Inquisitors (before battle)
With the conflict sorted out, the bus finally departed.
Looking out the windows evoked a strange feeling in the passengers.
Check out those people, they look like they haven't a care in the world…
<This is way different from the roads we've been through.>
Aha, I guess this is our manager bud's first time traveling in the middle of a Nest.
There's a world of difference between the Nests and the Backstreets. Besides, each Nest has its own cultural heritage.
Attention, all.
Our destination is the town of Calw, situated in Nest K. Investigation revealed that a passage connected to a Lobotomy Corp. branch exists somewhere in that village.
…!
As soon as the name 'Calw' was mentioned, Sinclair lapsed into fear once again and started trembling.
As if something were coming after him…
But, as you have told me, a third party has occupied the area surrounding that branch facility. That's why I requested an additional recon operation from Clearance.
Preliminary Observation Unit 3 from the Before Team has been dispatched. Mr. Effie and Ms. Saude should be with them by now.
We'll receive a report from them once they get a good grasp of the situation.
Shortly afterward, the bus entered a quiet woodland path leading to the village.
Lush green trees rarely found in the Backstreets began to decorate the scene, providing a comforting sight. But that was soon disturbed by something odd.
I could see an ominous billow of smoke rise in the distance.
Why is… smoke… coming from…
Sinclair…?
Charon, turn.
Evasive maneuver. Rumble-tumble.
SE // 와장창!
The bus made a sharp turn to the left, shortly before a giant nail flew in and noisily embedded itself in the back window.
Wha… Who the hell was that?! I almost kicked it!
Hmm… Though I hadn't run a test with a projectile at such velocity, this does suggest that the windows need to be reinforced a little.
That was aimed directly at us. They must be the faction the Before Team warned us about… The Employees of N Corp.
Verg, Mephi got hurt. Charon's sad.
Doesn't look like they'll stop anytime soon.
Off the bus, all.
As we got off the bus, a group stood in the way, clad from head to toe in rusty armor with faded coats of white.
Halt. You may not use this road.
You should've said so in the first place, 'cause what about our windshield? Ah, bugger…
You're rather rude for someone who attacked without warning. Isn't it at least common courtesy to state your affiliations?
We are Inquisitors. We are the nail that fixes the blasphemous, and the hammer that strikes down the sinful.
So, N Corp… That's one convoluted way to tell someone that you're an employee of Nagel und Hammer.
…Also known as "Nail and Hammer".
You shall not proceed as we are in the midst of cleansing heretical dissidents.
Heretics? Hey now, we just want to pass through, not looking for any trouble. We're on the, uh…
A tour…! That's right, and this is a tour bus.
<……>
Labeled as tourists all of a sudden, the Sinners exchanged looks in silence.
To prevent another disastrous first impression, Gregor was doing what he could―even though his efforts fell flat for the most part―to gently appease the armored crowd.
Accompanied by an attempt at the kind, harmless smile a tourist would wear.
Greg, I've been thunkin' this since the job at the mine, but… are you that into these kinds of bits…?
That's not exactly it…
The quivering corners of his mouth roused pity in my heart.
In that case, you shall prove yourselves to be untainted.
Fine, tell us how so we can get on with it.
The Inquisitor suddenly pointed in my direction.
Behead that blasphemous traveler.
<M… Me?!>
And kneel before our hammer as you consecrate their head to us.
Such will prove that you are untainted ones, and your journey shall continue without hindrance.
You will, of course, have to part with the defiled vehicle as well.
Love to spew on, don't you blokes? Oi, I don't know who you think we are, but do we look daft enough to do as you say?
Furious, Heathcliff was the first to quit playing as a harmless tourist.
<Heathcliff… You didn't have to…>
Proper trifling twits, tch. Who are you telling me to kneel?
<……>
The Inquisitor - as was declared to us - nodded in response.
Understood. Then I declare all of you to be heretics.
With that, the group of Inquisitors moved into position at once, ready to attack.