Canto IV: The Unchanging/Story Episodes/Part I
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We received our first request.
The excitement was short-lived as we
watched chaos unfold in the middle of K Corp’s Nest.
Time winded as usual, and a pair of
downcast eyes catch my attention.
|Part II →
The excitement was short-lived as we
watched chaos unfold in the middle of K Corp’s Nest.
Time winded as usual, and a pair of
downcast eyes catch my attention.
4-1: Off the Bus
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
 |
YI SANG |
It is time… to turn the clock. |
 |
HONG LU |
Where are we going this time? |
 |
FAUST |
That’s not quite the right question. This mission begins with a person, rather than a place. |
|
|
YI SANG |
A person, you say? |
|
|
FAUST |
We happen to have a client. |
 |
ISHMAEL |
You mean… We take requests from outside like we’re a Fixer Office or something? |
 |
DON QUIXOTE |
Oho, hath our carriage begun to be frequented by requests already? ¡Excelente! It may take little time at all to become a renowned Fixer! |
 |
Vergilius |
Quiet. I’ll be answering questions. |
|
|
Vergilius |
As you all know, the Golden Boughs are a relatively recent discovery. |
|
|
Vergilius |
Fortunately, J Corp. and D Corp. didn’t have much interest when we visited their districts. |
|
|
Vergilius |
That is why those facilities were populated by no more than Backstreets miscreants or ragtag Syndicates. |
|
|
Vergilius |
However…There are Wings that have caught wind of their existence and value early, like K Corp, whose turf we’re in right now. |
 |
GREGOR |
Hmm? But I thought we’d already taken the Golden Bough here in K Corp’s Nest? |
|
|
Vergilius |
I never said that there were any rules that say only one Bough may exist in a District. |
|
|
Vergilius |
The distribution of Lobotomy Corp’s branch facilities is more complicated than you’d expect. They can be found everywhere… spread quite literally like tree branches. |
 |
SINCLAIR |
Like how one was connected to our estate’s basement… |
|
|
Vergilius |
There also haven’t been any clear definitions about who owns the Boughs. |
|
|
Vergilius |
Which is why everyone’s been playing by the primitive rule that “the first finders of a Bough are its keepers”. |
 |
RODION |
Well, that’s how it usually goes with slumbering treasures~ |
|
|
GREGOR |
In that case… Are you telling us that we’ve accepted the request to earn ownership of a Golden Bough? |
|
|
Vergilius |
To be exact, they made the offer first. |
|
|
Vergilius |
Since a Golden Bough is on the line, we have… |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
No choice… I get it now. |
|
|
Vergilius |
Thus… Haaa, I don’t know how many times I have to remind you of this, but do not do anything to aggravate the client. |
 |
DANTE |
<By the way…> |
|
|
Vergilius |
Now then, keep your mouths shut until you’re there. All as usual. |
|
|
DANTE |
<……> |
|
|
FAUST |
Dante seemed to have something to say. |
|
|
DANTE |
<…Thank you, Faust.> |
|
|
Vergilius |
Ah, sorry about that, Dante. I do hope you understand that it’s quite cumbersome to grow used to the concept that the ticking of a clock can be something to respond to. |
|
|
DANTE |
<…So what are Golden Boughs used for, anyway?> |
|
|
DANTE |
<When I think about it, all we were told was a vague order to collect them… And nothing about what the company plans to do with them.> |
|
|
FAUST |
…… |
|
|
FAUST |
They’re asking about the purpose of the Golden Boughs. |
|
|
Vergilius |
…Uh-huh. |
|
|
Vergilius |
I see you’ve finally begun to ruminate on subjects, Manager Dante. Here you are, growing curious about the company’s plans. |
|
|
Vergilius |
Then I ought to aid your management as a guide by providing kind explanation. |
|
|
Vergilius |
The Golden Boughs… |
|
|
Vergilius |
They are branches, as their name suggests. That’s what we call stems growing from the trunk of a tree. These ones happen to have a golden glow. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Ohoooo… Forsooth… |
 |
Charon |
Verg, the road is blocked. Should I go around it? |
|
|
Vergilius |
…… |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
It’s blocked? |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Strange that there’s a blocked road. This is in the middle of K Corp’s Nest, too; it’s unlikely that there’s a scene— |
|
|
RODION |
…Something just got flung at the bus and boinked off… That was a person, wasn’t it? |
 |
MEURSAULT |
A male individual who appears to be in his early 40s. There seems to be a serious injury in his occipital region. He had already died before the impact. |
|
|
Vergilius |
Yeah, sure doesn’t seem like the average scuffle. |
|
|
Vergilius |
Pitstop. If it’s a problem you can handle, come back after you’re done. |
|
|
RODION |
…And what about if it isn’t? |
|
|
Vergilius |
The clock’ll have to spin until it’s been dealt with. |
|
|
DANTE |
<That’s one elegant way to tell us to go die a thousand deaths…> |
|
|
RODION |
Hm, now then… |
|
|
RODION |
Off the bus. |
|
|
Vergilius |
…… |
|
|
RODION |
What? Weren’t you about to say the same thing anyway? Saved you the trouble~ |
|
|
HONG LU |
I just can’t wait, what adventures are in store for us this time? |
4-2: Talent and Genius
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
FAUST |
As you saw through the bus… we are in the middle of a Nest. A place that should be the furthest from unexpected trouble. |
|
|
HONG LU |
Hmm… Would that mean this is a precious commotion? |
|
|
DANTE |
<Hm? Is that…> |
 |
Running Civilian |
Huff, huff… D-Don’t go that way! |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Come now, you may rest easy! We have galloped hither to save innocent lives such as yours for we are— |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
We are no such things as heroes, so please don’t say anything unnecessary. |
 |
HEATHCLIFF |
Oi, we need to cross here. If you’re here to stop us for nothing, then I’ll give you a taste of this bat. |
|
|
Running Civilian |
There’s… something ahead… something that shouldn’t be real… |
|
|
Running Civilian |
I dunno what it was, I’ve never seen anything like it… Everyone was screaming and running, and then… people rolling on the floor… set on fire… |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
Did the entity you witnessed have a form that does not resemble a human? |
|
|
Running Civilian |
…Yeah, you’re right. That’s right…! |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Then, if it isn’t a person… |
 | ||
|
|
SINCLAIR |
W—What’s going on here? |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
It could, er… be a Distortion or whatever, no? Like that chicken place? |
|
|
DANTE |
<No… That’s different… That one is an Abnormality, not a Distortion. I’m sure of this… somehow.> |
|
|
FAUST |
As Dante suggested, that entity is likely to be an Abnormality. Our manager is able to “sense” it. |
|
|
DANTE |
<But then, why…> |
|
|
DANTE |
<Why is an Abnormality in the middle of a Nest?> |
|
|
FAUST |
It’s a phenomenon of which Faust has never been notified. Most Lobotomy Corp. facilities were shut down as soon as the Wing was dissolved. |
|
|
FAUST |
Even if an Abnormality did break out in the meantime, there should have been a report informing us of such a fact before this mission. |
|
|
FAUST |
It’s hard to imagine that the LCC would have been unable to notice if such an event actually occurred. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
…Could they be the security staff that gets sent by K Corp? |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Rather than suppressing the Abnormality… they’re just getting completely wrecked. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Mmh… It sorta takes me back to the time when we got beat bad in D Corp’s District… |
|
|
RODION |
Aw, c’mon~ First, that chicken restaurant guy goes cuckoo, and now this? I’m really over this kinda Nest K welcome… |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Gah! Bloody… |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Hah, the hell are you doing? Just watching from here won’t do any of us any good! |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
…It’ll crush us all to a pulp. |
 |
OUTIS |
…… |
|
|
OUTIS |
You’re gravely mistaken. Have that insane brat’s daily ramblings finally managed to brainwash you? |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Ho, hark? I prithee, who dost thou mean by this “insane brat”? |
|
|
OUTIS |
The guide only instructed us to return once the commotion has been dealt with. He never ordered us to deal with it ourselves. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
For goodness’ sake, what’s there to be so damn obtuse about? |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Didn’t you see what just happened? It almost blew my head off! Who knows what else will happen if it keeps up! |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
This’ll be over if we just beat that damn thing down… What else do we got? Parking a seat to keep watching, gobbling some chicken? Huh?! |
|
|
OUTIS |
There’s no need to waste our lives on fights unrelated to our missions. |
|
|
OUTIS |
I’m sure you filth didn’t even realize, but here’s the thing… |
|
|
OUTIS |
The more you die, the less efficient you become in battle. |
|
|
OUTIS |
Experiencing a certain pain will make you learn to fear and avoid it. |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
…… |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
…People are dying over there as we speak, though? |
|
|
OUTIS |
Although it will cost much time and many lives… they will eventually suppress it. Just as we do. |
|
|
OUTIS |
And I must say… I didn’t expect a whining amateur who’d cry out for his parents whenever he died to willingly suggest self-sacrifice. |
|
|
OUTIS |
Death has become a triviality to you, has it? |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
…… |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
If we must make the best decision between the Sinners, it’s right to listen to her. |
|
|
DANTE |
<I…> |
|
|
DANTE |
<We should suppress it. I can’t logically explain why, but… I feel like we should.> |
|
|
OUTIS |
…… |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
I’d have crushed that clock and run out there if you gabbled the same rubbish, clockface. |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
If that is your decision, I will abide by it. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Yeah, aight… I’m sure you made the right call. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Hey, um… Thank you for making that decision. |
 |
RYŌSHŪ |
You worry too much over little things, clock. You won’t be an artist. |
|
|
OUTIS |
…This judgement was made for none other than you, Executive Manager. |
|
|
DANTE |
<What is it? You think my judgement was inefficient?> |
|
|
FAUST |
No, I just thought it would be interesting to see how you react once you’ve reclaimed your memory. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Faust, I’ve been wondering for a while… Are you really okay with being treated like this, considering your talent and everything?> |
|
|
FAUST |
Faust doesn’t mind. Additionally, “talent” feels like the incorrect word to describe Faust. |
|
|
FAUST |
Many can possess talent, but Faust does not want to be included in the many. |
|
|
FAUST |
Among the Sinners, if we were looking for a talented individual of the most commonly agreed definition, that would be… Yi Sang. For your information, I am a genius. |
|
|
YI SANG |
…I am no such individual. |
|
|
YI SANG |
I have long stopped fluttering my wings. |
|
|
YI SANG |
Thus, it would be of no use to discuss my talent, Manager. |
|
|
DANTE |
<……> |
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
What’s that flying machine? It’s been irking me. Got the urge to S.I.D. for the three-thousandth time. |
|
|
YI SANG |
That… is a device called a drone. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Oh, they might be combat drones K Corp. sent to help us. The Wing seems to be above average in terms of technology. |
|
|
FAUST |
No, viewing its design, it doesn’t appear to be equipped with combat functionalities. It also has a camera at the center. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Well… I guess it makes sense to get a close look at the mess happening in a well-off Nest. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Ohh! Will we be featured on the thing called the “news”? |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Wait, something’s off… Why’re… |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Why are they only filming corpses and dying people? |
|
|
GREGOR |
Well, it’s the provocative stuff that draws more attention, doesn’t it? |
|
|
RODION |
“Look at this terrible incident! See how morbid it is!” or something like that. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
But… |
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|
RODION |
Hold up, kiddo! In front of you! |
 | ||
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|
SINCLAIR |
Kngh… This is… definitely weird… |
|
|
DANTE |
<Sinclair!> |
 | ||
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|
SINCLAIR |
Look at this thing. Why does it have its camera glued to me…? |
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
…I don’t appreciate a soulless audience. |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
There is a considerable number of them. And these drones… |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
They appear to be deliberately preventing us from entering the area where the Abnormality is. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Can’t be. We’re here to help, so they’d have no reason to get in… |
|
|
GREGOR |
Our way… right…? |
 |
Mysterious Drone |
Greetings, citizens. Please keep ten meters of distance for your own safety. |
|
|
Mysterious Drone |
K Corp’s staff has been dispatched. Your safety is assured. Please keep ten meters of distance. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
No, look, your staff is being slaughtered over there, can’t you see? |
|
|
Mysterious Drone |
Greetings, citizens. Please keep ten meters of distance for your own safety. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Hah, the instructions make no sense. What difference is ten meters going to make in this mess? |
|
|
GREGOR |
Tsk, not gonna do us any favors, huh… |
|
|
GREGOR |
Dunno if they’re malfunctioning or just badly designed, but we’ll have to get rid of all these before we can get to the Abnormality. |
4-3: Drones and Abnormalities
Post-Battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
RODION |
That’s the last of ‘em… They aren’t gonna make us pay for the damages, are they? |
|
|
FAUST |
I‘ll try to report that it was an act of self-defense. |
|
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RODION |
Fau, darling… Did I ever tell you this? You’re really just so… how do I put it… You rock! |
|
|
FAUST |
You were rather late to realize it. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
…Something feels strange about this Abnormality. Doesn’t quite feel like the others we’ve fought. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Hmm, not sure if we even have that much experience in that department, but… |
|
|
GREGOR |
Well, I guess there’s the crowd around us shouting and yelling…? |
|
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RODION |
What’s up with these Abnormalities… How’d they show up in the middle of a Nest, and how did they get… more horrifying? |
|
|
DANTE |
<And I’ve seen that one in the Mirror Dungeons a few times, too. Never in a fight, though.> |
|
|
DANTE |
<Come to think of it… What was the deal with those Abnormalities in the Mirror Dungeons that didn’t fight us?> |
|
|
FAUST |
Those were glimpses into the Abnormalities’ mental spaces and habitats viewed through cracks in the mirrored world. |
|
|
YI SANG |
It is a chasm, incredibly narrow and unstable. |
|
|
FAUST |
Indeed. Which only allowed for limited interaction. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Forget that, all I wanna know is… why are these so tough? They’re as nasty as what we faced on the railway. |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
That is certainly true. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Besides, what is this… sickening fluid dripping from them? |
| ||
|
|
FAUST |
We have no time to analyze its constituents, so we should be careful not to come in contact with it. |
|
|
RODION |
Yeesh~ No need to tell me. I’m not about to smudge myself with that. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Oi! Did these things eat bad food off the floor or what? It’s like they’ve got rabies— |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Huh? Above you, Mr. Heathcliff! |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Manager… It looks like you have your work cut out for you. |
|
|
OUTIS |
…Please remember that I gave you my expostulation, Executive Manager. |
|
|
OUTIS |
All men, prepare for battle! |
|
|
DANTE |
<Figured it would come to this…> |
|
|
DANTE |
<Let’s beat ‘em and head back.> |
4-6: Return
Post-Battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
FAUST |
The Abnormality has been successfully suppressed. We can return to the bus now. |
|
|
Vergilius |
You came back later than expected. I was just about to take my first nap in a while. |
(To be more precise, Faust did the heavy speaking.) | ||
|
|
Vergilius |
…The existence of Abnormalities has been almost completely unknown to the public, and we don’t possess all the details on them, either, Dante. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Didn’t think you’d admit it right away.> |
|
|
Vergilius |
Enigmatic as they are… let’s leave Ms. Faust and other departments of our proud Limbus Company to uncover all the details in the future, as we likely ought to. |
|
|
FAUST |
…Will do. |
|
|
OUTIS |
You, why do you have your shoulders hunched over like that? |
|
|
OUTIS |
You’re short enough as you are, and this shrunken posture makes you practically imperceptible. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
…I hoped to meet Lord Siegfried again… |
|
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GREGOR |
(Who was Lord Sieg…fried, again?) |
|
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ISHMAEL |
Wasn’t that the man who took photos of himself while cutting us down with one hand? |
|
|
GREGOR |
(Right… That Zack Friture guy…?) |
|
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DON QUIXOTE |
Eager was I to show him… my valiant acts of rescuing imperiled civilians… |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
I vowed that I shall meet him again as a Fixer of noble cause… |
|
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GREGOR |
Reunions are more touching if it’s after a long time, Don Quixote. Try thinking that it’s a good thing he didn’t show up today. |
|
|
Vergilius |
It really is strange, though. |
|
|
Vergilius |
He’s not one to miss spectacles with this many spectators around. |
|
|
HONG LU |
Oho… Is he kind of like a celebrity, then? |
|
|
Vergilius |
You could say that. He has a flair for showmanship, so it’s usual for K Corp. to take advantage of these kinds of commotions by sending him. |
|
|
Vergilius |
But… if he hasn’t shown up for this perfect opportunity to draw the public’s full attention… |
|
|
DANTE |
<That means this isn’t something they want people to notice…> |
|
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DON QUIXOTE |
I shan’t… take such vicious slander of Lord Siegfried! |
|
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DON QUIXOTE |
On the fifth row of Page 42 of his autobiography “A Hero Should Keep Smiling Until His Last”, he writes that he shall be there to aid the weak no matter when and where! |
|
|
Vergilius |
…Hah. Alright, you’d best hold that belief of yours dearly. |
|
|
Vergilius |
That way, you’ll have something to cling to when you face the extreme in the future. |
4-7: The Client
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
(I understood Sinclair being one, but Heathcliff and Ishmael also seemed to be pressured.) | ||
|
|
HONG LU |
Fuhu, I guess we’ve earned some renown. We’re finally being invited to places regular people would live. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Lemme make one thing clear… If the request and the reward’s a load of tosh like the last time, I’m out. |
 |
Samjo |
Ah, you’re a little late as expected. |
|
|
DANTE |
<As expected?> |
|
|
OUTIS |
That man is… |
|
|
Samjo |
It’s a pleasure to meet you again. I want you to know that this is my heartfelt sentiment and not a formality. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
…I’m out. Already told ya. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Give it a moment! Let’s at least hear what he has to say, okay?> |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Let go! Do you even get how it feels to have nightmares about doing the tango with raw chickens? Huh? |
|
|
Samjo |
To tell you the truth, my last request was a test to measure your competence. |
|
|
Samjo |
And you passed with flying colors. Congratulations. I mean this one as well. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Who are you to test and grade us?! You— |
|
|
Samjo |
That’s of course— |
 |
??? |
That’s of course at the discretion of Mr. Samjo, my shrewd secretary. So you must be… from Limbus Company. |
|
|
Dongrang |
A pleasure to meet you, I’m Dongrang. I heard a lot about you from Samjo—it almost made me a fan. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Fan??? Didst thou say just now that we have earned thine adoration? |
|
|
RODION |
It’s just flattery, Don Quixote… |
|
|
Dongrang |
If I’m being quite honest… the test wasn’t my idea. I mean, you aren’t lab hens or anything, and you deserve better than involuntary tests. |
|
|
Samjo |
Indeed, it was my suggestion. |
|
|
Samjo |
I had reason to do so as your “Limbus Company” is a little-known firm that… could or could not be newly established. |
|
|
Samjo |
We couldn’t take the risk of entrusting an unknown organization with a request on Mr. Dongrang’s word alone. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Ahem… So, that means you’re requesting us… |
|
|
Dongrang |
Why, of course. Because, you all are… |
|
|
Dongrang |
…… |
|
|
Dongrang |
Ah, why don’t I show you to my lab? There are many fun things to see. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Changing the subject so shamelessly is only gonna bother us more…> |
|
|
Samjo |
Sorry? Are you really going to take these people to your laboratory? |
|
|
Dongrang |
Why not? They passed your test, didn’t they, Mr. Samjo. |
|
|
Dongrang |
And if they’ve got the skills to take down what they called an “Abnormality” as we saw today… |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Aha~ Thou hast heard? My, traces of heroic deeds indeed make themselves known to the masses in no time! Fufu… |
|
|
Dongrang |
Haha, that’s a fun way to put it. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Ah, and you must be the manager… it was Dante, yes? May we speak for a moment? |
4-8: Application
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
DANTE |
<I mean… I don’t mind, but you two can’t hear me anyway.> |
|
|
Dongrang |
I was too embarrassed to bring it up in front of the whole group, but actually, one of your… employees was an old friend of mine. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Oh, who is it?> |
|
|
Dongrang |
And he wouldn’t give me a nod, either. Perhaps he was embarrassed like me. It was a struggle to hide how disheartened I was. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Maybe you weren’t as close as you thought, then? …Wait, can you hear my voice?> |
|
|
Samjo |
Mr. Dongrang, this individual is unable to communicate normally. |
|
|
Dongrang |
That’s why I’m speaking, Mr. Samjo. It’s like I’m back to being a child, muttering my woes to a wind-up toy, don’t you think? |
|
|
DANTE |
<What are you two even doing?> |
|
|
Dongrang |
It was mostly because of him that I decided to send my request to you. I can trust a familiar person better than a stranger. |
|
|
Samjo |
See, this is why I can’t let my guard down for even a second. You’re too easily influenced by human attachment… |
|
|
Dongrang |
So, let me ask you a favor; use your tact and consideration to… pretend that you know nothing about the relationship between him and me, okay? |
|
|
DANTE |
<You haven’t even told me who that friend is…> |
|
|
DANTE |
<This isn’t asking a favor. You’re givine me a notice.> |
|
|
Samjo |
We’re at the laboratory aisle. Ordinary visitors would not be permitted to go any further… |
|
|
Samjo |
But since you’ve been invited by Mr. Dongrang… I will show you to the interior. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Wow… I hoped… I could work at a company as big as this. |
|
|
RODION |
Then, maybe you could’ve applied to one~ Why didn’t you give it a shot? |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
You’re joking, right, Rodion? Not everyone can join these companies. This kind of firm only accepts the very best of the elite. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Like Faust or Yi Sang, for example… |
|
|
DANTE |
<Yeah, why did you choose to join Limbus Company out of all the options you had? There must’ve been better places to shoot for.> |
|
|
FAUST |
Because I am Faust. |
|
|
DANTE |
<……> |
|
|
DANTE |
<What about you, Yi Sang?> |
|
|
YI SANG |
Let me take the trouble of asking in return. Manager, why did you join the company you work for? |
|
|
DANTE |
<I mean, that’s because I had no other choice.> |
|
|
YI SANG |
…That should sufficiently answer your question. |
|
|
DANTE |
<……> |
|
|
RODION |
Dante, Dante, Dante, look, there… You see that? The fridge is full of snacks… We could take one… or ten, and they wouldn’t notice! |
|
|
Dongrang |
Take as many as you’d like. Mr. Samjo, pack some snacks from the break room into small bundles to give them later. |
|
|
Samjo |
Understood. |
|
|
RODION |
That’s awesome, Ishy, maybe we should quit our job and join up here? |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Everyone can hear you, Rodya… |
|
|
FAUST |
Rodion, the work contract says… |
|
|
RODION |
Joking, Faust. Joking. See? |
|
|
DANTE |
<……> |
|
|
Dongrang |
Let’s move on to the request— |
 |
??? |
You’re bringing outsiders into the building now… What are you, a field trip guide, Dongrang? |
|
|
Dongrang |
Ah. Pardon me for a moment. This is Shrenne. She’s the manager of the department next to mine and a colleague who joined the company at the same time as I did. Visiting me to hurl hurtful words takes up much of her daily routine. |
|
|
Shrenne |
I figured someone’s got to point out the massive drain on our company's welfare budget that is your team. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Ah, if you’re wondering about how we spend our welfare budget… You’ll see when the Department of the Year trophy is awarded. Right, Samjo? |
|
|
Samjo |
It would take a full day to list the benefits the department chosen as the best receives. |
|
|
Shrenne |
Eugh, you’re snobs, the both of you. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Hm. Is that a rival? I do suppose excellence is followed by envy wherever it is. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Envy fuels advancement, as they say, so it’s only right for us to show a little generosity for those following behind. Should we give some of the pies we bought from that store to Shrenne’s department, Mr. Samjo? |
|
|
Samjo |
I was planning to do so. The pepper, chili, lettuce, and curry-flavored ones, specifically. |
|
|
RODION |
Gasp… That… also sounds tasty? |
|
|
Dongrang |
Haha… Now then, let’s get back to the main topic. |
|
|
Dongrang |
I heard the rumors. They were about a newly formed company collecting organic objects called “Golden Boughs”. |
|
|
Dongrang |
And those Golden Boughs are found exclusively inside the closed-down branch facilities of Lobotomy Corp. |
|
|
OUTIS |
How did you learn about the existence of Golden Boughs? |
|
|
Dongrang |
It was a recent discovery. We’d been using a Lobotomy Corp. branch near our research facility as a lab until a few months ago. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
You… set up a lab in that horrible place? |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
But, I thought they were all buried underground… |
|
|
GREGOR |
Well… I guess there were rare resources and documents they could use… |
|
|
FAUST |
…Did the scope of your research include Abnormalities? |
|
|
Dongrang |
Why, certainly. No researcher could overlook such intriguing subjects. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Researchers must be all soft in the head if that’s what they’re interested in… |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
…Hold on. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
When you were mumbling rubbish and tossing a rock at one of them chickenheads, did you… |
|
|
Samjo |
Ahrmhrm… |
|
|
FAUST |
I will say, Heathcliff’s unexpected fits of insight surprise me sometimes. |
|
|
FAUST |
You led us into dealing with a Distortion in a “coincidental” encounter so that you could gather data for your research on Abnormalities. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Mr. Samjo here is no good at acting. I suppose it’s due to his upright way of life. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Please understand. We had no means to clearly distinguish a Distortion from an Abnormality. |
|
|
Dongrang |
A person distorts “when the mind crumbles to figurative pieces…” was it? That was a stellar figure of speech. Did you restore his crumbled mind back to health, then? |
|
|
FAUST |
There is no way to piece together someone else’s broken mind. |
|
|
FAUST |
We merely showed him the way. It was the choice of the restaurant owner whether to stay there or take that path. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Wow, you know so much. If I were just a bit younger, I’d have jumped and hopped trying to high-five you. |
|
|
FAUST |
You’re always unwelcome to try. |
|
|
Samjo |
Mr. Dongrang, you’re becoming sidetracked again. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Ah, you’re right. Alright… Then, one day, while we happily indulged in research in that laboratory of the Lobotomy Corp. branch facility, armed terrorists attacked the place. It was all too sudden. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Have you ever seen a bomb set off before your eyes? It’s quite the spectacle. It all starts and ends in a split second. Just like the universe, isn’t it? |
|
|
OUTIS |
Where are the terrorists now? |
|
|
Samjo |
The members have almost nothing in common, and their motive is unknown. They only showed up recently. |
|
|
Samjo |
In the end, the terrorist organization took over the laboratory Mr. Dongrang’s team had stayed in. |
|
|
OUTIS |
Mm. That must be when the lab was moved. |
|
|
YI SANG |
…How severe was the damage? |
|
|
Dongrang |
You see, those empty seats… |
|
|
Dongrang |
They’ll stay that way for a while. Their owners died—in that act of terror. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Ah, this fellow we only managed to recover a finger from. We couldn’t find the right place to put it, so we’ve been keeping it in storage. It should be over at the display on the second floor. |
|
|
Dongrang |
There is so much we had to leave behind. |
|
|
GREGOR |
…Dongrang… |
|
|
Dongrang |
I especially miss the plaque modeled after the face of my character, that was a favorite souvenir of mine. |
|
|
GREGOR |
I’ll be stumped, I can’t tell how much of what he says is a joke and how much of it is serious. |
|
|
OUTIS |
What about that seat, then? |
|
|
Dongrang |
Ah, that one is reserved. |
|
|
Dongrang |
We’re waiting for a new employee to take that seat. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Oh… Is there an application guideline for the position, then? Where can I see it? |
|
|
Samjo |
Ahem. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Oh dear, our Mr. Samjo is feeling all uncomfortable now. Shall we actually get to the point then, Samjo? |
|
|
Samjo |
Let me be blunt; I suggest an accord that will benefit both parties. |
|
|
Samjo |
If you help us retake the laboratory, we’ll yield the ownership of the Golden Bough we found to you. |
|
|
FAUST |
I have a question. Is this a fixed contract, or a post-fulfillment review contract? Will it be represented by delegate bodies or co-executive members? |
|
|
Samjo |
Allow me to answer that. This will be an immediate delegate-body-represented contract with no warranty liability. A contractual signing overseen by an observer from a Grade 1 Contract Office will take place following due process. |
|
|
DANTE |
<A Contract Office…? I-I dunno what’s going on… Does it really have to be so complicated?> |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
In J Corp’s District, we couldn’t get the Golden Bough right away despite winning because we didn’t have anyone overseeing the deal. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Oh… That Ayuda from the Merry Archils? She started a fight even after Rodya won the game. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
It’s Aida from Los Mariachis… |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
That’s right. Instead of playing the role of the observer, she left us with no choice but to take the Bough with force. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Which is why it is safer to use the service of an Association or a Contract Office to stand as an observer or to notarize the contract even if it can be costly. That’s what Faust probably considered most carefully, I think. |
|
|
FAUST |
This contract certainly favors our side. |
 |
Faust & Samjo |
As long as the goal is achieved. |
|
|
Dongrang |
This is a secret, but, I frankly don’t get more than half of what Samjo says. I just nod like “Oh I see~” and move on. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Isn’t that a coincidence? It’s the same for us, too. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Aren’t you supposed to be the last person to be ignorant of your secretary’s words…? |
|
|
HONG LU |
Aha, still, I guess making a contract with K Corp’s laboratory means we won’t be fighting against the Wing’s staff for a while. |
|
|
HONG LU |
You know, those people who would keep healing their wounds. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Ah, so you’ve seen K Corp’s regenerative technology already. |
|
|
RODION |
Ugh, we’ve more than seen it! |
|
|
GREGOR |
Had to deal with it over and over, I get sick of the thought… |
|
|
Dongrang |
Ah… Why don’t I show you around my lab instead, then? It’s not here, though… You’ll have to take the elevator once more. |
|
|
Samjo |
Geh? You would show them that much, Mr. Dongrang? That place is off-limits for unauthorized personnel… |
|
|
Dongrang |
Hah, you just made a really funny noise, Mr. Samjo. Well, it shouldn’t hurt. We’re hanging out a bit to celebrate the provisional contract being signed. |
4-9: Regeneration Ampules
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Dongrang |
This is where regenerative ampules are made. |
|
|
Dongrang |
They’re publicly called “HP bullets”… but the underlying principle is a nanobot-based medical treatment. |
|
|
Dongrang |
There have been struggles here and there, but at the moment, the ampule I sliiightly modified recently is the most commonly used version. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
So let me get this straight… You’re the one who supplied that? Dammit, do you have any idea how much that made us suffer— |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
We barely managed to crawl over that adversary… |
|
|
Dongrang |
I’m relieved that none of you seem to have passed away or suffered severe wounds, at the very least. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Ah! That reminds me, I was told companies have different definitions of “death on the job” and the processes of dealing with them. I’m sure Mr. Samjo gave me an explanation on it… |
|
|
GREGOR |
So, Dongrang, are you… continuing your research on improving those cure-all nanobots? |
|
|
Dongrang |
Haha, of course not. HP bullets have long been commercialized. My project right now is the improvement of livestock using them. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Improving… livestock? |
|
|
Dongrang |
If “cutting” as a concept is reduced to irrelevance… if it becomes limited to a fleeting moment… |
|
|
Dongrang |
Think about it. We can get an endless supply of high-quality meat. |
|
|
Dongrang |
And it’s not just any meat; the flesh will come from livestock researched and improved with the combined efforts of countless minds… That’s the quality and rarity we’re talking about. |
|
|
HONG LU |
It seems… |
|
|
HONG LU |
Dongrang has a love for meat as deep as Rodya’s! |
|
|
Dongrang |
Hmm… Love, you say? You might be right, if endlessly devoting time and care could be called love. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Hah. I guess snobby bunches get along well, eh? |
|
|
DANTE |
<Don’t beat up our client, okay, Heathcliff?> |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Depends on how they behave. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Hmmm… Is this how nanobots look? All I see is liquid… |
|
|
Dongrang |
When infinitesimal particles have fluidity, they will look pretty much the same as fluid. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Ugh… Is it really necessary to go this far for food? |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
This sight is too disgusting to handle for a rich boy who grew up on juicy meat, eh? |
|
|
RODION |
…Kiddo, there are lots of people in the world who’d go any length for a meal. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
No, I mean… This isn’t the same. And my family wouldn’t eat any meat… I, I was an exception, though… |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Why does it have to be like this? What I’m trying to say is… |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Ah, I think I know what you’re getting at. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
It does feel rather unnatural, doesn’t it? If it was simply for the sake of improving food… there could've been more efficient ways to do it. |
|
|
RODION |
Ahh~ There’s one thing I can say for sure. If this technology had been made available in the Backstreets… |
|
|
RODION |
My friends and I wouldn't have had to rummage through trash cans. |
|
|
YI SANG |
…Technology. |
|
|
YI SANG |
No, this is no more than breeding. |
|
|
YI SANG |
They will never realize they have the ability to fly for their entire lives. |
|
|
Samjo |
I must object. Chickens cannot fly in the first place, and this technology is providing quality welfare to many… |
|
|
Dongrang |
It’s okay, Samjo. |
|
|
Dongrang |
For someone who usually wouldn’t look others in the eye to glare directly at a person… |
|
|
Dongrang |
That’s a sign of desperation, isn’t it? |
|
|
YI SANG |
…… |
|
|
Dongrang |
The husbandry… |
|
|
Samjo |
…Something seems to have happened to the lab. |
|
|
Samjo |
Will it be a good choice to head there now? |
|
|
Dongrang |
It’ll be fine, Samjo. They’re skilled enough that they got out of a scuffle with K Corp. security staff armed with our regenerative ampules without a scratch. |
4-10: Terrorist Organization
Pre-Battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
 |
Announcement |
An explosion has been detected. Please protect yourselves from danger by swiftly moving under your desks. |
 |
Intimidating Machine |
…… |
 |
??? |
Whoops… That was a misfire. |
|
|
Announcement |
A second explosion has been detected. Please activate the regeneration ampule in your possession, and… |
|
|
Announcement |
Please wait for K Corp’s security staff that will arrive within 18 seconds of, of, of… |
 |
??? |
Same old announcement. I wonder, why are broadcasts like that told in such calm voices? |
|
|
??? |
Won’t a little gasping and panicking be more effective in getting people to evacuate? |
|
|
??? |
See, getting so preoccupied with all that technology and science nonsense dulls your empathy with feelings. |
|
|
??? |
…You talk too much. Be quiet. |
|
|
Samjo |
Is everyone alright? If you aren’t, take a regeneration sample. A cross-compatibility test is normally needed, but we’re in an emergency… |
|
|
GREGOR |
…You look unfazed. Doesn’t a terrorist attack usually throw everyone into chaos? |
|
|
Dongrang |
The first attack did have everyone panicking. The explosive detection broadcasts didn't exist, either. Mister Samjo hid under his desk for quite some time… |
|
|
Samjo |
As I keep saying, the attack occurred in the lobby, and I was merely attempting to pick up a notebook that fell under the desk. |
|
|
Samjo |
You must take this situation seriously, Mr. Dongrang. An attack on a K Corp. laboratory in the middle of the Nest is not a matter of course. |
|
|
Dongrang |
For sure, they managed to arrive at the floor where the researchers are. Oh, I think I sprained my left ankle, Samjo. |
|
|
OUTIS |
Are they the terrorists that are occupying the Lobotomy Corp. branch? |
|
|
Dongrang |
Indeed. Speak of the devil. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
They’re part of the terrorist organization? They don’t really look like well-trained combatants… |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Would you look at that, you got an eye for that now, kid? |
|
|
Samjo |
It’s natural. They aren’t the ones directly engaging in combat. |
|
|
Samjo |
It should take a single glance to notice that they appear lean and frail just like Mr. Dongrang. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
I’ve seen rich sods that don’t get into fights still get body-enhancing augments just in case. You sure they aren’t just acting weak? |
|
|
FAUST |
It’s not necessarily the case. As varied as ways to augment the body are, some may be repulsed by it, physically or mentally. |
|
|
FAUST |
Some Nests even forbid their residents from getting procedures above a certain level of power if they aren’t qualified. |
|
|
RODION |
They don’t want the lowly to rise up and topple the ruling class over, huh? |
|
|
FAUST |
I couldn’t deny those possibilities. Each Nest must have its own reasons. |
|
|
FAUST |
But, fundamentally speaking, augmenting procedures are like high-performing vehicles. If an unqualified driver were to try and handle a vehicle with a power output above what they can handle… |
|
|
FAUST |
Layers of order in the Nest would fall apart in no time, so they’d like to prevent that from happening. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Sorry to interrupt your passionate exposition, the pain was genuine for me, just so you know. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Eek! |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
T-The ones from the checkpoint… |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
And now they’re our reliable allies. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Those robots… They look seriously hostile…> |
|
|
??? |
Hemorrhage within five seconds. Spinal damage of at least 12 centimeters in length. Direct impact on coronary artery. Destruction of the cranium. |
|
|
??? |
These steps will ensure that the enemy meets immediate death without unnecessary suffering. |
|
|
??? |
It can do that, but wasn’t it mainly to fully destroy the brain so that they can’t regenerate themselves? |
|
|
??? |
Hey, if you don’t mind, could you pretend to be dead if this doesn’t kill you right away? My buddy stayed up all night upgrading the instakill function. |
|
|
??? |
Quiet. |
|
|
??? |
See~ I told you. With that recoil distance, it only reaches as deep as the occipital lobe. Did you really have to learn it through trial? |
|
|
??? |
Damn it… It should have gone all the way through the temporal lobe. |
|
|
Dongrang |
We can’t lose to them, we have robots of our own. They should be here any minute now… |
|
|
Dongrang |
Aha, there it is! The regeneration ampule administration drone. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
It must be pretty handy to have them. Do they inject the ampules right as the staff is injured? |
 | ||
|
|
Samjo |
Yes, as long as their heads aren’t lost… and the ampule is injected before the golden time passes and their brain stops Functioning… They’re practically undying. |
 | ||
|
|
K Corp. Security |
…Kgh. |
|
|
Samjo |
Injuries like holes in internal organs… |
|
|
K Corp. Security |
…Kurgh! |
 | ||
|
|
Samjo |
Or broken bones can be healed in seconds. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Even still… They wouldn’t be immune to pain. How can they be so calm about it… |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
They won’t even bat an eye at a colleague right next to them being cut down. |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
Natural behavior. |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
If all wounds can be healed up in seconds, all judgement regarding it will be secondary. |
|
|
HONG LU |
If that’s the case… Will we become like that eventually? |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
I don’t see a reason to think about such things. |
|
|
HONG LU |
I was just curious. |
|
|
??? |
By the way… Who are these new faces with unfamiliar outfits? Anyone wanna introduce yourself? |
|
|
??? |
None of our business. |
|
|
??? |
True. But it’s kinda awkward to be just facing them. Someone’s gotta talk, no? |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
…Why should we introduce ourselves to a terrorist organization? |
|
|
??? |
We’re no mere terrorist organization. Watch your words. |
|
|
??? |
I don’t hate the sound of it. It lines up with my beliefs when I was four. I had to answer the call of a grad school because the paper I wrote on atoms won a prize at the age of eleven… |
|
|
??? |
Shut it. We are the technology liberation alliance. |
|
|
HONG LU |
Liberate what technologies exactly? Does technology yearn for freedom? |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Maybe… they're talking about the animals in the lab… I think? |
|
|
??? |
You hear that? He thinks we’re animal protectors or something? |
|
|
??? |
Sorry, but that went out of fashion long ago. You think we’re working day and night assembling machines just to fight for happily raised chickens fried in healthy oil? |
|
|
??? |
Type X-32 bolts are so hard to get these days, we have to order them from other Nests. Do you have any idea how much tax is added? |
|
|
FAUST |
You can substitute type X-32 bolts by casting a c-9 bolt and tempering it at an interval of two hours. |
|
|
??? |
You aren’t gonna win over us by acting all smart… |
|
|
??? |
Oh… Huh… No, she might be right… It could work. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Could you tell us why you’re offering advice to enemies, Ms. Faust? |
|
|
FAUST |
You wouldn’t understand. Researchers have a creed more valuable than life. |
4-12: Decay Ampules
Pre-Battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
GREGOR |
That… certainly looks convenient. Broken bones heal up in a matter of moments. |
|
|
Dongrang |
K Corp. provided us with an astronomical sum of research grants to support our research on improving this ampule. Do keep this a secret from Shrenne, please; she might get mad at me about it for three months. |
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
Hmph… Clock would only wind the thing after we’ve died, scared of a little hurting. |
|
|
DANTE |
<……> |
|
|
RODION |
I think I cracked a bone in my right hand~ Can I get an ampule? It’s kinda harder to grip my axe. |
 |
Ampule Helper |
Welcome. K Corp. drones are always there for your health. Administering regeneration ampule… |
|
|
Ampule Helper |
…Cannot administer. |
|
|
Ampule Helper |
Friendly entities of type 3j-54 are eligible for serum injection, but regeneration ampules may only be administered to patients emorrhaging 1Lr or more of blood. Also, since you have not taken a cross-compatibility test for the ampules, we do not take any responsibility for possible side effects. Thank you. |
|
|
RODION |
Wha~? What are you talking about, you want me to cut off an arm or a leg or something? |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
They’re… |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
They’re already doing that. Look at the K Corp. staff… |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
They’re cutting up their own limbs… to get the ampule… |
|
|
Samjo |
It’s a necessary requirement. It would be a tremendous financial waste to use regeneration ampules for every little scratch. |
|
|
Samjo |
I hate to make comparisons, but its value is far above the caliber of small firms like yours. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
…… |
|
|
DANTE |
<Yeesh…> |
|
|
DANTE |
<It looks a bit dangerous here. Those machines are too rough… hey might get me killed if I'm not careful.> |
|
|
DANTE |
<I might wanna stay away from the fray a bit just to be safe…> |
|
|
DANTE |
<Ah…> |
 | ||
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Grrr… |
 | ||
|
|
OUTIS |
Executive Manager! Are you alright? |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
I’m the one who got hit, Outis… |
|
|
OUTIS |
I should have taken the projectile for you. Curses! |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Excuse me… |
|
|
OUTIS |
Hah, see what your robots that cost a bomb to make are doing. It fired at an ally! |
|
|
Samjo |
I must object. That was not friendly fire. |
|
|
Samjo |
However… It does appear that exceptions couldn’t be fully configured. I apologize for that particular shortcoming. |
|
|
OUTIS |
What rubbish are you… |
|
|
Samjo |
As you are aware, you could come into this place purely thanks to Mr. Dongrang’s whim. |
|
|
Samjo |
Having visitors in this place is an extremely rare occurrence, and as such, a factor that wasn't put into consideration. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
What, ngh… are you talking about? |
|
|
Samjo |
That K Corp’s regenerator drones do more than just heal people. |
 | ||
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Why… does it look like my body is melting? Can anyone make it… make sense… |
|
|
DANTE |
<Ishmael!> |
|
|
Samjo |
Normally, K Corp’s drones administer regeneration ampules to injured personnel… |
|
|
Samjo |
However, it injects a decay ampule to deserters. |
|
|
DANTE |
<…It shot the decay ampule at me because I was trying to escape the combat zone?> |
|
|
GREGOR |
Ain’t that just revolting… Think you can pull off summary executions when there isn't even a war going on? |
|
|
GREGOR |
Yeah, why not just make the drones fight instead? |
|
|
Samjo |
The Nest you’re from must have valued human life, am I right? |
|
|
Samjo |
The value of each drone we have far surpasses that of ten class 2 staff members combined. Do you understand? |
|
|
GREGOR |
…"You should understand," "you accept it"… |
|
|
GREGOR |
I’ve had crappy coercion shoved in my face too many times, I don’t feel like complying anymore. |
|
|
FAUST |
I do understand where it’s coming from. There was research that revealed deploying K Corp’s drones in simulated battles increased the odds of victory by 23.5 percent. |
|
|
FAUST |
It was a pretty famous paper among scholars. |
|
|
OUTIS |
Since the old times, deserters who try to flee from battle have been pointed out as greater detractors of morale than the threat of overwhelming oppression or weakness of the leader. |
|
|
OUTIS |
Public punishments of deserters are a historically proven tactic supported by many examples. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Tch. Understand it all you like, then. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Wait, what are you all talking about?> |
|
|
DANTE |
<Look at Ishmael, she’s… melting down…!> |
|
|
OUTIS |
Ah, apologies for my negligence, Executive Manager. |
|
|
OUTIS |
I failed to consider the suffering you must endure when you turn the clock. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Wha, that’s not what I’m…> |
|
|
FAUST |
You might want to hurry if that’s your concern. Her heart should still be intact in her current state. |
 | ||
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Manager… What’ll… happen to me… |
|
|
YI SANG |
…… |
4-15: Reclaiming
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Shrenne |
Attention, everyone! Reinforcements have arrived!! |
|
|
RODION |
W-Who are those people? |
|
|
Dongrang |
For sure, who could these be, Shrenne~? Made new friends other than me? |
|
|
Shrenne |
They’re Fixers from Rosespanner Workshop, the ones we’re working with for the current project. They’ve visited here several times already, you really should be familiar by now. |
 |
Niko |
Pleasure to meet you. I’m Niko, representative of Rosespanner Workshop. |
|
|
??? |
Boring. Let’s head back. |
|
|
??? |
What? |
|
|
??? |
Sure… We’ll leave. |
|
|
Niko |
Would you look at that, our "aura" has made them flee out of terror… Huhu… |
|
|
Dongrang |
Thanks, Shrenne. This made me seriously consider the possibility that your department might be picked as the best next year for the first time. |
|
|
Shrenne |
Shame about your precious trophies being destroyed, huh? |
|
|
Samjo |
Ms. Shrenne, pardon me for suspecting, but you did not perchance wait until the trophies were broken before bringing reinforcements, did you? |
|
|
Dongrang |
I don’t mind losing them. |
|
|
Dongrang |
As long as the photo is fine. |
|
|
GREGOR |
The damage they left is pretty severe now that I’m seeing it firsthand… |
|
|
GREGOR |
It could’ve gotten all the researchers killed if things went wrong. |
|
|
Samjo |
Indeed, which is why we must eliminate them and reclaim the facility they've occupied as soon as possible. |
|
|
YI SANG |
Why, then, does K Corp… not provide assistance? |
|
|
Dongrang |
Mmm… Clearly, it’s because they don't want the general public to know that such a thing happened in the Nest, don’t you think? |
|
|
YI SANG |
While I may concede on that matter as innocent feathers were involved, this concerns researchers and a laboratory directly affiliated with the Wing… |
|
|
Dongrang |
It’s evidence that they want it to remain discrete that much, don’t you think? |
|
|
YI SANG |
…… |
|
|
Dongrang |
Anyway, I ought to bring a generous supply of regeneration ampules for you all to use. Now should be a good time to depart, right? |
|
|
GREGOR |
We aren’t going on a picnic, Dongrang… You gonna be okay? |
|
|
Dongrang |
No problem, seeing you in battle made me all the more reassured about accompanying you. |
|
|
FAUST |
Just so you know… the technology our manager Dante uses is on a different level compared to K Corp’s ampules; rather than regenerate, it restores. |
|
|
FAUST |
Therefore, observing it won’t provide much insight that can be applied to K Corp’s Singularity or regeneration ampules. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Restoration, not healing, huh… |
|
|
RODION |
No way~ Is he trying to copy Dante’s ability like what that shady Bodhisattva Chicken guy tried with his rival?! |
|
|
Dongrang |
I wouldn’t do such a thing. I’m not the kind of person to cram down food that I know I can’t digest. |
|
|
OUTIS |
It has to be common practice for someone like you to send capable underlings to do the fighting for you, and yet you insist on being on the front. Are you that hungry for a medal? |
|
|
Dongrang |
No, it’s that I left… |
|
|
Dongrang |
A number of things I couldn’t take with me in time. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Like the photo commemorating my third consecutive year of winning the excellence award, the plaque of appreciation from K Corp, the photo taken to celebrate my lab's expansion, and… what else was there, Samjo? |
|
|
Samjo |
…Classified documents concerning the research, sir… |
|
|
OUTIS |
…So it’s more that you wanted to gain back the medals you had. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Oh right, that too. |
|
|
GREGOR |
You really did just barely manage to escape there, huh… |
|
|
Shrenne |
I guarantee you, that nerd Dongrang has never swung a fist in his life. He’s too carefree. At least bring some Fixers like me. |
|
|
Samjo |
Is your department going as well, Ms. Shrenne? |
|
|
Samjo |
I don’t see how you could benefit from the success of this operation. |
|
|
Shrenne |
…Three of my coworkers died in their last attack. |
|
|
Shrenne |
I’ve lost too much to care about interests and benefits. |
|
|
Samjo |
Ms. Shrenne… |
|
|
Samjo |
In that case, will I be correct to assume that the payment for the Fixers will be handled by your department-- |
|
|
Shrenne |
Ugh… You just can’t stop being such an irritating bunch… |
|
|
Samjo |
The Lobotomy Corp. branch we must reclaim isn’t too far from here. |
|
|
Samjo |
Let’s head there together. |
|
|
Dongrang |
I was hoping I could get a ride on your bus… What a shame. |
|
|
Samjo |
I’ll secure you an opportunity next time. Let’s get moving for now. |
|
|
RODION |
Huh? Who do you think you are to decide that…?! |
|
|
RODION |
And then, you see~ I bet the chips and declared like this: |
|
|
RODION |
"All~ in." |
|
|
GREGOR |
Haah… I wanna stop hearing it… It's giving me nausea. |
|
|
Niko |
There’s nothing like headshake poker at J Corp’s casinos. Those people who sit at the slot machines all day long, they’re all morons. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
What, you mean there’s something up with the machines? |
|
|
Niko |
This is something I haven’t told anyone else. You see… |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Hold on, you gotta explain in more detail… |
|
|
DANTE |
<Things are lively this time around.> |
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
D.L.I. |
4-16: Age of Humanity
Pre-Battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
Only in tranquility can art bloom in its full grace… |
|
|
Shrenne |
There’s always gonna be a snobby jerk on any team. |
|
|
OUTIS |
…I must agree. I can’t tell if they're here to handle a request or hang out… They loosen up too easily… |
|
|
Dongrang |
If there’s one fortunate thing, however, it’s that we won’t encounter any Abnormalities here. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Why does this person keep talking to me?> |
|
|
Dongrang |
To tell you the truth, the first encounter with Abnormalities was a series of shocking revelations. |
|
|
Dongrang |
It was hybrid, so to speak. I wouldn’t have been able to conceive such a concept as developing a new source of energy from the human subconscious. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Hmm…> |
|
|
Dongrang |
I believe that the so widespread and standard, hm, what was it again… right, the age of humanity is coming to an end. Now is the age of the superior minds. Not too many have realized this with their hearts yet. |
|
|
DANTE |
<What’s an "age of humanity"?> |
|
|
Dongrang |
You have no idea how glad I was to have you on board. |
|
|
DANTE |
<…Some one-sided conversation that was… Much worse than the ones I have with Vergilius.> |
|
|
Dongrang |
Shh. I hear some movement. |
Post-Battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Dongrang |
I don’t see any terrorists. |
|
|
Shrenne |
Relax. I’ve brought plenty of regeneration ampules, so those murder machines can rampage all they want. |
 |
Melted Machine |
Alright, all… You hear me? |
|
|
Melted Machine |
I got pretty mad thinking you might have thought we ran off, so I’m sending you a message verbally. |
|
|
Melted Machine |
I’m about to tell you something real important, so listen up |
|
|
Melted Machine |
…… |
|
|
Melted Machine |
A pause to rouse tension… Good. |
|
|
DANTE |
<……> |
|
|
Melted Machine |
It’s that you are… |
|
|
Melted Machine |
You are a bunch of worthless worms. |
|
|
Melted Machine |
Yeah, that’s right. You’re just worms! |
|
|
GREGOR |
Gimme a break. I was all ears for this load of nonsense. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Wait, Gregor!> |
|
|
FAUST |
The machine is heating to unnatural degrees, its components expanding. |
|
|
Niko |
Oh my, it really is. That’s a telltale sign of an imminent explosion. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Indeed, and that means… |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Wait a moment! Get away from that damned machine! |
|
|
Dongrang |
Hmm… They must’ve used what little time they had to place traps like this. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Their dedication is admirable. I’m raring to see the mastermind behind this. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Are all researchers like that? This really doesn’t feel like the time for admirations.> |
|
|
FAUST |
Such is our fate. |
4-17: Technology Liberation Alliance
Post-Battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Will this… blow up once it stops working like the last one? |
|
|
Melted Machine |
Alright, so, this is the second time you killed my machines, right? |
|
|
Melted Machine |
Let’s see… |
|
|
Melted Machine |
You’re a bunch of roaches that do nothing other than just crawl on the floor. |
|
|
RODION |
It’s okay, it’s okay. Don’t let it let you down, Greg… |
|
|
GREGOR |
…I wasn’t feeling anything. |
|
|
Melted Machine |
So… go on and keep crawling like the bugs you are. |
|
|
Melted Machine |
Why bother looking up when you’ll be spending all your lives on that flat dimension of the surface, am I right? |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
I understand now. Once the machines stop functioning, they play a prerecorded voice clip, then explode seconds after. |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
It is unclear what purpose they are meant to serve, but all the machines are equipped with the same mechanisms. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Pre…recorded? I didn’t see that one coming… |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Hah, everyone’s making fun of you, eh, buggy bloke. |
|
|
GREGOR |
…It sure is baffling how the whole world is bending over backward to mock me… |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Pah, that’s a tame reaction… Hm? O-Oi, what’s wrong with you now? |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Hrk… |
|
|
DANTE |
<What’s the matter, Ishmael? Are you alright?> |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Yes… I’m just feeling a little queasy… |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
You don’t have to mind me. I’m fine now. |
|
|
HONG LU |
There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask, what kind of organization is this… technology liberation alliance? |
|
|
OUTIS |
Why do you bother asking such questions? All we need to know about them is that it’s a terrorist organization with a hollow name; their values are irrelevant to us. |
|
|
HONG LU |
Haha, you never know what use the information might have, Outis. |
|
|
Samjo |
I know little about them myself. I did hear that someone who used to work in a K Corp. laboratory is now one of the organization’s core members. Though, I don't have the details as this took place before I joined the firm. |
|
|
Samjo |
She was an outstanding researcher who was once awarded the best employee award, much like Mr. Dongrang is now. |
|
|
Shrenne |
What? How do you know that? |
|
|
Samjo |
I saw her name on one of the plaques in the trophy room. Wouldn’t you say it’s mandatory for someone of my occupation to remember all the names there? |
|
|
Shrenne |
Why do you keep peeking in there, anyway…? |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
…What could be the reason a highly praised employee decided to join terrorists… |
|
|
Shrenne |
…… |
|
|
Dongrang |
I believe you saw her once earlier. She was enthusiastically destroying my lab. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Right around when Shrenne and I joined the company, she was… well, rather famous within the firm. |
|
|
Dongrang |
I heard rumors that she had wanted to test the limits of K Corp’s technologies. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Then one day… rumors about her leaving the laboratory spread. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Saying that this is where she ended up. |
4-18: Best Employee
Pre-Battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Dongrang |
Ah, this corridor must be the last. Once we’re past here, we’ll reach the edge of the facility. |
|
|
Dongrang |
After I retrieve my precious items from there, I’ll give you the ownership of the Golden Bough as promised. |
|
|
RODION |
Feels like this is gonna end on a rotten note, you gonna be okay with that? Those terrorists really must’ve run off, seeing how none of ‘em showed up… |
|
|
Dongrang |
It was part of the contract to reclaim the laboratory. |
|
|
Samjo |
That’s why I kept telling you, Mr. Dongrang. When you draft a contract, you have to be meticulous and calculating, and write it in a way that favors us. |
|
|
DANTE |
<…Let’s get going.> |
|
|
OUTIS |
Be on guard, Executive Manager! Someone is ahead of us. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Yeah, but they aren’t holding any weapons…> |
|
|
OUTIS |
They may be unarmed, but you are an incredibly weak and fragile civilian, Executive Manager! |
|
|
DANTE |
<…Um, thanks? Outis?> |
|
|
??? |
Can’t you count? You clearly outnumber us by a huge margin. Don’t be a baby… |
|
|
??? |
Here at last, worms? |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
It’s the same voice that played from the machines. And… it’s the same face we saw earlier. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Where are your other members, Senior Researcher Ran? |
|
|
Ran |
…You managed to bring more help in that mess, I see. |
|
|
Ran |
And put away that "senior" crap, we haven’t even known each other for long. Don’t you see what’s going on? |
|
|
Ran |
They've all evacuated. And here I am… buying time for them. |
|
|
Dongrang |
That’s interesting… We thought we stormed in unexpectedly, yet you knew it in advance and escaped? |
|
|
Ran |
‘Cause you're worms. Look at you, getting all cocky after receiving the best employee award… |
|
|
Ran |
Raiding here, dare trying to catch us. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
You’ve got a big mouth. You think you’re better than us? |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
You’re outnumbered like you said. That noggin of yours probably knows you’d better surrender, eh? |
|
|
Ran |
…Let’s say I do. It’s clear what you’ll do with me. |
|
|
Ran |
You’ll neutralize me and keep me barely alive… |
|
|
Ran |
"Curing" me with your flaunted regeneration ampules… |
|
|
Ran |
Rinse and repeat, until you get the answers you want. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Sounds like a problem that can be prevented by giving us the answers right away. Am I asking too much? |
|
|
Ran |
‘Course you are. Unlike you… |
|
|
Ran |
We aren’t planning to live like roaches that feed on whatever is provided from above. |
|
|
GREGOR |
…This is really getting on my nerves. |
|
|
Ran |
Ah, whatever~ I’ve had enough of toying with you. |
|
|
Samjo |
What are you trying to… |
|
|
Ran |
That’s right, show your curiosity only to what's happening immediately before your eyes. That’s how a researcher should be. |
|
|
Shrenne |
Ran… |
|
|
DANTE |
<Ngh… That hurt a lot.> |
|
|
Samjo |
Are you alright, Mr. Dongrang? |
|
|
Dongrang |
I’m fine… Someone in Dante’s party pushed me away as soon as the blast was heard. You know, the quiet fellow with intimidating eyes. |
|
|
Samjo |
I was going to do the same, but I was standing too far away. |
|
|
Niko |
Whew, that was close. |
|
|
Dongrang |
It must be the faith that they will come back to life at any time that prompted them to jump into danger without hesitation. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Not out of any sort of friendship or affinity… Isn’t that right? |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
…Cough. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Meursault? You were alive…?> |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
…It was my directive to protect the manager and see that the company’s mission is accomplished. |
|
|
Dongrang |
That… must be it, yes. |
|
|
Dongrang |
How convenient. You can recover your body without using regeneration ampules. |
|
|
DANTE |
<……> |
|
|
DANTE |
<I dunno, the ampule looks handier…> |
|
|
Samjo |
Right, is Ms. Shrenne alright? And the other Fixers? |
|
|
Niko |
We’re perfectly sound. |
|
|
Shrenne |
Your group blocked the blast for us, so we turned out fine. |
|
|
Shrenne |
That’s… why you haven’t been taking the ampules. That clock had special powers. |
|
|
Samjo |
Indeed. After all, I recruited them after thorough screening and testing. |
|
|
Shrenne |
I see… Well, darn… All the ampules I brought… are useless now. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Clock…face… Stop…dawdling about… That yellow-haired lass is dying… |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Hurry up and turn it… This… hurts an awful lot… |
|
|
DANTE |
<…On it.> |
4-21: Traitor
Pre-Battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Dongrang |
Shrenne, you’ve got shrapnel wounds, are you sure you don’t want to use an ampule? |
|
|
Shrenne |
I’m fine… |
|
|
GREGOR |
That Shrenne fella… She’s looking kinda blank-faced, is she okay? |
|
|
GREGOR |
Blank-faced… Hah, of course not. She couldn’t be so carefree. |
|
|
OUTIS |
…… |
|
|
OUTIS |
This makes it evident. |
|
|
OUTIS |
The terrorists long since made their leave. All that’s left were bloodthirsty murderers hellbent on killing us. |
|
|
OUTIS |
I’ve made my judgement. Hey, what do you think? |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
I agree with it. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Wha, what are you two talking about? |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
There’s a traitor in our ranks. No doubt remains in the matter. |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
It’s thanks to this spy that our course and plans were leaked from the moment we departed. |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
To prevent further damage, it is right to dispose of them here and now. |
|
|
OUTIS |
As it’s unlikely to be one of us, the rational course of action is to suspect your institute’s lackeys. |
|
|
OUTIS |
This mission must be abandoned, Executive Manager. To allow ourselves to be involved in this nonsense is… |
|
|
Samjo |
I am repulsed by your accusation. Are you seriously suspecting us? I can assure you that we trust each other better than you people who haven’t even been in the same firm for a year… |
|
|
Dongrang |
No, Samjo. Their hypothesis sounds plausible. I would’ve said the same. |
|
|
Samjo |
…… |
|
|
Dongrang |
You have something to say, don’t you? |
|
|
Samjo |
Mr. Dongrang… |
|
|
OUTIS |
That group of Fixers haven’t used regeneration ampules a single time since they came in here. |
|
|
OUTIS |
Any sane combatant would kill to have those. |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
There is one more thing. |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
When we encountered Ran… |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
They were distancing themselves from her in advance. The only explanation is that they knew there would be an explosion. |
|
|
Niko |
Oh, bother… Why not consider the possibility that my intuition is just that keen? |
|
|
Niko |
What if we weren't using the ampules because these buddies and I are built healthy? |
|
|
Dongrang |
Hm… I’ve brought a truth tablet just in case. I’ll believe you if you testify the same after taking it. |
|
|
Niko |
Truth tablet? That red thing? How can I take that suspicious-looking drug…? |
|
|
Dongrang |
Sorry, did you have a choice here? How strange, if I were you, I would take the tablet… or make more desperate excuses. |
|
|
Dongrang |
You’re so gladly squandering your chances to clear yourselves of suspicion, it’s almost like you’re asking to be killed. |
|
|
Dongrang |
…Or did you decide to kill us all and get away with it? |
|
|
Niko |
I thought a researcher’s job was writing papers… and you’re out here writing fiction, you deranged maniac. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Showing your true selves now that you’re cornered, eh? |
|
|
Niko |
I even taught you my secret to winning at the slot machines, and this is how you return the favor? |
4-22: Traitor 2
Pre-Battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Niko |
Ah… Give me a second. I think we need to call a timeout. |
|
|
Niko |
Might be the sardine I ate this morning… My stomach is aching. |
 |
Assistant Fixer |
Boss! |
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
No such thing. SYNC is up next. |
|
|
Assistant Fixer |
Shrenne…! |
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
She what? |
|
|
Assistant Fixer |
Shrenne told us something. While we’re in here… don’t ever use regeneration ampules no matter what… |
|
|
Shrenne |
…… |
|
|
Niko |
Haah… Saying that out loud… is breaching the contract, you dolt… |
|
|
RODION |
That so… Shrenne told you that? Why? |
|
|
Assistant Fixer |
I don’t know… She said we’ll see in due time… |
|
|
Dongrang |
Well, we have the simplest way to find out, don’t we? |
|
|
Assistant Fixer |
Ah… |
|
|
Niko |
…! |
|
|
Assistant Fixer |
…Why do you look so surprised, boss? What happens if the ampule is injected…? |
|
|
Assistant Fixer |
…Huh, this is weird… |
|
|
Assistant Fixer |
Uwaah. Uagh. |
|
|
GREGOR |
…Is it just me, or is this awfully familiar? |
|
|
RODION |
Please. You don’t really think you're the only one who remembers that bug den, do you, Greg babe? |
|
|
Niko |
…Oh dear. |
|
|
Shrenne |
Let’s stop here. I dragged too many people into this. |
|
|
Niko |
Well… It was my decision to take the deal for the money. |
|
|
Niko |
Dearie me… Should’ve gone on a bigger spree yesterday if I knew it would come to this. |
4-26: A Red Line
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Dongrang |
Alright, then… Care to give us an explanation, Shrenne? |
|
|
Dongrang |
Since when did you join their side? |
|
|
Shrenne |
…You really are something. You don’t even act surprised. |
|
|
Shrenne |
Hah, employees that can be brought back to life without the ampules, huh… This wasn’t in the plans… It's not fair. |
|
|
Dongrang |
When I asked why you volunteered to follow me at the laboratory, you told me this: |
|
|
Dongrang |
"Three of my coworkers died." |
|
|
Dongrang |
Five of us died in that attack. Three is the number of casualties the technology liberation alliance suffered. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Oh, and I checked your network history, too. |
|
|
Shrenne |
You did what… You’reallowed to do that? |
|
|
Dongrang |
So they keep telling you, it takes a full day and the night after to name all the benefits of the best employee. |
|
|
Shrenne |
That stupid "best" tripe again… |
|
|
Dongrang |
I saw that you exchanged tons of mail with Ran even after she left. What was it about? You wouldn’t reply to a single one I sent asking to go grab coffee together. |
|
|
Dongrang |
I do suppose… you’re respected Ran a lot ever since you joined. Even your password was set as "missyouran", how about that? |
|
|
Samjo |
Wait, is this…all true? |
|
|
Samjo |
I don't understand. K Corp’s research institutes are the best workplace you could ask for as a scientist; it’s a stable job, cares about employee well-being, and has the limelight of the academy. |
|
|
Samjo |
But, why would you turn your back on it and collude with those terrorists… |
|
|
Samjo |
I saw you as a researcher with a promising future… You had a long way to go compared to Mr. Dongrang, but still… |
|
|
Dongrang |
Yeah, Shrenne. Why don’t you say it yourself? |
|
|
Dongrang |
Why did you decide to collude with them? |
 | ||
|
|
Shrenne |
…… |
|
|
Shrenne |
The tears wouldn’t stop. |
|
|
Dongrang |
You… |
|
|
Shrenne |
You know what that means, right? I... |
 | ||
|
|
Dongrang |
…! |
 | ||
 | ||
|
|
GREGOR |
Hey… Shrenne… |
 | ||
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
Hah, haha… Shut your mouths and keep still. Don’t even breathe. |
 | ||
|
|
ISHMAEL |
…! |
 | ||
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
Fixers inanely treading shadows… I’ll give you the honor of being called F.I.T.S. Heh. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Fixers who work like that… would belong to… Shi Association. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
An Association of Fixers that exclusively take assassination requests. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
They most likely aren’t ones we could easily fight and defeat. It depends on how much they were paid and what Section are they from, but in this case… |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Seeing that only Ryōshū was able to pick up hints of their presence… They most certainly won’t be amateurs from Sections 5 or 6. |
|
|
Assassin |
…… |
|
|
Samjo |
Ms. Shrenne… Why… |
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
Tsk, gone already. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
How ridiculous. Torn by inner conflict. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Senior Researcher Ran was Shrenne’s mentor when she first joined the firm. It looks like their bond lasted much longer than I thought. |
|
|
Dongrang |
You see, Dante? We were peers working for the same firm, and there's still collusion and fraternity. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Betrayal, division, connivance. It happens in any group of people… I guess it’s an inescapable cycle. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Not sure there’s any point in telling me this…> |
|
|
Dongrang |
Say… How much do you trust your Sinners? |
|
|
DANTE |
<I’m… sorry, what?> |
|
|
Dongrang |
You know virtually nothing about them, do you? Much like how I couldn’t know everything about Shrenne. Am I wrong? |
|
|
Dongrang |
You… don’t even know which is the one that has a history with me. |
4-27: Reunion
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
DANTE |
<Looks like we’re almost there.> |
|
|
DANTE |
<I can sense the Golden Bough resonating nearby.> |
|
|
FAUST |
…It appears we’re nearing the target location. |
|
|
Dongrang |
That’s good. The photos and awards I left should be still there. |
|
|
Samjo |
Classified research documents as well, Mr. Dongrang. |
 | ||
|
|
YI SANG |
…… |
 | ||
|
|
Dongrang |
How kind of you. You didn’t have to pick it up. |
|
|
YI SANG |
…It’s the same. |
|
|
YI SANG |
This regeneration ampule… |
|
|
YI SANG |
Its number abides by the same rule as the 'decay ampules' that was forcibly administered to Miss Ishmael in the earlier scuffle between K Corp's brawlers and invading machines. |
|
|
Samjo |
That's what’s called a serial code. It's a unique string of numbers to categorize ampules. Ones that start with an "O" are original- Wait, why am I explaining this, again? |
|
|
YI SANG |
Original… Identical to the 'decay ampule' injected to Miss Ishmael... So it suggests that its essence was no different from that of the regeneration ampule. |
 | ||
|
|
Dongrang |
This series of regeneration ampule is, well, how do I say it… It’s an undiluted solution. It’s not exactly like the commercially available ones. |
|
|
YI SANG |
…… |
|
|
Dongrang |
What are you thinking right now? |
|
|
YI SANG |
Nothing. |
 | ||
|
|
Dongrang |
When did you first recognize me? |
|
|
YI SANG |
Since you showed us the chickens in captivity. |
|
|
YI SANG |
It would have sufficed to give your visitors a cursory tour, yet you insisted on showing your personal laboratory… |
|
|
Dongrang |
You’re right. I don't know about the others, but I wanted you to see the demonstrable proof of my success. |
|
|
Dongrang |
I’m still sad, though. You probably had plenty of time to express your joy of reuniting with this old friend of yours. |
|
|
YI SANG |
It is my thought that I no longer have companions by my side. |
|
|
Dongrang |
You haven’t changed. |
|
|
Dongrang |
You’ve always enjoyed keeping precious things in bottles and watching them. |
|
|
YI SANG |
And you were intent on releasing and showing them. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Didst thou say "companions"? I must say, Yi Sang, many reunions with thy companions do await thee in this journey! |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
In an expedition past, the, err…one wearing a tinted eyewear did confront thee! |
|
|
Dongrang |
…… |
|
|
Dongrang |
Aha. So you already had a reunion to celebrate. No wonder you’re being so detached with me. |
|
|
Dongrang |
How troubling for you, though. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Looks like there’ll be another you have to face. |
|
|
DANTE |
<What do you mean?> |
|
|
Dongrang |
I thought everyone had made their escape thanks to Shrenne’s snitching… |
|
|
Dongrang |
But I suppose that wasn’t the case. |
 |
??? |
It’s a fine photograph. Only one of this shot remains in this world now. |
|
|
Dongrang |
So many old friends, and not one to greet me with delight. |
|
|
Dongrang |
Won’t you give that picture back to me? It may not look like it, but it’s a cherished treasure of mine. |
|
|
Samjo |
Mr. Dongrang, you shouldn’t get close to her! It’s dangerous! |
|
|
OUTIS |
All troops, do not carelessly approach her! The Golden Bough may be destroyed… |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
I agree with it. |
|
|
FAUST |
Faust will come up with a way to retrieve it in no time. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Tch, why do we keep running into problems that a good pummeling can’t solve! This is right infuriating… |
 | ||
|
|
??? |
That piquant and fragrant smell made me feel as though the ground was sinking. |
 | ||
|
|
YI SANG |
…! |
|
|
??? |
I…didn’t think you would end up choosing him before my eyes. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Yi Sang!> |
|
|
??? |
You can have this back. |
|
|
Dongbaek |
A photograph is nothing more than a taxidermied moment. |
 | ||
|Part II → Story Chapters
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Story | |||
| Detour Tales | Intervallos | ||
| Mini Episodes | |||
