Shurajō (before battle)

Don't forget. The Golden Boughs are kept within a preservation container. Take extra care when you handle it...

Okay, okay. We've been working our butts off to retrieve those shiny twigs, too. We know enough about their worth not to throw them around willy-nilly.

Gregor's comment did nothing to deter Hohenheim, who kept voicing his warning again and again.

Alright... Lab's that way... and the Facility Management Room is...

Ezra was tracing the available routes to guide the LCD team members who arrived with Moses...

... while others crept down the corridor, alert for any dangers lurking in the shadows.

W-what was that?

There's a wall dropping down... Huh...? Hey! Watch out, you guys!

The corridor was thrown into complete chaos.

Sinclair! This way!

Huh...? I can't... It's too far...!

<Is everyone alright?>

It would seem that a quarantine system designed for Abnormality containment breaches has just been activated.

Meursault, who had been standing close by, replied in a monotonous voice.

And just as he said, when I looked around...

That was close... That wall nearly flattened us into pancakes.

We were but a breadth away from disaster.

... Shabby thing.

<Uh...>

What a W.O.T.

Just when I didn't think it could get any worse, it did.

Waste... Of... Time... Where's Ryōshū, by the way?!

Manager Esquire!! Where art thou?!

Sinclair and Don Quixote were desperately calling out from the other side of the wall...

Hey, I think this is the first time we've ever been so completely separated from Dante.

Ugh. Then we can't even afford to get hurt.

I don't see any Abnormalities around...

Now they've taken over the security wall controls, too... They've effectively forced us to split up.

... Not to worry, Executive Manager. This is only a minor setback. Allow me to assume command of this unit for the time being.

Hello? That's the first thing you're worried about? Shouldn't you be more concerned about Dante...?

... This has grown to be quite the predicament.

Hohenheim let out a heavy sigh.

Are you alright, Team Leader?

I am. At least we have no injured among us.

After all that planning, we ended up getting separated into completely random teams.

... Let's first check who we have on each side.

<Okay... It's me, Meursault, Gregor, and Yi Sang here. Also Ryōshū.>

We've got... the Detective, Miss Aeng-du, and me over here. And, uh...

... Ishmael, Rodya, and me. Outis, too.

As for us... Marton, the Assistant, LCE team members... and the rest.

"The rest?" Of whom speakest thou?

It is a phrase used by individuals who find it especially difficult to acknowledge their betters.

... Me, Don Quixote, and Faust.

There was no chance we could get the security wall out of our way even with our combined effort.

Hmm... the master keycard doesn't work, either. It should be able to override the lockdown, but...

Even the LCE wasn't having any luck on their side...

There has been a minor deviation... But it can't be helped. Advance according to plan.

This unit, the LCD included, will neutralize any hostiles within the facility - one threat at a time.

We'll assist you with finding the trail as soon as we're done repairing the security cameras.

Acknowledged. The LCE and Hohenheim's team will secure the Facility Management Room and prioritize restoring power...

As for the Executive Manager's team, proceed to the laboratory for Golden Bough retrieval.

Ugh... Figures I'd end up in the team doing the fighting... What a pain... *sigh*

Alrighty, off we go~!

I will take the lead. The rest of you, follow me.

And with that, Outis and the LCD team's footsteps faded into the distance on the opposite side...

We should get moving, too. Although I think just Marton and my Assistant here will be enough to restore power to the Facility Management Room.

There seems to be a lack of proper structure in the generation and distribution of electricity here. It is regrettable that the facility lacks a backup mechanism to handle unforeseen emergencies of this sort.

With the breadth of my responsibilities, it is only natural that I would have been too busy to be responsible for the facility's design... However, when viewed independently, the structure of the laboratory itself is -

*sigh*

Fret thyself not over so trifling a matter, young Heathcliff!

She's right. With the three of us together, we'll be able to overcome whatever obstacle that gets in our way... Probably...

The voices of Hohenheim and the other Sinners also slipped further away into the background.

<Should we... get a move on too?>

Let us know if you sense the Golden Bough, Manager Bud.

<Okay.>

Heh, the two smokers of the group ended up in the same team... What are the odds?

.......

I'll never know how the others manage to pull through these working conditions without taking a puff...

Mm.

There was a time when I partook. But I could not find any reason to maintain the habit.

Oh? There was? What did you smoke?

Most things that fall under the category of "cigarette."

Huh... After a whole year of watching you never walk out of line, I pegged you as one helluva straight-laced fella.

I partook in both categories of activities - those generally accepted as right, and those accepted as wrong.

During my time among the old League of Nine Littérateurs, I once had an opportunity to engage in a few "hits" of the substance at the behest of my fellows.

That was the one and only time. Everyone burst into laughter, though I found no enjoyment in smoking itself.

Hah... That's always the case for first-timers. Must've been pretty intense, huh?

What about you, Miss Ryōshū? When did you first start smoking cigarettes?

Every pair of eyes searched Ryōshū's face,

but she didn't bother telling us her story, nor did she reveal any signs of unease or anxiety.

What we saw on her face was inexplicable exhilaration, thrill, and as strange as it may seem, a fury chilling to the marrows.

... Beats me.

I've always been surrounded by cigarette smoke, ever since I was a brat.

... *inhale* Wouldn't have guessed it any other way.

It's your turn this time, isn't it?

Yeah. So damn obvious that it makes me scoff.

…….

How do you feel, Miss Ryōshū?

To be faced with the past that stands before you?

Simple...

It's exciting.

*scoff* All that waiting finally paid off.

I noticed you haven't smoked one since... this whole thing began, Ryōshū.

Right.

Trying to get used to... staying off it.

Meanwhile, back at the transporter truck...

Red Gaze. Never thought you of all people would have one.

…….

Funny, isn't it? The mighty and powerful Red Gaze loses this... this tiny little bundle of liability from his clutch, and he's suddenly too scared to even swing his sword right.

Not that I don't understand. To have an unwanted burden you can't even push aside or kill off shoved into your care... I know what it's like all too well.

Well... I suppose I did want the little thing back then... but I never expected her to be such a nuisance.

Lucio's been digging around... and looks like you don't have any connection whatsoever to this half-pint here... Could it be you've got a specific use for her?

It's plain that you need her for something... Explains why you're letting that dead weight tag along.

Perhaps she's like my Ticket... or Textbook over there? A pain in the ass you'd much rather kill off, but can't because you need it to make the future you long for come true.

Haha. We sure have a lot in common, don't we?

.......

.......

... You.

I know why you're provoking me with that pointless rambling.

Your friends are out on a mission, and you're making sure I don't get in their way till you get the all-clear.

However... just because my sword isn't cleaving across your throat...

Khh...!

Doesn't mean I won't collect your little lackey's head.

Keep that in mind.

... This should be interesting. Do your worst.

I'm curious to see how long the Textbook I so painstakingly crafted for my Ticket... would last against a Color Fixer. Aren't you?