Liberi Reader

Ugh...

Uh... I...

Is it over? Did we win?

Ouch!

Good, at least you can still feel your arm.

Now get up if you're still alive.

Ouch! Take it easy, Charles!

Enough fooling around. Harold has enough work to do without you adding to it.

Get to the lakeside if you can still walk. Patch yourselves up if you can.

I need a few volunteers to help me carry the ones that can't get up themselves.

I'll come with you, Jefferson.

Just say it if you don't want that leg of yours anymore. We can have Harold make one for you.

God's wounds, I can't believe everyone's still breathing after all that. What a bloody miracle.

Could it really be Kjeragandr's protection?

Isn't it the other way round? A thousand against one, and she's still breathing...

Maybe it really is Kjeragandr's protection.

It's not.

Kjeragandr is kind and watchful, but this result is not the result of Her power.

That no one lost their life here is a miracle that we created together.

That's what I believe.

Y-You're the Saintess of Kjerag?

Your words honor us more than we deserve.

What are your instructions?

I wouldn't call it instructions, per se.

Just an invitation to attend the post-ceremony banquet, as is the place of the host.

After all, aren't you here in Kjerag for the ceremony?

...I thought exile would be the best-case scenario.

We're allowed to participate in the banquet?

Would you rather be here for the banquet, or admit that you're here for a 'military operation' and go to prison?

Uhm.

Go on, be my guest.

Saintess.

Everything is ready. The banquet can begin at any tie.

Thank you, Kjarr.

Why thank me?

No particular reason... just wanted to thank you.

Kjerag will become a better place, Kjarr.

There will come a day when people from the outside will know more than just Karlan Trade, see more than just the snow, mountains and valleys.

They will know that there is a country here by the name of Kjerag.

A respectable country with its unique culture and customs, where its people live in prosperity.

Sounds great.

You sure you don't need 'a little help', Enya?

Without that, you wouldn't have any rainbows.

Kjeragandr's blessing reaches into the heart because of how precious it is.

If we ask Kjeragandr for a miracle for every little thing, then what's left is not religion, but reliance.

When you start to take something for granted, that's when you stop respecting it.

Things are fine the way it is.

Let's just hope Kjeragandr doesn't get angry at me for thinking this way.

Hah, don't worry, Enya.

Nothing makes a mother happier than to see her child start to walk on its own two feet.

I'm done, Mr. Silverash.

This is my first outdoor speech. Are you sure this is going to work?

It was perfect, Mr. Mob.

Your voice was filled with passion. No one could pick a flaw in it.

Even though you declined my offer to have someone magnify your voice with Originium Arts, the amplification device that you used performed above and beyond expectations.

Is this your company's new product?

This amplifier?

No, of course not. It's good, but the market for amplifiers is cornered by a few big companies. There's no place for us there... ahem. Forget I said anything.

I've heard about corporate competition in Kazimierz. You didn't say anything that I didn't know.

So, what is it that you're using?

A gift from a friend I met on the train.

They probably thought it was just a toy.

Who could have thought that it would come in so handy when Mr. Silverash made that abrupt request?

I see...

Mr. Mob, Karlan Trade would very much love for our cooperation to extend beyond this one time.

I will have someone take you around Kjerag for the next few days, including tours of our mines and factories.

Please accept this as a token of my sincerity.

I believe Kjerag will not disappoint you.

They stopped. They really stopped.

It's like you said. That man in a suit opens his mouth, and both sides stop fighting before long!

I thought we were in for a real fight. Didn't SilverAsh tell you guys to get here quick?

But it was all over in an instant.

Why did the Victorians and Kjerags stop fighting as soon as he arrived?

Who...? Is that really important?

Oh, wait, I know!

The important thing is that he's from Kazimierz, isn't it?

Victoria wants to bully Kjerag for its own interests, but they have to be careful when it comes to Kazimierz, who's also here for its own interests... I think something like this came up in one of Anna's tests.

So... is this why SilverAsh contacted you and Muelsyse?

You're his backup plan?

No wonder you were in such a hurry.

Stuff like this is a pain.

But how did you know that the man in the suit was a spokesman for... hm, for what again?

You know him?

Oh yeah, Doctor.

Did you give him something at the station?

Really?

Somehow, I can't help but think there's more than meets the eye.

Oh... Muelsyse is chatting with someone.

Should we go over?

You have people you know here too, don't you, Sharp?

I'm working right now.

Sure.

I'll stay with you.

For me? Who? Oh...

HIM.

......

Well, there really isn't anything I want to say to him..

Arrggghhh! This sucks!

Sorry, Doctor, Sharp, give me a minute!

I'll be back soon!

Rosalind.

......

You got something to say, spit it out.

Otherwise, I've got places to be.

Wait!

I just wanted to make sure that you're safe.

I couldn't come find you in that chaos.

I'm fine.

The Victorians weren't looking for me. Even that Trilby Asher guy is no match for Sharp and the Doctor.

That bastard's still after you?!

I don't think so. It didn't look like he was here for me.

Well, he's lucky he ran away. Sharp and I would have given him a nice little beating.

Don't underestimate a Trilby Asher.

I don't like their methods either, but the Trilby Ashers are a big deal.

Him? Didn't seem like he was anything special.

That's because Enciodes has Degenbrecher to keep him down!

A warrior must never underestimate an enemy, Rosalind.

Alright, you done then? I gotta go.

Wait!

......

Three.

Two.

R-Rosalind!

...I spent a lot of time thinking about it last night.

I was weak back then.

The days with your mother were like honey. I couldn't keep myself from thinking about her. I couldn't keep myself away from her, from the very beginning.

I dragged you and Tatyana into that mess, but abandoned you when I couldn't handle the pressure...

You were right to yell at me, Rosalind.

Whatever I say now won't be anything more than an excuse.

For more than a decade, my memory has tried to justify it.

It whitewashes the memories for a man too weak to face his own weaknesses, so that he can continue to feel safe, continue to run away.

He lied so much he even fooled himself.

It's my fault.

I deserve to be scolded and scorned by you.

And I can't blame you for being disappointed in me and Kjerag...

I let you and your mother down.

I'm sorry.

......

There's one thing I want to make clear.

Mamochka never said anything bad about Kjerag.

Or about my papa.

She even taught me how to pray to Kjeragandr, even though I never really believed in it.

Mamochka only ever said good things about this place.

Tatyana... she doesn't hate Kjerag?

Why would I lie?

I told you, didn't I? She said my papa was really handsome.

Of course, I'm having doubts about that now.

—?!

It was before I started in with the beard. Tatyana did say she liked my face...

Wait, why did she tell you all this... could it be...?

Could it be that she doesn't blame me?

Stop.

Don't get too ahead of yourself.

Don't count on other people not blaming you, if you know you're wrong.

But it's exhausting to live with hatred. You underestimate Mamochka, if you thought she would spend a decade hating you and Kjerag.

You're not worth it.

You're right...

It's not worth it to live in pain for a man like me.

It's all for the better...

Good, you get it.

I didn't know who my papa was, and now I do. But that's all there is to it.

I don't need recognition from your family. Paleroche business is none of my business.

I'm the daughter of Tatyana Yevgenyevna Larina.

I'm Rosalind Tatyanovna Larina, codename Leto. Remember that.

It was Tatyana who named you. Rosalind Tatyanovna Larina... rolls more smoothly off the tongue than Paleroche.

Leto... not bad, not bad. A nice codename.

At least you have taste.

Oh yeah.

This is for you.

A... bank account?

Child support for all these years. The amount is in the back. I rounded it down for you.

Please make the transfer at your earliest convenience.

Ch-Child support?

I said it yesterday, didn't I?

Living expenses, tuition, medical bills, emotional damages for a deadbeat dad... it's all there.

Gotta go.

W-Wait, Rosalind!

The... the currency conversion might take some time. I-I'll find someone to take care of it as soon as possible!

Rosalind!

Please, can I see Tatyana one more time? Just once...

In your dreams!

......

Is this your will too, Kjeragandr?

The matters of the world are beyond a mere mortal's ability to predict...

Master?

Why are you standing all the way up front? There's nothing to see in particular...

Just passing by.

You said you just became a grandfather the last time you came to pray, Lucas?

Yes!

My son's daughter. Good thing she looks like her mother.

That foreign woman my son insisted on marrying. From what's-the-name... Siracusa! Fierce woman, that.

Well, at least the kid of mine got a taker.

Were you against the marriage?

What's the point, if the young ones are in love?

I might have said a word or two in my younger days.

But now? Just let them be.

......

You said you wanted a warding stone for your granddaughter, didn't you?

Hoping that some of Kjeragandr and the Saintess's blessings would rub off, you know.

You can have this.

Th-This mark... it's a stone blessed by the Saintess herself?

Th-That's too precious for someone like me, Master!

Take it. Consider it a welcome gift for your granddaughter as she comes into this world.

I'll pray to Kjeragandr that the children of Kjerag can grow up without illness, pain, or sorrow.

By Kjeragandr.

By Kjeragandr.

Phew...

The Black Knight is definitely more than just a name. To think she wasn't even trying to kill...

A little too much for old bones like mine.

Sir, your injuries...

Just a scratch.

Don't want to miss the Saintess's banquet, after all.

It's not every day that I get to be called 'sir' by you, though.

I think I just lost my appetite, for some reason.

My condolences concerning your appetite, My Lord.

I will report the facts of your performance in Kjerag and the changes in the situation to the Duke.

Suit yourself.

I'm confident that I did nothing to displease Her Grace.

What about you, Trilby Asher?

The waters of Londinium you could muddle, but Kjerag gives you little room to maneuver.

No need to worry about me, My Lord.

I have complete the mission assigned to me by Her Grace.

Oh?

Kjerag is not worth devoting too much time and effort to, but there are elements that require the Duke's attention.

You mean...

We thought it was Karlan Trade, or Kjerag's geographical advantages as a natural fortress and commerce hub...

Seems like Her Grace is truly grounded... or visionary?

Are you here to visit the true form of Kjeragandr?

Of course.

Her Grace wants to know whether Kjeragandr truly exists in Kjerag.

In times of crisis, will Kjeragandr really help Her people?

Interesting.

And your conclusion?

I do not recommend that the Duke confront Kjerag militarily at this time.

Seeing the Kazimierzian corporations that publicly entered into partnership with Karlan Trade, I also ran into a Columbian scientist on the way here...

Force is not the smart plan.

Winning is easy, making money is hard. We're not Ursine. It's not worth it.

It's not every day that we agree with each other.

Did you hit your head or something?

Like you, I'm a pacifist.

Eww...

Just talk like you normally do. Please.

If it saves some time and effort.

My Lord.

Yes?

Are you familiar with this little trinket?

A burdenbeast blind box, they're all the rage right now.

Why would you buy this?

Well, that's not important. Open it up and let's see what's inside.

I've got a full set, but I'm missing the limited-edition secret version.

No one knows what the box holds until it's opened.

The mystery is what makes it alluring. Perhaps I shouldn't open it.

Well, are you going to open it or not?

I'll have it, if you're not going to open it.

I'll open it.

Hm? What's this?

What did you find? Let me see... mother of mercy!

This is...

Frozen crystal burdenbeast! Secret limited edition!

What kind of luck is that? I've been opening these boxes since the first day I arrived in Kjerag, and I've never gotten this one!

By Kjeragandr, this is not fair!

Trilby Asher, we're both in Her Grace's employ. Do you think you could...?

I'm afraid not, My Lord.

I must stay in Kjerag for a while longer after submitting my report.

Thanks to you, I just realized that... collecting burdenbeast accessories isn't such a bad pastime after all.

Can you stand?

Not dead yet. I'll be fine in a few days.

Good.

Gnosis?

He went down first.

He says he's footing the bill tonight.

He has lousy taste. Pick for him.

Okay.

......

You've been walking around in circles there for ages. You got something to say, out with it.

I'm thinking that my debt to you seems to keep growing, from Kazimierz to here.

One that I don't see a way to repay.

You're afraid I'd jump ship?

It would be a big loss.

You want to repay me?

Name your price. Gnosis will find a way.

Forget it.

All I did was follow an arrogant young man to these bleak frozen hills ten years ago on a whim, a place where the temperature hovers around freezing on the warmest days.

Life here didn't turn out to be so bad, so I started doing what I could.

What does any of that have to do with you, Enciodes?

I guess you're right.

You stayed for the land, not for me.

I didn't think I would hear it from your own mouth.

And don't put on that act about owing me.

Tell the truth. What are you thinking?

I'm thinking...

There will come a day when people from the outside will know more than just Karlan Trade, see more than just the snow, mountains and valleys.

They'll remember the name 'Kjerag'.

Don't get too excited.

You may have won this round, but at the end of the day you've just gotten yourself even more tough customers.

Should I thank you for bringing Kazimierz back to me?

Yes. Kazimierz has come, Columbia is coming.

Things will only get more complicated.

You can't win every time.

Have you ever lost?

No.

That's too bad. You must never have met an opponent like me.

Oh?

Come with Gnosis to the Tschäggättä's training grounds. I'll take both of you on at the same time.

One hand tied behind my back.

Haha. Gnosis is actually not bad with a sword.

You're in a good mood.

It's all done.

Three years of perseverance have borne fruit at last.

We broke things wide open. Caster is no longer an existential threat.

The independence of Kjerag is no longer a pipe dream.

In order words, you've drawn the attention of both arrogant Victorian nobles and unscrupulous Kazimierz merchants.

Soon to be joined by scientists with no qualms about moral or ethics.

Even more people will hate you for bringing even more chaos to this country.

Let them.

I don't care.

All I care is—

Excuse me—

Are you the Black Knight?

......

...Yes.

So it's true! The Black Knight is in Kjerag!

It's really the Black Knight! This makes it all worth it!

And you... you're the president of Karlan Trade, aren't you?

I've been a fan of the Black Knight since I was five. Can I get her autograph?

That's up to her.

Do you want to sign for these young folks, Degenbrecher?

...Fine.

The campaign knights I know aren't that excitable.

Our partnership with Kazimierz has just begun. The Adeptus Sprawiedliwi Kazimierz wouldn't have sent 'real' campaign knights.

This is just the Browntails spending their own money to invite some youths over for a sightseeing trip.

And it probably took the Black Knight's name to get them to agree.

Heh.

How do you feel?

Maybe I'm no different from the Kazimierz that you hated. You're just another chip in my hands.

All of it is the same, be it your identity as the Black Knight, Kazimierz's exploitation of you, your martial strength, and your value as a soldier.

Do you find this unacceptable?

Now?

I've gotten used to it.

Thank you for the invitation, Saintess.

You're... Muelsyse, from Rhine Lab.

It warms me up that you still remember me.

The mountains and rivers of Kjerag that I saw along the way were awfully pretty. I'm sure we'll have a great partnership.

Rhine Lab's partner is Karlan Trade, Miss Muelsyse.

But you are the one calling the shots in Kjerag.

Building a launch pad on Karlan is a big deal. Mr. Silverash has stressed the need to get the Saintess's blessing.

I have heard about this from Sir Enciodes.

Karlan is the spine and body of Kjeragandr. I must say I have reservations about such a massive project taking place there—

Saintess, Saintess.

Excuse me.

What is it, Kjarr?

That launch pad that they're talking about, it sends things into the sky, right?

If they build it there...

Does it mean that I...?

Er, Kjeragandr, will get a few cannons on Her body?

Cannons...

Kjarr... do you think Kjeragandr would object?

Object? Why?

It sounds so cool!

You should say yes!

Lisburn! What happened?

Those wounds...

It's nothing.

......

Freya, I have something important to tell you...

......

............

What is it, Lisburn?

I, I...

I... love...

............

'I ♥ Snow'! The knitted words on your clothes look so nice!

The snowy mountains are so beautiful on a fine day like this!

Huh? Oh, uh, yeah.

Aw damn it all!

The berk ran away from THAT? I should shoot him for desertion!

Keep it down, Jack!

Did you all peep on me like this, back in the day, when I proposed to my wife?

Come now, Harold, this isn't personal. We do this to everyone who proposes.

Is Lisburn really going to propose after a fight like that?

What does he have to lose after a fight like that?

She says yes, he gets to bury his bones here. She says no, he gets closure and returns to Victoria. It's going to take him the better part of a full year to recover.

You have a point.

You idiots, why didn't you call me over to help?

Are you going to let your brother propose empty-handed? No ring, fine, but not even a flower?

It's all ice and snow here. Where are you gonna find a flower?

Make an ice flower, then! What do you carry your weapons for? Nothing shows sincerity like the handmade stuff. That's what the ladies like, don't you understand?

Well, you're in a better position to understand than any of us...

Right, Harold? Ice flower, eh? I'm sure there's someone back home who will be very interested to know.

......

W-Wait! Don't you run your mouth in front of my wife!

I've never given an ice flower to any woman other than Lily... it was just an example! Really!

I didn't expect to see you here.

It's my job to protect the Doctor.

Same old story.

Care to spar?

......

After you've fully recovered.

We can do it after hours, if I'm still in Kjerag then.

Alright.

How many people do you have who are better than you?

I wouldn't mind making the trip myself, if there are enough of them.

You used to commentate the knight competitions?

No wonder your voice sounded familiar. Maybe I watched a match you were covering!

Thanks for the compliment. Not that I have much to write home about other than my voice!

I didn't expect to see the campaign knights here, though...

The ones in silver armor? They're so cool!

I invited them here!

And you, too, Rosalind! You're a guest of mine as well.

Enjoy the hospitality of Kjerag!

I must thank you, Doctor.

Thank you for accepting the invitation, and for your little gift to Mr. Mob.

It was quite helpful.

It would have involved more effort.

Under the circumstances, I'm plenty thankful just to speed things up by a step.

I hope you're happy with our hospitality.

You can take part of the credit for this festive scene before us.

Come, ally.

I will be happy to be your guide, if you would like to see what Kjerag is like now.

One more thing.

As an ally, I'm sure you understand what I mean.

Glad to hear that.

It's a shame that she couldn't come on such an important occasion, but if she continues to climb, then whatever peak she reaches...

She'll hear the wind of Karlan from the top.

...Ratatos?

You shouldn't be here now. The absence of the head of one of the three great houses at the Saintess's banquet will draw unnecessary attention.

Sciurus will take care of things.

If there's anyone who shouldn't be here at this time, it's the CTO of Karlan Trade.

I'm sure that director of Rhine Lab has many things she wants to discuss with someone in a technical position.

Enciodes will take care of her needs.

We want Rhine Lab's technology, and they want Karlan's elevated terrain. Fundamentally, this is a business deal.

That's more in Enciodes's domain.

I guess you're right.

I'm thinking that Enciodes must have had a dozen contingency plans for today's incident.

He put up a good act of being worried, though. Did it fool you?

That's the kind of person he is. I'm not surprised.

But there's one thing that you're off the mark about, Ratatos.

This is the rare occasion that he didn't put up an act.

Yes... It's not like him. Not sufficiently profit-driven, too much risk, yet the best outcome was achieved for everyone.

*Sigh*.

......

You hear that, Gnosis? It's the sound of metal coming together to form a monster.

I've listened to the heavy noise of construction for long enough.

Project One is near completion, from what I've heard.

You heard right.

But for all the effort we committed, even building Kjeragandr's statue as a ruse and building the base underneath Lake Silberneherze...

For all the time we put in, the effort it took to hide it all—

Rosalind?

I'm sorry I couldn't come with you to Kjerag this time.

You took the box to the top of the mountain, didn't you?

Mamochka!

You can trust me.

You went out again? The doctor told you to stay in bed!

Just taking a walk. I'm fine.

All this fuss over one broken bone. I'm getting suffocated, stuck in a hospital room all day.

That's because you weren't careful when fiddling with that jetpack...

It was fun, wasn't it?

I want to try it again sometime. Did you have the chance to try out rock-climbing while you were in Kjerag?

No, I didn't.

You really should, next time you have a chance. It's fun.

I'll take you on an adventure in Sargon once my leg's healed... Sami sounds good too!

Hehe.

I can't wait!