Effie - Saude, too (before battle)
After twelve whirls of agony, the Sinners were all back in one piece.
The massacre must've been humbling because it feels rather strange seeing them this quiet.
How's life been, Red Gaze? We've rarely had a chance to meet in recent times. Haven't shown up to the 'League of Excellent Nest-dwelling Fixers' lately, either…
Were you unable to read the dozens of invitations I sent you?
Changed addresses. And I don't have the time to lick top-brass boots like you're doing.
<I don't know what happened between these two, but… Vergilius is a bit hostile here, right?>
The difference in disposition between them is rather clear, isn't it, Dante?
<In what ways?>
Simply put, Mr. Siegfried can be described as a pro-Wing Fixer based on the views he's expressed.
On the other hand, our guide Vergilius sought independence as a Fixer.
He believed that a Fixer loses sight of their core principles the moment they become subordinate to an influential entity.
He is someone who is strict towards those with power, after all.
While speaking with Faust, I saw Don Quixote quake and approach Siegfried with shaky hands.
She must've been honored to see him, even after being mincemeat by his hands mere moments ago.
F, fe, fa, feh, afa… a fan, I am! I have collected figurines sculpted after you! Though I've yet to get my hands on limited editions… I set my heart on becoming a magnificent Fixer such as you!
Aha! An aspiring Fixer! I have little time to spare, but more than enough for an autograph!
I… Is that true? Then would you sign… an autograph… here… Ehehe…
Slow breaths, Don Quixote…
Attention. Code purple, dismissed. Code purple, dismissed. All codes cleared.
Huzzah! That's a job done well!
Now then, until next we meet! Hahahaha!!
Leaping with tremendous force, Siegfried vanished into the air…
Although there was a small delay, we did get the travel permit in the end.
Vergilius returned to the bus in the meantime. Or, perhaps he only got off knowing that we'd run into that Siegfried.
He looked rather upset as he walked away, but no one else seemed to care that much…
Ufu, wuhuhu…
Clueless to the surrounding frigidness, Don Quixote was happy as a clam, caressing the sheet of paper autographed by Siegfried.
I must be caught in a dream! Manager Esquire! Will you pinch my cheek just once?
Just as I was about to give the blissful Don Quixote a word while we walked out of the border checkpoint…
An armored vehicle stopped before us.
…A newfound foe? Bold of them to challenge us right in front of a Nest's checkpoint.
This vehicle is from… LCC, the clearance department.
Following Faust's plain reply, the vehicle's doors opened.
Ah geez, what took you so long? We had to cycle three laps waiting for it to be over.
A couple of familiar faces appeared out of the car.
Effie, and Saude.
Even though their outfits had changed, their faces were greased with just as much confidence and poise.
Oh, people from the Before Team, eh? Something about you looks different, I've gotta say.
That was a disguise we had in order to infiltrate the casino. It was ultimately useless, though.
<……>
…Still got that sharp tongue too, huh.
My chest ached a little at the thought of the harmonious cacophony that was our last operation.
Pft… Saude, you see that hand on the clock trembling? You'll make them cry.
I was just being playful. While you had much room for improvement in regard to skill, I've made up my mind to admit that the LCB department has its own character.
In spite of the rough path we took, it sounds like we did leave a positive impression on the two.
The Before Team was supposed to be on site at this hour, wasn't it?
The others should be there already. We decided to wait for you because we had useful intel to share.
Hmm… In any case, you cared about us, right?
Pfhu, do we have a couple of new fans knee-deep in our charm?
Y'know~ Something like - the sorta food that's cooked from ghastly ingredients, but the end result's a pleasant surprise.
Yep, had a lot of that on the battlefield. Miserable to swallow, but somehow memorable…
…What kind of food have you two been eating?
Um, by the way, what's the intel you were going to share with us?
It's about our target location. It seems another faction has occupied the place already.
We're putting in more manpower than usual as a result.
Hmph, I bet they are yet another swarm of gadflies attracted by opportunity.
As Outis pointed out, we weren't new to encounters against groups of foes drawn near the Golden Boughs.
For our first mission, straggling soldiers from G Corp. took shelter in the abandoned facility.
And on our second, a variety of gangs inhabited the casino.
Unfortunately, our opponents this time won't be some crummy no-names like before.
We took a peek at the immigration inspection records and found out that N Corp. dispatched a legion of employees a few weeks ago. Same destination as ours, too.
From N Corp?
Though this wasn't an officially disclosed activity, seeing that K Corp. has let them pass means they might have made a deal under the table.
Which… if it's true that N Corp. has sent staff in advance, then the journey won't be a smooth one.
…I see. I'm worried we might make enemies of several Wings as we go on.
In the long term, conflicts with Wings will be an unavoidable step in the process.
Judging from the fact that N Corp. hasn't made this motion officially known, it could end as a simple conflict of interest.
Furthermore… We can't discount the possibility that it's not the Golden Bough they're after.
Doesn't change that we're convenient pawns for our higher-ups to throw around either way…
Oh, right, I heard some morons caused a scene at the K Corp. checkpoint. Did you guys see who they were?
…R - Rumor travels with such haste. 'Twas as though… astride Rocinante.
Don Quixote hung her head, possibly in embarrassment.
Perhaps she's finally starting to learn that her reckless actions have repercussions.
…That, or I'm mistaken and she's glad that more people know of what she's done.
A shame I missed it. That's not the kind of spectacle you see every day.
Really, who in their right mind would mess with a Wing at a border checkpoint unless they had lives to spare…
<……>
……
…Please, don't tell me.
Come on, we don't have much time, so we should get going.
Ah, dear. Mr. Vergilius is nowhere to be seen again.
…Oh, him? He went back to the bus first.
What a pity. I didn't want to miss my chance to say hello…
We'll leave an impression on him next time, mark my words. I'm planning to ask him if we can join the team in your stead.
<What, that's the reason you wanted to meet him?>
That wasn't entirely a joke. See you at the site, then.
If you can get there in one piece, anyway.