You're looking that way again? At the Grand Knight Territory?
I know the Grand Knight Territory. That's where the powerful knight lords compete against each other, right?
You never stop talking about it, of course I know!
......
Hey, Justyna, you're really planning to go there?
I know you've been practicing whenever you don't have farm work. Everybody in the village knows you want to be a knight. You can fight off the bandits who come looking for trouble, they're no match for you.
But the Grand Knight Territory is pretty far... If you go, will you ever come back?
You will? Really? After you become a knight?
It's a promise then. We'll wait for you to come home, showered in glory, and then we'll spread the word that our town is the home of the Justyna, the knight!
Ah... looks like I'm a little late? How did this turn into such a warzone?
???
Not good. Not good at all.
???
Anyway, let's pick up the pace. Start evacuating people first.
???
That's all we can do.
Justyna
It's you...
Flametail Knight
Hey there, 'Fartooth' Knight, I still haven't had a chance to congratulate you on your title. Nice job there.
Flametail Knight
I saw a piece on you. Popularity's through the roof, huh?
Ashlock Knight
Announcing a new knightclub, getting real controversial, pushing that popularity up, hm? Hmph, looks like you've kicked a hornet's nest to me.
A Strange Passerby
Infected knights...
Ashlock Knight
That's enough of that.
A Strange Passerby
Ugh...
Flametail Knight
Alright, anyway, the fight's fought, what's done is done. *Sigh*.
Justyna
Flametail, and Ashlock... What are you doing here?
Justyna
Do you know who these people are?
Flametail Knight
Like the back of my hand. But this isn't a good place for a chat... these guys are looking to make a scene, and the media will be here before long. That wouldn't end well for you.
Flametail Knight
And anyway, you're probably hurt, right?
Flametail Knight
Just come with us, all nice and quiet-like, and we'll explain nice and slow what's going on. What do you say?
Justyna
......
Ashlock Knight
Do you have to say it like you're kidnapping her?
Flametail Knight
Huh? Did I?
Ashlock Knight
A little.
Justyna
I'll go. I trust you.
Flametail Knight
Sorry, what?
Justyna
Just take me along, wherever you're going. I trust you.
Sure are. Everyone who lives here is. Most got unlucky, got sick in an accident or something, lost their jobs and homes, ended up with nowhere to go.
Flametail Knight
Granted, the room and board here is a little rough, but... it's better than nothing, right?
Justyna
......
Ashlock Knight
Sona, Iwona's in trouble, I'll go see what I can do.
Ashlock Knight
The Armorless Union is probably still active. I'll tell the others to be careful too.
Flametail Knight
Alright. Don't worry, I'm on it.
Justyna
......
Ashlock Knight
......
Ashlock Knight
Right. You've got it.
Justyna
She...
Flametail Knight
Hm? Oh, you mean Ashley? She's a good girl. The way she talks is just a little too straight up sometimes.
Justyna
She hasn't said a word to me since we first met.
Flametail Knight
Ahaha! Ashley's a little shy with strangers too.
Flametail Knight
......
Justyna
......
Flametail Knight
*Sigh*. Well, alright...
Flametail Knight
Ashley just thinks you're too different from us, like you've walked a different path.
Flametail Knight
I mean, you're a star of the Major, with a shiny new knight title, so hot right now!
Flametail Knight
No matter which way you look at it, you've got a bright future!
Justyna
No... I don't.
Justyna
An Infected... an Infected knight... has no future.
Flametail Knight
That doesn't sound like something a big competition winner would say.
Justyna
I used to think that as long as I could be a knight, there was still hope. If I could win in the arena, maybe...
Flametail Knight
Maybe you could even earn some respect, be seen as a true knight, and win back the life you used to have?
Justyna
Yes... That's what I thought.
Justyna
But that's not how it works. An Infected knight is still Infected. And that's all that matters.
Flametail Knight
Yeah. That's pretty much what I've said to Ashley.
Flametail Knight
And besides, so what if you're a knight? Just look what happened to you back there in that crowd. Those folks who jumped you didn't care if you're Infected or noble or whatever.
Justyna
You were saying they're with the Armorless Union?
Justyna
Knight-Assassins... the words feel gross in my mouth.
Flametail Knight
Yeah, that's them.
Flametail Knight
They sell themselves to the General Chamber of Commerce, bumping off knights who don't play ball... They call themselves experts in handling knights, and wear that with pride.
Flametail Knight
And add on the rewards, in cheers and treasure, that the audience heaps upon the knights, proper or not, how much dignity is left in the title? That's before you even talk about us.
Justyna
......
Justyna
So me getting attacked this time, that was the K.G.C.C.'s orders?
Flametail Knight
Probably. You've got the spotlight on you, and you're turning down all the knightclub invitations, and talking like you do out there... sooner or later, you get a knock like that at your door.
Flametail Knight
And if you won't be their goldmine, then they find you a 'dishonorable' exit, so you won't get in the way of their business.
Justyna
......
Flametail Knight
So you know, not that crazy you'd get attacked.
Justyna
Two three-week periods.
Flametail Knight
Huh?
Justyna
On my way to the Grand Knight Territory, I got infected.
Justyna
And since I was Infected, they wouldn't let me register as a knight. So I wandered around for three weeks with nowhere to stay.
Flametail Knight
Hmm...
Justyna
It was during the third week that the Blood Knight won the Major.
Justyna
Then, three weeks later, they opened the registration window for Infected knights.
Justyna
I didn't have any money left on me, so I went to the black market ring, working up enough money to pay the registration fees.
Flametail Knight
That... couldn't have been easy.
Justyna
Underground knight sports for infected knights is pretty much the same as the black market.
Justyna
From the underground competitions to the Major, I've seen too many ridiculous things to be surprised anymore.
Flametail Knight
Haha! Fair enough. There's definitely stuff going on in the underground fights that tops whatever the Armorless Union can come up with.
Flametail Knight
We've all been through stuff like that, more or less, and that's how we end up here.
Justyna
There sure are a lot of Infected here.
Flametail Knight
Right... how can I put it? You can make a lot in the knight competitions, at least enough to buy a place for these people who have nowhere else to go.
Flametail Knight
So that means the money's still worth something, right?
Justyna
Right.
Flametail Knight
Heh. Nice.
Justyna
?
Flametail Knight
You're easier to get along with than we might've thought. When I first bumped into you, I was worried you were all icy cold.
Justyna
......
Flametail Knight
Oh? You got all quiet?
Justyna
I don't know...
Justyna
I just... I just don't know... I guess I don't know what to say at times like this.
Flametail Knight
Ugh.
Flametail Knight
Alright... I think I get it now. You and Ashley are both shy with strangers.
Flametail Knight
And this habit of yours where you say half a thing up front, I think I'm getting used to it. Not that there's anything wrong with it, it's just tricky to follow sometimes.
Justyna
Either way, thanks for helping me.
Flametail Knight
Ah, it was nothing. Don't sweat it.
Flametail Knight
So anyway, where are you gonna go? If you pop right back out, they're gonna go after you again.
Flametail Knight
That scuffle back there is gonna get reported soon. What do you think we'll see on the news?
Justyna
No idea. Whatever they want.
Justyna
Honestly... I don't know where I'd go. I haven't had anywhere to go for a long time.
Flametail Knight
Hmm...
Flametail Knight
Well, you may think I'm just throwing it out there to hold it over you, but this is an honest offer, out of the kindness of my heart.
Flametail Knight
There's me, and Ashley, and Iwona, you've seen her, with the big loud mouth?
Justyna
Yes, I know her.
Flametail Knight
The truth is... we had the same idea as you, in your little statement about setting up an independent knightclub.
Flametail Knight
I came up with the name already. Pinus Sylvestris. The Pinus Sylvestris Knightclub, a club of our very own.
Justyna
—!
Flametail Knight
And since you've got nowhere to go, Justyna, wouldn't you consider maybe joining us?
Justyna
You're... inviting me?
Justyna
Are you sure?
Flametail Knight
Sure as sure can be. Can I spell it out any clearer for you?
Now that we're here, we're safe. Someone will meet us out front.
Justyna
How are your wounds?
Plastic Knight
Fine. Just a scratch, barely worth mentioning. But you Infected knights, you base yourselves here in the city? Not out in a village somewhere?
Plastic Knight
No one would allow the Infected to live within the city limits. Just what are you up to?
Justyna
Nothing.
Justyna
When you've got money, you can do anything.
Plastic Knight
Hah... money. True enough. So long as you have money, you can do anything here.
Plastic Knight
But if word gets out, you'll be arrested.
Justyna
Anyone eager to open their mouth gets a word with my arrows first.
Justyna
I won't allow anyone to harm the Pinus Sylvestris Knightclub.
Plastic Knight
Then lead the way. I can't stand the thought of the Armorless Union scum on the loose out there. I'm working against the General Chamber of Commerce now, so I need to move fast.
Plastic Knight
Show me to your Infected knight leader, who forced one of your strength to drag me out of the hospital against your will.
Justyna
......
Justyna
Not against my will.
Plastic Knight
What?
Justyna
It wasn't Sona who sent me to rescue you. It was my own choice. Not at all against my will.
Plastic Knight
But how? I understand we have a mutual distaste for one another.
Plastic Knight
Or is this some kind of big picture play?
Justyna
No.
Justyna
It's just... you have a family.
Plastic Knight
What are you talking about?!
Plastic Knight
Those insects! They dare move against my boy?!
Justyna
Don't worry, Sona has eyes on him. The Armorless backed off. They didn't touch your son.
Plastic Knight
......
Plastic Knight
Then I must offer my thanks.
Justyna
You owe them to Sona. It was all her idea.
Justyna
As for me, my personal feelings towards you have nothing to do with whether or not I'll let you get hurt.
