Bonfire (before battle)

Sinclair's home was the largest mansion in the neighborhood, standing at the innermost part of town.

One could see from a distance that a huge flame was engulfing the estate.

I took a moment to try and imagine what this town could have looked like during its peaceful times.

To bring to mind the times when the trees we saw near the town still had lush, verdant leaves.

How Sinclair would've been during those times.

Or when everyone around him had died.

I couldn't paint a clear picture of either happiness or despair.

Nonetheless, I only hope that Sinclair can brace himself for the misfortune he'll soon have to face.

This is… awful, to say the least…

A courtyard that could have once been a vast, flourishing garden was now full of nails erected tall.

A variety of prosthetic bodies were pierced by those towering nails.

And the house was enveloped in ferocious flame, ready to consume everything around it.

While everyone's attention was drawn to the prostheses…

Sinclair's eyes drifted to a corner of the yard.

The graves, they're… dug up…?

Following his gaze, I could see three graves that were violated.

Sinclair's expression alone was enough for me and all the other Sinners to guess who they were for.

…To execute the dead - this is nothing short of a devil's work.

Father, mother, and sister.

The family he mentioned… That's where they should be resting.

Halt… One Uniform, straight ahead.

That whistling…

Kehehe. I mean, it's just too funny when you think about it.

Someone walked out of the burning household.

Her laugh was simply sinister in every way imaginable.

Why put so much effort into burying bodies that can't even rot… Am I right?

Kromer…

I'm sure you'll find 'em around somewhere if you look hard enough. I do remember nailing those three.

Be a good boy, and I might just tell you where they are…

Well, Sinclair? You've grown a spine, coming all the way here.

Enough of one to look at a few dead bodies too, right?

Why… Just… Why all this…?

Sinclair couldn't even speak properly.

Where did our Before Team get off to? They've got to turn up at this point…

Ah~ Sinclair's got some buddies!

Looking for the other filthy ratlets that snuck in here?

Okay, okay. Watch closely. I'll turn on the lights, so open your eyes wide!

Tadaa!

Krgh, khaag…

Effie…?

Effie was barely breathing. His limbs had been cut away, and deformed prosthetics were crudely lodged in their place.

Effie!!!

He was too mutilated to even speak a single word.

……

In his current state, it will take around two days for him to completely die.

And the pole piercing through him will only amplify his suffering.

<Then…>

Manager, I happen to know of a method to end a life with as little pain as possible.

It's one that saw many uses, in fact…

May I ask you to give me the order?

I looked to both Gregor and Ishmael.

They gazed back at me, and… as if in acknowledgement, dropped their heads low and bit their lips.

I understood what that meant.

…Rest in peace.

The collar of Outis's clothes brushed against the wind.

Then silence.

And - it's then broken by Kromer's roaring laughter.

Pfh… Pwahahahaha!!

Ah.

At the same time, I could hear something else break.

Really, it's hilarious to watch you all care for each other when you'll all meet the same fate anyway!

Brings you back, doesn't it, Sinclair?

Your face back then was real priceless.

Kromer.

You have to die.

Yeah, I think that's the right way.

You'll die by my - !

He was interrupted by the sound of a nail dragging across the floor.

…It's Guido.

We thought we had felled him with our best, but not a scratch was on his body now. It was as if all his injuries healed in that short time.

Seeing him walk towards us in perfect condition fatigued the Sinners…

Rendered speechless, all they can muster from their hearts is a deep groan of contempt.

Guido, why couldn't you take out the others?

Forgive my ineptitude, O One Who Grips. My incompetence allowed them to escape.

You have to stay alert. You never know what's hidden under those cursed steel craniums.

I shall keep your word at heart, O One Who Grips.

Since the reunion is over, I'll be heading back.

Kromer turns around to walk into the burning mansion.

Kromer!!!

Get back here! I'll… I swear, you - ! I'll grab you with my hand and -

Nope, Sinclair.

It's always been the other way around…

A long smirk dances across Kromer's entire face; it's hard to tell if it's the violent blaze or Kromer's vice that is consuming the other.

And then…

I am the one who grips.