IN WHICH IS DISCUSSED EMIL SINCLAIR'S CONCERNS AND DON QUIXOTE'S DELUSIONS (before battle)

So... that bizarre Bloodfiend nabbed the Priest as well, eh?

Considering that he's also the one who took the Barber from Area 1...

You know what else is naggin' me? It's the way he talks. Saying absolutely bonkers shite with a straight face like he's the only sane man.

It can be said that the purpose of this behavior is to collect necessary stage props... or... perhaps, the main cast of a stageplay.

In that case, we must keep our eyes on...

... the stageplay he wishes to show us.

For we are yet to observe the specifics of his intent.

If only you kept your big mouth shut...

... W-well, that is... I simply cannot put a stop to myself when he asketh me to regale thee with mine adventures... B-but they truly are most ingenious tales, I say...! Though I may speak them perforce, driven by villainous compulsion, prithee, listen well!

And like Jia Xichun said, he could've easily taken us out if he wanted to. But he didn't.

Ugh... I hate this. I really don't like how it feels like we're just playthings in the palm of his hand.

Excuse me, manager... I mean, Dante.

Sinclair carefully calls over to me.

<Hm?>

I'm sure you already noticed this, but... I just thought I might mention it. Just in case.

This mission...

Sinclair hesitated for a while, unsure how he should word this, then looked directly at me with a degree of conviction.

... it's all about Don Quixote.

And she... is completely oblivious to it.

Fie! What tragedy, what tragedy to let that abominable Bloodfiend slip away!

Yeah, ya looked totally torn up about it when you were excitedly telling us about that duel.

Nngh... hardly did I know that a request to hear my tale would have such seductive strength! 'Tis one of my dreams, indeed... yet... agh, how could I allow myself to be seduced like this! Once this mission is complete, I shall train my mind to the utmost -

I stared at Don Quixote, who was chattering away with the other Sinners in her usual blissful cluelessness, then back at Sinclair.

... Clearly, he was as conflicted about this as I am.

<... Yeah.>

And I'm sure you have a good reason for not telling us what you know about her.

<... Also... yeah.>

Remember?

Back when we all went to my hometown... Don Quixote gave me one real heck of a beatdown.

I'm sure everyone, including myself, remembered what happened after Guido's death.

Thinking back to it now, it's a bit... embarrassing, but... I remember what Don Quixote said when I was starting to lose control. Told me that I had to return to my senses.

I'm sure it needs a degree of courage and determination to rise to the occasion like that.

But she stepped in without hesitation for my sake.

I want to be like her. And I've been trying my best to be like her... W-well, I probably have a long way to go, but still...

It's not too much for me to hope for, right?

<No, I think that's a good kind of thing to hope for.>

Pray tell! What 'good kind of hope' art thou speaking of?!

AAAUGH?!

Aught seems to have caught thee off guard! What is it?

<Oh... We were just chatting about this contract.>

Oo!!! Hast thou wised up to it as well, then?!

... No way.

Verily, there is no other way to look at this. This mission... it must all be about...

... Young Hong Lu! Dost thou see as I do?

<…….>

<... Hong Lu?>

Hmm?! Manager Esquire, I espy a need for thee to improve thy insight! Young Hong Lu's expression hath appeared quite peculiar today, and...

... I... don't see what's different about him today?

... he hath even had a dramatic reunion with a long-lost blood relative!

Ah, and forget thee not about the sudden onslaught of names of his other kin, and this potent aroma of secret enmities, which may signify a tragic history of familial drama...

Though I myself have nary a one to call my kindred blood, I must imagine that such confrontations must be quite harrowing.

Thus! Manager Esquire!

<... Uh?>

Prithee, take good care of young Hong Lu.

Verily, from a certain perspective, we are sailing through each of our own adventures, wouldst thou not say?

<That's... true.>

And an adventure is very much like a journey of suffering. 'Tis imperative that thy heart remains steadfast through the trials and tribulations of the quest.

Allow me to share a tale of my old adventure, to demonstrate. This tale takes place in a tavern like any other, in which I...

Don Quixote's tale of adventure continued through our entire journey to Area 3.

... Some Sinners and I did pay some attention to it, but we didn't find much of her story to be of any use.