Over the Wall

Om nom nom! Oil ice cream is so tasty!

Oh no! My ice cream...

Oh, look what you've done! You've spilled your ice cream all over this nice lady's clothes! I really can't apologize enough, miss. Oh dear, and you're an Imperial!

Hey.

Eep!

My clothes don't matter, but you should learn to be more careful. It sounded like you were looking forward to that snack, and now you've gone and ruined it.

Y-Yeah...

I-I really am so sorry about this. Come on, dear. Let's go before you cause any more trouble.

I don't get it. It's not like you're an Imperial anymore. Why are they so scared of you?

Yeah, well I still look like one. And given the things we've done, who can blame them for being scared?

You've changed, ma'am.

Wait a minute...

Aren't you from Minalca's old unit?

What are you doing here? Here to make up for last time and arrest me?

Minalca, how could you? I had no idea you were so strict!

Pah. You men were just a bunch of wimps.

Yeah, she's certainly a lot, um, friendlier than when we first met.

Minalca?! What are you doing?!

Just listen to you! You're so full of yourselves! Just because there's not been any trouble lately, you think you can kick back and relax? Well, I'll soon set you straight again.

Minalca, calm down!

That's terrible!

Minalca...

Yeah, yeah. You want to go stop the criminals and save the day, don't you? Honestly Aldo, you're so predictable.

I guess I must be, because that's exactly what I want to do.

*sigh* Well, I might as well tag along. All this peace has me itching for a fight. And if it's Imperial criminals we're up against, then I'm free to turn this into a bloodbath, right?

Wrong! No killing, Minalca, or I will have to stop you.

Heh. Go ahead and try. Right, we'd better get moving if we want to find these criminals before the Imperials do. Let's pay a little visit to my information broker in the Underbelly. He's bound to know something.

He's late. He should've been here by now.

Maybe something came up?

It'd have to be a pretty big thing to make someone like him skip out on a meeting.

Ngh...

Huh?!

Hey, are you okay?!

You? Do yourself a favor and get outta here before it's too late!

Pfft, don't be stupid. I don't take orders from the likes of you.

Wait, are you helpin' me right now, Miss Arbiter? Never thought I'd live to see the day...

FORMER arbiter, actually. And don't get me wrong. I'm not doing this because I care about your welfare. I just can't have you dying on me before you give me the information I paid for, that's all.

Who did this to you?

Imperial soldiers. But these guys, they weren't ordinary soldiers. They were as ferocious as wild animals. Didn't look like they were the garrison troops, either. Oh, and another thing. These soldiers...they called 'emselves the Caracal.

Caracal?!

You know that name?

Yeah. They're worms, wriggling in the wastes of the Chronos Empire. They used to be some two-bit little gang, but not anymore. These days, they run the slums.

Tsk. They must be the criminal organization we're looking for. But what are the Caracal doing in the mek world? And why are Imperial soldiers with them?

Why does anyone do anything? Money, of course.

It's been a while, Minalca.

Hermilda...

You know this person?

Yeah, I do. She's the boss of Caracal. Has been ever since my time with them.

Wait. You were in Caracal?!

Oh, don't act so surprised.

She's also right at the top of my kill list.

She's...what?

Hahaha! That's the mad dog I know and love! You haven't changed a bit, Minalca.

Came here to die, did you?

Patience, Minalca, patience. All things in good time. I came here to see you.

Yeah? And who do you think you're talking to?

Now, now, there's no need to snap. I am well aware that you have left the Imperial Army. And you're bored, aren't you? I can see the frustration all over your face.

......

But come with me, and that will all change. You see those guys?

It seems the Imperial Army doesn't pay its garrison enough. When I started recruiting to expand my territory out here, they came to me in droves.

Hmph. You seem more suited to the trash heaps of the slums, if you ask me.

Yeah, well, what can I say? I grew tired of staring at that narrow slither of sky you see from the slums. But... Expanding into Empire territory and taking on the entire Imperial Army isn't exactly strategic, you know?

But then, I see how you guys've been oppressing the meks out here, and what can I say? It looks like fun. We want some of the action.

THAT'S why you've been causing this devastation? What kind of a reason is that?!

What a dull little friend you have there, Minalca. He must be driving you insane.

Let me ask you one more time. Come with me. Let's cause some chaos together, just like the old days.

Not happening! Minalca would never join up with the likes of you! I won't let her!

Sorry to disappoint.

Wha? M-Minalca?

I do what I want, when I want. You're just getting in the way.

B-But...

Hahaha! Classic Minalca. I knew you'd make the right choice.

Let's go. We're starting to draw a crowd.

What the heck is going on here...

Ah, before we continue. You're gonna have to ditch that Imperial garb. What d'you say about going back to your old look?

Fine by me. I was getting bored of this uniform anyway.

Perfect! The mad dog of the slums is back!

...Scram. Can't you see I'm in the middle...

What's with the creature?

Oh, her? She's just a pet.

Hm. I think we'll have to do something to spruce her up, too.

There. Now you look the part.

Today marks the dawn of a new era of Caracal! Let's celebrate by causing some chaos in the Midlayer!

Oh, don't look at me like that. You gonna stop me again?

Fine. Suit yourself.

Ouch, my head! I must have passed out... Minalca must have gone easy on me on purpose.

I don't know what's going on with her, but I do know I have to do something about it.

Whoa! You're still alive? I thought you were a goner for sure!

Right back at you! I'm glad you're still in one piece.

Hey, where d'you think you're goin'?

Where do you think? I'm going to stop them!

Are you outta your mind? These ain't no regular thugs! You won't make it back alive!

I'll take my chances. No one ransacks this world on my watch. Besides. I have to find out why Minalca went with them.

So you're not goin' with the obvious? That she straight up betrayed you?

No. She's my friend, and I trust her.

Tsk. If that's what you wanna believe... Fine. They're headed to the Midlayer.

Thanks!

But you're on your own. Ain't no one else gonna stop 'em.

The Midlayer's where all the money's at. Worlds apart from the stifling atmosphere of the Underbelly. So first, we solidify our base. We bleed this place dry and make our presence known!

Minalca, you take a few troops with you.

Don't need 'em. I work better alone.

You got a problem with her, you got a problem with me. We clear?

Now, show us what you've got, Minalca.

Welco...

Eep! Oh, I'm so sorry!

Why are you so scared?

I-I heard a gang of outsiders were going around, ransacking the stores in the Underbelly! I thought they'd finally made their way here!

B-But you're an arbiter, right? You're here to protect us from those thugs, right?

I'm afraid not.

I'm no arbiter, not anymore. Quite the opposite, in fact. I'm one of those thugs you were talking about.

Eeek! Take whatever you like, it's all yours! Just please don't take my life!

Relax, I want your money, not your life. So, pay me some protection money, and we'll be good here. Got it?

P-Protection money?

Yeah. From now on, you pay me a portion of your profits. In exchange, I'll make sure none of my associates come pay your store a little visit. Deal?

A-Absolutely! I'll pay you whatever you want!

Nice lookin' place you got here.

You the owner? If you wanna live, hand over your all cash.

Where are your manners? You can clearly see I was here first.

That so? Hey, aren't you the new recruit? Listen, newbie, that ain't how it works. We'll split the loot fifty- fift...

Oh, shut it.

You there, storekeeper. This shop is under my protection. Understood?

Y-Yes...

Protection?

Huh?

Yeah, you got me there.

*sigh* Reckless fools.

No warmup round, huh? Not that I need it.

They were all bark, no bite.

Hmph.

Hey! Get away from me!

You're not exactly being subtle, are you?

Trust me, lady. This'll go a lot easier for you if you just do as they say.

No! These jewels are a family heirloom! I'd sooner die than hand them over!

Eeek!

Wait.

I'm just saying. Look at her. She's a noblewoman.

Tsk. Think it through, you idiots. If you start attacking nobility, the Imperials will find out. You get Caracal in trouble, and Hermilda will make you pay for it with your lives.

I'd keep away from the lower levels for now if I were you.

Th-Thank you. Um...

What're you hanging around for? Scram already.

R-Right...

Don't look at me like that.

You don't like your new accessory? I'll take it off later, just keep still for now.

Quite the haul, Minalca. Yes, this will certainly do for now. I see you haven't lost your touch, even after all that time as the Empire's lap dog.

Hmph.

I see your stint in the Empire didn't make you any more agreeable, either. Now, I'd like a word with you. You got a minute?

Ah, is it finally time for our fight to the death?

Now, now. Don't be so hasty, Minalca. I just want to talk, that's all. But not here. You see the big tree over there?

The Tree of Time?

My, what a grandiose name. Why don't we talk there? Lead the way, will you?

......

The whole town's in chaos! I have to find her before it's too late.

Something must have happened.

Excuse me, ma'am? Is something wrong?

I...I was just attacked by thieves!

That's terrible! Are you okay? Did they take anything?

No, they didn't take anything. A woman from their group stopped them.

A woman? What woman?

Well, she was human... Oh, and she carried this huge sword with her. There was something...different about her. She wasn't like the rest of her gang.

Do you happen to know where she went?

Yes, she headed toward the Tree of Time.

The Tree of Time? Got it. Thanks for your help!

You must be able to see the whole world from up in this tree.

Yeah, it's something of a symbol to this world. They say it creates new time.

New time, huh?

Heheh. How fitting for the beginning of our new Empire.

New Empire? What are you talking about?

Listen carefully, Minalca. I am going to burn this tree down and build our Caracal base in its place.

WHAT?

We destroy the tree and the old town, then use the site as our bridgehead to advance into the mek world. Once we conquer the major cities of Omegapolis and Lashval, all of Metallanica will be under our thumbs. And then, we take the whole damn Chronos Empire.

You brought me all the way out here to make me listen to this garbage? You're delusional. Lording over your slums has clearly made you conceited, Hermilda. And I want no part in your stupid fantasies.

I'm being deadly serious, Minalca. And I want you to head our front line.

You do whatever you want, but I'm not putting my neck on the line for you. The minute you draw any attention to yourself, the Imperial Army will come storming down on you. And I'm on the run as it is. I'm not doing anything to draw any extra attention from the Imperials.

Yeah, but you forget one thing: we have money. And soldiers never turn down free money.

I'll prove it to you.

They're...

I've never seen these guys before. They're probably patrol soldiers from someplace else. Lemme show you how easy it is to win them over.

It won't work.

Always a ray of sunshine, Minalca.

(Uh oh...)

Interesting. I never realized Minalca had such upstanding men under her command.

Oh, I know her all right. She's a mad dog, hungering after the scent of blood and bone. But it would seem she lost her fangs while living in the confines of the Imperial Army.

(You fools! You're gonna get yourselves killed!)

Okay, that's enough.

Why are you so surprised? I thought I told you, I'm from the slums. You and me, we come from very different worlds. You got that? Good. Now get out of my sight.

Oh, I don't think so.

......{lang-nuance}prev:Oh, I don't think so.{/lang-nuance}

The thing is, they won't accept my money.

And?

And I am greatly insulted. Do you know what I do to people who insult me?

Wha!

These men were dispatched by the Imperial Army. If you kill them, you'll bring the whole army down on us!

Only if they find the bodies. Not if they simply go missing in action.

I'll leave this in your capable hands, Minalca. I assume you have no issue killing your former subordinates?

......

A lie? Yes, this world is full of lies. Like, how you say that I taught you how to be soldiers, when I did nothing of the sort. You only saw what you wanted to see in me. You idolized an invention. A fantasy.

But reality ain't so pretty, huh? Not when your esteemed Minalca is about to cut you to pieces.

And what would you know what is or isn't like me? You fancy elites, brought up drinking only clean water. You could never understand me. You'd never get what it's like... Forced to survive only on the muddy water that pools at the bottom of this filthy world.

Exactly. It was a dog-eat-dog world down there.

Kill them.

What do you think you're doing?

You idiot. I am not your dog, and you are not my owner. I don't take orders from anyone. You're the one who's gonna die here, Hermilda, not them.

Pfft. You'll have to do better than that. I could take on the three of you in my sleep.

Shame.

Wha?! {lang-nuance}prev:Shame.{/lang-nuance}

I told you, this is going to be my base. And a base obviously requires soldiers.

What's the matter, Minalca? When did you turn into such a coward?

You killed them... Why...

*sigh* Forget it. You've gone from mad dog to sad puppy. Kill them and bury all three of them. Then burn down this stupid tree.

......{lang-nuance}prev:Heheh. No escape now.{/lang-nuance}

Minalca!

Um, Minalca? What are you wearing?

What's wrong with it? I'm not in the army now, so I can wear what I like. Anyway, what are you doing here?

The mek lady you saved told me you'd be here. Your kindness led me here.

My...kindness? So naive.

Huh?

You, them, everyone!

That's what makes you such easy pickings for scum like us.

So get out of here. Now.

Minalca? Why are you...

I said NOW!

Shut it, you three.

Ugh, can you PLEASE stop yelling? My poor ears can only stand so much. Now go on, make my day. If you really think you can beat me, come prove it.

That just leaves you.

Say your prayers.

Minalca, wait!

Stay out of this, Aldo! I'm gonna wipe these scum off the face of the earth!

Your men are still alive!

What?

He's still conscious? Then his wound must not be too deep. Tetra! Here, girl!

Thank goodness. It looks like he's going to be okay!

If you report this, this place will be swarming with Imperial soldiers in a matter of minutes. So before you do that, let me find Hermilda and crush the life out of her.

After her!

You're going?

Well, you said I could have my fill of violence. And I've had my fill.

Classic Minalca. Always coming and going as you please.

Just so we're clear, I never wanted any part in your little gangster games.

I just figured it'd be easier to kill you if I was by your side. Keep your enemies close, you know?

Then why don't you stay with me longer?

You were the first person to ever fight me and live to tell the tale. If you stayed in my organization, just think how grand our final showdown could be.

Pass. I'm done with crowds. Besides, being in the army won't stop me from killing you. I'd be sleeping with one eye open if I were you.

You said you were being dispatched to the mek world, right? Maybe we can meet up sometime? You can buy me a drink.

Hmph.

You seem awfully relaxed.

Your henchmen are dead. You're on your own now.

I thought there'd be more blood. Clearly you went easy on them.

That all you have to say before you die?

You've changed, Minalca.

That so?

When we first met in the slums, you lived to fight and fought to live. You acted only on those instincts. You never went easy on anyone. A firecracker of a stray dog, so lost and alone. I liked that about you. You were so easy to handle. But now? You've gone soft. You're a shadow of your former self.

It's you who's changed, Hermilda. You always treated your gang like a family. You were cautious. You never allowed unnecessary violence. I hated that about you. But it's also why I joined.

But now, all your order is gone, from you and your gang. All that's left is chaos. And mad dog or not, soldier or not, I knew I had to be the one to tear you down. That's the only reason I accepted your offer.

Tearing you to shreds is the best way to pay homage to our friendship.

I see. That is a shame indeed.

Always so reliant on others. What ever happened to your Caracal pride?

I threw it in the trash heap back in the slums, that's what. I will kill you and set this tree on fire as soon as our Imperial pursuers arrive. My organization and I will not end here. We will survive, and we will thrive.

Not happening, scumbag.

Enough talk. Time to fight.

You keep out of this, okay, Aldo? Hermilda's mine, you got that?

You know I can't do that. I'll do whatever needs to be done to make sure neither you nor the meks get hurt.

You really are the most obstinately naive man imaginable, Aldo.

I wonder, if it had been you or Yuki I'd met back then, and not Hermilda...

Huh? Did you say something?

Tsk. Nothing. Let's end this. I'm sick of her getting her slum stench all over Yuki and Cogito's resting place.

Right!

Do it already. You know the rules of our world. The weak must die.

Minalca...

Meh.

I'm not interested in killing some clown crawling around in the sludge. You're a far cry from the boss of the great family I so longed to kill. You're pathetic.

You really have changed. Perhaps I was the caged dog after all, not you.

There they are! Hurry!

Pfft. I have Tetra; I'm fine. So what now? Is that the Imperial Army over there? You gonna hand me over to them?

How very sneaky. I didn't know you had it in you.

Ah, this is what happens when the elite drink of the slum water, huh?

They idolize you, Minalca.

Don't be stupid. I'm just a stray dog. You saw me before. All I'm good for is letting anger get the better of me.

You see? Deep down, you're kind.

KIND? How on earth did you interpret that from anything I just said?

You get angry for other people's sakes. That's a form of kindness. That's why your men look up to you. And that's why I want to do everything I can to assist you.

Tsk.

Ugh, what is it? Why're you, Ah, you want me to remove that? Hold on...

Why're you running away? You don't need it anymore.

Maybe she likes it?

That's absurd! There's no reason to dress that way all the time. Now hurry up and...

Hey! Come back here!

(Even if the world is a big pile of garbage, maybe it's not so bad...) (Right, Yuki?)