Textbook (after battle)
*sigh* Manager Dante, it seems that... I must apologize for what has happened today.
<Vergilius...>
I was stalled by my personal issues and a certain... unresolved business from the past.
Verg, you're hurt -
They're not from these assailants, so don't worry needlessly.
It just so happens that I was involved in a rather... troublesome matter prior to encountering them.
It's all my fault, Red Gaze. I should have... I should have protected her...
Saude's voice trembled as she apologized profusely to Vergilius.
No. This happened because I couldn't stop him from going after you.
... And of course, he had to go for your arm.
That wound's looking worse by the second. Go get it treated the moment we deal with this situation.
... I will.
Vergilius met the Thumb Nursefather's gaze head-on.
The Thumb... The Finger that makes up for their incompetence with duplicity and cowardice, only to then hide it all behind their mask of honor.
You appeared exactly as we received the transmission that the HQ Research Facility was under attack.
... Then your purpose here must be to stall me by any means, even if you have to resort to an old and tired method like taking a hostage.
Haha! Yes, the way you're reacting to this... I nailed it.
She's your "cake."
Remember, Ticket? Remember what I told you when you so immodestly stuffed your face with that cake and smeared cream all over yourself?
"Smiling like an idiot in such filth makes me want to smash that cake to the floor."
"So don't you dare let on even a hint of craving for that cake while I'm looking, no matter how sweet and delicious it might be."
What did I say, Ticket? What did I say?
If you're gonna start trouble,
you better not show it on your face!
Else I'll catch on!
*huff* *huff* Stop fucking around and tell me straight.
Tell me. Why are you ^#&@#( $# @!^%#?!
…….
Ha. You know what? Be like that. Keep mum and brood in silence all you want.
That #$#$ #*& $#*@ $#*@ #*$&@&%#... I'll find that $&#*@& $*&#@# @$ &*(##&^*@ ... and I'll split @(# #( @&#$.
You're not getting past me. You think this eye is just for show?
Well, Valencina, I don't know how much confidence you're putting in that eyeball, but...
... I doubt you'll stall me for long with that half-functioning Relic of yours.
A trickle of blood had begun dribbling down the intruder's cheek from her covered eye...
Ah, this...?
... but she grinned without a care.
Oh yeah, it started hurting more and more the closer I got to Ticket.
But it's gonna get better. Ticket's about to leave this place, you see.
Shithead... you're not here to kill me, are you?
... Hah. "Shithead?" Rude bitch, have you forgotten all about manners?
The woman seemed to be having a hard time holding her hand back from striking Ryōshū...
... Hmmh.
... but after a few deep breaths, she visibly relaxed and continued on.
Glad you finally figured that out. Now fuck off as soon as that Backdoor opens.
The other Nursefathers are waiting for you there, so show some proper manners.
Oh, or is that brain of yours too messed up to remember who's who and which is which? Why don't you take this time to think of what you're gonna say to them?
…….
Hey, hold on. If you're gonna let us go anyway, why don't you let Charon -
... Zip it.
The Thumb Nursefather muttered viciously.
I. Hate. Presumptuous idiots. Who don't know their place. Butting into conversations.
... Friends of yours, Ticket?
Yeah.
That so? Then I don't suppose there's anything wrong with sending them all there...
After all, why discourage a swarm of flies from flying straight into the web we've spun?
Her eye fixed intently on Vergilius, the Thumb Nursefather slowly backed away from the Backdoor and opened the way for us.
<The Backdoor to the HQ hasn't opened yet. We have to rescue Charon first, then - >
Do not hesitate, Dante. That... is indeed the path you must bring the Sinners to.
Vergilius continued coldly, as though he was reading my mind.
In fact, you should go through the Backdoor like she says if you want to help Charon.
This entire circumstance at the Backdoor has been engineered to hold me, and only me, back. And what awaits beyond the Backdoor... is what they have orchestrated to summon you and Sinner #4 there.
Correct. I wouldn't want your dash of red...
... to snip our elaborate web to pieces.
Portal connection to the HQ... almost established...
But... but every firewall protecting connections to the HQ has been bypassed... What...?
Then, it must be via the defenseless Backdoor, or Backdoors, through which the intruders have broken in.
Portal connection to HQ... established.
Coming with?
... If Faust goes... I'll be the only one left here who knows how to operate the Backdoor Calibrator.
I'll stay behind... at least until Mister Vergilius rescues Charon.
Then we'll go on ahead.
As always, Ryōshū did not prolong the conversation.
She did not bother to impart even a quick goodbye...
... as she walked into the shadows that awaited us beyond the Corridor.
<…….>
I gave Saude a nod in her stead.
Dante.
The 4th Sinner's thread is... pulled tautly.
It is precariously close to snapping... but it is also sharper than any blade, that it might sever all that it comes into contact with. You must remember that.
<…….>
What kind of "thread" is Vergilius talking about?
Snapping... severing... I wasn't yet sure what exactly he was referring to, but...
<It won't be severed. Not when the chains bind us together.>
I replied, absentmindedly rubbing the area where the chains that connected me to the Sinners had burst out of.
... Let us proceed, Dante.
With Vergilius's words hanging heavily over us, we made our way into the Backdoor connected to the HQ Research Facility.