A Journey's End (before battle)

Ack... the stench won't come off. Who's that now?

M-mister Domino!!!

Crayon, who'd been holding her breath with her fingers over her nostrils, ran up to the large man and hugged him.

At least you're safe, Crayon... That's good.

Cough...

After stumbling for a moment(due to the stench, most likely), Outis briefly gasped for air before approaching Domino.

Hey, you... Identify... yourself.

Name's Domino. I'm a monster Hunter from Cloud Town.

... I don't suppose I can call it a town anymore now that it's just me and Crayon that's left.

Relax. I wouldn't even think of hurting any of you.

Haah... So you're the Hunter that the girl mentioned.

Outis relaxed upon Domino's confirmation. She leaned on a wall and looked to the floor in relief.

Normally, around this time of year, these monsters would've gone further north to a different village...

So I was on an expedition to help them out. ... Looks like they decided to switch things up this time around.

When I returned, they'd already finished their raid on our village and left... Damn it, they used to be predictable, attacking only right before Christmas.

... Do these tragedies happen often?

Though I can't speak for the City, I can say that this is a common occurrence in the Outskirts. It's a hellish place to live, if you can even call this living. Survival alone is a miracle out here.

Are there a lot more places out here like this... like this mockery of a gift factory?

No, can't say I've seen a factory like this anywhere else. But I can tell you one thing.

Compared to some worse things that could've happened... this tragedy was nothing. That's the natural order of things in the Outskirts.

I do wonder, sometimes. If we were in the City, no matter how bad it gets in there... it must be better than this living hell.

<…….>

It was no easy contemplation to answer. The Outskirts must be a hellish place to live, if what he's told me is anything to go by. But...

... the City they admire so much... isn't such a warm place itself. ... From what I've seen in my journey so far, at least.

Aha! Then accompany us back to the City! We were on our -

Don Quixote stopped herself, realizing that every other Sinner was giving her a look of disapproval.

... Thank you for your kind words, at least.

I wish it were that easy. If I could at least let this child enter the City somehow, just like that...

But the City... has no place to spare for this child. Not even a small corner of it.

Even if you were to somehow make it past the City's walls, there are countless variations of paperwork and procedure you must overcome before you can live the kind of life you desire.

Ha ha... And what would people like us even do with such paperwork? And where would we find them out here? We've not studied or worked to find a job in the City as some youths of other villages do.

Mister...

…….

There was an uncomfortable silence. Domino cleared his throat and continued.

I must still extend my gratitude for keeping the girl safe until my arrival.

I know a good way to, cough, extend your gratitude. Maybe you can extend us a nice pouch of shiny and jangling bag of...

Rodion's eyes were twinkling. The lingering stench made it difficult for her to speak, but she was determined to make her point.

Hmm... Something shiny and jangling? Sure, maybe I can give you a tour of some antique items I keep at home...

Precious items salvaged from the locomotive tracks of the Outskirts. Not something you'll see every day in the City, I'm sure.

Items from the Outskirts... that tour alone could be worth much more than just pure cash.

<Faust... there's still a decent chance that the door we entered through might just shut behind us, right?>

Indeed. In fact, it is unclear whether the door is still open. I recommend a quick return to the bus, now that our two primary objectives have been secured.

<... So she says.>

If you would permit me to speak my mind, Executive Manager. Even if this is not the Great Lake... the Outskirts is an extremely perilous place. This curiosity cannot be a reason for us to risk getting stranded in this environment.

Looks like you've got to hurry back... Well, then! Catch!

Domino tossed a carved wooden doll in my direction.

It does not appear to be anything dangerous. Let us inspect it further after we return. We mustn't dally any longer than we have to.

<Yeah, g-good idea!>

Some Sinners had passed out and had to be carried by others. Most could not stop gagging at the stench. But we still made our way back to the door...

The door has remained open...!

We made it back to the safety of Mephistopheles.

Some time later...

Boo. Stinky. Charon, evacuate. Evacuate.

Charon quickly made her escape to the decks...

... Huh.

... And Vergilius greeted us in the cabins with a terrifying gaze.

Looks like everyone's had quite the adventure.

Covered in blood and guts... and with a disgusting stench to boot.

<Oh, this is...>

... Manager. I can't hear you anyway.

So just reply to my query with a nod or a shake.

Your replies better match up with my expectations, of course.

<…….>

I have but one question.

... Was it you who made the call?

I hesitated for a moment before nodding affirmatively.

I might get reprimanded. Or maybe he has worse things in mind for me. But...

... it was I who decided to go along with their plan. This would not have happened without my authorization.

... Good. Then my questioning is over.

Huh?

I will leave it to you to deal with this mess. You may rest afterward. And please, do something about this foul stench.

Well, then.

With that, Vergilius disappeared into the Backdoor once again.

<Huh. That's unexpected. I thought my time had finally come.>

Be glad! The best consultation is a consultation not had, indeed...

Alas! Behold, one and all!

I don't know when she had the time to pick it up in all that chaos, but Don Quixote managed to haul a huge sack of gifts back to Mephistopheles.

You picked that up from all that mess?

I have laid claim upon the evil gnomes' trinkets!

Now that's some real commitment...

<What's all that for?>

Ah, art thou truly unaware of mine intentions?! 'Tis for adorning our ship with Christmas decorations!

Wait, now? But we're still, like, three months away from Christmas...

Agreed. Let us not risk peeling old wounds. To lower the morale of our company is...

Oh, it's... okay. It's been getting better with time. Little by little.

Yeah. We can all grow beyond it. Eventually.

Mmhm~ Marvelous!

Then this appears to be an occasion most fit for a PAR-TAY then! What say you?!

Don't tell me you went through all that trouble for some party decorations...?

According to Dante's explanations, this incident was spurred on by Heathcliff's need for an outfit.

…….

Heathcliff has been silently brooding in his seat with his face buried in his palms. Out of shame, most likely.

A-ahem. Verily, verily. Yet... that very costume we had sought was worn by none other than that monstrous giant...

I-I don't suppose it would fit Sir Heathcliff, anyhow...

Forget it... It wasn't the kind of look I was going for, anyway.

What did I say, Heath...? We'll help ya out as soon as we land, 'kay...?

The outfit's one thing, yeah. But the... uh...

You are speaking of the portship we sailed past. The portship on which the hair salon that printed those hair coupons conducts their business.

The coupons could not be used, as the portship was not on our charted route.

Leave it to me to style your hair. I've done my sisters' and younger siblings' hair pretty often.

We don't know how long we'll be floating on this damn lake, anyway! B-besides...

... I don't even know how to dress myself proper. I was going to attempt the trial-and-error method.

Okay, but can you at least tell us what it is that Vergilius gave you? Just so that we know what exactly you're so anxious about.

... Hah. Sod it.

After a deep, heavy sigh, Heathcliff produced...

<... A letter?>

So that's the... 'something' Vergilius gave you?

Ohh~ I remember! My family's used this envelope before. It's made from really expensive paper, made only in limited quantities at a time. It's quite a luxurious envelope.

Can we read it? Heath?

Sure. It's nothing impressive.

Then Dante, why don't you read it out loud for the rest of us~?

<S-sure.>

Rodya handed me the letter. It was written in a beautiful series of cursive handwriting, drawn to an almost calligraphic perfection.

I began reading.

From Wuthering Heights.

We cordially extend you, honoured guest, an invitation to the ■■■■■.

<Uh... What's this here? Somebody colored over this part of the letter.>

<... Well, I'll keep reading.>

Venue: Wuthering Heights, T Corp. Nest.

Should you accept our invitation, please convene at the designated location by four in the afternoon on the 24th with this letter on your person.

Please, honour this occasion with your presence.

With great respect,

Nelly.

<Oh, and down here's a... postscript. It's written in a different handwriting from the rest of the letter...>

P.S. You have to be here, Heath. I'll be waiting. - Cathy.

We had no way to tell what kind of 'occasion' it was on account of it being colored over, but...

…….

... clearly, the rest of the letter's contents had stoked the fire of passion in Heathcliff's heart once again.

So...

You gotta look fashionable and classy for this Cathy person... right?

Well, yeah. But there's more to it than -

Shh. Quiet now.

Now I can clearly see why you were so impatient, 'Heath'.

Huh?! Why are you lookin' at me like that? Oi?!

I'll leave it up to you to style his hair, master hairdresser Hong Lu.

Huhu, I wouldn't call myself a master.

Oi, wait! W-where are you taking me? Guh, what in the bloody hell is this grip -

Mmhm, yeah. Rodya's got quite the grip strength... You won't free yourself from her anytime soon.

The two Sinners, practically hauling Heathcliff by his arms, disappeared into the Backdoor.

Now, Heathcliff's fate was sealed. To be a mannequin to a now motivated(and unbearably bored) Rodya's various experimentations...

Ah, I can hang this trinket here, and... hmm hmm~

Don Quixote began humming a song - a carol, perhaps - as she placed the various trinkets around the bus.

<…….>

I decided to go out to the deck for some air...

I leaned on the railing and dug through my pockets.

... The wooden doll Domino the Hunter gave me just as we hurriedly left.

I held it and felt its texture under my fingers. My eyes looked into the distance, toward where the Outskirts lie.

I thought for a moment about the gnomes, the giant, and the things Domino told me.

<I suppose there are people with stories in the Outskirts, too.>

<Stories, different from those of the City...>

Faust approached from behind and stood next to me. I wasn't sure how much of what I said she heard.

Follow the stars, Dante. Star by star. Then... you will one day learn.

So for now, follow the closest star that shines before your eyes.

Yeah.

I have to focus on the stories of the City for now.

I don't even know who I really am, after all.

!()#&)(&*!@($%!!!!

Joyous laughter and frustrated howls echoed out of the cabins. They must've finished dressing up Heathcliff.

<... Why don't we go take a look at how Heathcliff is doing, Faust?>

You make a rather tempting offer, Dante.

The added color to the Bus's interior warmed my heart a little.