The Deal They Struck (before battle)
A pouty Charon and the cold stare of Vergilius awaited us on the bus…
The air was heavy with a sense of oppression, leaving little room for lighthearted jokes.
You're late. Charon counted to one hundred and you still didn't come.
Charon.
She seemed to have a few more words ready to be flung in that icy tone, but Vergilius put a hand on her shoulder and gave her a glance.
Verg, Charon will remember this.
Sorry about that. I'll buy you something sweet later.
Charon sat in the driver's seat without further complaint, and Vergilius slowly turned to us.
If there was one thing the Sinners and I were all good at, it'd be sensing imminent danger and making way.
Dispersing from the group, we scuttled away into our seats…
Leaving only Don Quixote anxiously standing in the aisle of the bus.
Let's hear your excuse, Don Quixote.
I… could not turn a blind eye to the weak being persecuted -
No, wrong.
My vision couldn't follow what happened in that instant.
I have nothing to blink, so it shouldn't have been possible for me to miss a moment, and yet…
Gahgk…! Ghk…
When I caught up with the situation…
The first thing that came into my sight was Don Quixote brought to the ground, shoulder trampled under Vergilius's shoe.
I asked for an excuse, not a justification of your views.
Gnnngh…!
This isn't the first time, either, Don Quixote. You're responsible for three separate incidents already.
That's three separate times you've jeopardized our work with your deranged behavior.
What do you think? Speak.
Wh… While mine own actions did inconvenience my colleagues…
Hngk… GUAAAH!!!
Don Quixote's pained groan grew louder, but no one stepped in.
Of course, she was being punished for her own actions…
But more than anything, it was evident that disrupting this wasn't going to make the situation better.
I was asking for your thoughts. Why do you not understand this?
I - I was speaking only to be interrupted!
What you should've said to me at the get-go was an apology, Don Quixote.
Anything you'd add should be an elaboration on how you plan to improve your conduct.
What unjust… Agh! Thou'rt demanding a specific answer out of me…!
Don't you know? A company already has the "correct" answers for its employees. The questions are only asked to see if you can get it right.
You're sorely mistaken if you believe the company is sincerely curious about your input.
Kagh… If - If the company insists so, then I - !
…I'm sick of this.
Vergilius kicked Don Quixote, tossing her to the floor.
Then, gripping her fall by the collar…
I'm sure you remember what went down when you joined.
…!
I hope you haven't forgotten the deal we struck that day. …Miss. Don. Quixote.
Vergilius's eyes glistened with a much brighter hue of red than usual…
Staring directly into them, Don Quixote soon gave back a nod without another word.
…That's all. Back to your seat.
Watching someone who usually exuded pride and confidence quickly shift to such a discouraged, crestfallen state didn't exactly make for a pleasant sight.
Though, a deal that got Don Quixote to go silent simply by bringing it up…
It makes me wonder what it was about.
The same goes for the rest of you.
A company isn't a platform for fulfilling egocentric dreams or preaching big ideas.
If you would still go against the terms of your employment contract to act unprompted, consider the consequences before you do.
You'll spend a grueling period of being unable to escape; not through death, nor through struggles at severance.
I guess getting help from that guy―who was that again, Mister… Zack Friture, or something―must've ruffled his feathers.
It's… Lord Siegfried…
Sheesh, the mission hasn't even started and we already got a scolding~ Have some tact before you act, 'kay?
Phew… I knew this day would come sooner or later. We should all be careful from now on.
Why are you two birds gawking at me? Looking to get stoned?
……
…Fine, I got it! Tsk.