Liberi Reader

Am I supposed to understand this?

It is what it is. Other teams report no sign of any enemy ambush or trap. We only know they were facing a Sarkaz.

Of course they're Sarkaz. It's not like I've got any other mercs. But anyway, this is a good story. Keep going.

At first contact, we managed to suppress the target. Playing it safe, we held back our squads. The enemy did not appear particularly strong.

Then, suddenly, all communications ceased.

...Yeah, you guys tip your hand pretty easily. A real predator knows not to bare his fangs too soon.

What should we do?

Well what's so special about those Sarkaz?

...I'm not sure. We lost contact with the eyewitnesses. But from a distance, all we know is they have a close quarters fighter who really likes to get up in there.

Then I need you to avoid direct contact with them. Stall that one, I'll be there in a bit.

Something the matter?

Nothing. Just a little baby squad that made good bait.

Should we move to support them?

C'mon, everyone's got a job to do. Why can't we just let everybody handle their own thing?

Yeah... Let's not think too hard about this one. I do care so much about the Sarkaz weirdos my poor predecessor brought along.

Understood.

Inform all squads: prepare for battle, move to the outskirts of the city.

Agh, damn it! This bastard's moving even faster! Is he still hiding his true power?!

...Pathetic. Is this the best your Reunion Movement has to offer?

This cocky...! He's making fun of us——

Heh...

I knew I'd run into some old friends here, but I never thought I'd see you.

W, we——

Go home, before you get killed. Don't give me that look like you wanna get even. He's not even using a fraction of his full power. But hey, if you wanna die that bad, I guess I won't get in your way?

...fall back.

It's been a while, wandering swordmaster.

You——

They call me W now.

How about you?

Flamebringer. Surely you know what it means to exchange names with me.

Oooh, spooky. So you traded business cards with all those dudes you sliced up before?

Commissions and combat are not the same.

A Sarkaz like you, having been through a battle like that, suddenly up and vanishing, it makes a girl worry.

And a mercenary running off just because he's got a new leader? That's a little wobbly, isn't it?

That is utterly insignificant.

Though I never imagined your subordinates would be so unworthy, unfit to even hear my name.

Then I guess I should be honored... Oh, but those men weren't under me very long. Ah, are you inviting me to kill you?

No, I have no interest in your petty fighting style. It relies so much on outside forces.

But I have to admit, tactics are a kind of skill. Then if your tactics are more elegant than they used to be, I am willing to taste them.

...That's weird. Weren't you one of those 'as long as the target dies, anything goes' types?

W, the squad has fallen back to the target location and successfully cut off the enemy retreat. They have nowhere to go.

And I never expected you would be leading this band of mooks. We've all changed a lot.

Mooks? Oh... you mean Reunion?

Or do you mean... the Sarkaz?

Gah——!

Hmph.

I won't underestimate you, Sarkaz, I've been watching you.

Too bad. You're out of options.

Is that how it is? I guess you are too.

Isn't this much more fun? Now you're my whetstone. And my blade is a bit dull.

Really? You're still talking big?

Right. Come on.

Agh! Shit! How are you——

Gaaaah——!

You're still talking?

...He's even stronger. Not that I'm surprised.

W! Why are we just standing here watching?! Just give the order and we'll turn him to dust!

So now I get to boss you around again?

Now's not the time for this!

But I'm really not your commander.

Here's an idea. Back up, don't provoke him, and pick another time to get yourself killed.

...Damn it.

Right? You really thought you were gonna step up and pick a fight with him? Is this open mic night?

Tsk...

Who's next?

Where's the fire? You got somewhere to be?

This isn't the first time I've been surrounded.

Right right. Let's see, are you talking about that civil war? Sounds like a good story. Tell it for us?

What's to tell? They ambushed me. They're all dead. I'm still alive. That's the story.

What do you think? Should I keep going?

That fight just now was nothing for me. I need so much more.

No... I'm just thinking like, why don't you join us?

W?! He's a traitor. Look how many of us he's killed——

It was my mercenaries who decided to use him. He'd be good for Reunion. Got a problem?

Yes!

......

I mean, think about it. We have so much more fun over here! War, bloodshed, and all those Sarkaz buddies...

Everything you're looking for, we got here on a silver platter.

I'm speaking to you from the heart here. We have so much in common, you and I.

I don't think so.

You're Infected, right? You'd fit right in with Reunion! What's the problem?

Wanton destruction, organized savagery, I fail to see what I could get from a group like this.

You call this war? This is just the strike of a match flaming out. You should know what a real war looks like.

Don't talk like that. We've got serious, hardworking folks here too. Lots of diversity in Reunion.

Like, my old boss was kind of a purist, but I'm the type who finds joy in everything.

If I could make a request... Then I would like to taste Talulah's swordsmanship.

The dragon lady? I mean, I don't wanna talk her up too much, but you don't have a snowball's chance in hell of beating her.

And like, could we even call her thing swordsmanship? You'd be a pile of dust before you even got close to her.

I know.

Of course, I also know that if I refuse you, the odds of me escaping this city alive are just as small.

So what have I got to lose? If I don't push myself to break the chains of complacency, how can I ever improve?

Huh... when did you become so sentimental?

I seek only the meaning of life.

Right. Whatever you say, buddy. Let's set the dragon lady aside for a second, what do you think of running with the mercenary team?

You're used to the work. You get to do pretty much whatever you want. And the commander you hate is already dead.

You can't be trusted. Both of us have so much to hide.

...Heh. I know a better place. One much more suited to sharpening my blade than Reunion.

I saw it. Not long ago. Where you and that Sarkaz had your little transaction. That battle got my blood pumping.

There's always something.

You took him out in the end, but facts are facts. You can't cover this up.

Hmph.

Alright, alright! You win. We made a verbal contract, he'd get rid of the boss, grease the wheels a bit for me.

We're all friends here. Let's not stand on ceremony.

But you won't let them go.

I can at least leave the people they want to protect.

We agreed a Rhodes Island rescue team could come help. Me killing him didn't break that deal, did it?

I've got my principles. I don't mind cutting some slack here and there. But when I got a toy right here in my hands? How am I not supposed to play with it?

And you let him take down so many of your elite fighters. They're not easily replaced.

Yeah, yeah! I'm still pissed off about that!

Ugh. Here I thought I was gonna get back together with an old friend, catch up, make nice. But you're impossible! I'm positively heartbroken!

...W, we need to get moving. Dragging this out too long will throw everything off schedule.

Fine. Looks like we're out of time here... You're really not gonna change your mind?

Of course not.

Last question: who are you working for now? Oh, there's no way you're gonna answer that,  is there?

And I think I can guess anyway.

Really? Here I thought they weren't so famous.

I've got a lot of friends in the neighborhood. You know, I've got friends just about everywhere. You're one of 'em.

That last bit disproves the first bit.

Nah. What I'm saying is I might have an idea of how your old mercenary team got wiped out.

The honored captain of your swordmasters behind the plot that turned you into the man you are today, may very well be in the place you intend to go?

Is that right...?

Is it...

Fascinating.

Ahahaha! So you didn't even know! I mean, I only just found out myself.

You'll figure it out soon enough. Things aren't as simple as you think.

I'm really looking forward to seeing what you do. Hehe. What ever will you do?

W! What are you waiting for?!

......

Okay, listen, my Sarkaz aren't going to do anything? Whatever needs doing, you guys do it yourselves.

Swordmaster——Er, Flamebringer, you might die in this battle we're about to have.

According to the contract, there is no requirement that you engage in open hostilities with Reunion prior to your onboarding.

At my request.

We welcome Infected and those ambitious enough to pursue solutions to the Oripathy crisis, but we reject those who violate rules and regulations.

Considering our lack of information surrounding the specific circumstances of that incident, it has not factored into our decision.

But this will not happen again.

Should anything happen, we can deal with it your way.

We have already dealt with it. Your goals and motivations have also not factored into our decision.

If we determine you are inadmissable into Rhodes Island, then no matter how upstanding you may be, we cannot make an exception.

Right. It's just a personal request.

Hmph. No matter. Welcome aboard.

Listen, your actions from here on reflect on the operators beside you, and they will be making decisions based on your actions.

As long as you abide by our regulations, Rhodes Island welcomes you as one of our own, regardless of your past.

Conversely, Operator Flamebringer, should you step even one pinky toe out of line...

Right.

Now then, let's go to Medical. There's someone who'd like to see you.

......

You...

...Heh.

So that's how it is.

I never should've doubted you, W...

Turns out living a bit longer does have its perks.