Alliance (before battle)

<…….>

Things weren't looking any better.

I could instinctively tell that they were... different from anyone or anything we'd faced in Hongyuan so far.

I... don't suppose our lord left them alive only for us to slay them.

Hm, then perhaps it would be apt that I introduce myself, as it is common courtesy to do so.

Call me Zigong; I am but a humble student of my lord, master Qiu's teachings.

"My lord", "master Qiu"... somehow, I was reminded of the discussion Qingtao refused to finish.

For when the far one comes, betwixt the burnt doors shall a star fall astray~

As for the song... it's a song that's become rather popular in the Backstreets in the recent months.

Ahm. This is not the place to discuss such matters. I will share the tale in a more appropriate setting later, should we come across it.

<... Name's Dante. I'm their manager.>

I decided to speak up, struggling through the pressure.

I instinctively knew that we had to find out as much as I could about that man from earlier.

They introduced themself as Manager Dante.

... I see. Your candidness is appreciated.

Zilu, withdraw the Mao. It seems that we need not contend with them at the moment.

Very well.

It seemed that they had the very same thought about us.

Now, is that sufficient proof of our intent to engage in a brief discourse?

To discuss some matters with you to mark a courtly ending to this encounter should be of benefit to us, for the prospects of our future. So... ask away, as they say.

So...

That's when Jia Xichun stepped forward, after having retreated from the domineering presence.

... So that's what those suspicious songs I heard in the Backstreets were about. It's about you guys, wasn't it?

So, are those lyrics... true?

Ahh. So that is what you wish to know.

Xichun of the Jia family... it is said that you possess talent in rhetoric, yet walk a path beclouded by concern and anxiety.

Truly, your insignificance precludes your part in greatness.

…!

Wei. Don't speak for me.

I would've been the first to say anything if... I thought she was wrong.

... Yes, my lady.

Shi Yihua... you're the one who sent him after us... right?

Hm... close, yet not exact. He was an agent of the Shi family, sent to spy on my lord's doings.

We had bestowed him control of a Heishou Pack, for we had found his conduct shallow, and saw a means of learning more of the Shi family's machinations...

Yet it seems that, once granted power, the boy mistook himself for a man with the wherewithal to represent the Shi family.

... So, you used him.

Just as he sought to use us.

Though he was quite shallow in his strategy compared to our own.

... So, what now?

I don't think... you're... looking to kill us, right?

Now nothing.

Do whatever it was that you had sought to accomplish here.

You're letting two of your master's rivals go, just like that...?

What a strange thing to say. Look around as I might, I... fail to see any 'rivals' here.

…….

<... Then...>

…?

<Why did you order Yihua to attack us? You said it yourself, we're not even your rivals...>

The manager inquires why you commanded Yihua to carry out this assault against Limbus Company.

… They fear, yet they seek to gain understanding through that fear.

Yet, they remain wanting in a certain perspicacity...

My lord has always said that if one learns naught from a plight, then no discourse with them shall bear fruit.

Instead of giving me a straight answer, Zigong left me with only a puzzling comment before she brushed past us.

I have given you courtesy enough; this is a good time for us to depart.

Now... do stay nicely within your borders, as you have remained there thus far.

I would greatly despise an odd splash of ink marring the great painting.

With that, Zigong walked into the shadows cast beneath the forest of buildings.

Zilu and the countless Heishou that had surrounded us... also disappeared with them.

... F...finally...

Haah...

I looked around just in time to see Outis collapse, while the rest of the Sinners lay dead or barely clinging to life.

And there was Jia Xichun, who had collapsed to the floor as well, and Wei, who was tending to her wounds.

And me, who... somehow, survived through all that without getting decapitated.

And the night that put us through multiple brushes with death came to an end.

The day breaks...

... Yeah, and that's pretty much everything that's happened.

That big brother Qiu...? I see.

Once the day broke, we decided to take a quick walk outside to recover a little from the exhaustion of the night.

It was also to decide our course of action from here on, and we also had to decide if we wanted to travel with Jia Xichun, with whom we shared our destination.

Hello? Did you forget how to make a concerned face or something?

How are you maintaining that irritating poker face through the whole conversation?

Ha ha, of course not.

Classic Jia family secrecy, huh? Always hiding something... and I bet you are, too.

If you are, you better spit it out now. I don't have the time to casually stroll about with my to-be enemy.

Xichun, as I have always said, the seat of the Family Hierarch is of no -

... Fine. Even if you're lying, I do know that you haven't prepared anything for your assignment anyway.

... Hm. Changing the subject...

Jia Xichun, who was chatting with Hong Lu, methodically slowed down enough to walk right next to me as though she was executing steps of a plan.

You lead my brother's faction, don't you? About what I wanted to talk to you about earlier...

<I guess I do...? For now, I guess.>

Earlier? Oh, is this about our conversation back at the kezhan...?

Ugh, brother. Translations, please.

Haha, of course. Dante is, unquestionably, our manager.

Great. Let me make a proposal, then.

Become my faction for the duration of the Family Hierarch evaluations. Help me out.

<... What?>

It's uh... can we do that?

... Can we do that?

Why not?

You guys managed to stall even the Sweepers. That means you command a formidable force.

Besides, you're headed to the family mansion anyway, aren't you? You just don't know what to do once you get there.

And, as for competition... well, my brother doesn't care about the whole thing anyway.

So why don't you join me? Help me become the Family Hierarch.

I'm not like our other older siblings. I always pay my debts, whether that's for a favor or for a grudge. If you can't trust me, I'm happy to make a written -

<Can we do that, Faust?>

… Hm.

... Faust deems Jia Xichun's plan - her explanation of it, at least - rather flawless.

Having such an ally at the apex of a Wing will be a great boon to Limbus Company as well.

<I guess so...>

<... Then I don't see any reason to refuse her offer.>

Hong Lu, who's been listening in on our conversation, boiled the discussion down to a clearer explanation and relayed it to Jia Xichun.

Heh, perfect.

It is said that formation of such alliances should come with a grand banquet to mark the occasion and to cement the upcoming coalition.

The banquet's on me. Once we get closer to the central zone, let's find a nice kezhan to discuss our future ventures together.

You're Dante... right? Let's make this thing work.

<Uhm, let's.>

I was still bewildered by the turn of events, but Jia Xichun reached out for a handshake with such earnestness that I found myself almost drawn to shake her hand in return.

Now that I think about it... this is the first time we ever made ourselves an ally that wasn't specifically selected by the company, huh?

... Well, if that's the case...

... I really hope we can have at least one ally who doesn't meet a terrible end.

After the banquet...

We walked out of the kezhan to find the Mephistopheles waiting for us in the middle of the road.

Wow, man... I never thought about it, but now that it's just standing like this in the middle of the street... it really stands out, doesn't it?

Is this your... usual ride?

... Glad to see that you're all safe.

Saude and Pilot walked out from inside the bus.

Uh huh... so, did you guys take care of the 'business'?

I have some more pressing things to talk about. Listen well. Do you have any idea how much trouble your subordinate's little 'connection' -

... Yes. Miss Faust already gave me a report.

Pilot.

Oh boy... Yes ma'am!

By the way he's awkwardly stepping forward... he probably already got a hell of a talking-to from Saude.

Real mighty sorry about that, y'all...

I've only ever been a part of eradication missions, never in this espionage business, so...

Pilot. What did I say about mixing excuses into an apology?

Ahh, ahhh!!! Forget what I said! Real mighty sorry, for real!

This Qingtao guy approached me and sweet-talked me into goin' along with that plan of his!

So I got too cocky, assuming that I knew better than my seniors!

... I'm sorry, too. I forgot that he's still a new guy in the business. Of course he'd be prone to making these mistakes.

Looks like we'll both be writing letters to explain our failure together, huh...

<You're both getting disciplined for this...?>

The disciplinary action is unlikely to be anything of significance. The LCB team came out unscathed, all things considered. However, it is likely that they may have to work for half a year without pay.

I'd consider it a win if all we're getting is docked pay.

N-next time! I do promise!

Next time, I'm gonna get real good at this job... I'm gonna become someone who can actually provide good assistance to y'all... nngh, sob...

Of course, Pilot. You really should.

In fact, you will have no choice but to become a contributing member of the team when I'm done with you. Let's really get to it, huh?

Ahh...

No one's dying or getting fired under my watch as long as I'm their manager. I'll make sure of that.

…….

<... Yeah.>

Ohh! Right! Almost forgot to tell ya, Saude. It's real important business stuff... Going forward, we're gonna -

Oh, yeah. I was going to bring that up sooner or later. We just got the orders from the LCA.

Saude produced a small device from her pockets...

... and began reading from it.

Upon arrival at the central zone of H Corp., the LCB will participate in the Family Hierarch Evaluation with a candidate.

Hmph, we were going to anyway. Now, this Bus Team faction's gonna be my -

The LCB will present the following Sinner as their chosen candidate.

Sinner #6, Hong Lu.

<... Wha?>

- FIN -

... Whaaat?!

Y-you can't do that, what the hell!

You! All of you! I'm gonna make you throw up everything you just ate, you assholes!