Liberi Reader

The vast lands of the frontier still have considerable potential for development, and we earnestly invite everyone whose talents have not yet been put to their best use to join us out there.

But for those who remain steadfastly committed to their hometowns, we've also been preparing a plate redevelopment plan.

And what is this plan, exactly?

For certain plates that have not been meeting industrial benchmarks, we've thought up redevelopment plans to give them a brand new image. The high-tech industries attracted by the state government will make use of these valuable plates to expand their cutting-edge businesses.

What exciting news! I'm sure all the residents of those plates can't wait to see the bright new future that awaits them.

We already have concrete plans for a number of them, including Bayswood, Deadhorse, and Davistown.

I wonder if anyone in the audience is tuning in from any of those plates? I'm sure it'll be the best news they've heard all year, haha!

Mr. Cliff, you wouldn't believe how excited I am to see the splendor of Fort Barron with my own eyes.

You're too kind. It's our honor to work with a company like yours.

Hahaha! If at all possible, I would like to continue our partnership across other business ventures, out in the frontier.

I was just thinking the same thing.

It's always a pleasure to speak with you, and I hope that never changes. After all, towing is a long process, and we might not be parting ways until the snow melts in the spring.

Too soon, if you ask me. A true pity—

Sir! Sir!

Please, let me in! I have something urgent to report!

If you ever need anything, my door is always open—

Please open the door, sir! It's an emergency! I'm begging you!

...Sounds like you have urgent matters to attend to?

Give me just a minute.

What are you doing here, Jessica? Who gave you permission to come yelling and banging on my door?

My apologies, sir, but the contents of Jessica's report are, in fact, urgent.

Out with it then.

That man over there...

May I use your restroom?

Go ahead.

Now, what exactly was so important that you had to come running to me?

The bank is trying to leverage their deal with the government to make us open fire on a civilian crowd.

And did you do it?

I can't say what happened after I left, but...

No.

There's no way we'd obey that order.

Alright, I understand. You can leave now.

What are we going to do about the residents?

That's none of your business.

But can you at least—

If you still don't get it, I'll spell it out for you.

It's none of your business, and it's none of mine either.

...Are you serious?

Then what is your business? The massive kickback you're getting from the bank? The extrajudicial privileges that the military grants you? Or is it the feeling you get when you trample people beneath your feet?

The feeling of being superior to others?

I'm in my nineties, Jessica. It takes more than that to get me excited.

Why, then...? What do you get from surrounding yourself with these people?

How can I not have suspicions? The way I see it... you've thrown away almost all of your humanity, and for what?

Humanity... It's a word that means less and less to me as I get older. Blacksteel is a PMC, and I'm the boss. What do I need pretty words for?

To put it another way, Jessica, if those are the things you value so much, what are you doing here?

I...

I remember what your father once told me. That you wanted to resolve conflicts and protect others.

That's right...

In that case, why not become a police officer, a judge, or a peacekeeper? And if all else fails, you could at least become a soldier to protect your family and country, right?

But you chose mercenary. A job that uses force for money. A job that's inseparable from death and violence. A job that's devoid of glory or honor.

And I know you're not short on cash either, so I ask you again, Jessica—what are you even doing here?

......

If you haven't figured it out yet, then I can always give you my answer. Because I have one.

Ambition... For the sake of my own ambitions. To prove that I'm no less than my brothers and sisters. To prove... that I am not a mediocre stain on my family.

That's why I'm here.

Not bad. I like seeing that clarity and self-awareness.

So don't stand there and criticize the way I conduct my business. Your father's also an excellent businessman, and as his daughter, you'd do well to learn from him.

You need to be more mature, more rational. Less emotional.

Secretary, escort her out. From now on, never let her in again, no matter what.

...Decades ago, you sat back and watched your friends get taken captive. Decades later, you're doing the same thing as people are being driven from their homes.

If that's what you call a mature, rational, and level-headed choice...

Then I'd rather stay naive my entire life. I'd rather remain a mediocre fool.

Please leave, Miss Brynley.

Don't touch me... I can leave on my own.

......

I see you've taken care of your business?

That's right.

However, I did hear some bad news. Some very, very unfortunate news.

Your subordinates gave my people an order to open fire at the entrance of the bank.

Without asking, without permission.

And why is that a problem?

We have authorization from the government, and you provided us that team. When an urgent situation arises that requires force, I don't see why it's necessary to report our every move to you, line by line.

You can rest assured that our people will show restraint. But during emergencies, our own needs must come first.

I don't think you understand what I'm saying.

This is very bad news, but not for me. For you.

S-Surely you jest...

Nobody can go over my head and command my troops. If you really want us to coexist in harmony going forward, you'd best remember those words.

Have you finished sorting that batch of documents?

I'm going through them right now... I- I'll have them ready shortly.

Um... I just saw a repossession document. Leone Theremin just recently sold his shares...

But this blank contract prepared for him showed up in a pile of documents dating back more than a decade.

And it's not just this one document. Many of them have been misplaced... and don't have any signatures on them.

They weren't misplaced. They were prepared in advance.

But, ten years ago... Many of these people hadn't even set foot in the bank yet.

Sylvia, we have a professional actuarial system. Our concern has never been collecting a bit of interest on the loans.

We've always had our eyes on the prize, and that's never changed: everything here.

Th-That isn't what you told me before...

True. You aren't part of the inner circle, so it's understandable that you'd be out of the loop. All the more reason to work harder and rise through the ranks.

But given the current situation... I think you'd best make full use of the opportunity you have before you.

Woody, where did you go?

What happened to your arm?

Pushed my luck a little... and they finally put me in my place.

Helena, if... if I were to leave this town, would you come with me?

...What'd that guy say to you?

Nothing... Just proved once and for all that he's still a good-for-nothing bastard.

But that good-for-nothing bastard is the reason you left Laterano without a second thought, first set foot on Columbian soil, and joined a war that took nearly everything from you.

The ideals he painted back then were so mesmerizing, so tempting... To be a hero, to lead our people to end the war, to build a new paradise, beyond Laterano.

You know how it is for young'uns with their heads in the clouds. Always following whoever shows the most confidence when peddling their dreams.

I know, Woody, I know... But I ain't even saying you were tricked.

I'm just saying you don't have to be ashamed of your past. It don't matter where your journey started, because it brought you here.

Those mistakes made you who you are.

Sure, you can look back every now and then, but don't you ever regret it.

Helena...

Care for a dance, Woody? I can teach you.

When I was eighteen, some awkward fella taught me these steps. He was a complete fool, through-and-through, but that didn't stop me from loving the dance.

Actually, I already know how to dance...

Oh? How come I never knew that? Since when?

...Since I was little. And of course you didn't know. I never told you.

Where'd you learn?

...On my way back to the dorms.

Wanna give it a go, then?

...It'd be my pleasure, ma'am.

Why didn't you just walk away when you got the order to vacate them?

When you're disobeying orders, might as well go all the way.

Tch... What a drama queen. Even the squads that showed up later could tell you were staying behind to make sure it didn't get out of hand.

So how's your forehead doing? Didn't expect our own people to wear kiddie gloves with the crowd but show no mercy to their coworkers.

I'm fine, just a scratch.

And at the end of the day, we were the first to disobey orders... I didn't know what to do at that point either, so I just went back to the basics. Made sure that nobody got hurt.

Well, you did a damn good job, Teacher's Pet.

......

By the way, there's something I've been meaning to tell you all day, but never got the chance...

Hm?

Happy New Year.

Let me check... Sorry, but it's already past midnight.

Eh, so what?

I suppose it's not important. Maybe it just sucks that... I wasn't the one to say it first.

Happy New Year.

......

......

What... do you really want?

And what... do you regret?

...Sylvia.

Top of your class again? ...Golly, how did someone like me give birth to a kid as smart as you? I couldn't be more proud of you, Sylvie.

Are you serious, Sylvie? That's the best financial institution in all of Columbia... Goodness gracious, I can't believe my daughter actually made it! I'm so, so proud of you, I really can't say it enough!

Sylvie, are you sure you want to work in a bank back home? You know... I don't want my position to get in the way of what you want, especially with a decision as important as this one.

...I'm so proud of you, my daughter.

*cough* *cough*... *cough* *cough*... Go, Sylvie. You can always find another job... I... I'll be fine...

No matter... No matter what you do... Your mom... will always be proud of you.

Even... when I'm no longer here...

You're my pride and joy... forever and always...

Mom...

I.... I hope... you'll always be proud of me.