Intervallo III: Yield My Flesh to Claim Their Bones/Story Episodes
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Main article: A Blade Fiend's Fathoms/Floor 1
5.5-13: District 20 Backstreets
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
 |
HEATHCLIFF |
So we're finally here, eh… |
 |
YI SANG |
The color remains grey this deep into the heart of the Backstreets. I recall with quite the certitude that the T Corp. I arrived at after my departure from S Corp. was sepia-hued. |
 |
FAUST |
This phenomenon can be explained by the fact that the technology used to drain our saturation is situated at the center of T Corp. It has been reported that such variations in hue may occur in areas further away from its sphere of influence. |
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|
YI SANG |
Ah, I understand. Then… |
 |
RODION |
OH! Right, I had something to ask you guys! |
 |
GREGOR |
Ohh, yeah! Uh, m-me too. |
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RODION |
What? I-I mean yeah! That's, uh… oh, yeah. The buildings here look a little different from where Yi Sang used to live… so I'm just wondering if there's anything up with that. |
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GREGOR |
Exactly! That's exactly what I was about to ask. |
 |
DANTE |
<……> |
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YI SANG |
Ah, allow me to elaborate, then. To discuss this subject, we must first— |
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HEATHCLIFF |
… Hm? Ah, Clockhead. |
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DANTE |
<Still wracking your head about what to wear to Wuthering Heights?> |
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HEATHCLIFF |
What?! N-no. It's nothing like that. |
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HEATHCLIFF |
Fine, I was. A little bit. But... I was mostly reminiscing. |
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DANTE |
<… Maybe there's something for us to do here? Heathcliff did spend some time in the T Corp. Backstreets, after all.> |
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DANTE |
<Maybe we'll run into a Golden Bough here…?> |
 |
ISHMAEL |
No chance. If the Golden Bough was as common as any other twig in some Backstreets, why'd we be doing any of this globetrotting waste of time? |
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DANTE |
<T-true, I guess…> |
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HEATHCLIFF |
… Besides, Wuthering Heights is… quite the manor in more ways than one. You won't find it anywhere near some run-down Backstreets like this. |
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HEATHCLIFF |
There's a chasm of wealth between these poor alleyway sods and… them. |
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HEATHCLIFF |
After all, they've sent me an invitation. Quite obvious that we'll find our Golden Bough in that manor, innit? Or at least somewhere in the same Nest? |
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FAUST |
… Correct. We will eventually travel to T Corp.'s Nest. |
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HEATHCLIFF |
Before we talk about wherever our eventual destination is, we'll have to clear the road of some blockage. |
 |
Vergilius |
Your intuition is half-right, Heathcliff. |
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HEATHCLIFF |
Hmpfh?! |
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HEATHCLIFF |
Bloody hell… what's wrong with you and the vroom-vroom lass? Neither of you ever do anything with a proper forewarning. |
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Vergilius |
I simply did not see the necessity in warning you. |
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Vergilius |
Anyway, those outside the bus are our 'targets'. |
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DANTE |
<Targets…?> |
 |
MEURSAULT |
I believe that he means to say that they must be eliminated. |
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Vergilius |
I feel compelled to let you know that that is not the only implication of the word 'target'. Though I am yet to be informed of the precise details of this mission, that is… |
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Vergilius |
Regardless, you are to make contact with a 'target' among them. |
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Vergilius |
Find the target, then extract the necessary intel. Is this clear enough for you, manager? |
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DANTE |
<How are we supposed to find this 'target' if you're not even going to tell us who it is…?> |
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FAUST |
Dante asks if there are any identifying characteristics to this 'target'. |
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Vergilius |
I'm sure you'll find out when you get there… You are asking me questions I have no answers to, Dante. Don't waste your time. |
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Vergilius |
Well… Off the bus, all. |
5.5-14: Strife
Pre-Battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
 |
??? |
That one's headed your way, aniki! |
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|
??? |
Don't worry about me, I'll handle him! Try not to get yourself killed, ya got that?! |
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DANTE |
<What a mess…> |
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ISHMAEL |
They're… the Kurokumo Clan? |
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DANTE |
<I think you're right. … But who are they fighting?> |
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HEATHCLIFF |
It's gotta be a strife. |
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HEATHCLIFF |
It ain't a rare sight to see Syndicates fighting one another in the Backstreets. |
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HEATHCLIFF |
Must be somethin' about street tax or some other trivial turf dispute. |
 |
DON QUIXOTE |
Leeches…! Bloodsucking curs seeking to oppress and exploit the weak with violence! Fie, there is nary a place these scum do not infest… |
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HEATHCLIFF |
It ain't anything new, lass… Most Syndicates are like that. The only difference between 'em is how far they're willing to go. |
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HEATHCLIFF |
Like… right, there he is. Blokes like that one over there. The one walking right at us. |
 |
??? |
The hell are you lookin' at? Crowdin' like you're here to start shit… |
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|
??? |
Gonna keep pointing that bat at me? You wanna go? Is that it? |
 |
OUTIS |
Hey, lower your weapon. Let's not do anything rash—no need to escalate this further, is there? |
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HEATHCLIFF |
Won't matter what we do here. It's a foregone conclusion. |
 |
SINCLAIR |
… That we're going to have to fight him? |
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|
HEATHCLIFF |
Right on, lad. |
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HEATHCLIFF |
They're in the middle of a strife. They'll be real sensitive about making it clear that this is their turf. |
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HEATHCLIFF |
What better way to do it than forcing some unwitting travelers to pay the toll for the road? |
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??? |
Heh, looks like we've got a smart one 'ere. |
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ISHMAEL |
Just as I begin to wonder about how dumb you could possibly be… you show your shrewd detective side. Gotta say, it's a real mystery. |
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??? |
Well, since it looks like you clowns already know how this works… lemme get straight to the point. |
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??? |
The toll is five-hundred-thousand Ahn. Per person. |
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DON QUIXOTE |
F-f-f-fffive-hundred-thousand Ahn?!?! |
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??? |
Lessee 'ere… One, two… right, I count thirteen of you here. And since you guys all rode in on a bus, I'm sure there's a driver in there, too. |
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??? |
Don't ya skimp out on us, now. I'd like it if we didn't have to make this business… messy by going through the bus ourselves. |
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RODION |
Didya hear that, Dante? This is totally a highway robbery. |
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DANTE |
<It kind of is, isn't it?> |
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ISHMAEL |
…… |
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DON QUIXOTE |
Halt! There, in that field of battle…! |
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DON QUIXOTE |
There lies a wounded dame… We must make haste and rescue her! … Thou wouldst agree, no? |
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HEATHCLIFF |
Oi, what'd I say about this 'justice' rubbish? This is a Syndicate turf war, yeah? No one's more or less honourable than the other. |
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MEURSAULT |
Agreed. It is no complicated mathematics to expect unnecessary allied casualties in this effort should we involve ourselves in this conflict. |
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DON QUIXOTE |
Alas, I do not wish to leave her behind so undefended… |
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DON QUIXOTE |
Mmmhh… |
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DANTE |
<Okay, so I do think that we have to help that woman. But—> |
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DON QUIXOTE |
OOOOOOOOO?! |
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HEATHCLIFF |
What?! |
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ISHMAEL |
Manager…? I didn't think that this was what that nod was about…? |
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DANTE |
<No, no. I'm not saying that we should get involved because 'it's the right thing to do' or anything like that.> |
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DANTE |
<… I just have a feeling that the wounded woman might have something to tell us. Maybe… an intel of some kind.> |
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DANTE |
<And… if it turns out that we were supposed to get that intel from the Kurokumo Clan and not that woman, then I suppose we'll have to beat it out of them.> |
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OUTIS |
… Oho. |
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OUTIS |
Marvelous, Executive Manager! I, Outis, am actually awestruck by your genius! |
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??? |
I don't like the way you're treating the Kurokumo Clan like we're some pack of stray dogs… |
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??? |
And don't think I missed that sympathetic look you gave her. Which could only mean… |
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??? |
… that you clowns are chummy with the Blade Lineage. |
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OUTIS |
A rational deliberation followed by a sensible decision. I will return my appreciation for your magnificent leadership with a flawless victory. |
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|
OUTIS |
All units! Prepare for battle! |
Post-Battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
 |
RYŌSHŪ |
S.A.D. All bark, no bite. Truly a disappointment. |
 | ||
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DON QUIXOTE |
Hark! Art thou— Ah, I must check thy pulse… |
 |
HONG LU |
Ooh~ You can check her pulse through her forehead? Didn't know that was possible~ |
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DON QUIXOTE |
Mhm! The lady lives! |
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HEATHCLIFF |
Haah… so this lass has the intel we need? |
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DANTE |
<Blade Lineage, huh…> |
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DON QUIXOTE |
…… |
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OUTIS |
Executive Manager. I have questioned some Kurokumo Clan members during the battle, but no notable intelligence has been gained. |
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DANTE |
<So it's just her, then… I hope my gut feelings prove me right.> |
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DON QUIXOTE |
The lady doth appear to be the sole survivor… We must move her to the bus and administer first aid posthaste. What dost thou say to that? |
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DANTE |
<… Yeah. Don't see any other way.> |
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DANTE |
<Meursault? Do you mind carrying her back to the bus?> |
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MEURSAULT |
I do not. |
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Vergilius |
I see that you've hauled in another baggage. |
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Vergilius |
Manager… since when did bringing in unauthorized, unverified 'guests' into our bus become such an… acceptable practice? |
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DANTE |
<We had no choice… We have to save her first if we're going to get any answers out of her.> |
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FAUST |
Dante explains that this individual will be of no use to us deceased. If she carries the intel we need, then we must first ensure that she survives. |
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FAUST |
On that, Faust agrees with Dante's decision. |
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Vergilius |
Hm… |
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Vergilius |
Hah, what's done is done. However, do be mindful of bringing in strangers onto this bus from now on, Dante. |
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DANTE |
<… Welp.> |
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DON QUIXOTE |
I-I believe that Manager Esquire hath made a decision most just. |
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DANTE |
<Mmh, thanks…> |
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|
YI SANG |
I have done what I can. Now— |
 |
??? |
Mmh… |
5.5-15: Lineage of Blades
Pre-Battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
??? |
Where…? |
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|
RYŌSHŪ |
T.B.[1] |
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|
HONG LU |
Welcome to the bus~ And oh, we are— |
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|
??? |
An Odachi…?! Hah! |
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|
??? |
Identify yourselves! Are you with the Kurokumo Clan?! |
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RYŌSHŪ |
No. |
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SINCLAIR |
Uh, so, we're— |
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|
??? |
Then why does that woman wield an Odachi?! |
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RYŌSHŪ |
Tsk. She will not listen. We should kill her. |
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DANTE |
<Ryōshū!> |
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RYŌSHŪ |
She pisses me off for two reasons. |
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RYŌSHŪ |
One. She refused to listen, making this conversation longer than it needed to be. |
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RYŌSHŪ |
Two. She dared to compare their… scrap metals to my blade. |
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RYŌSHŪ |
Is there any reason for me not to proceed with her O.O.F, Clock? |
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DANTE |
<Yeah, there is! She can't tell us anything if she's dead.> |
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RYŌSHŪ |
…Tsk. |
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??? |
I-I suppose your blade is not exactly like theirs… Your uniform is certainly different. |
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|
??? |
And you… who might you be? You certainly wear a rather loud timepiece… Are you unable to communicate otherwise? |
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YI SANG |
They are our manager. Their vocalizations will not reach your ears. |
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??? |
… Hm. |
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??? |
… I recognize the scent your voice carries. It's… familiar. |
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YI SANG |
Even in the Districts that I have resided in have I not met fellows who speak as I do… |
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??? |
Speak as you do, indeed. Yet I sense familiarity in your choice of verbiage. |
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??? |
You must be from District 19… S Corp., are you? |
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YI SANG |
… Though I have fled, that is where I hail from. |
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??? |
I see… so you have also left your home behind. |
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??? |
My compatriots oft share the same fate as we do. |
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YI SANG |
My name is Yi Sang. I have operated on the wounds you have suffered. |
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??? |
Ah… So I have acted with such brutishness despite your kindness—please, accept my apologies. |
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Aeng-du |
Call me Aeng-du. I am a Salsu from the Lineage that deals in Blades. |
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RODION |
Ooh… Dante, maybe we can leave the talking to Yi Sang this time? |
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DANTE |
<Mhm, looks like we can sit back and let him handle this.> |
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Aeng-du |
If you are from District 19, S Corp. territory… then you must be aware of who we are. |
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YI SANG |
I am somewhat aware, though I am far from acquainted with tales from the streets. |
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YI SANG |
I have heard that the Blade Lineage is bound to no master, no land; yet whence do you flee? |
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Aeng-du |
It is a tale far too long to be shared in full. All I may divulge is that we had no choice but to seek a territory for us to thrive in. |
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YI SANG |
Perhaps there is aught that we could do to assist, should you deign to impart us the particulars of your pursuers. |
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Aeng-du |
……. |
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Aeng-du |
Mm, if you and your fellows were skilled enough to defeat this group of foes… then all of you must be quite capable. |
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Aeng-du |
Kurokumo Clan has put a bounty on our heads. Our mentor, my fellows… all of us. |
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HEATHCLIFF |
Hold on, this ain't just any other strife, then…? That sounds more personal than your usual turf war. |
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Aeng-du |
… As it has always been, District 19 is fraught with corruption and disturbance to the lives of the public. |
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Aeng-du |
There is very little that us men and women of the blade, who seek naught else but to train and walk the path of martial arts, can do to change the Wing now known as 'Salpippyeo Agroindustries'… or S Corp. |
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Aeng-du |
As the old saying goes… what other choice does a monk who abhors his temple have but to leave it behind? Thus we have departed from our home. |
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YI SANG |
So the people of S Corp. suffer still. |
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Aeng-du |
We had departed in search of a new home… yet it was no easy journey. |
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Aeng-du |
Most territories have already been made home by others; in order for us to settle, conflict was unavoidable. |
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Aeng-du |
In the midst of those conflicts, I have the memory of our mentor bringing us an… 'invitation'. An invitation to enter a 'Library' of sorts. |
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Vergilius |
……. |
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YI SANG |
You 'have the memory'… Quite an odd way to phrase your own recollections. |
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Aeng-du |
Mm. We arrived at the Library, hoping to escape the Kurokumo Clan's clutches… |
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Aeng-du |
… but all we had done was to lead ourselves into just another field of battle. We were handily defeated. |
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Aeng-du |
Then, all of a sudden, we found ourselves stranded in the Backstreets of T Corp. upon our waking. The bizarreness of such an experience can only be described by an expression just as odd. |
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Aeng-du |
… Ah! Mentor Bamboo-hatted Kim! |
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Aeng-du |
I believe that our mentor remains there still…! We must make haste to Yong-jin Building! |
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YI SANG |
Be not so hasty! Such wild movements may tear the wounds that I have— |
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Aeng-du |
Kagh… |
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RODION |
Huhh?! W-what the heck! Is she dead? |
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FAUST |
It is no surprise that a sudden rise in blood pressure in lieu of blood supply would cause one to faint. She has merely lost her consciousness. |
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RODION |
Phew… |
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ISHMAEL |
You were right, manager. She did have some useful intel for us. |
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OUTIS |
Yong-jin Building… I suppose we have some business there, then. |
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DANTE |
<Mmm… Maybe, but I'm not sure. I don't know what this has to do with our mission, if any.> |
 |
Charon |
Danger, danger. |
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|
Charon |
Bunch of people in Mephi's way. Swinging swords around. Black clothes. |
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Charon |
Passengers, move out. Protect Mephi. |
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OUTIS |
Hm… Executive Manager, they appear to be Kurokumo Clan's reinforcements. |
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DANTE |
<Well, what can we do…> |
5.5-16: The Uninvited
Post-Battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
 |
??? |
……. |
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OUTIS |
Interesting, guide. |
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|
OUTIS |
I believe that we've both made it quite clear that no guests are to board the bus without prior consultation. That discussion was not even an hour ago, in fact. |
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Vergilius |
Yes, we did. No 'outsiders', to be exact. |
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Vergilius |
Isn't it clear as day as to who she is? |
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DANTE |
<Are you from the LCCB…?> |
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??? |
LCCA. The After Team, manager Clock. |
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ISHMAEL |
Huh? Wait, can she hear what you're saying? |
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??? |
No. Don't have any talent in tick-tock interpretation, either. But it was pretty easy to tell with that blank, stupid look they were giving me. |
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ISHMAEL |
Don't you even have the common decency to mince your— |
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Caiman |
I am Team Leader Caiman. Limbus Company Clearance After Team, Normal Operations Unit 2. |
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DANTE |
<I don't think I've ever seen anyone from the After Team in person.> |
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HEATHCLIFF |
Hah, of course not. All that them blokes do is sweeping in to pick up the spoils after we've done all the hard work. |
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Caiman |
Let me set some things straight, Backstreets mutt. |
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HEATHCLIFF |
What…? |
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Caiman |
The After Team is charged with cleaning up the mess you ungrateful wastes of lives leave behind. Sweeping in to pick up the spoils? No, we do the very difficult work of sweeping your stinking shit under the rug. |
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ISHMAEL |
Wastes of lives…? Is that how you guys see us? |
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Caiman |
Oh, that's not all. Wastes of lives, bumper cars, the most expensive bus in the world, meat shields, maniacs with more luck than they deserve, and then some. Doesn't seem like the most relevant conversation topic for now, though. |
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HEATHCLIFF |
You little… You better change your tone. Now. |
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Caiman |
If you give me one reason to, then I will. Unfortunately, it is my personal philosophy to be stubbornly set in my ways unless I'm given a good reason to change. |
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Caiman |
Sure, it's your job to collect the Golden Boughs no matter what. But I'm having a lot of trouble scrounging up even an ounce of respect for a group of halfwit idiots who don't give a damn about people who have to clean up after them. |
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Vergilius |
That's enough, Team Leader Caiman. |
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Caiman |
Hm, very well. I wasn't sent here to reprimand them. |
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Caiman |
I'm here to relay the orders from the head office. |
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|
Caiman |
'LCB: Additional mission assignment prior to T Corp. Golden Bough retrieval operation.' |
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Caiman |
'1. Eliminate and/or secure the Distortion in the area.' |
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Caiman |
'2. Recover the 'Monolith', an artifact in the shape of a black stele, from the same site.' |
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DANTE |
<A 'Monolith'? What's this now…?> |
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SINCLAIR |
Distortion…? Are you saying that they've already Distorted? |
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Caiman |
I don't know. Limbus Company Clearance is not a part of this extra operation. I was merely ordered to relay this information to you as I happened to be taking care of some other job at T Corp. |
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|
OUTIS |
I believe that our one and only mission was to recover the Golden Boughs. Since when did it become our job to play errand boy Fixers? |
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Caiman |
Since now. Besides, I don't see what the difference is between an average errand boy and your team. All you ever do is pick up and deliver the Golden Boughs, no? |
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RODION |
… Riiight, I guess the After Team is full of grouches like you, huh~? |
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Caiman |
… Manager Clock. |
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DANTE |
<… Yes?> |
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Caiman |
Can't hear what you're saying anyway, so just listen. |
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Caiman |
Allow me to kindly explain some things for you and your minions, since all of you appear to be so out of the loop. |
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Caiman |
LCB's primary objective is to retrieve the Golden Boughs, yes. Can't deny that. |
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Caiman |
But parading around, telling everyone that Limbus Company specializes in 'retrieving the Golden Boughs' would be… stupid, don't you agree? |
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Caiman |
And it's not exactly the most lucrative business. If at all. |
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ISHMAEL |
I suppose so. I've been wondering about the company's finances for a while. Where do we even get our funding from? |
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Caiman |
Well, there is no need for you to concern yourself with the company's finances. We have much more than enough capital to do what we want. What the company really lacks, however… |
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Caiman |
… is public standing and a 'cause'. |
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DANTE |
<A cause…> |
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Caiman |
Limbus Company decided to find our cause in 'Distortions'. No significant organization has yet taken charge of managing instances of the Distortion phenomenon. |
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Caiman |
Limbus Company is building our reputation as a professional Distortion prevention & control company that doubles as a research center for the Distortion phenomena. Which means that we need to produce real results. In more ways than one, that is. |
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HONG LU |
I did hear that this epidemic of Distortion phenomena can be pretty annoying to deal with~ |
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Caiman |
No one has properly defined what these 'Distortions' truly are. This means that not many are willing to jump into dealing with this new phenomenon blind. |
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Caiman |
We did hear that some are preparing to launch an Association primarily dealing with Distortions, but that's all it is: an Association. We intend to deal with it on a corporate level. |
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HEATHCLIFF |
Right, but how's any of that our business? What reason do we have to go out of our way to tussle with those Distortions? |
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Caiman |
Here's how it's your business: the order came all the way from the top. The highest authority of our company. Don't they teach you how to follow orders in the slums? |
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HEATHCLIFF |
… Hah, that does it. You're not leaving this bus alive. |
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Caiman |
Manager. |
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Caiman |
My attitude toward your minions… and the company's attitude toward them… |
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Caiman |
It all depends on the choices you make. And your leadership. |
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Caiman |
At the end of the day, though, the choice is yours. |
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Caiman |
Your men aren't completely wrong; if you would like to focus solely on your primary mission, the Golden Boughs, then fine. It's not like the company is going to kick you and your meat shields out. |
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|
Caiman |
… But do understand that the Company's treatment of the Sinners may change depending on what you decide to do here. |
|
|
DANTE |
<…….> |
|
|
Caiman |
Now, then. Red Gaze, I'll be taking my leave now. Until next time. |
|
|
Vergilius |
Fine. But next time… I'd prefer it if you would watch your language. |
|
|
Vergilius |
These 'meat shields' are still under my guidance. So try not to… disturb me as well, hmm? |
|
|
Caiman |
Well… that depends on what the manager does, doesn't it? |
|
|
Caiman |
Excuse me. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
… Is she gone? Bloody prick… |
|
|
GREGOR |
… Almost burst a blood vessel listening to all that. Haah~ I thought I'd softened my temper with age. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Still… good work keeping things nonviolent, guys.> |
|
|
HONG LU |
Mm~ I don't think she said anything wrong, though. |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
I found her manner of speech quite convenient. There was no need to unnecessarily read between the lines. I had little trouble understanding her and organizing my thoughts accordingly. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
… Huh, I guess that's one way of looking at things. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Anyway, she's right that we really don't have much say in the matter. If the company asks us to do our jobs, we do our jobs. |
|
|
OUTIS |
I don't have anything to add myself; I have no issues with following orders. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Yeah, I agree with you guys…> |
|
|
DANTE |
<Huh?> |
|
|
Vergilius |
Hm... Let's go, Charon. |
|
|
Charon |
Yong… Jin? Right, Verg? Got it. I'm feeling it. Bzzt bzzt. |
|
|
Charon |
Here we go. Vroom-vroom. |
5.5-18: To Yong-jin Building 2
Pre-Battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
DANTE |
<… If he already knew where we were going, and why… would it hurt to tell us for once?> |
|
|
DANTE |
<Come on, Faust. I legitimately think that this is something we have to talk about. Can you please relay my question to Vergilius…?> |
|
|
FAUST |
… Mm. |
|
|
OUTIS |
Hah, if you won't do it, then I will. A journey can't always be sunshine and rainbows—some friction is necessary. You there, guide! |
|
|
Vergilius |
… Haah, are you finished? |
|
|
Vergilius |
Well, you're not wrong. I did hear most of the details through the radio. |
|
|
Vergilius |
And here's why I didn't tell you in advance. |
|
|
Vergilius |
It's because you're the kind of people who never learn until the 'problem' comes crashing through your front door. Would you have done anything differently if you knew in advance? It'll only serve to give you an excuse to whine about it. |
|
|
Vergilius |
So there it is. What now, manager? Will you refuse this mission? |
|
|
DANTE |
<… How could I? They're already treating us like dirt. If I refuse this, I can't imagine how much worse it'll get.> |
|
|
Vergilius |
I'm sure you're thinking 'How could I?'. And you'd be right. |
|
|
Vergilius |
Ah, our guest is awake. |
|
|
Vergilius |
You should go and ask her for directions, manager. Charon's intuition can only take us so far. |
|
|
YI SANG |
Hm, ahm. Allow me to explicate our present circumstances to her. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
Ah, turn to the right there— Ah…! |
|
|
Aeng-du |
They've already set up camp there…! |
|
|
Aeng-du |
I have to…! Agh, mentor Bamboo-hatted Kim…! |
|
|
FAUST |
Delaying further will only allow the Distortion to grow more powerful. We must enter the building as soon as possible. |
Post-Battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Defeated Henchman |
Ach… Damn it! |
|
|
Aeng-du |
Looks like this was the last one of them. |
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
Ah, the aroma of blood… Some splattered fresh, some old and growing viscous… |
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
Heh, I can already tell that there will be a collage of different blood splatters waiting for me in there. I am excited to see this collection for myself. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
… This one expresses brutal thoughts with such nonchalance as one muses about their next meal. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
Ahm, whichever may be the case… The way is open! We must move with haste! |
|
|
GREGOR |
Man, I'm impressed by her energy. Wasn't she knocked out cold just a few minutes ago? |
|
|
OUTIS |
It is sheer willpower that moves her. What other choice does she have when her superior is captured? |
|
|
HONG LU |
Huh… from the name alone I expected Yong-jin Building to be much taller than just 6 floors. 'Building' and all. |
|
|
FAUST |
It is a common naming convention in the Backstreets. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Uh… What time is it right now?> |
|
|
RODION |
Need a mirror? |
|
|
DANTE |
<… My head doesn't actually tell time, you know.> |
|
|
FAUST |
It is 2:10 in the afternoon. |
|
|
DANTE |
<How is it this gloomy and dark at 2 in the afternoon? I'm starting to lose my sense of time in here.> |
|
|
GREGOR |
Seems particularly darker around this area we're in. … Well, compared to the Smoke War days, it's still bright as a sunny day. |
|
|
OUTIS |
Hm… I suppose that's true. |
|
|
FAUST |
The Backstreets of T Corp. are known to be in a perpetual state of murkiness. |
|
|
FAUST |
Their machines ceaselessly discharge heavy plumes of smoke which cloud the skies. That, and the constant color drainage keeps the Backstreets of T Corp. dark and dreary. |
|
|
FAUST |
Of course, I must also inform you that the conditions have improved somewhat after the Smoke War due to the various extenuating, prohibitive conditions introduced by the outcome of that war that limits the production of smoke. Before the war— |
|
|
Aeng-du |
We have no time for idle chatter! Come now! |
|
|
Defeated Henchman |
Agh... There were more Blade Lineage bastards left...? |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
What the… The lass took 'em all out already. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
They were nothing but mewling minions. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
The size of their bravado ill-matched their immature skills. They foolishly decided to stand their ground instead of retreating upstairs. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Is someone calling this radio…?> |
|
|
Radio |
LCD here, LCD here! Can you hear me? Acknowledge! C'mon~ |
|
|
DANTE |
<W-well, I'll talk. But it's not like you can hear—> |
|
|
Radio |
Ahahaha! They actually tick-tock! |
|
|
Radio |
Oh right, I called you for a reason. I'm just calling to relay a message, so don't bother responding! Yeah? |
|
|
DANTE |
<O-okay…> |
|
|
Radio |
We don't have much time, so lemme keep it short! |
|
|
Radio |
Remember that black stele you guys were sent to retrieve? The Monolith? |
|
|
Radio |
I'm picking up a super huge bump in the Monolith signal in the area near you! That signal can force people to Distort, for your information! |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Force people to Distort…? |
|
|
Radio |
We HAVE to contain it before that seeping signal goes completely out of control, okay?! |
|
|
Radio |
Agh, what the heck is this?! |
|
|
Radio |
Oh, my bad! I've got some stuff going on over here too, y'know? Anyway, I gotta keep this short, so lemme just emphasize that time is of the essence here! Over and out! |
|
|
DANTE |
<…….> |
|
|
DANTE |
<… She's uh, pretty lively, huh.> |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
We don't have time to sit around dumbfounded, Clockhead. Let's crack on. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Um, everyone… I think the elevator's broken. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
I see that you and your fellows now also have a reason to hurry. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
I say that we break through their lines and rise through the stairwell. What say you? |
|
|
DANTE |
<We don't have a choice… Come on, let's go!> |
5.5-19: Mentor and Fellows
Pre-Battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
GREGOR |
Gah, haah, oh man… |
|
|
RODION |
Whew… seriously, the stairwell is the real challenge, isn't it? Not the Kurokumo Clan guys. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
Curious… is it not? |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Huh? What is? |
|
|
Aeng-du |
That they filled the stairwell full of weaklings who clearly don't know what they're doing. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
Perhaps they weren't trying to stop us from going upstairs. Perhaps they were afraid of retreating upstairs… |
|
|
Aeng-du |
… No, it can't be. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Dost thou… worry for thy mentor? |
|
|
Aeng-du |
… How could I not? |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
What kind of person was Mr… Uh, Bamboo-hatted Kim? |
|
|
Aeng-du |
He was… a steadfast man. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
Protected what needed protecting, killed what needed killing. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
He was always one of the Blade Lineage's finest. I daresay that he was one of the most skilled swordsmen within the Lineage. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
A man of few words who always sought to take good care of those under his wings. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
… If only he hadn't made that decision… |
|
|
Aeng-du |
… my fellows would not have met such a terrible fate… |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Oh… |
|
|
Aeng-du |
Whichever may be the case, I have no choice but to make haste… |
5.5-21: Origin of Sin
Post-Battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
DANTE |
<… Did we just fight the Peccatula?> |
|
|
FAUST |
Yes. |
|
|
YI SANG |
Their appearances are rather dissimilar from what we have encountered afore. They appear to have grown more… acute… |
|
|
FAUST |
They are evolutions of each Peccatula. |
|
|
FAUST |
The kind of Peccatula one transforms into depends on the types of Sin that one has embodied in life, so it is no surprise that there may be variations to them. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
But… we've never encountered anything like them before. |
|
|
FAUST |
Collecting the Golden Boughs could have expedited the Peccatula growth process. |
|
|
RODION |
Those boughs… they really have something to do with everything, huh? Our job is starting to look a lot more serious… |
|
|
GREGOR |
Right, that reminds me. These 'Peccatula' are each supposed to represent some kinda 'Sin', right? |
|
|
DANTE |
<Sin…> |
| [At this point, the background and Sinners begin to shift in and out of focus.] | ||
|
|
YI SANG |
It appears that they have lost their sense of self; their original forms now forgotten to oblivion. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Aren't Distortions kinda similar to that? |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Hmm… some people become Distortions, and some people become Peccatula… I wonder what the difference is? |
|
|
DANTE |
<… Planted in the hearts of all are seeds with ever-present potential to bloom.> |
|
|
OUTIS |
Executive Manager? |
|
|
RODION |
What'dya say? Fau talked over ya, so I couldn't hear… |
|
|
FAUST |
… If you would allow me to continue… Maintaining the self even at times of extreme stress could cause one to evolve into a Distortion, and— |
|
|
DANTE |
<When the light of that day descends upon the hearts of every human, blooming the seeds buried deep within…> |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
… Manager? |
| [The screen turns black at this point.] | ||
|
|
DANTE |
<If one's ■■■■ ■■ ■■■■■■■■, devoured by their sins, they are reborn in the form of the ■■■■■■■■■, their image reflecting the ■■■■■■■ ■■■■■ ■■ ■■■ ■■■■ dreamt by those who are nothing.> |
|
|
FAUST |
Dante. |
|
|
YI SANG |
Dante! What is— |
[Flashes.]  | ||
|
|
DANTE |
<If one withstands ■■■ ■■■■■■ ■■ ■■■■■ ■■■■, yet ■■■■■■■ ■■ ■■■■■■ ■■ their sins, the heart ■■■■■■■■…> |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
W-what the hell… Clockhead, what in the bloody hell are you talking about? |
|
|
Aeng-du |
I ill like the sound of that… Has something gone awry with their prosthetic head…? |
[Flashes.] | ||
|
|
DANTE |
<Yet if one seeks to bear the ■■■■ ■■■■■■■■■■■■ ■■ ■■■■■ ■■■■, the ■■■ shall ■■■■■■ ■■■ ■■■■■ of their original hearts…> |
|
|
YI SANG |
E.G.O? Is that what you are speaking of? |
|
|
DANTE |
<And in a world perceived through their own ■■■■■ ■■ ■■■ ■■■■■■■■ ■■■ ■■■ ■■■■■■, the ■■■■■■■ shall be unveiled: to ■■■■■ their egos ■■■ ■■■■■■■■… ■■ ■■ melt into ■■■ ■■■■■ by ■■■■■■■■ ■■■■ ■■ ■■■■ ■■■■■ ■■■■■■ of sin…> |
 | ||
|
|
HONG LU |
Huh, they're starting to talk a bit like my grandfa— Huh?! M-manager! Your head! |
|
|
OUTIS |
Executive Manager! Y-your head is on fire! |
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
Ooh~ what a blaze. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
I-I think they're about to explode! |
|
|
DANTE |
<Only those who can define their own ■■■■…> |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Oi! We've got to do something before Clockhead bites it! Got any bright ideas, lass?! |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
I-I know not what to do…! |
|
|
DANTE |
<Only those who are awakened to their own ■■■■■…> |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Gaaah! 'T-tis scorching! I had thought that Manager Esquire's flaming head was merely for style, for I had not once felt such heat from it…! |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Faust! What if they accidentally activated the self-destruct sequence?! Agh, this heat… if we don't douse it now, it's going to melt everything around them…! |
|
|
FAUST |
… Yes, the operating principles are the same. Dante is, via the Golden Boughs, connected to the root of the sapling planted in the subterranean area of the headquarters. Which is to say that— |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Who gives a shite about the Boughs?! We've got to douse the flames on their head! |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Water! Doest nay one have water? We must make haste and douse the flames! |
|
|
DANTE |
<… Ugh.> |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Pray tell, art thou recover'd?! |
|
|
DANTE |
<What… happened?> |
|
|
YI SANG |
Do you not recall what had transpired? |
|
|
DANTE |
<Uh… I guess I don't?> |
|
|
OUTIS |
Executive Manager. You must visit a workshop to get that looked at as soon as we return… |
|
|
DANTE |
<Huh? A workshop? Did I malfunction or something?> |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Don't talk about them like you're talking about some machine… Haah, either way, there isn't anything we can do about what just happened. Not here. |
|
|
FAUST |
We can discuss this later once we return. What just transpired does not seem to pose any hindrance to our mission. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Aeng-du, where is…> |
|
|
YI SANG |
She has advanced without us. While I remain curious yet concerned about your condition, we must reconvene with her. The situation calls for urgency. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Yeah… okay.> |
5.5-22: Dark Cloud
Pre-Battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
 |
??? |
Haah… tsk. Why'd this have to break? Why now…? |
 |
??? |
It better be quiet in there… I hope that thing at least stays put… |
|
|
Aeng-du |
He is… |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
His garb, which highly resembles the Kurokumo Clan's standard outfits, suggests that he is a relevant individual in this case. It is possible to extrapolate from his outfit that he is of higher rank than any foe we have defeated on the course to this location. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
Then…! |
|
|
Aeng-du |
You must be a Captain of the Kurokumo Clan! |
|
|
??? |
What the—?! |
|
|
Aeng-du |
You wish to hunt the Blade Lineage? Very well, here I stand before you! Face my blade! |
|
|
??? |
Tsk, I suppose this means that my men are all dead, huh? |
|
|
??? |
I'd toss you into that office if I could, but… |
|
|
??? |
… the 'merchandise' is still in there… Gah, come on… |
|
|
??? |
'Spose I've got no choice but to fight. At least allow me to introduce myself. Then you can tell me who you are. |
|
|
Jun |
Name's Jun. Captain of the boys you killed. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
… Aeng-du. Salsu from the Lineage of Blades. A follower of mentor Bamboo-hatted Kim. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
Hah! |
|
|
Aeng-du |
… Agh. |
|
|
Jun |
C'mon, that's it?! Huh?! |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
M-miss Aeng-du! |
|
|
Jun |
I mean… I was just getting started. |
|
|
Jun |
I'm surprised you even had any energy left for that attack… |
|
|
Aeng-du |
Gah… |
|
|
DANTE |
<… She's been fighting the Kurokumo Clan henchmen on the front lines before we even had the chance to catch up. No wonder she's exhausted.> |
|
|
OUTIS |
I must also remind you that she was on the verge of death not so long ago. She has overexerted herself. |
|
|
Jun |
… What, are the rest of you gonna fight me too? This hardly seems fair, me against all of you… |
|
|
DANTE |
<Well, I don't like that we're all ganging up against this one guy, but…> |
|
|
Jun |
You've got one loud-ass clock for a head. What even is that? Is this some local T Corp. clock-shaped prosthetic fashion or something? |
|
|
Jun |
… It is a clock, right? You there. Is that clock head on time? |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Mate, what do you think? That clock ain't for telling time. |
|
|
Jun |
Huh? Then what'd ya decapitate yourself for? What a useless clock… |
|
|
DANTE |
<…….> |
|
|
Jun |
Okay, then. Any of you got a timepiece? A clock… a watch… anyone? My stupid watch broke again. |
|
|
Jun |
I guess not. Are any of you even wearing a watch? |
|
|
Jun |
You must all be insane. Sauntering about without a timepiece… |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Even if I did, I would hardly find it within myself to show it to thee! |
|
|
Jun |
You're all really getting on my nerves…! |
|
|
Jun |
You know what? That's it. I'll be in deep shit if I let anyone in there anyway. |
|
|
Jun |
So come and get me! I'll cut you down if it's the last thing I do! |
Post-Battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Aeng-du |
Haah… now let us converse for a moment. |
|
|
Jun |
Agh… |
|
|
Aeng-du |
I do not expect a mere Captain to know why your organization has put a bounty on our heads. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
But… I cannot quite place the reason you were standing guard before this room. It was as though you were protecting our mentor from us, of all people. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
Wait, it wasn't just you, was it? Every Kurokumo Clan filth we killed on our way up to this floor stood in our path like they were protecting something with their lives. |
|
|
Jun |
Fine. Here's the truth, then. |
|
|
Jun |
… We're the victims here. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
…? Whatever do you mean? |
|
|
Jun |
You guys really have a way of pushing my buttons, huh… |
|
|
Jun |
Haah… we weren't part of the party pursuing you or cutting you down. That was none of my business. |
|
|
Jun |
You're just one of many, many Syndicates or organizations that were unlucky enough to be on the Thumb's shit list. Our run-in was just a coincidence. |
|
|
Jun |
We were ordered by the Thumb to stand guard next to a black stele here, that's all. |
|
|
Jun |
Everyone was on edge because we were supposed to transport it elsewhere pretty soon… |
|
|
Jun |
… and that's when you Blade Lineage bastards appeared out of nowhere. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
… Out of nowhere? |
|
|
Aeng-du |
I see… So this is where our mentor has awakened. |
|
|
Jun |
You… Sounds like you know something that I don't… |
 | ||
|
|
Jun |
Can't say I've ever heard of a tech that could blip people into existence, just like that. Thought they were using a Singularity or something, tsk. |
|
|
Jun |
Besides… the Blade Lineage never had a chance. |
|
|
Jun |
Our numerical advantage was insurmountable. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
… Of course. |
|
|
Jun |
We had your friends cornered. We had no trouble cutting them down until there were but three of you left standing. |
|
|
Jun |
Then, all of a sudden, your boss' eye suddenly began to glow, and… |
|
|
Jun |
Haah, he cut down everyone around him. It was a one-sided slaughter. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
What…? Then… |
|
|
Jun |
You got that right. Blade Lineage, Kurokumo Clan, it didn't matter. He cut through *everyone*. |
|
|
Jun |
So what the hell was I supposed to do? What were we supposed to do? I'm their Captain—the lives of my men are my responsibility. I had to save them somehow. |
|
|
Jun |
So I stayed behind to guard the door while my men guarded the entrance to this building. What other choice did I have? |
|
|
Jun |
Haah… shit. Delivery deadline's coming up… I'm finished. |
|
|
Jun |
This won't end with me having to cut off a finger or two… Dammit. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
… |
|
|
Jun |
Guh?! |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Aeng-du?! That man had already been subdued! Wherefore didst thou— |
|
|
Aeng-du |
I have merely put him to sleep. He would have caused us trouble had we attempted to enter that room while he was conscious. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
I… must talk to the mentor. See him with my own eyes. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Have you gone deaf, lass? Your boss'll cut down anyone who gets too close. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
No. That… cannot be. |
|
|
FAUST |
Dante. We can infer from what information we have gathered that… |
|
|
DANTE |
<Yeah, I agree… There's a powerful aura coming from behind that door. I can sense it.> |
|
|
Aeng-du |
Our mentor… |
|
|
OUTIS |
… We must prepare for battle. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
I know that mentor Bamboo-hatted Kim will do no such thing! |
5.5-23: Bamboo-hatted Kim
Pre-Battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
 |
Bamboo-hatted Kim? |
……. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
… Mentor. What is this? |
|
|
Bamboo-hatted Kim? |
……. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
I recognize these wounds. These are your techniques…! |
|
|
Aeng-du |
You… how could you put your blade to our fellows!! |
|
|
Bamboo-hatted Kim? |
……. |
|
|
OUTIS |
Attempting to communicate seems futile. |
|
|
Aeng-du |
Cease your beastly howls and talk to me, please! Say someth— |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Oi! Don't get too close…! |
|
|
Bamboo-hatted Kim? |
…! |
|
|
Aeng-du |
That stance…! You're really going to kill— |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
G-get out of the way! |
|
|
YI SANG |
I surmise that Sinclair has entered the Distortion's range as well. |
|
|
DANTE |
<We have no choice but to suppress it.> |
5.5-24: A Blade Fiend's Fathoms
Footnotes
- ↑ "The bus."