Liberi Reader

Please wait here a moment,

Mr. Rat King.

Thank you very much. You are dismissed.

And excellent marksmanship back there, by the way.

The praise is much appreciated. And do forgive my rudeness, but you were not injured at all, were you?

Of course not. However, if you ever had any genuine murderous intent towards me...

Then I never would have had a chance to pull the trigger. You need not be so humble, sir, the Master of the House and myself are well acquainted with your past.

Ah, time is a cruel mistress. Tonight once again reminded me of that fact.

When one toys with the power to terrify others, one risks seeing himself swallowed whole. Playing with those children full of piss and vinegar saw my precious coat destroyed.

Only your coat?

Needlework is awfully difficult for me.

You have completed your task, Messenger. Return to your master, let him feel at ease that his thing is done.

Indeed. But the Master of the House may well want to see you in person. For now, I shall take my leave.

...Hm. This place is a disaster. Clearly the work of that penguin.

...Ooh, there's an intact bottle of booze here. Mm, looks like some quality stuff.

Would you like a drink?

A bottle that the Rat King himself deigned to bend over and pick up? How could I refuse?

Listen to you, Chief Wei.

Chief. It's been a long time since I heard you call me that.

And here you are, participating in this little game yourself. I thought you would just pawn it off on Penguin Logistics...

An old man should look like an old man, be kind, and join in fun with the children.

Heh heh. I still don't feel like you're truly aging. Maybe it's because your daughter looks more and more like you every day. The young you.

I don't know how far she can go. Sometimes we need to let them go, but I think we haven't done a very good job on that front.

Even if they choose a dead end?

Even if they choose a dead end.

Hah. But then, what path truly takes you that far? And who decides? The Catastrophes?

...Maybe you really have gotten old, Lin.

You know why I pay so much attention to that little Messenger? It's because I think they may have something in common.

...Now that I think of it, maybe you shouldn't be here in person, Chief.

There are some 'Lungmen citizens' who are 'casually passing by,' we are well aware.

*Sigh*

Even the Rat King sighs.

There are many things that merit a sigh. I just happened to pick one, with gusto.

...Maybe it is time to retire.

That's no good. Lungmen still needs her Rat King.

But she can do without Lin. Neither of us are as we once were.

No matter. I will persevere until the day Lungmen is ready to go without the Rat King.

That'll be the day my daughter is truly grown.

Is that what you think?

I am her father. And the Rat King of the slums. And once, I was your friend, Lin Gray.

Maybe I can't make a decision. Maybe I've already made many mistakes.

...You are still brooding over the past, Lin.

When you took Lungmen back for us, I promised you I would stay in the shadow of Wei Yenwu. You need not ever again touch these filthy old alleyways.

...Yes. It's been so long. I made that promise, and we have a Rat King.

You've sacrificed much.

Spare us the crocodile tears. As if I was innocent? When were we ever innocent?

...You kept your promise, old friend. But you also did not hide your misery.

Is that because of your daughter?

I could not make it clearer to you why I would use such a roundabout way of expelling those Siracusans.

There are many troublesome foes. At least I can trust you.

Trust and exploitation are of a kind. Each have a time and place. We must be practical.

...You used to hate this kind of talk.

It's remarkable. We have had so many long-awaited reunions tonight, and yet not a single one has been satisfying.

Don't talk like that. Look, we're two old friends enjoying some scintillating conversation just after Sauin. Let's just relax.

As you wish. Phew, it's gotten cold. I don't suppose you had time to light a candle for our old comrades in arms?

That doesn't take much time at all. As soon as you left, there I was.

...I just can't imagine Wei Yenwu bringing flowers to a grave all by his lonesome.

I won't attend your funeral, but maybe I'll bring a bouquet to your grave. Then you'll know.

...Could you recall a person who saved your life, and for the trouble was never again able to walk?

There are more such people than we could count. The ones who fought side by side with us, gave their lives for us.

And I will never forget any of them, even for a second.

...Your eyes never change. Maybe, just maybe you will live a long time.

There's a trick to these things.

Either way, you have to live a while longer.

I'll take that as a Sauin blessing.

RAGGEDY-ASS! OLD! RAT!

Hm?!

——

Marvelous flying kick, Mr. Emperor, but let's show the Rat King a bit more respect.

Good evening, or is it good morning now, Chief Wei?

It was an eventful evening, Mr. Eurill. There were some twists and turns, but everyone got what they needed.

I thought you'd be waiting in the VIP room for everything to resolve itself comfortably.

To toss my son into imminent danger while I wait warm and comfy in the VIP room for Chief Wei to report back? Does that sound like me?

Who're you callin' imminent danger?

Take it easy, Emperor.

I ain't even started with your mummy lookin' ass, old man!

What's to be so upset about? It's just one little hole in your belly I put.

Little?!

Put a little gauze in it. Are you dead? You can't die. Where's the harm?

*KACHAK* You ruined my favorite tee, old man, cost me a shitload of paper, and then you come around and do me like this? Hmm?

Let it go, Mr. Emperor, my company will cover all of the day's expenses.

You shut your mouth. This ain't about money.

Answer me this, Eurill, why'd your man shoot a blank at the Rat King, but this stanky old bastard made a real ass shish kabob outta me?!

I couldn't resist.

...You're playing a dangerous game here, Emperor.

My hand slipped.

Now now. Chief Wei is present. Let's clear the air of this murderous energy.

In any case, the evening's total economic damages don't come anywhere near those of a single Catastrophe, so where's the problem?

Penguin Logistics is a fine place to cut your teeth. All those young ladies, the so-called Messengers, certainly don't make an easy go of it.

But if I might offer one piece of advice: be careful it doesn't backfire.

Hah, of course! But this is my son we're talking about! Mountain Dash never backs down from a challenge!

You got Mostima, and all of Lungmen really, playin' tutor to your boy. You got me and this ol' stank-ass rodent as your tools. Can you really afford all this?

Tools? Nonsense.

I couldn't have foreseen those Siracusans would be so difficult to reason with. I thought they'd work with me after a good rapping on the knuckles.

Bullshit. You had 'em all figured out the moment you laid eyes on 'em.

Well I never.

...Heh. How lively.

From time to time, you take a deep breath in the outskirts and the air has a very particular taste to it.

As for the Siracusans, no matter how wild the game got, your particular hand was always going to see it turn into something great.

It won't always be so. You know this better than I. But they have yet to contend with Wei Yenwu.

You may want to be mindful of Siracusa's movements.

Of course.

It's too bad. The crusty old mouse couldn't bring you the goods, Wei Yenwu.

...Mr. Emperor, such words could hurt one's feelings.

Now, for the offense caused to the Rat King, planned though it was, I do offer my deepest apologies.

Your man is a very impressive shot, or at least, he's good at portraying one. It makes a man wonder about his background.

Real sad. Coulda been a lot more realistic.

...You really just want to see the whole world burn.

Mr. Eurill, in consideration of the cooperation agreement between Lungmen and your company, it would be wise for you to keep your son away from the center, for the time being.

Hah hah hah! Compared to the potential value of this little venture, that's no trouble at all.

And Mr. Emperor, I trust you understand why it is Lungmen has always turned a blind eye toward the activities of Penguin Logistics.

Are you telling me it's not because of my outstanding business acumen and immense personal charisma?

...Eheh. Indeed. And I believe you see it clearer than anyone.

*Yawn* Leave me out of it the next time you wanna do something like this! I'ma send you all an invoice and a bill or two. And you can be sure they're comin' with lots of zeroes.

Ahahahaha! That's our Emperor. He never misses a chance to extort a dollar. Maybe I should take a page from his book.

There are few who would dare to extort the whole of Lungmen. That book is a tough read.

Now then, Chief Wei.

Yes, it's probably time for a change of venue. Everyone has their own business to attend to.

Huh? You plannin' another elaborate, multi-layered plot with six traps, eight twists, and four turns?

Would you care to invest? Together, we could move the logistics industry up to a new level. From Lungmen, we could take on all Terra!

Nah. Honestly, I think your company's branding is as crusty as that old rat.

Ahahahaha! That's the reason! How regrettable!

But now I think it was your turn to speak?

Thank you, Lin.

It is not yet time for thanks.

I'm not just talking about today. It's been many years.

...The sun is up.

It 's the first time for me to see the sunrise here. The last time we stood shoulder to shoulder like this, was a time of terrible bloodshed.

The way the tenements in the slums wrap around each other, causing the shadows to criss cross over themselves, it's not the kind of thing you should get used to.

Then, after all these years, what is it you see here?

...Changes, Mr. Wei.

On that road we walked...

...there is long since no one behind us.