Liberi Reader

It'll still be some time until the power is completely restored.

The Rhodes Islanders have returned to their rooms, as advised. If you two would like to review...

Doctor, I want to go see them.

Everything happened so quickly, I'm sure there are many operators who still don't quite understand the situation. With all the anti-Infected protests going on, there's been a lot of pressure on everyone.

There's no need to worry, Amiya. I'll take real good care of the Doctor while you're gone.

Oh... Okay.

See you later then.

...{@nickname}Doctor.

There've been some developments in the General Chamber of Commerce that may be disadvantageous to Rhodes Island.

Coupled with the ongoing power outage, I'm afraid that what happens next will be nothing less than an open conspiracy.

For the time being... do not leave my side, whatever you do. Of course, it'd be even better if you decided to stay with me of your own accord.

Heehee, I didn't expect you to be so forward. Caught me off guard.

Did something good happen?

Didn't you ask me something like this before? Or, do you just love the sound of my voice that much?

They're parasites on Kazimierz.

The business class bands together, corrupting the knights and the city, just to chase their ambitions.

......

What did you do?

Heh... Care to tell me more?

And the last one?

So what you're saying is there are cracks in the K.G.C.C.? And you... have already taken stock of them?

But this is only your first time here, and you were only able to get to know a portion of the executives through your ties with a spokesman.

How can you be so sure of yourself? The moment you place your trust in the wrong person, the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi will no longer bear the consequences.

No.

Of course not.

Do you still have time to waste?

About the bounty placed on the Infected, once the interference from the Great Separation has passed, you'll have no escape route.

Ah, by the way, the reason it's called the 'Great Separation' is because after power from the core is lost, each plate will experience a short period of drift.

Right now, the connections to the plates around the K.G.C.C. have broken off, and you won't be able to escape.

Ugh... Goddammit...

This doesn't seem like an enemy we can take head-on.

I'm glad you finally understand what you should've always understood. So let me ask again, will you hand me the goods? I wouldn't mind letting you go.

Heh, when is the Armorless Union a charity?

I guess it was a matter of mindset. After a long, long struggle... I finally saw the light.

From the ruins of Bolívar, to the prairies of Kazimierz, and finally here.

No normal person finds joy in the slaughter of others. Only idiotic pampered princelings derive any pleasure from seeing people bleed.

Now, you can save me, Infected, and I can help you dismantle the Armorless Union.

Sorry, but even if that's true, I'm not about to give you this.

Why not?

We're sick and tired of being manipulated.

Ashley!

Got it! Have a taste of this!

Urgh...

*cough*, *cough* *cough*... What's the meaning of this...?

Ashley, run!

I know!

Running into the substructure? One wrong step, and you'll be mincemeat in the engine.

There's nowhere for you to run––

Hngh.

......?!

Ashley! Watch out!

—

(Off the mark. Something blurred my vision for a second there...)

(An illusion caused by my fatigue...? No, something got in my way after all.)

Roy–––!!

......!

You've lost your mind.

Tisk tisk, firing from such close range. Are you trying to get us both killed?

You... How dare you... do that to Sona!

I'll admit, it was careless of me.

I haven't had a chance to check if the chip is still intact. That's bad news, I wouldn't want that responsibility sitting on my shoulders.

Shut up, bastard!

(What to do, what to do. Hurry and kill Ashlock, and look for a way to go check the corpse?)

(No, this is far too dangerous. The power is about to come back on, and I wouldn't want to be caught between those plates.)

I'll have you pay in blood––!!

So straightforward, so predictable. You've been all too easy to read since you lost your ability to think––

Oh really?

?!

Hrmph. Was I the careless one?

She's gone?

Was she only pretending to be enraged...?

I would've liked to go out in a blaze of glory, but... what's going on now?

Roy is still around here somewhere. He'll discover my Arts sooner or later, so we mustn't tarry here.

Contact your companion and have her escape. I'll do what I can for her.

Hey, Ashley, I'm fine.

Don't let him know, and look for a chance to escape. I slipped the chip into your pocket when I blocked that arrow for you. Go ahead and double-check.

No need to reply. See you on the way back.

You broke my fall? But how?

Arts can be applied in many different ways. After extensive studying, almost all Leithanians are able to use basic Arts, regardless of the nature of these Arts.

You're the Candle Knight, right?

Why would a great knight like you... save an Infected like me?

There's someone who wants to see you.

Who?

I can't tell you yet.

Oh... You should already know that we're pretty busy right now, paralyzing the city, attacking the K.G.C.C... I don't have time for a picnic, you know?

It's understandable that you would distrust me.

No, I believe you.

You can tell what someone's thinking, just gotta look into their eyes.

Of course, this trick doesn't work a hundred percent of the time, but this is desperate times, right?

Ugh... What the hell is going on? The roads are blocked, and I can't get a taxi. Do I not get to go home tonight either?

What an idiot... 'finish in one day' my ass... That report should've been done yesterday...

Wh—What... what's happening?!

Out of my way, or I'm shooting through all of you.

Eep! P-P-Please don't, I'm moving––

Stop moving around, lad. You wouldn't want that noggin of yours finding a new home, eh?

B-But she told me to move––

Would you really trust someone who'd take your head off on a whim?

I... I...

Toland, have you no shame hiding behind a civilian?

Aaaaagh—!

Good point. I'll count to three?

P-P-P-please, I'm begging you, l-leave me alone!

One.

Nooooooo––!!

Two.

......

Three!

They're both insane! They're both insane––!

Where does this road lead–– Wait, over there, that's––

Mr. Knight! Mr. Knight!

I'm an employee of the Rose Paper Union! Please help me! You know who I am, right? I'll recommend you to the editorial department! There are two criminals over––

......

Eek...!

......

Do you ever run out of arrows?

Grrr... This is the first time my prey's eluded me for several minutes... Not half bad, Toland Cash.

Is it your goal to stall me here?

Haha... What about you? Are you here to play with me?

No, there's a handsome bounty on your head, and we're always in need of money.

Oh? Do you have a sickly little brother back home? Or maybe an elderly father who needs your support?

This job brings more wealth than you can imagine, bounty hunter.

We know the rules of this society better than you, better than any of the knights.

We simply chose to take a little detour, and after tonight's hunt, we'll usher in a new beginning.

But right now, it seems there's another idiot hellbent on messing things up.

......

To think you could still see such a splend'rous night sky in this death-choked city.

This is the kind of night I've always known. Let this manmade malediction be left behind... and shed every last drop of this city's blood! Bravo, ye faceless rebels!

What a strange knight. The private duels must not be paying well.

Clown.

Is everyone okay?

Margaret, I just found the spare battery... Alright, see, now the light's on, yeah? Doesn't feel like it'll last long though.

Looks like everyone's okay. V and Kowal went to check on the situation. They'll be back later.

Where's Młynar?

He stayed home. Said it would be difficult to get away from work, and wanted some time alone.

What about Shining and Nightingale?

They were worried that the Armorless Union might have their sights on the Doctor, and rushed back to the Infected shelter.

......

Don't worry. They're both very dependable.

No, it's just that... I still don't know anything about the things going on around you.

Sorry, but I deliberately kept you out of the loop. I can't afford to get Doctor and the others tangled up with my personal affairs.

But maybe one day, you'll get to know each other. Maybe one day, Maria, you'll also find yourself aboard that ship.

Their dazzling idealism will eventually guide everyone forward. Even if they hold vastly different beliefs and walk different paths, nothing can shake the conviction in their hearts.

That reminds me of...

The knights from the stories.

I'm back!

It's pitch black... The flashlight merchant next door should've restocked by now, right?

Oh, it's Margaret.

It's an absolute mess outside right now. I say we behave ourselves, stay indoors, and wait for the power to come back.

Just sit here doing nothing? Wasn't there supposed to be a match today?

It was supposed to be the day the eight strongest knights were decided.

Have you seen the latest news of the Blood Knight?

More or less... He's the undefeated king this season, from the qualifiers to the Major... But beyond that...

He's also the hero of the Infected.

Where are we going? I'm not complaining, but I really don't exactly have a lot of free time on my hands.

We're here.

...the Wall of Champions exhibit hall?

This is a secret meeting, so try to keep your voice down.

So which knight wanted to meet me?

Knight...? Well, you're not technically wrong. She was indeed a respectable knight.

......

Haha, but don't be nervous... She's just a regular old lady now.

Head on in.

You're not coming?

Let's just say... she's one of the few people in Kazimierz who scares me even a bit.

Wow... Even the Candle Knight, bearer of the Candle Sword, is afraid of someone? What chance do I have then?

It probably won't be the same for you.

After all, she counts as my half adoptive mother, at least in name.

(It's the same emergency power supply as the K.G.C.C... Was this place not affected by the outage either?)

(Both the knights... and the General Chamber...)

(...are still shining through the darkness.)

......

Flametail Knight... Sona.

Come here and let me have a closer look at you.

—!

You! You're...!

Now, now. I didn't come here today to talk business.

I heard... the Infected knights made some kind of deal with the knights of the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi.

Between the Knights Association and Demian, a member of the Adeptus.

......

In order for the Infected to survive in the Grand Knight Territory, they agreed to participate in this operation with his cooperation.

The Great Kawalerielki Separation... the Adeptus gave in, letting it happen once more.

Look at this wall... These knights were supposed to become real heroes. Not... this, symbols for spectators to gawk at.

Does this sight not fill you with great sorrow?

It certainly does, ma'am.

But I feel more sorrow for... the Infected who still need equal treatment, and for those totally lost to entertainment and materialism.

I cry... for each and every person struggling to make it to the next sunrise here in Kazimierz.

Truly a spectacular inaugural speech, young squirrel.

Can the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi really give us a normal life?

Paperwork, procedures, any documentation the National Council needs. Of course, the Adeptus will handle it all for you. That is what Demian promised you.

But what about the Originium crystals on your body?

......

I admire Pinus Sylvestris, but the problems you must overcome... are not so well-defined.

In time, Demian will reach out to you. He may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but trust him. He has his ways.

Alright.

Good. My knightclub will be here shortly, so hurry and find your companions.

Also, tell Viviana to come and have a meal with me when she's not busy.

......

.........Ma'am, what does it mean to be a knight?

The answer to the question is different for everyone, child.

You wouldn't be interested in mine anyway. Us old folks, we've seen too much.

Go, little squirrel, go.

See if the sunrise in Kazimierz still blazes ever-bright.

...I lost her.

Would it be more efficient to post a surround and suppress mission later?

I'm here. What's the matter?

What...? How many?

Exceptional swordsmanship.

Ahh, I'd prefer not to waste any more time here with you, old friend.

Goddamned maniac...

I'd best get out of here after I kill Toland.

I'm in a game of hide-and-seek with the 'Guildmaster' and a Nightzmora. Not the best time to chat.

......

No... I'll head there now.

Let's wrap up our little game, Toland.

You're running?

No.

Same goes for you, Nightzmora.

What? You're a Nightzmora?!

......

Let's call it here for now.

You came to Kawalerielki to find your people and a good fight, right?

Don't speak so lightly of our tradition of glory, Kazimierzian. You don't have that right.

No, I'm just offering you a warning, Nightzmora, out of the kindness of my heart.

Don't waste your energy on us.

I can agree with that.

Boastful nonsense.

Hmph. See you never, dumbass.

Is the traffic still stuck? I heard the power's already come back in some places.

Shouldn't the Knights Association compensate us for our terrible losses?!

Yeah! The government should pay us back our travel expenses!

Ugh... I hope the meat in the fridge didn't go bad.

Are you sure?

Sigh...

You know, we can take out any single one of their people, alone.

Two of them, we'll need to bring help.

Three of them, and it's going to be one hell of a rough battle.

If there's three or more of them... that could take a full tactical squad, and the Armorless Union can't afford those losses.

If there's more of them than you can count on your fingers, calling in the entire Armorless Union might not even be enough to put them down.

I know, I've seen them before. Your concern is better placed elsewhere.

So, how many did the scouts see?

Roughly forty.

Well shit... Right at this juncture?

Yes. I've already notified the Board of Directors.

Do they intend to capture the Kawalerielki Alliance?

Impossible!

No, this can't be! Where are the military consultants? Where are the people monitoring the knights?!

Those campaign knights dispatched by the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi... Where were they in the last report?

Five hundred and seventy-three kilometers.

There's no way a normal squad of campaign knights would be able to march that fast... It's impossible...

Did the Adeptus mobilize another branch behind the General Chamber's back? No, that can't be...

Wait.

The Silverlance fast-response squad... What's their fastest record?

Could they have disguised their military identification code? And even their armor and lances?

Hm? It's a little brighter now, isn't it?

Look over there! That little halo of light on the other side of the road! The power must've come back over there!

But... the lights still won't turn on...

That looks a lot more like... moonlight?

Are..... are those knights over there?

Th-The campaign knights?! Here?!

Inform all members of the Armorless Union to stop whatever they're doing this instant, no matter what it is.

Do not make any moves unless you want trouble. Do not act rashly.

Hmm.

Monique?

That one... over there...

......

Nostalgic?

No.

...I certainly am.

I miss... that time when I stupidly thought this place wasn't so bad. Those were good times. Exciting times.

......

If you had really given up, then you wouldn't still be here, would you?

Młynar, take a good look all around you. The city sleeps, and nobody has ever even woken up.

But what about you?

Reporting! A portion of the communications lines are back––!

––Connect me to the associate justice of the National Council.

Yessir.

Your honor?

You already know what I'm about to say. This band of campaign knights trespassed into the Grand Knight Territory without authorization, violating the Second Act––

Former Associate Justice Duke of the National Council, has been detained on suspicion of bribery, smuggling, murder, and dereliction of duty.

......

I would advise you to choose your words calmly and carefully, Spokesman.

The Grand Knight Territory is in a state of emergency due to a blackout, and the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi has the authority to send troops into the city during a state of emergency.

Do you have any further questions?

None. I apologize for the intrusion, sir.

Mr. McKee.

Yes?

Communications are more or less restored, Mr. McKee.

Look how busy they are over there... What do you think a phone is?

Huh? Obviously a communication tool...

No. The phone is the spindle and plough of modern society, the pathway that weaves the fabric of life as we currently know it.

It is a symbol of greatness, Mr. McKee.

......