane's still alive, but he's got a busted leg. His sworn brother didn't make it, though. I tried asking some old friends...

None of them know when that brother passed away exactly. Might've been when trying to escape Norport, might've been some Sarkaz at the end of their tether during the allied counterattack...

Did you manage to see Mr. Lane himself?

I did. He works at the port now. He didn't bring up the old days, and he avoided talking about his crew.

But he thinks that now, he's living a good life.

Bloody hell.

I strolled around one of the factories we used to look after. It's full of little punks now. None of those youngsters have even heard of us Glasgow Gang.

That pack of brats deserves a right trashing!

Did you swing by the old restaurant we always went to?

...

Torn down. Parliament sent some men over to get in touch with all the old shopkeeps. Anything so run-down it couldn't be fixed up, and whose owner was missing, was slated to be torn down and rebuilt.

The pub on Sunset Street, Paul's Bar, the magazine stall that runt from Kazimierz ran... They're all gone.

Hannah...

I checked out that public cemetery they were talking about too. I couldn't find McClaren, or—

(Choking back tears) Dammit, why don't these graves have names on them?

...

Stuff me, can't believe you caught me crying.

Let's head home already. Don't wanna leave Morgan waiting.

I thought... I thought the gym was going to be a rougher sight.

Thank you.

Looks to me like you've been taking care of the place this whole time.

I thought if you were still alive, you'd be coming back sooner or later. Doesn't matter how you look at it, I'm still part of the Glasgow Gang.

You didn't get on Duke Windermere's ship with us back then—

I wasn't so far gone that I needed saving by the dukes.

But... I gotta admit, I was being a right fool back then. After all that, I took some of the crew out to fight some devils hanging around Norport.

I ended up hearing about the Exemplars from them.

You pulled off some crazy stunts I could never dream of. An army, hah... When the battle outside was in total chaos, some of the gang helped out on the front line with me.

But there wasn't much we could do. All I got in the end were a few cuts and bruises—

You're Infected too?

Yep. Heard the same happened to Indra after she took a bad scrape on the battlefield not too long ago.

She's real lucky she had friends like you there with her.

No, no, that ain't right. Why do I feel all funny hearing you say that? Though I gotta admit I'm not sure what's not right about what you said.

Hah, whatever you say. Anyway, if you ever get the chance, tell Siege I said sorry.

If you stick around you can tell her yourself.

My Glasgow Gang's long gone. Since you're coming back, it's only right that I head out.

Did Delphine not come back with you?

She's standing by Vina's side.

Hah, sounds like you lot had a squabble too. I heard about her mum from a broadcast... Doesn't matter who she might be, at least she's got some nerve.

Where you headed off to next?

Norport needs more hands to rebuild it, and the port's busy shuttling in goods from outside all day every day. Me and my crew are gonna keep an eye on it.

And then... And then I'll head into Central to bash in some merchant bastard's head—Err...

...

That's only a maybe. Norport's changed, Morgan.

The folks I know are gone, and the shops too. There's some new gang of brats that's popped up. Don't know their arse from their elbow yet they're still trying to fight for dominance...

Anyway, I'm giving the gym back to you lot.

Parliament talked a big game in that broadcast of theirs. I talked it over with some of the boys. We'll wait a spell, then head over to some other dukedom to see what's what.

We'll find a new turf.

A new turf, a new beginning. I'll need some time to forget a few things.

...

Morgan, was that Cador leaving just now?

Yep.

He came to say goodbye, and decided to hand this back to us while he was at it.

...

...

Cador found it on the body of a cleaner... He couldn't find Baird herself, though.

I went there too.

All I found was some stuff on the wall I didn't get. It's almost all gone, what with all the rain. But I'm sure...

I'm sure she was there. I saw her handwriting.

'I hope so too'...

I remember that whenever we went to the video shop, Baird hated weepy scenes about grieving the most.

Yeah. She never thought death was worth being all that sad for.

Pass the knife to me. I'll think of a way to hang it up on the wall.

Then I'll go get some drinks. To celebrate us coming home, and a toast to Baird!

Should we wait for Vina?

She ain't got the time to come.

But just in case—

Then we'll hold off right before we get completely pissed, Hannah.

Booze waits for no man.

I dragged the body back, Boss.

But... Will this really be okay? I mean, snatching away the corpse of a condemned criminal from right under Parliament's nose—

Did you really think you could take that away without some silent approval from above?

—?!

What of the Columbian?

He's not in the best of moods... Boss, do we really need him to carry these goods? What if—

Alright, I get it. Look, Boss, I'm not trying to make you mad. But ever since Parliament made a move on us, everyone's been on edge.

It doesn't concern you lot.

I'll handle the Columbian.

Eliseo. I presume I don't need to introduce myself.

Millscar. I've heard about you.

Good, no need to waste words then. I need you to see this batch of goods out of Londinium safely.

You will, of course, receive payment. I can send this 'corpse' along with you.

Leave the city, and go as far away from it as you can.

Her name is Diane, Millscar.

Who she is isn't important to me.

What's important is that she doesn't show her face again in Londinium.

You call this payment? Making someone who just got home leave again?

Eliseo, you are well aware she cannot stay in the city. As far as everyone is concerned, she is dead. Hanged from the gallows.

...

Vina made a mistake. So long as this person is alive and within the city, sooner or later someone is going to use her as a knife to stab Vina in the back.

*sigh* She really must learn to be more decisive.

You know the condition of her infection better than I do, Eliseo. She doesn't have long.

You're welcome to refuse, of course. But I will still help Vina settle this matter. In my own way.

...

I know your story, Millscar. Or rather, Lady Allerdale Cumberland.

There's a lot of versions of it out there, but they all agree you really did fit with the title of 'Cumberland the Ever on High', once upon a time.

Fine, I'll get Diane out of here. I can take better care of her back in Columbia.

Happy?

You're a good man, Eliseo. She's lucky to have made a friend in you.

Get ready. You could be leaving at any time.

You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.

Did you ever think you'd turn out this way?

...

Why ask just me?

Countless heroes lived through the war. From the most radiant of them to those that none remember. I too am curious as to how they will change in the face of reality.

Huh—Wha—?!

You're awake.

You—

It's me, Eliseo. You shouldn't just go off on your own to do dangerous stuff without a word, Diane.

I-I remember standing atop the gallows...

You're dead, at least to those who witnessed the execution.

Before we left, I asked the people at Rhodes Island to give you the once-over. It's not looking too good.

A lot of your major organs have already begun to crystallize. In other words, Originium is replacing those organs.

So... I'm not dead? Am I lucky or unlucky?

I'm not sure if the Speaker knew about this beforehand...

So it was Vina who let me go? That's rather foolish of her.

To tell you the truth, I really don't get some of you people. *sigh* Sorry, Diane. I'm afraid you can't go back to Londinium.

...

I'll be taking you to Columbia, Diane. I might be able to do more for you there.

...

Alright then. Columbia, eh...?

I still remember saying that if I get the chance, I'd love to see the place you keep talking about.

How far are we from Columbia, Eliseo?

Well, still very far away. Let me get out my map—

Will I be able to make it there in my condition? Walking the whole way?

...

...I see. Could you promise me one thing, Eliseo?

I know what you're going to ask, Diane.

When the day comes, I'll bring you home. I'll bring you back to Londinium.

I'm rather curious myself as to how much the city would have changed by the time we return.

Mmfh... Vina...

...A blanket? Who put this blanket on me?

Urgh, my head hurts real bad. What time is it—

Morgan, didn't I tell you not to drink like a sodding wino all the time?

Hah, considering how wild Hannah and the rest can get, shouldn't you be looking after them?

Eh...? Vina? Vina!

I was really hoping to pop in earlier, but there's simply far too much to handle over at Parliament.

Then... How'd you...

I'm afraid I've given Horn another headache to deal with.

I suspect she'll only just have discovered I slipped away—

Then does that mean you need to head back?

I can't run away from my responsibilities.

But I owe you all an apology.

Vina, you don't need to—

Eh? Siege? Vina!

How long've I been asleep?!

Relax, Vina's only just arrived back.

That knife hanging on the wall—

It's hers. Cador brought it back.

Cador?!

Do you still remember this place?

Why don't we get back to our little games, see who's fastest this time around?

Hannah, you lousy cheat!

She didn't say nothing about a countdown. I'm still the champ here!

Hmph.

You've gotten slower ever since your injury, Hannah.

Say that after you've caught up.

Eh? Wha—?

What's going on? Wait for me!

Don't fall behind, Delphine! Follow me!

Hear that, Del? You're a real slowpoke!