Liberi Reader

Phew...

Hey, D.D.D. You're finally awake.

Waking up after catching some Z's is pretty normal, no?

You crashed straight into bed the moment you got back last night, though. That really had me worrying.

How are things looking outside?

If you're asking about the city, it's just like before. Bustling.

I heard a lot of people talking about what happened yesterday while I was having breakfast. Didn't seem like they care much, though.

Well, things already got pretty watered down.

Mayor Candela's amazing.

With all that went down, nobody could've seen that coming.

I was really shocked when I saw it on TV too.

I've never seen anyone calm things down like that.

And quite a few people actually went and fought the terrorists.

I was right there. It just felt so bizarre.

Some of the terrorists were going straight after Ms. Candela, and they were really close.

But she didn't even seem to care about that. All she cared about was getting the drones to the ship so she could get a good look at the action there.

She was just standing, pointing at the screen and the sea while talking to the other spectators around her.

It was like nothing that was happening was real.

Then, those two girls showed up.

It was like them being there dragged everything back to reality.

It was so... so exciting!

So you want to create something.

Ahaha, you know me well.

How long have we known each other?

Yeah, that's right. I wanna create. I want to write a song that to document the fear, gratefulness, confusion that I feel right here right now.

This is a song I'm writing for myself, but it's got to do with them.

On its own, this city is a decent place.

Leithanien's musicals, Columbia's movies, and Bolívar's coffee. I've got to experience everything I wanted to try.

But the people here are so boring. I got tired of playing with them about halfway through the competition.

If I'd known this is how it would turn out in the end, I would've boarded the ship with Miss Ch'en after I made sure she was alright. I probably could've helped her that way.

Oh well, I'm starting to be sick of this city. Maybe I'll check out wherever Miss Ch'en's going.

I bet there are just as many nice people like her where she comes from.

That's way too reckless of you, Swire.

Uh-huh, yeah yeah yeah, okay, yeah. Fine, I got it. Why do I have to sit here and listen to you reprimand me again?

I left the L.G.D. in your hands, and you...

Oh, I know what I'm doing.

Besides, what about you? I thought you jumped ship to Rhodes Island to be an operator there, but here you are on a holiday!

I'm... Fine, you're right.

Hmph.

Come on, keep going. Why did you stop? I don't even remember the last time you two had an argument.

We had one last time I went to Rhodes Island.

Eh, anyway, we're all here, and we got everything wrapped up. We should put all the unpleasant things behind us and have some fun instead.

Right, Ch'en?

*Sigh*... right.

What's wrong? Are you still thinking about yesterday?

Yeah. I might've received the one honor that I don't ever want to receive in my entire life.

Haha, true. To be honest with you, even I thought that was pretty nasty.

But it happened nonetheless.

Ch'en, there's not a whole lot in the world that goes exactly as you want but can still be called an absolute win for all parties concerned.

I know.

Okay, enough. If we're just gonna sit here and talk, we might as well go get some shopping done and stuff our faces with food to cheer ourselves up.

Let's go. I'm paying for lunch.

Now where's that stupid rat?

I think I saw her heading out early in the morning. Not sure where, though.

I have an inkling where she might be. I'll go find her.

Let me know when you do.

Hmph, she's been hiding from me since last night. She's dead as soon as I find her, I'm telling you.

I'm leaving you in charge of the place once I'm gone.

You remember everything I taught you, right?

Of course. You can rest assured it's in good hands.

What are you two chatting about?

Oh, Miss Ch'en. The boss is lecturing us right now.

Don't tell her that. She might arrest you.

I'm not a cop anymore.

I've never seen such a big busybody of a tourist.

Hmph.

Leave us.

Of course.

Do you need something?

I doubt you looked everywhere just to have a drink with me.

What if I tell you that's what I'm doing?

Then... let's have a drink.

I know the President of the Lungmen Young Entrepreneurs' Association to be a decisive, resolute person, strict on both herself and others.

And now I've finally seen her decisiveness for myself.

And the L.G.D. Special Inspection Unit Chief I know is an impartial person who shows criminals absolutely no mercy.

I finally had the pleasure to meet her.

Did Wei Yenwu send you here?

Lady Fumizuki sent me here as his representative.

At first, I didn't understand why, but I figured it out when I saw you.

You aren't mad?

Not at all. This is an opportunity for me.

The Rat King's daughter won't necessarily become the Rat King. But that also means she could be.

So that's why you helped him?

I won't answer that, Hui-chieh.

Why not?

Because I'm not like you.

You want to say I abandoned Lungmen.

The thought did cross my mind at first, but not anymore.

This is a simple declarative sentence. I am not like you.

That kind of grates on my ears.

That's your problem.

Hoh.

Hey, did you find that stinking rat yet?

She's right here.

Where are you?

In a bar on Coastal Highway 26.

The 26? Perfect. I see a decent place there. I'll send you the address. You two head on over and get us a table.

And drag that ngong gau lou syu there if you have to. Don't let her get away.

You heard her.

*Sigh*... Will that woman ever be less of a pain?

Shall we go?

Let's go.

That's quite a lot of people on the beach.

The ship's one of the city's symbols. Now that it's sunk, people here are bound to be curious.

The cruise ship, huh?

It doesn't matter what you think about it. We are the ones who blew it up. That's the truth.

We should be thankful that Lady Candela wrote it off in exchange for our prize money.

To be precise, you blew it up.

You had a better idea?

No.

Hmm? Who's that over there...?

......

Ernesto?

Miss Ch'en, Miss Lin.

What are you doing here?

Ms. Candela spared everyone except my father. Most of us are being exiled.

She's only letting me stay because of my service in the past few years. Of course, I'm most definitely losing my job.

You're thinking of staying?

No, I'm planning to leave.

Rafaela and I are trying to figure out where to go. I spent the whole night thinking and still don't have anything. That's why I'm sitting here, gazing out at the sea to see if it gives me any ideas.

Rafaela is the little girl?

That's right. She's the daughter of my father's old war friend, tío Pugh. He died rescuing my father from prison and entrusted her to him before he died.

......

Have you two given killing me here on the spot any thought?

I don't have the right to pass judgment on you, yet.

Had you succeeded, I'd kill you the moment we saw each other again. As for right now... I'll pass.

Haha, it's just like you two to say stuff like that.

Miss Ch'en, Miss Lin, I suppose, in Yan, they'd call me an unfilial son?

Yes.

We could also say you betrayed your father in the name of righteousness, but you aren't there yet.

Hahaha, you're right. There wasn't anything righteous about what I did.

The thought of betraying my father never crossed my mind during this operation, though.

Do you remember what I told you on the ship, Miss Ch'en? That wasn't a lie.

I'm not sure if this has crossed your mind during your time here.

I know very well what this city was built on top of.

However, whenever I look at the skyscrapers and the blue sky up above, I can't help but feel that there is some sort of legitimacy to it.

I can't think of it any other way.

But you choose to leave now.

To tell the truth, if it wasn't for you two, I think I would willingly stay here and work under her.

But your words left me bewildered.

You two are foreigners. Perhaps, elsewhere, things could have been different.

Phew... It feels much better now that I got that off my chest.

Thank you for not bludgeoning me to death the moment you saw me, much less listening to me talk about all this.

It's all a matter of perspective.

Well, I'm done bothering you. I will likely be around for a little longer. Please don't hesitate to come to me if you need me for anything.

Alright.

I can't help him...

Neither can... What do you mean?

I just think it's a pity to leave him wallowing in misery like that.

I'll think about it...

Hey, Ch'en.

Hello.

We were just leaving the city hall, and Ms. Swire here invited us to lunch with you.

I see. How did your talks with the mayor go?

Thanks to you, we've played a role in this little incident. The mayor didn't think twice before she agreed.

It's just like her to do that.

Finally caught you, you stupid rat!

I wasn't running away. Perhaps you've got a few loose screws, Beatrix.

You're the one who's got loose screws!

Most girls aren't so jealous of their friends going on a holiday that they follow them there in secret.

I'm built different!

*Sigh*...

Right, Missy said we'll be going shopping in the afternoon. Grabbing souvenirs, too, while we're at it. Ch'en, Miss Lin, how about it?

Sure.

The stupid rat has to come.

Fine, I don't have much else to do.

Let's go get lunch, then.

Hm?

Hey, you four, come. Pose for me.

What's the matter?

It just occurred to me this could make a really great picture. I'll snap one for you. Something like a memento of your holiday.

Sounds lovely. Hey, ugly rat, it's time for a picture. Get in.

*Sigh*... Whatever.

Haha, it's not often that the four of us get to spend time together. How about it, Ch'en?

Sure.

Alright. 3, 2, 1, cheese—!

Are you reading Yühsia's report on her trip to Dossoles?

Yes, I am. It's been a while since I last saw Candela. It sounds like she hasn't changed. A crazed woman, as always.

You dare say you're not like her?

Of course I'm not like her.

From what the Messengers I sent there told me, Yühsia and our little Ch'en did really well.

I am not quite sure why the young lady of the Schwire family and Hoshiguma were there, however.

They did a wonderful job, indeed.

But my guess is they weren't very happy about it themselves.

Why not?

You said Candela wouldn't dare to hurt them. I agree.

But they are still too young to know how to endure her generosity.

That woman doesn't see right and wrong. Results are the only thing that matters.

So you're beating around the bush, trying to tell me I should never have sent the two of them there?

No, quite the opposite. You're right. There was no harm done in letting them see the sights there.

My, it's not often you say something so nice.

In that case, let me show you something nice as well.

What is it?

It's a photo that Yühsia brought back.