Intervallo V: LCB Regular Check-up/Story Episodes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Main article: The Final Check-up/Floor 1
7.5-1: Data Collection
Pre-battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
 | ||
 |
OUTIS |
You damned imbeciles! What's the point of everyone rushing at the same enemy that's already staggered and nearly dead?! |
 |
FAUST |
Faust had attacked that entity first. The blame lies flatly with the others' delayed decisions. |
 |
YI SANG |
A-apologies. Yet concerned was I, that to not dispose swiftly of that foe would— |
 |
HONG LU |
I think this is a great show of teamwork~ |
|
|
OUTIS |
Dammit… why won't any of you listen to my orders?! |
 |
HEATHCLIFF |
Oi, your genius 'order' was how the lass's head ended up dangling from one fourth of a neck! |
|
|
OUTIS |
Ahem. It was a necessary sacrifice to gain an edge in battle. |
 |
DON QUIXOTE |
Worry thee not… How befitting of a hero it is to perish in place of her compatri— guh! |
 |
RODION |
DONQUI!!! |
 |
??? |
Hm… this one's reaction speed to emergencies is exceptionally fast… |
 |
DANTE |
<So, uh…> |
|
|
DANTE |
<…Can I help them now?> |
|
|
??? |
Will you stop pacing and compose yourself? We are almost done here. |
|
|
??? |
Hm. That should be more than enough data. Take control, manager. |
|
|
DANTE |
<…….> |
Post-battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
DANTE |
<That went well…> |
|
|
OUTIS |
As expected of our Executive Manager. The exceptional development of your strategic genius reminds me of the earlier years of my career. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Uh-huh. Thanks.> |
|
|
RODION |
Whew, got anything to snack on, guys? I'm starvin' here after that brawl. |
|
|
??? |
You will maintain an empty stomach for the duration of the tests. |
|
|
??? |
Next on the docket is… |
 |
GREGOR |
I would've asked Meursault for a massage if I knew this was coming. Whose idea was this anyway? |
 |
ISHMAEL |
…Well, if you really want to get into it, we can trace this right back to your vacation request, Gregor. Not that this wouldn't have happened without that, but yeah. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Oh c'mon, fellas. There's gotta more to it than that. |
|
|
FAUST |
……. |
7.5-2: Regular Health Check-up
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
……. | ||
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Wow. That… that sound just now… I didn't know a human body could make a sound like that. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Hm? Ooh… I was just doing some stretches. Can't seem to do 'em without making these noises nowadays. |
 |
SINCLAIR |
Huh? What do you mean you… can't…? |
|
|
RODION |
That right there's the creakin' sound of time's ravages, Sinc. Oof… I know Dante's been turning the clock to rewind our time, but I feel like my joints are starting to grate. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Hmm, I know what you mean. I definitely don't feel as spry as I used to. Maybe the pain from repeatedly dying and reviving takes a toll after all… |
|
|
DANTE |
<Yeah, dying sure is a pain…> |
|
|
HONG LU |
Speaking of which, isn't it funny how Don Quixote is totally fine even though she's hundreds of years old? She's got to be the oldest of us by a lot, right? |
|
|
DANTE |
<…….> |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Ahem… |
|
|
GREGOR |
Uhm… |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Erm… |
|
|
GREGOR |
Ahm… I… thought we were gonna take some time to actually broach that subject, but uh… you just bulldozed through the whole mess, huh? |
|
|
HONG LU |
Aha… I must've made things awkward. I didn't realize everyone was so sensitive about their age… |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
That's, uh—'Tis naught to concern thyself with! Be not so― |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Oi, scoot. That's my designated seat you're planting your arse in. I'll whack ya. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
On the other hand, here's this guy without a care in the world. …Almost makes me wonder if he even remembers what just happened. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
W-well, maybe this is your chance to get back at him for treating you harshly? Don Quixote, I'm sure you can— |
|
|
RODION |
Sinc… I've never seen your eyes sparkle like that before… |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
I… am quite fond of the current temperament of our company. Unless young Heathcliff here suddenly morphs into a villainous scoundrel, I have nary a wish to exact violence upon him, and… |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Right, now that that's over with… let's all shut up and keep the chinwag to a minimum, yeah? |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Seems plenty villainously dickish to me… |
|
|
GREGOR |
Anyways… am I the only one thinking that it's about time we got the "thing"? |
|
|
HONG LU |
The "thing"? |
|
|
GREGOR |
Well, y'know. The "thing" that we tried a while ago, but didn't get to enjoy due to some… unforeseen issues. |
 |
RYŌSHŪ |
Deathmatch. |
|
|
GREGOR |
…Not that. Don't you remember? We even played volleyball by that big body of water. |
 |
MEURSAULT |
Contextual clues suggest that he is making a request for a vacation. |
|
|
RODION |
Yep, absolutely yep. Let's all go to a spa or something, relax, get massages to loosen up our muscles some… please? |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
You still have expectations for our employers? |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Aha! I recall that young Meursault had given thee quite the exquisite massage, hath he not? |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
I have an astute knowledge of the major muscle groups and nerve structures of the human body. |
|
|
YI SANG |
For many weeks following that 'massage', my body was deprived of any sensory stimulation… |
|
|
YI SANG |
Thus understood it was, the philosophy of Meursault's physical therapy—that the most infallible methodology of convalescence from pain is to remove any and all stimulation, including that of pain… |
|
|
FAUST |
……. |
|
|
FAUST |
It seems… that the time is here. |
|
|
FAUST |
Vergilius. |
 |
Vergilius |
…Mm. |
|
|
Vergilius |
Yes, I knew that this day would eventually come. |
 |
Charon |
Mhm. The day's here. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
…Why is everyone acting so serious all of a sudden? |
|
|
FAUST |
Rodion's observation is correct. While turning the clock does indeed turn the time, a certain degree of exacerbating fatigue cannot be alleviated. |
|
|
FAUST |
This necessitatess that we employ a certain measure to verify the status of each Sinner. |
|
|
DANTE |
<What… what could it possibly be that it needs this much buildup…?> |
|
|
FAUST |
In other words… |
|
|
Vergilius |
It is time for Limbus Company's… |
|
|
Charon |
G-u-l-p. Dramatic gulping noise. |
|
|
Faust & Vergilius |
Regular check-up. |
|
|
DANTE |
<…Regular check-up?> |
|
|
Vergilius |
We did get a call from the higher-ups a while ago, requesting that we send the Sinners in for a regular check-up. |
|
|
FAUST |
But it was repeatedly delayed due to several limiting circumstances on our end. |
|
|
Vergilius |
They've been obnoxiously hounding us for quite some time. I was starting to get tired of explaining our absence. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Check-up? What check-up? |
|
|
Vergilius |
Don't be so on edge, Heathcliff. |
|
|
Vergilius |
Such proceedings are regular occurences at most corporations. |
|
|
DANTE |
<I've never personally experienced it myself, but… sounds like they're just checking to see how we're doing health-wise.> |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
……. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
R-regular check-ups… are… |
|
|
RODION |
Ohh, you're gearin' up to explain what it is! Coolio. |
|
|
RODION |
Ya got thirty seconds to wrap it up! Ready, set, go! |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
N-no… |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Not… not the regular check-up… |
|
|
YI SANG |
Miss Ishmael's expression seems to suggest otherwise, Miss Rodya… |
|
|
Vergilius |
Ah, I did hear that some Fixer Offices or Associations employ varying methodologies when it comes to regular check-ups, depending on their characteristics. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Locked up… until there's only one left standing… Locked… blood of my colleagues the only key to escape… |
|
|
DANTE |
<What kind of 'check-up' did she have to go through…?> |
|
|
GREGOR |
Do… do you even understand what kind of regular 'check-up' you're getting into…? |
|
|
GREGOR |
I'm asking if you're prepared to go through the regular check-up… no matter what happens in the process? |
|
|
GREGOR |
Are you prepared to endure through… through everything that… |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
What's wrong with this bloke, now? Mate's lookin' all pale. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Ehh, I don't understand why everyone's making such a big deal out of this. I don't think it's that bad. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
I think we used to have annual health check-ups back in school, too. |
|
|
RODION |
What kinda check-ups? |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
They'd put us all in the same room, measuring heights, weights, running some basic fitness tests… |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
P-prithee, wherefore do they seek the measures of such characteristics? |
|
|
OUTIS |
Must you really ask? A full knowledge and analyses of each soldier's status is indispensable intelligence for officers to have on hand. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Uh… What soldiers? I was talking about my school… |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Right, so that don't explain shite about why you need to know that, does it?! |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Why'd they find it necessary to spray people with those stinkin' chemicals just to see if someone's got lice in their clothes?! |
|
|
DANTE |
<He… must've gone through his share of rough check-ups too as a kid, I guess…> |
|
|
OUTIS |
Hmph, you all keep asking questions with the most obvious answers. |
|
|
OUTIS |
In fact, I've been wondering when they'd test us. |
|
|
OUTIS |
The true purpose of this 'check-up' must be… |
|
|
OUTIS |
…to elect a true authority amongst us! |
|
|
YI SANG |
B-by your parlance 'true authority', could it be that you are questioning whom among us is our… 'leader'? |
|
|
OUTIS |
I humbly request that you avoid plaguing yourself with any unnecessary misunderstandings about my suggestion, Executive Manager. |
|
|
OUTIS |
Of course, I must preface this with the declaration that there cannot be an iota of doubt toward Executive Manager Dante's authority. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Ohkay…> |
|
|
OUTIS |
But was this not always a topic of great contention among us? That which of us… |
|
|
OUTIS |
…is most fit to command this squad of Sinners!!! |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Um, isn't it Ishmael? Or maybe… Faust? |
|
|
HONG LU |
Hm… that's what I thought, too. |
|
|
OUTIS |
This lack of cohesion is precisely why we always fail to face our enemies as a team! Always scrambling, always under-prepared, always taken by surprise… |
|
|
OUTIS |
You must always be ready to drop to the ground and give five hundred push-ups whenever your superior commands you to do so! Always maintain the willingness to sacrifice your well-being and life for the sake of the glorious victory of your allies! It's all missing! Where is your readiness for self-sacrifice?! |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
No one's arguing with you, Outis. Who are you even talking to…? |
|
|
HONG LU |
Aha. So, to summarize, the 'regular check-up' entails putting us all in a small room and making us fight to the last Sinner standing? |
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
Battle royale. |
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
I've been looking forward to this. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
…Fuck it. I'll give you lot one hell of a fight. My fists used to be bloody infamous in the Backstreets— |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
…Fine. So that's how we're doing this, huh? I'm ready to roll. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Guys, this isn't—> |
|
|
RODION |
Okay, so where are we off to? |
|
|
FAUST |
……. |
|
|
FAUST |
The battle ro—um. Excuse me. The regular check-up takes place at… |
|
|
FAUST |
…the headquarters. |
|
|
YI SANG |
The headquarters you speak of… must be the headquarters of Limbus Company? |
|
|
FAUST |
Yes. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Ooh… we're finally getting to visit the headquarters, huh? A whole year after they hired us… |
|
|
FAUST |
We should be right on time upon immediate departure. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
T-t-this instant, thou sayest? Yet mine heart is faint prepared… Prithee, allow us some time to prepare our travel provisions! |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Where's the HQ anyway? Hopefully it's not too far from here. |
|
|
FAUST |
That… |
|
|
FAUST |
…is a secret. However, I would like to inform you that it exists in a location inaccessible via Mephistopheles. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Oh come on… How are we supposed to get there if you're not gonna tell us where it is? |
|
|
OUTIS |
Inaccessible via Mephistopheles… You're not about to suggest that we board the WARP trains again, are you? |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Fie, I shan't ever board the WARP trains again… |
|
|
FAUST |
Indeed. We will not be boarding a WARP train for this journey. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Hmm, so are we… taking the Backdoors or something? |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Yeah, good point. Let's take them doors instead. |
|
|
YI SANG |
A sound suggestion. |
|
|
YI SANG |
However, in lieu of sufficient information regarding each door, the destination may hold an element of randomness… |
|
|
YI SANG |
…or, due to the variable nature of its activation period, the resultant destination may not reflect our intended end-coordinates… |
|
|
YI SANG |
…or, an unexpected closure mid-passage through the frame may behoove us to bid the company our last farewells and embark on an untimely journey of no return. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Uh, are you sure this is a sound suggestion? |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Haah… then I'd rather take that bloody train instead. At least we won't remember what happened once it's over and done with. |
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
Battle. Royale. |
|
|
FAUST |
So… |
|
|
FAUST |
…further research was necessary to ensure safe transportation to the intended destinations. |
|
|
OUTIS |
Further research? Are you implying that you made modification to the Backdoor? |
|
|
FAUST |
A close assessment. However, it would be more accurate to say that the Backdoor was merely used as a reference. |
|
|
DANTE |
<How did you even make the time for research? Weren't you doing everything with us the whole time?> |
|
|
FAUST |
LCA and Faust established multiple communications with a certain new Wing-aspirant company during the spare hours between our travels to garner multiple cooperation efforts regarding the stabilization of the Backdoor. |
|
|
GREGOR |
A new Wing…? Are they looking to take over L Corp.'s vacancy or something? |
|
|
FAUST |
Quite sharp, Gregor. But the direction of your intuition could be improved. |
|
|
FAUST |
It is a company seeking to seize the imminent vacancy of… the ever-declining W Corp. |
|
|
GREGOR |
W Corp…. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Is that so… Yeah, that makes sense. Stories of W Corp.'s decline have been spreading more and more as of late. And I'm not surprised that some companies would consider this to be an opportunity. |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
Newspapers also featured Op-Eds regarding a possible management crisis at W Corp., with many of them discussing the mysterious disappearances as well. |
|
|
OUTIS |
I see. So they've been furtively planning and preparing to take over W Corp.'s position as a Wing. |
|
|
OUTIS |
But… to supplant a Wing even before it falls on its own? Now that's certainly peculiar. |
|
|
OUTIS |
They must have something, a scheme, perhaps, in the works. And to ally with such ambitious parties is… |
|
|
OUTIS |
…Is the headquarters looking to start a war of the Wings? |
|
|
FAUST |
I, at this moment, am not privy to such details. |
|
|
YI SANG |
Miss Outis, we needn't make predictions in such rashness. |
|
|
YI SANG |
Recall that W Corp. has been mired in troubles both internal and external, having fallen to such desperation as to seek the assistance of our company… |
|
|
YI SANG |
It is no wild presumption to predict that it shall crumble ere the advent of such violent pandemonium. |
|
|
YI SANG |
For indeed, inefficiency is the bane of technology that brings ruination to those that fail to overcome it… |
|
|
FAUST |
Our research efforts, however, were quite efficient and successful. Its mechanisms are similar to that of the Backdoor, but it eliminates the corridor; instead establishing a direct connection from one door to another. A 'portal', if you will. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Oh, so you resolved all the aforementioned side effects, then? |
|
|
FAUST |
…Not quite. Similar difficulties to the aforementioned cases were observed. Sometimes the accuracy of the target destination coordinates were lacking. Or, in other cases, the activation period would be cut short, causing the door to shut prematurely and amputate the subject as they were traversing between doors. |
|
|
FAUST |
There has been much progress in the stabilization efforts, however, minimizing pentasection incidents. Most recent incidents have been limited to bisections. |
|
|
YI SANG |
Bisection certainly is an improvement over… pentasection… |
|
|
DANTE |
<They both sound equally awful to me…> |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Sob… I would not behold mine own left and right shoes so cruelly sundered, forced to be so far apart upon our coming to the headquarters…! |
|
|
Vergilius |
Well, well. |
|
|
Vergilius |
All this idle chatter of unnecessary concerns tells me that your bus life may have been too uneventful lately. |
|
|
OUTIS |
Ahem… |
|
|
Vergilius |
Hmm. Looks like the 'research' arrived while you were wasting time. |
|
|
RODION |
Is that the vehicle…? It's got no windows, though? |
|
|
Vergilius |
How tiresome. |
|
|
Vergilius |
Now, off the bus. |
7.5-3: The Vehicle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
 | ||
|
|
SINCLAIR |
This is…? |
|
|
FAUST |
Assistance from P Corp. in the process of developing this device was indispensable. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Wait, that means… |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
…In cohorts with young Cesara, are you? |
|
|
FAUST |
……. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Hoyday~! Much did I aspire to regale her with the tale of the contract's glorious completion, of mine heroism and bravery! 'Tis quite unfair of thee to meet her all by thy lonesome, young Faust! |
|
|
FAUST |
…Your concerns will be taken into account next time. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Ah, worry thee not! For thou hast availed us the sights of Lim-bassss Campany headquarters, thy tit hath been tatted for! |
|
|
FAUST |
There were numerous reasons for which you were yet to be allowed into the headquarters, but… as it would be a fruitless effort to explicate them all, we will not cover that subject here. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Phew, glad to hear we're not sitting through another lecture. |
|
|
FAUST |
The primary reason is, however, that there were several limitations to bringing the members of our department to the headquarters brought upon by frequent trans-Nest movements and irregular scheduling of our missions. |
|
|
RODION |
Why'dya say all that if ya were gonna explain anyway…? |
|
|
OUTIS |
Wait, more importantly… what's that about collaborating with P Corp.? |
|
|
RODION |
Boy, here we go again. |
|
|
FAUST |
P Corp.'s Singularity can be summarized by the following four words: Expansive Space Warping technology. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Oh, right… Didn't you say that Miss Cesara told you something about how the principle of P Corp.'s Singularity is a lot like how La Manchaland works? |
|
|
DANTE |
<…Right, La Manchaland was much larger on the inside that it looked from the outside.> |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Oh yeah, I've been meaning to ask… |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Don't other Wings already make liberal use of different kinds of space-expanding Singularities? |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
It's, how should I put this… isn't it a bit too mundane of a City tech for P Corp. to call space manipulation its unique thing? |
|
|
FAUST |
That was quite the… intelligent question. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Compliments! How nice~ |
|
|
FAUST |
Ishmael is correct in suggesting that technology to expand a given space is a commonly employed technology by other Wings as well. |
|
|
FAUST |
An example of one such invention making use of this space-expansion technology, but isn't a P Corp. Singularity, would be Mephistopheles. |
|
|
FAUST |
The ultimate purpose of P Corp.'s space expansion technology… |
|
|
FAUST |
…is to create the safest place in the world. |
|
|
FAUST |
A perfectly protected construct, its interior sheltered from the world outside no matter how severely its exterior is battered; to have a sound structural integrity no matter what, its interiors safe from any and all harm. |
|
|
FAUST |
Therefore, the more expensive the P Corp. product is, the safer its interior is from damaging outside conditions such as extreme pressure or shock. |
|
|
FAUST |
Perhaps the way in which the interior is completely insulated from the outside is comparable to a full disconnect from the outside world by sheltering in a separate dimension. |
|
|
FAUST |
In conclusion, the exterior of this vehicle utilized P Corp.'s Singularity, which means that it can protect its interior from all forms of impact. Not to mention that it has enough room to hold more than thirteen people inside. |
|
|
RODION |
Uh, don't dimensional trunks or containers also transport things to other dimensions? |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Nnnnngh… |
|
|
RODION |
Hm? Sinc, why are ya freezin' up all of a sudden? |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
There was this… creepy story that used to circulate among kids back when I was in school… |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Here's how it goes. So a Devyat' Association employee makes a delivery to a house, then looks away for a second… |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
…and a curious kid crawls into their Courier Trunk, and… |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
I-I'm gonna stop the story here… Look, that story kept me up at night for a whole week, okay? I couldn't stop having nightmares about that scenario where… |
|
|
GREGOR |
Hey, come on. Sometimes a story's just a story… |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Not necessarily… |
|
|
FAUST |
Unfortunately, the story that inspired Sinclair's week-long nightmares was most likely an accurate retelling of a true story. |
|
|
FAUST |
Several regulations were added to Hana and Devyat' Association's rules to prevent cases of people being stored in dimensional containers. |
|
|
YI SANG |
From a certain perspective, it may be said that the WARP technology employed by W Corp. shares a degree of similitude. |
|
|
YI SANG |
The parallel lies in the fact that it also transports humans to a different dimension, the difference being that they are 'packaged' in a safer manner. |
|
|
FAUST |
Therefore, perhaps enough of a connection exists to say that they operate on the same scale. |
|
|
RODION |
Anyhoo, the point is that we'll always have access to the headquarters as long as we have this vehicle thing, right? |
|
|
OUTIS |
This will certainly make the logistics of communication and supply much more convenient. One question, however: how does the company plan to move this instrument, as I expect that would be much trouble on its own? Has that detail been hashed out yet? |
|
|
FAUST |
No. |
|
|
FAUST |
In order to establish a more tangible level of communication with Limbus Company headquarters, an effective means of transportation such as this vehicle will be installed in the Nests across the City. |
|
|
FAUST |
In summary, an efficient means of transportation such as this vehicle here, developed using P Corp. and the aspirant W Corp.'s technology, will gradually be installed at various points across the City. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
In-in every Nest? |
|
|
Vergilius |
Of course not. This technology is still experimental. It is astronomically expensive to install and operate. |
|
|
FAUST |
Activating now. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
W-wherefore is that gate over yonder shuddering so?! |
|
|
YI SANG |
Energies, now linked, are routing toward that gate. |
|
|
FAUST |
Entering now. |
|
|
DANTE |
<W-well, let's follow her inside.> |
|
|
FAUST |
…Yes, we have arrived. |
|
|
FAUST |
Welcome to the Limbus Company headquarters. This… |
 | ||
|
|
FAUST |
…is the Floor of the LCE Department. |
|
|
DANTE |
<…LCE?> |
|
|
RODION |
Haah… Hopefully we'll get to proudly stride in through the HQ's front gate one day. |
7.5-4: Hohenheim
Pre-battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
 |
??? |
……. |
|
|
FAUST |
……. |
|
|
??? |
……. |
|
|
FAUST |
……. |
|
|
??? |
……. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
…Right, are we waitin' for something to happen? Or are we all suddenly unfamiliar with the concept of introducing ourselves?! |
|
|
??? |
Given that no one appears to be willing to introduce me, allow me the liberty of self-introduction. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
My name is Hohenheim, the chief researcher of this company. |
|
|
FAUST |
To be precise, he is the chief researcher of the LCE Department. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
To be more precise, I am the chief researcher responsible for the entirety of Limbus Company. |
|
|
FAUST |
To be even more precise, the only reason he retains that role is because Yi Sang and I have been excluded from the research personnel files due to our statuses as Sinners. |
|
|
FAUST |
Someone must stay behind to continue the research, after all. |
|
|
HONG LU |
Aha, so you two are friends? |
|
|
FAUST |
While it seems entirely unnecessary to establish a label on this relationship, it could be said that we are acquaintances who routinely and unwillingly maintain a regular level of communication with one another. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Ah, I am in agreement. For the first time since we were acquainted. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
I hear that our department has reached out several times to yours to remind you of this regular check-up? |
|
|
FAUST |
The nature of the LCB department necessitates that we are constantly on the move from one Nest to another, which makes it rather difficult for us to give you an immediate reply. I would have expected someone like you to already be well aware of this obvious detail. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Yes, I was very well aware. I am also quite aware of the fact that your department has been giving us that same reply over and over again like an answering machine. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Uh…> |
|
|
Hohenheim |
And this must be Dante, the Executive Manager of the Limbus Company Sinners. |
|
|
DANTE |
<I'd like to say "Hi, nice to meet you"… but I don't suppose he can hear what I'm saying.> |
|
|
FAUST |
The manager extends their greetings. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Charmed. It's grueling and arduous work to be in a position of leadership. Especially when communication issues come into play. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Sometimes, I cannot help but wonder if my researchers and I are even speaking the same language, so I do commiserate. |
|
|
OUTIS |
Hm… how… odd. Their clothes are… |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Ah, yes. Allow me to introduce you all to Marton and Alyssa, two of the few researchers directly in my command. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Are they wearing gear extracted from Abnormalities? But how…? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Happy to have someone who recognizes them. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Are they like… gears scavenged from the former L Corp.? |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
While there are partial similarities to their gears, enough differences are present to distinguish them. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Indeed. We attempted our own brand of extractions. Successfully, I might add. |
|
|
FAUST |
While the news of the production of E.G.O Gear in Limbus Company's style was already received, this is the very first time they are observed in person. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
So… you must have Abnormalities contained in this facility. |
|
|
DANTE |
<So that's why I've been sensing Abnormalities in here, huh…> |
|
|
DANTE |
<But I'm sensing Distortions and Peccatula too.> |
|
|
FAUST |
Indeed, as they are containment and research subjects for LCE Department as well. |
|
|
FAUST |
Hmmm… |
|
|
FAUST |
Hm… |
|
|
FAUST |
Apart from a new imperfections in the finish, the level of E.G.O extraction visible here is quite acceptable. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Input appreciated. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
This is a product of thousands of repeated experiments and subsequent failures that have been meticulously conducted and studied in order to extract it with an acceptable level of stability. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
But at the end of the day, I did it. Like I always do. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
……. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
You did it? Are you sure you want to take all the credit when your team is standing right behind you? |
 |
Alyssa |
We're used to it… |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Oh, piss off… I'm going mad surrounded by these self-absorbed twats. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
I'm just about ready to get violent on some poor bastard. Let's get on with the check-up so we can get back on the bus, yeah? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
I feel the very same urgency you express. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
There is much we must cover, regrettably, given that this is the first-ever regular check-up performed as a group since your employment. |
|
|
FAUST |
Faust also does not wish to pass more time without substance. Let us begin. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Very well. Our first task shall be to assess your abilities in response to emergency situations. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Wait, he just pressed something— |
|
|
DANTE |
<Emergency situations…?> |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
What the hell, this is just an ambush! |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Yes, it is. The purpose of this test is to measure your behaviors and response in case of a surprise attack, so ambush it is. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Was this discussed beforehand, Vergilius?!> |
|
|
Vergilius |
You look anxious, Dante. Well, I suppose you weren't let in on this either. I wasn't, for your information. |
|
|
Vergilius |
Just go with their flow, Dante. "So it goes" would be an apt response. |
|
|
Vergilius |
I'll find a room somewhere where Charon and I might sit down and enjoy some nice tea. Come find me with Faust once this is over. |
|
|
DANTE |
<…….> |
|
|
Charon |
Charon wants cake, too. |
 |
Marton |
Oh, hey. We've got some leftover cake from our last office party. Come this way, please. |
|
|
DANTE |
<…Okay, so this is the regular check-up, huh? Let's get this done.> |
Post-battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
| ||
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Hark, Manager Esquire! Heigh-ho! I have attained a score most perfect! |
|
|
YI SANG |
Mm… to be surpassed by Miss Don Quixote in a contest of knowledge… Must I delve further in my studies… |
|
|
GREGOR |
Hey, Yi Sang. Bud. They were testing our Fixer Association knowledge, huh? |
|
|
RODION |
Totally~ Honestly, she's got more than enough Fixer fixation for the entire bus. |
|
|
Marton |
What's the first thing you focus on when meeting a new person? |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
…The look in their eyes? How strong they look? Bloody hell, this ain't easy. |
|
|
Alyssa |
Your leadership style is… |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
Strong, decisive, and goal-oriented. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
You are, Meursault…? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Next—basic fitness test for all Sinners. We can finally get started on the real meat of this check-up. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Wait, then what were all those tests you guys were running on us? |
|
|
Marton |
They were conducted in order to collect various data that the LCE Department has been missing. In other words… we capitalized on this opportunity to fulfill our private curiosities. |
|
|
Alyssa |
Still, I'd say it was very productive! We now know a lot about you guys that'll help us support the LCB going forward. |
|
|
Alyssa |
Alright, we're gonna go over some tests that can be conducted in groups first. Please form a line here. |
 | ||
|
|
GREGOR |
W-what, like this? |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Let's get this over with. Looks like we've got a long day ahead of us. |
|
|
HONG LU |
Wow, these are some comfy clothes they've given us. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Right? I could totally see myself wearin' these to sleep. |
|
|
Alyssa |
To sleep…? They're LCE property, so you better return them as soon as we're done here. |
|
|
RODION |
Gotcha. By the way, can ya take a look at my wrist before we actually get started? I've been feelin' a bit of soreness there, but Dante won't turn the clock for just me, y'know? |
|
|
YI SANG |
Turning the clock for such trivialities may cause the formation of an unfavorable habit… perhaps Meursault can remedy your pain. |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
I am always prepared to administer necessary aid, should you request it. |
|
|
RODION |
A-actually, ya know what? I'm totally fine now~! Don'tcha worry! |
|
|
Alyssa |
Please stand still. If you think I can't see some of you on your tiptoes, you'd be very wrong. Heels on the ground, please. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
But… My heels are on the ground? |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Fie… |
|
|
Alyssa |
And uh… can you snuff out your cigarettes before the test begins? |
|
|
GREGOR |
Oh, this one isn't lit. It's just there so I can… look cool… |
|
|
Alyssa |
Aha… |
|
|
Alyssa |
…And what about— |
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
Bold. But scram. |
|
|
Alyssa |
O-okay. So the basic group tests are complete. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
……. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
I seem to have forgotten something quite important I had to establish prior to beginning the tests in earnest. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
I need an assistant. |
|
|
DANTE |
<An assistant?> |
|
|
Hohenheim |
I need an assistant to help me smooth out the testing procedures. |
|
|
RODION |
Uh… ya got two of 'em already. Right behind you, if ya need directions. |
|
|
Marton |
Oh, we're not Mr. Hohenheim's assistants. We're specifically assistant researchers. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Yes, of course. There is much that distinguishes these two occupations. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
I would like one of you to be my assistant for the duration of this check-up… |
|
|
Hohenheim |
I wasn't planning on asking for volunteers, but… now that you've raised your hand, I'll give you the floor. |
|
|
RODION |
Don't ask me to do it. It's just not my vibes, ya know? I'll take a research job, though. I'm a big fan of her style. |
|
|
Alyssa |
What… what are you doing…? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
…I didn't have you in mind anyway, but duly noted nonetheless. |
|
|
FAUST |
I would also like to refuse your nomination. |
|
|
FAUST |
The position of an assistant to Hohenheim implies that the said assistant is, when it comes to skill, inferior to the person they are assisting. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Again, I didn't have you in mind either, but your passionate expression of intent is nonetheless appreciated. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Tsk, I wonder who came up with this brilliant idea of putting two smartarses together to waste time pointing out each other's minor mistakes? |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
U-uh, if I were to talk about myself, I want to open by saying that I was a class vice-president in school, a diligent model student who assiduously facilitated the tasks of the class president in— |
|
|
YI SANG |
Ahem, ahem… |
|
|
GREGOR |
What's with everyone getting so anxious to get picked here? |
|
|
GREGOR |
Do you fellas actually want to be his assistant…? Getting in the front and center of things is just bothersome, you know? |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
I… kinda felt like I had to apply for the position, for some reason… |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Well, the decision has already been made. Do note that this selection criteria is fully based on my very subjective opinion. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
You there, orange-haired Sinner… |
|
|
DANTE |
<Oof…> |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Greetings, Mr. Hohenheim. As you must be aware if you've taken a look at my documents, I've rarely let anyone down during my various tenures at Offices and Associations. You'll have nothing to worry as long as I'm by your side. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Also, can I add this experience to my resume if I ever get a chance to submit a transfer request to work at the headquarters? |
|
|
GREGOR |
Didn't know you were still holding onto that hope. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
I… called on you to ask you to move, because you were standing in front of the Sinner I chose. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
……. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Huh? |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Me… huh? Me? |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Wait, but… wha… but… why? I'm right here, why would you pick someone like… |
|
|
Hohenheim |
It is a common misconception among many researchers… |
|
|
Hohenheim |
…to assume that the higher their level of education and the more elaborate their resume, the better candidate one makes for a research project participant. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
B-but… but that's just common sense, isn't it? At least when it comes to research…? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
However, were you aware that most great discoveries are made from a potent mix of spontaneity and intuition? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
A perfect descriptor for our friend here, I would say. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Uh… uhh… |
|
|
Hohenheim |
What say you, Heathcliff? I believe that this aggressive and passionate approach of yours gives you more than sufficient qualification to command and lead them in my stead. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Uhm… Is… is that right? |
|
|
RODION |
Be honest now, Yi Sang. Ya were kinda lookin' forward to getting picked, weren'tcha? |
|
|
YI SANG |
……. |
|
|
YI SANG |
It is but fate that things that were once good in the eyes of the mainstream are to be made less desirable with the passage of time. |
|
|
YI SANG |
And when one does indeed fall out of favor, the intelligentsia of the bygone days must rightly excuse themselves to the realm of memories and past… |
|
|
Hohenheim |
I am glad to have you on board as my new assistant. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Righty-ho. So… uh, ahem. What have I got to do now? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Nothing too complicated. You only need to liberally express your free spirit, just as you are now. |
|
|
Marton |
Aha, now I see what he's doing. |
|
|
Marton |
Hohenheim sure knows which one of the group to coax to make things go over smoothly. |
7.5-5: The Assistant
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
| ||
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Right, you there! Get in line! Single file, lads! Let's make this easy for all of us! |
|
|
HONG LU |
But aren't you also participating in the test with the rest of us, Heathcliff? |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Y-yeah, but… I'm the assistant! |
 | ||
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Since when do you wear glasses? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Glasses are basic apparatuses for all researchers. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Look, slightly pushing up on the glasses helps to put on the air of a studious, learned individual. Like so. |
|
|
Marton |
Just like how slightly pushing up the frames of my glasses while wondering what to have for lunch makes it seem as though I am contemplating on the more profound aspects of life. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Oi, let's not make this any harder than it's gotta be, lass. Snuff out that cig in your mouth. |
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
Been a while since I heard a pig squeal. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Blimey, can't you just do as I say for once?!!! |
|
|
DANTE |
<Huh, he's actually pretty effective…> |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Hm… it seems that we are now ready to conduct the tests. Finally. |
|
|
Alyssa |
The primary purpose of this test… |
|
|
Alyssa |
…is to see, on a physical level, how your current abilities scale compared to yourselves before your hiring. |
|
|
DANTE |
<I see… so they're trying to see how much they've progressed since before they joined the company…?> |
|
|
OUTIS |
If I were to speak for myself, Executive Manager, I can confidently say that the thought of progressing as a person and in all aspects of life is ingrained into my very being. |
|
|
OUTIS |
Thus, as a fruit of those efforts, I have grown to be much more precise and scathing in my critique of others' mistakes. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Is that… progress, though?> |
|
|
YI SANG |
Mm… |
|
|
YI SANG |
Perhaps I have learned to let certain thoughts rest in favor of others. |
|
|
YI SANG |
I once allowed myself to be trapped in overlong ruminations on worries of all manners, idly abiding as I was consumed by my very thoughts… |
|
|
YI SANG |
…now, I have come to accept certain things as they are. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Ooh…> |
|
|
YI SANG |
And I've come to… sometimes, allow my mind to form bereft of rigorous reason. |
|
|
YI SANG |
Floating away gently, as though on a rolling stream… Is that not quite pleasant? |
|
|
DANTE |
<Ah… Okay. I… guess that is progression, of sorts…> |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
I'm pretty sure I'm less of a picky eater than I used to be. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
My grip strength is much stronger, too… |
|
|
RODION |
Ooh~ |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Look, look. I think I'm getting calluses on my palms. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Well, you don't really have to try to prove it to us… |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
…because the enemies we're fighting have been getting stronger, too. That's an undeniable truth. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
We did experience a pretty spectacular year, you know. |
|
|
YI SANG |
A brutal year, yet so potent with significance. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Hm, true. I guess growth really does come with time, huh…> |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Right? I feel like the bonds between us got a lot deeper. We've all grown closer now, you know? Like glue. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Like glue, huh. I like it. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Ah, a certain misunderstanding seems to be brewing in tandem with this uplifting change of heart-to-hearts; allow me to step in and nip it in the bud. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Let me give it to you straight… |
|
|
Hohenheim |
All of your abilities were diminished the moment you were hired by this company. Equally defanged and depowered, if you will. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Equally… defanged? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
In other words, all of your abilities have been brought down to the… ah, yes. To the same general level as our eleventh Sinner here. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
…Why am I your point of reference? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Ah, if this is what you meant earlier by "growing closer, like glue", then I suppose it was quite the apt choice of words. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Oi, take that back. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
…I take it back. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
…not! So you're not really that much stronger than I am, huh? |
|
|
RODION |
Woooow, Sinc. Is that the sound of your sense of self-preservation shattering into the ether? |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
That's it, you bloody c— |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Excuse me! I need to know why that happened. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Did we all get depowered because of the Golden Bough? Wait, does this have anything to do with those chains that appeared when we first entered the contract with Dante…? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Indeed. One of the powers of a Golden Bough is 'connection'. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
You are now all fairly, evenly, and equally… |
|
|
Hohenheim |
mediocre. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
……. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Think of it as something akin to Qliphoth Deterrence employed by the Lobotomy Corporation. |
|
|
OUTIS |
So the truth is finally revealed. This was why I, Outis, grew so pathetically weak the moment I joined this company. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Art thou implying that thou hast always known? |
|
|
OUTIS |
Of course! Had I been in my prime, I could've wiped the floor with you miserable doormats in a matter of seconds. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
…You wipe floors with doormats? |
|
|
GREGOR |
Man, we're all so prone to saying whatever once the burden of proof is gone, huh? |
|
|
GREGOR |
Hah… So that's why my murderous arm's been quiet ever since they hired me. It didn't really have anything to do with my heart, after all… |
|
|
DANTE |
<Gregor…> |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Oi, what's the use of all this chatter?! What matters is that we've all been brought down to the level of the lad. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
But… I got calluses on my palms… |
|
|
YI SANG |
Yet… not all of the Golden Bough's effects must have been of detriment to us. |
|
|
YI SANG |
Was it not the advantages granted to us by the Golden Bough impaled in the Pallid Whale of the Great Lake by which we triumphed? |
|
|
RODION |
Wha? Really? |
|
|
FAUST |
Correct. Had the Pallid Whale been at its full strength, it is highly likely that we may still have been trapped inside its stomach, struggling to survive. |
|
|
FAUST |
Also, it can also be said that the dimishing effect was not applied in equal measure across all affected subjects. |
|
|
RODION |
That makes sense, I guess. I never coulda knocked Heath out with one punch if I was only as strong as Sinc. It's a real handy trick, y'know? |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
……. |
|
|
FAUST |
Additionally, certain individual quirks cannot be suppressed by the Golden Bough. |
|
|
FAUST |
Certain quirks that one may consider to be an individual's 'idiosyncrasies'. |
|
|
HONG LU |
Ohhh~ So that explains Ryōshū's impressive bladework with Mr. Bumble back at the T Corp. factory! |
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
Heh… Won't waste my breath boasting. |
|
|
DANTE |
<You never do anyway.> |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Well, if your strengths have indeed progressed since the onboarding, then the average must have risen as well. One of the purposes of these tests is to measure that very difference. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
So what exactly goes into these tests? I know there's a District that uses a machine that can analyze most aspects of the subject with a quick scan, so is it going to be something like that? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
There are dozens, if not hundreds of ways to determine one's abilities without the assistance of machinery. Ah, in fact, I know of a perfectly appropriate methodology for this group. |
|
|
DANTE |
<A perfectly appropriate methodology…?> |
|
|
Hohenheim |
We spent some time out of our busy schedules to tailor each test for each Sinner of the LCB. |
|
|
Alyssa |
That was pretty tough, I'll have you guys know. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Tailored tests for each Sinner, huh… I don't really like the sound of that, if you ask me. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
We… |
|
|
Hohenheim |
…will utilize the Peccatula… and the Distortion phenomenon. |
|
|
RODION |
Huh. That doesn't sound much like some super innovative method you were building up to. What a let down… |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Right? Honestly, for all their talk, I thought they'd come up with something more impressive than that… |
|
|
Hohenheim |
…Assistant? |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Alright, that's enough chatter! Now get in there! |
7.5-6: Meaningless Wrath
Pre-battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
| ||
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Uhh, let's see. First one on the block's… |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Right. You, and you there! Inside, now! |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Hello. One, two, testing. Am I coming through? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
As you must be well aware by now, the Peccatula are entities that have failed to even Distort. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
……. |
|
|
HONG LU |
It seems like we'll be fighting the Peccatula again. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
O-oh, right. I have a question. It's something that's been nagging at me the whole time since I arrived… |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
…Aren't these tests basically just… us killing people for no reason? |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
They're all safely contained, which means that they don't pose any danger to anyone… |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Why's he being such a bleedin' heart all of a sudden? Oi, we've been slaughterin' countless scores of those sods, so what's the holdup now? |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Yeah, but we didn't have any choice back then because we were on a misson. And— |
|
|
HONG LU |
Do you believe that taking a life to live is unlike taking a life for the sake of it? |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
…I do. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
……. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
I understand. It seems that human memory is, after all, made to be finite. Save for few exceptional individuals, people are prone to misplacing memories even from yesterday. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
So, who are they, Dante? Who do you believe they are, this group you lead? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Given the expected communication difficulties between us, allow me to make this a multiple choice question. One, family. Two, friends. Three, colleagues. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Um… I guess they're closest to… colleagues?> |
|
|
HONG LU |
Dante says "three, colleagues"~ |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Incorrect. It's 'none of the above'. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
The truth is that they are 'Sinners'. Not family, not friends, not colleagues. 'Prisoners'. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
I know… |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Ah, but the knowledge of something and the acceptance of it must be distinguished. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
I learned that people are prone to forgetting their places when the going gets easy, when life becomes comfortable enough for them to consider the luxury of timely meals to be a certainty. Thus I find these reminders to be quite useful. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
These Sinners, bound to Limbus Company, are still fettered by their chains and shackles. Naturally, they have no access to such a thing as the right to refuse. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Or would it be easier for you to accept that fact if I were to suggest that you consider this but a mere extension of your responsibilities? |
|
|
DANTE |
<…….> |
|
|
DANTE |
<I know they're Sinners, but you can't talk to them like—> |
|
|
FAUST |
……. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Ah, translations are unnecessary. I think I get the picture of what was said, given the atmosphere of this room. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Dante, when you agreed to the contract, you must have made a deal of sorts—to gain something to your benefit. Am I correct? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Your memories, your head, and your past… |
|
|
Hohenheim |
There must be so much that you would like to know. And perhaps your desire to get them back is what stops you from simply quitting. |
|
|
DANTE |
<…….> |
|
|
Hohenheim |
What I mean to say with this little demonstration is that no one in this room has any right to grumble or refuse. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Faust, is he usually…?> |
|
|
FAUST |
Yes, this is his usual demeanor. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Hello, I know I'm not the one to talk, but… you don't exactly have a lot of friends, do you? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Those who rise above their peers tend to attract a certain degree of hostility form others. Now, shall we begin? We are severely behind schedule. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
While the combatants do what they do, please pay attention to the following presentation about the Peccatula projected onto this glass panel. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
This lecture has been prepared with the assumption that its students have an average level of knowledge; so, if you consider this presentation to be boring or too difficult to understand, then you may consider your knowledge level to be below average. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
All this material seems quite elementary to me! Not sure what's so difficult about this! |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Yeah, save that for when the lecture actually starts. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
As you must already know, there are seven categories of Peccatula. And as far as I am aware, the highest stage of Peccatula you observed was in stage 3. So far, at least… |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Wherefore didst thou utter a little muttering of "…so far, at least…" at the end of thine words, good sir? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Sharp. Well, it's simple. We researchers have a habit of avoiding absolutes in all things. Never say never, or so they say. |
|
|
GREGOR |
So you're not ruling out the possibility that we might be running into Peccatula beyond stage 3, huh. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Indeed. We prefer not to put down such arbitrary limitations. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
…Anyway, the first type of many Peccatula to be covered today is 'Peccatula Irae'—red Peccatulum of Wrath. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
The nature of fire is to burn and burn until there is nothing left to be burned. |
|
|
HONG LU |
I see. So they're quite literally burning with rage. |
|
|
HONG LU |
Now that I think back on it, didn't you express something like that before, Sinclair? I remember you screaming so fiercely that you could hardly control your own body. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
…Mm. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
On the other hand… I don't think I've ever seen you get angry or upset, Hong Lu. |
|
|
HONG LU |
Aha, that's… |
|
|
HONG LU |
Because the realization of meaninglessness extinguishes the reason for the spark to start a fire. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Ohh… I see now…! |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
No matter how much Heathcliff or Ms. Outis bully me… |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
…expressing my anger at that is meaningless at the end of the day. …Okay, I did enjoy it a little when I had to 'accidentally' step on Heathcliff's toes, but… |
|
|
DANTE |
<What… what exactly is the takeaway supposed to be here…?> |
|
|
HONG LU |
Yes. That is exactly how it is. |
7.5-7: Directionless Sloth
Pre-battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Next up… you three! Let's get in there! |
|
|
GREGOR |
Indoor voice will do, bud. We can hear you just fine without you shouting at the top of your lungs… |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Now let us discuss Peccatulum Pigritiae—Sloth. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Stones are sturdy, but that's all there is to them. They are directionless and unmoving—completely surrendered to inertia. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
They are trapped in their current lot in existence until someone else comes along to roll them away. Truly, there is no better symbol for sloth than them. |
|
|
FAUST |
……. |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
It is efficient to live within the bounds of rigidly established routines. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Ngh… getting lumped in with these two is making me real self-conscious all of a sudden. Like I'm just some lazy, incompetent— |
|
|
FAUST |
Do not compare yourself to Faust, Gregor. Should Faust become the point of reference for one's incompetency, the overwhelming majority of the City's population would be deemed incompetent. |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
Mm. |
|
|
GREGOR |
…I'll admit that I'm not the most diligent person in the room, but I'm taking back that comment about being incompetent. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Check this out, fellas. I'm not that rusty just yet. |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
Charging alone into danger poses— Too late. |
|
|
FAUST |
…This will be harder than expected. Let us provide assistance. |
7.5-8: Sinking on Purpose
Pre-battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Hohenheim |
Next up is Gulae—Gluttony. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Roots of plants dig through the dirt in search of nutrients. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
What distinguishes them is, however, that they are not satisfied with satiation alone; the roots continue to grow, seeking increasingly greater supply of nutrients. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Hang on a minute, what's this? |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Are we really going to do this song and dance for each and every one of these Peccatulum? Why don't we lump 'em together like how you've paired up us Sinners? |
|
|
OUTIS |
Hah! Running low on patience already? Only simpletons would make such a basic suggestion. |
|
|
OUTIS |
It's standard protocol, in case you weren't aware. I am also unhappy about this process, but sometimes we must swallow our complaints and do as we're told for the sake of proper test results. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Hm. You make a valid proposition. |
|
|
OUTIS |
…What? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Very well. I also fail to see the necessity in fighting these Peccatula one by one, especially given the busy schedule ahead of us. Your suggestion is accepted, assistant. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Huh? What? Really? |
|
|
DANTE |
<Aren't you the one who suggested it…?> |
|
|
OUTIS |
If we didn't have to fight them one by one anyway, then why didn't we do this from the start? |
|
|
Alyssa |
Because testing them one by one yields a more accurate result. |
|
|
Alyssa |
Studies suggest that the margin of error may grow by 0.06% when testing multiple entities at once. |
|
|
OUTIS |
I see. But I say the benefits of a smaller margin of error outweighs the convenience of lumping them all together. Why don't we proceed as planned? |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Bloody hell, just let it go, yeah? |
|
|
RODION |
Yeah, Outis. C'mon~ |
|
|
OUTIS |
Tsk, this very carelessness is why— |
|
|
DANTE |
<I think we can risk a 0.06% greater margin of error, right?> |
|
|
OUTIS |
…Indeed, it is sometimes necessary to prioritize efficiency over the pursuit of perfection. I will abide by the Executive Manager's judgement. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
……. |
|
|
RODION |
……. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Very well. Then allow me to explain Peccatula Morositatis—Gloom as well. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Have you ever immersed yourselves in deep waters? Quite easy to sink to the depths, no? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
However… the deeper one sinks, the harder does it become to rise again. The pressure suffocates you from all directions—no matter how much you thrash around, desperately looking for something to grab onto, all you find is futility. Such is gloom. |
|
|
OUTIS |
I suppose one of the few benefits of working for this company is that its constant motion gives no time for such emotions to drag us down. Especially now that I have some level of confidence that they might actually keep their end of the contract. |
|
|
RODION |
Ooh, sounds like a disagreement's brewing~ Even after I've joined the bus team, I still feel like I'm floundering deep in some ditch, ya know? Though I'm only here 'cuz I wanna be here, but still. |
|
|
OUTIS |
…Are you sure you're in that 'ditch' by choice? Maybe you just don't know how to rise to the surface again. |
|
|
RODION |
Haha… I don't appreciate hearing that from someone who doesn't even know what I'm talking about. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
…Ahem. W-well, it's all ready now. In you go. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
You too, assistant. You aren't exempt from the tests. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Huh? Me too? |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Perfect timing… I've been gettin' a bit tired of all this mental exercise. Right, then… let's wrap this up quick! |
7.5-9: Dulled Harpoon
Pre-battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Well, they weren't too much trouble. Next up's you two! Get in there! |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
With Ryōshū? Um… let's do this, I guess? |
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
S.T.[1] |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
What? |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
S-she wants to 'switch teams'… |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Really? Now? What's your problem this time, Ryōshū? |
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
Hmph. Your dulled harpoon doesn't interest me. |
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
It's dulled so much that I doubt it can even impale that sickly nerd over there. |
|
|
DANTE |
<I… don't think she'll have too much trouble impaling Hohenheim.> |
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
Hm. I'd much rather watch that Bloodfiend fight again. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
T-thou speakest of… me? That's, uh, ahem, 'tis quite the pickle… |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Oi, she wants to switch teams. Is that alright? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Of course not. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
You heard the man. Let's go. |
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
Tsk. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
I'll admit that my harpoon's not as sharp as it used to be. And I'll admit that I've lost a bit of my edge since then. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
But we're still sailing on the same boat—I'm not going to hold you or anyone else back. I'm always ready to go back to razor-sharpness when the need arises. |
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
…Hmph. |
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
…I'm swapping you out as soon as you start making a fool of yourself. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Lass, I thought I've been clear enough on this—Switching teams ain't a thing! |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Peccatulum Superbiae—Pride. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Wheels. Symbol of technology and the vector of humanity's ultimate pursuit. The wheel, in its boundless pride, rolls on and on in search of the perfect circle, something unconquered even by nature. |
|
|
FAUST |
Yet… it remains uncaring for the flesh it rends nor the grass it tramples in its path. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Isn't that… just confidence, not pride? You can't get anything done by just sitting idly in place. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
One might even say that pride is but another name for overconfidence. It oft claims trailblazers or those who have never tasted failure. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Hah. Someone like you, Hohenheim? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
…Well, that certainly is a perspective. Next up is Luxuriae—Lust. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Moving on just like that, huh…> |
|
|
Hohenheim |
The meaning of Peccatulum Luxuriae, 'Lust', is not exactly what it says on the tin. A more illustrative description would say that it is… ah, yes. An obsession to spread a fragment of what forms the self. A desire to propagate, to breed. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Of course, there is more to this concept than just that. While the word itself may be subject to interpretations limited to the carnal understanding… |
|
|
YI SANG |
…To share one's knowledge, one's ideas, to invite others into gaining the understanding of a sliver of oneself… You seek to express that such things are 'Lust' as well. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Not bad. I always appreciate these discussions with the learned—there is never any dead air. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
……. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Admit it Heathcliff. All of that flew right over your head, didn't it? |
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
Why even ask? Unnecessary. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
…Shut up and get in there. |
7.5-10: Stinging
Pre-battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Verily, nigh is the time for young Yi Sang and I to face the test! |
|
|
YI SANG |
The nature of our trial shall take the form as Peccatula Invidiae. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
I assume that we all have a first-hand experience with static shocks? |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
…Hoh? Doth static shock have aught to do with Envy? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Anyone who's been subject to both static shock and the envy of others must know that the latter stings in the same manner as the former does. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Mm… I ill comprehend thine explanations… |
|
|
YI SANG |
Ah, I see. |
|
|
YI SANG |
To explain in plainer example—Miss Don Quixote, you have always been fond of, and held great respect for, the illustrious Color Fixers. Am I correct? |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Verily, I should be second to none were my passion for them to be measured! |
|
|
YI SANG |
Now… imagine yourself at a convention of sorts—in which the said illustrious Color Fixers are holding and event to disseminate their autographs. And imagine that you are a part of the excited queue. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Oho…! Indeed, I have mentally placed myself there! Proceed! |
|
|
YI SANG |
Yet in great misfortune, the event comes to a close—mere moments before you were to receive your autograph. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Alack for woe! Fate playeth such cruel jest on my pitiful soul! |
|
|
YI SANG |
Now, do imagine—what sort of emotion would you feel for the fellow fan who received the final autograph, immediately before you were to receive yours, ere the chance was robbed? |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Well, 'twould be quite the jealousy burning within mine heart, a painfully tingling sensation in my—ooh!? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
My, you certainly enjoy explaining things, don't you? I suppose all scholars are kindred spirits, after all. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
You two! Quit the chinwag and get in there! |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
V-verily! Then onward, to a new adventure! |
|
|
YI SANG |
Mm, then I shall follow. |
7.5-11: The Price of Curiosity
Pre-battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
 | ||
|
|
Marton |
Please vacate the room, people. Cleanup coming through. |
|
|
YI SANG |
Ah, apologies… Miss Don Quixote has aught to… |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Prithee, avail me but a moment…! The shoelaces upon Rocinante have come undone… |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
What? How…? I remember tying like seven different knots on your shoes. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Ahh, yet 'twere quite the hideous access-sorry to be forced upon Rocinante… I have tied one of them once again in the shape of a ribbon! |
|
|
RODION |
Yeah, the knots didn't look that great. Ribbons are cute! |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Oh boy… |
|
|
YI SANG |
…Yet one must begin to wonder… |
|
|
YI SANG |
…about the consequences of Miss Don Quixote freeing her feet from Rocinante at her present state? |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Hm? Whatever art thou suggesting? Rocinante is none other than mine eternal steed, bound to me by fate itself! None shall ever dare sever the bond betwixt us! |
|
|
YI SANG |
It was a query posed toward Miss Faust, yet I appreciate your answer all the same… |
|
|
FAUST |
I cannot know. |
|
|
RODION |
Wha…? |
|
|
FAUST |
An obvious outcome, given that no relevant data has ever been collected. |
|
|
RODION |
Well, then… no time like the present to get collectin', huh? Good thing we're in a lab too—where else are we gonna get another chance to do that? |
|
|
FAUST |
This course of action is highly inadvisable. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Yeah, sounds like a bad time to me. I heard all kinds of horrible stuff happened on that train the moment her shoes came off. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Sure did…> |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
But that's…! |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
'Twas an independent decision called by Rocinante itself due to certain… extreme circumstances that had naught to do with mine will! |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Well, you know. Potayto-potahto. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Hm, I was already quite aware that the core of that individual may as well lie in her pair of running shoes… |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Fie on thee! Thou shan't treat a person such as I like some useless shell! |
|
|
GREGOR |
What if we slipped her shoes off and on again really quickly? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
The standards here at the LCE department demand precise measurements. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
In other words, these tests would be meaningless if all we are measuring is a 'hollow shell'. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
…A hollow… shelllllllll…! |
|
|
FAUST |
We have indulged in your predictable provocations enough, Hohenheim. It seems necessary to remind you that you have not yet received the full report of what transpired during that incident. |
|
|
FAUST |
In other words, you are risking the occurrence of an unexpected event. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
You concern yourself unnecessarily. The construction of my laboratory boasts a rather solid build. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Not even Abnormalities on the more powerful side of things can puncture holes in its walls. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Oh, very well. I will not force your hand. However, due to your unwillingness, I am behooved to record as such in my research journal… |
|
|
Hohenheim |
"Due to the concerned Sinner's utterly terrified reaction at the prospect of having to remove her shoes, I must unfortunately leavy only a half-complete test result here…" |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Utterly… terrified…? Terrified…?! |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Ah, and for your information, these research reports… |
|
|
Alyssa |
…are stored for at least a decade. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Yes, we will have possession of a full record of your plain cowardice for at least ten years. |
|
|
Marton |
Outcome: N/A… Reason: subject… was… too scared… to participate. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
After much contemplation… I have come to conclude that dearest Rocinante deserveth a moment of respite as well. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
And I, Don Quixote, shall demonstrate before thee that Don Quixote is Don Quixote in her core still, without Rocinante's assistance! |
|
|
DANTE |
<Are you sure this is a good idea, Faust…?> |
|
|
FAUST |
Hohenheim… If your employment at Limbus Company ever comes to a unilateral termination, I suppose the cause will be rather apparent: your highly irresponsible level of curiosity. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
That would be my greatest honor as a researcher. |
|
|
RODION |
Hey, if anything ever goes wrong, Yi Sang'll be on the ready to slip those shoes right back onto your feet at a moment's notice, 'kay? |
|
|
YI SANG |
I shall be on the ready… |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Behold me not with such excessive anticipation, all! There shan't be any new revelations here…! |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
……. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Mm, this seven-layered knot poseth… quite the difficulty. Young Ishmael, wherefore hast thou tied these cords with such unwavering tightness? |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
I was hoping they'd be the last knot those shoelaces would ever tie… |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Of course… Ah… there we go. Rest thee well, Rocinante… |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
For I… |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
……. |
…Mother…
| ||
| [Blood begins flooding the screen.] | ||
|
|
??? |
O Mother…
|
|
|
??? |
Our existence is death in perpetuity.
|
|
|
??? |
Complete us, fill our hunger…!
|
|
|
??? |
We pray unto you, fill us with the blood of humans, with the blood of humans…
|
| [Static. The blood is removed.] | ||
|
|
DANTE |
<Nngh…> |
| [Blood begins flooding the screen.] | ||
|
|
??? |
Oh… dearest Mother.
|
| [The blood rises.] | ||
|
|
??? |
As your Children…
|
| [Don Quixote's eyes turn red.] | ||
|
|
??? |
When shall we be permitted to quench this thirst for blood…?
|
| [Blood completely fills the screen, blurring everything.] | ||
|
|
DANTE |
<…I must drink blood.> |
|
|
DANTE |
<I have to drink all the blood…> |
|
|
DANTE |
<…all the blood that the Family deserved to drink. I must.> |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Dante? Dante, wake up! |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
A-ain't this a lot like the last time at that building when the fire on their head suddenly exploded?! |
| [The blur clears somewhat.] | ||
|
|
DANTE |
<Thirst…> |
| [Flash of white. The blood is removed. Blur clears completely.] | ||
|
|
DANTE |
<Gah, haaah… I-I'm okay. I'm okay now.> |
|
|
FAUST |
…What did you see, Dante? |
|
|
DANTE |
<…If we want to bring Don Quixote back, we're going to need to quench her thirst somehow.> |
|
|
DANTE |
<We need something to sate the combined thirst… the desire… of every single Kindred…> |
|
|
GREGOR |
That's not good. Do you keep any blood in here? Let's at least try to quench what's— |
|
|
Marton |
Uhh, yeah. We have some blood samples. If you need them… |
|
|
OUTIS |
Dammit, have you been listening to what the Executive Manager's been saying?! It's the combined thirst of every single Kindred! A few blood samples aren't going to do anything…! |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
So you're going to sit here and do nothing?! |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Ain't this just a matter of gettin' her shoes back on?! |
|
|
GREGOR |
Right, Yi Sang! Shoes! Shoes! Get those shoes back on her feet! |
| [The screen turns red before fading back to normal.] | ||
|
|
YI SANG |
I cannot! A bizarre wall of pressure surrounds her! |
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
This is one luxury cig. Good flavor. |
|
|
Alyssa |
I… bought those luxury cigarettes with our last bonus pay… |
|
|
Hohenheim |
These readings are incredible. So much power, even in a state that is, for all intents and purposes, complete emaciation… |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
What? You… you egged her on knowing this would happen? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
I had many outcomes in mind. Some were quite similar to this, but… this is beyond even the most extreme of my predictions. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
How the fuck are you so calm about this?! We've got to do something! You haven't even seen how hard the lass hits! |
|
|
Hohenheim |
What would be the use of panicking now? If the outcome does not align with the predictions, the first course of action should be to analyze the given data. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
However… |
|
|
Hohenheim |
It doesn't seem like our containment measures will be the answer here. Thus the task of stopping her seems to fall straight onto all of you. |
|
|
FAUST |
……. |
|
|
FAUST |
Time for us to pay the price of curiosity. |
Mid-battle
Played when Sancho reaches 60% HP.
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
| [Sancho enhances her great hardblood lance, then leaps into the air, and throws her lance downwards. Fade to red. When the screen returns to normal, Sancho is shown standing amidst the dead Sinners.] | ||
 |
Don Quixote? |
I must… |
|
|
Don Quixote? |
I have to be the Mother… to all of them… the Family's thirst, it's… |
|
|
Vergilius |
No, my lady. You needn't be the Mother of anyone here. Here… |
|
|
Vergilius |
…you are a Sinner, nothing more. |
| [Vergilius enters the battle, manifesting his E.G.O before engaging Sancho. Fade to black.] | ||
Post-battle
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Vergilius |
I will not place the blame of this incident on anyone, Dante. |
|
|
DANTE |
<…….> |
|
|
Vergilius |
I understand that no one could have expected this outcome, |
|
|
Vergilius |
given the dearth of intelligence regarding the binding tool the First Kindred had gifted to the third Sinner. |
|
|
Vergilius |
…Well, then. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
……. |
|
|
DANTE |
<Don Quixote, what happened? Did you lose consciousness? Or did something affect your memory…?> |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Manager Esquire, I… |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
My memories were fine. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
But there were… I heard something as soon as I removed my shoes. |
|
|
DANTE |
<…Voices, right?> |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Once again, you have witnessed me. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Yes, the voices. So many voices. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Vo… voices…? |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
The voices… of my Family. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
But… the Bloodfiends of La Manchaland are all… |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
That is… indeed, that is correct. But I cannot well explain how—the only way I might explain this is… that it was as though my very own blood remembered them still. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
I recognized some of them. And some were voices of those I once deeply cared for. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
It seems that I was, against my own desire, made to ascend to my Father's seat. Perhaps I always was, ever since then. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
…And I was struck not only by my own thrist, but the combined thirst of every single one of the Children. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Thirst… |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Indeed, I am also bound by that thirst. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
It is only natural. Because I am a Bloodfiend. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Thus the pressure of it all broke my hold of sanity, and… |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
…I… hurt you all. As Don Quixote the Bloodfiend, a higher Kindred… not as Don Quixote, a Sinner and your friend. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Don Quixote, this isn't your fault, it's… |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
No, such words are now meaningless… |
|
|
Hohenheim |
The higher office will now be regularly supplying you with artificial blood packs. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
The blood substitute will be very similar to real blood in terms of composition… and we won't have any issues with supply. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
……. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
I don't suppose you actually believed that mere willpower would be enough to withstand this urge? |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
…I have done quite well suppressing it thus far. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Indeed. And that was precisely the wick attached to the ticking time bomb within the LCB. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Must I remind you that the soundness of this 'limiter' of yours is quite tenuous, as today's events have demonstrated? |
|
|
FAUST |
Is it your implication that the purpose of conducting this reckless experiment was to determine the full extent of the latent danger? |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
I dunno, it seemed like he was in it only to sate his curiosity. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Call it merely the auspice of opportune convenience. This risk factor had to be measured sooner or later—had I known the full extent of the danger she posed, I would have immediately requested a forceful summoning of your department. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Of course, as large as this void of unknowns was, we were able to fill it with much new information. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
……. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Certain analyses can be drawn by comparing the reports regarding Bloodfiends and this very experiment. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Let us discuss the thirst you experienced first, for example—the combined desire of every lower Kindred. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Indeed, it is true. The Manchegan Bloodfiends have been completely eradicated due to the events at La Manchaland. But you still heard the voices of your 'Children', yes? |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
…What are you trying to say? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
I aim to discuss the powerful binding force contained within 'blood'. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
LCD's cooperative report explains that 'blood' is not merely a carrier of nutrients, but something more. That it contains certain abstract values as well. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
We sent in a complaint, that the report was far too vague in its wording, and we received a reply their On-site Investigative Reasoning Team Leader spat out, the contents of which were equally fascinating. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
The desire of their kind… this 'thirst', is something that may as well be imbued and imprinted on the Familial bloodline. Normally, the weight of that thirst is far too heavy for any individual to bear—which is why they propagate. To bear the unbearable burden together. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
…But considering that all of that desire is now focused unto an individual, on account of the extinction of her entire Family line, it is easy to see why her hold to sanity was so easily broken, no matter the strength of her will. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
She alone was made to bear the responsibility, the pressure, the duty… of having to raise the Family once again. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
And because none of those needs are currently met, there comes the endlessly exacerbating thirst, thirst, and more thirst… |
|
|
Hohenheim |
It is quite fascinating to see how your kind preserves these very abstract values in the physical forms of blood. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
The mere words 'thirst' does quite the insufficient job of describing the intensity with which you have lost control. This was my oversight, I must admit. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
……. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
I do respect your efforts to be liberated from your nature, I truly do. But I also maintain that it is highly advisable for you to regularly consume the provided blood packs. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
…Understood. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
But… one day, I wish to dismount form Rocinante… |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
…and walk bare of feet, and feel the earth under my oen skin. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
I was able to establish one positive fact from this exercise, however. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
What might that be…? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
That there are those who would, quite literally, throw their lives on the line to stop you even if you were to take off your shoes. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
In other words, I don't believe it to be necessary for other departments to exercise any separate control over you. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
……. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Well, now that I've had a first-hand account of your conditions, I will write the following in the report. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Still quite unstable… yet, with the effort from the subject herself, and efforts from various other environmental factors… this subject has been deemed sufficiently controllable. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Once again, I do respect your efforts. Or any kind of effort, really. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Because I've never had much use for it myself. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
……. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
My deepest apologies, dearest friends. Forsooth, I shall ever-presevere to see that Rocinante… my shoes… are never to be removed again. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Lass, you're lookin' at it all wrong. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
You're going to remove those shoes one day, yeah? And that's what you're going to presevere towards. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
……. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Verily. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Ah, Manger Esquire. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Perchance, is there aught that thou concealest from my knowledge? |
|
|
DANTE |
<Whu-what do you mean?> |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
……. |
|
|
DANTE |
<I… don't think so?> |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Mm… very well, then. |
|
|
DANTE |
<…….> |
7.5-12: The Hierarchy
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Hohenheim |
Well, now that that’s over and done with, I would like the Sinners to come gather around here. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Now, the regular check-up is complete. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
We finally have enough data to compare your pre-employment statuses to those of your current selves. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Which means…? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Indeed. We were able to measure your pre-employment combat capabilities as well. |
|
|
OUTIS |
Oho… and what are your conclusions? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Allow me to preface this by saying that there isn't much significance in establishing this particular hierarchy of power on a linear scale. Like I said, you are all equally mediocre at the present anyway, and— |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Oh, there’s plenty of significance all right! We’ve all gotta know who’s the big boss! |
|
|
OUTIS |
While this is but a speculation of the worst-case scenario, we must know which one of us has the most right and authority to lead the rest of the Sinners in case our Executive Manager becomes, due to some unknown yet inexorable circumstances, unavailable! |
|
|
DANTE |
<H-hey, that’s…> |
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
I don't listen to anyone weaker than I am. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Hm… What if there was a reason I was the first one asked to introduce himself…? |
|
|
DANTE |
<H-hey, maybe before I lost my memories, even I—> |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Dante, don't. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
It is interesting how every collective has the desire to get the clear picture of the pecking order. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
A negative expression of this desire may even lead to juvenile behaviors among children—for example, stealing their colleague's lunches for meager reasons such as scoring higher than they did on a test. |
|
|
RODION |
You’re not speaking from personal experience, are ya…? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Thus, I believed that trying to conceal the outcome of the tests from you would be quite meaningless. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Each of your placements in that line you are standing in signifies that very order you were so curious to know. I do not wish to waste any more breath on this subject. |
| [The Sinners line up. From left to right: Yi Sang, Sinclair, Ishmael, Heathcliff, Rodion, Hong Lu, Faust, Meursault, Ryōshū, Outis, Don Quixote.] | ||
|
|
YI SANG |
……. |
|
|
YI SANG |
Ahm, hm… |
|
|
YI SANG |
Much did I wish to hold shrouded in my fathoms, yet I yearned still to convey that we are all more than meets the eye. |
|
|
YI SANG |
Yet there remains a certain abundance within my heart… Perhaps the tests of this day paint a picture of both of my qualities. |
|
|
YI SANG |
Thus spoke I, Yi Sang. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Um… Yi Sang… |
|
|
YI SANG |
I will place trust in the faith that all of you shall one day sprout wings as I have. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Yi Sang… it’s the other way around… |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Ah yes. The line was made from my point of view. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
From here, the Sinner wielding that oversized lance is the one at the front of this line. |
|
|
YI SANG |
……. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
Well… you said some cool words, though. We… got this, right? Yi Sang…? |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
……. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
W-well, ‘tis quite the bashful occasion… Ahem… to be the center of such fervent attention of one such company… |
|
|
RODION |
I wouldn’t say ‘fervent’ is the right word… ‘worried’, maybe…? |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
… I shall be vigilant… |
|
|
OUTIS |
On second thought, it appears that it would be best if we left the c…command to… Ishmael, as we have done so far. |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
Forsooth, I am in agreement! I am more partial to roles as a defending Fixer or a squire! ‘Tis oft the case that such side characters enjoyed greater popularity since time immemorial. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Very happy to see this discussion not coming to blows. Now, are we all ready to move on from this? |
|
|
GREGOR |
Wait a minute… |
|
|
GREGOR |
Aren’t we all forgetting something pretty important? |
|
|
RODION |
That's just how the world works, Greg… No one remembers anyone between the first place and the last place. I even forgot my own placement in the order… |
|
|
GREGOR |
No, I mean… |
|
|
GREGOR |
Fellas, I wasn’t even a part of the list. |
|
|
RODION |
Oh, were you not? |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Who cares, mate? There’s twelve of us. Some people just fall out of the radar, big deal. Let’s just get on with it. |
|
|
GREGOR |
H-hey, you can’t just disregard me like swatting away a fly— |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Eh, I'd guess somewhere around my level, probably. Or Heathcliff’s. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Ah, you’re the Sinner with that bizarre insectoid arm. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
We had no choice but to place you in the least favorite category of all researchers. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Exceptions. |
|
|
Marton |
Ugh… |
|
|
Alyssa |
Ughh… |
|
|
YI SANG |
Mmmhhhh… |
|
|
FAUST |
……. |
|
|
DANTE |
<They really hate that, huh.> |
|
|
Hohenheim |
In other words, you are… a unique case that cannot well be placed in a list or a scale. To do so would be irresponsible. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
I’d say you carry a certain potential. |
|
|
GREGOR |
That, uh… potential, is it? Does that mean that I could also be first place if all goes well? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
It could very well be the reverse, given the definition of 'potential'. |
|
|
YI SANG |
Let not this query harrow your mind, Gregor. Your day will come. |
|
|
GREGOR |
Feels funny, getting consoled by the guy who placed last… |
7.5-13: New Classification Codes
| Speaker | Dialogue | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Hohenheim |
Next, we must discuss the classification numbers. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
We have been assigning Risk Levels for Distortions, just as we have for Abnormalities. The observation logs you have written for us were of great help, of course. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
My researchers struggled to… parse the handwriting of certain Sinners, however, but it was good data all the same. |
|
|
Marton |
We once had a three-hour debate over a letter. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Heh… even that bloody governess gave up on trying to fix my handwriting. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
As you must all be well aware, the current system of classification numbers has a rather significant oversight. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Because Abnormalities were creations of the former L Corp., our classification system had to be lifted whole from their system. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
However, the criteria by which the former L. Corp measured the Risk Levels was the amount of their energy production. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
As a correlation of sorts, it was often the case that the more aggressive Abnormalities produced more energy. But their destructive capabilities were not a part of the criteria, despite the correlation. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
That is why certain Abnormalities were assigned relatively lower Risk Levels, despite their potential to kill even multiple higher-ranking employees. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
They were an energy company at the end of the day. It makes sense that their priority would be to measure the energy output. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
However, here, both Abnormalities and Distortions must be suppressed via direct confrontation. Thus, the former L Corp.'s classification system is rather incongruent with our purposes. |
|
|
RODION |
Hm… I once heard someone say that we should be wary of people who drone on and on in the intro… |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Thus, it became necessary for us to re-organize the Distortions' Risk Levels and Classification codes. |
|
|
HONG LU |
Wow, how interesting! So whose job is that going to be? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
I… am rather taken aback by the naiveté with which you ask me that question. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Us. It's us. Sinners without 'the right to refuse', was it? |
|
|
RODION |
Wait a sec~ aren'tcha just offloading your own work onto us? |
|
|
FAUST |
A privilege given to researchers. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
Oi, oi! Don't be so ignorant, yeah? |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
This is all just to… uh… in order to research the Distortions right, we gotta… |
|
|
Hohenheim |
The other way around, assistant. |
|
|
HEATHCLIFF |
… Ah… we've got to do research into Distortions in order to solve them better! It's elementary shite! |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Hohenheim's really got you wrapped around his finger, you know that? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
According to the LCD On-site Investigative Reasoning Team Leader, the progression of a Distortion is much like that of a disease. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
The fate of an Abnormality awaits at the end of the Distortion phenomenon, after all. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
When a Distortion progresses into an Abnormality, all preexisting individuality is erased, replaced with the totality of an Abnormality. |
|
|
FAUST |
Thus, it is impossible to 'bring back' a Distortion that has already transformed into an Abnormality. It will no longer have that reversibility that they once had in the Distortion phase. |
|
|
GREGOR |
So… a Distortion like that Time Ripper fella will eventually become an Abnormality too, if left untouched? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
If you are referring to the subject HE-6-PI-20-01, then yes. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
This is simply a prediction, of course. Because that particular subject isn't contained here, I cannot say with absolute certainty that its progression into an Abnormality will be observed. |
|
|
MEURSAULT |
Mm. A correct assessment. |
|
|
HONG LU |
Oh? Didn't Limbus Company collect the Time Ripper? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
We hoped we would, but T Corp. was very adamant about their claim over the entity, to the point where they refused to even sit at the negotiation table. I found their time-ripping ability quite fascinating, but… sometimes I must know when to cut my losses, I suppose. |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Wait, so that HE-something… is that the new classification code format? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Indeed. Because it is difficult to identify and observe the origin and the shape of a Distortion, we decided to forgo that information and instead replace them with their Sin Affinities and the expected damage scale. |
|
|
FAUST |
Sin Affinities… 'PI' must refer to Pigritia—Sloth. |
|
|
YI SANG |
It appears that the classification now mimics the classification of the Peccatula. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
They do indeed follow the same thought process, if we're being technical here. I wouldn't say it mimics it—it would be more accurate to say that, as the Peccatula are at once the origins of the Distortion phenomena and its byproducts, the affinities can be transferred one-to-one. |
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
What's the 'expected damage scale'? |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Combat capability, I'm guessing. I remember them saying that the Risk Levels were determined based on the Enkephalin production rates, which is not the most meaningful information to us who have to fight them directly. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
It was a tad inconvenient to put a nebulous idea like 'combat capabilities' into a singular, numerical scale of power. Certain entities have idiosyncrasies and variables that may make such a linear measure quite meaningless. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
So, instead, we decided to measure the expected amount of damage that Limbus Company personnel might suffer should they engage these entities in battle. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
While this 'Time Ripper' poses very little threat against the Sinners due to your idiosyncrasies, the unique nature of their weapon means they can immediately deal a nigh-fatal blow to anyone from the LCC Department with a single strike. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
That is why this Distortion was given a rather high expected damage scale of 'six', from a scale of one to ten. Please do note that this is not a perfect system, and these values are there only as references. |
|
|
YI SANG |
Will this standard be applied to Abnormalities as well? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
We have plans to do so, yes. Risk Levels and expected damage scales will be coming before their classification codes. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Speaking of which, I have something to show you all. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
What… is it? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
What else, other than the Monolith? One with the highest potential values among Limbus Company's businesses. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Thus, the development of transportation, management, and the processing methodologies of the Monolith is a glowing achievement indeed. |
|
|
YI SANG |
The artifact, by its very nature, poses a great danger. I hesitate to embrace its use so willingly… |
|
|
Hohenheim |
A great danger? But wouldn't you say that we are beset by danger at all times? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
The arbitrariness in deciding how dangerous something is, comes from the degree to which it poses a risk. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
As you must already know, the Monolith here is a device that can force a Distortion. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
It is scattered throughout the City just like the Golden Bough, at first only in possession of the Fingers and the Syndicates of the Backstreets to now being collected by companies both large and small and nameless… like a plague. |
|
|
Marton |
We also learned that they have become rather high-priority targets for some Wings out there. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
As luck would have it, we managed to begin our research, expedition, and collection of the Monoliths much earlier than the others. Now, we are already at the stage in which we may partake in the processing and the sales of these artifacts, expanding our business ventures. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
You could say that we narrowly avoided the very unsavory fate of having to tussle with the Wings for the possession of these artifacts. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Because we may have had to confront the Wings directly were that the case. |
|
|
DANTE |
<…….> |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
Asking out of pure curiosity here. What would happen if we were ever assigned a City Threat Level? |
|
|
RODION |
Ishy, how 'bout we don't ask questions we don't ever wanna find out the answers to? |
|
|
ISHMAEL |
I mean… what if we, due to some contractual shenanigans, end up going against the Associations? I think it'd be a good thing to know ahead of time, just in case. |
|
|
OUTIS |
… Seems like a question worth entertaining to me. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Let's see. From Canard to Star of the City… I suppose your assignment will be somewhere between Urban Plague and Urban Nightmare. |
|
|
RYŌSHŪ |
Not S.O.T.C.[2] yet, are we? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
It almost sounds as if you want to be given a threat level… hm. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
It is true that you, upon first sight, due to your revival powers and the potential of the Identity technology, may appear to pose a rather troublesome risk. However, you have a very clear and obvious weakness. |
|
|
FAUST |
Indeed. All of our advantages will be moot upon the manager's death. |
|
|
SINCLAIR |
What if we protected them, though…? |
|
|
Hohenheim |
I am impressed by your optimism, given the kinds of enemies you have faced thus far. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
We don't even need to go so far back in time to discuss the incidents with the Fixer Siegfried, or Big Brother Ricardo I read from your reports. Should the third Sinner suddenly seek to attack the manager with her full might… Do you truly believe that the rest of you would be enough to protect them? |
|
|
DON QUIXOTE |
……. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
No. The flow of this world is that the manager will be preserved, that no such thing may come to pass… |
|
|
FAUST |
That's enough, Hohenheim. Any further divulgence, and Faust will open a disciplinary committee to discuss the consequences of your careless words. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
Not there yet, are we? Very well… Whichever is the case, you do have the potential to become a Star of the City threat at some time in the future. But… do remember that it would be best if you could avoid that unfortunate designation. |
|
|
Hohenheim |
And please, don't forget that that is only true so long as you have Limbus Company's backing. |