The Dream Ending

Year: 984 - 12
Episode 1 - Episode 2 - Episode 3 - Episode 4 - Episode 5 - Episode 6 - Episode 7 -
Episode 8 - Episode 9 - Episode 10 - Episode 11 - Episode 12 - Episode 13 - Episode
14 - Episode 15 - Episode 16 - Episode 17 - Episode 18 - Episode 19 - Episode 20 -
Episode 21 - Episode 22 - Episode 23 - Episode 24 - Episode 25 - Episode 26 -
Episode 27 - Episode 28 - Episode 29 - Episode 30 - Episode 31 - Episode 32 -
Episode 33 - Episode 34 - Episode 35 - Episode 36 - Episode 37 - Episode 38 -
Episode 39 - Episode 40 - Episode 41 - Episode 42 - Episode 43 - Episode 44 -
Episode 45 - Episode 46 - Episode 47 - Episode 48 - Episode 49 - Episode 50 -
Episode 51 - Episode 52 - Episode 53 - Episode 54 - Episode 55 - Episode 56 -
Episode 57 - Episode 58
Episode: 1
The night approacheth with great haste;
Yet thou shalt hew open a path, cleaving the shadows in twain,
With the blessings and approval of thy family of which there is no equal,
Challenge and vanquish all things perilous,
And at last—reach true happiness;
Thus how indubitable,
The magnificence with which mine ingenious adventures of to-day shall shine.
Which is... our adventure, as well.
You remember the words, right? A Fixer must maintain a head clear of corruption,
speech free of deceit, and conduct guided by clemency.
Show courage in adventure, and bear pain in suffering.
And pray, forget not the mercy for the downtrodden...
... and last but not least...
... Pursue your dream, even if it means wagering your life in the chase.
Should you ever fail to stand by even one of these tenets...
I’ll smack you guys upside the head myself.
Steel yourself and always, always keep moving forward.
Is that not...
... a threat most unfair?
Location: P Corp. WARP train platform
Don Quixote Manager Esquire... how unfair of thee...!
Dante <…….>
Don Quixote Most unfair, I say...!!!
Dante <What is it this time...?>
Don Quixote For once have I believed that 'twas my time to shine...!!
Don Quixote Much did I wish to be the one to pull off the final flourish in its
deserved splendor...!
Don Quixote 'Twas my chance to mark my name in the newspapersuhuuhhh...!!!
Dante <…….>
Returning to P Corp.'s WARP train Station seemed to always remind Don Quixote of
our last misadventure. She'd repeated that exact same complaint a few times by now.
Don Quixote Hooh...? Wherefore dost thou make an expression of such great dourness,
Manager Esquire...?
Dante <I don't even have an expression, let alone a face...>
Don Quixote How untrue, how untrue! Dost thou not see?
Don Quixote All things blessed with existence has heart! Even the little critters,
and indeed, even the blades of grass which most people bother not to linger even a
fleeting thought upon! Forsooth, an existence of a heart necessitates an
'expression' wouldst thou not say?
Don Quixote That is to say, we mustn't let the strength of the body be the scale
with which we judge one's measure; thus persevere, let only thy unbending heart be
the tool with which thou dispensest justice! Hark, hark!
Heathcliff Ugh... Right, out with it. Who encouraged the lass this time?
Don Quixote Hearken unto me, Manager Esquiiiiiiiiiirrrrreeeehhhh?
Some time ago, in the freight car of the WARP train...
Location: Aboard Mephistopheles, Past
Don Quixote? …….
Dante <D-Don Quixote, hey? Can you hear me? S-say something...>
Don Quixote regards me silently.
... No. That's... some eldritch being, who I can't help but wish is Don Quixote...
gazing at me.
She opens her mouth. My instinct is screaming at me to not listen to her. But...
Don Quixote? …….
Dante <D-Don Quixote...>
Don Quixote? …….
Don Quixote? ... Has the... ... ended?
Dante <…….>
Dante <No...>
Dante <I don't... think it's... ended...>
Don Quixote? ... Is that so.
Don Quixote? Rocinante, to me...
Don Quixote? ... I beseech you.
I don't know if I gave her the right answer.
Though my answer was an almost instinctual relay of a thought that manifested in my
head, Don Quixote closes her eyes upon hearing my reply.
As though drifting away into a gentle, pleasant dream.
And I carefully slip the ragged pair of running shoes she called Rocinante onto her
feet.
And I make a silent wish.
Let her blood-red eyes never, ever open again.
Location: P Corp. WARP train platform Past
Don Quixote …….
Don Quixote …Hm?
Don Quixote Arriv... have we arrived?
Don Quixote Hunnhhh... FIE!!! What devilry is this?! Whither hath the villainous
Bloodfiend gone?
Dante <Don Quixote…>
Don Quixote ... Didst thou strike down the cur?!?!
Location: P Corp. WARP train platform
And, back to present...
Rodion I kinda feel like we all missed out on something cool. Wish I was there
with Faust and Dante when it all went down to see how you guys managed to kill that
guy, y'know?
Outis Let's not leave a certain someone out of the story, hmm? She was there as
well, though she embarrassingly passed out like a coward in front of that
Bloodfiend. The shame of Limbus company, I say.
Ryoshu S.O.L.C. Pathetic...
Heathcliff ... C'mon. We all passed out too, didn't we?
Don Quixote Hnnnnngggghhhh...!
Outis I suppose I should have been there to take the reins of the Sinners.
Sinclair Were you that scared of that Bloodfiend, Don Quixote...? That's okay. I
understand how you feel.
Don Quixote Hooah... A true hero standeth still and calm, unmoving in the face of
such base mockery...!
Ishmael I agree, Rodya. I do feel like we missed out on something big.
Ishmael Because when we got there in the aftermath, all we saw was a very
confused-looking Dante standing over the Bloodfiend's... exploded... melted...
parts.
Dante <Huh? I-I was...? Standing? Confused? Was I?>
Don Quixote Forsooth! Why didst thou not wake me?! I would have even forgiven thee
for slapping my cheeks upside-down—
Sinclair So... what actually happened in there?
Dante <I-I already told you guys earlier, didn't I?>
Ishmael What?
Ishmael You just trailed off with a "That's... uh... Y'know..." until we
changed the subject. What are you talking about?
Outis Executive Manager, perhaps you were in a similar state of explosive delirium
to the one you experienced earlier?! I am referring to the time when your head
burst into flames!
Dante <Oh, n-no, it's, uh...>
Outis began glaring at me warily as though my clock—head—was about to explode at
any moment.
Dante <That... didn't happen.>
Rodion "That didn't happen", huh...?
Rodion Well, if ya won't talk, then~ I turn to Miss Faust, our second
eyewitness! Can I get some statements from you, madam?
Rodya asks confidently, still in the mood to play detective.
Faust Faust does not have any information she deems necessary to share at the
moment.
Rodion Gotcha, then right back to you, witness Dante—
Vergilius Listen up. I have an important announcement to make, so pay close
attention.
... I have no idea if it was a coincidence or not, but...
... Vergilius stepped in at just the right moment to divert the Sinners' away from
me.
Vergilius As you are all well aware, we have been contracted by P Corp to work on
a case here.
Vergilius ... Hm. I suppose we've done this song and dance enough times for you
to know what's coming.
Heathcliff Right, right. I 'spose we'll be havin' a scuffle, song, dance, whatever
the higher-up toffs want with Distortions or Abnormalities or what have you. Did I
get that right?
Don Quixote Aha! And 'tis a quest that leads us to lay claim upon another Golden
Bough in our hands, is it not?!
Don Quixote replies, brimming with excitement.
Vergilius Yes. Well, if the two of you were able to catch on that quick, then I
don't suppose any further elaboration is necessary.
Vergilius However, this operation will be somewhat...
Vergilius ... No, let me correct myself. This operation will be 'drastically'
different from anything you have done so far. It may be one of our most...
bothersome missions.
Ishmael Well... when hasn't it been like that?
Ishmael I guess it would be pretty 'bothersome' to have to tag along with a
group that's two, three times larger than our own, though. But...
Faust The Sinners' intuition appears to be growing sharper by the day.
Ishmael Oh... are we... actually?
Ishmael You know what? I think I'm just going to... keep these guesses to
myself from now on.
Vergilius It's not something that can be negotiated. Well, isn't it better to
join a group three times our size rather than to oppose it?
Outis Will this be a joint operation, then? Who will we be working with?
Gregor Mmm... can't say I have the fondest memories of... joint operations.
Yi Sang Memories of pain, if you will.
Dante <…….>
Our mission at K Corp. was our first and last experience with a 'joint operation'.
Rodion Eugh, I still vividly remember watching Meursault's arm flyin' off,
smacking against a pillar, and squelching onto the floor...
Meursault A more accurate recounting of the event would have included the fact
that my scapula was also forcibly separated from my torso.
Rodion Can't we just keep this between us? The other guys'll just get in our
way and screw everything up...
Outis I can't believe I'm saying this, but... I strongly agree with that one.
Vergilius How presumptuous of you all.
Vergilius You'd do well to remember that you are not the only team coming into
this operation harboring such arrogant thoughts.
Vergilius This contract is, after all, an Open Contract posted by the Hana
Association, the Association overlooking the operations of Fixers—
Vergilius stopped himself, noticing an ominous aura from one of the Sinners.
Don Quixote HAAH—
There stood Don Quixote, practically vibrating with excitement...
Vergilius ... Someone, gag Don Quixote. At your earliest convenience.
Outis Allow me.
Don Quixote Uoogh! Outi—mmph! Mmph!
Vergilius ... Anyway. This means that our colleagues joining this operation won't
be any ragtag bands of Fixers from some alleyway Office no one's ever heard of. It
is very likely that Fixers from somewhat established Associations will be joining
us.
Don Quixote MMMPH!! MMH! MMH! MMH! MMH!
Outis You...! Stop wriggling your lips!
I am so glad that Outis was here to stop Don Quixote from exploding into joy.
Because if she hadn't, we'd be drawing the attention of every single person in a
sizable radius around us.
Heathcliff Right. So what kind of monster are we dealin' with this time?
Ryoshu More than that— How do they want it done?
Sinclair You're talking like some shady Backstreets Fixer...
Vergilius looked up just as Heathcliff asked his question.
Vergilius Further details...
Vergilius ... will be shared by our client, who graces us with her timely
arrival.
Episode: 2
Location: P Corp. WARP train platform
So she's the one we were supposed to meet here at the station...
??? My, my... what an honor this is, to meet the Red Gaze himself in the flesh.
Cesara Everyone, I am pleased to meet you all. I am Cesara, Head Manager of P
Corp. Archival Department.
Outis Archival Department? So you are... bookkeepers, then?
Cesara In a manner of speaking, yes. It is a rather significant department
within P Corp., regardless of how other Wings treat their own archivists.
Gregor If a bigwig like the Head Manager of such an important Department is
here to see us herself, then... boy, I guess we really are putting our names out
there.
Cesara Not an entirely incorrect assessment. I did hear some things about you
and Limbus Company through the word of mouth.
Cesara What was it...? Ah, yes. A medium-sized enterprise with its employees
gladly braving death to see a contract to its end. All just to obtain these...
'Golden Boughs'.
Gregor That's true, I guess, but...
Dante <Hey, she's actually making us sound pretty impressive, huh...?>
Don Quixote For-sooth! I, and my dearest compatriots, have vanquished countless
evils through all kinds of hardships and deadly foes! Braved death, indeed.
The other Sinners were more confused than impressed by her description, but it was
clear from Don Quixote's practically twinkling eyes that she was immensely
infatuated by it.
Vergilius We did receive a brief of this contract.
Vergilius A particularly stubborn Urban Nightmare case, which all kinds of Fixers
have failed to rout despite their repeated attempts.
Cesara Correct.
Vergilius I doubt it is customary for the Head Manager of an entire department to
greet every no-name Fixer Office looking to make a name for themselves.
Cesara Correct again.
Vergilius And seeing how you've gone to the lengths to privately deliver this
particular contract to our hands...
Vergilius ... this isn't a simple Urban Nightmare eradication contract, is it?
Vergilius I sense that your expectations of us extend beyond simply defeating it.
Vergilius There must be a particular task you're expecting us to 'brave death'
for, given your emphasis.
Cesara ... Hm. What an odd feeling. I wasn't going to hide it from you anyway,
but... it feels as though you're reading me like an open book.
We stared in dumbfounded silence as Vergilius effortlessly cut through the hoops to
get to the core of the contract.
Cesara Yes. Your people were quite blunt about this when you contacted us
first. That there's this 'Golden Bough' somewhere near our eradication target.
Cesara My, I was so astonished when I picked up that call. Your people refused
to answer our questions, refused to tell us what those 'Golden Boughs' are,
insisted that we let your people inside the zone to confirm the exact
coordinates... I almost thought it was a prank call or something.
Vergilius I believe we also made you an offer you couldn't refuse.
Cesara ... Haah. I don't know if it's a particularly versatile agent or a very
proactive intelligence department, but your company has some serious intel
gathering capabilities.
Cesara let out a deep sigh and leaned against a wall, her shoulders slumping
slightly.
Ishmael So what exactly are we eradicating this time?
Ishmael Given that we have hopeful Fixers queuing up to join the mission...
what, is an escaped Abnormality wreaking havoc somewhere like last time? Or is it a
Distortion, because if it is—
Cesara wordlessly stared at Ishmael as she began to rapid-fire her list of
questions.
Ishmael Oh, uh... ah, right. Forgot to explain. So Abnormalities and
Distortions are the kind of 'monsters' that may look similar at first glance—
Cesara ... If only our problem was just another monster to deal with.
Something had caught my eye immediately after we arrived at this place.
Dante <The missing persons flyers...>
Countless flyers, each in search of a different person, were taped to the pillars
inside the station.
Looks like people of P Corp. are randomly going missing in no discernible age or
gender patterns.
Cesara, realizing that we were staring at the wall of missing person flyers, began.
Cesara As you can see, the flyers are all old, faded, and tattered to the
point where the papers are starting to peel off.
Cesara ... Which means that none of them have returned home safely.
Outis …….
Outis So we're not dealing with an entity, then...
Outis ... It is a phenomenon.
Cesara The land where the happiest smiles bloom.
Cesara The 'amusement park' of fables and legends, La Manchaland.
Sinclair La Manchaland...
Cesara More than several dozen people have been reported missing. But the real
number is likely much higher.
Cesara Most of the guests who visited La Manchaland, which mysteriously
materialized two months ago at the Backstreets of P Corp... are still trapped
within.
Don Quixote They have gone 'missing', thou sayest? Yet how can that be? 'Tis
against the nature of amusement parks to be so full of horror, not joy...!
Cesara I simply did not have enough manpower under my authority to deal with
this. It was designated an Urban Plague three days after its first appearance, and
now it's been escalated to an Urban Nightmare.
Vergilius Curious. If it is a mere Urban Nightmare, not even a Star of the City,
then shouldn't P Corp. be able to easily handle this on its own?
Cesara Mm... that's the thing. The other departments aren't really interested
in this phenomenon, which means that the Martial Department won't be sending their
elite employees to handle this case.
Don Quixote Wha— Yet wherefore? Wherefore doth P Corp. not deploy their elite
forces to swiftly vanquish this risk to the lives of the innocent?!
Don Quixote was now completely and emotionally invested in this gripping tale of
tragedy that our client was sharing.
... Cesara seemed to be enjoying Don Quixote's excessive, almost theatrical
reaction.
Cesara Because the phenomenon only affects the Backstreets.
Cesara Imagine if it happened somewhere within the Nest; squadrons of elite
agents from the Compression Department would've descended the moment it manifested.
Vergilius That's enough beating around the bush, Head Manager Cesara. What more
are you hiding?
Vergilius It would've been a walk in the park for someone of your status and
station to requisition agents from a different department.
Vergilius So, explain. Why did you really go through the trouble of hiring Limbus
Company?
Cesara Yes, yes. My, you really are unrelenting.
Cesara Fine. I confess. The goal of our department...
Cesara ... isn't the eradication of La Manchaland.
Dante <... Huh?>
Cesara Now, you will soon be heading into La Manchaland with the other Fixers.
Cesara A piece of advice, if you will; do not let the other Fixers know that
you are here to find the Golden Bough.
Cesara If they were to somehow find out that there is this mysterious artifact
called the 'Golden Bough' hidden somewhere within that zone...
Cesara ... it could start attracting unwanted attention from Fixers who
consider it a bounty separate from the eradication reward. No need to stir the pot,
hm?
Cesara And I'm sure you are all savvy enough to know that it would be wise to
keep quiet about the true objective of our department... if you know what I mean.
Ishmael I hear you loud and clear. Let's keep this hush-hush between P Corp.
and Limbus Company, we both get what we want, and we can go our separate ways once
this business is over. No fuss, no muss. Did I get that right?
Cesara That's a pretty good summary.
Outis Who do you think we are? I can tell you right now that, when it comes to
OPSEC—
Outis ... some of us might fall slightly behind.
Vergilius It's about time we got to the point. We're only attracting more
unwanted eyes by lingering here.
Cesara ... That's true.
Cesara Here is your mission. Enter La Manchaland. Find the thing—or someone—
that created La Manchaland, and bring it to me.
Outis Or someone...?
Meursault "The thing—or someone" is too insufficient a description. We do not
even know if what we seek is made of organic or inorganic material.
Sinclair So why do you need the... thing... person... who created La Manchaland?
Shouldn't eradicating it be enough?
Cesara ... Hah.
Cesara's eyes twinkled for a brief moment as they lingered on Sinclair.
Sinclair D-did I say something wrong...?
Cesara I don't know. I suppose I was flabbergasted by your boldness of daring
to ask a question like that.
Cesara Notice how I'm not asking you why you're looking for the Golden Boughs?
Sinclair Ahh...
Cesara Well, it's not like a big secret or anything.
Cesara If you really do want to know, here it is. I just want whoever, or
whatever it is behind this case to be held responsible for the damages they've
caused.
Don Quixote Mm, forsooth! A villain who hath committed such wicked atrocity
deserveth a punishment most fitting!
Cesara And as a little bonus, I get to put some achievements under my belt to
give my department a little push to rise above the others. I could use some
promotion right about now, you know.
Dante <…….>
Outis ... I suppose it doesn't matter whether we accept your proposition or not.
You must have already reached an agreement with the top brass of our company.
Heathcliff ... Right. But what if, after kickin' the phenomenon's arse, we don't
bother bringin' in the bloke who made that bizarre amusement park?
Heathcliff What'll you do then?
Heathcliff spoke crassly, but it was a reasonable question.
After all, there was also a chance that we could *fail* to bring the culprit here,
even if we wanted to.
Cesara Well, then I suppose we'll start looking into what these 'Golden
Boughs' are, even if we won't get our hands on them immediately.
Outis Hah. So you'll start getting in our way if we don't bring you what you want,
is that it?
Cesara It would be a rather unnecessary and cost-ineffective research
investment, of course, but you just might force our hand if you don't do as we
requested.
Cesara Besides... While La Manchaland is only an Urban Nightmare at the
moment, its threat level is rising exponentially. This means that more and more
people in the City are beginning to catch wind of this case.
Cesara Numerous Fixers from all over the City are gathering here at this very
moment to eradicate La Manchaland, to demonstrate my point.
Ishmael So, you're saying that we're not your only option.
Cesara Mhm, who doesn't love fame and fortune? We could always get a truckload
of willing participants if we wanted to.
Cesara Oh, and maybe, just maybe, some Fixers among them may find themselves
becoming particularly interested in these Golden Boughs. I swear, these precious
artifacts must have a particular smell that attracts Fixers like bees to honey.
Ishmael ... Got it. You want this mission taken care of before the phenomenon
attracts too much attention.
Cesara Oh, you're cutting right through the fluff again!
Cesara Anyways, you got that right. Isn't it so fortunate how we both seem to
be under the impression that what each of us is looking for won't be of much use to
the other? For now, at least?
Cesara I suppose that is why you're keeping the nature of those Golden Boughs
discreet, and that is why we're keeping it on the down low about what created La
Manchaland.
Ryoshu Agreed. The more eyes observe an info, the less value it has. Like run-
of-the-mill mass-produced products.
Rodion Haah... of course it's all work talk. I got excited for a sec thinkin'
we were about to get some nice souvenirs.
Cesara We have very high expectations for every single one of you.
Cesara After all, you're all willing to die for this, aren't you?
Dante <She keeps saying that...>
This is what every single one of our contracts has been like.
Our stability and safety go out the window the moment a mission begins in earnest.
We share nothing but our cold goals and objectives, not exchanging anything deeper
than the shallowest transactions.
I'd grown to accept this as an inevitability, but...
... I do know that this is... probably not the right way.
Don Quixote AHEM!
Amidst the dull and resigned eyes of the other Sinners, Don Quixote's eyes alone
burned with passionate fire.
Don Quixote Thou mayest put thy faith in us, Head Manager Cesara!
Don Quixote I, Don Quixote, and my compatriots here at Limbus Company shall put an
end to the terrible reign of this 'La Manchaland', and rescue every single victim
it hath claimed!
Don Quixote And mark my words; we shall pinch this vile rascal who created La
Manchaland by the collar and present them before thee! Prithee, smite them with the
hammer of justice in everyone's stead.
Cesara My, my...! You certainly know how to inspire confidence. That's more
than I could say for the vast majority of Fixers I've known!
Don Quixote Sniff... I, Don Quixote, shall battle valiantly and honorably; thus
shall my name be forever etched in the halls of P Corp....!
Don Quixote was bouncing up and down like she was prepared to stand at Cesara's
beck and call.
Heathcliff Please stop...
Outis This woman certainly wasted no time figuring out how to turn her into putty
in her hands...
Heathcliff It really ain't that difficult to see how the lass works, to be fair...
Cesara Well, then! Shall we get a move on?
Don Quixote Let us depart! Lead the way, Lady Cesara!
Cesara Oh, I'm sorry. Sadly, I can't go there with you.
Cesara Please head to the location marked on this piece of paper.
Don Quixote Yet wherefore?! A journey on thy lonesome shall be so dreary, no?
Ishmael Isn't it obvious? If we show up at the Fixers' gathering with the Head
Manager of a whole department in tow, we'll attract more eyes than superstars on a
red carpet.
Rodion Yep. I'm sure they'll sniff out our connection to P Corp. at a
glance...
Don Quixote Yet... are not stars of... super variety a good goal to strive for?
Gregor Don Quixote... this might come as news to you, but sometimes words can
mean more than one thing at a time...
Cesara Here's a pass that'll let you move freely between the Backstreets and
the Nest of P Corp. Do note that it's a work visa, however, so it won't last
forever.
Sinclair Hmm... If they can just hand out something so important this easily, I
can't imagine why her department won't be able to handle it themselves...
Sinclair was still quietly suspicious, but that small doubt was practically buried
in the brief commotion that followed as Sinners gathered in front of Cesara to
receive their visa.
Episode: 3
Location: Backstreets of P Corp., Outside the Tent
Cesara's directions led us to an empty lot in the Backstreets.
Heathcliff ... The hell is this now?
Heathcliff This ain't like the tight alleyways of the Backstreets I know. What's
this huge empty lot doin' here?
Rodion Right? Weird, it's rare to see this much real estate go unused in the
Backstreets.
Sinclair There are a bunch of banners hanging by the buildings for some reason,
too.
Vergilius Miss Faust and I will converse with the person in charge. The rest of
you, assess the situation in the meantime.
Vergilius Don't start any troub...
Vergilius ... Don't start too much trouble until we return.
Don Quixote Thou mayest place thy faith in us!
... He's given up on the slim hope that we won't be getting into any trouble
without him.
Gregor Well, let's see what we're working with here...
The empty lot was surrounded by all kinds of warning signs and perimeter tapes,
deterring anyone from haphazardly wandering inside...
... And when we reached out to grab the tapes to duck under them...
??? Dude, hey! Dude!!!
... a voice rang out, stopping us in our tracks.
Sinclair Yeah? ... I mean, what?
Overdramatic Fixer Alright, I'll be nice since it doesn't seem like you guys
know what you just walked into. This place is off-limits, okay? Off-limits!
Overdramatic Fixer Fixers only, like me and the rest of the people gathered
here, yeah? F-I-X-E-R-S. Civvies aren't allowed on the operation grounds! Jeez,
these P Corp. folks sure are sloppy with their perimeter job.
Sinclair Wait, why did you look at me when you said that? Why—
Don Quixote Ooh, thou art concerned for our safety? No worries, good man! No
worries!
Don Quixote Fixers we may not be, but the daring heart of justice that burns within
thee is just as bright in our own! Forsooth, we are prepared to brave death to see
it!
Don Quixote confidently leaps over the warning tape and scampers into the empty
lot.
Overdramatic Fixer H-hey...! Do you have any idea what you're walking into—
Don Quixote Hark! We arrive here on a contract, just as you! The contract for the
eradication of La Manchaland!
Crowd of Fixers …….
I could practically hear everyone in the empty lot turning around to look at us.
The looks on their eyes could hardly be described as friendly; in fact, their alarm
at our arrival was palpable.
That's when one of the Fixers, wielding a massive weapon, strode in our direction.
Intimidating Fixer You're here for the hunt? You twerps?
Overdramatic Fixer Uh... uhm... Oh, oh man! Silly me, I forgot to do
maintenance for my weapons. I don't have time for this! I guess I'll, uh, go take
care of that now! Bye!
The obnoxious guy, who was clearly way in over his head, hurried away when the
giant of a Fixer stomped his way into the conversation...
... and the other Fixers shook their heads as though they knew what was about to
happen.
Intimidating Fixer You're clearly not Fixers from an Association, obviously
not anyone from an Office of even passing renown...
Intimidating Fixer How many more of these small-time freeloaders are we going
to take on? Accept any more of them, and we'd end up having to split an Ahn of that
reward money between us.
Heathcliff ... We're already gettin' these bloody tossers rearin' for a fight, eh?
Don Quixote Emblems on their garbs patently say "Fanghunt Office", yet... to hunt
fangs has to mean...
Intimidating Fixer You even seen one of 'em in person before?
Don Quixote Prithee, seen what?
Intimidating Fixer Bloodfiends.
Ishmael Bloodfiends? Wait, we're dealing with Bloodfiends in this contract?
Meursault We were not informed of any Bloodfiend involvement in this contract.
Intimidating Fixer Would you look at that. Know-nothing amateurs, all of 'em.
Intimidating Fixer It makes my blood boil to watch idiots like you rushing to
nab a contract just for the promise of some cash and fame. Not only do you get in
the way of the hunt, but you also really spoil the fun out of this activity.
Rodion Say, what? What's so wrong with keeping your eye on the money?
Sinclair Rodya, I don't think they're here just for the contract reward...
Outis Hm, yes. This case seems to hold a special meaning to them. Fools driven by
their creed are much more troublesome to deal with than simpletons motivated by
money.
Bloodfiend Hunter I refuse to take part in an operation alongside these idiots who
don't even know what it's like to deal with Bloodfiends.
Ryoshu S.T.F.U.
Bloodfiend Hunter As much as I would like to avoid entertaining you amateurs, I'll
admit that curiosity has gotten the better of me. What did she just say to me?
Sinclair Shut the fuck up, you arrogant son of—!
Ryoshu ... It was "Shut that flaphole, ugly".
Sinclair Oh...!
Hong Lu Looks like you let a bit of your personal feelings bleed into that
interpretation~
Ryoshu But yours wasn't half bad. Heh.
Sinclair A-anyways! This isn't our first Bloodfiend contract, you know? It may
not be much, but we've dealt with them before! W-we don't deserve to get talked
down to by you like that! Not one of us!
Sinclair …….
Sinclair ... At least when it comes to fighting...
Rodion Great comeback, but I'm docking a few points for that hesitation
there...
Bloodfiend Hunter So this ain't your first rodeo, eh? Then show me what you've got.
Let's see if you're all talk or if you're 'real hunters' ready for the real deal.
Heathcliff Wha— Haah... Mate, are we really doin' this? Here? Before we even set
foot in there? I'm tellin' you, we've got permits and everything!
Bloodfiend Hunter Don't be a baby. I'll hurt you just enough to send you home
crying. Will a broken arm and a leg convince you?
Bloodfiend Hunter You'll thank us on your train home. I'd say an arm and a leg are
much more acceptable losses than getting your blood brutally drained by a
Bloodfiend.
Episode: 4
Location: Backstreets of P Corp., Outside the Tent
Bloodfiend Hunter Your... transformations... I must say, I haven't seen anything
like it before.
Heathcliff That enough demonstration for you, you twit?
Bloodfiend Hunter ... Fine. I'll admit, you've got some skill.
??? Ooh, they're not half bad! We always welcome cooperation with fellow Fixers
who can carry their own weight.
Romero Hey, I recognize you. I saw you guys busily chatting away back at the
WARP train platform. My name's Romero, by the way.
Outis You just sat there and watched as your men were out here fighting?
Romero Yeah, but the fight was already underway when I got here. And I doubt I
would've been able to talk them out of it. Besides, I had a feeling that you guys
could hold your own against my men.
Romero So please allow me to ask for your understanding. They're not bad
people; they're just on edge. Anyone would be after what they've gone through in
their struggles against the Bloodfiends.
Yi Sang You have my understanding. Hunting entities such as those who lie
beyond the ken must plant seeds of doubt in many a heart of men.
Romero Right. And I do agree with them, at least partially. The bar set by P
Corp. and the Hana Association for Fixers participating in this contract is...
shockingly low and indiscriminate.
Romero If it were up to me, I would've set a more strict set of conditions.
His friendly smile faltered slightly as he gestured around the empty lot.
Romero Look around, over there by the command tent. Just one look at who we're
working with, and I'm sure it'll become plenty clear that they don't know what
they're walking into. They should've hired only the professionals to take on this
contract.
Dante <Around the command tent...?>
We all simultaneously turned to look at the large, noisy tent.
??? Wow. Chat, is this for real? There was a huge brawl by the entrance! It's
real amateur hour out here, guys. Can you believe that I gotta stand shoulder-to-
shoulder with these idiots for the contract...?
Outis What... the hell is he doing?
In the distance, we saw some guy running his mouth and striking several
exaggerated, dramatic poses at a tiny device—most likely a camera of sorts.
... I... no, we have all had experience with someone like him in the past.
Dante <That guy reminds me of a certain someone...>
Ishmael ... He's taking pics like that guy, Siegfried.
He ran around for a while, visiting every corner of the empty lot, trying to get
every detail in the frame...
... and suddenly started striding toward us in an annoyed gait.
??? Hello, yes, you guys over there!
Don Quixote H-hast thou called upon us?!
??? Do you mind loitering around somewhere else? Shoo, you're getting in the way
of my viewers, guys.
Ishmael But... you're literally in our way. Guy.
He whipped his attention back to the camera as though he was pretending not to hear
what Ishmael said, or as if he decided that her words weren't worth entertaining.
??? Oh, you wanna know where I am? Hold onto your seats, guys. I'm at the
Backstreets of District 16. Yep, where P Corp. is!
??? Oh yeah. Remember the P Corp. 150 Vintage Semi-permanent Canned Ice Cream
unboxing & review livestream? Yep, the very same. Unfortunately, I'm not here to
eat ice cream today.
Gregor So I've been meaning to ask... who's that fella even talking to? The
heck's he doing?
Sinclair I think he's talking to his 'viewers' who are watching his show...
Meursault It appears that he is the host of a certain show. It has been reported
that, in certain parts of the City, a new culture of "livestreaming" via those
cameras has been on the rise.
Rodion What a rude piece of work. Don't let him get ya down, kiddo~
Don Quixote What... what a...
Rodion H-huh...?
Don Quixote Sob... what a glorious day it is...
Don Quixote Behold! This man is Sir Camille of Cinq Association West, his name
honored as one of the 'Top Ten Up-and-coming New Generation Fixers' featured in the
October issue of 'Fixers Monthly', one of the big three Fixer Magazines of the
City!
Ishmael I know we say this every single time, but most people don't know what—
Haah, nevermind.
Don Quixote How?! Have ye not hearken'd when I shared this news of grave
significance aboard the bus?! Hath none of you heeded mine words!?
Heathcliff Are you mad? Why would I listen to you when I can nap instead?
Yi Sang Such haranguing over a winding path... is oft a cause for sickness on
the road, Miss Don Quixote.
The grumbling Sinners clearly existed outside Don Quixote's world; she was
breathing very heavily, a look of admiration clear on her face.
Don Quixote Heeugh... I for one did not imagine even in mine wildest dreams that I
should be shaking hands with Sir Camille in person...
... Of course, no one 'shook hands' or exchanged the simplest pleasantries with
Camille just yet.
Episode: 5
Location: Backstreets of P Corp., Outside the Tent
??? So embarrassing... Do you really have to clown around with that thing while
on a mission?
Camille Wow! Hey chat, look! Allow me to introduce you all to Paula from the
Zwei Association. She'll be my sidekick in this mission.
Paula Listen, I'm not your sidekick—
Camille As you can probably tell from her outfit, she's a Fixer from the west,
just like myself.
Camille The Association sometimes sticks me with sidekicks like her against my
will for some contracts. A joint operation, you know? Hm? Oh yeah, totally. I know
I really shine when I work alone~ But what can I do? Gotta do what the higher-ups
tell me to do. You get it, right~?
Camille Well, why don't you say hello to my dear fans anyway, Miss Paula?
Paula …….
Don Quixote Oooh...! A collaboration of the Cinq and the Zwei, two formidable
forces together as one...!
I think she's tearing up...
Don Quixote What... great... glorious... grand... blood-pumping feeling this is...!
My heart pounds madly, as though its explosion nigh...!
Don Quixote The great figures I had previously seen only through recordings,
through books, through figurines... are here before me in the flesh...! Conversing,
ambling, right before mine eyes...!
Dante <Do you know most of the Fixers here then, Don Quixote?>
Don Quixote If a Fixer hath been featured in one of the magazines I am subscribed
to, then verily! Heh heh heh.
... Right. If that's the case... and if everyone here really are all Fixers...
... then she probably knows who that person is too, right? That person who's been
staring daggers at us this whole time.
Dante <Then... who are they over there? That group of Fixers who's been staring at
us for a while.>
Don Quixote Ah, allow me to observe!
Don Quixote Hath our reputation already preceded us?! To be recognized by mere
sight... Muahaha, 'tis a joyous conundrum, indeed! Eheh, 'tis precisely why I had
said that I must graciously bow out from that special feature on the front page of
a newspaper!
Don Quixote Umm...
Don Quixote Uhmmm...
Don Quixote Hmm...?
Don Quixote Hm, I may have a few gaps in my knowledge. 'Tis probable that they are
from a small, upstart Office that hath only recently registered itself. But 'tis
clear from the fashion in which they are garbed that they hail from the east...
Hong Lu What a relief.
Hong Lu Conveniently, I recognize who they are.
Don Quixote Hoyday?!?! Thou recognizest a Fixer whom I do not? For truth?!
Don Quixote stares at Hong Lu in utter disbelief.
Gregor ... Meursault. C'mon, man. Don't look back at them.
Meursault We have been looking at each other for a while. There is no reason for
me to avert my eyes.
Gregor My man, that's what most people call a staring contest, and it's rude.
So let's just—
Sinclair Uhh, they're all walking toward us. S-should we wave at them or
something?
Gregor Crap. Then, uh... yeah, let's stare right back at them again. Let's at
least not come off like we're scared of 'em. Yeah. Confidence.
Dante <You know they're within hearing distance, right...?>
Sinclair Yep, they're right in front of us...
Heathcliff Bloody hell, don't look away, lad! Eyeball 'em right back, we don't
wanna get caught unawares if we're about to get into fisticuffs. Oi, lass! Have you
got business with us or what?
Heathcliff Huh? What's with that grin on your face?
Hong Lu Ha ha, I didn't know I'd be introducing her to everyone so soon...
Hong Lu Please say hello...
Hong Lu ... to my little sister, Jia Xichun.
Dante <Little sister?>
Ishmael Little sister?
Hong Lu I almost didn't recognize you. Last I remember, you were only up to my
knees in height.
Jia Xichun That's because I was a child the last time you saw me.
Jia Xichun And here I was, wondering what kind of impressive shenanigans you were
preparing for since you left home...
Jia Xichun This is it? Is this all you've managed to build of your own faction?
Hong Lu Ha ha, they're not my 'faction', Xichun. Come on, let me introduce you
to them. I'll start here: this is Mr. Gregor. Say hello~
Gregor Y-yo...
Rodion Pfft, don't be shy! My name's Ro—
Jia Xichun Forget it. I don't have time for this.
Jia Xichun gave us a side-eye before dismissively cutting us off.
Gregor Welp...
Hong Lu ... Okay. Oh! Hey, you've not only grown in height, Xichun...
Hong Lu ... I see that your circle of friends has been growing too, just like
mine. Are they new?
To call them 'friends' was a very optimistic assessment on Hong Lu's part.
Because...
The people who accompanied Jia Xichun were all threateningly sizing us up like they
were getting ready for a fight.
Jia Xichun You don't really think they're my 'friends', do you?
Jia Xichun I'm still far behind my older siblings, anyway.
Hong Lu ... Mhm, I see.
Jia Xichun Do you know that some of us are still out here, looking for you?
Hong Lu I do. Oh, that reminds me... I ran into Jia Huan earlier and had a
quick chat with him.
Jia Xichun Huh, and you're still in one piece after a run-in with that asshole?
Still lucky as always, huh?
I think back to the time we first met this... Jia Huan.
His venomous words. That contemptuous look he gave us as we lay there dying. It
seems that moment was embellished into a pleasant 'quick chat' in Hong Lu's memory.
... Either that, or that interaction was what counts as a 'quick chat' for Hong Lu.
Hong Lu Xichun, I overheard that this is a pretty dangerous place. People have
been going missing around here. Why don't you and your friends go find somewhere
safe to take refuge in?
Jia Xichun Ha ha ha... I still can't tell if you're trying to be funny, or if
you're genuinely worried for me.
Jia Xichun Listen, my naive brother. I got here first, okay? Earlier than you and
your 'faction'... I mean, your second-rate minions.
Jia Xichun Is this making sense to you? I'm here to take part in the eradication
of La Manchaland. I'm pretty sure I have better intel on this place than you do.
Hong Lu You are...? But why would you take part in something like this? It's
not like you need the reward money, right?
Jia Xichun Yeah, you don't say. And I doubt you're in it for some pocket money,
either.
Rodion Pocket money, huh... Sure, whatever. 'Pocket money'...
Hong Lu Oh, then is it... Ah, nevermind. I don't think you or Mister Wei are
going to answer that question anyway.
Hong Lu's eyes momentarily diverted from his younger sister to her posse.
There stood a long-haired man, who looked toward Jia Xichun as though he was asking
for her permission, then...
... walked toward us and bowed deeply and politely toward Hong Lu.
Wei ... It has been a while, young master.
Hong Lu Wow~ It's been so long, Mister Wei! Still escorting Xichun, I see?
Wei Yes, I am still in her service, despite my shortcomings.
Hong Lu Hm... I'm worried that it might be too dangerous in there...
Hong Lu Aha! Why don't you tag along with us, Xichun? Let's do this together.
Wei Young master... I see that you are still yourself.
Jia Xichun Forget that. Why don't you mind your own business, and we go our
separate ways?
Jia Xichun I can see that you and your friends have some real talent for
attracting attention... but I prefer to keep things discreet.
Jia Xichun And I'd prefer it if you didn't embarrass me in there by talking to me
or something.
Hong Lu Okay. If that's... what you want, Xichun.
Jia Xichun ... I thought you'd have gotten better after all this time, brother. At
least better than you were the last time we met.
Hong Lu I see. I suppose I haven't improved at all in your eyes.
Jia Xichun You should consider yourself lucky that it's me who you ran into. If it
was one of our other older siblings, your pretty head would already be rolling in
the dirt.
Hong Lu Mmhm, thank you. I appreciate that.
Jia Xichun …….
Jia Xichun scowled and opened her lips as though she was about to shoot something
back... but she thought better of it, turned around, and left with her posse.
Gregor Well... They say it's rarer to see a happy family than it is to see an
unhappy one.
Heathcliff ... Don't look at me. I never considered that dog my family.
Gregor N-no. Bud, that's not what I—
Ryoshu What are you looking at? Do you expect me to back you up or something?
Gregor Oh, man...
Hong Lu Just like old times.
Rodion Huh, so she was always that spiteful?
Hong Lu Spiteful? No, no. Xichun has always been, and still is, my most
amicable sibling.
Yi Sang Mmm... I must ask, for I have cause to believe that I may have
misheard. 'Still is', was it?
Hong Lu Yes.
Yi Sang Hmmh... That was...? Mmm.
Yi Sang's expression grew into a complicated mess of emotions as he looked to the
ground, unable to speak further.
Sinclair Uh... looks like they're holding some kind of meeting in there.
Sinclair We should probably join them.
I looked to where Sinclair was pointing at, and saw a line of Fixers walking into
what appeared to be a makeshift command tent.
Dante <... Yeah, we should.>
Episode: 6
Location: Makeshift Command Tent
Dante <Hm? Who are those people accompanying Vergilius and Charon?>
Rodion Damn, not even a wave back, huh?
No, this wasn't about Vergilius...
Don Quixote Hoooagh... Hooah...!
Don Quixote, who stood next to me, was very gradually starting to hyperventilate.
Dante <You... you okay, Don Quixote?>
Meursault The gradual acceleration of her breathing patterns was first observed
ten minutes ago. I did not report it, as it posed no real risk to her health and
well-being.
Ryoshu I know a good way of dealing with a case of hyperventilation.
Ryōshū regarded at me with a look that clearly and concisely communicated that she
wanted to choke out Don Quixote. I tried my best to look away.
Don Quixote HA... HAA...
Don Quixote HAAA... HA... HAAAGGHHHHH...
Ryoshu Haah....
Ishmael sighed and stepped forward, sensing that Ryōshū was about to do something
we would rather not have her do.
Ishmael Sigh, I can tell you what's going on. That Fixer's from the Hana
Association.
Dante <Uhh, the 'Hana Association' is the one that's overseeing all Fixer
Association activities, right?>
I guess all the times Don Quixote went on impromptu Fixer-related lectures weren't
all for naught.
I never paid much attention to it, but once you hear something enough times...
those lectures just have a way of lodging themselves into your brain.
Muttering Fixer A Fixer from the Hana Association...?
That name alone clearly carried a lot of weight among other Fixers. As the Hana
Association Fixer, dressed in pure white, walked into the room, they all slowly
turned around to gaze upon her.
And...
Amazed Fixer The Red Gaze, too...?
Amazed Fixer Holy crap, a Color Fixer? Here...?
Rodion Hey... looks like we've got another superstar here...
Vergilius, who we'd somehow grown used to seeing after such a long period of
traveling together, was commanding the attention of everyone in the room merely by
his presence.
That reminds me. I heard that Don Quixote was overwhelmed by sheer excitement when
she saw Vergilius on the bus. I'm pretty sure she was on the verge of passing out
from the sheer joy of getting to work next to a Color Fixer.
Ishmael I guess this was to be expected. Vergilius is one of the very few
Fixers who has the honor of getting bestowed with the title of a Color.
Camille Chat, are you seeing this? Crazy, right? Look, that's none other than
the Color Fixer Red Gaze himself, in the flesh. This is no mere backwaters,
Backstreets operation we're talking about.
Camille Remember my pregame stream? I told you guys that this had to be more
than an Urban Nightmare! Oh, you're worried about me? Guys. Listen. All I need is
your support to...
Outis Tsk, tsk... youngsters these days...
Between Camille's nonstop jabbering and Outis' tongue clicking in even, 3-second
intervals, I wasn't sure which one of the two was more annoying.
... Thankfully, we weren't the only ones getting increasingly tired of Camille's
antics.
??? From this point onward, any recording activity, save for official work-
related recordings with prior authorization from the Hana Association, will no
longer be permitted.
??? Should you be caught in violation of this decree, the Fixer Association will
be levying penalty points to your name. And we who are gathered here must be well
aware of the consequences of accumulating too many penalty points. Fixer License
suspension, grade demotion...
Camille Well, chat... seems like it's the curtain call for tonight's show. I'll
give them a valorous, noble fight, and I'll see you guys next time. Oh, and don't
forget about casting your votes for the 'Fixer I want to have dinner with' contest.
It closes at midnight!
The Hana Fixer's cold declaration fell upon Camille and the Fixers inside the
command tent like a heavy layer of snow. They all begin hurriedly fidgeting with
their devices, trying to put them back in their respective cases and bags.
With that, the commotion inside the tent rapidly simmered down.
Ishmael Serves them right.
??? You there. That woman with... an apparently dislocated jaw... appears to be a
part of your group. Is she alright?
The Fixer from the Hana Association asks in our direction, glancing at Don Quixote.
Vergilius ... Don't mind her. It's easier that way.
Soon, a P Corp. employee walked out in front of the Fixers.
??? Right. Round four against La Manchaland, huh?
??? I am very glad to be here. Happy to see you all.
For someone who's very happy to see us... he didn't so much as glance up in our
direction.
Alessio I am a Class 3 Documentation Staff Manager at P Corp. Archival
Department. My name is Alessio.
Alessio And she is...
Han-ul Han-ul.
Sinclair So... Head Manager Cesara isn't here to brief us herself.
Outis Not willing to dirty her boots by coming all the way out here, I see.
Alessio Right, then. Let's get on with the briefing, shall we?
As we were all standing here and sharing our predictions, the employee, who
introduced himself as Alessio, started loading up various images on the monitor.
Heathcliff Yaaaaawn... Mate, do we really gotta go through all this bureaucracy?
Yi Sang T-the briefing is yet to even commence, however...
Heathcliff lets out a loud, exaggerated yawn. The reproachful glares of other
Fixers were so palpable that I could almost feel them prickling at my skin...
Ishmael Can we pretend we don't know him...?
Dante <Huh, it makes me feel like I'm something of a Fixer myself, sitting here
with all these people...>
Outis Heh. Executive Manager, I have been a leader of numerous operations that
would dwarf this little skirmish—
Dante <Numerous...?>
I wanted to hear more about her story, but the mission briefing was actually
getting started; I decided to table my curiosity until later.
Alessio La Manchaland, which will manifest here within the next three hours, is
an officially-recognized Urban Nightmare class phenomenon. Dozens of Fixers have
attempted and failed to take it down.
Alessio ... We will now hold a moment of silence for its victims.
Don Quixote immediately cast her gaze downward with a graven expression, but... I
could count with my ten fingers the number of people who seemed to be taking it
even remotely seriously.
Some Fixers muttered amongst themselves that the victims were just fools who were
in over their heads.
Even I, with my endless naïveté, could tell that none of the Fixers really
considered them 'victims'.
A light buzz of murmurs and idle chatter fills the silence, a look of boredom clear
on the Fixers' face as though they've heard it all before.
Alessio Now, if I may direct your attention to this screen.
Several low-resolution images began to load on the display.
Alessio It is speculated that the origin of La Manchaland dates back two-
hundred years in the past, by a conservative estimation.
Alessio This has been determined based on photographic evidence, and the level
of decay of the buildings and materials retrieved and analyzed from the phenomenon.
Alessio However, La Manchaland was largely unknown and invisible to the public
until two months ago. And the raw material that makes up this 'amusement park' is—
Muttering Fixer Tsk, we know all this already. Just get on with it.
Alessio Ah, mm... P Corp. has the responsibility to share sufficient
information to all participants of this mission.
Muttering Fixer And like I said, we all have more than sufficient information,
got that?! Let's stop wasting time and—
Han-ul You seem to be under a rather severe misconception.
Han-ul Of course, I'm sure some of my present company are consummate
professionals with the skill and grit most people wouldn't dare scoff at.
Muttering Fixer Heh...
Outis Heh...
Han-ul But the truth is, most of you are... fodder. Common as muck, painfully
average, garden variety, bargain bin Fixers who are most likely going to meet their
dirt-filled miserable ends while stuck on Urban Nightmare duty their whole careers.
That's all you'll ever be.
Han-ul ... Most of you will fall by the wayside before this path leads to you
anywhere of even passing significance, let alone joining the ranks of Grade 1
Fixers like myself.
Han-ul Some, maybe one or two of you, may make it to Grade 1, sure. But I can
guarantee that you won't even dare dream of getting anywhere near The Red Gaze's
greatness.
Han-ul Hm, maybe your best will be the honor of dying next to him. Feeling the
disparity between yourselves and those who are at the top of the City.
The grin on the Fixers' faces quickly faded away as the boisterous Fixer fell dead
silent.
Heathcliff Blimey. So that Hana Fixer is... almost right up there with the guide,
eh? Or at least somewhere right beneath his level?
Don Quixote Aha, yet the Red Gaze shan't be outdone by a mere Grade 1 Fixer!
Han-ul So, know your places and pay attention to the briefing.
Alessio Thank you for your cooperation. Now, let's see...
Alessio The reason for La Manchaland's sudden appearance here is yet to be
explained.
Alessio Though its influence is still confined to the Backstreets, the
uniqueness of La Manchaland poses a tangible threat to P Corp. merely by its
existence.
Overdramatic Fixer Yeah, totally, dude. The local housing market hit rock
bottom and continued to crash, didn't it~?
The Fixer from earlier, the one who tried to stop us from entering the scene before
scuttling away, slowly sidled up to us and began chatting us up.
Most of us ignored him, but Hong Lu responds to him in a kindly voice.
Hong Lu Oh, is that right?
Overdramatic Fixer Yeah. It was insane when that thing showed up here for the
first time.
Overdramatic Fixer It appeared in the middle of a dense population center. It
was like two hells in one. All that screaming, all that blood and...
Ryoshu Two hells in one, hm? What a beautiful phrasing.
Overdramatic Fixer Well, P Corp. buildings are well-known for their
elasticity, so while they all got bent along the newly manifested phenomenon, they
didn't like, crumble or anything.
Overdramatic Fixer Anyways... when La Manchaland suddenly appeared there,
pulsing and pushing away all the buildings that used to be there, people got
crushed and a bunch of buildings got bent.
Overdramatic Fixer There were really a lot of survivors for something so
devastating. All thanks to P Corp.'s Singularity, which kept the people inside the
buildings safe.
Overdramatic Fixer They set up a three-kilometer radius buffer zone to limit
any construction in the Area where it manifests, but~
Gregor ... Just three kilometers?
Faust Buildings utilizing P Corp.'s Singularity have a very high level of
elasticity, meaning that buildings made using their technology are very unlikely to
collapse or fall apart in response to shock. It is probable that they have decided
that it would be safe enough to let the periphery of La Manchaland slightly overlap
with the residential zone.
Overdramatic Fixer Well, you know what they say. P Corp. can make a safe home
anywhere.
Overdramatic Fixer So imagine the shock when all that disaster happened. Their
only claim to fame crumbled, the faith in their technology growing shaky... no
wonder the real estate market crashed through rock bottom around here.
Overdramatic Fixer I mean, it was so bad that the locals banded together and
stormed La Manchaland. Pickets and all.
Dante <So that's what those banners were about, huh...>
Han-ul As you can all see, La Manchaland presents itself as an extravagantly
decorated amusement park.
Han-ul One of the most commonly heard testimonies from the reports state that
there is an eight-kilometer range radius from the epicenter in which people have
been hearing a disembodied music of sorts. Several curious civilians, drawn by the
music, approached it. Most of them are yet to return.
Paula Is it possible that the 'music' holds hypnogenic qualities?
Alessio Hm, that is indeed a possibility we won't be ruling out. Too many
visitors have ignored the obvious warning signs and perimeter tapes to call it a
coincidence. Possibly erring on the side of caution, we and the relevant
individuals will be equipping ourselves with earplugs.
Bloodfiend Hunter What must we do once this 'La Manchaland' materializes?
Han-ul Once you enter its perimeters, you will have to ready yourselves for
imminent combat.
Han-ul There aren't any kindly pierrots giving away balloons, no amusement
park employees popping popcorns, no staff members greeting you with a welcoming
song.
Romero …….
Romero ... Only Bloodfiends.
Muttering Fixer Huh? Bloodfiends...? They're real?
Amazed Fixer Haven't you heard about the Blood-red Night, that infamous Star
of the City? Some people say that the Blood-red Night was actually a really
powerful Bloodfiend.
Muttering Fixer Yeah, and people say a lot of stuff. You know how rumors spread
in the City. I bet it wasn't anything too crazy once you got down to it.
Bloodfiend Hunter ... Hah, rumors? You'll never know how resilient, how
devastatingly powerful and stubborn the Blood-red Night was. You ignoramuses do not
have the right to talk about that thing so lightly.
Han-ul …….
Han-ul Yes, the only things you'll find in there...
Han-ul ... are Bloodbags and the Bloodfiends that turned them, sharpening
their fangs to fill their ravenous hunger with your blood.
Alessio Oh, here's a detail I was going to share earlier before I was cut off.
The raw material that makes up every structure within La Manchaland... is human
blood. Human blood dating back over two-hundred years in the past.
Sinclair ... Bloodfiends can make amusement parks out of blood?
Romero Oh, now I'm looking forward to this. If it's only Bloodfiends we'll
find in there, I'm sure they'll waste no time making mincemeat out of the
greenhorns.
Rodion Is that how all Fixers talk? The way that guy's talking about
Bloodfiends reminds me a lot of how Ishy used to talk about the Great Lake...
Ishmael ... Hey, you can't blame us for being on edge all the time when the
smallest mistake could cost us our lives. Not to mention how irritating it is when
others, who don't even understand the dangers, are dozing off like there's no
tomorrow...
Heathcliff Uhnn. Didn't doze. Thanks to some sod who's been constantly stepping on
my foot...
Sinclair ... Mm. Mm... What a nice weather today, huh?
It was Sinclair who was stepping on his foot, at the rather forcible behest of
Ishmael, but I held my silence. The last thing I wanted was to have the two of them
bickering again...
Han-ul ... Anyway. If you manage to survive for six hours within La
Manchaland, the music announcing the closure of the park will start playing. We
were able to cross-reference this fact from testimonies of every Fixer and civilian
who managed to make it out alive.
Han-ul Once the exit song starts playing, you will have thirty minutes to exit
La Manchaland. Should you fail to do so... you'll be trapped inside La Manchaland
until it manifests here again. Effectively putting you in an endless battle against
the Bloodfiends.
Bloodfiend Hunter If anyone even survives that long...
Alessio There also were eyewitness reports where some Fixers identified missing
people aboard certain amusement park rides, but that's not an important detail for
those who are present.
Han-ul Based on testimonies and reports from the survivors, we have been able
to establish a map of La Manchaland, comprised of four separate 'Areas'.
Han-ul No one has yet to make it to the final Area, which is located here.
Han-ul However, we were able to identify that a certain device in each Area...
Area 1, 2, and 3 respectively, had to be activated first in order to unlock the
final Area.
Han-ul The devices within Area 1 and 2 have been activated in the past, but no
one has managed to activate the one in Area 3 just yet.
Bloodfiend Hunter Understood. I suppose we should beeline it to Area 3 to save some
time, then?
Han-ul No. It appears that the devices reset when La Manchaland disappears.
Alessio In other words, we will have to divide and conquer. Team up with other
Fixers, choose an Area to tackle.
Romero Hm, I see. Split up, activate our respective devices, and rendezvous at
the final Area.
Romero ... assuming that every team successfully activates the device they're
responsible for.
Alessio Correct. We suspect that the key to solving the La Manchaland problem
lies within its final Area.
Romero Pfft...
Han-ul Is there something you'd like to share?
Romero Isn't it funny? That we have to go activate some kind of device in each
section of La Manchaland to unlock the final Area...
Romero It's kind of like a game, isn't it? Like they're giving those who dare
to challenge the might of La Manchaland stages to beat, conditions to fulfill.
Bloodfiend Hunter How should we know what the Bloodfiends are thinking? Those
monsters are born twisted.
Paula Hana, we have something we'd like to confirm.
Paula The Zwei Association is here to rescue our client, not for the eradication
reward.
Camille Mm~ Don't you mean the Zwei and the Cinq? Don't leave me out~
Paula ... Therefore, the Zwei and the Cinq have no reason to enter the three Areas
to activate those devices.
Han-ul ... I suppose you could take over from here for the sake of accuracy.
Alessio Oh, sure.
Alessio Right. I'm sure you all have your own reasons for being here, yes?
Alessio Therefore, we at P Corp. set up an eradication dividend fund, which
means that we will be giving out the reward money based on how much you have
contributed to the eradication of La Manchaland.
Romero ... Assuming a successful outcome, that is.
Alessio If your goal isn't the eradication of La Manchaland, then feel free to
roam on your own to fulfill your respective contracts. As long as you acknowledge
that you won't be receiving any payout from that fund upon the successful
completion of this expedition, you are free to do as you will.
Alessio However, we would also like to request that you submit a copy of that
contract so that we are aware of its details.
Paula Understood. I will hand it over as soon as this meeting adjourns.
Bloodfiend Hunter Speaking of which, I'd like to take this opportunity to declare
something. If you... and I mean if any of you intend to ride our coattails to
pilfer more of that reward than you deserve... I'll hunt you down, too. Got that?
Romero Ladies and gents, I can attest that he isn't one for empty threats.
Can't promise I'll be able to stop him, hmm?
Sinclair He sure is intense...
Han-ul ... I understand that a lot of money hinges on this contract. However,
remember that our primary objective remains to minimize casualties and to prevent
further disappearances. Leave some of that selfishness behind and cooperate for the
greater good.
Bloodfiend Hunter ... Fine, I'll cooperate. If that's even possible.
Han-ul …….
The Hana Fixer did not contradict him.
She was the kind of person who wouldn't hesitate to put her foot down... she
could've easily forced us into cooperating. But it seemed that she wouldn't keep us
from infighting, if it did come to that.
... Don Quixote was the only one passionately nodding along to her advice.
Jia Xichun So, who's going with who? And to which Area?
Xichun, Hong Lu's little sister who'd been listening quietly to the briefing,
raised her hand with a question.
Han-ul You will be assigned to teams and Areas based on our internal data
analyses of your individual capabilities, potential, and alignment.
Jia Xichun So we should probably avoid overcrowding, huh.
Jia Xichun Such as saddling us a group of dozen or so people, for example...
Han-ul ... We intend to avoid bottlenecking too many people in the same Area.
Rodion She's not hiding her disdain at all, huh?
Sinclair W-well, i-it's not like we wanted her to tag along...
Hong Lu …….
Alessio If there are no further questions, I will be assigning you all to teams
and Area pairs—
Don Quixote HOOOOLD!
Every single Fixer in the room whipped around to look at Don Quixote at her
bellowing roar. Perhaps it was the sheer fervor in her voice... or perhaps, they
were simply annoyed by her asking that 'one last question' when the boring briefing
was almost over.
Ishmael Oh please... don't tell me this is actually happening.
Heathcliff Ooh. Oi, that actually woke me up this time.
Gregor No, no. This might be the best time to go back to sleep, bud.
Outis Would've resulted in a summary execution back in the day...
Alessio Okay... And the question is...?
Don Quixote Hark, it appeareth that the information of the greatest import is
missing from thy briefing.
Alessio It... is...? Um, a moment, please.
Alessio began flipping through the briefing, flustered.
Don Quixote When shall the rescue operation for the victims of this terrible
amusement park commence?
Don Quixote I believe that an operation of such a grand scale may be difficult to
accomplish only with the help of Sirs and Ladies from the Zwei and the Cinq
Association.
Paula …….
Overdramatic Fixer Uhh...
Camille Hey, is that like, a character you're playing or something?
Camille That's not mainstream at all, I like it. Though I gotta say, playing a
character's a bit old-fashioned. At least I know that my viewers won't enjoy
something like that.
Paula It appears that there has been some misunderstanding. Our contract has
nothing to do with rescuing the visitors, let alone all of them. Our contract is a
search-and-rescue operation for a specific visitor requested to us by our client.
Don Quixote Then...
Don Quixote ... whoever shall make up the rescue party for the rest of its victims?
Camille Hah, is she for real?
Muttering Fixer Where'd these idiots come from?
Amazed Fixer Dude, lemme see.
Ishmael …….
Paula Unless you have been specifically contracted to rescue someone, I recommend
that you peruse the missing persons' flyers for the rewards.
Don Quixote Yet... it is not the promise of rewards that I desire.
Don Quixote So many valiant Fixers are gathered here, yet not one taketh up the
role of a rescuer? Prithee, Fixer of the Zwei. Art thou not one of the Zwei, one of
those who call themselves "Your Shield"—
Camille Yeah, they're shields all right. The iron shield of whoever enters an
official contractual agreement with them.
Don Quixote Fie, yet a Fixer mustn't wager their own life on shallow promise of
capital! Pray tell, when did the Fixers of Associations abandon honor for greed?!
Camille ... Oh, jeez. Okay, that's enough playing around. Do you even have any
idea who you're talking to—
Don Quixote I am very well aware, young Camille of Cinq Association, Section 3.
Frequent feature of the Fixers Monthly magazine. Currently #7 in the 'Fixers I want
to have dinner with' contest.
Camille H-huh, so you know your... wait, I'm only #7?
Camille Well, that's not important right now. If you're so knowledgeable about
the Fixers, then I'm sure you know this as well.
Camille That I, as a Fixer of the Cinq Association, am not one to waste breath
on mere words. When we want to settle something or make a statement, we duel. An
official duel to the death.
Don Quixote Then...
Don Quixote Wilt thou heed mine words should I best thee in a duel?
Camille What?
Don Quixote Should I best thee in a duel...
Don Quixote ... wilt thou swear on thine honor that thou shalt assist us in our
rescue mission... for those who have gone missing?
Camille Wait. Are you seriously challenging me to a...
Dante <No...>
Don Quixote I, Don Quixote, perforce, shall not so lightly forsake my creed! I
hereby challenge thee to a duel!
Things were quickly starting to spiral out of control.
Almost panicking, I glanced toward Vergilius...
Vergilius …….
... but I couldn't read his expression. He was simply staring at us in that
inscrutable silence.
... Silence that almost felt like... warmth...?
Somehow, I found myself getting more intimidated by this than outright anger.
Alessio ... Okay, then. I'll end the briefing here.
Meursault It can be determined from prior experience that it will be impossible
to stop the presently developing situation.
Meursault Pupils, dilated. Brows, furrowed at a steep angle. Clear refusal to
heed any external input. Our attempts to coax her will not be met with any
meaningful response.
Dante <So she's lost it...>
Faust I neglected to mention this earlier at the empty lot, Dante, on account of
the lack of prying eyes...
Faust ... I recommend against turning your clock when the eyes of every Fixer
participating in this case are watching us intently. Especially for a duel in which
there is very little benefit to be gained.
Faust This includes summoning Identities from different worlds or the use of E.G.O.
Dante <W-well, yeah. But... it's not like we won't be using them once we get
inside, right? I don't see what's wrong with—>
Just as I was trying to convince Faust otherwise, Don Quixote stepped in and
resolutely shook her head.
Don Quixote Nay, worry not. 'Tis an unnecessary crutch.
Dante <Wha... seriously?!>
Don Quixote A duel against a member of the Cinq Association must be fair and just!
Never did I intend to borrow thy strength, Manager Esquire, for this hallowed
battle of mine!
Dante <…….>
Camille ... Fine.
Camille Sucks that I don't have my fans here to watch me wipe the floor with
you... But I'm sure someone here will spread the story by word of mouth.
Camille I won't throw my gauntlet out of pity. En garde, petit nouveau!
Episode: 7
Location: Backstreets of P Corp., Outside the Tent
Don Quixote ... 'Tis but a light wound... Thou art sorely mistaken... if thou truly
believest that such meager wound could...
Dante <…….>
That was definitely more than just a 'light wound'. It was outright crippling, if
not fatal.
Camille wasn't all talk, after all. He moved at an impressive speed and precision,
living up to his boasts.
I couldn't bear to look at Don Quixote squirm in pain, but... turning the clock
here would leave an even greater wound in her heart.
Don Quixote 'Tis... not the end...
Camille Tsk, what a waste of my blade. I'd rather not have others hear of this
duel; they'll think I'm bullying some poor amateur.
Paula That's enough, Camille. It's no crime to wish for the safety of all victims.
Camille Yeah, but her attitude needs correction. Spouting nonsense like that,
not knowing who she's talking to...
Camille Fixer this, honor that, justice and... Doesn't she know that's all
just... Ha!
Han-ul That's enough shenanigans. Let's not all waste our strengths before
even stepping foot into La Manchaland.
Han-ul Cause further trouble, and I will put a stop to it myself.
Alessio ... La Manchaland ETA in approximately one hour. After an hour from
now, the phenomenon may appear at any moment; please remain in close proximity to
your teams in case of an emergency.
The momentary kerfuffle came to a close thanks to the Hana Association's
intervention...
Don Quixote Hngh...
... and only silence and occasional groans of pain from Don Quixote filled the
empty lot.
Dante <... Let's get back inside. I can't turn my clock in front of so many
people.>
Episode: 8
Location: Makeshift Command Tent
Rodion W-well, does anybody wanna take a quick stroll around the empty lot
while we wait...?
After nervously looking around the room, Rodya tried to leave the tent. But
Vergilius stopped her.
Vergilius No, stay. I have something to share.
Heathcliff Oh, come on. Can't you give her a moment, at least until the mission's
over with? I know the lass really botched it this time, but nothing came of it in
the end, did it?
Vergilius ... The company has some exclusive information they'd like to share
with you. That is the only reason I asked you to stay.
Don Quixote Ah... ahem... Sir... Lord... R-Red Gaze... E-earlier, what I had
done...
Vergilius ... I won't hold it against you. So be quiet and pay attention.
Don Quixote Sob... O Red Gaze the illustrious... I swear to pledge mine undying
loyalty to thee...
Vergilius produced a small tablet and began loading something up on its screen.
Vergilius The one who will now brief us on this exclusive intelligence cannot be
with us in person, due to... personal reasons.
Vergilius She wanted me to tell you that she regrets having to deliver the
information remotely via this device.
??? Hello. One, two, testing. Am I coming through?
Ishmael Huh? Didn't the Hana Fixer ban any unauthorized recordings or video
feeds earlier?
Vergilius Of course, but we've received prior authorization. Besides, P Corp. is
already recording the conversations of every participant in this mission.
Gregor That just sounds like a roundabout way of saying they've got us all
bugged.
Vergilius Of course, the authorization was not free. We had to convince them that
the information would be pertinent to capturing the entity at the origin of La
Manchaland.
Moses LCD On-site Investigative Reasoning Team Leader, Moses here. I've been
studying and investigating the Distortion phenomenon for a long time. And—
That reminds me. We did have a quick call with someone from the LCD back when. She
had a pretty bubbly personality, I think, and her name was...
Ezra Hey, hey! It's me again, Ezra! Been a while!
Ezra Hunting Bloodfiends this time, huh? Don't tell me you were about to jump
headfirst into that business without even asking the detec—I mean, our Team Leader!
I'm tellin' ya now, she used to bust plenty of Bloodfiend heads back in the day.
Ezra You tell 'em how you used to whoop 'em, boss. You'd go sshhhhhh on that
smoking pipe, and went whirr! Whirr! And—
Moses Well, yes. I do have some experience with investigating and battling
Bloodfiends. I've even met one of the Bloodfiend Elders... also known as the First
Kindreds.
Sinclair Wait, one of the First Kindreds?
Sinclair Uhh, let's see. The one we fought last time was a Sixth Kindred, and a
Seventh Kindred...
Moses Well, I don't want to waste your time by talking your ears off about what
happened that day, so I'll get straight to the point.
Don Quixote …….
Don Quixote ... Didst thou... slay the First Kindred?
Moses Of course not.
Ezra Yeah, 'cuz she went easy on 'em, I tell ya.
Moses No, the Bloodfiend took mercy on me. Our meeting wasn't as bloody as the
scene you might be imagining at the moment.
Moses In fact, she was generous enough to give me a place to sit. And we even had a
moment to converse.
Heathcliff What? The Bloodfiend gave you a seat?! You expect me to believe that
shite?
Ezra Hey! Rude! You do *not* talk to the detec— I mean, our Team Leader like that,
capiche?!
Moses Hm, I do understand that the public's perception of Bloodfiends is... far
from amicable. But I do know that at least some of them, including the Elder I met,
wish for a peaceful coexistence with humans.
Moses Back then, I used to be able to state with absolute certainty that the
Bloodfiends weren't special, that they were no different from the Distortions I'd
faced in the past. Those wells of blood, splashing inside their pupils were my
evidence. But when I shared this thought with the Elder, she did not confirm nor
deny my assertions.
Moses But now, I would like to make a correction to my prior theory. Bloodfiends
cannot be explained only through the simple lens of viewing them as Distortions.
Moses Their essence is similar to that of Distortions, yes. However, we eventually
drew the conclusion that the Bloodfiends cannot be filed under that category. Our
attempt to 'resolve' a Bloodfiend as one does a Distortion failed.
Moses Studies into their true origin are currently underway.
Outis If your team is looking into the Bloodfiends, I suppose you have some
publicly unavailable information to share with the rest of us?
Moses ... Yes, I suppose we do.
I noticed on the video feed that Moses intently, yet briefly, stared at Outis
before continuing with her briefing. Maybe they knew each other from somewhere.
Moses Which brings us to... this. The following is what we learned about Kindreds
of true Bloodfiends, those in the same vein as the one you've already encountered.
I'm not talking about the ones that manifested as Distortions after the White
Nights and Dark Days incident, mind.
Moses It is said that the primogenitor, the very first Bloodfiend, wielded
unimaginable power and could embrace countless humans and turn them into their
Kindreds. However, starting from the Kindreds of the first generation after the
primogenitor, which are referred to as the First Kindreds, they were restricted to
creating only two Kindreds of a lower generation in their long existences.
Ezra Something about how they can't just create 'families' willy-nilly, or
something like that~ I drew this chart, by the way! Not half bad, huh?
Gregor Huh, yeah. I think that Cassette guy was pretty disappointed about
choosing Sha-sha as his Kindred.
Faust ... Faust finds the inaccuracies in your statement difficult to correct due
to their egregious nature.
Moses When a Bloodfiend of a higher generation creates a lower-generation Kindred,
the one that embraced them is called a 'higher Kindred', while the one that's been
embraced is called a 'lower Kindred'. It is often the case that Kindreds higher up
the bloodstream wield a much greater power than the ones beneath them.
Meursault You started your sentence with the conditional 'it is often the case'.
Therefore, it can be interpreted as a statement that there are cases in which such
is not the case.
Ezra You're right on the money! Just like how each Distortion is different,
Bloodfiends are also different in ways—
Dante <…….>
Ezra —that our Team Leader will explain!
Moses Haah... Yes. Each Bloodfiend's powers and idiosyncrasies often vary depending
on the higher Bloodfiend's abilities. However, it is usually impossible for lower
Bloodfiends to revolt against someone higher up the bloodstream. While there is no
physical barrier stopping them, there is an intense psychological barrier
preventing them from doing so.
Gregor ... Like a parent and their child, huh.
Moses Yes, like parents and their children. Considering that they even call one
another with familial terms such as 'Father', 'Mother', and 'Child'... it is no
mere metaphor. That is why they call such acts of revolt, going against the
bloodstream... 'filial impiety'.
Moses Just as how 'blood' becomes their axis of value judgment, so does this idea
of the inviolable relationship between family members get imprinted into the core
of their very being. Upon being turned, Bloodfiends experience that extreme level
of twist in their moral judgment.
Sinclair And that's why the Bloodbags, who are at the bottom rung of the family
tree...
Moses Bloodbags are... a different story. Bloodfiends and Bloodbags are the
furthest two groups of beings could be from family.
Moses Dregs that failed to become Kindreds. To Bloodfiends, they are... quite
literally, portable bags of blood to replenish themselves at times of need.
Ezra Detective, I mean... Team Leader, you should mention this too. You know, when
I snapped their necks and smashed them right into water—
Moses Yes. Bloodfiends have an irrationally extreme fear of water. Water doesn't
physically harm them, but every Bloodfiend I have seen thus far has been afraid of
it.
Rodion Huh? Sounds like an easy solution, then. Can't we just spray them with
water to keep 'em off our backs?
Moses Since you're about to visit their den that's crawling with Bloodfiends...
good luck finding even a drop of water in there.
Moses Oh, and I was informed that one of you can 'sense' a Distortion. I learned
this through unofficial channels, but I still wished to share.
Dante <Uh...>
Moses Glad to know there's someone else out there who understands this particular
sensation.
Moses I'd very much like to meet you in person one day.
Ezra Real shame we can't be there to see it for ourselves. Are there any famous
Fixers there? I heard earlier that stupid Camille kid'll be there too... Kick his
ass for me, won't ya? I tried to pull a prank on him, but the bastard banned me
from the chat!
Rodion Well, he already kicked one of our asses...
Ezra Oh, Vespa! Come on! I told you to hold the line!
Yi Sang It appears that they are partaking in... quite the activity themselves.
Vergilius I think we can end the call here, Moses.
Moses Very well.
Rodion Got any last words of advice?
Moses Any last words...? Hm.
Moses I once heard that some Kindreds higher up the bloodstream have overcome their
fear of water. Blood eventually does get thicker than water, after all. Now, let's
see if there's anything I left out...
Moses Ah, I must advise you against underestimating their bloodlust. Because no
matter how hungry for blood you think they are…
Moses They will be worse.
Rodion What's that supposed to mean...?
With her last words, which left us wondering what they were supposed to mean, the
call dropped.
Episode: 9
Location: Backstreets of P Corp., Outside the Tent
We have about thirty minutes until La Manchaland manifests...
We each decided to use this opportunity to gather ourselves.
Meanwhile, I...
... had something I wanted to ask Vergilius before we left.
But for that, I need...
Dante <Anybody seen Faust around?>
Hong Lu Not in a while. What is it, Dante? I'm sure I can help.
Dante <Hm...>
I wanted to ask Faust to relay my words to Vergilius, but I wasn't sure where she
was…
Fortunately, Hong Lu was still here with me and noticed me looking around. I
decided to ask for his help.
Vergilius Thirty minutes, Dante.
... I always have so many questions floating around in my head, but whenever I
stand in front of this man, my brain seems to decide to forget them all.
Dante <…….>
Dante <Why didn't you stop her earlier, Vergilius? Earlier, when Don Quixote
challenged Camille to a duel...>
Vergilius …….
Dante <…….>
Hong Lu Aha, you needed a translator.
Hong Lu Dante asks why you didn't stop the fight earlier.
Vergilius Ah, so that's your look of reproach. ... I see.
Vergilius As you must be well aware by now, the Cinq Association often chooses
duels as a means of resolving conflicts.
Vergilius But they are also well-known for letting bygones be bygones once that
conflict in question has been resolved through a duel. Perhaps a lasting memory of
some ancient chivalric virtues has been pounded into their bones.
Dante <I see... So picking a fight with a Fixer from any other Association or
Office might've caused a real problem for us, but the nature of the Cinq made this
a pretty safe altercation, huh...>
Vergilius Stopping Don Quixote from challenging that Fixer to a duel would have
only exacerbated the situation. Besides...
Vergilius gave a long pause.
Vergilius ... It is about time our third Sinner woke up.
Hong Lu Weird...
Hong Lu Isn't Don Quixote the most lucid one out of all of us?
Hong Lu's interjection was so sudden and random, that I wondered for a moment if he
thought we were talking about someone else...
Dante <What do you mean...?>
... but Hong Lu did not correct himself. He pointed to his eye and continued.
Hong Lu Her eyes, Dante. Always twinkling like two bright stars. They're so
fascinating.
Dante <Eyes, huh...>
I noticed that the light in Hong Lu's left eye was growing dimmer, like light
fading away as it sinks into the depths of the dark waters...
Vergilius …….
Dante <W-wait, I have something else I wanted to ask you about...>
What I really wanted to ask Vergilius about was what happened on that train...
... but I wasn't sure if I could bring that subject up in front of Hong Lu,
especially when Faust wasn't here.
Hong Lu What's wrong, Dante? You look flustered for some reason.
Dante <Uh...>
Vergilius No need to shiver your clock hands so nervously, Dante.
Vergilius You don't actually believe I wasn't let in on what happened aboard that
train, do you?
... Sounds like Faust kept him updated.
Dante <Well, then tell me. What was going on with Don Quixote back there?>
Dante <No, I mean... what is she?>
Hong Lu Uhh... they're asking what... Don Quixote is?
Vergilius Dante, it is not a wise use of your time to ask a question to which you
can find your own answers.
Vergilius Besides, there are more pressing questions you should be asking.
Vergilius What shall happen with our third Sinner? ... For example.
Dante <…….>
Dante <I get it. It's Don Quixote's turn, now.>
Dante <But you're not going to answer that question, either. Because I'll get to
the answer anyway, as long as I keep riding the flow to wherever it takes me.>
Vergilius ... Your hands have stopped trembling. I'll take that as a sign that we
have an understanding.
Vergilius Should you ever find yourself growing anxious in La Manchaland, when
things start to go awry...
Vergilius Remember these words.
Vergilius Henceforth, whatever happens...
Vergilius ... Don Quixote will remember the promise, Dante.
The promise.
I have no idea how that word is supposed to assuage any of my fears.
Vergilius isn't the type to waffle on meaninglessly, so...
... I suppose there isn't anything else I can gather from him at the moment.
Some time later, back among the Sinners at the empty lot.
Location: Backstreets of P Corp., an Empty Lot
Dante <Don Quixote, about what happened earlier...>
Don Quixote Verily, 'tis a marvelous day! Wouldst thou not agree, Manager Esquire?
Dante <It... is...?>
Don Quixote Tis, 'tis! Today alone I had the joy of espying a Hana Association
Fixer with mine own eyes, the honor of clashing my steel against Sir Camille of
Cinq, and... Ah, indeed. Sir Camille was a Fixer most righteous and becoming in his
livestreams. I have not even an ounce of doubt in my mind that the kerfuffle was
naught but an issue of miscommunication!
Dante <How did you even access his streams on the bus...?>
Don Quixote Manager Esquire! Forsooth, I am finally beginning to feel as though we
are tackling contracts worthy of true Fixers.
Don Quixote To slay the wicked and liberate the innocent from suffering! 'Twas mine
dream of a lifetime, indeed!
Don Quixote Sir Vergilius will once again insist that our primary quest is to lay
our claim upon the Golden Bough. Yet...
Don Quixote ... I shall eradicate La Manchaland, even if it costs us our quest!
Don Quixote And mark mine words, for I shall rescue its victims as well. Every last
one of them.
Dante <…….>
I stare in silence as Don Quixote boasts.
... I think I saw stars twinkling in her eyes, like Hong Lu said.
Charon Ooh. Tick-tock.
Faust ... Dante.
Dante <I've been looking for you, Faust.>
Faust Because you had business to discuss with Vergilius, it seems.
Dante <Uh...>
I felt like she was accusing me that there wasn't any other reason I'd be looking
for her, so I couldn't help but stammer.
... Now that I think about it, I don't see her alone with Charon very often.
Dante <What were you two doing here?>
Faust Performing certain routine procedures with Charon.
Faust There is a certain examination procedure we must perform at an interval.
Dante <What examination procedure?>
Faust ... It mainly consists of gray matter bio-fusion normalcy trend test and gray
matter response activity level test to electrical stimuli. It also includes several
other tests, including external brain pressure variance test, the bloodstream
distribution test to verify that the numbers are within the expected range, and—
Dante <Uhh...>
Faust ... I will stop here.
I'm certainly not one to talk, but I'm once again reminded that Faust isn't very
good at talking to people either.
Charon Heard passengers are going to an amusement park.
Charon Amusement park. More fun than the bus?
Dante <I've never been to one myself, but probably?>
Faust It is said that individuals partaking in activities within amusement parks
have, on average, an increased heart rate of 1.5 times their typical range.
Charon Why?
Faust Because they board vehicles that are meant to raise their heart rate, and, in
turn, their level of excitement.
Faust It is known that one of the rides most emblematic of the amusement park
experience consists of the following procedure: binding the passenger to the chair
and dropping the vehicle, which often takes the form of a train, from a one-hundred
meter height to ground level within three seconds.
Charon Sounds like reckless driving.
Charon Must be a terrible driver. Worse than Charon.
Faust Perhaps.
She's one to talk... Especially when it comes to reckless driving...
Dante <I'm sure there are other more... fun rides, right? Probably?
Faust ... Perhaps.
Dante <We should go there someday. A real amusement park...>
Dante <Make a list of stuff you want to do when you get there.>
Faust Charon, Dante wants to know what you want to do.
Charon When, where?
Faust They are asking you, should a day come in which you are allowed to travel
with us to locations other than the bus itself, what you would like to do at an
amusement park.
There was a long pause. Charon's eyes glimmered momentarily as they began to wander
elsewhere.
Charon Charon... wants...
Charon ... wants to eat a candy there.
Looks like today's one of those days when everyone gets a twinkle in their eyes.
Episode: 10
Fixers began gathering one by one at the site...
Location: La Manchaland Front Gates
Alessio La Manchaland is beginning to manifest.
Alessio From the moment the music began to play, which measures at 1612 hours
today, La Manchaland will be open until 2212 hours.
Even when you feel like giving up on yourself...
I promise.
Is that it?
Well, how will you... live on?
Thank you... for everything.
Don't forget those Fixer magazines.
Please, please! I don't want an adventure, stop! Please!
I have conceived an idea most ingenious.
Location: La Manchaland Front Gates
Dante <…….>
It's... the same phenomenon I experienced back at the Great Lake.
But these memories are... much more fragmented. Opaque.
The glimpses of Don Quixote I saw... were nothing like the person I know. But...
... should I follow this journey to its conclusion...
Location: Backstreets of P Corp., an Empty Lot
Vergilius What shall happen with our third Sinner? ... For example.
Location: La Manchaland Front Gates
... I'll understand what all these glimpses of memories mean, like I always have.
And we made our way toward La Manchaland.
Sinclair La Manchaland... this place is... pretty spooky, huh.
Ryoshu I smell blood.
Paula We are contending with a phenomenon that has devoured dozens of Fixers. Do
not let your guards down.
Bloodfiend Hunter Here they come, those Bloodfiend beasts...
Muttering Fixer W-woah. Look, survivors!
Camille Darn... I really could've broken my viewer count record with a dramatic
shot like this.
Paula ... Weapons in their hands. They're not civilians.
Outis Executive Manager. Isn't there something off about some of their outfits?
Those anachronistically antique costumes are... quite the novelty these days.
Meursault I have identified several individuals dressed in clothes that are
difficult to be worn without assistance.
Ishmael Meaning that maybe someone in there forced a wardrobe change on them.
As murmur among the Fixers begin to grow, slowly increasing in intensity, Alessio
shouts from behind the line for us to stop.
Alessio Hold! Don't approach La Manchaland yet. We must allow it the first ten
minutes post-manifestation to expel its wastes. Stand behind the line for safety.
Amazed Fixer Who... who are they? What Office are they from?
Murmuring Fixer Are they Association Fixers?
Excitement is in the air as the Fixers attempt to guess who they are.
Delighted Fixer ... They're all...
Delighted Fixer ... They're all from the Firefist Office! I recognize their
outfits, they're from our Office!
Delighted Fixer Haha! I told y'all, boys! I told y'all! I told y'all that the
boss ladies are going to make it!
Delighted Fixer Even if we were to fail the eradication contract, if they can
make a fifteen-minute testimony and share what intel they found... we'll nab the
contribution reward...
Alessio Like I said, please hold for at least ten minutes until they finish
expelling—
A Fixer ignores Alessio's warning and rushes out to greet the survivor and helps
her to her feet.
Delighted Fixer Big sis, big sis...!
Survivor? La.... la...
Alessio …….
Delighted Fixer We made it, boss! We made it... we can finally move out of that
moldy semi-basement office and find a place with some sunlight.
Delighted Fixer Remember how they all scoffed at us? C'mon, let's go. Let's do
some interviews, get paid, make a name for ourselves...
Bloodfiend Hunter Hah. Survivors, my ass.
Romero …….
Delighted Fixer So just hold on a little longer, okay?
Survivor? Laaaahhh...
Survivor? La... La... Manchaland... bloom your smiles... of joy... La Manchaland,
let's all... dream free here... We hope your stay...
Survivor? ... away from here...!
Delighted Fixer Guh— Hurk—
Romero ... Bloodbags at the gate. They were likely turned moments before they
escaped.
Bloodfiend Hunter Bitten by a small fry, going by the speed she turned. The higher
up the bloodstream you go, the faster the transformation occurs. Some powerful
Bloodfiends can make it happen at will or set it to occur at a time of their
choosing.
Rodion Hey... you guys seem like the experts here. Got any pro tips for
newbies like us?
Romero Hm, pro tips? ... Ah, I've got one.
Romero Humbly accept your death if you don't have what it takes.
Romero Getting turned into a Bloodfiend's Bloodbag is no different from death,
you know.
Sinclair Um...
Hong Lu That's easy. I'm always ready to accept that anyway.
Bloodbag Keeagggh!
Episode: 11
Location: La Manchaland Front Gates
Narrator La Manchaland, bloom your smiles of joy~ La Manchaland, a place of
freedom to dream side-by-side with Bloodfiends. We wish you a wonderful stay here~
Narrator Admissions end in five minutes! Please form a line and enter in an
orderly fashion. Remember: enter through the back left, and exit through the back
left~
Narrator Entry may be difficult once the admissions are over, so please wait by
the gate with your blood packs!
Han-ul Well, then. I hope I'll be seeing some of you again in a few hours.
The Fixer's cold voice contrasted with the cheerful voice echoing from the
announcement.
Gregor She really likes making things ominous, doesn't she...
Vergilius only gave us a light nod.
Strangely enough, his aloof attitude was what gave me... peace of mind.
And the last thing I saw before the gate shut behind us was...
...the awed look on the eyes of every P Corp. employee. All intensely fixed on the
closing gate of La Manchaland...
... as if they didn't even want to miss a little glimpse of it.
Episode: 12
Location: La Manchaland Front Gates
Earlier, they assigned the gathered Fixers with Areas.
Romero Ah, looks like we'll be going our separate ways here. Different Area.
Romero Here's hoping we'll both be alive the next time we meet~
Location: La Manchaland, Area 1
It seemed that the Bloodfiend Hunters were assigned to Area 3, Jia Xichun to Area
2, and us to... Area 1.
Hugo Heh, pleased to be working with you guys. Name's Hugo.
The Fixer from earlier, whose name was Hugo, appeared visibly relieved that he was
assigned the same Area as us.
Hugo Hey, look what I found. A map of La Manchaland. That's how ya know I'm the
ace of the team!
Ishmael The ace? You just picked up one of the dozens of papers strewn about
the entrance.
Ishmael Hm, this is an amusement park brochure with a map on it...
Hugo Ugh, I don't even want to imagine what those brutish Office guys would've
done to me if I got lumped in with them. Who knows, they might've killed me as soon
as the gate closed. Or worse, they might've left my name out of the eradication fee
recipients. Just awful.
Hugo So, uh. Who did you guys say you were? Limbus Company... Office? Right?
It seemed that he was under the impression that we were one of the numerous no-name
Fixer Offices, but I didn't really feel the need to correct him.
Hugo Haah, man. Sucks being a small-timer, huh? We always get left out of the good
stuff.
Hugo Not like those Cinq or Zwei Association Offices who always get the top
billing.
Don Quixote Nay, 'tis untrue. Every Fixer, honored be their great valor and
righteousness, deserveth respect.
Don Quixote Long have I dreamt a dream of becoming a Fixer myself.
Don Quixote A Fixer fixes things; thus, a Fixer is a fixer of injustices, a fixer
of the downtrodden fortunes, a fixer of all that is unjust!
Don Quixote Thus, once we survive this encounter with this wicked place hand-in-
hand, all shalt re-think their impressions of us Fixers!
Rodion …….
Don Quixote ... Wh... wherefore art thou giving me such a terrifying look?
Rodion Kiddo, what you just said was... You don't just say stuff like "once we
survive this"... that's... nevermind...
Sinclair The survivors are...
Dante <Okay. Let's go find the... 'device' in Area 1, then.>
Yi Sang A glance at the brochure reveals many a kind of 'rides' here. And we
are at 'the... pret...ty... and wonder...ful place'. Installed here are rides and
attractions called 'Fixer for a Day', 'Fashionista Show'...
Gregor All that stuff just sounds like your typical amusement park stuff. It's
even got themes.
Yi Sang What... rests at the incipience of this place, I must wonder?
Heathcliff I dunno. But it ain't our business to know, innit?
Yi Sang I ask nonetheless, for I must wonder that, shrouded beneath the scars
of time...
Yi Sang ... lies the place of joy it once claimed to be.
Yi Sang Laughter, from the heart and unforced...
??? HA... HA... HA...!
??? It begins! It begins again! The eradication party-party!
Scissors-holding Bloodfiend More humans, more excitement! More exciting-excited
humans!
Scissors-holding Bloodfiend Oh, if only they held this party more often, three
times a day! So I'll send one of you back out there with two days to live.
Scissors-holding Bloodfiend Go tell the boss who sent you here, that we look
forward to their visit later!
Outis How about this? Tell us where the device is, and I'll kill you painlessly.
Scissors-holding Bloodfiend Ohoho... I like it! I love it! Splendid! Words so
nasty, yet blood so tasty!
Scissors-holding Bloodfiend Don't be so hasty, though. We've got plenty of events
to cover. Fashion shows, popularity contests, oh! How oh-so-exciting! Right?
Don Quixote So this... is thou hast made mockery of thy guests and Fixers.
Scissors-holding Bloodfiend Oh, almost forgot the most important thing.
Scissors-holding Bloodfiend Can't have you skittering around here looking so
unfashionable. You know that, right? Can't have our guests wearing rags that look
like they've been stitched together from rat hides. I'll get in trouble!
Rodion What, all of us...? Hey! Look closer. At least I don't look half bad,
right?
Scissors-holding Bloodfiend We'll dress you all in pretty, pretty dresses and
suits...
Scissors-holding Bloodfiend ... put you up for display in the powder room, and
nibble you slowly for a week.
Scissors-holding Bloodfiend Mmmmm~ where should I taste first? I'm so excited!
Dante <Uh, there are a lot of Bloodfiends here. Can you guys handle them?>
Yi Sang Worry not, for naught has put a moratorium on their deaths here.
Outis They appear to be much inferior to the one we engaged aboard the train. I
believe they are, at best, as strong as that prosthetic Fixer. Most likely weaker.
Heathcliff Jolly good and all that. Let's go smash 'em, then!
With Heathcliff's charge as our signal, the Sinners advanced, leaping into the
horde of Bloodfiends.
Episode: 13
Location: La Manchaland, Area 1
Scissors-holding Bloodfiend P-please... Don't kill me.
Scissors-holding Bloodfiend I... it's been two hundred years since I was this
full... Can you imagine... what it feels like to have the ravenousness eat you
alive for two whole centuries...?
Scissors-holding Bloodfiend Please, please? I... I got too excited. I'll live
like I did before, in the shadows. Like I don't even exist. Please...
Outis Tell us where the device is, and I'll think about it.
Scissors-holding Bloodfiend H-head over to that attraction over there. I'll let
you in on a shortcut that'll lead you straight to the button. Just follow me.
Scissors-holding Bloodfiend Enter, and immediately turn right...
Hugo Ooh. Nice, nice... Immediately turn right, and...
Outis ...!
Don Quixote We shall not bargain with villains.
Don Quixote Canst thou not see the corpses the villain hath left in her wake? Her
innocent victims? Lo, some of them appear to be fresh bodies.
The closer we got to the attraction, the more the roads became riddled with mangled
corpses.
Don Quixote was right. Some of them did look pretty new... some of them, only hours
since their death, at most.
... Of course, Outis did not appear even remotely receptive to her reasoning.
Outis ... We could've saved much time with that shortcut. There are times when we
must compromise with our foes to give us an advantage in the grand scheme of—
Don Quixote Alas! Yet, what meaning shall that 'shortcut' signify, if thy path is
one guided by the hand of the wicked?
Outis How are you still on about that nonsense, you little—
Heathcliff Oi, let the lass be. It ain't the first time, innit? Look alive. We've
got more of 'em incoming.
Hugo Holy crap... there's more of them!
Bloodbag Keeagh!
Episode: 14
Location: La Manchaland, Area 1
Dante <Huh...>
Unlike the Bloodbags back on the train, these ones can't come back from death.
They were all once Fixers seeking riches. Civilians turned guests, drawn to this
place by its music. Each dreaming a dream of their own.
Dante <I don't know since when, but I've stopped feeling anything about... killing
things like them.>
Sinclair ... Yeah.
Sinclair replied, thrusting his weapon into the skull of a dying Bloodbag.
Gregor Hey, the weapons they're wielding... don't they kinda remind you of the
weapon that Casse—
Ishmael …….
Gregor —tti was using?
Ryoshu Decorated with blood.
Meursault Coagulated blood. Identical to his weapon in essence.
Sinclair Is this how all Bloodfiends... fight?
Ishmael If we're using Moses' family analogy, maybe they're something like his
close relatives.
Outis This must be the attraction that the Bloodfiend from earlier was talking
about.
Ishmael Looks like this one's the main attraction of this Area.
Yi Sang Bereft of choices, we are thus compelled to enter...
Episode: 15
Location: Fantasy Blood-shooting
Narrator Welcome, one and all, to the main attraction of Area 1, 'Fantasy Blood-
shooting Range'!
Narrator Things might get a little too spooky for little ones, so hold on tight
to your mommy and daddy's hands!
Narrator Oh, and don't forget about 'Fashinista Show' attraction! We worked
really hard on it. Please pay a visit to pick up a free souvenir gift.
Narrator Gah... Sancho! Sheesh, you spooked me with your staring again, your
grace. Well, I'm thinking of giving out a few souvenirs here. Lady Dulcinea just
won't stop teasing me about how my attraction doesn't get a lot of visitors—
Gregor Wh... what the heck?
Rodion Is this place run by a buncha amateurs or something...?
Narrator Wanna know something?
Yi Sang Mm, the quality of audio has found significant improvement in this
recording.
Narrator Long, long ago... a forever ago, really... Bloodfiends and humans
weren't as friendly as we are today. How sad and tragic is that?
Dante <... "Today"?>
Narrator Hating each other like cats and dogs, their every meeting resulting in
big brawls. Bloodfiends hunted every human they saw... while humans returned
Bloodfiends' appetite for human blood with hatred for their kind.
Narrator Oh? Oh no! Bad, bad Bloodfiends are trying to eat those humans!
Whatever shall we do?
Sinners …….
Narrator ... What-ever-shall-we-do?
Sinclair ... Uh... t-talk them out of it?
Narrator BZZZT! Wrong answer! Think again! Who's next?
Don Quixote HAAAAARK!!!
Don Quixote They must be punished with impunity so they may never again hurt the
humans!
Narrator Correct!
Bloodbag Kehh... Keeeh.... Ksssh...
Narrator Very well, then! Here's a chance for you to defeat those bad, bad
Bloodfiends! How splendidly exciting is this?! HAHAHA! HEHEHAHAHA!
In that land...
There won't be any wearisome battles to fight. No constant fear of getting
devoured...
There shall be only laughter.
Episode: 16
Location: Fantasy Blood-shooting
Narrator Now! I'm sure kiddos are most excited for this part of the attraction!
Narrator Welcome to the 'Today, I'm This Area's Fixer' attraction!
Narrator When the bad Bloodfiends appear, use those toy clubs we handed out
earlier by the entrance to knock 'em all down!
Narrator Adults can play, too! Now beat that stress outta your syste—
Narrator NO! We don't need Bloodfiends pretending like those fake, toy clubs
hurt. Not anymore.
Narrator Only... only the real Bloodfiends remain here, now.
Episode: 17
Location: Fantasy Blood-shooting
Narrator Now, the bad Bloodfiends who want to hurt humans have all been driven
underground.
Narrator Only the kindhearted, righteous Bloodfiends remain on the surface.
Narrator They made a pinkie-promise with humans that they won't covet the human
blood anymore! That they'd live peacefully, happily ever after together! Because
what's better than peace, right?
Narrator Oh...? But look! Oh, look!
Narrator The bad, no-good Bloodfiends are crawling back up to the surface again!
Narrator Sneaking, slithering up to drink human blood!
Episode: 18
Location: Fantasy Blood-shooting
Narrator Our human friends grew scared that the big, bad, scary Bloodfiends
might come back to hurt them again.
Narrator Spending every hour of the night trembling in fear of no-good
Bloodfiends... not getting even a wink of rest.
Narrator And you know how important sleep is to skin maintenance. A bad sleep
cycle is a leading cause of hair loss and various nasty skin conditions!
Rodion Hey, she's got a point...
Narrator That's when a Fixer, righteous and just, comes up with an idea most
ingenious.
Narrator What if...
Narrator And I mean really, what if...
Narrator ... We could create a place in which humans and Bloodfiends may coexist
in happy harmony?
Narrator There, the kindly Bloodfiends will protect humans from evil
Bloodfiends... while humans will voluntarily share their blood with the kindly
Bloodfiends.
Narrator How's that? Now isn't that really an idea most ingenious?
Don Quixote …….
Don Quixote Yet... 'tis an impossible task. How can humans coexist with
Bloodfiends, those villains who have naught but the base craving for human blood in
their craven hearts...?
Narrator Well, it's only natural that such grand, impressive ideals would be met
with some resistance.
Narrator But a great leader is often flanked by capable vassals who help them
realize their ambitions... And soon...
Narrator La Manchaland was born! La Manchaland, where your smiles of joy bloom.
La Manchaland, where everyone can dream free!
Narrator Look around, all! Look at all the smiling Bloodfiends, giving you a
toothy grin!
Episode: 19
Location: Fantasy Blood-shooting
Narrator But ooh, oh my! Do you see that one thing that's missing from the
perfect La Manchaland?
Dante <…….>
Heathcliff Blimey, how long is she going to yammer on for?
Outis How unpleasant. It's like she's underestimating us... Talking our ears off
with some nonsense drivel before sending in her minions.
Heathcliff Oi! You're listenin', ain't ya? Don't think I forgot you replyin' to us
earlier!
Narrator Oh really? Do you really not see what's missing?
Narrator Once you're in La Manchaland, shouldn't one rightly... wear something
that befits the occasion?
Narrator And ah, how could I forget those elegant yet tastefully flamboyant
masks?!
Narrator Just like this! This feels much more like a festival now, doesn't it?
Hong Lu Now we know who really did those pretty makeovers for our Bloodbag
friends who escaped La Manchaland~
Yi Sang Quite the luridly repugnant habit she has.
Ryoshu Hackneyed and boring sense of beauty. Hardly worth my time.
Narrator And thanks to all of you, La Manchaland found perfection.
Narrator With this quarrel quelled, Bloodfiends and humans can now live together
in harmony, living in everlasting festivities.
Narrator The final tally of the bad, evil Bloodfiends our kindly adventurer has
slain is...
Narrator Eh, forgot the count somewhere in the middle. Anyways, you sure killed
a *lot* of those big, bad Bloodfiends.
Episode: 20
Location: Fantasy Blood-shooting
Narrator Tell us your name, O brave adventurer.
That is the condition of your adventure.
If you are willing to accept these terms, then speak your name to me.
Location: Fantasy Blood-shooting
Don Quixote …….
Don Quixote Thou shalt know that my name... is Don Quixote.
Narrator Ahh...
Narrator To use that name... You've gone just as insane as the rest of us...
The voice from the announcement system briefly fell hesitant, and an extended
silence followed.
Narrator ... Brave Don Quixote, the adventurer, and her friends placed first in
the Fantasy Blood-shooting Range competition! Salutations and Congratulations!
Narrator What shall be your reward?! Drum roll please, everyone~
Narrator Ta-da! Here's a button that opens the path to the finest attraction of
all time in La Manchaland~!
Narrator 'The Haunted: Bloody Mary', the highlight of La Manchaland, the
frightening challenge that only the bravest of adventurers dare face!
Dante <So this is the 'device' that leads us to our next destination, huh...>
Heathcliff This seems a tad too easy, don't it? Just like that? And they even
bring the button to you?
Hugo According to the info I bought, though...
Hugo There's only twenty-five percent chance of surviving through the first Area.
The odds aren't great, but they're not terrible either.
Hugo What really matters though, is that we made it through! The button's right
here!
Ishmael You... bought the info? What's that supposed to mean?
Ishmael Are you saying that there were more testimonies from survivors than
what we heard earlier at the briefing?
Hugo Ha ha... wow. You guys really are new to this business, huh?
Hugo Do you really think that the Fixers who managed to survive La Manchaland
would just... fork over their precious intel to the Hana Association?
Hugo No, of course not. They sell important intel like that to just a few people
who's got the cash and the interest.
Hugo They also told me that, to activate the device in Area 1, we have to kill all
the Bloodfiends in that attraction and place first in the leaderboard.
Outis ... And you neglected to tell us this why?
Hugo W-well, I just thought we needed some time to build the trust between us
before I started sharing things.
Rodion Eh, I get it. I bet that intel wasn't cheap to come by~
Hugo Y-yeah, totally... whew.
Gregor ... Has our mission ever gone this smoothly before?
Dante <So... we press this button, and our job's done here?>
It's definitely suspicious how easy this was, but... what can we do? Not press it?
Sinclair If we're being optimistic... at least we should be able to get out of
Area 1 now and join the others.
Meursault Consider that information regarding Bloodfiends and Bloodbags is rare
to come by for the public.
Meursault Had someone unfamiliar with the particulars of battling Bloodbags
participated in this competition, it may have been difficult to place first in the
leaderboard.
Gregor Hm... that's also true, I suppose.
Outis Hey, what other information are you withholding from us? Spit it out. What
more 'trust' do you need?
Outis shoved Hugo, practically threatening him with her odd emphasis on the word
'trust'.
Hugo That's, uh. Um...
Hugo They say that there are three Bloodfiends here that we gotta avoid at all
costs.
Hugo Fixers call them the overseer Bloodfiends. If you want a better chance of
survival, avoid them. Or so they say.
Hugo There's one in each Area, but hey. At least it didn't say anywhere in the
terms and conditions of the contract that we had to kill them, too. They don't have
anything to do with eradicating La Manchaland, after all. ... Probably...
Hugo The point is, we should try to steer clear of those monsters. Let's just hit
that button and book it—
Don Quixote I cannot well bring myself to do such a thing, O Fixer.
Hugo Uh... you can't...?
Don Quixote The innocent visitors to this terrible place suffer still, do they not?
Don Quixote Thus, the only path of righteousness that remain before us is to defeat
all three Bloodfiends, those beasts who watch over this slaughterhouse, and have
them pay for their crimes!
Hugo ... Holy smokes, aren't you guys going to try to talk her out of this
insanity? She's your friend, isn't she...?
Gregor Bud, we already would've tried if we thought there was a snowball's
chance in hell of convincing her.
Don Quixote Hark! Show thyself, thou wicked Bloodfiend! I, Don Quixote, shall
vanquish thee!
Rodion Um~ So is there anything you can tell us about what these three
Bloodfiends look like?
Hugo Nngh... That intel cost me two mil...
Ryoshu …….
Hugo ... They wear the gaudiest masks...
??? Pffffhahahahahahha!!
??? How fun, how fun! This is the most fun I've had all week!
Hugo Apparently their masks stand out for being extremely gaudy...
Ryoshu They must have a pretty 'gaudy' smell of blood, as well.
??? Which one of you's Don Quixote, friends? My eyesight ain't like it used to
be!
Hong Lu And there she is.
Hugo ... Uh.
??? I asked which one of you is this 'Don Quixote' who came first place in this
attraction of mine? Hello?
Hugo H-her... her mask...
??? Just answer my question, and I'll let the rest of you press the button and
head on over to the next Area.
??? As long as you tell me which one of you is... Don Quixote!
Don Quixote 'Tis—
Hugo S-she's right here!
Hugo shouted from the top of his lungs just as Don Quixote began to speak.
The speed with which he called out her name was in striking contrast with his
previous slow, reluctant attitude.
Hugo W-well? Can I press the button now?
Hugo Ha... ha ha...! Fixers who activate a device gets 1.5 times the rate when
calculating the eradication reward!
Ryoshu ... Hah.
Ryoshu Try pressing the button now.
Ryōshū swung her absurdly sharp scabbard, chopping off his wrists with blinding
speed.
Hugo Hnngh... Agh...
Don Quixote Y-young Ryōshū! Whatever hast thou done?! To put thy steel against the
flesh of a compatriot...!
Ryoshu Never accepted that idiot as my compatriot.
Dante <Don Quixote, he was trying to sell you out.>
Don Quixote V-verily, yet...
Ryoshu I smelled treachery the moment I saw him. ... I waited, curious if he
would demonstrate even an ounce of creativity when pulling off that act.
Ryoshu ... But this is tired, meek, and clichéd. Can't stand the lack of
originality.
Dante <... So you would've just let him do his thing if it was... interesting?>
??? Pfft... Hehehahahaha!
??? Oh, how did you know? I was going to kill him myself! I mean, how could I let
someone so scruffy and slovenly press the button in our Area, of all places?!
Don Quixote …….
??? So. You're that Don Quixote? The Don Quixote who won my game?
Don Quixote Indeed, 'tis I.
??? ... Well, then...
??? ... How did you win?
Don Quixote I have rescued numerous innocents and hewn my path through scores of
villains to vanquish a cur such as thee!
??? Ha... ha ha... ha...
Don Quixote Wh... wherefore art thou so giddy?
??? Oh, it's... I'm just so happy, you know?
??? So, how did you like the game? Mine's your favorite, isn't it? I was going to
add a few more decorations here and there, maybe some frilly lace... but I ran out
of time.
??? You see, since Bloodbags can't change themselves, I have to dress each and
every one of them myself. Anything too complicated just isn't sturdy enough to stay
on.
Don Quixote What horrible crime thou confessest... I am not here to play thy games.
Don Quixote I have arrived here to eradicate this terrible place that taketh
people, La Manchaland! To slay its villains slithering within!
??? Okay! But why aren't you wearing the outfit I made for you?
??? How discourteous of you! If you wanted to hang out in my Area, you should've
made yourself a little more presentable than... this.
Gregor What the... Is it just me, or does it sound like their conversation
isn't connecting at all with each other's?
Ishmael Yeah, she's nuts. Let's put her out of her misery...
??? Hahaha! I just know that you'll look great in a can-can dress and boots with
ribbons! Oh, I'll make you look so pretty!
Episode: 21
Location: Fantasy Blood-shooting
??? Oh, hey... that reminds me.
??? How rude of me to... not say hello to our visitors... Right...?
Sinclair Ugh...!
Dante <The mask...>
Don Quixote …!
??? I have to be courteous... It's impolite to wear a mask in front of our
guests...
Ryoshu …….
Dante <…!>
The face hidden behind the mask... was bloody and mangled. To the point where it
felt wrong to look at her in that state.
??? Wh... no, don't look! Don't look at me like that!
??? If you're going to kill me, at least kill me with my mask on, please? I know
you will. I know you will! What's a little favor between you and me?
The Bloodfiend's unmasked eyes glowered intensely at Don Quixote as she pleaded.
As Don Quixote stood there, stunned by the sheer intensity of the screeching
Bloodfiend, a slow voice began to echo from the void.
??? The Barber used to enjoy wearing cuter, prettier masks. Something with more
charm, more elaborate design.
??? She thought these terrifying, rough masks only served to scare people.
??? Perhaps she believed that it was only fair that she wore a prettier mask, now
that her face was shrouded.
Dante <…!>
Outis ... That individual is wearing a mask as well, Executive Manager. We must
stay alert.
Sinclair But... isn't there just one overseer Bloodfiend for every Area...?
Sinclair Maybe he's from a different Area? But why would he...
Outis Tsk, we should've gotten more intel out of the traitor before he betrayed
us...
Heathcliff Shite... a little much, innit? Two bigwig Bloodfiends right by the
entrance, seriously?
??? Mhm, certainly. It appears to me that you are all rather spent from the
struggle against the Barber here.
??? Then allow me to make a proposition.
??? You have gone there and back again on all kinds of adventures, yet I am but a
mere guide and a greeter here at La Manchaland, a place of blossoming smiles and
dreams.
??? So I will gladly open the path for you...
??? ... should you promise to tell me all about your wonderful adventures. So
that you may find the prize you seek.
??? So that you may not lose your way this time.
Dante <What...?>
??? However, if that is not what you seek, well... why else would you be
slaughtering scores of Bloodfiends here now?
The masked Bloodfiend in blue, who suddenly appeared here...
Don Quixote …….
... was clearly speaking to Don Quixote, and only Don Quixote.
Don Quixote Forsooth, many a great adventure have I undertaken—so many that to
recount them all would parch my throat before the tale's end.
Don Quixote ... Yet thy trickery shan't fool me! While the treasure is of great
worth, my true purpose here is to vanquish wicked Bloodfiends such as thee!
Don Quixote I, Don Quixote! Shan't compromise with villains!
??? Ha ha... I had a feeling you would say that. But that won't do.
??? You have to share it with everyone, the most wondrous adventures of yours.
Don Quixote Wha—
The masked Bloodfiend raises his staff, and Don Quixote's mouth shuts. As though a
supernatural power was forcing its will on her movements.
In that bizarre silence, her eyes shimmer quietly.
Episode: 22
Location: Fantasy Blood-shooting
Don Quixote I...
??? Please, hold on a moment. Can't have a good tale without proper backdrop and
some music to set the mood, hmm?
With a quick flick of his staff, the magician rapidly shifts and warps everything
around us.
[EP 1] - 'IN WHICH ARE RECOUNTED THE MOST WONDROUS ADVENTURES OF DON QUIXOTE'
Location: Where None Shall Tread
Gregor Whuh?! W-what the hell?!
Dante <G-Golden Bough resonance...?!>
??? Recall. Recall the days of adventure you once lived!
Don Quixote ... Indeed. I have faced countless perils and enemies in my tales of
adventures.
??? Then how about we share a few select adventures you found particularly
memorable?
??? Let everyone see your grand exploits... in plain sight.
??? Oh, how about this tale, then?
??? Let's call it...
??? ... The Hallowed Adventures of Don Quixote...
??? ... and the Knight of the White Moon.
The Knight of the White Moon Ta-da.
Outis The Knight of the White Moon? Is that who you really are?
??? Ha ha, of course not. I must apologize for my delayed introduction.
Sansón My name is Sansón, and I will be your guide on your visit here at La
Manchaland. 'The Knight of the White Moon' is nothing more than a role I play.
Don Quixote ... The Knight... of the White Moon...
Sansón How do I look? Close enough, would you say?
Sansón Mm. You seem quite peeved that such a role would go to someone such as
myself.
Sansón Well, then. We have another actor present here to play this character.
A little green, a little incomplete, but still with the sign of great potential.
Sansón I give this role of the Knight of the White Moon to you.
Sinclair …?
Sinclair M-me?
Sinclair held his forehead for a moment, then looked at his changed appearance in
confusion.
But that did not last.
Sinclair …….
Dante <Even Sinclair's gotten... quiet. Like something's controlling his mind.>
Faust It appears that they have become like 'actors' on a stage. As long as that
individual is talking, they cannot break character.
Rodion W-woah, is this safe?!
Sansón The pair sought a certain river, the tales of which have been told only
through legends.
Sansón Only the Knight of the White Moon knew the path to finding it. Don
Quixote was merely going as directed by the Knight.
Sansón Oh, excuse me. 'The Trio'; can't forget our dear Rocinante.
Sansón Each had a very distinct sound of footsteps as well.
Sansón The Knight, an experienced yet relaxed gait.
Sansón Rocinante, a stoic yet powerful stride.
Sansón And you... stumbling hither and thither.
Sansón It is a deep, deep place where no one dares tread.
Sansón The deepest part of the City, once challenged by countless adventurers,
Knights, and Fixers...
Sansón A quiet, terribly tranquil place inhabited only by the floating
nebulae...
Sinclair "We... only have a little further to venture."
Sinclair “…….”
Sinclair "Once we find the river..."
Sinclair "I will guide you to the place that will be your residence henceforth."
Sinclair "An abandoned lighthouse where no one visits."
Sinclair "Please, make that place your home."
Sansón Ahh, the Knight has given our hero a place to live.
Sansón What a kindly knight. Such loyal friendship brings tears to my eyes.
Don Quixote "Very well! Then I trust thee to lead the—"
Sansón No, no. You did not have a line here.
Sansón Why was that, one must wonder... Was it the excitement, the
anticipation that got your tongue?
Sansón Well, well. Not the most exciting start to an adventure, was it?
Sansón Let's keep things interesting. Shall we move on?
[EP 2] - 'WHICH TREATS DON QUIXOTE'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE BANDITS'
Location: Where None Shall Tread
Heathcliff Ah, shite! I can't move!
Meursault There is no observable method by which we may escape the flow of this
stageplay.
Dante <If we don't have a choice in the matter, then... let's at least pay
attention to it.>
Thinking back, we've never actually given much attention to Don Quixote's stories
before. We considered them to be too ridiculous. Too tiring to listen to. I could
think of a thousand different excuses...
... we came up with to avoid having to listen to her stories.
Dante <Let's pay attention to Don Quixote's story for once, her story we never
knew.>
Sansón In this tale, we look at but one of many, many adventures of Don
Quixote.
Sansón Through the journey, the great adventurer Don Quixote visited many
villages.
Location: Shepherds' Village
Sansón And, eventually, the adventurer arrived at a village of shepherds.
Don Quixote A village of shepherds, indeed...
Don Quixote Upon my arrival I could see plainly that the village was routinely
terrorized by a band of highwaymen and raiders. Verily, I could see the palpable
fear worn on the faces of the villagers. Thus, I inquired one of them to learn of
what plagued them so.
Rodion "Oh, my...! You must be the brave and famous adventurer Don Quixote!
Please, deliver us from pain, milord."
Don Quixote "Alack for woe! The wicked caitiffs—the bandits—fell upon thy village!"
Don Quixote …….
Don Quixote "I, Don Quixote, shan't let pass this plain villainy and bullying
unanswered!"
Don Quixote "Worry thee not, for I promise thee on all that is I, that I shall rout
the no-good bandits from thy village!"
Rodion "But... there's too many for you to defeat all on your own, dear
adventurer!"
Don Quixote "Do not let such fear plague thy mind, for there are no adventures in
which I, Don Quixote, have not prevailed! Wouldst thou not agree?"
Sansón Ah... hold on, hold on a minute. Something feels off, doesn't it?
Don Quixote ... Aught doth?
Sansón Who might you be talking to? The Knight of the White Moon? Or... your
brave steed, Rocinante?
Don Quixote Well, plainly...
Don Quixote ... it must be Rocinante.
Don Quixote Many adventures have I braved alongside Rocinante. A friend and a
compatriot whom I shan't trade for anything in the world!
Don Quixote "Wouldst thou not agree, dear Rocinante!"
Gregor "Y-ye, yes, your worship, Don Quixote."
Rodion Pffft, Greg? Didya just turn into a horse?
Sansón Now, now. Let's try to focus on this adventure, shall we? Otherwise,
Don Quixote, as brave an adventurer this hero may be, cannot fend off this whole
horde of bandits all alone.
Don Quixote Indeed... There were too many of them. 'Twas a battle most difficult,
just as the villagers had feared.
Gregor "Will this plan succeed, your worship?"
Don Quixote "What better plan dost thou suggest, dear Rocinante?"
Gregor "Oh, well. I don't have a plan or anything. I don't know as much about
the ways of adventuring as you do, Don Quixote."
Don Quixote "I shall stand as myself that is manifestly myself, Rocinante. That is
to say, that I stand without fear!"
Gregor "Still... can't you see that we are terribly outnumbered? Know that to
back down is not to flee; that one must know when to stop their stride when danger
outpaces hope..."
Sansón Shame, it seems that Rocinante was not as brave as Don Quixote. And not
very compliant for a horse... or a pair of running shoes.
Gregor ... Haah.
Don Quixote "Fie on thee, Rocinante. Hold thy tongue! In all the years I have lived
and places I have visited, I am yet to know a pair of running shoes as rebellious
as thee! Hast thou not espied enough of my courage to fight them? Then I, Don
Quixote, shall prove it to thee this instant, Rocinante!"
Don Quixote Thus I, Don Quixote leapt into the fray the likes of which hath not
been seen before, or thereafter.
Don Quixote "Flee not, ye devious caitiffs!"
Don Quixote Shouting so, I stabbed and stabbed and stabbed with all my strength
behind the lance.
Episode: 23
Location: Shepherds' Village
Don Quixote Eventually, I managed to wholly purge the village of bandits and return
the peace to where it belongs!
Rodion "O Don Quixote, your worship! I thank you for protecting our village.
How may we repay this great favor?"
Sansón The villagers spoke of the reward for this brave adventurer.
Sansón Of course they did. Expecting a reward for a job done well was a most
natural thing, indeed. After all, who would do such difficult work for no pay?
Don Quixote "No need, my good lady! There is no need at all. I have merely done my
duty as a righteous Fixer."
Rodion "Oh my! For truth?! You helped us... for free? Without expecting any
compensation?"
Don Quixote "Forsooth! For that! Is the duty of a Fixer. Ah, yet... ahem. If thou
truly wishest to help, then... I do have aught to ask thee..."
Rodion "Of course! Anything for you, brave adventurer!"
Don Quixote "That is...! 'Tis naught of any import, of course. 'Tis... uh..."
Don Quixote “…….”
Rodion "... Huh?"
But, um... how could we repay you...? We don't have much money...
Your running shoes look like they could fetch a nice price...
Fie on thee! A... ...doth not dole out justice based on promise of capital!
Still, if thou truly wishest to help, then...
Location: Shepherds' Village
Dante <This memory... Was that... Don Quixote...?>
Sansón Ah, can't have dead silence on the stage. Let's keep things moving and
head on to the next tale, shall we?
Episode: 24
[EP 3] - 'IN WHICH IS RECOUNTED THE MATTER OF DON QUIXOTE AND THE HELMET'
Location: Shepherds' Village
Sansón Thus continues the adventures of Don Quixote.
Gregor "That 'Relic' or whatever it is... is it even real? What if those
bastards were lying to us?"
Don Quixote "Nay, such cannot be true, for they would not lie to their very
deliverer. I am certain the Relic is near."
Sansón The pair are clearly searching for something. But pray, what might that
be?
Don Quixote "I beseech thee, fellow traveler of the road. Dost thou know aught
about the local tale of 'A Noble and Knightly Helm of the Absolutely and
Incandescently Resplendent Mambrino'?"
Outis “…….”
Outis "If yer' lookin' for that... absol.. incan... whatever helmet, ye might wanna
go up that little hill over yonder, walk along the trail all the way into the cave,
and keep goin' deeper 'till ye find the helm. At least that's what folks say out
'ere, milord."
Location: Before the Cave
Don Quixote "Very well! Then I shall march to that cave posthaste!"
Location: Cave's Deepest Fathoms
Don Quixote Thus, Rocinante and I journeyed to that cave in search of that
legendary helm. 'Twasn't easy, forsooth. One of trials that which dared to stand in
our path was a big, scary bear...
Heathcliff "G-grrr..."
Don Quixote "Behold, dear Rocinante! That creature there must be the man-eating
bear the tales of which we have heard so much of."
Heathcliff Oi, how long am I gonna be in this getup? It's pissin' me off.
Heathcliff Listen, you sod. It's— "Grrrr."
Gregor "I am... beholding it..."
Gregor "...You can handle it, right? Like you always do?"
Don Quixote "Verily! A mere beast such as that bear shan't match our strength!"
Episode: 25
Location: Fantasy Blood-shooting
Don Quixote Thus, we vanquished the bear and claimed the fabled Helm of Mambrino
ours!
Really, a bear?
I can obliterate that poor animal in less than three—
Oh, please. Where is the fun in that? We shall battle this fell beast
like... ...from the books!
Location: Fantasy Blood-shooting
Sinclair H-helm...? Do you think these stories are... actual adventures of Don
Quixote?
Yi Sang Miss Don Quixote. Not once have we truly given you chance to regale us
with your tales of adventure.
Hong Lu Mhm. She usually only talked about adventures of other Fixers.
Ishmael Or she would persistently nag us about our own adventures.
Dante <... I'm not sure. Let's keep listening.>
Episode: 26
Location: Fantasy Blood-shooting
Rodion W-what just happened? I... I just started saying the lines like I've
known them by heart...
Gregor Y-yeah... it's like... we were almost hypnotized by something. And it
felt so real, as though we were really there.
Gregor I know this sounds absurd, but I clearly remember transforming into a
horse. Then, a pair of running shoes, somehow. But I was still myself up here.
Strange...
Sansón Ah, how wonderful was that story, hm? I like this one much more than
the juvenile, naive story of peace and happiness between humans and Bloodfiends
that this place has to tell.
Sansón So, where did you place that precious helm? If I had such a priceless
artifact myself, I would be wearing it on my head every single day.
Don Quixote …….
Don Quixote ... Tragically, the helm ill fit my head. I had no choice but to leave
it in mine warehouse.
Don Quixote Most likely...
Sansón Shame, shame. Why did you not keep a close eye on something so
important, something you had to go through so much to claim?
Sansón You might regret the want of it someday.
Sansón As much as I would like to hear what comes next... this seems to be
where I bid you all adieu.
Sansón I will open the entrance to Area 2, as promised. I'm sure there aren't
any other Bloodfiends who are as honest about their promises as I am.
Don Quixote Wicked... Bloodfiend, how dare—!
Don Quixote's rage resumed just as the story ended, but she was still stuck in
place as though the tale hadn't left her body just yet.
Sansón How exciting. What new tales shall greet you in the next Area, I
wonder?
Sansón Well, then... I hope you enjoy La Manchaland's next Area, O righteous
adventurer of justice... Don Quixote.
Dante <What... was that...? That wasn't a Golden Bough resonance, was it? It
felt... slightly different.>
Ishmael I have no idea what he did to us, but we all helplessly froze in place.
As though we were all collectively hypnotized...
Sinclair It wasn't like this when we entered Yi Sang's fathoms, right?
Yi Sang Mm. Quite. We could then well tell that it was merely a reenactment of
a tale with a pre-written script we read of our own volition.
Gregor Maybe it has something to do with that Bloodfiend's... special ability?
Faust It may be that he took advantage of La Manchaland's Golden Bough resonating
with a certain Sinner among us... and inserted his own power there to cause this
phenomenon.
Dante <We should... probably steer clear of that Bloodfiend...>
Faust …….
Dante <Faust...>
We can't continue this story. We shouldn't.
I didn't have the courage to tell them what I've been thinking this whole time.
That Don Quixote, the hero of the story in which she vanquished the bandits and
protected an innocent village...
That Don Quixote, whose eyes twinkled with sheer excitement at the thought of
taking down La Manchaland...
... will eventually be forced to spill before every Sinner...
... That she is a Second Kindred, Bloodfiend.
Faust However, Dante...
Don Quixote Agh... the Bloodfiend hath given us the slip...!
Don Quixote Alas! We have dealt a fatal blow against one of them, and managed to
activate the device we had intended to access! 'Tis a very successful mission thus
far, I say!
She was back to her usual, energetic self...
Faust ... there comes a time when one must awaken from their dream.
... but Faust's answer seemed to be pointing toward something else.
Once the button was pressed, a low rumble emanated from around us...
And a large passageway slowly emerged before us, like gargantuan parts of a great
machine ponderously clicking into place.
Don Quixote Ho! Let us hasten to the subsequent canto of this epic!
Episode: 27
Location: -1
Nay, tease me not, jest me not as though my venture is one for fools.
I have already explained that you do not know of true adventure.
We shall soon walk a path of suffering, its intensity unprecedented and monumental.
Do you not see the grand gate of adventure risen, unlatched before us?
Thus, silence your prattling and resume the preparations; let us leave posthaste.
…….
... This is quite odd, however.
…….
Since when was Rocinante given the gift of speech?
Location: La Manchaland, Area 2
While we had our reservations, we took the path Sansón opened for us and made it to
the next Area.
Sinclair I'm worried about Xichun and the other Fixers. They were assigned Area
2, right? I hope they're alright...
Hong Lu Xichun will be okay, I'm sure. Oh, that reminds me... I have a funny
family in-joke to share...
Gregor Oho, let's hear it.
Hong Lu It goes like this. Any of our siblings who managed to survive on their
own up to the age of thirteen in our household will probably be a-okay even if they
were to be tossed out to the middle of the Outskirts! Hehe...
Gregor ... Ahm. Okay, we should hurry. I bet Area 2's just as bad... if not
worse, than Area 1. If something bad were to happen to your sister in front your
eyes—
Hong Lu Then I will gather her remains and lay them in her final resting place
when I return home, whenever that may be.
Hong Lu Xichun would have done the same for me.
Gregor ... Yeah?
Gregor ... Anyways~ Whew! Ain't this place a bit drafty, fellas?
This place feels very different from Area 1.
Unlike Area 1, which was extremely gaudy and overtly decorated...
... this place is teeming with ominous, depressing silence.
Ishmael Yeah. This place is... how should I put it... It's eerily quiet. Almost
spooky, even...
Rodion Welp, I hope this is the good kind of quiet~
Rodion Y'know, what if it's just quiet down here because the Fixers who made
it here first already took out all the Bloodfiends?
Dante <It is pretty suffocating to just sit here, not knowing who won the fight...
or if there even was a fight.>
Gregor Let's try not to get added to that wall of missing persons posters...
Sinclair How much time do we have until La Manchaland closes?
Yi Sang Five hours, by my estimation.
Rodion Nice, nice. I'd say we're moving at a decent pace. Hey, what if we're
the first group that managed to activate their Area's device?
Ishmael Well, we did suffer some losses...
Outis Losses? I believe we've only pruned a traitor in our midst.
Yi Sang Yet... aught sits ill at the back of my mind still.
Yi Sang It was not as though we passed the first Area by our own will and
effort; it was the command of the man in his magician's outfit by which we were
'made' to pass through.
Rodion Well... he was a pretty weird Bloodfiend.
Sinclair R-right? And... I couldn't quite tell what it was, but there was
something familiar about him...
Rodion Something familiar? Hm, I guess he did seem kinda similar to Ryōshū, in
that artsy-fartsy way.
Ryoshu …….
Ryōshū quietly let out a cloud of smoke. It briefly lingered midair before turning
into a bizarre shape.
Sinclair T-that's cute... is that a cat-shaped plume?
Ryoshu Hoo... It's you. Weeping and sniveling.
Ryoshu An expression of the consequences, should you mistranslate me in the
future.
Dante <…….>
Gregor Ooh...? Huh, this place is pretty neat.
Dante <Ooh, what is it?>
Gregor Look here, on the map. They have an infirmary.
Gregor 'Guests injured on a ride, guests who need a moment to calm down, or
any Bloodfiends who are in urgent need of blood, you can find help here!'...
Gregor Huh, ain't that awfully nice of them.
Sinclair They said that La Manchaland was intended to be where Bloodfiends and
humans can peacefully, happily coexist.
Sinclair Maybe... a long, long time ago... it really did work for a while. At
least according to the descriptions on this map.
Don Quixote Nonsense! 'Twould be an impossible task, most evidently!
Don Quixote An adventure such as this cannot possibly exist in any tale of Don
Quixote. A place to coexist with villains...? Pah, absurd...
Don Quixote Hmm, this subject doth remind me of a case Lord Siegfried had once
resolved.
Don Quixote A battle atop a bridge, it was! Back then, the villains suggested a
compromise most devious, not unlike the one suggested by the wicked ones who
inhabit this place.
Don Quixote They sought to seduce him with promises of riches and power, to have
him stand with them!
Don Quixote Yet Lord Siegfried refused to bend his knee!
Don Quixote He answered their suggestion with but a mighty socking against the
villain's jaw...!
Ishmael Oh, that one-hour edit of the 'battle'? Wasn't it pretty obvious that
it was staged—
Don Quixote ... and declared thusly!
Don Quixote 'Thou shan't make a purchasable product of I, Siegfried, with thy
contemptible money!'
Don Quixote AND! Fired off his super special laser beam cannon at the villain!
ZWAAAAAHHHH—
Outis Attention, men.
... A timely intervention from Outis put a stop to Don Quixote's story.
Outis There are remains of Bloodbags strewn about in close proximity to this
attraction.
Outis It's called... let's see. 'Haunted: Bloody Mary'...
Rodion Hm. Is this one of those, uh, 'haunted mansion' attractions?
Rodion Hey, Sinclair. Do ya think these haunted mansions have actual—
Sinclair S-stop right there! Hey, my parents took me to an amusement park too,
okay? S-so don't think you can use this to tease me or scare me like—
Rodion ... It was a genuine question. I've never been to an amusement park,
you know.
Yi Sang Ahh...
Sinclair I-I'm sorry.
Rodion Eh, don'tcha worry about it! So, do these places actually have ghosts
or nah?
Sinclair I-I'm fairly sure they have some pretty cheap-looking animatronics or
mannequins at worst.
Meursault As attractions of that category often admit guests of all ages,
including children, they do not place real paranatural entities such as ghosts
inside them. However, they often install various tools and visual effects to
stimulate fear responses in their guests.
Sinclair Yeah, these are usually family attractions.
Location: -1
Where's your family? Your siblings?
I never had anyone, not even on the day I was born. I've only known... the cold...
the loneliness...
Then let me…
... grant you the will to live.
The family I shall grant you will forever be by your side. Come with me.
Episode: 28
Location: Haunted: Bloody Mary
Sinclair It's been so long since I visited one of these haunted mansions... The
last time I was at a place like this, I thought when the next time came I'd be here
with my family again. Not... all on my own like this...
Rodion All on your own? C'mon, kiddo... You're here with your coworkers~
Heathcliff Ahm. Coworkers who are... kinda like family, innit?
Ryoshu …….
Outis Enough chit-chat. Everyone, direct your attention to the floor. There's
something there.
Outis ... Yes, there are numerous signs of battle. Just as I expected.
Yi Sang A stench, this miasma of rot fills my lungs... it has been some time
since the battle took place.
Yi Sang ... No body here appears to be a Fixer who participated in our ongoing
mission.
... Or maybe they've all been turned into Bloodbags and are shambling through the
haunted mansion... but it's probably better to not share that kind of thought here.
Dante <There's blood everywhere...>
Tzzzt... zzzt...
Narrator I welcome you all with all my heart, dear guests, to Haunted: Bloody
Mary.
The portrait from which the voice was echoing from was torn in half.
From what we could deduce from the remaining part of the portrait, it was likely a
depiction of the king of this castle... or at least, that was the story it tried to
convey.
Ishmael ... It's all torn up.
Meursault It can be extrapolated from the torn patterns that it was intended to
be displayed in its current, tattered, form.
Narrator You find yourselves in the castle of an ancient, once-prosperous
kingdom that has long fallen to ruin.
Narrator Now, you must explore every corner of this derelict castle to unveil
the true secrets of the old kingdom.
Narrator Please note that there are several installations with the explicit
purpose of inducing fear. If you have a heart condition, or cannot handle horror
very well, please reconsider partaking in this expedition.
Gregor So he says.
Don Quixote W-well! V-v-v-v-verily, I have no such fear in my heart! Pah!
Sinclair Aagh! Don't squeeze me so tightly, Don Quixote!... Can you let go of my
arm, please...?
Narrator Hm? Sancho, your grace, if you have something you would like to tell
me, please come closer and...
Narrator I missed a line, you say? What... ah, I see.
Narrator Ahm, ahm. Let the fire of courage light your way in this adventure of
cold, bone-chilling fear.
Ishmael The tour must start somewhere around here... Hm. That mirror's gotta be
where the Bloodfiends used to hide to shock their guests. And look, that ceiling
panel's slightly ajar. That's probably where—
Angry Bloodfiend Keeeeeh! I hate smartasses who can't keep their mouths shut! Stop
explaining things!
Sinclair HEEAAAAGH!!!!!
Heathcliff Bloody hell!
Dante <Huh, she was right...>
Angry Bloodfiend Don't you understand that the real fun of Haunted: Bloody Mary is
walking into a scare knowing that it's going to happen?! Why can't you just be a
good guest?!
Ishmael Sorry, I'm just not that nice.
Angry Bloodfiend We were just going to let you through, but... she's really
getting on my nerves!
Episode: 29
Location: Haunted: Bloody Mary
Heathcliff Right, then. Was that the last of the Bloodfiends here?
Don Quixote Mhm! 'Twas a victory in our favor!
Ryoshu No. There's more.
Ryoshu Trembling rats inside that coffin. They lack even a morsel of shame.
We opened the coffin Ryōshū singled out...
Surprised Bloodfiend Gah! Holy shit!
... and several Bloodfiends came tumbling out.
Gregor L-look who's talking...
Dante <... Ryōshū, can you see through walls, by any chance?>
Ryoshu I only smelled their dirty cowardice.
Surprised Bloodfiend ... Did... did they leave?
Hong Lu Who do you mean by 'they'?
Surprised Bloodfiend The monsters who came to hunt us... those... bastards going
around smashing our rides and attractions...
Hong Lu Ohh~ I think I know who you're talking about. Did they make it safely
past this attraction?
Surprised Bloodfiend Probably...?
Outis You didn't get a good look at them?
Surprised Bloodfiend We had no choice. Our roles were to jump out and scare
people during the 'The Banquet with Bloodfiends' scene, but... we stayed put in
here because they were even scarier...
Surprised Bloodfiend Th-the visitors used to scream and run when we'd jump out
of these coffins... They really, really loved it... We even took pictures with them
once they were done with the attraction...
Surprised Bloodfiend Hey, guys... wanna know something cool? We're running an
event where we'll take a free commemorative picture with you for only 400ml of
blood. How's that, how's that? Don't ya wanna leave a picture of this spoooooky
experience?
Surprised Bloodfiend 400ml is nothing, right? It's just a little trickle of
blood with no danger to your health. I even heard that you humans have to draw
blood once in a while anyway to renew your blood supply and keep things fresh and
healthy. You all wanna live long, healthy lives, don't you? I betcha do!
Heathcliff Mate, you serious...?
Surprised Bloodfiend Heeugh! No, no. I'm sorry. I won't drink your blood. Not
even a drop. I... I didn't want to be a part of that plan anyway... I just wanted
to get out of here.
Surprised Bloodfiend ... That reminds me. I wonder what happened to the one who
managed to escape? I should've run away too, when I had the chance...
Dante <…….>
Faust It is likely that he is referring to Cassetti.
Surprised Bloodfiend But... would outside be any better? How will I live on?
Hiding in sewers like rats... hiding from humans...?
Surprised Bloodfiend I don't want that life... no, but this place is also
just... so... ahh...
Surprised Bloodfiend We're cornered... there's nothing we can do! We have no
options left! It's either die or live a life worse than dying...!
Surprised Bloodfiend This accursed La Manchaland!
Episode: 30
Location: Haunted: Bloody Mary
Narrator Tzzzt... zzzt...
Narrator Congratulations, O brave adventurers. You have uncovered every secret
of the kingdom.
Narrator It is time I let you leave. Should you face such terrors in the world
beyond, remember your bravery here and triumph over them as you have today.
Narrator And now, please give a warm welcome to the Bloodfiends of the
attraction 'Haunted: Bloody Mary'. They'll be here for the "Spooky Scary Photoshoot
with Bloodfiends".
Ishmael And the narration just stops there, huh. Well, we already took care of
the Bloodfiends who were supposed to show up on cue, so... yeah. Makes sense.
Ryoshu He would've G.U.H.
Sinclair ... "He would've graced us himself", she says.
Narrator What misfortune! Every clue that may have shed light on the secrets of
this tragic kingdom's history has all been pulverized by the guests who passed
through before you.
Dante <... Did the voice just change? It wasn't just the audio quality this time,
right?>
Don Quixote ... 'Tis the voice of that Sansón.
Narrator And our dear Bloodfiend actors who have put so much effort into giving
you a good surprise have all disappeared as well.
Don Quixote ... We have brought righteous judgment upon those evil wretches.
Narrator Even the gentleman responsible for that narration...
Narrator Well, perhaps in place of a photoshoot, we could slot in a brief
explanation about the secrets of this kingdom.
The voice beyond the speaker began with a hint of excitement, as though he'd been
expecting this situation all along. Or maybe he's expecting something to come of
this.
Narrator ... Long, Long ago, a lonesome king resided within the towering walls
of this great castle.
Narrator Enduring so many years in such a desolate place... wore him down.
Narrator Lonely mornings, silent nights. The king's heart forever a hollow void.
Narrator So, this soul-crushing loneliness drove the king to yearn for… a
family.
Narrator Desperately. Oh, so desperately.
Narrator So, the king began turning his wish into reality. Forging a family of
his own, blood-bound, to spend the rest of their lives together until the end of
days.
Narrator The king's love for his family was bottomless and generous; soon, the
cold, desolate castle became a cozy home brimming with warm laughter.
Narrator Yet, perhaps... happiness simply isn't a thing that lasts.
Narrator It was on one of those many happy days when a knight, hailing from a
faraway kingdom, arrived at the gates of this castle.
Narrator The knight was a traveler and a wanderer with hundreds of adventures
and thousands of tales to tell, collected from hither and thither and yonder beyond
the world outside the castle.
Narrator The king, who had spent his entire life never setting so much as a foot
outside the castle, requested that the knight recount tales of those adventures to
him.
Narrator The knight, at want of any reason to refuse this request, said as such:
"O honored king! Verily, I shall regale thee with tales of the worlds I've
witnessed, the adventures I've undertaken!"
Narrator Soon, something new, something different, began to fill the castle—
tales of thrilling adventures. Some days, they would talk of a long voyage at sea,
of heroes braving the relentless waves. Some days, they would whisper the
heartbreaking, tragic tale of lovers. Some days, they would sing of a hero's
perilous encounter with an unyielding monster... and it kept going, and going, and
going, as though 'the end' was an idea alien to them.
Narrator As the king spent days upon days without sleep or rest, lost in the
tales of adventures, he soon came to a grave realization.
Narrator That his family of blood... this confined happiness locked within the
castle... cannot fill that void in his heart.
Narrator So, the king began to fill that emptiness with tales of adventures the
knight regaled him with. And his infinite love for his family started to grow in a
different direction. Toward adventure. Toward the knight. And toward the world
outside the periphery of his castle.
Narrator The family thought it wouldn't last. It was all but a fleeting dream,
after all—just a brief, silly whim in which he fancied himself as what he was not,
donning himself a pair of ragged boots and wielding an iron lance.
Narrator The family waited. Waited for the king, their creator who not only gave
them love... but bequeathed them the same void of the heart, to love them, and only
them, again.
Narrator Yet, for all their waiting, what came thereafter from the king's mouth
was bitter to their ears.
Narrator "Let us bring down the walls of this castle! Let us make friends with
those outside!" declared the king.
Narrator The family was afraid. To bring down the castle meant that their
comfortable, familiar, and eternal home and nest was to be no more.
Narrator But the family loved the lonely king and his will, enough to help him
demolish his own castle. So the deed was done, spades in their hands.
Narrator Yet... those who lived outside the castle were far too different from
those who lived within.
Narrator The king's family had to give up so many things.
Narrator Happiness. Joy. Ecstasy. Pleasure. Hope. Anticipation...
Narrator They had to give them all up, because otherwise... they could not
become friends with those outside the castle.
Narrator So the king outlawed happiness from his family.
Narrator Because he believed that they could be happy merely by watching the
happiness of others, of those who lived outside the castle, blossom. That happiness
was something that could be shared.
Narrator Believing that their happiness could be our own, in time.
Narrator All of our pursuits of happiness... were deigned a sin.
Narrator So I ask: why must we repent for our happiness?
Sinclair There were so many mentions of 'family'... What do you suppose he's
trying to say?
Ryoshu A load of shit, that's what.
Heathcliff …….
Hong Lu How interesting. I wonder if that family ever had real happiness to
begin with?
While everyone else found themselves rendered speechless by this gloomy tale, Hong
Lu did not hesitate to share his thoughts as though it was just another
lighthearted tale.
Hong Lu Ah, look; I see the exit sign over there. Looks like this is where the
attraction ends?
Dante <... Y-yeah. It says something under there...>
There was a sign on the wall with instructions written in bolded letters.
'All Bloodfiends must attend at least one weekly consultation session with the
Priest.'
Gregor Consultation session...
Yi Sang Consultations of what kind, and on which subject... One must wonder.
Rodion Hmm... anything, I guess? Or maybe it's like... a confession?
Gregor Huh. I know it's clearly not true anymore, but...
Gregor ... La Manchaland must've put in a lot of effort back in the day.
Yi Sang Indeed. Perhaps... they once dreamed of coexistence.
Don Quixote ... Nay.
Don Quixote Nothing but wicked trickery, all.
Episode: 31
Location: Confessional
After a short journey, we came upon a quiet and solemn-looking room.
And in front of it stood...
Praying Bloodfiend …….
... a group of Bloodfiends, looking at us in anticipation.
But they all appeared to have gone through their share of battles. Many of them
appeared injured and out of breath, clearly exhausted.
Praying Bloodfiend Are you here for the consul... excuse me. For the
confession?
Outis Confession? What are you talking about?
Praying Bloodfiend Within this room is the one who forgives our sins.
Praying Bloodfiend But before you enter... take a deep breath. And please,
give an honest answer to my questions.
Praying Bloodfiend First. How intense is your desire for blood today?
Praying Bloodfiend One for "a lot". Two for "mildly". Three for "somewhat".
Four for "Intensely, unbearably". Five for "It is driving me insane". Six for "It's
killing me".
Rodion ... This one kinda seems out of it, too.
Don Quixote Whatever nonsense art thou speaking of? 'Tis none, of course!
Praying Bloodfiend Then here's my second question. Did you consume your
hemobar today? One for "yes", and two for "no".
Sinclair Wai—
Praying Bloodfiend DON'T! Don't Cut me off! You must answer all of these
questions to be granted audience with the Priest.
Praying Bloodfiend If you have not consumed a hemobar today, then please
explain your reasoning.
Praying Bloodfiend ... Dammit, isn't it obvious?! It tastes like shit! Even
sucking blood from an insect would taste better than that! You'd agree, wouldn't
you? Huh?!
Rodion Oh, boy...
Dante <Guys... get ready.>
Praying Bloodfiend Last question: did you feel the parchedness in your throat
when you looked at a human today? Say yes, no, yes, no, YES, NO. YES, NO. YES YES
YES YESYESYESYESSSSS!!!
Praying Bloodfiend YES! ALWAYS! LIKE I'M ABOUT TO GO INSANE! No, actually, not
really. Not even for a moment.
Episode: 32
Location: Confessional
Praying Bloodfiend Ahh...
Praying Bloodfiend I have sinned. I have sinned once again today, I confess...
Praying Bloodfiend Take... take me to the Priest... They said it's all going
to be okay if I visit the Priest when I feel the thirst... They said...
Ishmael So that Priest is... in there, right?
Praying Bloodfiend You're going to have to wait your turn... the other... ones
sought the Priest too... Must've been sinners as well...
Praying Bloodfiend So... there might be a... queue...
Praying Bloodfiend Oh, the Priest... gladly... ...ing the sins in our stead...
Dante <We should probably... check what's behind this door, right?>
Don Quixote I shall take the vanguard, Manager Esquire!
Dante <Woah...>
Don Quixote Villains! I—
Dante <…!>
Location: -1
What I am certain of, is that this intruder will never leave us alone until we open
our gates.
We must put an end to this insolency soon, wouldn't you agree?
I suppose you will understand me when you create your own ■■■■■■■...
Worry not. I intend to put an end to this today. I have been planning to do so for
a while.
Location: Confessional
When we entered, we saw... a dying Bloodfiend, nearing his death.
His mask was already cloven in half, revealing the pitiful tragedy behind.
It no longer served as a mask to hide his face.
Priest Have you... come here... to confess your sins?
Priest Ah... what joy... Rarely do I receive those who... are so willing to
confess...
Ryoshu This one... He's only a smoldering stub.
Ryoshu I could snuff out his embers with a gentle stomp.
Episode: 33
Location: Confessional
Jia Xichun Don't touch it. That thing is mine.
Xichun and her men approached us, appearing to be in pristine condition compared to
the Priest.
Hong Lu ... Xichun.
Jia Xichun Shut up. I don't want to waste any more time talking to you.
Hong Lu Ha ha.
Gregor This one's almost dead. What's the point of keeping him alive?
Outis ... Isn't it obvious? These are signs of torture.
Outis It seems that the device in Area 2 has already been activated... So what are
you torturing him for? Prying for more information?
Jia Xichun Yes. Haven't I told you already?
Jia Xichun My goal isn't the eradication of La Manchaland.
Ishmael Okay. But I doubt you came all the way out here just to enjoy torturing
some Bloodfiend.
Jia Xichun You're right. We're not like those Bloodfiend Hunters... we don't
torture them for sport.
Jia Xichun The Hunters exist only to inflict as much pain as possible against as
many Bloodfiends they can get their hands on, you know? They don't even care about
the money.
Jia Xichun But I don't care about either of those. What I'm looking for is a
specific piece of information I came all the way in here for.
I wanted to know what 'specific piece of information' she was talking about, but I
was pretty positive that she wasn't going to answer that question anyway.
Jia Xichun Well, you arrived just in time. I was just about to crush its skull and
brain within it, anyway.
Jia Xichun No amount of pain could wake it from... whatever this dazed state it's
in. As you can see...
Jia Xichun ... it must've been long driven mad from pain. Reminds you of the
tricks from back home that could induce such an effect, doesn't it? Big brother.
Hong Lu …….
Jia Xichun asked as she gestured toward the Priest, who was splayed out helplessly
on the ground. Her voice was dripping with contempt.
Despite her viciously threatening words, the look on the Priest's face was serene.
He looked at us with eyes that couldn't be more at peace.
Priest Seeing you and your... friends... reminds me... of one of the visitors
to my confessional.
Priest I don't quite recall when it was, but a Bloodfiend by the name of
Lorenzo became a repeat visitor to the confessional. At first, I wasn't sure why he
would feel the need to visit me; he simply exuded positivity that much.
Priest 'Oh, dear Priest. I'm doing great today! These hemobars really are some
impressive inventions.'
Priest 'Oh, I gobbled up one-hundred-and-ten hemobars today. In one sitting...
This has to be some record, right?'
Priest Tragically, Lorenzo's positivity did not last.
Priest 'Today I... licked a syringe for three hours. There was a droplet of
blood on that thing... and ah, I can't forget that blissful taste lingering on the
needle.'
Priest 'I didn't eat a single hemobar today. We've known for a while now that
these stupid bricks don't do anything. They do jack shit for us, and you know
that.'
Priest 'How much longer are we... are we going to have to live like this?'
Priest I knew the answer to his question, so I gave it to him. "You know this
already, Lorenzo..."
Priest "From endless forbearance comes coexistence."
Priest "So sing and cheer louder! The more pain you feel, bury it, suppress it
with laughter! Let laughter never end here, at La Manchaland!"
Priest However... the last time I saw a true, genuine smile on Lorenzo's
face...
Priest ... was moments before he was buried under this place, his head burst
open, his brain spilling.
Priest It made me curious.
Priest What is the meaning of burying someone who lives still?
Priest You and I would never know the answer to that question, would we?
Priest Did you bury the body of Cassetti yourself as well, hm? That fugitive?
Don Quixote ...! U-unhand me...!
Dante <Don Quixote!>
Jia Xichun Yeah, that's enough of this nonsense. Get out of my way.
Jia Xichun swung her fan toward the Bloodfiend, but...
... he was nowhere to be seen.
Wei Ngh...
Jia Xichun …!
Wei stepped in at the last second to block the Bloodfiend's strike from behind.
Sansón The Priest had the most profound faith of them all.
Jia Xichun When did...?
Dante <...! The magician...!>
Sansón The faith that everything will be alright. The faith that everything
shall be as he willed. The faith that we shall all find happiness at the end of all
things.
Sansón And he was the only one of us who did not turn his back to our
suffering.
Sansón So... when more and more of us began losing grip of our patience, he
was the first to reach out to them. Gave them a helping hand.
Sansón Yet... the one who cares for the hearts of others cannot help but fail
to tend to his own.
Sansón Alone in the corner of this tiny, tiny room... the Priest's heart ailed
and withered.
Sansón How many of us knew this, I wonder.
Gregor ... Hey. I'm really happy for you that you've mastered your art of
butting naturally into conversations like this.
Gregor But you're sorely mistaken if you think you can just pluck your friend
away again, got that?
Sansón Let us be precise, hm? I am here only to continue the tale.
Don Quixote Villain! Hast thou come here to distract us once again with thy vile
tricks?!
Sansón No, no. Of course not.
Sansón My vile tricks...
Sansón ... are all for you, and none other.
Sansón Only for you.
Don Quixote Wh-what...?
Sansón Well, that's enough misery for a tale, hm?
Sansón You have so many more riveting tales of adventures to share, don't you?
Sansón O Don Quixote, the great adventurer.
Don Quixote ... Many a great adventure have I undertaken, yet I have no tale to
tell for one so vile as thee.
Sansón My... I should have been more mindful. I suppose stepping onto the
stage all on your lonesome must be a tad embarrassing, hm?
Don Quixote That is not what I—
Sansón I fully understand. It is no easy task to command the entire audience
alone on the stage.
Sansón Allow me to offer you some assistance.
Location: -1
Halt! Halt, Rocinante...!
I don't want to leave, I don't! Why do you refuse to obey me...?
STOP!!!!!
Dante <That... was...>
Don Quixote Wh... What... what was that...?
Sansón I must've slipped. Please, it has been a while since my last show.
Rodion Slipped?
Sansón Sometimes, the order of things go out of whack when the play reaches
its crescendo and the swelling emotions sweep you off your feet.
Sansón I offer my sincere apologies; let us begin anew.
Sansón From the day of that fateful duel against the Knight of the White Moon.
Don Quixote That duel... was one of the greatest battles I have ever had the honor
of partaking in.
... Don Quixote's voice falters once again, falling unnaturally quiet.
Sansón must be working his trickery again...
Sansón Indeed. That duel was the first meeting of Don Quixote and the Knight
of the White Moon.
Sansón The same Knight who guided our Don Quixote, the adventurer, to the
river in the deep... to the River of Oblivion.
Jia Xichun …….
Jia Xichun River in the deep...
Sinclair Manager, I think I know what's going on.
Sinclair That man is—
Sansón Now, now. Let's focus on our roles for now, shall we?
Sansón Let's see here...
Sansón ... The Knight was the first one ever to match your strength. Correct?
Don Quixote Verily. The Knight was...
Location: A Certain Castle
Don Quixote ... one of truly impressive might.
Heathcliff Shite, not again...
Jia Xichun …!
Rodion Ngh, this is gettin' real annoying...
Don Quixote The Knight of the White Moon was garbed in the rags of an outfit that
appeared rather unfamiliar and ridiculous...
Don Quixote 'Twas the Knight who challenged me first as well. Forsooth, I was quite
impressed by that daring courage.
Don Quixote Perchance the Knight was curious to test my might, as my name was known
far and wide in all corners of the City through mine adventures.
Sansón ... A great adventurer like you would have accepted that duel with
gusto, certainly?
Don Quixote Indubitably! I replied thusly: "A true adventurer cowers not from a
duel once challenged! Let us battle, O brave Knight!"
Sansón Thus began the storm of blades, as your lance...
Sansón ... clashed with the Knight of the White Moon's greatsword.
Sinclair Mm...
Sansón Yet, with every duel, no matter how great or trivial, comes certain
stakes. This historical duel must have been no different.
Sinclair "I care not whether I am to emerge the victor or the loser of this
battle."
Sinclair "Yet... O Don Quixote, should thee meet my challenge in a fair duel..."
Sinclair "I promise thee. That in thy hands I shall present what thou seekest
most."
Sansón Boldly and fiercely, the combatants clashed once again...
Sansón And Rocinante signaled the start of this duel.
Sansón Because if anyone was watching, it would be Rocinante.
Gregor …….
Gregor "Ready... Go!"
Don Quixote For three suns and three moons, we tested the mights of our blades.
Sansón Hold on. Weren't you holding a lance, not a bladed sword?
Don Quixote ... 'Twas but a figure of speech!
Episode: 34
Location: A Certain Castle
Don Quixote The duel, from its first clash to the last, was evenly matched, with no
clear winner pulling ahead...
Don Quixote ... and every spectator's hands began to grow slick with anxious sweat.
Don Quixote Some had gathered to cheer us on as well.
Ryoshu "... Yay, Lord Don Quixote... You can do this, your worship..."
Heathcliff Pahaha! Look at the lass' face! Now that is priceless!
Hong Lu Well, then, I'll cheer on the Knight of the White Moon. Let's keep
things fresh.
Hong Lu "Wooo~ Brave Knight, you got this~!"
Don Quixote The tip of my blade hewed deep into the Knight's left shoulder, while
the Knight's blade left a slight gash on mine ear.
Sansón Oh no! The great adventurer Don Quixote, wounded in a duel? Is
everything alright?
Don Quixote Worry not, for all is right indeed! Wounds gained in battle are but
seedlings of honor; 'tis no blemish on mine!
Don Quixote Well, I do believe that my skills were a smidge superior to the
Knight's. Perchance, had I decided to put a little more strength behind my strike,
I may have dealt a blow most final.
Sansón ... The combatants charged one another at full speed.
Sansón To see who shall emerge victorious from this epic duel.
Episode: 35
Location: A Certain Castle
Sansón And the victor...
Sinclair …….
Sinclair ... Who won?
Don Quixote 'Twas...
Don Quixote ... neither.
Don Quixote The duel ended in a draw, a highly irregular occurrence.
Sansón Then, did you resume your duel then and there?
Don Quixote Nay. As great as I may have been as an adventurer, in my heart was no
such vicious ruthlessness, for I knew the significance of clemency.
Don Quixote I asked thusly to the Knight.
Don Quixote "For three suns and three moons have we dueled, and fatigue hath set in
for many. Why not lay rest to thy blade for a moment and recover?"
Don Quixote "Should we continue to duel in this state, the countless spectators
shan't get their much-needed rests, no? 'Tis too cruel to force them to forgo sleep
only to see the outcome of this duel."
Don Quixote "Wouldst thou not agree, Rocinante?"
Gregor ... Um...
Sansón Rocinante replied.
Gregor "Y... yes, your worship?"
Sansón Or...
Gregor "No response. It's just a pair of shoes..."
Sansón Or maybe... this is what Rocinante said.
Gregor "I..."
Gregor "... was wondering when this dumb, pointless battle would come to an
end."
Gregor "I have prepared some refreshments, so why don't the two of you enjoy
them together or something?"
Sansón Thus the long duel came to an end.
Sansón So, is it really true that no one claimed victory in this battle? Did
it truly end in a draw?
Don Quixote The duel...
Don Quixote ... was indeed a draw. Highly irregular in tales of mine adventures. A
brief truce, if thou wilt.
Don Quixote Yet! I must claim that, when it comes to technicalities, the true
victor was myself! Upon our final clash, my bla— my lance was pressing forcefully
upon the Knight's blade.
Don Quixote Still, with a heart of boundless generosity, I offered the Knight a
chance to parlay with me a truce.
Sansón So you did.
Sansón Now that you've compromised on this truce with no promised end date...
what happened thereafter?
Don Quixote We... became friends.
Sansón Hm. A friendship forged in a clash of blades. It is a clichéd trope,
for how rare it is in reality.
Sansón Then did your wish come true, just as the Knight had so boldly
proclaimed?
Don Quixote P... perchance...?
Episode: 36
Location: Confessional
Jia Xichun ... Do any of you know what technique he's using?
Jia Xichun I can't... move. Not even an inch.
Ishmael Yeah, did you think we were all standing here like mannequins for the
hell of it?
Sansón Allow me to interject and posit that... some were likely jealous of
that friendship.
Sansón A friendship so bold, especially between an adventurer and a knight, is
bound to invite certain... envious hecklers.
Don Quixote Y... yes, indeed.
Don Quixote Many did grow envious of this fellowship between us.
Wei Lady Jia Xichun, stay on guard.
Jia Xichun Wake up. Don't let the words of that man delude you, and—
Sansón Yes, that is exactly what those hecklers said.
Sansón You wished to maintain this true friendship for as long as possible,
however.
Sansón So you swung your righteous lance of justice! Against those who dared
to attempt to wedge a divide between you two.
Don Quixote …….
Sansón You swung your lance.
Don Quixote Hngh... Agh...
Jia Xichun …!
Dante <No, don't let him!>
Don Quixote Foul... villain...!
Don Quixote How darest thou employ such vile trickery again...!
Sansón Oh my.
Sansón It seems the story was cut short.
Sansón What tragic sort they are.
Sansón The Priest had wished to care for them with all his heart, only to
fail.
Sansón All the while the one who created this place did not care for them.
Sansón Do you hear it, too? Even today, the Parade continues.
Sansón You do not want to miss out on La Manchaland's Carnival and its Parade.
Sansón It appears that our story must wait until next time.
With that, Sansón lightly flicked his staff against Jia Xichun's posse.
...Most of her men stumbled for a moment before slumping to the floor, unconscious.
And as the Sinners stood there in shock, he disappeared from our sight.
Bloodbags and Bloodfiends begin to fill the void Sansón left behind...
Episode: 37
Location: Confessional
Jia Xichun ... Who is he? He almost took out my entire faction with a single
flick. We... we didn't even stand a chance.
Heathcliff That's what I'd like to know, lass.
Jia Xichun By the way, you there.
Jia Xichun Who are you?
Xichun pointed at Don Quixote.
Jia Xichun That guy seemed very interested in her, for whatever reason.
Don Quixote Forsooth... that scoundrel must have recognized that I am the most
dangerous threat against his villainous plan to foment evil...!
Jia Xichun …….
As the Sinners gathered themselves, Wei held the line, holding back the endless
horde of Bloodfiends and Bloodbags.
He was protecting his men, yes, but... his primary concern seemed to be with the
horde getting in Jia Xichun's way.
Wei ... While I do not like this... I must suggest that you accompany your blood
relative.
Jia Xichun Wei, what if he tries to take this opportunity to kill me?
Wei But this young master is different. Unlike the others, he's...
Jia Xichun I know. He's not the type to do something like that. Imagine if it was
big sister Yuanchun.
Wei She would have sent her assassins after you the moment you met.
Jia Xichun ... Right. I guess... if it was anyone else among my siblings, they
would have sent their lackeys after us already.
Jia Xichun ... Or... maybe I'm not even worth that much effort already.
Wei ... Thus, young master Baoyu is our only hope, my lady. There is no recourse.
Wei Do you hear it? The endless melodies...
Jia Xichun ... I know. Something went wrong in Area 3.
Hong Lu Will you be coming with, Xichun?
Jia Xichun Just a temporary alliance, that's all.
Jia Xichun From the looks of it, neither of us are interested in the reward money
dividends. Which means that we're both here looking for something else.
Jia Xichun So, at least until we get what we want, we'll...
Hong Lu I know. We'll be fighting again once grandmother's snack runs out,
right?
Outis She's quite haughty for someone who should be groveling at us for help.
Jia Xichun Me and my men cleaned up Area 2 in less than an hour.
Jia Xichun And you only got here way after we were finished.
Rodion H-hey, we just forgot to pick something up so we had to backtrack,
that's all. I'm tellin' ya, we wiped the floor with 'em in less than thirty min—
Jia Xichun Great. Then we should have no trouble cleaning this place up once I
join you, right?
Jia Xichun Consider me a useful, first-rate silver sycee, why don't you? I'd say
we're on quite the even ground; why would I grovel for help?
Heathcliff Lass is so shameless that I'm at a loss for words.
Heathcliff Ohhh... yeah. I see the family resemblance now, mate.
Hong Lu Is that a compliment? Ha ha.
Jia Xichun It's an insult.
Episode: 38
Location: Confessional
Heathcliff So... that bizarre Bloodfiend nabbed the Priest as well, eh?
Sinclair Considering that he's also the one who took the Barber from Area 1...
Heathcliff You know what else is naggin' me? It's the way he talks. Saying
absolutely bonkers shite with a straight face like he's the only sane man.
Faust It can be said that the purpose of this behavior is to collect necessary
stage props... or... perhaps, the main cast of a stageplay.
Faust In that case, we must keep our eyes on...
Faust ... the stageplay he wishes to show us.
Faust For we are yet to observe the specifics of his intent.
Outis If only you kept your big mouth shut...
Don Quixote ... W-well, that is... I simply cannot put a stop to myself when he
asketh me to regale thee with mine adventures... B-but they truly are most
ingenious tales, I say...! Though I may speak them perforce, driven by villainous
compulsion, prithee, listen well!
Sinclair And like Jia Xichun said, he could've easily taken us out if he wanted
to. But he didn't.
Ishmael Ugh... I hate this. I really don't like how it feels like we're just
playthings in the palm of his hand.
Sinclair Excuse me, manager... I mean, Dante.
Sinclair carefully calls over to me.
Dante <Hm?>
Sinclair I'm sure you already noticed this, but... I just thought I might
mention it. Just in case.
Sinclair This mission...
Sinclair hesitated for a while, unsure how he should word this, then looked
directly at me with a degree of conviction.
Sinclair ... it's all about Don Quixote.
Sinclair And she... is completely oblivious to it.
Don Quixote Fie! What tragedy, what tragedy to let that abominable Bloodfiend slip
away!
Rodion Yeah, ya looked totally torn up about it when you were excitedly
telling us about that duel.
Don Quixote Nngh... hardly did I know that a request to hear my tale would have
such seductive strength! 'Tis one of my dreams, indeed... yet... agh, how could I
allow myself to be seduced like this! Once this mission is complete, I shall train
my mind to the utmost—
I stared at Don Quixote, who was chattering away with the other Sinners in her
usual blissful cluelessness, then back at Sinclair.
... Clearly, he was as conflicted about this as I am.
Dante <... Yeah.>
Sinclair And I'm sure you have a good reason for not telling us what you know
about her.
Dante <... Also... yeah.>
Sinclair Remember?
Sinclair Back when we all went to my hometown... Don Quixote gave me one real
heck of a beatdown.
I'm sure everyone, including myself, remembered what happened after Guido's death.
Sinclair Thinking back to it now, it's a bit... embarrassing, but... I remember
what Don Quixote said when I was starting to lose control. Told me that I had to
return to my senses.
Sinclair I'm sure it needs a degree of courage and determination to rise to the
occasion like that.
Sinclair But she stepped in without hesitation for my sake.
Sinclair I want to be like her. And I've been trying my best to be like her...
W-well, I probably have a long way to go, but still...
Sinclair It's not too much for me to hope for, right?
Dante <No, I think that's a good kind of thing to hope for.>
Don Quixote Pray tell! What 'good kind of hope' art thou speaking of?!
Sinclair AAAUGH?!
Don Quixote Aught seems to have caught thee off guard! What is it?
Dante <Oh... We were just chatting about this contract.>
Don Quixote Oo!!! Hast thou wised up to it as well, then?!
... No way.
Don Quixote Verily, there is no other way to look at this. This mission... it must
all be about...
Don Quixote ... Young Hong Lu! Dost thou see as I do?
Dante <…….>
Dante <... Hong Lu?>
Don Quixote Hmm?! Manager Esquire, I espy a need for thee to improve thy insight!
Young Hong Lu's expression hath appeared quite peculiar today, and...
Sinclair ... I... don't see what's different about him today?
Don Quixote ... he hath even had a dramatic reunion with a long-lost blood
relative!
Don Quixote Ah, and forget thee not about the sudden onslaught of names of his
other kin, and this potent aroma of secret enmities, which may signify a tragic
history of familial drama...
Don Quixote Though I myself have nary a one to call my kindred blood, I must
imagine that such confrontations must be quite harrowing.
Don Quixote Thus! Manager Esquire!
Dante <... Uh?>
Don Quixote Prithee, take good care of young Hong Lu.
Don Quixote Verily, from a certain perspective, we are sailing through each of our
own adventures, wouldst thou not say?
Dante <That's... true.>
Don Quixote And an adventure is very much like a journey of suffering. 'Tis
imperative that thy heart remains steadfast through the trials and tribulations of
the quest.
Don Quixote Allow me to share a tale of my old adventure, to demonstrate. This tale
takes place in a tavern like any other, in which I...
Don Quixote's tale of adventure continued through our entire journey to Area 3.
... Some Sinners and I did pay some attention to it, but we didn't find much of her
story to be of any use.
Episode: 39
Location: Carnival Parade
The long parade, the end of which lay beyond my sight...
...may have appeared like a real festival, full of joy and celebration from a
distance.
People marching in rows, the singing that knew no end.
The tune of their music was so hopeful, so cheerful, that...
... I almost felt myself compelled to join them and dance along to the carnival
procession.
If the parade in question wasn't full of shambling Bloodbags and the terrified
sobbing and pleading of its victims, that is.
??? ♬Let us march together, O happy hour♬
??? ♬To the beat of upbeat drums♬
??? ♬Without worries or concerns♬
??? ♬Here at the grand Carnival of La Mancha (La Mancha!)♬
Captive Victim H-help me, please...
Outis ... What lies ahead?
Bloodfiend with a Parasol Aha! We've a new guest! Yes, we've been getting so,
so many guests today~
Bloodfiend with a Parasol What lies ahead, you ask? Well, it's Dulcinea the
beautiful, the Lady of the Parade!
Hong Lu Oh, have you met any other Fixers around?
Jia Xichun ... Brother, you still haven't learned to read the room? After all this
time?
Bloodfiend with a Parasol Only two possibilities here. They are either
Bloodbagged and dancing with us here~
Bloodfiend with a Parasol ~ or killed the Bloodbags and made it to the front!
Ishmael Hm. Sounds like we should keep moving to the front, then.
Bloodfiend with a Parasol No, stay with us.
Bloodfiend with a Parasol Come on, stay with us and dance!
Episode: 40
Location: Carnival Parade
We finally found a moment of respite from Bloodfiends...
I looked toward Don Quixote for a moment before turning to Faust.
I had to know the answer to this question before moving forward.
Dante <... Faust knows why, doesn't she?>
Dante <Why... what caused Don Quixote to transform, back then...>
Faust Yes...
Faust I suppose there is no reason for this information to remain classified from
you any longer, now that we are here.
Faust ... For Bloodfiends, going against the bloodstream is akin to a taboo. Back
on the WARP train, Cassetti attempted to turn Don Quixote into his Kindred. In
other words... a lower Bloodfiend attempted to turn a higher Bloodfiend.
Dante <Didn't Moses say that there's a... psychological barrier that makes it
practically impossible for them to do that?
Faust Yet, there was a variable then, by the name of Rocinante. As long as
Rocinante remains on her feet, Don Quixote loses all characteristics and powers of
a Bloodfiend save for her desire for blood.
Faust Then, when Rocinante sensed that Cassetti had broken the Bloodfiend taboo,
they slipped off on their own from Don Quixote...
Faust ... and Don Quixote, her nature as Bloodfiend returned, must have felt a
strong level of instinctual revulsion and fury against Cassetti who attempted to
break the taboo.
Faust That would explain her high level of aggression at the time.
Dante <Then...>
Heathcliff Come on, where's the end of this line?!
Outis There is no time to gripe! Clear the path ahead so that our Executive Manager
won't have to suffer these monsters.
Dante <…….>
Faust Will you not inquire further?
Dante <No...>
Of course, I had a whole mountain of questions to ask her.
But the answers to those questions did not lie with Faust.
Dante <Because what matters now is that we keep forging onward.>
Bloodfiend holding a Parasol ♬I'm going insane♬ ♬From this burning thirst♬
Bloodfiend holding a Parasol ♬In the streets♬
Bloodfiend holding a Parasol Saunter SO MANY TASTY MORSELS FOR US!!
Bloodfiend holding a Parasol ♬As it tears♬ (My nails are falling off…!)
Bloodfiend holding a Parasol ♬As it cracks♬ (My hands... my face...!!!)
Bloodfiend with a Parasol ♬Keep smilin'♬ ♬With those lips♬
Bloodfiend with a Parasol I can't... I can't move my lips anymore... Stuck in a
smile...
Ishmael The lyrics are...
Outis ... Yes. Getting increasingly depressing.
Episode: 41
Location: Carnival Parade
... The highlight of the Parade must be near. The song changes once again.
Bloodfiend holding a Parasol ♬And we built it♬ ♬Our very own♬ (Happy kingdom!)
Bloodfiend holding a Parasol ♬Say goodbye♬ ♬to pain♬(Rest well, O Father!)
Bloodfiend holding a Parasol ♬All be jolly now♬ ♬At this kingdom of joy♬
Bloodfiend holding a Parasol ♬At La Manchaland♬ (Come one, come all!)
Dante <Is she... Dulcinea...?>
Underneath the garish, violet parasol she stood.
And under her feet squirmed someone, slowly dying, ensnared in this bizarre
spectacle.
... It's that Bloodfiend Hunter we met back at the empty lot.
Jia Xichun ... Even the Hunters...?
Don Quixote HARK!!! Cease thy villainy this instant!!!
Dulcinea …….
The Bloodfiend leading the Parade in a beautiful, extravagant dress...
... she quietly regarded us from behind her mask, from under her parasol.
Dulcinea Then speak.
Dulcinea Why must we stop?
Don Quixote 'Tis a question with an answer most simple. And obvious.
Don Quixote Because thy villainy is unjust!
Don Quixote We are come to rain destruction upon this den of villainy, La
Manchaland.
Don Quixote Thus speak plainly of thy founder's whereabouts and accept thy rightful
punishment!
Dulcinea I see.
Dulcinea So you're still playing that childish make-believe.
Don Quixote 'Tis no make-believe! 'Tis a part of mine hallowed adventure.
Dulcinea Oh, your eyes...
Dulcinea I have always hated them.
Dulcinea That look of arrogant disinterest as though nothing before you was
worth your concern. As though you were not a part of the world, but only a detached
observer.
Dulcinea Long did I wonder to see when your eyes would twinkle so vividly
again...
Dulcinea ... and now that I finally see them... I find myself hating them still.
Dulcinea Still as foul, revolting... and hateful, for all that glimmer.
Dulcinea ... Every day we paraded in a circle, in the very same route, with the
very same heart.
Dulcinea Wishing for a new day to begin...
Dulcinea Though Cassetti, who played the Prince of the Parade, has left us to
build his own kingdom...
Dulcinea ... a lone Princess should be enough to rouse our guests.
Ishmael ... Was it you who hypnotized people with this music?
Dulcinea Wrong question. Because I was also charmed by an illusion.
Dulcinea All seem to mistake that I am the mistress of this parade, that I lead
the path, only because I stand at the forefront of it.
Dulcinea Because I am Dulcinea, the most beautiful... the most noble... I was
given the role of the Carnival's Lady.
Dulcinea I do not lead it; I am but another attraction of the Parade.
Ryoshu Hah, I see now.
Ryoshu This is a parade of broken things, biting one after another in a cycle
of infinity.
Don Quixote …….
Dulcinea Do you see now?
Dulcinea That La Manchaland is where we relive our beginnings and ends.
Dulcinea Because it was said that amusement parks have no place for what isn't
happy...
Dulcinea Fated to repeat our beginnings and ends ad infinitum, the times when we
were still happy... When we were still... us.
Dulcinea Because only then shall our memories become tainted by happiness.
Gregor ... The Fixers who were assigned to this Area... They're all dead,
then?
Bloodfiend Hunter Gnnnnhhhh...
Romero ... Hah... ha... funny, isn't it? The other Fixer who was assigned to
the same Area as us... stabbed us in the back...
Romero ... and doomed... us all.
Romero How... pathetic... All that posturing... just to die here... from some
knife in my back...
Dulcinea Dead? No, they have but joined the Parade. For they were not worthy to
have a part in our ending.
Dulcinea Humans, devoured and driven by hatred, seeking no betterment nor
happiness.
Dulcinea With no other purpose or direction in life other than to slaughter as
many of us as possible.
Dulcinea So hideous, yet so pitiful.
Dulcinea We had only wished to relive our memories.
Don Quixote I can hardly contain my disgust at thine excuses.
Don Quixote boisterously cut through Dulcinea's despondent musings.
Don Quixote We need not mire ourselves in discussions of worthiness to bring thy
deserved judgment!
Don Quixote Bloodfiends! From what I have heard, it is said that thy kind slay
humans and commit all kinds of depraved, heinous immoralities just for a drop of
blood.
Don Quixote Is that all there is to it? For so paltry a reason?
Don Quixote For something so puerile, so insignificant and trivial?
Don Quixote How darest thou seek to deprive humans of their right to live, for such
trifling gluttony!
Dulcinea remained silent.
She looks away into the distance, staring into the times of the far past, then
closes her eyes.
Dulcinea Now that I muse upon it, perhaps this feeling of mine toward you is
envy.
Dulcinea You have everything we've ever wanted... just for claiming that name as
your own.
Dulcinea Those twinkling, innocent eyes.
Dulcinea I hate them still.
Episode: 42
Location: Carnival Parade
Don Quixote Answer me now! What is it that thou claimest that I have?
Don Quixote What weight did my name carry?! Speak!!
Don Quixote Where— How— Where didst thou...
Dulcinea ... Everything. Everything that we Bloodfiends of this Area desire.
Dulcinea To exist in ignorance of the truth that we are but going in circles,
not marching toward what lies ahead...
Dulcinea Something that we all desire but own not, yet you have...
Sansón Oblivion.
Sansón That which all who are lost in this Area yearn so desperately for.
Sansón The privilege to flee from everything. From desires, from shame.
Sansón The gift of oblivion, the innocence, the naïveté to endure and live
through another day.
Heathcliff No, not again...!
Don Quixote …!
Sansón I thought it was about time you missed me.
Sansón It is high time you regaled us with that particular tale, isn't it?
Sansón Tell us how that grand adventure, for which you abandoned us all,
ended.
Ishmael What...?
Sansón Galloping on, and on...
Sansón As always, Rocinante was merrily and energetically galloping on with
you upon its saddle...
Romero ... Come on... just die!
Romero Hngh...
Sansón ... while leaving us to slowly expire in a most painful death. Just
like this poor soul.
Don Quixote ... Enough.
Don Quixote Please... Enough...
Don Quixote Thy strength must surpass mine; thus bound I have become by thy
sorcery. Yes...
Don Quixote So please, I must beseech thee so. I have no choice but to beg, for I
cannot turn my tongue into a sharp spear to skewer thee...!
Don Quixote I will pray unto thee, cower and grovel before thee... to cease this
wickedness!
Sansón Well, why stop now? Don't you just love sharing the stories of your
adventures with everyone? Isn't this exactly what you have always wished for?
Sansón You have such a captive audience before you, listening to your tale
more intently than ever. You won't get another opportunity like this.
Don Quixote ... I don't want to. Not anymore.
Sansón But you will.
Sansón You will share your tale.
Sansón For that is your role in this play.
Location: Where None Shall Tread
Sansón Thus you, Rocinante, and the Knight of the White Moon embark on your
final adventure. Or, perhaps, it would be more accurate to say that... you fled.
Sinclair We saw so many rivers on our way here, didn't we?
Don Quixote All these rivers... were beneath the City all along?
Sinclair It is said that when an efflorescent tree comes to blossom, steeped and
nurtured in the waters of many rivers since its saplinghood, it becomes imbued with
a special power.
Sinclair I can't even begin to imagine what powers a tree born from that
particular river may hold.
Don Quixote Pray tell, what river is it that we seek?
Sinclair Well, none of the rivers we've walked by is the one we're looking for.
Don Quixote ... Not this one either, then?
Sinclair Regrettably, no. Perhaps we should seek a river that flows even deeper
into the abyss.
Sinclair The depths of the Ruins are certainly dangerous, even for someone who's
ventured down here in the past. It's giving even you a run for your money, isn't
it?
Don Quixote ... What river is this...?
Sinclair Whoever drinks the waters of this river shall be granted a vision of...
a certain future. It brings the drinker visions of what is to come, yet blinds them
to all things save for those of the future, driving them to insanity.
Sinclair And to the drinker, only a singular future remains: a vision of their
own madness.
Sinclair I call this the 'Mirae-mirae River'... or the River of Future-future.
It must've had a name once, but this is the name I gave it.
Don Quixote Quite the irony, then.
Sinclair Though it won't show you the exact moment you wish to see, you may look
into the river to catch a glimpse of a certain moment in the future. It may be
quite disorienting, but... would you like to try anyway?
Don Quixote I ill wish to be so close to the waters, but... I shall.
Sinclair What do you see?
Don Quixote Chains... a great gate... and... a timepiece... A flaming timepiece...?
And... a promise...
Don Quixote It is as you have said. Visions I have seen, yet I fail to see the
sense in each of them.
Sinclair Right. You won't ever get a clear picture unless you drink the waters
yourself.
Sinclair Still, if you've seen that clock... and the visions of promise...? Hm.
Perhaps this has something to do with that promise you made with him.
Don Quixote The promised timepiece, is it...?
Sansón After suffering through brutal trials upon trials, you arrive at the
place you have been searching so hard for.
Sansón And here, we return to the very first chapter of this tale.
Don Quixote This is...?
Sansón The River of Oblivion.
Location: Lethe, the River of Oblivion
Outis Lethe...
Jia Xichun …!
Sansón Thus spake the Knight of the White Moon.
Sinclair Are you certain?
Sinclair Drink from this well, and the life you have lived thus far will be no
more.
Sinclair All of it, gone in a sip.
Sansón You reflexively gulp.
Don Quixote …….
Don Quixote I have... decided.
Sinclair Will you answer me, were I to ask you why?
Don Quixote I see it still, past the darkness of my eyelids.
Don Quixote I see a vision of that day. The screaming and shouting, the stench of
blood, the...
Don Quixote …….
Don Quixote The more I recall, the more I find myself cracking and crumbling like a
castle of sand.
Don Quixote Thus I wish to forget everything that's happened and crawl into a deep
slumber.
Don Quixote Because while I sleep, there will be no fear, no hope, no suffering,
and no glory.
Sinclair But there is an unsavory part to sleep, isn't there? It's...
Don Quixote Yes. It is much like death. Yet it distinguishes itself in ways that
matter.
Sinclair You want to dream.
Don Quixote For those mere words which made us leave everything behind, only to
shackle us in the end... I long to continue the dream I have been but a mere
witness to.
Sinclair Then...
Sinclair ... I have no other way to help you, do I?
Sansón The name of this companion...
Sinclair Then... before oblivion takes my name away from you, allow me to
introduce myself one last time.
Sinclair I am the flower-seeker, a wanderer, a traveler across the City and the
Ruins.
Sinclair I am the one who marked the final period to this unforgotten adventure
of a lifetime with you.
Sinclair My name is Bari, the Knight of the White Moon.
Sinclair I will now leave, and return to my search for the river and the flower
born from its waters. As I always have.
Don Quixote ... Even should I drink the waters of this river... will you tell me
the tales of Fixers still?
Sinclair ... I may pass by this area quite often through my journey.
Sinclair Every chance I get, I'll leave a book or an item behind. Things that
may be of help to you.
Don Quixote ... Thank you.
Sansón Thus, you lean over the river to drink its water.
Sansón However valiant a knight Don Quixote was, she cannot help but shudder
from an overwhelming sense of terror and omen.
Don Quixote I... no. I cannot have let such fear touch me. I, who have written such
tales of brave adventures...
Sansón Well, every tale needs a rising action and a climax, doesn't it? It's
the ups and downs that keeps things interesting.
Don Quixote Hgh, nngh...!
Sansón ignores Don Quixote's struggles and rapidly continues the tale, like he was
incanting a spell.
Sansón Our common, primeval fear of the flowing water. Your body shudders,
horripilation of the skin spreading through every inch of your being as your
psyche, your consciousness itself, furiously refuses to approach its undulating
surface. Our blood, thicker than water, cycles through your system with inhuman
rapidity as your heart begins to race like that of a rabid animal.
Sansón Yet, you must conquer that fear. You had to.
Sansón Moments before you take a sip of that river's water, a thought flickers
through your mind. That to continue this adventure was meaningless.
Sansón That is how you dismount Rocinante.
Sansón Rocinante, only borrowed from its original master.
Don Quixote looks down toward Rocinante.
I... at least Faust and I know what Sansón's incantation is attempting to
accomplish.
He's trying to draw out her memories from the River of Oblivion...
Dante <Don Quixote! No, don't...!>
Dante <Faust! Do someth—>
Faust ... Nothing can be done.
Faust This flow is destined to be.
Heathcliff What... what's goin' on? You two look bloody serious all of a sudden.
Ishmael Wait. If we connect all these tales into one, then...
Ishmael No way, is she...?
Jia Xichun ... No. That's impossible.
Hong Lu Is there something you know, Xichun? Can you let me in on it?
Jia Xichun Don't get all excited. I'm probably wrong. But...
Jia Xichun ... if this terrible prediction turns out to be correct, then you'll
find out even if you don't want to.
Jia Xichun ... I'll compliment your nerves, at least.
Location: Carnival Parade
Don Quixote's spine slowly bends forward.
This cannot be stopped. She does not try to stop it, either. Don Quixote moves as
though she was destined to, as though this was all but her part in the play.
For a moment, she appears tranquil, even brave. Like a knight briefly dismounting
from a beloved steed.
Yet once she dismounts, once the repressed memories return...
The Sinners will come face-to-face with the red glow of her eyes and the metallic
stench of blood that surrounds her.
Once the truth comes out, we... the Sinners... will never be able to see her in the
same light again.
Rodion Dante...?
Yi Sang ... This must have aught to do with her ragged running shoes...
What I've been fearing ever since the incident at the WARP train, the fear that has
been madly scratching at the back of my mind...
The fear that the bond between the Sinners will be irrevocably broken.
Will everyone be accepting of this deception, accidental though it may have been?
Even if we were to survive, will she return to how she once was, as one of us
Sinners?
How will I appear in their eyes? I, who knowingly hid the truth from them? Can I
truly face this Don Quixote, when I trembled from so much fear the last time?
... Yet...
As if to render all these raging thoughts in my head void...
Don Quixote takes off Rocinante...
and lets her bare feet touch the cold earth.
All of a sudden, visions of Don Quixote's past begins flooding into me, raw and
unfiltered.
??? Flee... for you must live. For you must live and continue my tale.
Don Quixote? But I'm a... ... I cannot live among humans. I cannot...
??? Have you forgotten? With my Rocinante, no place shall be beyond your reach.
Location: ???
Don Quixote? Rocinante, stop! Stop walking, NO!!!
Don Quixote? I don't want to leave, I don't! Why do you refuse to obey me...?
Don Quixote? Please, please! I don't want an adventure, stop! Please!
Don Quixote? Please, Rocinante...
Don Quixote? Don't take me away from here...
??? There are places called 'amusement parks' in the City.
??? Everyone is happy at amusement parks, merely by being there.
??? It's enough to make everyone dance, sing, and laugh.
??? No wars. No strife of any kind...
Location: Carnival Parade
Red fluid wells in Don Quixote's eyes like it did back on the train. The very same
sanguine color I feared so much, the eyes I never wished to see again.
Don Quixote …….
She inhales deeply, then exhales.
Like she hadn't breathed in forever.
She turns around and looks at—no, looks *down* at the Bloodfiends surrounding us.
Reflected in her eyes are things infinitely beneath her.
Dulcinea ... There you are.
Dulcinea Finally, the preparations for the Carnival... the scenes... are
complete.
Dulcinea I remember those eyes... those eyes that regarded me as you so
mercilessly tore through us. Without even a hint of regret or guilt.
Dulcinea Bravo. Now every path is opened.
Dulcinea The Parade is complete at last.
Location: ???
??? Sancho, I have come to a decision.
Sancho What is it now?
??? I am going to be the best Fixer in the City.
??? I shall protect the weak and punish the wicked.
??? From what I hear, denizens of the City have been making these fellowships
called 'Associations' by need.
Sancho Did you get this idea from that Knight of the Moon or whatever?
Sancho I am telling you now, this new goal of yours is going to crash and burn
in less than three days. Quit stirring trouble and stay put.
Sancho Remember your last momentary passion with... what was it? Knitting?
Embroidery? That lasted a whole two days before you got tired of it. And that was
after you sent us out to find all kinds of high-quality yarn for that little
passion project.
??? Silence, Sancho. You keep balking at my passions with your chastisements. At
this point, I am having a difficult time determining which one of us is the higher
Kindred.
Sancho Right, but you always do whatever you want to do anyway.
Location: -1
Sinclair Don Quixote...?
Sinclair S-she IS Don Quixote, right...?
Rodion Where's she going all on her own...?
Sancho Will she be coming today? Again?
Sancho It is high time you put an end to this rivalry, isn't it? Or... Hm. I
fear that time may already be long past.
??? Tsk, indeed. But... I have been having a certain thought as of late.
??? Why does it matter whether someone wins or loses?
??? What matters is that I must hear what comes next in her tale. How dare that
human cut her story short at its climax!
Sancho I... have nothing. I don't know why you keep letting that human in here
if you are not even going to fight.
??? Yet, Sancho... for all your chiding words of disapproval...
??? Don't think for a moment I haven't noticed you constantly perking your ears
in our direction. Especially at the part where the Hana Association Fixer
encountered the monster that demanded that they pay a toll with a single rice cake
on that winding hill path...
Sancho I-I most certainly did not.
??? You most certainly did. Ah, speaking of which... do you suppose the Hana
Association will eventually come out on top?
Sancho No. I believe that the Fixer who hails from this 'Zwei' will overtake
the—
Sancho ... Ah.
??? Case in point.
Location: Carnival Parade
Dante <Don Quixote!>
The name that feels so alien now. The ticking sounds of my clock. Neither stops Don
Quixote.
Location: ???
Sancho But how, pray, will you become a Fixer yourself?
Sancho Fixers are but a concept constructed by humans.
Sancho They will try to hunt us the moment we get anywhere near them.
??? Perhaps. For now, at least.
??? But I implore you to think, Sancho. Miss not the forest for the trees. Should
we start paving the path for peace now, then...
??? ... one day, we shall find ourselves coexisting with humans, hand-in-hand.
??? And I shall be the first-ever Bloodfiend to become a Fixer. Is that not an
idea most wondrous?
??? Maybe they'll even make this 'fan club' in my honor.
Sancho Certainly, perhaps in that ridiculously grand dream of yours.
??? Yet that is how dreams are meant to be. Ridiculously grand.
Sancho …….
Don Quixote? …!
??? You have returned to me, my Sancho.
A voice, foreign yet familiar. The sound of thick wooden doors and heavy chains.
As soon as the door opened ajar, we could feel the powerful energy of the Golden
Bough emanating from within.
Was this the scent of rusted iron, or the dense, metallic smell of blood?
The speaker, his body one with the pillar from which the scent emanated...
... speaks to us through the Golden Bough impaling his torso.
... Or, perhaps... he speaks to Don Quixote.
??? Now, tell me all about it.
??? That dream of mine... you have dreamed in my stead...
Episode: 43
Don Quixote Yet Aegis, Fixer of the Zwei Association, refuseth to let this destroy
his spirits and sails once again to the great sea in a mere raft!
Location: Inside the Abandoned Lighthouse
Don Quixote "My dearest compatriots! This trial is but a stepping stone that will
bring us to greater heights! One day, we shall proudly engrave today's suffering
upon our shields to remember it in better days!"
Don Quixote "Thus, this battle is far from over! Find thy courage! Charge!"
Don Quixote Then they looked at one another in the eyes, their determination forged
in flames... ooh, what a line.
Don Quixote Yet! The scores of enemies, already waiting for them in ambush from the
shores, loosen thousands of arrows upon them, the sheer quantity eclipsing the very
sun...
Don Quixote The arrows rained down their fury upon our heroes, yet they stood their
ground with their ironclad shields...!
Don Quixote Yet, there is no shield sturdy enough to withstand such unending
onslaught; even their iron shields began to crack...
Don Quixote And as the shields crack, the mental fortitude of his men began to
splinter as well, and many were seen slowly backing away from the battle...!
Don Quixote "Nay! We shan't ever give up!"
Don Quixote "I shall be thy shield and ward, men! Indeed, our iron shields are but
tools that may break and splinter. But upon that moment, I shall be the shield by
which thou shalt be protected from our foes' arrows!"
Don Quixote "The arrows may break my body, but they shall never pierce my righteous
heart of justice!"
Don Quixote "Row, row! Leave me and push on, men!"
Don Quixote …….
Don Quixote No matter what trial may stand in our path... we shan't ever give up...
Don Quixote Hm hm! The adventure of to-day was just as exhilarating as it ever was!
It hath set fire to the passion in mine heart.
Don Quixote Dear... the most valorous Fixer... of the Zwei...
Don Quixote How farest thee? 'Tis my hundred-and-thirty-first letter.
Don Quixote Prithee, excuse my persistence. 'Tis merely that my passion cannot be
well doused.
Don Quixote I am soon to be a Fixer myself.
Don Quixote And with thy teachings, I shall become a... Fixer most just and
persistent who doth not know surrender.
Fixer in the Poster Forget not, O Don Quixote! Fixer of the future.
Fixer in the Poster Forsooth, the foremost virtue of a Fixer must be, and
always be the righteous justice. Thou mustn't turn away from the needy, and thou
must always put thy entire being into helping them.
Don Quixote I am well aware of that myself!
Don Quixote Ah, mine adventure on the morrow shall be alongside the Tres
Association.
Fixer in the Poster The Tres Association? Very well! A relatively fledgling,
yet quite prolific, Association indeed. It is said that they specialize in tools
and arms for the City-dwellers and its Fixers, as well as the Workshops that
fabricate and maintain them.
Fixer in the Poster Hm... indeed, the Associations are established in the order
of need for the City.
Fixer in the Poster Then I must bid thee farewell, until next time. Our next
adventure shall be...
Don Quixote ... The adventure at the Levinwastes of the Ruins, in which the heart
of a beastly bird was pierced.
Fixer in the Poster I look forward to hearing thine exploits.
Don Quixote Forsooth. This adventure shall be, as all hath been thus far, a glowing
victory!
Don Quixote …….
Fixer in the Poster I recommend you stay put inside.
Fixer in the Poster There is no way to tell what awaits you past that door.
Fixer in the Poster I am in agreement.
Fixer in the Poster Recall the tale of the Red Hood, who met an end most
unfortunate from the simple folly of welcoming in a stranger.
Don Quixote …….
Don Quixote Yet... this knocking upon my gates...
Don Quixote ... must mean that a soul seeketh mine assistance, wouldst thou not
agree?
??? I believe I've afforded you sufficient restraint.
??? The build of this place is quite durable, my lady.
??? It should be able to withstand assaults from any pursuing Bloodfiends... no,
even Bloodfiend Hunters.
??? It is an entirely different question if they can make it this far down to
this Ruin, of course.
Don Quixote ... Whoever... art thou?
??? I...
Vergilius ... am your guide. The one who will guide your path in your real
adventure. Please, call me Vergilius.
Vergilius My old... friend has told me that you are a Second Kindred...
Don Quixote 'Second... Kindred'? Whatever art thou referring to? And... my fellow
Fixers here have warned me that I mustn't leave the confines of this chamber...
Vergilius Mm. Do my eyes not remind you of anything?
Don Quixote P-prithee, do not glare at me with such terrifying gaze.
Don Quixote And there remains still one-thousand-seven-hundred-and-eight adventures
of mine to embark upon. On the morrow I shall depart alongside the Tres
Association, and the day after that, with the Hana Association, then—
Vergilius The Fixers on these posters... They're all from at least several
decades ago. It is as my fellow has told me. So much of her slumbers... even her
instinctive craving for blood.
Vergilius Your adventures with them are unimportant. And you won't have to listen
to these Fixers anymore. Because...
Vergilius ... doesn't an adventure guided by me, a Fixer bestowed with the title
of a Color... sound much better than any of that?
Don Quixote …!
Don Quixote T-thou art a Color?! I have heard mention of such a thing from the
magazines! That it is a title, an honor given only to the finest Fixers...!!!
Don Quixote I have heard tell that only a very, very few Fixers have been granted
such extolment, for it hath been but a brief moment since such honor was
established!
Vergilius Haah... I see that you wished to put every little bit of your past to
sleep, even that smell of blood. I will respect your decision and treat you
accordingly.
Vergilius Yes.
Vergilius I am the guide who will bring you all to the right path.
Vergilius You must come with me, for this journey demands your company. In
return...
Vergilius ... when the time is right, the promised timepiece shall come to be by
your side.
Don Quixote Promised...?
Vergilius Yes. You are bound by a promise, just as I am.
Vergilius So...
Don Quixote Gasp...
Vergilius Remember these eyes.
Vergilius Remind yourself time and again every time you look into these eyes that
hold the blood of a generation higher than your own.
Don Quixote I... have nary clue as to whatever it is that—
Vergilius I speak of the promise that will one day return to you when the time is
right.
Vergilius Remember it, so that the unforgettable promise will one day return to
you, so that you may keep it when the time comes. Even as it eludes you now.
Vergilius That is the condition of your adventure.
Vergilius If you are willing to accept these terms, then speak your name to me.
Don Quixote …….
Don Quixote Don Quixote.
Don Quixote Thou mayest know me as... Don Quixote.
Sancho No. That is not my name.
Sansón Indeed, Sancho.
Sansón For all that passion you joined the adventure with, you were nothing
but a pretender with a borrowed name.
Sansón There was but a singular path in your adventure.
Sansón The path laid by his teachings.
Location: A Certain Castle, Past
Don Quixote Sancho. I have conceived an idea most ingenious.
Sancho Please don't.
Don Quixote I intend to take part in the Bloodfiend War.
Sancho You don't mean...
Don Quixote Indeed. I shall stand with the humans.
Sancho Not everyone is going to like your 'ingenious idea'.
Don Quixote ... Odd. You sound rather... unsurprised by my suggestion. Did you know
that I would suggest as such?
Sancho I had a feeling that you'd be saying something like that soon.
Don Quixote Of course, the other Elders will come to lecture me or try to convince
me otherwise.
Don Quixote Sancho. Expect many, many guests. Thus...
Sancho ... Yes, I will prepare cookies baked with cinnamon. The venerated
Elder of B Corp. can't seem to stop coughing upon ingesting one of those.
Don Quixote ... I had intended to suggest that you inform all of them of my
'absence' and lock up the castle gates. Yet I find your suggestion more enticing.
Sancho However, what truly concerns me is the resistance from your Children.
Don Quixote Ah, you needn't worry, then.
Don Quixote They are my Family. I am certain they will understand.
Don Quixote That brings me to a question, however. Sancho, how is it that you are
still without Kindreds of your own?
Sancho I enjoy solitude.
Sancho I wish to live the rest of my life looking forward and only forward. I
would rather not have anyone tag along behind me.
Don Quixote Speak to me again should that change.
Sancho It will not. But I will.
Sancho ... This war will be a long and difficult one.
Sancho Difficult, because we will have to slay our own kind.
Don Quixote Indeed it shall be.
Don Quixote Yet... if we may break their faiths only by breaking their skulls...
Don Quixote ... then it shall be a war worth fighting for.
Don Quixote Now that we are discussing this particular subject, Sancho...
Don Quixote Should the war end—well, in my victory, obviously...
Sancho Sure, sure.
Don Quixote Anyway, should the war end...
Don Quixote ... I intend to build a place in which everyone may be happy.
Sancho ... Happy?
Don Quixote What is that expression on your face?
Sancho It has been eons since that word left my lips.
Don Quixote Do you recall that place, this 'amusement park' she spoke of? The place
where people scream and shudder not from fear, but from joy.
Don Quixote That is the kind of place I intend to build.
Sancho I still don't quite understand how one screams from joy...
Don Quixote In that land, Sancho...
Don Quixote There won't be any wearisome battles to fight. No constant fear of
getting devoured...
Don Quixote There shall be only laughter.
Location: -1
Sancho Laughter...
Location: La Manchaland
Sansón Though I was not a part of your Family, I suppose... I had once looked
forward to the realization of his ambitions. As an observer, of course.
Sansón In this binary world, which has availed us with only two choices, to
slaughter humans or to hide underground like rats... he alone was the dreamer who
conceived of a third option.
Sansón Yet...
Sansón That was no laughter I saw there. They were wailing, wailing so
intensely that it had long turned into something that only resembled laughter.
Sancho …….
Starved Bloodfiend Let us...
Starved Bloodfiend Let us out of here... Or crush our heads...
Sansón No. You won't be leaving this place. You won't find death, either.
Sansón Many, many guests will be lining up to pay a visit to La Manchaland
soon.
Sansón You recall your missions, yes? Though it has been two hundred years, I
don't suppose you had a moment go by without remembering them.
Craving Bloodfiend Humans... humans...? Here, again?
Craving Bloodfiend It's a festival! The festival's not over!
Sansón …….
Sansón Can people change?
Sancho I had once thought they could.
Location: An Ancient Battlefield
Don Quixote A long, painful battle lies ahead of us.
Don Quixote The Bloodfiends that will hate and despise us will be countless. Their
hatred will be inconceivable.
Don Quixote They will call us traitors to our own kind.
Don Quixote They will claim that our nature cannot change; that our existence is
destined to prey upon humans, something they accept as an immutable truth.
Don Quixote We will be forced to sever our bonds with whom we had shared our
suffering for centuries. Those who feel the very same disease that ails us.
Don Quixote Our only kindred spirits in this lonely world.
Don Quixote Thus, now is your final chance.
Don Quixote If you do not wish to participate, if you refuse, then I will not stop
you.
Sancho I refuse.
The Barber Has she gone mad...?
Don Quixote ... W-wait, really?
Sancho I know you won't let me go anyway.
Sancho Just as a child cannot stop being an offspring of their parent, even if
they wish they were.
The Priest …….
The Priest On that day... when the Machine Purge took place... I was already a
dead man.
The Priest The will of the Father is the will of my own.
The Barber I haven't had the chance to sharpen my scissors as of late. I'll enjoy
this.
Don Quixote Very well. What of you, dear Dulcinea?
Dulcinea …….
Dulcinea Do as you will.
Don Quixote I am very glad to have my Children stand by my side.
Don Quixote Worry not, for I am the strongest there is. As you must all be well
aware.
Don Quixote Instead, worry about what is to come once the war ends in our
victory...
Don Quixote Worry about our lives thereafter, about how we will live on.
Sancho Well, how will you live on?
Don Quixote I do not know as of yet. However... I suppose...
Don Quixote ... We should be able to lead a more joyous life than we do now.
Don Quixote To live without our fates bound to murder of a fellow living being...
wouldn't you agree that such a life would be a better one?
Location: La Manchaland
Don Quixote You have finally returned to me, my Sancho.
Don Quixote What joyous day this is... to have all my Children by my side, once
again.
Don Quixote Have you said your greetings? You do not know how much we all longed to
see you again, Sancho...
Sancho …….
Sancho What have they done to you?
Don Quixote Ah... this...?
Don Quixote When I could no longer count the number of stakes that have broken my
flesh... when the counting itself lost its meaning...
Don Quixote I saw a light in the sky. And this... melded into my body.
A light in the sky... could he be talking about a Golden Bough? Then there must've
been a Lobotomy Corp. branch here, and the Golden Bough within resonated with his—
Location: ???
Dante <... Ah!>
Don Quixote slowly walked toward the man who spoke in a sedate voice.
Dante <That's... the Fathoms of Ego. W-we should go after her, now.>
We woke up from our dumbfounded silence at the sudden turn of events and hurriedly
followed her inside.
Episode: 44
Location: Fathoms of Ego
Jia Xichun Is... is that really the same girl who embarrassed herself in a duel
against the Cinq Fixer? How is she killing so many Bloodfiends with such little
effort...?
Every time a Bloodbag or a Bloodfiend approached anywhere near her, Don Quixote
struck them down with a blinding blitz.
Rodion Was she hiding her strength...? No, that doesn't seem right. But...
Rodion ... She's a Bloodfiend...?
Outis How absurd. That creature, who deceived us with the false name Don Quixote,
was a Bloodfiend all along?
Outis Hiding and lurking, pretending to be human...
Gregor That's enough. Don't you think that's too much?
Outis I could be much worse if I wanted to be. But I have enough sense to hold
myself back in front of the Executive Manager.
Outis did not hide her disgust. She looked toward Faust with that very same
expression.
Outis The top brass of the company must've already been aware of this, obviously.
Of this Bloodfiend, hiding in our ranks like a snake, biding her time for a chance
to sink her teeth into us...
Rodion But... those stories we saw earlier...
Rodion She wasn't hiding it. She really believed that she was human, that her
name was Don Quixote.
Outis "According to those stories we saw earlier", everything she has told us up to
this point was a lie. Everything we've known about her was a lie.
Outis How many humans do you think this Bloodfiend has killed in the past?
Outis I understand the duplicitous nature of this company, yes. However, to subject
me and the Executive Manager to such a high-risk situation, and to just let it
happen is—
Faust We have never 'just let it happen'.
Outis Fine. What now, then?
Outis It seems that we're not here to eradicate La Manchaland; because from where
I'm standing, it looks like we're only helping it come together!
Sinclair Don Quixote...
Sancho …….
Sancho That is not my name.
Sancho That is the name of my Father.
Don Quixote's red eyes shimmer threateningly at Sinclair.
... The very same eyes I never wished to see again.
Don Quixote …….
Don Quixote Sancho. You...
Don Quixote …….
Don Quixote I see...
Don Quixote ... Not even you could change. Not even a little.
Sancho No. I haven't.
Sancho Nothing... nothing changed.
Sancho Look at me.
Sancho Your Rocinante has suppressed me for but a passing moment. I am still
the same bloodsucking Bloodfiend who cannot survive without bleeding others.
Sancho Just as how your La Manchaland regressed to nothing but a hunting
ground for us to prey on humans.
Don Quixote ... Yes, it has.
Don Quixote I was wrong...
Don Quixote People... can't change.
Don Quixote We have no choice... but to live shackled onto the path dictated by
this disease.
Don Quixote My Family, whom I love so much... have tried to convince me, to turn me
to their side...
Don Quixote ... yet I was too slow. I was the only one who didn't understand, until
it was too late.
Sancho Nicolina, Curiambro, Dulcinea... is this their doing? Have they
tortured you so?
Don Quixote Yes. A throne most fitting for such a pathetic lord, wouldn't you
say...?
Don Quixote Sancho... I thought my heart would well with joy and happiness upon
laying my eyes upon you again...
Don Quixote Yet there is only... sorrow...
Sancho …….
Don Quixote I thought you... at least you would have explored the world outside in
my stead, experiencing adventures even more wonderful than the ones I've heard...
Don Quixote But this poor soul I see before me...
Don Quixote Is no different from me... nor my Family...
Location: Fathoms of Ego - Maze
Don Quixote ... Just a blood-starved, red-eyed victim of this sickness...
Dante <The space we're in... it's changing...>
Sinclair His emotions must be affecting the Golden Bough...
Ishmael Inside the body of that Pallid Whale we encountered at the Great
Lake...
Ishmael ... was a Golden Bough, wasn't it?
Gregor Yeah... burrowed deep into its heart.
Meursault A form of existence similar to parasitism.
Heathcliff So... what now?
Dante <…….>
Outis Executive Manager. While that man with a Golden Bough in his torso may have
once been a powerful being in the past, he seems to have been severely weakened due
to an unknown reason. Just say the word, and I will—
Ryoshu Foolishness. He's not the problem here. It's her—she smells different.
Ryōshū pointed her finger toward Don Quixote.
Ryoshu Give me a heads up if you're going to ask us to fight her, Clock. I'd
like a chance to burn a last cig before I go.
Dante <I'm... going to try talking to her first.>
Ishmael I'll go with you, Dante. Guys, this way.
I slowly approach Don Quixote who regards me with her dark eyes, her usual twinkle
seeming like a distant memory.
Sancho Back off.
Sancho You have brought me, a Second Kindred, here with an explicit purpose.
Sancho So that I may punish the Bloodfiends who have committed such sin
against my Father. So that I may end his suffocating, meaningless existence.
Sinclair But we... we had no idea. It wasn't our intention to—
Faust Yes, that was precisely our intention.
... Faust takes a step forward.
Faust Only I and Dante, who remained conscious during the events of the WARP train,
were aware of this.
Sinclair What... did you say?
Faust ... This omission... could not be helped. Faust is forbidden from being the
first to share a Sinner's past.
Ryoshu S.P.R.
Ishmael But it wasn't just for Don Quixote. She hid Gregor's past. Sinclair's
past. She didn't talk about either of them until they were ready to talk about it
themselves... or were made to.
Outis ... I believe it is false equivalency to compare this to those cases when it
is evident that this was a case of subterfuge. She was an enemy in our midst, which
makes your comparison moot.
Heathcliff Bloody hell... can't you see? Your reaction is exactly why they didn't
tell us!
Jia Xichun ... Messy.
Hong Lu Ahh... it's because we all care so much about each other.
Yi Sang Please, stop this. I fear that it may become rather untoward should we
continue to spiral.
Rodion Yeah. Hong Lu's little sister's here watching us, guys.
Don Quixote watched our bickering wordlessly...
... until the squabble among the Sinners began to subside.
The entire time they bickered, I wracked my brain trying to come up with something.
But...
Dante <I just hoped you'd... understand...>
Dante <... and come back to our side. To be one of us again.>
... all I managed to express was this pathetic, naive hope I'd been stewing in the
back of my mind.
Sancho To be one of you...?
Sancho But you do not know of our eons of suffering. You do not know of our
battles, our struggles, our agony, our victories. I don't suppose you ever will.
Sancho I will slowly look into each and every one of those torturous moments
and rekindle my buried memories.
Sancho And with every memory, it'll all rise to the surface once again. The
wrath, the hatred, the loathing.
Sancho Thus...
Sancho ... I can no longer be one of you again.
Episode: 45
Location: Fathoms of Ego - Maze
Don Quixote How glad I am to have you back, Sancho... With you by our side, this
place shall be even happier.
Don Quixote My Family... has finally found true happiness.
Don Quixote Because they have suffered far too long... they deserve this happiness,
more so than anyone.
Don Quixote With your return... to La Manchaland... we shall fill this place with
even more laughter.
Sancho …….
Outis Laughter? What a joke.
Outis We are here to exterminate your kind.
Don Quixote ... We have been through so much together, have we not? Sancho.
Don Quixote Let us show them what we have lived through... to these ignorant
outsiders...
Location: An Ancient Battlefield
Sancho You were... foolhardy.
Don Quixote Our foes were... Bloodfiends who had grown to the size of giants. Those
who had drunk so much human blood that it was boiling, overflowing out of their
bodies.
Don Quixote They were formidable foes. Our battles were... challenging.
Sancho Even there, you dreamed.
Don Quixote A hollow dream... nothing more.
Don Quixote Hark, my dearest compatriots! Art thou ready for this battle?! We shall
soon strike the battlefield with our full might; speak, if aught ails thee!
Sancho …….
Sancho "Aught" ails me.
Don Quixote Ahem! O Sancho, thou art recognized! Speak thy mind!
Sancho Why are you talking like that?
Don Quixote 'Tis only right that a Fixer-to-be must speak in a manner befitting of
his stature.
Don Quixote Ah, and mine heart beats with such volition whenever I speak in such a
manner. O Sancho, prithee, why dost thou not speak as I—
Defiant Bloodfiend KEEAAAGGHHH!
Sancho Because it's ridiculously juvenile.
Don Quixote Yet, I cannot help but cherish that day when we ran across the green
fields together, tasting the freedom...
Sancho You were ambushed by Bloodfiends who broke your lance.
Don Quixote Yes. A lance... you had crafted me of your own blood.
Don Quixote It was... a mistake. I underestimated my foes; a rather unfortunate yet
unshakable habit of mine.
Sancho I remember telling you to be mindful of them.
Don Quixote A powerful gust knocked me into the air before smiting me down into the
grass...
Don Quixote ... And you hurried to my side, didn't you? I remember your face, your
breathing hastened from worry.
Sancho I wasn't that desperate.
Don Quixote As I lay upon my back, gasping at the sky from the shock...
Don Quixote ... you appeared into that view.
Don Quixote Perhaps... it was that moment that led us to victory in that war.
Sancho You were already certain of your own victory even before the war began.
Don Quixote I must wonder if that was the moment I had begun to think that we could
really change.
Don Quixote Watching you, who hated running all your life, breathlessly sprinting
to my side...
Don Quixote ... I thought perhaps we were all changing, little by little.
Sancho …….
Location: Fathoms of Ego - Maze
Don Quixote Yet I... we... failed, Sancho.
Don Quixote And everything around us... is a record, a testament to our failures.
Don Quixote Look around as you will, Sancho. At our desolation...
Episode: 46
Location: Fathoms of Ego - Maze
Sancho...
... walked into the maze that manifested before us, as if to obey Don Quixote's
words to observe the desolation.
Jia Xichun …….
Jia Xichun So that Bloodfiend... is the same person as that friend of yours who
saved my life earlier?
Hong Lu Yep. Same person.
Outis Are you insane? Does any of this not register to you? The things she's been
saying? This "Don Quixote" is no—
Hong Lu Mm... but she's still the same person, from where I'm standing.
Hong Lu replies confidently.
Or... perhaps that was just how he usually talks. Even when we grew suspicious,
even when we found ourselves at a crossroads, his voice would always carry that
calm confidence. So much so that it almost seemed silly.
But... thinking back, he's been more right than wrong.
... And I hope that is the case again today.
I try to put my faith in that hope.
Outis Damn it... damn it all...! Cowards and milksops, all of you...! If that
creature suddenly turns violent against us like an unpredictable animal she is,
we'll—
Dante <Outis.>
Outis ... Yes.
Outis straightened up and looked in my direction in her usual militaristic
stiffness. But I could see the thinly veiled anxiety and mistrust seeping through
her stoic expression.
It was inevitable. Whatever the reason, I did hide things from the Sinners.
And Outis is very sensitive to people withholding information, so it's no surprise
she's so disgruntled about this.
However, because it is Outis I am speaking to...
Dante <We're going to follow Don Quixote... I mean, Sancho.>
Outis But that is—
Dante <Sorry, let me finish.>
Outis ... Yes. My apologies.
Dante <I can't know exactly what you're thinking. I can't read minds, you know. But
I do know that you are unhappy about this.>
Outis …….
Dante <I should be able to explain everything to you in due time. So...>
Dante <... I would like for you to trust and follow me through this path, which I
believe is our way to victory.>
Outis' grievance probably runs deeper than what's already left her mouth.
It wasn't just the omission of intelligence that bothered her... What she was
really worried about was that omission compromising me, herself, and the operation
itself. That's just the kind of Sinner she is.
Then, the solution must be to address that very thing. To tell her that everything
is going according to plan.
Dante <Remember how every mission we have done so far led to me resonating with the
Golden Bough? And how that was the key to solving them?>
Dante <It won't be different this time, proba— No, it won't be different, I'm sure
of it.>
Outis ... If that is your wish...
Outis ... then it is my command.
Dante <Sorry about forcing you to come along...>
Outis ... Regardless of the outcome of this operation, and regardless of the
soundness of your reasoning... I, Outis, did not fold before the authority given to
you by your rank.
Outis My decision to follow you is based on your effort to understand and explain
the potential risks I have pointed out to you. That is why... I comply now to your
wisdom.
Outis Or, perhaps the memories of your past are subconsciously affecting your
current behavior.
Dante <I don't remember a thing, though...>
Outis Don Quixote... Executive Manager... Amnesia has certainly made things
difficult for many of us, hasn't it?
Hong Lu There are so many ways to erase people's memories in the City, after
all.
Jia Xichun ... Yeah. There are plenty of ways to remove people's memories, and
that's just counting what's public.
Jia Xichun The most common method is moving someone's memory into a different
object, or a person. Some parts of the City even sell them as local products.
Jia Xichun Another is to completely destroy the memories. It's cheap, but because
it comes with the risk of affecting other memories, only desperate Backstreets
dwellers use this method.
Jia Xichun And... now we know the final method, which has so far been unknown, and
remains inaccessible even now.
Jia Xichun The River of Oblivion... also known as Lethe.
Jia Xichun Drinking the waters of this River allows one to bury their memories
beyond the veil of their consciousness, to the point where they become uncertain,
hazy, and dim like the memories from a dream.
Hong Lu So that's what you've been looking for... Xichun.
Jia Xichun Not exactly. It's a different stream, somewhere near the River of
Oblivion.
Jia Xichun I suspect that the River I'm searching for has something to do with the
immortality of the mind that our elders have been seeking so desperately.
Hong Lu Ah. To be free from aging and death, right?
Jia Xichun Yeah, that old, tiresome thing.
Maybe... that's how my memories were removed.
I don't even have a dreamy recollection of my memories; it's like they were
uprooted straight from my head.
So it's either been transferred to a different person or an object...
... or it's been totally destroyed, forever unsalvageable.
Still, I have no clue as to who, how, or why anyone would do such a thing.
Jia Xichun …….
Jia Xichun briefly glanced at me as my clock ticked on before turning her attention
back to Hong Lu.
Jia Xichun That's why these scant traces of this 'Bari' are so important to me.
Jia Xichun I can't tell you in any greater detail, but I see them. I can see her
ancient traces here.
Jia Xichun Come on, this is important to you too. If we want to survive as heirs,
we have to find that thing that our elders seek, that immortali—
Jia Xichun stops herself midway through her sentence.
Hong Lu I see. So this is where we have to go our separate ways.
Jia Xichun Yeah.
Rodion Leaving us already?
Hong Lu The path diverges, and we must each take the other trail. It's time to
say goodbye.
Jia Xichun ... If your friend had really lost her memories from drinking the
waters of the River of Oblivion...
Jia Xichun ... then she has to be extremely disoriented. Coming to terms with the
realization that those hazy, nightmarish visions were in fact her own memories,
that they weren't just dreams, has to be...
Hong Lu ... Yes. It will be sad. And complex.
Hong Lu After all, who is the dreamer? Is it myself as I had existed in that
dream, or myself who has awakened from it?
Hong Lu Well. Whichever it may be, whether it is a butterfly or not, I guess it
will flutter away once again.
Hong Lu Thank you for letting me know, Xichun.
Jia Xichun ... Yeah. I guess you haven't been spending your time chasing the
clouds out here, brother.
Jia Xichun I'll see you around. I have a feeling we'll be seeing each other again
very soon.
Dante <......>
Hong Lu If you say so, Xichun, then it will be so.
Jia Xichun Don't bother saying goodbye. It'll be a waste of time.
Episode: 47
Location: Fathoms of Ego - Maze
Dante <Don Quixote...>
Sancho A name that was once my salvation.
Sancho Our own kind had disowned us. The humans considered us hideous.
Sancho I'll admit. We were all smiling and laughing when we began laying the
foundations of La Manchaland.
Sancho Because we truly believed in the delusion that we could subsist on
smidgeons of blood and some 'hemobars'.
Location: A Certain Castle, Past
Don Quixote Gather around, all. We finally have a prototype of that 'thing' me and
the Barber have been working on for years.
Sancho What is this, a brick?
Don Quixote Coagulated blood.
Don Quixote It has every nutrient we need to survive.
Dulcinea …….
Dulcinea Tastes like... pastel paste.
The Barber Flavor is a luxury, Lady Dulcinea!
The Barber This is the best we could've done with the flavor.
Don Quixote As long as we can get a steady supply of a paltry amount of blood
voluntarily given by humans, we can continue to mass-produce these hemobars.
The Priest Oh... how splendid.
Don Quixote I plan to provide a steady supply of this item for our Family here at
La Manchaland.
Don Quixote Remember. As long as La Manchaland survives, we'll be the pride and joy
of all Bloodfiends.
Don Quixote Because we'll be the living proof that... we need not kill—need not
consume blood to coexist alongside humans. That we need not be defined by our
nature.
Don Quixote And I guarantee you, we'll be getting plenty of guests around here.
Sancho How can you be so certain?
Don Quixote Because the world outside was as dreary and austere as the world I'd
been living in.
Don Quixote I am quite certain that deep inside, even humans...
Don Quixote ... are desperately waiting for something to bring joy into their
lives.
Don Quixote Which brings me to my subsequent point. What if I were to appear in
person at the end of the Parade? What say you?
Don Quixote That would certainly get the crowd going with the applause and cheers,
don't you think?
The Barber Of course! I will make you an outfit so dazzling that you may shine
brighter than anyone else.
Dulcinea I doubt you'll surpass my popularity.
Dulcinea I am second to none when it comes to beauty, after all.
Don Quixote Of course not, Dulcinea. None shall claim greater beauty before you,
who are as incandescent as gold. Even still—
Sancho If this meeting is about to devolve into frivolity again, I will now
take my leave.
Location: Fathoms of Ego - Maze
Sancho Yes. Just as he had expected...
Sancho ... La Manchaland began teeming with human guests.
Episode: 48
Location: Fathoms of Ego - Maze
Dante <Abnormalities, here...?>
Dante <... Huh, yeah. How come there's a Lobotomy Corp. logo inside La Manchaland?>
Yi Sang Perhaps...
Yi Sang Mm, now may not be the appropriate time, for too much is still veiled
in mysteries to utter with certitude.
Dante <Oh, uh...>
I tried to urge Yi Sang, who trailed off mid-explanation, to speak, but...
Dante <... Okay. Let me know when you're more certain.>
... I'm sure he has a good reason for not sharing his suspicions at the moment. I
nodded.
Yi Sang Mm, I shall.
Dante <Okay, then... let's get back on track and keep following Sancho.>
Abnormality or not, we still have a job to do.
Episode: 49
Location: La Manchaland, Past
Sancho …….
Sancho More and more Bloodfiends are starting to suffer.
Dulcinea Sancho.
Dulcinea How rude of you to attempt to lecture our Father?
Sancho I am only notifying him of what I am seeing out there.
Don Quixote Ah, Sancho. I have been discussing with Dulcinea about the pathing of
the Parade.
Don Quixote It seems that your Area is the most popular out of them all, Dulcinea.
Dulcinea Of course. It is in nature of all things to be helplessly drawn to
beauty.
Sancho …….
Dulcinea …….
Don Quixote I don't think I've ever seen the two of you exchange more than three
sentences with one another, now that I think about it.
Don Quixote You're both Second Kindreds of mine, aren't you? Sisters. Would you
like to be the 'big sis', Sancho?
Sancho Absolutely not. I detest this idea.
Don Quixote Then perhaps I would suggest a 'lil sis'—
Dulcinea I will now take my leave, O Father.
Dulcinea ... Also.
Dulcinea Please, consider our suggestion regarding that Relic.
Don Quixote Yes, I will.
Location: A Certain Castle, Past
Don Quixote You come at the most appropriate hour, Sancho. Behold, for I have found
us a Relic yesterday.
Sancho You're still searching for them...?
Sancho I thought you had given up on the idea. The Knight of the White Moon
identified the last one, which you had gone through considerable lengths to obtain,
mind, was but a forgery.
Don Quixote Yet the merchant claimed that this one was of genuine quality.
Don Quixote Behold the hatch-pattern here; it is identical to the depiction of the
helm worn by the founding Fixer of the Hana Association.
Don Quixote Compare it next to this illustration. Do you see the resemblance?
Sancho …….
Sancho They duped you. Again.
Don Quixote ... Dammit all, I had a feeling. Damn that peddler to hell.
Sancho Why are you so desperately seeking these trinkets?
Sancho You are powerful enough without the crutches these Relics provide.
Don Quixote It is not for their strength that I seek them. What I truly seek is the
body odor of the Fixers who had once worn them, their histories, the tales they
have to tell...
Don Quixote ... You look like you're looking at a nutcase.
Sancho What a relief. At least your eyesight is in fine health.
Don Quixote This won't do. I would much earlier have those Relics in my hands by
going out there myself.
Sancho That's all well and good, but did you hear what I had to report
earlier? That...
Don Quixote ... That Bloodfiends are suffering?
Don Quixote I did not expect this path we walk to be an easy, paved road.
Don Quixote Yet we will overcome this together, as long as we manage to acclimatize
to this.
Don Quixote You seem to be doing quite well yourself, for one.
Sancho …….
Don Quixote Oh, and Sancho... I have conceived an idea most ingenious.
Sancho What is it this time...?
Don Quixote It is truly ingenious this time, so I shall allow you to take a deep
breath before I say anything. Are you ready?
Sancho Yep...
Don Quixote Won't you set off on an adventure by my side?
Location: Confessional, Past
Sancho How did the consultations go?
The Priest …….
The Priest All are at peace. Tranquil, as they always are.
The Priest Speaking of which, did you take your daily dose of hemobar today?
Sancho I did.
The Priest Very good.
The Priest Ah, I heard through the grapevine that you were preparing to embark on
an 'adventure' with Father.
The Priest The sheer idea of it...
The Priest ... I can hardly wait.
Sancho You... No, it's nothing. You may leave me, now.
Location: -1
Sancho I wasn't so close to him that I could simply call over to him and ask
him what he really meant by that pause.
Sancho So I let him go.
Location: Fathoms of Ego - Maze
Sancho We could never get used to it.
Sancho The lack of blood... It's incomparable to having one's favorite food
taken away from them.
Sancho It deprived us of everything that made us happy.
Sancho Drenched in misery, naively hanging onto the belief that everything was
going to be okay. Slowly, we...
Sancho We grew deprived.
Ishmael So that's...
Ishmael ... when the two of you left La Manchaland to go on an adventure.
Episode: 50
Location: Fathoms of Ego - Maze
Corroded Bloodfiend I didn't... I had no idea something could taste so
delicious...!
Corroded Bloodfiend How did we even survive for so long without tasting
something this delectable? How could we ever forget this sensation?
Heathcliff Dammit, the Bloodfiends found us.
Meursault They are corroded by an Abnormality.
Corroded Bloodfiend Y-you... the blood you've spilled thus far... We followed
your trail of blood...
Corroded Bloodfiend Oh... I miss it so much...
Corroded Bloodfiend The day when we had our first accident at La Manchaland...
Corroded Bloodfiend The blood dripping from one of our guests...
Corroded Bloodfiend We crawled on all fours on the floor just to have a taste
of it...
Corroded Bloodfiend Oh, the elation I felt then...
Sancho Yes. That's where it all began to fall apart.
Episode: 51
Location: Fathoms of Ego - Maze
Outis Which Area are you supposed to be a part of?
Corroded Bloodfiend We... are Bloodfiends who did not laugh... So we are not a
part of any Area... We're... exiles!
Corroded Bloodfiend To this prison... an internment for those who could not
abandon their desires...
Prison...? No, this feels... familiar, somehow...
Dante <... Huh. Doesn't this 'prison'... remind you of the containment units of
Lobotomy Corp.?>
Sinclair Really? Then...
Yi Sang Mm, we have thus far encountered numerous sights of the former L Corp.
logos.
Yi Sang Then, it stands to reason that... a Lobotomy Corp. branch was
constructed here, upon La Manchaland's sealing.
Dante <Then... where'd the branch go...?>
Yi Sang It may be that, in the wake of La Manchaland's reopening, it was cast
to the earth below; or, perhaps, this park of amusement has devoured it as the
Whale of the Great Lake has done.
Yi Sang Howbeit, this is but a dubitable theory of mine, for we are bereft of
further requisite information to be certain.
Yi Sang Hm. Such is all I have to say, yet it may be rather discouraging to
hear words of such little substance after being left in the dark for so long.
Faust …….
Faust nodded affirmatively to Yi Sang's suggestion.
... Then...
Corroded Bloodfiend Ah... Lady Sancho... you have returned to our side... to
deliver us...
Sancho …….
Corroded Bloodfiend Do you not... recognize me?
Corroded Bloodfiend We... fought together in the Bloodfiend War... Together...
we massacred multiple Families of Bloodfiends...
Sancho Yes, I recognize you.
Corroded Bloodfiend When you disappeared from this place with Father...
Corroded Bloodfiend And like always, we started a Parade... like always...
Corroded Bloodfiend A parade full of... many happy, happy humans...
Sancho …….
Corroded Bloodfiend Father wished to find the perpetrator, but... how could
he...
Corroded Bloodfiend ... when we were all in on it?
Corroded Bloodfiend Once we smelled blood... we were blinded to all other
things...
Corroded Bloodfiend ... and the Parade continued and continued and continued...
and La Manchaland never closed...
Corroded Bloodfiend That's when I finally realized something, Lady Sancho.
Corroded Bloodfiend Even if we were to be punished for a long, long time... for
what we have done...
Corroded Bloodfiend ... we were happy at that moment, so much so... that even
eons of incarceration couldn't deter us...
Corroded Bloodfiend The second the blood touched our lips, we felt... life.
Corroded Bloodfiend Why... why have you forsaken us...?
Sancho …….
Episode: 52
Location: Fathoms of Ego - Maze
As we were in pursuit of Don Quixote, defeating any Bloodfiend that got in our
way...
... A blade flashed from a dark corner, aiming straight for Don Quixote.
Sancho …….
But with a flick of her fingers, she blasted the figure away, flinging the attacker
to the ground.
Rodion H-huh? Why are they attacking Don Quixote?
Yi Sang ... A familiar face we encounter...
Camille? Hnnnhhhhhh...
Heathcliff Wha? What's that bastard doin' here?
Ishmael Huh, right. I thought they were staying away from the three main Areas
because they had a different mission from the rest of us?
Meursault It can be suspected that the change in La Manchaland's structure due to
the influence of the Golden Bough has caused them to be swept up among the
Bloodfiends.
Gregor Huh, swept up?
Rodion Mmh... gotta say, I never liked the guy. But seeing him like this...
Faust Dante.
Dante <... Yeah. I know what you're about to ask.>
Dante <That's... Camille's been corroded. Maybe he resorted to using E.G.O gears or
E.G.O Gifts from the Lobotomy Corp. branch...>
Meursault I can confirm the presence of Paula, his companion.
Sinclair …!
Sinclair Corroded...? Then... like... back at the basement of my home...
Yi Sang Mm... I recall a phenomenon of similitude occurring at K Corp. Perhaps
he was assimilated into an E.G.O, the powers of which he could not hope to
withstand...
Faust It indeed may have been the case that he resorted to the use of E.G.O to even
the odds against the numerical disadvantage against the Bloodfiend horde.
Gregor ... Sacrificed himself for the battle, huh. Haah...
Outis It may as well be that he simply tapped into a power he did not understand.
However... I must say that he met an honorable death. It must have been a valiant
struggle to the end.
A valiant struggle.
'Valiant'—that's a word Don Quixote loved to use so much. I looked toward her with
some vague hope.
But she nonchalantly dusted off her clothes and walked away in complete
disinterest.
Dante <... Come on. Let's help them find peace.>
Episode: 53
Sancho As we created La Manchaland, Father told us that numerous rules would
only shackle us. He gave us freedom to enjoy it in any way we wanted.
Sancho However, there was a singular rule he would never forgive us for
breaking.
Sancho That we mustn't hurt humans.
Sancho Hemobars can sate our hunger.
Sancho We can coexist with humans.
Sancho So stay strong through this period of hardship.
Sancho We shan't give up. We cannot give up.
Location: Shepherds' Village, Past
Don Quixote No Syndicate shall ever dare invade thy village again after my
demonstration of might. Haven't I declared it upon mine arrival that no task is
beyond us?
Townsfolk And you weren't kidding! Thank you so much, Don Quixote and Sancho.
Townsfolk But, um... how could we repay you...? We don't have much money...
Sancho Your running shoes look like they could fetch a nice price...
Don Quixote Fie on thee! A Fixer doth not dole out justice based on promise of
capital.
Don Quixote Still, if thou truly wishest to help, then... wouldst thou behold this
flyer? Prithee, spread the word, invite thy fellows and families to this place.
Don Quixote My most loyal squire, Sancho, shall present thee a better explanation.
Sancho …….
Don Quixote Ahem, khm...
Sancho …….
Don Quixote Don't just stand there, Sancho. Say something.
Don Quixote You are supposed to be... my loyal assistant of sorts here.
Sancho I... refuse to speak in that manner.
Sancho It's ridiculously juvenile.
Don Quixote It is that very ridiculous juvenility that adds color to life, Sancho.
Don Quixote Besides, how else will humans truly see us as just and valorous Fixers
otherwise?
Sancho It still eludes me how this embarrassing manner of speech has anything
to do with being a Fixer.
Don Quixote Right, right. Let us try this again. Yes?
Don Quixote Hearken to me, Sancho! My loyal squire!
Sancho ... Haaaah...
Don Quixote Hark, San—
Sancho V-verily!
Sancho Thou mustn't relent, no... matter the hardship.
Sancho Slow not thy running pace until thou arrivest at thy destination;
though hidden it may seem, perseverence shall see thee through.
Sancho Through to t-the L-la... La Manchaland of... uh, dr-dreams... and...
hopes...
The Barber However... O venerated ancestor, the First Kindred, our Father Don
Quixote...
Location: Fathoms of Ego - Maze
The Barber I'm sorry. We couldn't possibly live up to those knights in your
tales... haha... ha... ha...!
Sancho Nicolina, the Barber...
The Barber When Father's eyes lingered on us, he wasn't really looking at us. He
gazed beyond where we stood, to the faraway lands...
The Barber So... so... we told him to go on an adventure he so wished to embark
on.
Sancho We're supposed to love him. More so than anyone.
The Barber I know! I loved him, too! I looked up to him, I praised him, I spoke of
his greatness between my every breath!
The Barber Do you think you're his only Child? I am too! We are! We all are of his
noble bloodline!
Sancho What you've done... is filial impiety.
Sancho We smelled the carnage upon our return to La Manchaland once our
adventure was over.
The Barber Yes... Burning with wrath, he descended upon La Manchaland amidst its
festival to deliver swift retribution for our transgressions.
The Barber Haha... haha...! But it was so much fun. That sense of satisfaction,
that fullness...
The Barber Father did not find it within himself to forgive us. But we were
prepared for that! That was exactly why we told him of the Relic's whereabouts
after all.
Location: The Cave, Past
Don Quixote Behold, Sancho.
Don Quixote The legendary Relic, Helmet of Mambrino we had so fervently sought is
before us. We have the Barber, the Priest, and Dulcinea to thank for telling us of
its whereabouts.
Don Quixote But why...
Sancho What is it?
Don Quixote ... It's nothing.
Don Quixote What is with that expression, Sancho? Is the ending of our adventure so
truly disheartening?
Sancho I must wonder how... our Family at La Manchaland fares.
Don Quixote They must be faring quite well. They are kinder, gentler souls than
most.
Don Quixote Let us hurry back. Bari must be waiting for our arrival. She has always
been a step ahead of us.
Location: Fathoms of Ego - Maze
The Barber Ah, Sancho... you would have understood had you been here with us.
The Barber The blissful, nearly ecstatic taste of human blood after such a long
drought. Its flavor was madness.
Sancho No, that was a horrible sight.
The Barber How odd, though.
The Barber That you, who was our Father's most loyal Child... was the first to
flee.
Sancho …….
Sancho I did not flee.
Sancho He forced Rocinante on my feet, and...
Location: La Manchaland, Past
Don Quixote ... Do you understand? You must continue the adventure in my stead.
Sancho N-no...
Sancho Let me fight with you. I will fight by your side, even if—
Don Quixote Follow Bari. She will lead you away from here.
Sancho Rocinante, stop! Stop walking, NO!!!
Sancho I don't want to leave, I don't! Why do you refuse to obey me...?
Sancho Please, please! I don't want an adventure, stop! Please!
Sancho Please, Rocinante...
Sancho Don't take me away from here...
Location: Fathoms of Ego - Maze
The Barber Ha ha... so that's what happened! That is why our Father was so
weakened, why we could not see even a trace of you anywhere within La Manchaland
when the dust settled.
The Barber Always stuck to him like glue, glaring at us with that haughty,
condescending look whenever we approached...
Sancho I... never thought to condescend you.
The Barber Lies! You never wore the clothes I'd made for you...
Sancho ......
The Barber What... why are you looking at me like that?
The Barber It's disgusting, isn't it? We've become so hideous, haven't we?
Sancho The masks sewn onto every Bloodfiend's face here...
Sancho Was it your doing?
The Barber Hahahaha! Of course it was!
The Barber Who else among us could manage such intricate needlework?
The Barber I sewed the masks onto their faces, needle by needle! So they can be
happier! So they can be more flamboyant!
The Barber So they will never... have to take them off again...
Sancho What I want to know...
Sancho ... is what happened here at La Manchaland during my two hundred years
of absence.
Sancho What we found at the end of our adventure was no Relic of legends... it
was a cursed Relic.
Sancho That must have been your plan all along.
Sancho Because defying our Father is so... terrifying and so unnatural to
us...
Sancho You needed him to be gone for a while. To suppress that natural
revulsion.
Sancho Was that the only way you could scrounge up the courage to rebel
against him?
The Barber How long...
The Barber ... did you seriously think La Manchaland had left?
The Barber Rebellion...? Defiance...? It wasn't something so simple.
The Barber While you were daydreaming, prancing around with that Knight of the
White Moon...
The Barber ...we were dying a slow, painful, unbearable death.
The Barber 'Oh no, a Bloodfiend doesn't die so easily,' he would say.
The Barber No, we don't. But that existence was no different from death!
The Barber There is no meaning to life without human blood! Nothing!
The Barber No tomorrow to look forward to, nothing to spark our happiness.
The Barber Still, we had to laugh! Because we were bound to love our Father!
The Barber For two hundred years we laughed and laughed!!!
The Barber When all... when... when all I ever wanted was to live as a Bloodfiend
should!
Dulcinea ... Enough.
Dulcinea She won't ever understand us.
Dulcinea Besides, our Father has finally woken up from his delusions and came to
his senses.
Sancho …….
Dulcinea Clearly, from that look on your face...
Dulcinea Your adventure wasn't very fulfilling, was it?
Dulcinea I almost prefer that naive look from earlier.
Dulcinea I still hated your eyes, twinkling or not, but...
Dulcinea At least they were bearable to look at.
Sancho What do you mean... our Father woke up from his delusions?
Dulcinea When you embarked on your long-awaited journey of dreams, astride
Rocinante...
Dulcinea ... we remained trapped in here with Father.
Dulcinea Of course, he was furious with us, who failed to see as he did...
Sancho ... Thus he sealed La Manchaland away.
The Priest And nothing but two-hundred years of darkness remained.
The Priest Even as we used the powers of the Relic to pervert our natural law, to
suppress our taboo...
The Priest ... you will never understand our pain of having to stake our own
Father's chest.
The Barber Do you remember? The Priest, that fool, tried to kill himself! Hahaha!
The Barber Tears streaming down his face, bawling... you have no idea how funny
that was!
The Priest A punishment we deserved.
The Priest We have not only gone against our Father's wishes, but also committed
the capital sin of bringing him harm.
The Barber Were we... really that wrong?
The Barber For two hundred years, sealed within La Manchaland... we had nothing...
The Barber Bloodfiends resorted to digging through dirt for rotting beast
carcasses...
The Barber I was trapped in here with nothing but their anguished cries, seeking
death over this torturous existence...
The Barber From cries, to mad laughter, to despondent wailing... hahahahahaha!
Sancho Get out of my way.
Sancho I must talk to him myself.
The Barber You? You, who abandoned us and fled with Rocinante? Now you wish to
talk to him?
Episode: 54
Location: Outskirts, Past
Bari Quiet, huh?
Bari But it's not such a peaceful place. Even now, they are observing us.
Bari …….
Bari There will be more wars. After the war of humans and Bloodfiends, I mean.
Bari I can see it. The war against the nebulae beyond the Outskirts is all but
written.
Bari Humanity's inability to find satisfaction is the very hunger that leads to
war. It is an inevitability.
Bari ... Look at me. Talking the ear off of someone who's about to forget
everything.
Sancho …….
Bari I know I said this already, but let me say it again.
Bari You won't remember anything once you drink from this river.
Bari Me, your Father, your Family. All the stories we've shared, including this
very conversation.
Sancho I know.
Bari Once you drink the water... I will lead you to the place where you will
reside.
Bari I saw an abandoned lighthouse not far from here. It's unlikely anyone would
find you there.
Sancho ... Okay.
Bari So that's it, then?
Bari But how will you... live on?
Sancho I don't know.
Sancho I've lost everything. And now I prepare myself to lose even the
remnants of what once was. Do you think that question means anything to me?
Sancho You ask a question better asked once I slumber.
Bari …….
Sancho Once I drink the river's water...
Sancho Leave me.
Sancho Thank you, Bari. For everything.
Sancho But the river merely made me forget my instincts as a Bloodfiend. It
did not free me from them forevermore.
Location: Fathoms of Ego - Maze
Sancho Because we... are forever bound to our base natures.
Sancho Through my Father's Rocinante, I could hide every aspect of
Bloodfiendhood from the rest of the world...
Sancho ... but it only left me drifting in a ridiculous dream.
Sancho Now I am awake. Bare of feet.
Don Quixote Yes. Thus... it reopens...
Location: Fathoms of Ego - La Mancha Eye
Don Quixote This ... La Manchaland.
Sancho What happened here?
Don Quixote A tale as old as time.
Don Quixote They could not forgive me... and I could not forgive them in turn.
The Barber Open the gates...
The Barber Father, Don Quixote... please! Don't leave us here in the dark! Forgive
us!
Don Quixote Still... you refuse to share my will...
Don Quixote Do you still... fail to understand...? La Manchaland... must remain
sealed forever...
The Barber Th-then... we... have n-no choice...
The Barber I... I want to feel... I want to feel happiness again...
The Barber It's... your turn, Priest.
The Priest …….
The Priest Forgive not our sins, O venerated ancestor, our Father in blood.
The Priest And please... please...
The Barber Do it now... STAB HIM!!!!
Dulcinea …….
Horrified Bloodfiend Ah... ahhh...
Horrified Bloodfiend For... forgive us...
Horrified Bloodfiend No, please save us...
Horrified Bloodfiend If you won't...
Horrified Bloodfiend We'll make you suffer... with the rest of us...!
Episode: 55
Location: Fathoms of Ego - La Mancha Eye
Sancho …….
Sancho For two hundred years... they tortured you...
Sancho My Father...
Don Quixote It is... not their Fault, Sancho.
Don Quixote The sin is mine to bear. The sin of dreaming an impossible dream...
The Barber You won't ever understand our unimaginable suffering. Comfy in that
oblivion, which took even your instincts as a Bloodfiend away...
The Barber Our pain... of being deprived of blood... for two hundred years...
The Barber Our pain of having to stab our own Father with thousands of stakes...
The Priest But then...
The Priest ... an answer to our prayers arrived.
The Priest From the heavens cascaded a light most warm.
Dulcinea Warmer than the light that was forever taken from us...
Dulcinea Gentler than my last memory of the sun as a human...
Sancho …….
Sancho Sansón.
Sancho Which Family is he from?
The Barber I don't know... Why should any of that matter? Family? Elders? All
those meaningless concepts, washed away by two hundred years of pain!
The Barber What I do know, is that he saved us from this torturous hell.
The Barber That's... when La Manchaland opened once again!
Location: La Manchaland, Past
Sansón It pains me terribly to see you in such dire states, my Relatives.
Sansón You all look... absolutely terrible.
The Barber Oh... oh...
The Barber Light... so warm...
The Barber Throat... dry... thirst...
Sansón Now wake up, everyone. We must prepare to greet our guests.
The Barber Gu...guests...?
Sansón Yes. Guests. Guests who will willingly supply their fresh blood for all
of you.
The Barber Blood... I yearn for... blood...
Sansón So get a wardrobe change and freshen up. Let us start a festival
louder, more flamboyant than before. Enough to captivate our new guests forever
here.
Sansón Ah. The disgraced First Kindred. The Father of the Manchegan
Bloodfiends, Don Quixote.
Sansón Have you any idea how saddened the other Elders would be to see the
state you are in?
Don Quixote ... Such a warm glow...
Don Quixote What nature of... light... is this...?
Sansón It is the light of a Golden Bough.
Sansón It will take root deep, deep within your heart...
Sansón ... taking your desires, your subconscious as its nutrient...
Don Quixote Ah...
Don Quixote I... hunger...
Sansón The bough which your last Child will one day come to claim from you.
Location: Fathoms of Ego - La Mancha Eye
Don Quixote I... am now bound forever to this place, Sancho.
Don Quixote For that is best for La Manchaland, best for my Family. My
responsibility as their Father…
Sancho There once was a time when you rather would choose death over causing
harm to humans.
Don Quixote We... cannot defy our nature, Sancho. This is simply what we are.
Don Quixote Not even you, who left here to explore the world, an adventurer astride
Rocinante...
Don Quixote ... was fated to return here now as a Bloodfiend...
Sancho …….
Don Quixote Many... humans will loathe and abhor our very existence...
Don Quixote But... my Children must feed on their blood... and find... true
happiness...
Don Quixote Here, at La Manchaland... where there is... only laughter...
Don Quixote Thus, dear Sancho...
Don Quixote Why not remain here with the rest of us...? Be with us who are cursed
with the same sickness that ails you...?
Sancho And you're happy with this sorry state you're in?
Don Quixote Can't you see that... I am no longer the only one with claim to my
body? It must be used... for the good of my Children who await salvation,
protection amidst this terrifying world of misfortune...
The Barber Father. The guests who accompanied Sancho here... are here to lay
destruction upon La Manchaland.
The Barber We will kill them... and feed you their blood.
The Barber You remember well, don't you? Blood untainted by pathetic begging and
struggling... The blood of those who so bravely seek to kill us... boils much, much
hotter.
Don Quixote Indeed... my Children.
Don Quixote You all speak true. Then please, kill them and lead La Manchaland once
again into the festival of dreams...
Episode: 56
Location: Fathoms of Ego - La Mancha Eye
Sancho …….
Don Quixote Nicolina... Curiambro... Dulcinea....
Don Quixote ... None have ever loved me as fervently as they have.
Don Quixote Gallop on, dear Sancho, and strike our foes.
Don Quixote Like... the days of yore where we vanquished the giants...
Don Quixote Strike our foes with a heart that knows no fear...
Sancho …….
Sancho I... see...
Sancho I thought I had been galloping onward, toward something...
Sancho ... but I was only going in circles.
Sancho I am but a hollow shell, a mere vestige of a thing, trapped on a
carousel to nowhere...
Sancho A madwoman slumbering in a sweet dream of galloping astride a steed
across a vast field, feeling the cool breeze against her face...
Dante <Don Quixote...>
Dante <You can still hear me, can't you?>
Dante <Don't listen to him. Please, you're...>
Sancho No. She is no more. That person you once knew is dead.
Dante <......>
Sancho Perhaps I wished that... 'Don Quixote' would forget I ever existed.
Sancho Yet I am returned here.
Sancho So that I may never forget what I am again.
Sancho So that I may pronounce the dream ended.
Location: Fathoms of Ego - La Mancha Eye
Sansón …….
Sansón So what happened to them, you ask?
Sansón Let us watch how this tale plays out.
Ishmael She's... really strong... Don— I mean, Sancho, I guess.
Outis Bloodfiends of La Manchaland have all been significantly weakened due to two-
hundred years of imprisonment and the lack of blood.
Outis But she...
Outis Looks like... a Second Kindred isn't a foe we can reasonably contend with.
Heathcliff Well... when have we ever fought anything we can reasonably contend
with, eh?
Heathcliff We'll die, revive, try again, and eventually wear 'er down.
Ryoshu D.R.D.R. strategy against this one is meaningless.
Outis ... Even her regeneration is incomparably faster than the one we met aboard
the train. We will not win this battle by attrition.
Dante <Are you... going to keep standing in our way?>
Sancho Yes.
Sancho I will stand in your way.
Sinclair S-so what? What are you even going to do, huh?
Sinclair suddenly took a step toward Sancho.
Sinclair What... do you want to do to La Manchaland...?
Sancho I will do my Father's bidding and transform it into an image of his
design.
Sancho I'll kill you. Then I'll find more humans to kill. Feed their blood to
my Father. Like a good Bloodfiend I am.
The door is shut.
Something just occurred to me.
That a heavy, adamantine door stood between Sancho and I, tightly shut.
Whatever I said wouldn't reach her, and she had no wish to open the door. We stood
there in a stalemate.
The Sinners would conceal their troubles, shy away from attempts to understand
them, but... in the end, they all wanted something.
There was this certain faith that I, as their manager, would be able to do
something for them.
Or at least that they would find their wishes granted at the end of each of their
flow.
Yes. They all had dreams.
He no longer wanted to be an outcast. She wanted to be special. He wanted to
confront his past.
He wanted to change. She wanted to sail onward, unanchored. He wanted to mend the
two hearts broken apart.
And every time, I reached out. I cried out loud each of their dreams to them, and,
with some luck, managed to turn them away from the brink.
But... to Don Quixote, whose dream has already ended... Only now do I realize that
I have nothing to give her, nothing to tell her.
My role stopped at breaking through each Sinner's barriers to retrieve their lost
dreams, squeezing them past the doors to their hearts that remained open still, no
matter how narrow the gaps were.
I have never given them something new to dream about.
Location: Fathoms of Ego - La Mancha Eye
Dante <Don... Quixote...>
Sancho I'll tell you again. That is not who I am.
Sancho That fool who used to twinkle her eyes at you, shoving some ridiculous
idea of a dream before you is dead.
... Has Don Quixote's dream ended?
Has the dream of the other Don Quixote, who lies there with his body impaled by so
many stakes... ended?
I...
Sinclair What if the dream still... continues?
Dante <Sinclair...?>
Sancho My dream...
Sancho It ripened and ripened until the rot set in. Thus it fell to the earth
and burst.
Sancho It is broken. All that remains is the decaying carcass of the dream.
Sancho's lifeless eyes gaze into the distant hollow, seeing nothing in the futility
that extends far beyond the horizon.
But... Sinclair redirects her gaze toward himself.
Sinclair La Manchaland manifests to devour humans, yeah... but it eventually
disappears again.
Sinclair Look, on one hand, it's trying to hurt us humans. But on the other
hand... it keeps trying to hide away, too.
Sinclair Even as he lies there, his body torn apart by thousands of stakes...
he's been trying.
Sinclair Perhaps your 'Father'... even he— Maybe he—
Sancho …….
Sinclair This... is what I think we must do.
Sinclair ... We have to go back.
Sinclair To the birthplace of that dream.
Dante <…!>
The tightly shut door suddenly shook.
And in front of it stood Sinclair.
A familiar red sign, though incomplete, briefly flickered from his forehead...
... and a blinding white light surrounded him. Sinclair was...
Dante <The Knight of the White Moon.>
Sancho ... Bari.
Don Quixote Ba...ri...
Don Quixote I haven't... uttered that name... in such a long time.
Location: A Certain Castle, Past
Don Quixote …….
Don Quixote A human. At my mansion.
Genuflecting Bloodfiend A-apologies, your worship. We should never have let her
through, but she... she wields all kinds of fantastical weapons. She demanded to be
granted audience with you, Father.
Don Quixote A Bloodfiend Hunter, are you? And you've managed to break through my
Children's vigilance?
Don Quixote ... I commend your skill, human. It cannot have been easy.
Don Quixote So, what is it that you seek from this audience?
Don Quixote Is your wish... to be obliterated without a trace? Or is it to join my
Family?
Bari ... Neither.
Bari I am here to challenge you to a duel.
Don Quixote ... A duel.
Don Quixote I am not like the other Bloodfiends; I have no interest in killing
humans for sport.
Don Quixote However, I am also not so generous a Bloodfiend to let a human who
dared to walk into her own doom simply saunter away without consequences.
Bari Humans and Bloodfiends are at war out there. Did you know that?
Don Quixote Just a pit fight between unquenchable Bloodfiends and humans who
learned to transmute their hatred into delight.
Don Quixote I care not for such degeneracy.
Bari Why do you refuse to take a side?
Bari Should a Family of your might take a side... it would mean the decisive end
of the war.
Don Quixote Haven't I already told you? Or does your fleeting human life require a
simpler explanation?
Don Quixote I would prefer not to dirty my clothes in a pit fight. I refuse to
bring myself down to that level.
Bari ... Is that so.
Bari I... am here to do one of two things. One, convince you. Or two, should my
first option prove unfeasible, slay you.
Bari Because you are more dangerous than both of them when you're sitting here and
doing nothing.
Bari So, duel me.
Bari You won't get a chance like this again.
Bari Because I know exactly what you seek.
Don Quixote Aha...
Don Quixote Not even I am privy to that knowledge...
Don Quixote ... yet a human, who knows me not, who has only met me for the first
time today, claims to know that?
Bari I know you Bloodfiends.
Bari Those blessed with longer lives than humans, yet cursed to live in greater
miseries for every second of that longer life.
Don Quixote …….
Don Quixote I just changed the carpets of this hall. I do not wish to dirty it with
lowly human blood.
Don Quixote Leave, and my Children outside this mansion will deal with you.
Bari Should you employ your Children to kill me...
Bari You will never learn the source of your suffering. You will remain
unchanging, stagnant, steeped in your misery...
Bari ... until one day, the memory of this moment returns to you as regret.
Sancho ... Father.
Sancho If you would allow me, I will quietly take care of this interloper.
Bari Grab your weapon.
Bari Answer my duel...
Bari ... and I promise you upon my honor as a Fixer, that I will grant you what
you truly seek.
Bari I can... give you...
Don Quixote …….
Don Quixote No human, let alone a Bloodfiend, has ever matched me evenly in
strength.
Bari Then I suppose I shall have the honor of being the first human to do so.
Don Quixote ... How intriguing.
Sancho …….
Sancho The duel continued for three days.
Sancho Three days without a victor.
Sancho …….
Sancho ... Why not take a brief respite?
Sancho It has been three days.
Don Quixote ... Three days?
Sancho Yes, there's been three sunrises and sunsets. I'm quite certain that
makes it three days.
Don Quixote But we are yet to decide a victor.
Bari ... Too bad.
Bari At times like these, we must each take enough rest to recover...
Bari ... and duel again at a later date. I will return.
Don Quixote You would stop the battle before it ends, allow your enemy to rest...
and even promise to reconvene at a later date?
Don Quixote Who decided that these odd rules would become laws?
Bari Fixers.
Bari It's a law of the Fixers.
Sancho ... Father allowed that human to leave. He did not even sic us Children
on her, and that was that.
Sancho Will you truly let her leave, just like that? A human who so insolently
warned you, of all Bloodfiends, that she would return?
Don Quixote …….
Don Quixote It is their 'law' she says.
Location: A few days later...
Don Quixote Here she is again, Sancho. Go tell her that your Father is indisposed
today and has no time to spare for a duel.
Sancho Go tell her yourself.
Sancho I am growing tired of this.
Don Quixote What joy does that woman get out of this altercation? She could have at
least had the courtesy to arrive at our gates with hands full of refreshments...
Sancho How should I know?
Sancho What I am certain of, is that this intruder will never leave us alone
until we open our gates.
Don Quixote By the... why did I ever agree to something so vexatious?
Sancho It is about time we put an end to this, Father.
Sancho I find no joy in telling you this, but...
Sancho ... It does not befit your reputation to be locked in a duel with a
mere human for so long.
Sancho The other Children are... saying things.
Don Quixote ... You will understand the pain of dealing with Children when you make
Kindreds of your own.
Sancho How many times have I told you? I refuse to do such a thing.
Don Quixote How harsh you are.
Don Quixote Worry not. I intend to put an end to this today. I have been planning
to do so for a while.
Sancho Are you certain that you do not require my assistance?
Sancho I should be enough to tip the scales in your favor.
Don Quixote It is all right.
Don Quixote This is a duel, is it not? A duel must be fair and just.
Sancho …….
Sancho Is that not what she said last time, verbatim?
Sancho Something about the... laws of Fixers.
Sancho ... So, what exactly are Fixers?
Don Quixote ... I do not know.
Sancho That absurd duel continued with no end in sight.
Sancho And I found myself measuring the time, like some... referee.
Location: Several days later...
Sancho It is time.
Bari Phew~ That was close. I thought we'd finally have a victor in this duel.
Don Quixote ... I would like to ask you something.
Bari Yeah?
Don Quixote What, pray... is a Fixer?
Don Quixote What is this 'Fixer', that has made you so pertinacious and...
stubborn?
Don Quixote You have mentioned their laws on our first bout as well... Is the honor
of Fixers so significant that you would wager your life on it?
Bari ... I can tell you if you want.
Sancho And they both simultaneously lowered their weapons.
Location: Another few days later...
Sancho You're looking forward to her arrival now, aren't you? You are waiting
for her.
Don Quixote The fault lies with the human. How dare she cut off her story short
right at the climax?
Don Quixote Ah, she's here. She's here! Let her in, will you?
Sancho …….
Sancho So what happened to that fool whose rope snapped at that exact moment?
Don Quixote No, I must know what happened to the siblings first.
Bari The fool who hung onto a rotten strand of rope fell to the earth, and the
siblings lived happily ever after.
Don Quixote What an exciting tale that was. My hands had grown so sodden from the
sheer suspense.
Don Quixote ... Sancho.
Don Quixote When did you sidle up so close to our conversation?
Location: Several days later, again...
Don Quixote Bari, do you recall the place you told me of upon our last meeting?
Don Quixote This 'amusement park'.
Bari Mhm.
Don Quixote Will you speak to me of it again?
Sancho Haah... Father, this is the seventh time—
Don Quixote Yet no books on heroic tales ever mention such a thing as an 'amusement
park'.
Don Quixote Well, then? Tell me, describe the sight.
Location: -1
Bari Children enter there, holding tightly onto their parents' hands.
Don Quixote What of their expressions?
Bari Practically radiant with the happiest, brightest smiles in the world.
Bari All wear pretty headbands or elaborate masks.
Bari And they play such catchy, exciting music all year-round.
Bari People dance to the music, too.
Bari Its guests are free to do whatever they want.
Bari Enter a game of marksmanship at the shooting range. Explore a spooky haunted
mansion.
Location: Several days later, again...
Sancho I... I can't say I get the point of all this.
Don Quixote What of this... 'ride'?
Bari This is called a carousel. The visitors each ride upon a steed that goes in
circles.
Sancho They ride on horses only to go in circles? How utterly devoid of
meaning.
Bari And this here is called an 'observation wheel'. Humans use it to view the
sights from a higher elevation.
Don Quixote Not only did they craft a giant, its size thousandfold of humans, but
also dare to enter its body? What a splendid method by which one may overcome their
fears.
Sancho You are seriously misunderstanding what this is.
Don Quixote ... I have conceived an idea most ingenious.
Sancho ... And this is where you stop listening to him.
Bari So she says. Should I?
Don Quixote The pair of you are becoming alike in the worst possible ways.
Don Quixote ... I wish to build one myself.
Don Quixote An 'amusement park', where humans and Bloodfiends can happily coexist.
Don Quixote I shall call it...
Don Quixote La Manchaland.
Sancho Step by step.
Sancho One.
Sancho Two.
Sancho Three. I found myself slowly becoming engrossed in her tales.
Sancho That is how his dream... became mine...
Location: Fathoms of Ego - La Mancha Eye
Sancho But it wasn't long...
Sancho ... before it was broken and cast aside.
Sancho Like my Father.
Yi Sang Yet, there exists an understanding beyond sight.
Yi Sang Why, why does La Manchaland not exist in perpetuity, but seek to vanish
only within hours of its manifestation?
Yi Sang It can only be your Father's final, lingering conveyance of his will.
Sancho …….
Sancho Father gave me Rocinante so that I may embark on an adventure of my
own.
Sancho But none of my tales were real. They were all... fake.
Sancho Once I drank from the River of Oblivion... once I imprisoned myself in
a cell of my own making... I spent day after day immersed in these books of
'Fixers'.
Sancho And that has tainted my story with vacuous lies and hyperbole.
Sancho What was it that you have always said to me?
Sancho That it was about time I woke up from my delusions.
Sancho Yes. I suppose now is the time I came to my senses.
Location: Fathoms of Ego - La Mancha Eye
Sancho Why do you persist?
Sancho You have all told me time and again to come to my senses, have you not?
Sancho Then why this hypocrisy? Why continue this hopeless, senseless fight?
Sancho Wake... up... I'm... not the person you once knew.
I felt as though my clock hands had grown rusted; I couldn't speak. I couldn't say
anything.
What should I do?
We followed her here to continue her dream, but I don't have anything to offer her.
No dreams of my own. No memories of my own. I didn't have anything to share with
her.
Then...
Heathcliff You were always a right troublemaker, lass... but I always liked your
idea of justice, honor... and loyalty. Besides... you'd grown on me...
Heathcliff ... And now, after all that grandstandin', you're just gonna up and
leave us while givin' us that glum, sour-faced look? Think we'll just quietly sit
on our arses and accept that?
Sancho What nonsense are you—
Yi Sang No more. I do not wish to leave behind any dearest fellow of mine
again.
Rodion Y'know how depressing the bus'll be without you, chiquita? C'mon.
The Sinners each start chiming in.
Even though they had already seen her true nature.
Sinclair Don't you have so many more tales of adventures to share with us?
Sinclair Come on, tell us more. So many of them got cut short during the bus
ride, remember?
They continue the tale without hesitation, not a trace of fear in their voices.
Location: Aboard Mephistopheles's Deck, Past
Don Quixote Khaaaa! Quite the thrill this is!!! Now this! Is true adventure!!!
Location: Gregor's Fathoms, Past
Don Quixote There is no cause for hesitation! A true hero succumbs to no hardships!
Location: K Corp. Laboratory, Past
Don Quixote Stop them this instant...! It appalls me greatly to think that one must
suffer everlasting sights of despair in captivity for the many...
Location: Pawnshop, Past
Don Quixote The forces of evil must be uprooted with haste in order to raise the
banner of justice high!
Location: Lobotomy Corp. Drilling Ship Entrance, Past
Don Quixote Negotiate with a villain such as he...? How...
Location: Backstreets of District 10, Past
Don Quixote Hence, onward we travail!
Location: Fathoms of Ego - La Mancha Eye
Hong Lu Listening to your powerful cries, Don Quixote... they really made me
feel like we had the wind at our backs.
Heathcliff Well, it usually took the wind right outta me, but... oi, I enjoyed a
good few of 'em.
Ishmael You messed up plenty of situations by charging on without looking both
ways, but...
Ishmael ... at least it's better than being wishy-washy about it and constantly
flip-flopping your stances.
Ryoshu I liked your A.C.T.S.
Sinclair Yeah. You were always the first one to take Actions, Cutting Through
the Shit... You'd never let ambiguities stop you.
Sinclair So this time, shouldn't we...
Sinclair ... be the ones to take the initiative, to ensure that Don Quixote's
adventures don't come to an end...
Sinclair ... that her tale continues?
Meursault The question seems to be 'how'.
Rodion What, are ya gonna beat the sense back into her like back when?
Sinclair No.
Sinclair I don't... want Don Quixote to 'come to her senses'.
Dante <...... >
Outis Executive Manager. We... have no way of knowing how many people she has
killed in the past merely by existing.
Outis Will you... embrace her still?
Dante <I will. >
Dante <I'll determine the time to bring her back to her senses.>
Outis No matter what lurks in the pasts of us Sinners...?
Outis Even... if they have killed hundreds, thousands—no, tens of thousands of
innocent people? Will you still... embrace them?
I looked at Outis.
She wasn't just talking about Don Quixote. She was—
Dante <I will. >
Dante <As long as they have the will to change, to move forward, I will be there
for them.>
Outis …….
Outis I will remember what you have said here today.
Episode: 57
Location: Fathoms of Ego - La Mancha Eye
Sancho The adventure... has ended.
Sancho And thus, so did my dream.
Sinclair It's not over yet.
Sinclair We're pretty major characters in your adventures too, you know?
Sinclair You can't just... end this story without even asking its cast.
Sancho So stupid...
Her words of denial are tinged with something new, something we hadn't heard in
what felt like forever.
Anticipation.
The door opens ajar.
A narrow opening, but still an opportunity that Sinclair... and the Sinners gave
me.
I reach out and seize the opportunity through that opening.
Just as I had always done.
Just as I had rewound the clock over and over again to not lose them.
Stage. Narration.
And La Manchaland with its every move tied to its stage directions.
I know what to do. The flow I must find, the flow I must hitch myself to.
Location: -1
Dante <However...>
Dante <Don Quixote, who despaired that this moment was to be the end of her
tale...>
Dante <Still refused to give up.>
Faust …….
Sancho Stop it.
Sancho I've come back to my senses, woke up from my delusions.
Sancho You may have once called me Don Quixote... but I am Sancho, now.
Sinclair ... Don Quixote has never been on an adventure all on her lonesome,
however. How could she give up, when she knew they were all counting on her?
Rodion Yeah! ... Who woulda thunk, that she'd forget something so important—
that she had a whopping twelve companions in her story!
Gregor Well, not every fight ended with a triumphant victory.
Ishmael But every time they were teetering on the brink of defeat, she'd always
shout... 'We shan't ever give up...!'... or something like that, right?
Yi Sang With every despair, with every moment of dejection from her fellows...
Yi Sang ... the void of despondency was made whole by Don Quixote's tales of
wonder, so that their sights were not to be led astray from their dreamward
journeys.
Yi Sang The tales were so extraordinarily ingenious, and so brilliant that...
it gave many the very resolve needed to rise to their feet at their darkest hours.
Heathcliff …….
Heathcliff Well... uh... right. And we beat the shite out of countless insane
bastards... or 'villains'.
Heathcliff Fought some poor blokes who were turnin' into bugs... braved all kinds
of monsters, too...
Ishmael Got swallowed by a giant Whale, too.
Ryoshu A.R.T.
Outis Yes.
Outis The adventures aboard that train would also make for quite the tale.
Hong Lu Oh, and there were bad, no-good people who were trying to take our
treasures away from us, too.
Hong Lu We sure had a lot of close calls.
Meursault No destination was free of such risks.
Rodion But hey, in the end, they got their names positively plastered all over
the newspaper. Got their names out there like superstars.
Faust And perhaps... she had more than the twelve companions...
Faust ... who cheered her on.
Location: Inside the Abandoned Lighthouse
Don Quixote To... the most magnificent Fixer... of the Cinq...
Don Quixote Thine account was a tale... most moving, a tale that could move
mountains...
Don Quixote I shall... remember thy tale between every breath... of mine
existence...
Don Quixote And I... aspire to be... a righteous Fixer of justice... just as
thyself.
Sancho Yes...
Sancho ... Somehow, I always received replies to my letters... When I didn't
even write a proper address on them.
Don Quixote Ooooh! Thus cometh a reply!
Don Quixote Hm hm, let's see...
Don Quixote Dear Don Quixote, who dreameth of becoming a great Fixer.
Don Quixote Persevere and enlighten thyself until thou understandest the virtues.
Then thou shalt become a Fixer most brave, most magnificent!
Don Quixote Thus, thou shalt never give up.
Don Quixote For thy dream...
Don Quixote ... shall one day be realized, even in the waking world...
Location: Aboard Mephistopheles
Don Quixote Manager Esquire!
Don Quixote Dost thou carry a dream, Manager Esquire? Verily... I do!!!!!
Location: Inside the Abandoned Lighthouse
Sancho It was you, Bari. All those Fixers who wrote me all those replies... it
was you.
Sancho It was you who delivered all those books to my room.
Bari Remember? We promised to meet again once each of our adventures are
complete...
Sancho ... and tell one another all about our adventures.
Location: A Certain Castle, Past
Bari Answer my duel...
Bari ... and I promise you upon my honor as a Fixer. That I will grant you what
you truly seek.
Bari I can... give you a 'tomorrow'.
Don Quixote You speak in riddles, human.
Bari Should I consider that a 'yes'?
Don Quixote Of course not.
Don Quixote Tomorrow is a promise that does not hinge on your blessing.
Bari No, no. That's not the tomorrow I'm talking about. I'm talking about the
'tomorrow' you seek.
Bari You've been living out your days mired in meaninglessness, quietly wasting
away inside.
Bari Drinking human blood, compelled not by your own will but by your sickness. In
your countless years of existence...
Bari ... you've never had any reason to exist, have you?
Bari But your illness... and this applies to all of your kind... is loneliness.
Bari It's the kind of suffering you can't weather through by huddling together
with your Family in the dark.
Bari So I offer you this.
Bari Anticipation for what tomorrow holds.
Bari In other words... a dream.
Bari I can make you dream.
Don Quixote …….
Bari Shout your name out loud if... if you would accept my proposition. Let us
give it our all, and may the best warrior claim victory in this singular bout.
Don Quixote My name... is Don Quixote.
Bari My name is Bari!
Location: Inside the Abandoned Lighthouse
Vergilius You must come with me, for this journey demands your company. In
return...
Vergilius ... when the time is right, the promised timepiece you once heard shall
come to be by your side.
Vergilius Even when you feel like giving up on yourself.
Vergilius So I promise you this.
Vergilius That one day, you will return to the beginning of all things...
Vergilius ... and tell them all about the adventures you've had.
Location: Aboard Mephistopheles
Don Quixote? ... Ah.
Don Quixote? You are...
Dante <Don Quixote…>
Dante <You call me a 'promised timepiece', then.>
Don Quixote? Indeed... you must be the promised timepiece...
Dante <And I'm here to make good on that promise.>
Dante <Don Quixote…>
Dante <That promise to continue your adventure.>
Don Quixote? Has the adventure... ended...?
Dante <No...>
Dante <I don't think... I don't think it's ended...>
Sancho Is that... true?
Sancho And the adventure goes on...?
Dante <It goes on.>
Dante <Even now, at this very moment.>
Location: Fathoms of Ego - La Mancha Eye
Don Quixote Sancho... why do you return without slaying them...?
Sancho …….
Sancho O Father.
Don Quixote You were always a rebellious Child... unlike my other Children...
Don Quixote Even before you became my Kindred, you... never once begged me for
life. Even... as life began to fade from your eyes...
Don Quixote And even after I embraced you as my Child... you never once showed me
that attachment to life.
Sancho …….
Sancho Because... there was nothing to love in that life.
Don Quixote Then... love this place, won't you?
Don Quixote They have gone through hell and back, tried all manner of things to
break this madman's delusions, to bring me home to where I belong...
Don Quixote Thus... to me, this woe I suffer is my love, the stakes that impale me
are my succor, and the blood of humans they feed me is... my glory.
Sancho If you were mad, then that very same madness must have taken ahold of
me.
Sancho Your ideas and beliefs, which were indistinguishable from utter
insanity at first, slowly took root in the barren, cracked earth that was my heart
and began to grow.
Sancho The times you've spent, the nonsense you've babbled at me as we
adventured together only nurtured that hopeless garden.
Don Quixote Yet my dream... was an abject failure, Sancho.
Don Quixote You must have seen it yourself, on this journey of yours.
Don Quixote Was the world you experienced out there... truly righteous, as I had
always said? As we had dreamed together?
Don Quixote Was it as Bari said...? Were Fixers honorable heroes, bastions of
justice, willing to sacrifice their lives for the weak and the downtrodden? Was it
true, that good eventually triumphs over evil?
Sancho ... No.
Don Quixote That is why... all tales are but fabrications.
Don Quixote I fell off my steed, Sancho. And the shock roused me to the cold waking
world...
Don Quixote And I am... too hurt... too broken... to dream again...
Don Quixote Thus... my dream... has met its end...
Don Quixote Does this wheel not remind you of the old war, Sancho?
Sancho ... The Bloodfiends of the Family with many arms, like windmills?
Don Quixote Indeed I am. I remember how hotly my heart beat as I stood against the
giantfolk in the field of battle.
Sancho ... I remember running after you after one of them flung your body far
away as a result of you underestimating their might.
Don Quixote Yet you no longer run after me. Now you stand against me.
Sancho …….
Dante <…!>
Dante <D-dodge! O-or raise your guards!>
Don Quixote Long have I not set foot upon the earth.
Sancho Even now, you remain ensnared to your responsibilities, unable to flee!
Sancho You, who was so free...
Don Quixote Where must I flee to, then? Enlighten me, Sancho.
Don Quixote I tipped the scales of that endless war, yet... there was no
coexistence to be found at its end.
Don Quixote With blood, I have created this place, yet no family has found
happiness within it.
Don Quixote I have dreamed, yet the dream only woke me to a heart impaled by stakes
and this fetid stench of blood. Look at me, Sancho!
Don Quixote I am but Don Quixote... La Manchaland's Don Quixote.
Location: Fathoms of Ego - La Mancha Eye
Sancho You've never run from things. You've only had momentary lapses.
Sancho You, whose very fate is cursed with this sickness...
Sancho ... were capable of love. Even as your mind ailed from this
suffocating, parching thirst...
Sancho That is why you saved my life from the periphery of death... tried to
share your love...
Location: Buried in Ashes, Somewhere, Past
Don Quixote Tell me. Why did you seek death?
Sancho Because I wanted to get away from the pain.
Don Quixote How odd. Don't most humans inflict suffering unto others to be freed
from their own?
Sancho How could hurting others help... when my pain comes from this...
endless cold?
Don Quixote Where's your family? Your siblings?
Sancho I never had anyone, not even on the day I was born. I've only known...
the cold... the loneliness...
Sancho ... So I want to burn myself to ashes like I was never here.
Don Quixote Then...
Don Quixote ... allow me to grant you the will to live.
Don Quixote The family I shall grant you will forever be by your side. Come with
me.
Don Quixote You may know my name as Quixote.
Don Quixote Or Don Quixote; 'Don' as the signifier of my nobility.
Location: -1
Sancho ... and...
Sancho ... made my heart beat once again...
Location: Shepherds' Village, Past
Don Quixote Sancho. Thus commences our adventure.
Don Quixote We shall receive no assistance, Bloodfiend or not! This shall be us two
against the world.
Sancho I know.
Don Quixote I suppose we will encounter many knights on our journey; many of whom
shall challenge me to a duel. You will watch my back when the time comes, won't
you? You must strike our foes with a heart that knows no fear.
Don Quixote Ah, and how could I forget? From this moment onward, we must abandon
our identities as Bloodfiends as well.
Don Quixote In other words, we must appear and behave as humans do.
Sancho ... I know that as well. That is why you have transformed your
Rocinante into the shape of a horse, as awkward as it may appear.
Don Quixote It used to have such a beautiful, flowing mane of blood...
Rocinante Whinny...
Don Quixote Alas. Even Rocinante finds this appearance unpleasant. Sighing and
exhaling, so unlike itself...
Sancho Do you even know where this elusive 'tavern' is supposed to be?
Don Quixote Is that not your responsibility to learn of?
Sancho I've been holed up in that castle for about as long as you have in any
meaningful metric. How should I know?
Don Quixote You are truly impossible. I have not once seen nor heard of a Child who
speaks in such an insolent manner to a higher Kindred.
Sancho I thought we were to appear and behave as humans do? This is supposed
to be an adventure, after all.
Don Quixote Speaking of which, dear Sancho. I have overheard the travelers from
earlier, and they say that there is a cave in which a fearsome man-eating bear has
made it its home.
Sancho Really, a bear?
Sancho I can obliterate that poor animal in less than three—
Don Quixote Oh, please. Where is the fun in that? We shall battle this fell beast
like the battles in which the Fixers from the books have struggled so valiantly!
Location: -1
Sancho Our adventure then... was full of amateurish mistakes and foolhardy
confidence, but...
Location: Shepherds' Village, Past
Don Quixote We shall feast on bear meat as well!
Don Quixote You have but to imagine the look of shock on Dulcinea's face as we
regale her with this tale.
Sancho A look of disgust would be more accurate.
Location: -1
Sancho Those were the days when my heart beat more vibrantly than ever before.
Location: A Certain Castle, Past
Don Quixote The night approacheth with great haste;
Don Quixote Yet thou shalt hew open a path, cleaving the shadows in twain.
Don Quixote With the blessings and approval of our family of which there is no
equal,
Don Quixote Challenge and vanquish all things perilous.
Don Quixote And at last—reach true happiness.
Don Quixote Thus how indubitable.
Don Quixote The magnificence with which mine ingenious adventures of to-day shall
shine.
Bari Which is... our adventure, as well.
Bari You remember the words, right? A Fixer must maintain a head clear of
corruption, speech free of deceit, and conduct guided by clemency.
Bari Show courage in adventure, and bear pain in suffering.
Bari And pray, forget not the mercy for the downtrodden...
Bari ... and last but not least...
Don Quixote ... Pursue your dream, even if it means wagering your life in the
chase.
Bari And we'll return here and talk all about it, no matter how many moons it
takes.
Bari About all the wonderful adventures we've undertaken.
Location: Fathoms of Ego - La Mancha Eye
Sancho Even if I were to lose my mind...
Sancho Even if all this is just a fake steed running in circles on a carousel…
I don’t want to stop...
Don Quixote Even if it means that you must struggle against this incurable disease?
Even if you must stand against your own blood, your Father?
The powerful deluge of blood rips through the Sinners like blades through paper.
Sancho …….
Don Quixote What shame.
Don Quixote You used to make me lances that were much more graceful than this.
Don Quixote Yet... this holds more than enough power to destroy that feeble
timepiece of yours.
He launches a lance of blood at me with his inhuman strength.
I instinctively knew that the spear was to be my demise.
And... I couldn't help but avert my eyes from the impending doom.
I guess... we never had a chance to begin with...
Dante <…!>
Sancho Didst thou not say...
I look up at the sudden upbeat, cheerful voice.
There stood Sancho, standing tall even as her body was torn by the brutal, sanguine
lance.
Unbroken and bold, unyielding before the First Kindred's insurmountable might.
Sancho ... that thou shalt decide the time for me to come to my senses?
It's the same back I always saw scampering toward inevitable trouble whenever
something interesting was happening.
The same silhouette of the troublemaker who always appeared so small to me.
But at this very moment, her familiar and reassuring shadow felt so much larger—
infinitely larger as she stood in front of me.
So I call to her in a name I never thought I would get another chance to repeat.
Dante <Don... Quixote.>
Don Quixote It is unfortunate that you now protect them with your back that once
shielded me.
Don Quixote ... But I am proud that you stopped my lance.
Don Quixote Yet... what will you do now, Sancho?
Don Quixote Your strength must be spent after such a mighty feat.
Sancho I intend to fight still. This is not the end.
Don Quixote ... Even if it is not by my hand, even if it is not this day when your
adventure ends...
Don Quixote ... this sickness will inevitably drag you off that steed.
I couldn't see Don Quixote's expression from where I was.
Even still...
Sancho I know that.
Sancho Even still.
Sancho ... though to some, I may only appear to be playing a character...
Sancho ... though I may never truly reach my destination...
She was incandescent, like a brilliant star twinkling in the night sky.
Sancho ... should I persevere to walk the journey of my own choosing...
Sancho ... and continue this tale...
That very brilliance compelled me to reach out and hope.
Sancho Then that shall be my... your dream.
Let that star...
... shine ever brighter...
Dante <I will light your path.>
Dante <So don't hesitate. Go—walk the journey of your own choosing.>
Sancho ... I shan't be long.
Don Quixote …….
Don Quixote Sancho... I have conceived... an idea most ingenious...
Sancho What... is it this time...?
Don Quixote Alas, it appears that we are not availed the benevolent, mediating
force of Bari to quell our quarrels. Then I suppose we are at an impasse, want of a
better mediation...
Don Quixote … than one wrought by force.
Don Quixote Let us test our mights in a duel; in a singular bout of our lances.
Don Quixote Come, now. Let us give it our all...
Sancho …….
Sancho ... Is there no other way?
Don Quixote This momentum, this responsibility of mine to perpetuate the festival,
to provide my Family with what they yearn for... it cannot be stopped.
Don Quixote This carousel by the name of La Manchaland… whirls too swiftly for me
to dismount, even as it remains anchored in place.
Don Quixote Yet, if you could shatter the burden of my nature, my
responsibilities... would that not prove your dream mightier than the weight of my
duty?
Don Quixote Show me. Demonstrate before me the strength of thy dream, the grandeur
of it.
Sancho Still... so... ridiculously juvenile...
Don Quixote How many times must I tell you that it is that very ridiculous
juvenility that gives color to life?
Sancho …….
Don Quixote You can stop galloping onward, now.
Don Quixote What adventure could you possibly embark on, with such frail souls?
Don Quixote My name... is Quixote!
Don Quixote I, Don Quixote, declare upon my honor: this lance shall end that
hollow, juvenile dream!
Sancho My name is Sancho!
Sancho And I, Sancho, declare upon my honor: this lance shall end that
festering, slothful dream!
Sancho No matter how impossible it may be...
Sancho Until I reach that dream...
Sancho I'll keep pushing to the—
Sancho Nay... I shall gallop ever-onward, unbroken, unrelenting to the end!!
Episode: 58
Location: -1
To the shattered ruins of the sanguine lance descends silver-haired Don Quixote.
Sancho Ahh...
Sancho Don Quixote...
In front of him stands Sancho, about to burst into tears.
Don Quixote Quixote.
Sancho …!
Don Quixote O valiant Don Quixote...
Don Quixote You spoke true.
Don Quixote Your adventures... continue still.
He grows more faint with every breath. His hand, reaching out toward Sancho,
trembles weakly. Death is near.
Yet his voice, mournful it may be, sounds like it's coming from a happy dream.
Don Quixote Why don't you take my shoes with you on your adventure...
Don Quixote And one day, tell me all about it... no matter how many moons it
takes...
Don Quixote Tell me how beautiful, how incandescent it was... The light of your
dream, shining from the City skies...
Sancho The Dream... is ours...
Don Quixote's eyes close softly upon her reply.
As though drifting away into a gentle, pleasant dream.
Don Quixote ... Thou mayest know my name as Quixote!
Don Quixote The righteous Fixer of justice, Don Quixote!
With that declaration, the lance she had so powerfully raised toward the heavens
clatters to the ground.
Sancho ............
Sancho Don Quixote...
Don Quixote collapses to her knees and weeps sorrowfully. Red rain falls from the
sky, enveloping her.
Dante <La Manchaland... is falling apart...>
She carefully slips her feet into Rocinante.
... And they fit perfectly onto her feet, like they were made just for her.
Sancho Allow me to regale thee... that, in this... adventure of mine...
Sancho Verily, I was blessed with a family of twelve.
Sancho Together, we have braved and vanquished innumerable foes, our wills
entwined as one…
Sancho We were enactors of justice who have never forsaken hope, not even for
a fleeting moment.
Sancho And at last, I have come to...
Sancho ... I have come to understand what thou hast dreamed.
Sancho Thus... I now set off on another adventure to seize that dream that
twinkles so far, far above us.
Sancho 'Tis high time I introduced myself to thee once again.
Quixote Thou mayest know me... as Quixote.
Don Quixote Or Don Quixote; 'Don' as a signifier of my nobility.
Don Quixote I am a Fixer who shall sprint for the dream side by side with thee.
After some time passed…
Location: Disintegrating Ruins of La Manchaland
Cesara Good work, everyone. You certainly did not disappoint.
Cesara Not only did you successfully destroy La Manchaland...
Cesara ... you also brought us the carcass of its founder.
Vergilius …….
Vergilius You show no wrath. No relief. Or even a look of release.
Vergilius Do you feel nothing upon the demise of this man who caused the deaths
of so many?
Cesara Hatred... resentment... those emotions will only grow moldy and stuffy.
And they'll eventually stand between us and our goals.
Cesara If I were to make a comparison, I'd say...
Cesara ... it's more like...
Cesara ... I'm meeting the protagonist of a fairytale I once read as a child.
Vergilius ... I'm sure the family of his victims would be very pleased to hear
you say that.
Cesara Oh, didn't I tell you?
Cesara Two months ago, when La Manchaland suddenly manifested here...
Cesara I lost one of my closest relatives to the phenomenon.
Cesara Our family tried all kinds of methods to get them back, but... it was
all pointless.
Cesara Until, one day, I saw a footage of La Manchaland starting to manifest.
Cesara There's a tale at P Corp. that everyone who's lived here knows. The
old, old tale about the Singularity created by P Corp.'s Chief Executive Director.
Cesara When I watched that video, I suddenly understood that our Singularity
is surprisingly similar to La Manchaland.
Cesara ... I don't suppose any further explanation is necessary.
Cesara Well, here we are anyway, I suppose.
Vergilius ... Huh.
Cesara Anyway... congratulations, mission accomplished. You have your Golden
Bough. Let's all celebrate separately, in each of our offices.
Faust Don Quixote may believe that they are merely collecting Don Quixote's
remains, but...
Dante <... P Corp. isn't going to just stop at collecting his body, are they?>
Faust All further speculation is meaningless, Dante.
Faust And perhaps, one day, should Don Quixote realize the truth behind the matter,
whatever it may be... she may come to resent all those who were involved in the
process.
Dante <Do I... have to lie again?>
Faust ... No. I believe that is my weight to bear.
Just how much...
... are we sacrificing for the Golden Boughs?
But...
I don't want to give up on this adventure just yet.
Location: Aboard Mephistopheles
Don Quixote …….
Don Quixote chose to remain in this stageplay.
With the knowledge that she is an actor playing a role.
Don Quixote Prithee, regard me not with such an expression.
Dante <I... don't have an expression, let alone a face.>
Don Quixote All of existence, from the swaying flowers in the meadows to the
rolling pebbles in a stream... has expressions.
What expression did she read from me, I wonder.
Don Quixote I beseech thee, smile.
Don Quixote For all of this is but a merry dream.
No one thinks about what awaits them at the end of the journey when embarking on an
adventure.
But that unknown future, twinkling so tantalizingly...
... is what inevitably draws us to venture toward them.
So...
... I guess I'll smile, like Don Quixote asked me to.
Smile with anticipation for what tomorrow holds.
Location: -1
Location: Near the Empty Lot under La Manchaland
Sansón Thus ends the tale in which they laid claim to another Golden Bough.
Demian Mm, it was an interesting tale.
Demian So, did they manage to tame the bough?
Sansón They have indeed. I can't help but look forward to what kind of fruit
this Golden Bough, steeped in so much struggle and bloodshed, will bear. And at
what cost, too.
Sansón I intend to enjoy this play for a little longer.
Sansón For I must gaze into the far horizon...
Sansón ... and shine a light for the blinded, that I may turn them away from
the seas they mustn't seek...
Sansón I will spark the flame again and again should it go out.
Sansón So that the fallen nebulae's homeward journey to the star may not be
veiled in shadows.
Sansón Once that is over and done with...
Sansón ... I suppose I shall also become a sovereign of a star, guided to my
promised, eternal respite.
Demian Mhm. When that time comes... we'll all be able to find joy just by
looking up at the skies.
Demian I'll now wait for the sun to set into the gloaming before nightfall.
Demian Waiting for the sheep one who fell from the skies will draw me.
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