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Death. |
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Something we are all painfully aware of, but almost always unprepared to face. |
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As a constant of life, death will always be around to claim us. |
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Us, those we love, those we hate… and anyone in between. |
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Unless there's a very special circumstance you have in the City, death will never be avoidable forever. Just temporarily. |
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Though for the apprentices within the House of Spiders, as those previous chapters demonstrated, if life went just a little bit different for them… whether it be up to some different choices made or insanely good luck… any of those apprentices could've been the "one" to live. |
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The reality of fate that Limbus Company is on now dictates that the "one" is Kira. Though it easily could've been Lucio, Sora, Albina, or Ren as well. |
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In the same vein, any combination of two of them could've lived. Any three of them could've lived. Hell, maybe only one of them died in a certain Mirror World. |
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But here's a question: what if all of them found a way to live? |
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What if there's a Mirror World out there… where every single apprentice within the House of Spiders escaped death? |
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It sounds impossible. Given the amount of coincidences that would have to pile up, it'd probably be easier to find a world where they're all dead. |
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But just entertain me for a moment, dear reader. Let's see what happens if The Flow is merciful. |
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Let's see what happens if every permutation were to occur at once. |
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--- |
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The Index Nursefather vanished without a trace and couldn't be located, but with the machinations of the House of Spiders foiled, the company seemed to have decided that he's no longer a serious threat… and proceeded to call off the manhunt. |
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And on that burned rooftop, a red schoolbag was recovered, bearing a name tag filled out in a child's clumsy handwriting… with the Golden Boughs safely nestled within. |
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Location: Limbus Company Portal Monitoring Room |
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The Apprentices were all recovered one by one, found within their separate groups. |
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Ren and Sora came through with the main LCB group first. |
Ren |
…Are you sure she will be okay while you are holding her like that? |
Meursault |
As rudimentary as it seems, the act of slinging her over my shoulder allows for her body to maintain an upright position rather than her being cradled, leaving me with a free hand in case I need to do acts such as opening a door. |
Sora |
… |
| Ren |
That is fair. My humble self just… worries for her. I do not remember her fainting like that often. |
Outis |
With the way she was being forced to make a choice like that? Between death for herself and death for someone she held dear? |
| Outis |
It was a very human reaction. |
Ryōshū |
Yo, Ren. Saw you in the middle of my… incident. |
| Ryōshū |
You were fighting him before I got the chance to start doing so. Fighting Rien. |
| Ren |
…I was. |
| Ryōshū |
Why? |
| Ren |
It… It felt like what my master would've wanted me to do in that moment, after he had stepped away from a strike you had so clearly intended for him. |
| Ren |
To so callously get rid of a variable in the way he had done so was calling for him to go down. |
| Ren |
I can only hope that… wherever she is, she is proud of the growth I have exhibited, even if it was in her absence. |
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Kira was brought in a few minutes later with the LCD team. |
Don Quixote |
We have returned safe and sound, Manager Esquirrrrreeeeeee!!!!! |
Vespa |
Gah! …No need to shout. We're all going to the same room. |
Hong Lu |
Careful when setting her down somewhere, guys! She may look fine, but I bet she's physically still reeling. |
Yi Sang |
Of course… To be able to survive a hit from a Relic like that, even with the ampule we had to give her, is quite miraculous. Where would we best be able to put her down without putting her in even more pain…? |
| Ren |
Kira? |
Kira |
cough cough H-...Hiiii, Reeeen… |
| Ren |
What happened to you? Why are you… W-Who could've given you such a wound like that? |
| Ren |
Did one of you have something to do with this? |
| Don Quixote |
Eh? Nay, my good sir! We, in fact, were the ones to slay the foul beast who had done this to your comrade! |
| Ren |
…Is this true, Kira? |
| Kira |
Yes… T-They helped. It was… Papa… |
| Kira |
Sorry. Hard to speak… |
Moses |
She got a cut right through her midsection with the Relic, Lævateinn. Matthias had apparently lined her up perfectly to try and get a lucky shot on my ally here. |
| Vespa |
Mhm. I'm not surprised the Middle's loyalties were faulty, but even still, seeing that felt a little bit uncanny with how much he prioritized keeping Kira happy. |
Ezra |
Eh. You call 'em scum for a reason, right, baby bee? The guy was a fluke. |
| Ezra |
Usin' all those cartoons and comic books to placate her while she has to deal with abandonment issues for the rest of her life? Not cool. |
| Ryōshū |
Definitely sounds like that prick Matthias, alright… |
| Hong Lu |
You'll be okay, Kira. Just hang on for a little while longer, okay…? |
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The… unconscious body of Albina soon followed on a gurney, followed by the LCE Team. |
Hohenheim |
Careful with her… |
| Kira |
!!! Al…Albina…! |
| Ren |
What did your company do to that glorified executioner…? |
Heathcliff |
Just gave her a bit of percussive maintenance, is all. |
| Ren |
…Hold on, you were in that group? |
| Heathcliff |
Yeah. What's it to ya? |
| Ren |
Nothing in particular. Just a bit of an odd feeling over it. |
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Heathcliff merely shrugs at that assertion. |
| Heathcliff |
Teams were swapped around a few times. Took up the spot that belonged to Swiss boy. |
Ishmael |
Is that what you're calling Sinclair now? |
| Heathcliff |
I can only call so many different people lad for so long, lass. |
| Ishmael |
…Fair enough. |
Faust |
Rest assured, the "glorified executioner" is alive, as per orders given by LCC. |
| Kira |
Wait… Orders by… LCC…? |
| Kira |
Are you guys… collecting us or something…? L-Like trading cards…? |
| Vespa |
Yes. |
| Ren |
…I did hear about this over the radio device one of you had. |
Alyssa |
I don't feel so good about just holding them all here, Boss… |
| Hohenheim |
Not our call to make, I'm afraid. |
| Hohenheim |
It also just won't be something you have to worry about. Right now, we have to get you started on your recovery. |
| Alyssa |
Ah… R-Right. The whole dying thing… |
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Finally, the secondary LCB group had arrived with Lucio in tow. |
Vergilius |
Haaaah… It would seem the Operation, as it were, has been successful despite the many complications we seemed to face. |
Sinclair |
You sure you want to carry Gregor like that, Rodya…? |
Rodion |
What? Never seen someone get cradled before? You probably were once, too, right? When you were itty bitty~? |
| Sinclair |
What if you need to… I-I dunno, grab something else? Open a door? Meursault's grip seems way more efficient. |
| Rodion |
Efficient, smefficient. I just… think he's safer held like this. |
Lucio |
…So it appears I'm not the only one who escaped the web. |
| Kira |
Lucio…! |
| Lucio |
Kira? The hell happened to you? |
| Kira |
Long… story. Don't wanna talk about it right now. |
| Ren |
Apparently, her "Papa" had hurt her. On purpose. |
| Kira |
I said I didn't wanna talk about it… |
| Ren |
…My apologies. My humble self is still trying to understand why he would do that. |
| Lucio |
And suddenly, it feels like there is stiff competition for Worst Nursefather in the House of Spiders. |
| Hohenheim |
It's more like there was stiff competition, but I digress. |
| Lucio |
It'll be awarded post-mortem… |
| Lucio |
…The roach. What happened to him after I was secured by LCA? |
| Rodion |
Too much stress. Got wounded up after your master stoked the flames, and we had to deal with the aftermath. |
| Vergilius |
It was not pleasant, but… a certain Sinner's timely intervention helped prevent the worst-case scenario, at the very least. |
| Lucio |
…I won't question that. |
| Sinclair |
I-It's better if you don't. |
| Kira |
…So… |
| Kira |
We're all out, huh…? |
| Lucio |
…Yeah. Seems like it. |
| Lucio |
And we're probably going to be sent off to be interviewed. Grilled for information. |
| Kira |
That's… okay, I guess… |
| Kira |
Got nothin' to hide… anymore… |
| Lucio |
Likewise. |
| Ren |
I do not see the point in obscuring anything within the operations of the House of Spiders, either. |
| Hohenheim |
Right. I will go see what we can do for the Ring apprentice while we wait for the Index apprentice to wake up. |
| Hohenheim |
In the meantime… don't break anything. |
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The company had much to do in the aftermath of the incident. |
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Saude… was going to take an indefinite leave of absence, but it's been temporarily delayed. |
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Alyssa went into the long-term recovery ward. |
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Marton's remains were placed in the morgue for LCE casualties. |
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Hohenheim, as usual, went off with a shrug and a half-hearted wave of the hand. We never got to talk to him properly about all that's happened. |
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The five apprentices were all separately interviewed by LCC, each giving their own recollection of the events that took place within the House of Spiders. |
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Their answers all had different ranges of usefulness. |
| Ren |
My Nursefather's purpose was to serve as a tool. The plan was always for Yoshihide to strike her down, I understand. The Index Nursefather, Rien, had that in the cards for a while. He knew she was… the thread Yoshihide would never stand completely losing. |
| Lucio |
In terms of what my Nursefather knew, I don't think she ever came close to knowing Yoshihide's true purpose was being a concept incinerator. She just saw her as a Ticket out of that place, no matter what the cost was. |
| Sora |
T-The reason for doing what we did? I don't… I don't know. Master Rien or The Prescript w-would just tell me to do things before, and I-I'd do them, but I don't have him or my device right now… |
| Kira |
Why do I think my Papa would so easily stab me in the back? If I knew, I wouldn't be sitting here, would I, wise guy?! …Sorry. Wound's still fresh. Figuratively and literally. |
Albina |
What was my Nursefather's purpose in the House of Spiders? …I had a father who worked as a nurse in a house full of spiders? |
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In the wake of all five Nursefathers dying and all five apprentices living, Limbus Company found itself in quite an advantageous situation. |
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They had a group here, one with people who already knew each other quite well and lost their prior protectors. |
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Their potential is potent, but they need guidance. They're not ready (and probably never would be, under the tutelage of their Nursefathers) to properly join the Syndicates they were unofficially being set up for, and Limbus Company knew that. |
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And so, that night, when the Chief Executive Director of Limbus Company was trying to figure out what to do with them… |
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She had an idea. |
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Location: LCCB Training Classroom, A Week Later |
Pilot |
Are we sure we can handle having… all of them here, Saude? |
Saude |
Even if I wasn't, they're Lady Dias's orders. Can't just… refuse them, can we? |
| Saude |
…This banner's a bit much, though. "Welcome to LCCB, House of Sinners". House of Sinners??? |
| Saude |
Why would she even pick that name? They're not going to the Bus Department… |
| Pilot |
M-Maybe it's to call back to the fact that they're still… apprentices! We're kinda the warmup team for LCB, right? |
| Pilot |
So maybe Lady Dias wanted to go with something familiar for them. |
| Saude |
I guess. But isn't it gonna kinda serve as a… grim reminder, too? |
| Saude |
…Oh, wait, here they are. |
Reticent LCA Employee |
Escorted. All five new members of LCCB are present and accounted for. |
| Kira |
H-Hey! Watch the hoodie, jerk! |
| Lucio |
For the life of me, I still don't know why you're wearing that. It's not even that cold here. |
| Ren |
We should not shame how one chooses to feel comfortable in a somewhat unknown environment. |
| Sora |
…What is this place? It's d-different from the place Mister Rien had us raid… |
| Saude |
That was the LCE building. You're in the LCC building right now. |
| Albina |
I am also here. |
| Saude |
…Yes, that is the point. You are also here. You are all here! |
|
Saude accentuates with a passive smile. |
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| Albina |
What is LCC? |
| Pilot |
Oh, uh, it stands for- |
| Albina |
Lobotomy Corporation… Company? |
| Pilot |
…Limbus Company Clearance. |
| Pilot |
W-We're the Limbus Company Clearance Department. You've been brought to one of the rooms belonging to the Before Team! |
| Albina |
Oh. I get it. |
| Albina |
People liked Lobotomy Corporation so much, they made another one. |
| Saude |
No, that's not- …Uh… |
| Saude |
That isn't entirely accurate… Look, let me just properly introduce myself, okay? |
| Saude |
I'm Saude, the Unit 3 Manager. This is Pilot, my Assistant Manager. |
| Saude |
We've been tasked to take care of you guys from here on in. |
| Lucio |
Take care of? |
| Saude |
N-Not in the way the Thumb takes care of people, if you're thinking about it that way! |
| Lucio |
Oh. Okay, that's… good. |
| Lucio |
But then what exactly do you mean? |
| Saude |
Well, as you can tell by the banner we put up above you… You're part of a new subdivision of the LCCB. The House of Sinners! |
| Kira |
House of what? |
| Albina |
That cannot be good. |
| Pilot |
It's to tie back to how the Limbus Company Bus Department's main, uh, "employees", so to speak… are all called Sinners. |
| Pilot |
You all have a lot of history tied to them, so we figured it'd be best if we connected your old history to your new… history. |
| Saude |
Pilot. We weren't supposed to say that part. That was implied. |
| Albina |
Why do you guys employ sinners? |
| Saude |
…I'm sorry, what exactly happened to her? |
| Sora |
M-Miss Albina…? |
| Sora |
I am not sure. The intellectual man in the glasses had s-said he had to… give her back parts of her brain. |
| Saude |
…Hohenheim… |
| Sora |
Y-Yeah! That was his name. |
| Albina |
I discovered I actually lobotomized myself one time. Did anyone else know, or was that just me? |
| Ren |
…I believe you had told us all that at least once before, yes. |
| Kira |
I thought you were trying to psyche me out or somethin' when you said that. You ACTUALLY fed your brain to Fascia? |
| Albina |
I don't know what Fascia is, but it must've been really mean if it asked me to cut off 25% of my prefrontal cortex. Or whatever he said. |
| Kira |
…Do me a favor and, like, check the inside of your sword for a second. |
| Albina |
Okay. |
| Albina |
… |
| Albina |
Who died for this? Is that where whoever Callisto was went? |
| Kira |
No. …I hope. Wouldn't put it past you to do that, though. |
| Lucio |
She would definitely do that when he died, wouldn't she? |
| Albina |
Hmm. That seems to be my brain. |
| Albina |
I presume something was deeply wrong with me until a week ago. |
| Albina |
…Well, it's not my problem. That was me a week ago's problem. |
| Saude |
Mmm. Uh… okay, well, all that aside… I don't even know how to unpack that, uh, so! We were called on to make sure that you guys were adjusting well here in the culture of Limbus Company, as well as, uh, train you for what we do as LCCB operatives. |
| Saude |
As part of the Limbus Company Clearance Before Team, it'll be our job to survey the places the Sinners intend on going to for Golden Bough retrieval and clear a path for them to be able to get said Golden Bough with the least resistance. |
| Saude |
We are the… Preliminary Observation team. But you guys get to be special, because you won't be sectioned off anywhere. You'll have a part of the team all on your own. |
| Albina |
Is it called the House of Sinners because the house full of spiders was secretly evil? |
| Saude |
It was not a-... Who told her the House of Spiders was that? |
| Kira |
Hey, don't look at us. You think we're used to this? |
| Ren |
The glorified executioner who used to speak in riddles about her art… reduced to nothing more than a newborn child in a young adult's prosthetic-riddled body. It's fascinating, and yet, more disturbing than the original her. |
| Albina |
Actually, I think I was just like this. |
| Ren |
…Sure. My humble self guesses you can claim as such. |
| Saude |
As Pilot… so eloquently surmised, the name comes from a merging of your recent history with LCB and your past history with your Nursefathers. |
| Saude |
It also takes into account your current "power levels", so to speak, within the company. We know that you all possess a… quite frankly, unimaginable amount of skill, considering the environment you all were raised in. |
| Saude |
I believe that one of you even manifested your own Effloresced E.G.O, yes? |
| Sora |
O-Oh! Yes! That was, uh… that was me. |
| Sora |
I still have it, somehow. Even without… the Prescript. |
| Kira |
Yeah, yeah, rub it in. Wish Papa would've given me something before he up and slashed me… |
| Saude |
We did recover his Relic. |
| Kira |
For real?! |
| Saude |
Mhm. But you'll have to prove that you can wield it first without getting yourself hurt, and that what I'm trying to get to in terms of explanation here. |
| Saude |
We know you all are skilled, BUT… We cannot put you in a team like LCB because that would require the addition of five more contracts for Dante, which we cannot afford for them to take on while they're still trying to balance their current team. |
| Saude |
However, your combat prowess made you sufficiently optimal for what LCCB requires. |
| Pilot |
She's saying you'll be able to get in there, and we don't have to risk wondering if you all don't come back. |
| Saude |
Pilot. |
| Lucio |
…Are we meant to be some kind of suicide squad? |
| Saude |
N-NO! No, not at all! |
| Saude |
I-I mean, yes, the company has a tendency to… to send us into danger as if we were expendable. But that is what your subsection is here for. |
| Saude |
We've given you the best we could throw at you, and you've taken it in stride. You all being in LCCB will make the task of the Sinners ten times easier. |
| Ren |
That is… quite the lofty expectation you have put onto all of us. Expecting us to be the reconnaissance team. |
| Kira |
I mean, it's a pretty obvious decision if you think about it. Can't beat 'em, join 'em, right? |
| Kira |
They couldn't beat us, so now, they wanna team with us. |
| Lucio |
You are quite literally the worst person to be saying that's how this partnership is happening. If it weren't for the Sinners, you would be dead. |
| Kira |
I'm pretttttty sure that applies to everyone here. |
| Kira |
And even then, like… c'mon. At least part of what I'm saying is true. They couldn't beat us! |
| Sora |
I guess? Technically, I-I passed out before they could fight me again, but I was in a pretty awful s-situation, fight or no fight… |
| Ren |
There was no purpose in them renewing their battle with me. I had aligned myself with them beforehand, as their goals had simply aligned with my humble self. |
| Albina |
The British one knocked me out with his baseball bat, is what I heard when I asked about it. |
| Lucio |
…They had defeated me somewhat swiftly. |
| Kira |
What? Nah, seriously? You got that Odin eye Relic doohickey, and you got beat? By who? |
| Lucio |
I don't wanna talk about it. |
| Lucio |
The point is, you would be, like… EXTRA dead if the Sinners had not spared you mercy. At the hands of your own Papa. |
| Albina |
White-haired small girl. What is it you called people again? It started with an F? |
| Albina |
Fraud. I think you would describe this as everyone except for you being a fraud. |
| Albina |
…I didn't know we're all evading taxes. |
| Saude |
That's not-... Please tell me you aren't. |
| Pilot |
Was the House of Spiders ever taxed? I imagine they'd have to be… There's no way they'd be able to fund that project they did and simply get away with having all that money. |
| Lucio |
Technically speaking, the Thumb had funded it. |
| Lucio |
And no, despite what Albina says, the House of Spiders was not run by… tax evaders. |
| Saude |
Oh, okay. Good. I can't… I can't add a visit by the Head to the list of the bullshit this month has given me. |
| Lucio |
Ah. Right. The "missing arm" thing. My apologies for that. |
| Albina |
Then where's the fraud? |
| Kira |
I-I… I hate to say it, but I think the "fraud" was my Papa, Albina… |
| Albina |
So, a fraud is a person who can't back up their claims. |
| Albina |
…I didn't know Ren was a fraud. |
| Ren |
Wha- HUH? Why am I being classified as fraudulent? |
| Albina |
You claimed, and I quote, I was "reduced to nothing more than a newborn child in a young adult's prosthetic-riddled body." |
| Albina |
Since this is a lie, you are a fraud. |
| Ren |
I-I was not lying! If you had heard yourself from back then, you… You sounded so elusive! Mysterious, even, in the way that only a member of the Ring would be! |
| Sora |
Y-You're from the Pinky, Ren… I-I like you, but you can't exactly talk. |
| Ren |
You used to be from the Index! |
| Kira |
Yo, I'mma be real with all of you, I think you're all on some level of cryptic shit. Middle's the most straight-up Finger, we just beat your ass if you cross us. |
| Sora |
You have a w-whole laundry list of u-unknown grievances in a book… |
| Albina |
It seems you are mad that I faced the consequences of my actions and have become straightforward. You are a fraud. |
| Ren |
Mad??? |
| Ren |
…I am nowhere near furious that someone such as yourself has received the "consequences" you so claim you deserve. I am furious that you have forgotten why you deserved them. |
| Ren |
I am furious that you have so conveniently forgotten who you used to be. |
| Ren |
And most of all, I am furious that those consequences were not delivered by me. |
| Albina |
Okay. |
| Ren |
Okay??? |
| Saude |
H-Hey, let's… Let's calm down a little. |
| Saude |
I know tensions are heightened after what happened, and- |
| Ren |
Perhaps I had made a mistake allowing you to live this long. |
| Saude |
Oh no. |
| Albina |
Actually, I don't want to fight. I just think making Ren angry is funny. |
| Albina |
It vaguely reminds me of the past. |
| Ren |
… |
| Sora |
Ren, no. It's okay. W-We're all changing! |
| Sora |
Don't lose your cool. What would your Nursefather t-think about this? |
| Ren |
She is dead. Much like Albina will soon be. |
| Kira |
Oh shit, are we fighting? I'm betting on the automaton! |
| Lucio |
She's… She's not an automaton. She just has prosthetics. |
| Kira |
Eh, whatever. Still betting on her. |
| Lucio |
No, it is NOT "whatever", that is an important distinction since AI is not allowed in the City, dumbass. |
| Kira |
…You calling me a dumbass? |
| Saude |
Guys, seriously. Stop. |
| Pilot |
Wait… Wait, let them work this out for a bit. Isn't this how LCB met? |
| Kira |
Let me just check my handy-dandy Book of Vengeance for how to best deal with you, Thumb boy. Hang on here… oh, no, wait. I see it! |
| Kira |
Time for some complete and total annihilation. |
| Lucio |
Really now? I don't even think you'll be able to HIT me, let alone kill me. |
| Sora |
O-Oh no, oh no, what do I do…? |
| Kira |
Sora, don't think I forgot about you! You'll be next! |
| Kira |
What'd you call my book, a laundry list of grievances…? Sounds like another helping of complete and total annihilation for you, too! |
| Sora |
I-It's not WRONG, is it??? |
| Saude |
…This is going to take a lot of work. |
|
And work it did take. Much like the team they were partially named after, despite them all living under the same… set of roofs, the apprentices the House of Spiders left behind weren't exactly a well-oiled machine. |
|
They had a lot of growing up to do, despite their potential. |
|
Some days were… better than others. |
| Pilot |
Alrighty. So, I'm gonna teach you guys how we usually move when we clear a place out. |
Kira |
Why do we need to be taught how to move? |
| Pilot |
…Y-You don't need to be taught it. I'm just trying to give y'all some pointers so- |
Albina |
Do the higher-ups of Limbus Company believe we cannot walk? |
| Albina |
Between them escorting us to this building and this, I am inclined to believe they do not know we can walk. |
| Pilot |
That's not why- |
Ren |
To express that we need assistance to move across a battlefield is going against the confidence in us that you and your Manager had said the company had. |
| Pilot |
I'm not saying- |
Lucio |
It's common sense, anyway. Check your corners, use cover when applicable, and have backup. No need for a whole class. |
| Pilot |
I-If you would just let me explain why I'm- |
| Kira |
Your class is useless, bro~ |
| Albina |
Is this bullying with extra steps? |
Sora |
…I-I could use whatever tips you may have, Mister Pilot. |
| Pilot |
…Thank you, Sora. So, as I was saying… |
|
Though eventually, Saude and Pilot were able to get through to them. |
| Lucio |
…Your arsenal of weaponry. You guys own shotguns. |
| Saude |
Y-Yeah, we do! They're not exactly standard weaponry, but the LCCB does have guns for us to use. The majority of us do use melee weapons such as batons, however. |
| Lucio |
Does that not feel a little… counterintuitive to you? Not that I am trying to question your operations. |
| Lucio |
If I were in charge and I had access to better weaponry than simple batons, I would like to arm the team meant to serve as the "before team" for the main task force of the Sinners with weapons that will ensure their survival. |
| Saude |
That's-... That's fair. |
| Kira |
He's being nice with it so he doesn't offend you. It's the whole Thumb hierarchy thing. |
| Kira |
What he's trying to say is that we should walk up to your boss and lobby for ALL of you to have shotguns! |
| Pilot |
W-What?! |
| Saude |
N-No, no no! It's okay! I'm… I'm still getting used to having a second arm again, so having one I can properly hold with one arm for now is good. |
| Kira |
Ah, boo. I was ready to fight for you, too, Mama. |
| Saude |
…What? |
| Kira |
What? I said nothing. |
| Kira |
I said nothing, and you heard nothing. |
| Albina |
You had called her your maternal figure. |
| Kira |
I-I did not! |
| Sora |
You did… W-We all heard it. |
| Ren |
You did call her your mother, Kira. It is okay. It is time to exhibit acceptance for the words you clearly said. |
| Kira |
I-I didn't say shit! Y'all can't prove it! |
| Albina |
Ask everyone else. They'll agree. |
| Kira |
T-They're spewing obviously incorrect and biased information, which I will write up in the Book of Vengeance! All of you! In the book!!! |
|
And eventually, the House of Sinners gelled enough to the point that they were allowed to be sent out on proper missions. |
|
Location: District 14 - LC Branch Exterior |
|
The next place Limbus Company's Bus Department was fated to go to, according to the flow as we know of it, was in N Corp., the very same District Sinner #5 had worked for in the past. |
|
The LCCB, in a single-file line, walks out of the transporter truck. |
| Saude |
You all know the drill, yes? Let the House of Sinners approach the building first and clear a path. We will not be far behind. |
| Saude |
Stay behind them and stick close, alright? |
Arrogant Colleague |
Behind them? Boss, with all due respect, I've been in this job for a year and countin'; what makes you think I need to be behind these spider rejects? |
| Saude |
Your combat experience? |
| Arrogant Colleague |
The hell do they have that I don't? |
| Sora |
I-I have E.G.O. |
| Arrogant Colleague |
… |
| Formerly Arrogant Colleague |
Yes, ma'am, will follow your orders to the letter, ma'am. |
| Kira |
It's funny how fast they shut up when they learn that, eh? |
| Sora |
Having E.G.O isn't… that much of a big deal, is it? |
| Kira |
I'm NGL, Sora, that's a massive flex. |
| Formerly Arrogant Colleague |
T-That one over there is the only one with a flex like that, though, right? |
| Kira |
That's why it's a flex. |
| Lucio |
I mean, I'm not sure if it matters, but… see this eye? |
| Formerly Arrogant Colleague |
Y-Yeah…? |
| Lucio |
The Eye of Odin. A third of a Relic. |
| Formerly Arrogant Colleague |
…… |
| Thoroughly Humbled Colleague |
Please tell me that's all this group has, Manager. |
| Albina |
I'm actually holding myself right now. |
| Thoroughly Humbled Colleague |
WHAT? |
| Ren |
My humble self was once in the running for the position of the Dihui Star. |
| Thoroughly Humbled Colleague |
THE DIHUI STAR??? |
| Thoroughly Humbled Colleague |
Okay, well, at LEAST the one in the hoodie doesn't have anything cool to her name, right? …Right?! |
| Kira |
…I survived getting cut clean through with a Relic, if that counts. |
| Cooked Colleague |
OH MY GOD. |
| Saude |
Technically, that last one was with help, but it did happen. |
| Kira |
H-Hey, I didn't immediately die! That's gotta count for somethin'. |
| Kira |
We gettin' inside yet, or do you want me to humblebrag some more? |
| Cooked Colleague |
N-No, no, I think I get the point. |
| Kira |
Alright. Just make sure to sign an apology form next time. |
| Cooked Colleague |
I will hereby respect the House of Sinners and I will NOT talk down on a future Hana Association certified Star of the City. |
| Kira |
Perfect! |
| Pilot |
H-Hey, let's not give 'em too big a head now. That's how mistakes happen, haha. |
| Saude |
What, like when you contacted Qingtao? |
| Pilot |
…I thought we weren't gonna talk about that anymore. |
| Lucio |
I shall go inside first. |
| Sora |
Y-Yeah! That makes sense… with you having the E-Eye of Odin and everything. |
| Lucio |
Oh, no, I was suggesting I go first because I'm clearly the leader. |
| Kira |
Are you deadass right now? |
| Lucio |
Yes? I'm the most proficient in combat, and people naturally respect me due to me being from the Thumb. I lead us. It's obvious. |
| Ren |
My humble self was not informed of the meeting where you had made yourself known as our face. |
| Kira |
I didn't get the memo about that shit either, clearly. Sora, did you? |
| Sora |
I think we have bigger issues. Albina is just… going in. |
| Kira |
What? |
| Ren |
What is that glorified executioner doing now…? |
| Lucio |
Going against protocol. It is what it is, however. We shall simply follow her. |
| Saude |
…I hope they know what they're doing. |
|
Location: District 14 - LC Branch Interior |
| Albina |
Oh. So this is what Lobotomy Corporation used to look like. |
| Albina |
…This building is very dirty. I had expected a Corporation to look cleaner. |
| Albina |
Or is it just old? |
| Cautious N Corp. Researcher |
Who the hell…? |
| Cautious N Corp. Researcher |
Unidentified personnel. Five of them. 12 o'clock. |
| Aggressive N Corp. Researcher |
'Scuse me. You kids can't be here. |
| Albina |
Actually, we're about to launch an all-out attack on you. |
| Cautious N Corp. Researcher |
W- |
|
Albina promptly cuts him in half before he can finish his sentence. |
| Aggressive N Corp. Researcher |
The fuck? |
| Aggressive N Corp. Researcher |
…Wait a damn minute. Those armbands. |
| Aggressive N Corp. Researcher |
Limbus Company! Dead ahead! |
| Kira |
Wow. Helluva way to make an entrance, Albibi. Just up and tell 'em we're gonna beat their shit in. |
| Albina |
I simply told them the truth. No further elaboration was needed. |
| Kira |
…Well, it's not like I know anything else! Time for some totally badass ass-kicking! |
|
One of the N Corp. individuals ran up to Kira, but before they could even get a strike in, she had knocked them to the floor with a flurry of punches and turned her thermal blades on to finish them off. |
| Kira |
Viiiiioleeeeet… Breaking Slam! |
|
The very loud introduction had already attracted a slew of individuals from N Corp. to the front entrance, where they would promptly get decimated. They were researchers, not combatants just yet.
|
|
But the actual protection crew wasn't too far behind. |
| Serious N Corp. Fixer |
…Haaah. Seems like we might've been too late. |
| Kira |
Damn straight you were! We mopped the floor with these trash mobs. |
| Kira |
Gonna assume you guys are the real challenge? |
| Agitated N Corp. Fixer |
Shut the hell up! |
| Agitated N Corp. Fixer |
If you don't stop this shit, we're gonna get a Taboo Hunter on your ass! |
| Kira |
Mods- Sora! Get his ass! |
| Sora |
O-Okay! |
| Agitated N Corp. Fixer |
Pfffft, the hell's that scrawny girl gonna do? Sob to death? |
| Agitated N Corp. Fixer |
…Did she just do a backfli- |
|
THWACK! |
| Serious N Corp. Fixer |
!!! |
| Agitated N Corp. Fixer |
C-Can't… say shit… |
| Serious N Corp. Fixer |
…The hell…? She has… E.G.O… |
| Serious N Corp. Fixer |
We anticipated LCCB, but not… not this! |
|
The still-standing lead fixer tried striking Sora, but she quickly got out of the way. |
|
Utilizing Liberty, a modified version of her Procuration E.G.O to lean on the faith in solely herself and not the Prescript, Sora was able to make quick work of two of the N Corp. goons who had arrived to avenge the researchers, allowing LCCB to walk deeper in. |
| Impressed Colleague |
Holy hell… Manager wasn't kiddin'. They pack a punch. |
| Cooked Colleague |
I've been in this branch for a year, and I still haven't been able to wipe out threats as clean as they do… |
| Cooked Colleague |
Do we just give up? Retire while we're still ahead? |
| Impressed Colleague |
No. …No, I think we learn. From them. |
| Ren |
Hmph. Wouldn't that be the ironic change of pace? |
| Ren |
…Hold it. Footsteps. |
|
More Fixers under N Corp.'s employment had appeared. |
|
As soon as they did, however, all Ren had to do was swing his sword within the space they occupied. |
|
… |
| Anxious N Corp. Fixer |
The hell type of warning strike was- |
|
And the Fixers then found themselves cut in half after a mere few seconds of processing what the hell just happened. |
| Ren |
To answer your question, I call that maneuver the Fallstar Slayer. |
| Cooked Colleague |
See?! What the fuck do we do after that?! |
| Saude |
Well, you certainly won't get anywhere just by being in awe of them, will you? |
| Cooked Colleague |
Christ… |
|
As they got deeper in, the House of Sinners was able to deal with more and more threats while barely breaking a sweat. |
| Kira |
Yoooo, ain't this where that golden tree branch thing is gonna be? |
| Saude |
The Golden Bough? |
| Kira |
Yeah! That Bough thing or whatever! We're already almost there? |
| Kira |
Good game to everyone here, I guess, but we kicked their asses! GG! |
| Saude |
Remember that we cannot grab it for the Sinners. We're just here to make sure the best, most optimal path is cleared. |
| Saude |
If there's no more immediate threats here, we should probably- Pilot?! |
| Pilot |
Ack! |
| Lucio |
What the…? |
| Sora |
I… I don't think they were kidding about the Taboo Hunter threat. |
|
Pilot had his neck being choked by an N Corp. Taboo Hunter, most likely someone who had been tipped off about LCCB coming here. |
|
While a lot of the LCCB personnel saw him and knew imminent death was most likely coming… |
|
The House of Sinners was confident. |
| Kira |
Just one guy, huh…? …We can take him. |
| Albina |
It's less that we can and more that we have to. |
| Albina |
Address me. |
|
Albina swings Fascia at the Taboo Hunter to get him to let go of Pilot. |
|
The Taboo Hunter backs up, the hit clearly affecting them at least a little bit, even if it was just a scratch. |
| N Corp. Taboo Hunter |
…Huh. Haven't seen a band of misfits look like this much of a clownshow before. |
| N Corp. Taboo Hunter |
Alright, I'll make this quick. Someone here, one of you, has been recording footage illegally. |
| Albina |
…You're here for that and not the murder? |
| N Corp. Taboo Hunter |
Pffft. Murder? In the City? That shit basically happens every damn day. |
| N Corp. Taboo Hunter |
The unauthorized recording of footage, however, is a Taboo. One that I know one of you is responsible for. |
| Ren |
…Kira? |
| Kira |
What?! It's our first mission as a team, bro! Why wouldn't I record it? |
| Saude |
Because it is a Taboo, Kira… |
| Kira |
Alright, well, I didn't know that! |
| Lucio |
They gave us pamphlets. T-They gave all of us pamphlets. There's a whole section dedicated to Taboos you shouldn't break. |
| Lucio |
How did you somehow miss that? You read comics all the time. |
| Kira |
That's different, and you know it! Pamphlets are booooring. |
| N Corp. Taboo Hunter |
I take it that you are the one with the illegal recording, then. |
| N Corp. Taboo Hunter |
Protocol says I'm supposed to retrieve the footage and then take you to the bosses, but… eh. Y'all are Limbus Company employees. |
| N Corp. Taboo Hunter |
No one's gonna miss you punks anyway. |
| Albina |
Okay. |
| Sora |
H-Hey! You can't do that! That's not right! You'd be going against your own protocol! |
| N Corp. Taboo Hunter |
Eh, protocol, schmotocol. Director's gonna thank me for the service I give her on a silver platter regardless. |
| Lucio |
…This bastard's no better than our Nursefathers. |
| Albina |
I don't think he killed his children. |
| Lucio |
Probably not, but I mean in terms of following orders. Guy seems like he might be one bad day from being disowned, just like… |
| Lucio |
Just like her. |
| Albina |
…We can take him. |
| N Corp. Taboo Hunter |
Oh? Tough guy trying to assume my position with his fancy 'lil eye? Why don't you die first, then, eh? |
|
The Taboo Hunter looked to strike Lucio, being tired of the process and ready for the action. |
|
However, Lucio effortlessly got out of the way and executed a well-timed counterstrike. |
| N Corp. Taboo Hunter |
The fuck…? |
|
The Taboo Hunter tried again, and again, and again. |
|
Every strike that was intended for Lucio, however, never landed. But all of Lucio's did. |
| Lucio |
You seem like you're struggling. |
| N Corp. Taboo Hunter |
S-Shut the hell up! |
| N Corp. Taboo Hunter |
How the hell are you even… |
|
In a futile effort, the Taboo Hunter kept attempting to hit Lucio, but Lucio just kept getting out of the way and striking back. |
| Kira |
Woo! This is gonna be one hell of a video to look back on later. |
| Ren |
You are STILL recording?! |
| Albina |
I'm pretty sure they'll attack Limbus Company if you keep that. |
| Kira |
They're already doing it anyway… |
| Saude |
Kira. Stop. |
| Kira |
Fiiiiiine… I'll delete it after we leave. It'll be like it never happened. |
| Albina |
…Are you recording it on a phone, or something good? |
| Kira |
What's that supposed to imply, huh? I didn't realize you were still some sorta… critic of the arts or some shit still. Yeah, it's a phone recording. Got a problem with that? |
| Albina |
If you are going to commit a crime, then it should at least look tolerable. |
| Albina |
You are committing a felony and not putting in any effort. |
| Kira |
You-... Oh, fuck off. Now look what you're about to have me do. Lucio, move over! |
| Kira |
Sora, catch. |
| Sora |
Wha- Hey! A-At least turn the r-recording off… I don't want to be p-part of your felony! |
| Kira |
Too late! |
|
Kira turned her thermal blades back on and started helping Lucio jump the once confident Taboo Hunter. |
| N Corp. Taboo Hunter |
H-Hey! What the hell? |
| Kira |
Yo, what Grade are ya, by the way? I think we might know someone who used to work for you guys! He's a Color Fixer now, though. |
| N Corp. Taboo Hunter |
Are you trying to make casual conversation while I'm looking to kill you? The fuck is wrong with you? |
| Kira |
Eh, gotta make conversation while I can. You won't be conscious in a few minutes anyway. |
| Lucio |
Do not make things personal with the enemy. This is simply a job. |
| Kira |
Yeah, yeah, was just one question. Ain't gonna make it a seminar or anything. |
| N Corp. Taboo Hunter |
I am literally a TABOO HUNTER. One wrong move, and you're fucking dead. |
| Lucio |
You don't exactly seem to be that good at it. |
| N Corp. Taboo Hunter |
??????? |
| Albina |
Would you all perhaps mind if I joined? This looks… fun. |
| Albina |
What did Kira call this again? "Jumping"? I would like to partake in "jumping" him. |
| N Corp. Taboo Hunter |
W-What the FUCK? |
|
Albina had then joined in, making the fight a three-on-one. |
| Sora |
I-Is this really particularly fair? He was a-already kind of struggling with Lucio… |
| Sora |
A-And it's Albina out of her armor, t-too. I feel bad. |
| Ren |
Do not feel sympathy for the enemy. |
| Sora |
I-I know, I know, but… don't you think this isn't very honorable? |
| Ren |
I-... I suppose not. But assaulting us from behind was not very honorable either. |
| Ren |
Pilot, how are you holding up? |
| Pilot |
I'm fine… As fine as I can be. Making sure there aren't any other Fixers wanting to pop outta any of these corridors. |
| Pilot |
…So, while we're waiting, what're you guys thinking of doing after this? |
| Saude |
Hopefully, using this to prove that I can finally get my vacation. |
| Ren |
Were we holding you up, Miss Saude? |
| Saude |
Slightly. The training of you guys was important, not that you all needed much of it. |
| Saude |
I was going to put in leave right after Operation: Spider Pyre, but… life gets in the way. |
| Sora |
I-I had heard Mister Hohenheim was p-planning to have a vacation as well in the past… Sorry if we, uh, messed that up… |
| Ren |
…I'm pretty sure that was mostly Callisto's fault. |
| Sora |
Well, yeah, but w-we were there. We h-helped… |
| Ren |
You had orders from your Prescript and your master to do so, much like I had orders from my master. |
| Ren |
Letting the past bind us is what had caused the House of Spiders to end up the way it did in the first place. The only optimal path now… is making the best out of what life has given us. |
| Ren |
Even if that path seems unclear. Even if that path leads to someone getting hurt that we do not intend to. |
| Ren |
We have to keep moving… no matter what. |
| Sora |
…Well, n-now I know for certain that you would've m-made for a good Dihui Star, Ren. |
| Kira |
Oi. We done with the whole heart-to-heart thing, yet? We kicked the raid boss's ass. |
| Kira |
Sora, you better have caught all of that. |
| Sora |
You- NO! I didn't! I turned it off! |
| Kira |
WHY? |
| Sora |
IT IS A TABOO??? If I kept it recording, we might have to deal with more of them????? |
| Saude |
Technically speaking, unless one of you deletes the recording Kira has, they're probably going to keep accosting us… |
| Kira |
Yeah! So no harm, no foul! Could've just kept it going so I could see it later. |
| Ren |
Knowing you, you were most likely going to plot to put it onto a cloud drive. |
| Kira |
W-What? No! |
| Kira |
…Maybe? |
| Kira |
… |
| Kira |
Yes. |
| Saude |
Kira. |
| Kira |
C'mon, maaaan! Our first big fight as part of LCCB, and you're telling me I can't keep any of it? That's buns. |
| Ren |
It is a TABOO. |
| Kira |
Ain't no law's gonna stop me from getting footage for my own eventual ass-kicking mixtape. |
| Albina |
You can… simply wait until we are in a District without that Taboo, though. |
| Sora |
U-Umm… How do you d-delete a video on a phone? |
| Pilot |
Have you never had a phone before??? |
| Sora |
The P-Prescript never really… thought I needed one. |
| Saude |
Goodness gracious. Okay, listen. You go into where the video was saved, and then… |
|
They had to deal with at least one more Taboo Hunter that day. |
|
Location: Backstreets of District 14, Entrance, Some Short Time Later |
Dante |
<So… Here we are. The very District where the group directly opposing us resides.> |
| Dante |
<I'd have figured we'd go here a little bit later than now, though.> |
| Vergilius |
Based on how the other locations have lined up, Dante, you can see why this trip was taken this early. |
|
There Vergilius goes, intuiting what I was saying without even getting a translation again… |
| Hong Lu |
Whoa. This part of the City is so… |
| Ishmael |
Hmm? |
| Hong Lu |
No, it's fine! I just… I just didn't think it would be so white, is all~ |
| Ryōshū |
Drab. Very bland. Devoid of color. |
| Ryōshū |
Almost like H.'s home District, in that sense. |
| Heathcliff |
God, don't remind me. The first time they picked me up and brought me out of T Corp., I thought I was being blinded. |
| Yi Sang |
One must imagine that the aesthetic choice surrounding this side of the City is purposeful in its monotony. |
| Yi Sang |
Within my brief time in this District, I had picked up on how similar the buildings had felt due to the almost purposeful similarities within the color schemes. |
| Ishmael |
Almost purposeful? |
| Yi Sang |
I cannot properly determine if the entire architectural framework of this District was done on purpose based solely on guesswork. Though perhaps the other refugee of this limbo may be able to fill us in. |
|
Our eyes in that moment had all turned to Meursault. While he had typically been quiet before, this time, it felt… different. |
|
Not necessarily in a good or bad way. There was just a noticeable shift. |
|
Charon had tapped him lightly on the wrist. |
Charon |
Mirror man asked a question of you. |
| Meursault |
I am well aware. |
| Meursault |
It is not necessarily a question I can answer easily, either, unfortunately. My memories of this District of the City are limited to a few choice locations. |
| Meursault |
But I do remember that the building I used to work for was also, as Hong Lu had put it, so white. |
| Ishmael |
Good enough evidence for me, then. On top of this pamphlet, full of entirely white buildings. |
| Ishmael |
What even is the practical reason to make every building searingly white? To blind any of your enemies if there's a Wing War? |
| Ryōshū |
You wanna know what I think? |
| Sinclair |
Oh boy. |
| Ryōshū |
It's to make it obvious when someone's killed. |
| Ryōshū |
Think of it. Most colors make an attempt to conceal the hue of red… but not white. White shows it in full. |
| Ryōshū |
Not only shows, but exposes it. Makes it a spectacle. |
| Ryōshū |
An entirely white District would be the perfect canvas for a crime, should anyone want to do one. |
| Meursault |
… |
| Ishmael |
…After hearing about that whole "unwrapping" business, I can't even refute that. Just what the hell goes on in their offices? |
Gregor |
Knowing my mother? Nothing good… |
| Yi Sang |
We are keenly aware, through my memories, that one of their plans is destroying every other Mirror World. |
| Ishmael |
Which doesn't even make sense, because they're just killing themselves. |
| Gregor |
My mother's always needed a sense of control. My life, other people's lives, the lives of other versions of herself… |
| Gregor |
It doesn't matter to her. It's all just one big chessboard, and she wants to be the important piece. |
| Rodion |
Greg… |
| Rodion |
It's okay. We're gonna help ya when it comes time to confront her again, alrighty? We're stronger this time. |
| Outis |
Arguably, I still feel weaker than when I was at my prime, but Rodion's core point is still valid. We are better than we were when she blindsided us last time. |
| Outis |
We cannot-... No. We WILL not let her get the better of us again. |
| Outis |
Her even having those two Golden Boughs she has is dangerous… Who knows how many more she could have gotten while we were searching for some as well? |
| Faust |
We will get nowhere with ruminations of possibilities that may not have happened. |
| Faust |
Vergilius, how long until LCCB gets here? |
| Vergilius |
It should be… only a few minutes longer. They're dealing with new recruits, last I heard. |
| Don Quixote |
Forsooth? Hath Limbus Company been pursuing the assistance of agents for the Clearance Department so that they do not need to use so many troops at once? |
| Vergilius |
Yes… but no. |
| Don Quixote |
Eh? Forgive me for my curiosity, but what exactly is "yes, but no?" Is it yes, or is it no? |
| Vergilius |
It's… Haaaah. |
| Vergilius |
It is both. I will let Manager Saude explain herself once she gets here. |
| Charon |
Charon bored of waiting… Charon wants to vroom-vroom already. |
| Vergilius |
We just got out. |
| Charon |
Verg, you kept Charon off the wheel for so many days after the incident. |
| Rodion |
Awwww, did he? He was worried about yoooooouuuu~! |
| Vergilius |
…It was merely done to maintain the health and safety of our personnel. There was nothing personal intended with- |
| Ishmael |
Vergilius. It's okay to admit you care, man. |
| Ishmael |
We know already. |
| Vergilius |
… |
| Vergilius |
Give an inch, and you Sinners will apparently take a mile. |
| Vergilius |
Fine. Perhaps there was some personal attachment tied to my decision to keep Charon off the wheel for a few days, with Limbus Company's permission. Much like how there was personal attachment in you all visiting Gregor in his recovery room. |
| Heathcliff |
Hey, we had nothin' to hide with that, lad. Been around each other for so long that just one of us missin' is enough to set off alarm flags. |
| Saude |
I know how that feels. |
|
Before the Sinners could poke and prod Vergilius too hard, Saude and Pilot appeared from a transporter truck. |
| Vergilius |
Finally. I thought I was going to be interrogated by my very own team for a second there. |
| Saude |
Yeah, sorry. I guess today, we're the ones who are late, huh? |
| Saude |
The little ones were excited over getting to see you guys again. |
| Ishmael |
The… little ones? Are you bringing in toddlers? |
|
A beat. |
| Ishmael |
Saude. |
| Ishmael |
Saude, what did LCCB do? |
| Ryōshū |
… |
| Ryōshū |
What the fuck. |
| Ryōshū |
No. No way. You didn't. |
| Pilot |
We, uh, we did! |
| Ryōshū |
You did not. |
| Ryōshū |
You're fucking with me. |
| Pilot |
We did, and we're not… Ehehe. |
| Ryōshū |
No fucking way. |
| Dante |
<Wait, Ryōshū, they didn't do what?> |
| Ryōshū |
That's where they went. After the whole ordeal. The House of Spiders bullshit. |
| Dante |
<Don't tell me you mean who I think you mean…> |
| Sora |
E-Excuse me! Manager Dante? |
| Dante |
<Oh my god.> |
|
Sure enough, from that same truck came all five apprentices… well, former apprentices of the House of Spiders. |
| Sora |
N-No hard feelings for how we first met, right…? We helped c-clear the path for you guys! |
| Albina |
Address me. |
| Saude |
Y-You are being addressed, Albina, it's okay… |
| Sinclair |
The apprentices?! |
| Hong Lu |
So they were with you this whole time! I was silently wondering if they would be alright after LCC was done talking to them~ |
| Kira |
What, did you think they'd "take care of the problem" or somethin'? |
| Outis |
Either that, or throw you back out on the streets. |
|
Lucio had walked up to us specifically and given me a respectful handshake. |
| Dante |
<H-Huh? Hey!> |
| Lucio |
It is within my sincerest honors to be working with you all. |
| Outis |
Who said you could manhandle the Executive Manager's hand like that? |
| Dante |
<His grip strength is… really damn strong…> |
| Sinclair |
His what? |
| Lucio |
Ah. My apologies. |
|
Lucio finally lets go. |
| Kira |
Heh. For a hardass, you've been waiting for this since the first day we got hired, eh? |
| Lucio |
Is it not natural to respect those who have had your back in the Middle? |
| Kira |
Eh. Touché. Speaking of… Yo. |
| Don Quixote |
Salutations! How is thou's midsection? |
| Kira |
Good! Good. …Got a pretty gnarly scar from it. Peak character development. |
| Kira |
Listen, uh, I never got to, like… say thanks. For savin' me and all that. So here I am saying it now. |
| Ren |
The same can truly be said for all of us, really. |
| Ren |
From here on in, you can count on us to repay the favor every day. |
| Ishmael |
Hey, Saude, isn't this, like… a little overkill? |
| Ishmael |
These guys are crazy strong. |
| Saude |
Yeah, we know. That's the point. Hopefully, it lightens my workload a bit. |
| Saude |
Still have a vacation they owe me… |
| Sora |
Are you okay, Yoshihide? There's… t-there's no bad feelings between us, right? |
| Ryōshū |
… |
|
Ryōshū takes a moment to put the cigarette she was in the middle of out. |
| Ryōshū |
No. Not particularly. |
| Albina |
You seem to have had… some sort of conflicting feelings when you saw us. |
| Ryōshū |
I might've. |
| Ryōshū |
…Ain't because it was you guys I was conflicted over. Not this time. |
| Ryōshū |
Reminders of that House… settle in a bit differently now than they did before that raid. Can't help but feel like… |
| Ryōshū |
Like there was a reason before that I was angry when seeing you all. |
| Dante |
<...> |
| Albina |
There probably was. But I forgot, so I don't care. |
| Ryōshū |
Not sure if it's something you would've known. Not while you were wrapped up in your craze for Corporism. |
| Albina |
I keep forgetting I did that once. |
| Ryōshū |
No, it was… it had to have been something deeper. |
| Ryōshū |
But at this rate, it's getting difficult to remember. Old age and all that. |
| Sinclair |
…You're 27. |
| Ryōshū |
I feel old. |
| Sinclair |
You're only about seven years older than me. |
| Ryōshū |
Shut up. |
| Sinclair |
Gregor is almost a decade older than you. |
| Ryōshū |
I'm telling you, shut up. |
| Ren |
Ah. So you are still grasping. |
| Ren |
Always searching for that lingering thread… That is good. I assumed you would have lost hope in it completely after that day. |
| Ryōshū |
Hmm? |
| Saude |
L-Let's not get too into speculative territory here! That's technically not even within our jurisdiction to talk about… |
| Saude |
We've got a plan to go over. As Sora said, the House of Sinners here cleared the path for you all to the next Golden Bough. |
| Heathcliff |
House of Sinners? |
| Saude |
…The name wasn't our idea, okay? |
| Saude |
In any case, make sure you pay attention to this. Once you go through the entrance, the next Lobotomy Corporation branch is going to be… |
|
Time slowly passed as Saude explained to us what our next course of action is. |
|
Along the way, I kept taking passing glances at Ryōshū, who was still dealing with the fallout of Limbus Company's decision to have all five apprentices work for them. |
|
For the rest of the Sinners, this isn't that big of a deal. The most emotion they'll most likely spare is happiness for the fact that we have allies. |
|
But like Albina had pointed out, Ryōshū's gaze was… full of conflicting feelings. Contempt, acceptance, melancholy, all rolled into one. |
|
There's no doubt that a miracle had to be in play for all five of these promising individuals to be able to crawl out of the spider's thread. |
|
But one person will, for now, always be missing. And it's the one person she can no longer name. |
|
… |
|
I then took a look at Faust. She had been staring at Ryōshū, too. |
|
She pulled me aside when LCCB left and we were all assembling back into Mephistopheles to get closer to where the Golden Bough would be. |
| Faust |
Ren had picked up on it. The fact that she is still grasping. |
| Dante |
<Yeah… Even if she doesn't know where that thread is leading, she's still trying to hang on, huh?> |
| Dante |
<I suppose this is what you meant by "entanglement."> |
| Ryōshū |
The hell are you two talking about? B.O.T.B. |
| Ryōshū |
We don't have all day. |
|
Ryōshū… |
|
It's okay. One day, I will be able to get you back to that destination. |
|
Back to the daughter you cherish so dearly. |
|
Even if it takes years… as long as you hold on to that one thread, she will be entangled with you. Entangled for the rest of your life. |
