PC12B

This is the Doctor, researcher at Rhodes Island.

<N-nice to meet you.>

When I, after everything we went through, finally had the chance to meet the Doctor of Rhodes Island, I realized that I had been building a vastly different image of them in my mind based on the name alone.

I was thinking they were going to be someone like Yi Sang, Faust, or… Hohenheim from LCE.

But… the first impression of them was similar to what I felt when I met a K Corp. employee.

The clock just… ticked…

And this is Dante, a manager at Limbus Company. That ticking just now was "nice to meet you".

O...kay.

Thanks for accompanying Amiya. Honestly, I was pretty worried when we were separated at the border.

<I should thank you and Amiya, actually. We would've been in a real pickle without her, so...>

…….

I-it's a bit embarrassing to repeat that myself.

Dante says that we would've been in a real pickle without Miss Amiya~

Sorry, Manager Bud can't talk human, so… don't worry about it. We'll take over the translation.

It is incorrect to state that the manager cannot 'talk human'. A more accurate assessment would state that the manager is incapable of accessing sonic means of communication, which includes verbal communication; however, they are able to produce repetition of multiple sounds that may register on a similar scale to the ticking of multiple hands - second hands, minute hands - of a clock.

<I dunno, something about the way Meursault put it sounds… worse…>

Don't worry. It is not a difficult task when only a single individual has to be translated.

Doctor, let us move on to the next steps of the plan.

<Next steps?>

Thanks to Limbus Company's efforts, we obtained the exact coordinates of the vessel Masas, and managed to capture the decks with ease.

However, Fabius, who is suspected to be a Bishop of the Deep, and his followers, have barricaded themselves inside the bridge's control room.

While it may seem as though they're hiding, I believe they're trying to bait us.

As in, they are waiting for us to enter the bridge before summoning reinforcements from elsewhere to trap us in a pincer attack?

Something like that. The 'elsewhere' is most likely to be the sea, as their reinforcements are probably more Sea Terrors.

Fabius is a Seaborn. And the ocean will answer to the call of their kind.

Limbus Company and Irene will head to the bridge and neutralize Fabius. Amiya and I will accompany you to provide support and identify the situation within the bridge.

In the meantime, Kal'tsit and the other operators will remain on standby on the ship's exterior at the pre-designated locations. I'd like to avoid getting surrounded by Sea Terrors before we manage to take down the Church of the Deep within the bridge.

I observed several entry points leading straight to the bridge while we were working on repairing the vessel.

Your force doesn't seem numerous enough to close off all of them.

It's true that there are many entry points here, but we don't need forces guarding every single one of them. Especially here - the hallway is narrow, long, and straight, so…

… Makes sense to me. How about here? Are you sure you're not overly focusing your forces to a single checkpoint?

Ah, let's see. But on closer look…

Looks like commanding officer Outis is finally in her environment.

Got any questions, Manager Bud?

<I have no idea what they're talking about, if I'm being honest…>

Really? I saw you commanding the Sinners earlier. You seemed pretty adept at giving orders and making strategic decisions…

Indeed, they seem quite adept at making on-the-spot strategic commands and identifying exploitable weaknesses and patterns in their enemies.

However, the Doctor and the outsider are operating on fundamentally different fields. No further elaboration is necessary.

Agreed. That particular aspect of strategizing is not one of Manager Dante's obligations; and even if there is a chance for them to engage in such elements, it may be too early to do so.

... Is that so.

It is. At least that is what Faust has judged.

… What are they on about?

I was about to ask that myself.

<I don't know… I have no idea.>

Having finished her discussion with the Doctor over the plan, Outis returned wearing a grim look.

<Huh? Is there something wrong with the plan?>

… No. There wasn't anything wrong with the plan.

I expected a certain degree of competency, but they were impressive, far beyond my expectations.

Really? That good, huh?

Even when I think back to my days in the line of duty… I can't think of too many like them.

Right, so they're dependable. Good enough for me. If your strategizin's done, let's get crackin'.

What of you, Miss Mayors? If it is too much to face what awaits, then you need not follow us.

I decided to stay here anyway.

The Doctor's going to update you in real-time on where the safe zones are. So... please keep that communicator close to you.

I will.

Hey, if Gramps -

Is there something you would like for us to do?

It's... no, it's nothing.

... If there's something you want to tell him, contact us through the communicator at any time.

We're going to find a way to resolve this as peacefully as we can, but if the negotiations break down...

Yeah. I know what you mean, Doctor.

Be safe, everyone.

<…….>

Leaving Mayors behind with her unfinished sentence...

... we followed the Rhodes Island team into the bridge.

The bridge was as gaudily decorated as ever.

Fabius, flanked by hooded followers and Sea Terrors, greeted us with a kindly smile.

Welcome.

I truly did appreciate thy kindness… Wherefore didst thou seek to harm us?!

Your suspicions are certainly justified. But I implore you to think back.

If you truly believe that we had sought to harm you then... how would you explain that one peaceful night you had spent in Faro Muerto?

I - we - have never wished you any harm; we did not then, and we do not now.

Huh. Not even a day after you folks stabbed us in the back like cowards, and you want us to believe that?

Our wish has always been the same. We only wished to extend the freedom to roam the seas to those with capable, kindhearted souls.

Mate, we know you were just tryin' to turn us into sea monsters of some kind!

"Monster" is only a name. The essence of its being changes not regardless of the label given to it.

Become one with the sea, become one with the endless cycle of life... and one day, your misunderstandings will end, and you will come to understand us.

…….

Looks like... this fight between us... is going to be unavoidable.

I pulled out the Identity Cards the moment I saw Fabius raising his hand.

The Doctor seemed to have finished their preparations as well, as they and Amiya stood opposite Fabius.

Incoming! Get ready, everyone!

... Let's stop them here for good, no matter how long it takes.

Their strategic formation prioritized reducing sacrifices to the absolute minimum…

... Their commands sought to protect, sought to defend, and their forces were quick to follow them.

Rhodes Island's operation was certainly impressive, but... that's not exactly our style.

All I can do is put my faith in the Sinners, and push them onward.

Our style is...

<... Trust me to bring you back, no matter how many times they cut you down.>

<Let's wipe them out.>