IN WHICH A TRUTH THAT MAY BE REVEALED BY CLOSE INSPECTION IS SPOILED BY NONE OTHER THAN SANSÓN HIMSELF (before battle)

Don't touch it. That thing is mine.

Xichun and her men approached us, appearing to be in pristine condition compared to the Priest.

... Xichun.

Shut up. I don't want to waste any more time talking to you.

Ha ha.

This one's almost dead. What's the point of keeping him alive?

... Isn't it obvious? These are signs of torture.

It seems that the device in Area 2 has already been activated... So what are you torturing him for? Prying for more information?

Yes. Haven't I told you already?

My goal isn't the eradication of La Manchaland.

Okay. But I doubt you came all the way out here just to enjoy torturing some Bloodfiend.

You're right. We're not like those Bloodfiend Hunters... we don't torture them for sport.

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.

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.

Well, you arrived just in time. I was just about to crush its skull and brain within it, anyway.

No amount of pain could wake it from... whatever this dazed state it's in. As you can see...

... it must've been long driven mad from pain. Reminds you of the Heishou of our family huh, big brother?

…….

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.

Seeing you and your... friends... reminds me... of one of the visitors to my confessional.

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.

'Oh, dear Priest. I'm doing great today! These hemobars really are some impressive inventions.'

'Oh, I gobbled up one-hundred-and-ten hemobars today. In one sitting... This has to be some record, right?'

Tragically, Lorenzo's positivity did not last.

'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.'

'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.'

'How much longer are we... are we going to have to live like this?'

I knew the answer to his question, so I gave it to him. "You know this already, Lorenzo..."

"From endless forbearance comes coexistence."

"So sing and cheer louder! The more pain you feel, bury it, suppress it with laughter! Let laughter never end here, at La Manchaland!"

However... the last time I saw a true, genuine smile on Lorenzo's face...

... was moments before he was buried under this place, his head burst open, his brain spilling.

It made me curious.

What is the meaning of burying someone who lives still?

You and I would never know the answer to that question, would we?

Did you bury the body of Cassetti yourself as well, hm? That fugitive?

...! U-unhand me...!

<Don Quixote!>

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.

Ngh...

…!

Wei stepped in at the last second to block the Bloodfiend's strike from behind.

The Priest had the most profound faith of them all.

When did...?

<...! The magician...!>

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.

And he was the only one of us who did not turn his back to our suffering.

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.

Yet... the one who cares for the hearts of others cannot help but fail to tend to his own.

Alone in the corner of this tiny, tiny room... the Priest's heart ailed and withered.

How many of us knew this, I wonder.

... Hey. I'm really happy for you that you've mastered your art of butting naturally into conversations like this.

But you're sorely mistaken if you think you can just pluck your friend away again, got that?

Let us be precise, hm? I am here only to continue the tale.

Villain! Hast thou come here to distract us once again with thy vile tricks?!

No, no. Of course not.

My vile tricks...

... are all for you, and none other.

Only for you.

Wh-what...?

Well, that's enough misery for a tale, hm?

You have so many more riveting tales of adventures to share, don't you?

O Don Quixote, the great adventurer.

... Many a great adventure have I undertaken, yet I have no tale to tell for one so vile as thee.

My... I should have been more mindful. I suppose stepping onto the stage all on your lonesome must be a tad embarrassing, hm?

That is not what I -

I fully understand. It is no easy task to command the entire audience alone on the stage.

Allow me to offer you some assistance.

Halt! Halt, Rocinante...!

I don't want to leave, I don't! Why do you refuse to obey me...?

STOP!!!!!

<That... was...>

Wh... What... what was that...?

I must've slipped. Please, it has been a while since my last show.

Slipped?

Sometimes, the order of things go out of whack when the play reaches its crescendo and the swelling emotions sweep you off your feet.

I offer my sincere apologies; let us begin anew.

From the day of that fateful duel against the Knight of the White Moon.

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...

Indeed. That duel was the first meeting of Don Quixote and the Knight of the White Moon.

The same Knight who guided our Don Quixote, the adventurer, to the river in the deep... to the River of Oblivion.

…….

River in the deep...

Manager, I think I know what's going on.

That man is -

Now, now. Let's focus on our roles for now, shall we?

Let's see here...

... The Knight was the first one ever to match your strength. Correct?

Verily. The Knight was...

... one of truly impressive might.

Shite, not again...

…!

Ngh, this is gettin' real annoying...

The Knight of the White Moon was garbed in the rags of an outfit that appeared rather unfamiliar and ridiculous...

'Twas the Knight who challenged me first as well. Forsooth, I was quite impressed by that daring courage.

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.

... A great adventurer like you would have accepted that duel with gusto, certainly?

Indubitably! I replied thusly: "A true adventurer cowers not from a duel once challenged! Let us battle, O brave Knight!"

Thus began the storm of blades, as your lance...

... clashed with the Knight of the White Moon's greatsword.

Mm...

Yet, with every duel, no matter how great or trivial, comes certain stakes. This historical duel must have been no different.

"I care not whether I am to emerge the victor or the loser of this battle."

"Yet... O Don Quixote, should thee meet my challenge in a fair duel..."

"I promise thee. That in thy hands I shall present what thou seekest most."

Boldly and fiercely, the combatants clashed once again...

And Rocinante signaled the start of this duel.

Because if anyone was watching, it would be Rocinante.

…….

"Ready... Go!"

For three suns and three moons, we tested the mights of our blades.

Hold on. Weren't you holding a lance, not a bladed sword?

... 'Twas but a figure of speech!