Liberi Reader

Lanns! Can you not dink on your bowl?

I told you to stop doing that! What if you get on someone's nerves?

I'll dink on anything I please. Can't I be the boss of my own ute? Besides, with how loud the truck stop is, nobody's gonna be pointing fingers at me!

Don't make excuses.

I'm just bored, mate...

You're making an awful lot of food today. What's the occasion anyway? I've been waiting ages, I'm starved!

I had to make some noise to get a message across to the food: 'Don't get cold now, we need to wait for Potlid to join us for our meal.'

Excuses again... You don't worry about anything, you're like a kid.

If you're that bored, come help me out in the kitchen!

Oh, but you're the six-star chef here. You're killing it in there, Potlid!

Would you stop calling me Potlid alrea—

—What's this red dish here?

Oh, that's the tomato braised cystybeast!

It's fresh from the pot. It'll blow you away!

Tomato braised cystybeast? What's with the color? Shouldn't the broth be a little more yellowy—?

...Hm... Mmhmm...

It's perfect! That's our truck's six-star chef!

Hehe~

But the meat you brought back this time's especially fresh. I didn't have to use a lot of seasoning to make it taste good!

Really? Looks like the market man gave us the freshest on hand, knowing we're leaving. Guess it was worth buying from him for two years.

Don't say things like that, Lanns. I think he's been real good to us from the very beginning, going by what you've told me.

I'm picturing a kinda short, good-tempered man in a dirty apron. A short, fat, middle-aged man.

Yeah, nah, that's not what he looks like. When he stands in front of his shop holding a cleaver, not a single person dares to swipe even a single carrot from the market.

Haha. When you get older, I'll let you walk around town yourself.

That reminds me. When was the last time we had tomato braised cysty?

The last time...?

It was probably when we first ate together.

And you made that meal yourself!

Oh, that does feel like a long time ago. You still remember?

Of course!

You said 'cooking's just one of the things I'm good at,' but then you made an in-sane-ly sour tomato braised cystybeast.

*cough*, how was I supposed to know those tomatoes were gonna be that sour? The broth was bright and yellow. It looked so tasty.

I still remember the look on your face after you gave it a taste.

Wh-What does it matter if it helps fill our tummies? Flavor comes second! And didn't you finish all of yours?

It's not good to waste food! Besides...

Ah, let's not talk about the past. I don't want the food to get cold because you can't stop complaining.

Hey!

Didn't we agree not to use Arts for little things like that?

I...

But this is the fastest way to warm it up...

I'm just heating the food up. Just a quick use. It's nothing to worry about!

......

Whatever. It's your health, not mine.

But as soon as we get to Iron Carrot City, we need to find you a teacher who can teach you real proper casting.

......

Come on, tuck in. What are you waiting for?

Let me enjoy the view first.

We're going to have to return the truck when we get to Iron Carrot City, and they'll shut the route down forever.

Yeah.

Hmm...

Think you'll miss it?

...Not really.

Warmy never gets sad.

Well, alright then.

In that case, after this route's suspended, do you still wanna stay on my truck?

After we return it to the company, they'll probably keep it around. Though I doubt it'll go to the stops we took before.

......

Even so, I won't let it get to me... Yeah, nuh-uh, I won't!

As long as you're right here by my side, there's nothing to be unhappy about!

......

Hehehe...

What's wrong?

Th-That kinda tickles...

Then—

Then, my wonderful, perpetually-smiley Potlid. Help me run some errands later, will ya?

Huh? But it's been so long since I've gone into town...

You'll be fine.

See, I took the safety valve off to make it go faster, and I can't have the company finding that out when they inspect the ute.

So we need a new safety valve right quick.

And we'll also need some daily necessities for a long trip. The workers said they'd bring us some, but I said no.

Hm... the guys at the motor pool know you're leaving?

Yeah, but I still have heaps of things that I need to deal with here. If I were to go, I might not be done by tomorrow morning.

Do they know you're taking me with you?

Hm, I suppose.

Anyhow, that's why I'm counting on you to take care of that. You're a young lady already anyway.

And here—

Sell those things out the front door. We should be able to get some money out of them.

As for the rest, follow the shopping list. Here's my purse. Take it with you.

I still have one last bit of work to handle.

So this is the last...

Let's divvy up the work and get this done. Divide and conquer.

Okay... let's do it!

...Then the metal crab woke up. It got to its feet, snipped twice, and carved the tower crane into pieces.

Everyone took a good look, and turns out all that reinforced concrete didn't make a dent in its shell when everything came crumbling down. Of course they dropped their shovels and blowtorches and ran for their lives.

Haha, how's that? I heard it's based on a real story, real people, uh, crab and all. This is what we're showing for tonight's open-air movie night, over at the slag heap.

......

Eh, no need to thank me. I've never seen you around, so you have to be new here.

Let me go more into the rules of our ball and card games here. Each factory district has different rules. You know that, right?

...I just want a sandbeast.

Ahem... Fine.

I have a few of them in this basket here. Pick whichever you want. All my sandbeasts are well-trained. They eat and sleep and follow their masters close.

You really don't wanna talk about anything else? Like, fine weather today, isn't it? It's not often we get a day without a sandstorm out here. Makes work much easier—

W-Watch out! Out of the way. Out of the way—

I-I can't stoppppppp—!

Crikey, who's having such a little kid cart all these things? Don't they know this street goes downslope...?

*sobs*...

I'm okay! I'm not a baby anymore! I'll be fine!

Ah! It took me so much work to pile up the pots and dishes. Now they're all over the ground...

......

Um... Miss, I can pick these things up myself. You don't have to help me.

Okay.

Also, thanks for stopping my hand truck there!

Yeah, you didn't say you wanted to stop, but there's a recycling facility up ahead. It wouldn't be good if you crashed into it.

Huh...? Okay, you have a point!

I'm sorry, Mister. My things are blocking your shop's entrance. I'll clean it all up right away!

It's fine, little girl. Take your time.

Hmm...

Oh, hold on, so this is the 'Tinny Longears' general store.

Mister, I'm here to talk business!

Business? Hahaha... shouldn't someone be watching you?

I don't need her to help me with this. She has her own work to do. We're dividing and conquering.

Mhm... Alright. Wait here for a sec.

Girl, you picked out a sandbeast yet?

......

Let me have another look.

I'll deal with the little girl first, then. C'mon, what are you buying?

First things first. I need to sell some things before I buy anything.

Take a look at these pots and pans, as well as this Originium gas cooker. I'm selling them all. I heard that second-hand kitchenware that's kept well and clean sells for a lot of money.

*cough*, *cough*... A pot so scorched, even its handle's black, a fork with broken teeth, and scrap sheet metal... You're trying to sell this?

With the money I make from selling these and the change in my purse, I know I'll have enough for a safety valve, an electrode holder, spray paint...

*sigh*, how about this? Bring everything you want to buy to the counter. I'll give you a discount and take your wares based on the total price. Whatever's left over, I won't take.

Nuh-uh, I have to sell all these things.

I can treat you to a cold carrot.

Okay!

It's a deal, then. Let's see. This gas cooker is more than enough. Take the rest of that garbage back with you, okay?

On second thought... nuh-uh.

You're a weird one, little girl... Why are you insisting on selling all those things? If you didn't look like such a nice little bun, I'd be thinking you committed some kind of crime and came here to get rid of evidence.

And let's be real. I don't know you from Bruce. How am I supposed to just offload the garbage you hauled here? What if you turn out to be an Infected?

......

I knew it! An afternoon wasn't going to be enough to sell all of it! Nuh-uh, I told her, and she didn't believe me.

Alright, I'll have to report back, then think of something!

Hold on, little one. Who sent you?

Huh? Lanns. Alanna of the Barrenlands.

Alright, alright. I don't know you, but I do know her. Look at her dumping her work on a little girl like you. Not that I'm surprised.

Here, a footstool. That way you can get a better view while I tally the numbers up. Tell her I'll take her things for now, and whenever she gets a day off, she owes me a meal.

Huh? Why the change of heart...?

Hm, I guess it's fair. I'm not a kid anymore. If I'm asked to do something, I get it done.

What's the matter? You're weren't happy when I wouldn't 'talk business,' and you're also unhappy that I'm taking these off your hands?

Huh? Yeah, nah. I've been happy the whole time.

Hmm... the safety valve model that Lanns told me to get's not on the shelf.

Let's see...

Didn't this model go obsolete ages ago? Ever since the union set the regs, the guidebook's been full of tips to never buy that junk again.

Nuh-uh, I have to go look for it elsewhere. I'll find it! Mister, look after the hand truck for me!

*sigh*... I really need to talk to Alanna about this.

What about you, Miss? Have you picked one yet? Or do you have something else in mind?

......

Agh, what do I even do with you? Gimme the spanner. I'll do it. I know my ute better than anybody else.

Hey, you hired me for this, Alanna. You want to save yourself some money, come out and say it.

I'm not always tight on money like your broke arse. I'm no alcoholic, and I don't drive my truck so bad that it breaks down every other day.

Besides, if I do less work than you, how am I supposed to boast to Potlid about my skills?

Hahaha, that little runt...?

This thing we're taking apart right now. That's where she sleeps, right?

Uh-huh.

Hahahaha, really?! Alright, I'll give it to you. I lost this time.

We all thought you were just talking big.

Given your temper, shouldn't you have made her somebody else's problem a long time ago?

......

—Uh, my bad. Stop glaring.

My temper? Hmph, who do you even think I am? I took her in because all of you bet against me having the patience to take care of a kid, and I wasn't going to take that slander lying down.

Look down on me again, and the next time I'm back, I'll kick a ball into your faces.

Eh, it's mainly that we haven't seen her the last two years. We only have your word to go on.

You got your treads chewed by a big beckbeast, you swapped the control valve at the last minute under Catastrophe clouds to speed up your transport, you caught a passenger that got blasted into the sky by a geyser... Everything you say is like it's all happened.

That all actually happened, I'm telling you.

Fine, it happened. Now why did you keep her locked away in the truck the whole time, never letting her out to spend time with the rest of us?

—Surely she didn't want to stay shut up in there?

...If that's really the case, what are you planning to do tomorrow when the truck's out of commission?

......

...I'll figure something out once I get to Carrot's. The company has to give me a new route, right?

You'll figure something out... Hold on, you're going to Iron Carrot City to wait for a new route instead of staying here?

You're never coming back?

Hm, this is the only one I could get... It's not quite what Lanns told me to find, but the shop said we should at least be able to plug it in. It'll be fine.

It's getting dark. If I don't hurry and get back, we won't finish everything we have to do.

Lanns... should be back too by now?

Uh, little girl, hello? You're walking kinda leisurely, not like you're trying to catch a ride...

Huh? Do I look leisurely? Hehe...

If I might have a little of your time, would you happen to know when the last transport to Iron Carrot City leaves?

Half past nine at night.

I know that route better than anybody.

Oh, okay. Appreciate it, kid.

Half past nine... I still have some time.

*sigh*, I'm really worried about Lanns for some reason. What's going on...?

Good shot, mate!

Beautiful, and you knocked them all down in one go... Good one, Alanna!

Let's see. Eighteen, nineteen... You're ahead by twenty. How are we supposed to catch up?

Charlie, you sproglet. Let's call it quits while our score doesn't look too terrible. Don't embarrass the factory!

Alright, alright. Just shut up and watch. Let me show you wankers what a perfect shot looks like.

Instead of worrying about me, maybe start racking your brains to figure out how we'll decorate tonight's send-off party for Alanna...

First, we'll make it a welcome party. We'll welcome Alanna as a proper member of the Rustdreg Town motor pool family.

Really now? If you don't knock all the pins down in this one go, you aren't getting another shot at it.

Put a sock in it.

Hold on.

Charlie, that's enough.

Huh?

I'm in the lead for now, and you still have a chance to overtake me. We could put our argument on hold—Considering the score, it should be an acceptable outcome for both of us.

Let's call it a draw. What do you say?

......

Alanna, forget this place. There's not a single person in all the matches ever played in the RMIA who ever tried to pull a trick like this.

If I'm remembering right, we agreed that if I win, you stay. If you win, we won't keep you, and you can go wherever.

And now you're asking for a draw...? What do you want us to do? Cut you in half and have one half drive your truck, while the other half stays here?

Or are you going to spend half of your time on your new life and the other half with your old friends?

I'll pass. I'm not like those new factory district reps.

They announce their newest expansion plans at their morning conferences, supervise mine work in the afternoons, and go to some boring social engagements in the evenings.

I've got more than enough on my plate, and I can't be in two places at once. I only have enough sanity in me to hold the gear lever, at most leaning one ear closer to the passengers to eavesdrop on their funny stories.

So, here's my suggestion—

I'll head to Carrot's to get everything dealt with. The next time I'm back, I'll talk to all of you about joining the motor pool.

So you're saying you're never coming back!

Why? Because of our bet? Because of that little kid?

Lanns?

...Potlid?

Wh-Wh-Why are you bowling here? Didn't you... Didn't you say you had lots to take care of?

Uh, we haven't settled our bet, so of course I have to take care of this—

(Sighs)

(Whispers) Lanns... you lazy cystybeast.

Hm? Why are your friends all looking at me?

—Ugh, they're just curious. Come, we're going back to the ute.

Woah...

What do you think? I'm willing to bet no one could tell that just four hours ago, there used to be an illegal kitchen here, right?

That's what you get with the best vehicle makeover hands in the entire district. It's not every day I get to put my skills to work.

Yep, I really can't tell at all...

But Lanns... You didn't tell me you were taking it apart...

...Even so, it's amazing!

You told me the work we had left was a huge pain, and you might not finish if you had to do it all alone. Isn't that why you asked me to buy all those things?

But not only are you all done, you're bowling with the men here. You're even having a lolly water and reading magazines!

Uh, haha, but of course.

Anyhow, we only have three minor problems left now.

First off, we need to use spraypaint to cover up the smoke damaged wall here. Let me show you how it works first. After that, you have fun with the other two cans.

I think I might've started a few too many fires...

Next, we have the power plant pipeline's safety valve.

Oh, I couldn't find the kind you wanted. Does that mean...?

Does that mean we won't be able to hand in the truck tomorrow?

Don't worry. I knew you wouldn't be able to find a model that old.

Ehh...?

You see, we're getting our truck inspected and upgraded because even though all the other parts are fairly new, the power plant is too old.

No one cared about it before, but the unions in Big Pillar have been clamoring for standardization.

Hah, 'standardization.' Sounds like a pretty cool word, right? You can think of it as setting up rules.

The old power plant's problems don't bother me, but the union says they're switching over to the top-of-the-line thingies in the ads for our own good, and I think they have a point.

Anyway, it's because ours is against the rules that we're going to get a new one from a transport company in Carrot's tomorrow. We'll be fine, even if this valve isn't a perfect fit.

We just have one last run. As long as it gets our ute to its final destination, it's more than enough.

And if we end up having to use the backup pipeline, then... I'll need you to help me out.

Just like before, I'll ask you to go down to the power plant to take a look at things, and you'll need to report anything that seems off right away.

Mm... Okay!

Finally...

This is the 'Decommissioning Report' we need to hand over to the station when we leave. Once we're gone, we aren't coming back.

......

Hah, all these silly formalities, right? And they barely gave me any heads up. I asked Thick Palm Parker to teach me how to fill out the form, and it took two whole hours. I didn't have time to take it to the station today.

You did pretty good today, so I'll turn in this report tomorrow morning on my own. You can stay in the toolroom and sleep in!

Hmm...

If you're sad, it's okay to let it out...

...If we get a route change, you probably won't get a lot of chances to see your mates here, right?

Huh?

That's why I'll hand in the report tomorrow!

That way, you can spend a bit more time with your mates, and you won't be so sad over not seeing them anymore!

My kitchen's gone now, but when we get to our new home, once our house is built, I'll make the sweet meat soup that always put a smile on your face.

Haha, sounds good.

Ugh! You slapped my back too hard!

You're growing up, aren't you? You'll get used to it.

Okay, now catch.

Tonight, I'll let you have lolly waters with me and go to bed an hour later than before.

*yawn*—So tired.

But I won't get lost! I'm not a little kid. I can read a map!

Yep, take a turn here, go upstairs right ahead...

Huh...? The man from yesterday is still there. Did he miss his ride?

Not only is he sitting in the same place, he's in the same pose, and looks just as depressed. Wow, incredible...

Oh, it's you, little girl... G-Good morning... Perfect timing.

Uh, when's the earliest truck to Iron Carrot City today?

At 6:20.

I'm actually that truck's—

Looks like I'll make it...

I can take you there. That way, you won't miss it!

N-N-No thanks!

Sorry, I... I really appreciate it, but... uh, I want to sit here a little longer.

Are you... waiting for someone?

Me? No, I... Uh, what makes you think that?

Come, Warmy. No more waiting. Let's go back into the hut tonight.

These things happen.

Because...

It's a very normal thing to wait for someone.

Okay, I'll be on my way. Bye bye! I hope you'll get to see the person you're waiting for!

No, um, I'm scared to death... I don't want to see...

...*sigh*, Cautus kids sure run quick... I should, uh, thank her nonetheless.

Next. Bring your documents into the office.

(Stands on tiptoes) How far away is the office? I can't see it at all from the line...

What should I do? It's almost time to leave. I don't think I'll get it handed in time.

So many people here this early. Maybe luck's not on my side. Even a big girl can't help it when she's unlucky.

*Sigh*, yeah, there are too many people here. Nothing wrong with the union trying to make the event seem more above-board, but they didn't have to handle both beauty pageant registrations and government forms in the exact same place, did they?

This is almost exactly how everybody used to line up in front of Grandma's room to complain!

Good thing I'm taking care of this. If it'd been the Doctor or Amiya here, it would've been a huge headache, what with how much work they have on their hands.

*sigh*, Amiya, Amiya... She's just a teenager. Why exactly does she have so much on her shoulders...?

Right, little girl, you said you were in a rush? Small and waifish as you are, you wouldn't be here for the beauty pageant, right?

Huh? N-No, I'm here to hand in our 'Decommissioning Report.' Here, it's this one!

If we don't hand it in today, then it won't get decommissioned, right...?

Oh, now that's easy. Just let me take care of it.

Huh—?

But it's our truck that's getting decommissioned... Do you know Lanns?

Yeah, nah.

But you couldn't be the driver, could you?

Um, no...

Yep, yep. That's what I am talking about. The report just needs to be handed in. Doesn't matter who does the handing.

I need to line up here anyway. Taking your report to the office desk there is nothing. Just leave it to me, and get back to your ride!

Oh... why so glum? Is there still something worrying you?

Huh? Do I look...? No, I can't be like this.

Um... Here, the report.

Thanks, Miss. You're too kind!

(This girl's condition...)

Here, kid. This is for you.

Um... it's a card?

A business card. Remember to give it to your family. Might come in handy one day.

Hurry up! The passengers will be here any minute!

*pant*, *pant*... Coming!

You're gonna have to hide in the toolroom this trip.

I'll be fine. Remember, I stayed in there for a long time in the beginning!

Also, you can still use the little terminal here to check the monitoring screens. You can see every person on the truck... Guess I didn't have to say, huh?

Yeah.

Alright, I'm off to the driver's cabin.

......

I finished so much in such a short amount of time.

Even though I ran into lots of trouble, and even though Lanns said there probably wasn't enough time... we still managed to get the ute into shape to hand back, and we took care of all the paperwork.

Oh, the man from the station finally made it in. Thank goodness... Right, I even helped someone with the schedule.

The transport vehicle's entrance is now closed. The vehicle will soon be powered on. Please take your seats or find a suitable area to affix your folding chair, bench, or mat...

...I did such a great job, I should be happy, even proud of myself!

But, but...

Actually...

I don't care what happens, I wish our truck didn't have to be retired—!

I... I still haven't got to see...

This vehicle's being hijacked. We're heading to the Grinning Valley.

...Huh?

Anyone not heading to the Grinning Valley can get off now, driver included.

Huh...? It's a real truckjacking?