WD-5 Reefsteep's Land

You want to come with...?

You should know that you are just another suspicious character to us.

Have you inspected your teammates yet?

Heavyrain?

Everything's normal there...

But I don't trust you.

Yes, very well said. Of course I am not to be trusted.

What exactly is your objective?

My objective... is to find out what my objective actually is.

What the actual—

Did you know that the last Lord Ameer of Ibut died in a fire?

That was a few years ago... The current Lord Ameer is his son, and that whole thing caused quite a ruckus in Ibut.

I had to find myself a new fairy godmother right away thanks to that fire. Took me months to get used to the work there. Huge pain in the butt.

Right, exactly. He was my very last prey.

I did all the preparations and laid out my trap, but there's no more prey to hunt. I have nothing to do except to lounge around.

—

—Y-You killed a Lord Ameer?

The Sargon army will find you—

—Wait, hold on, what do you even want, telling us about this?

Ah, I shouldn't have expected any less from one who frequents the black markets. That's right, there is no one who knows I have to do with his death aside from you and me.

As for the Sargon army... We live in different times now. The ruling Padishahs simply care not about what is happening here in this barren wasteland.

My guess is that it matters not to them whether it's the father or the son that's in charge. Actually, to tell the truth, it hardly matters to me either.

I sought his death and nothing else. It was a rather simple request.

What are you after anyway?

Revenge.

I'm afraid it's a rather boring answer, so I don't like to share it. If I have to venture a guess, more than half of the men in this world would like to take revenge against something, be it their enemies, a city, or even the world itself.

For the past twenty years, that is all I have been doing.

My power, my status, my riches... All of them come second, and should the need arise, I will cast them all aside.

Or perhaps I could give them to this 'Rhodes Island.'

It's quite the bargain, wouldn't you agree?

......

Hoh, looks like you are still not convinced, young lady. You are quite cautious. I suppose you were a soldier? From Sargon, perhaps?

—None of your business.

What about you, young 'Bridge?' Or should I call you by the name you go by now, 'Sesa?'

......

Sesa, we can't trust him.

You're hiding something pretty important, aren't you now?

Hmm?

Oh... Yes. Right, how forgetful of me...

You claim to be a medical corporation that treats the Infected... Very well, it's a fairly tall tale, but I will accept it for the moment.

I am an Infected.

My fortunes are no less impressive than the Lord Ameers' riches, and I am well-connected and hold some sway, enough for me to bring a Lord Ameer to his downfall.

I will trade all of it for a chance to be cured. What do you say?

—You're mad.

I find myself thinking the same quite often.

But there is not a single person who walks these lands and wishes not to live. Is it not reasonable of me to want to cast all this aside just for a chance to be cured?

Nah, I don't think that's what Heavyrain's trying to say.

You don't even seem to care that you're Infected...

What is it that you want at Rhodes Island?

......

Very well. There isn't much time left, so let us stop beating around the bush.

I'm looking for 'Kal'tsit.'

Perhaps she will impart on me some invaluable advice, perhaps she will show me a new way forward... Yet it's even more likely that she won't lift a finger, merely passing the decision back to me.

That too is fine.

Once I eliminate every last person involved in that incident years ago, there will be nothing more tying me to this place. I am beyond anxious to leave this forsaken land behind.

I need a fresh start.

And who could blame me for seizing the opportunity if the shadows of the past so happen to be standing right there?

What's your relationship with Dr. Kal'tsit?

Hmm... It's a long story.

I owe her my life. I'm very thankful to her. This I say from the bottom of my heart.

The decision isn't ours to make...

Three years ago... the Lord Ameer of Ibut perished in a fire during his travels. The fire consumed an entire town, and, soon after, his son set off a rebellion, vying for the throne against his many other contenders.

That's your doing, eh?

Precisely, just as I said.

Why?

All trivial matters of a bygone era. The family had a tragic, rocky relationship to start. I only played a very minor role.

Why do you want to know?

I'm looking for clues... Thanks to you, I gotta call it quits with my investigation in the Ibut region.

Ah... clues.

Perhaps this is an opportunity for me to earn your trust. Tell me what it is you are looking for. Perhaps I will be of assistance.

I'm looking for someone. The director of a Columbian military experiment.

You are investigating a Columbian company. May I ask why?

Because the person I respected the most died in the most laughable accident ever...

And what if it was actually an accident?

Even if it was just an accident... I gotta know the truth. I mean, this couldn't have been the reason those guys rose through the ranks on top of my brother's death.

Sesa...

I know. It's my own personal issue... but this chance doesn't come often. Don't you agree, 'Sand Soldier'?

Heh... Ahem, pardon me.

Where was I?

Everyone needs a revenge of some kind. Targets can be big or small, and grudges can run deep or shallow, but revenge is an eternal motif to every living person out there.

If you permit me to undergo treatment at Rhodes Island, I can investigate this matter for you. Of course, the deals we talked about still stand.

Even if you have ten times the cargo sitting outside, I have a way to take care of it all. There will be no trace left of it, and you will find the price very attractive. It's a bargain for a pharmaceutical company.

Sesa... Sorry, but we can't let your personal problems be somebody else's bargaining chip.

Of course I know that... but I...

Right... I almost forgot. It seems I've been rather forgetful of late.

I never thought much of Old Isin's prophecy to begin with. However, thinking back, perhaps the prophecy was itself a means of negotiation and communication.

Hmph, prophecy... Mere mortals will never find themselves on equal footing with time itself. Originium Arts may have many convenient uses, but that is one thing you can never achieve with Arts.

A prophecy...?

Alas, Old Isin passed away long ago. I only hope that she remembers this promise.

Did she perhaps... give you a gold coin?

An old Sargon gold coin.

......!

Heavyrain, Sesa, we got a situation here.

......

Calm down. What's up?

There are some sketchy-looking teams approaching the town.

Let me remind you that they are not friendly.

Ugh, they're closing in quick. We can still get out of here without a fight if we make a run for it now. Take our time and we won't be so lucky.

Fifteen minutes. That's all we have. Captain, Lieutenant, hurry.

—Your buddies?

Of course not. I am a lone wolf with no one to turn to. Unlike machines, humans cannot be trusted.

That being said, they are most likely here for me.

—Dammit! This is part of your plan, isn't it?

You can help me escape, or we can fend off these unyielding assassins together.

What do you say?

......

W-What should we do?

The ball is in your court.

Tch, son of a—

—Last question, then! Why did you burn down that town? If you were after the Lord Ameer, you had no reason to drag all those people into that mess.

You even gave the townspeople the time to evacuate. Did you just want to ruin the town? Redhorn was miles away from your turf. What were you after exactly?

Is my objective really so important?

—I'm making sure you're not a warmonger, or downright nuts.

Hmm, you have a point, but I am afraid you wouldn't understand. All I burned down was my past.

Is that your revenge?

No...

It was a long overdue cremation, nothing more.

Are... Are we there yet? How far away is it?

If you're tired, we can stop here.

......

Drop the tough act.

It has been 7 hours and 14 minutes since our transport was wrecked in the ambush. Considering your physique and age, you've held up pretty well.

No need...

Let's... keep going. We need to get out of here as soon as we can...

Where are we...?

The nearest town to where we are heading. More accurately, it's a settlement formed of several towns that had been drifting in the desert with their hauling equipment.

At the same time, this place covers a large swath of Sargon's no man's land, more than anywhere else. This is the way out for illegal immigrants, bounty hunters, and Messengers.

Why aren't we going to Minos?

I'm... I'm still not sure I can trust you any more than those mercenaries... What makes you different?

The difference is that you are alive.

You already have our next steps figured out, don't you...? What are we doing now?

We'll look for someone trustworthy to take us out of Ibut. Not legally, of course.

Where are we going after that? Leithanien? Bolívar?

Before I give you an answer, you must understand that, whatever your choice, it doesn't change the fact you are running away from your problems.

You have no way to survive, nowhere to go, and nowhere to run.

Are you prepared to accept the fact that your old life has already shattered to pieces? Do you understand it? Are you sure you are not just in a daze from this sudden turn of events?

Stop acting so high and mighty...

If anger gives you a clearer head.

I will be going further north. Far away enough for you to leave everything in Columbia and Sargon behind.

I have to say. You've done very well.

Are you mocking me...?

Much of what you do is rife with immaturity, and you let your emotions get the better of you. If you were a little older, I would indeed make a mockery of you.

Let's go. We need to find someone to introduce us to the black market here.

Where do we find someone like that?

I don't know yet...

Hmph, so there's stuff you don't know?

I won't deny it, but we'll find them very soon.

If you understand what 'The Land of Reefsteep' means and stands for, you won't have any trouble finding their survivors in the crowds and markets here. They will always help their fellow countrymen. All we have to do is make them believe that's who we are.

Uh... What's that you're holding... Sargon coins?

What can you even do with a few coins...?

You'll know soon enough.

......

(Sargonian) Get lost, Columbian...!

Huh? Enem—?!

(Hiss)

Arghhh—Ahhhh—Monster! Where did it come from—?!

(Thrusts)

Gah... Dammit... Why...?! I can't hurt it...!

What's going on?! Ahhh—A monster! A monster's here to kill us!

That's a huge crowd... Hey, what's going on? Who's this guy?

A bounty hunter from Vouivre... Looks like they're expanding their search area.

Quick. Follow me.

Uh, wait—

We came all the way here, but anyone walking down the street could still be a hitman. What's the point of coming—

That's exactly why you need to pick up the pace.

What I'm saying is you haven't solved anything, Adviser Kal'tsit!

......

These outfits make us stand out, don't they...?

(Sargonian) This is just a can of vegetables. Why is it so expensive?

(Sargonian) Our rugs are famous far and wide—Something wrong with our quality? Impossible!

(Sargonian) Genuine top-grade earthenware jugs once used by the Lord Ameer—Sixty? Down from sixty thousand? Whatever, sold!

There's a lot of people here... Is this where the market is?

...? Why'd you stop—Mm?

Being superstitious this time...?

Ah... How rare... It has been a long time since an outsider paid Old Isin a visit.

Do you wish to take a peek at what destiny has laid out before you, or perhaps you are searching for a particular piece of gravel in this sandstorm?

Am I correct to assume you are responsible for the ruckus earlier?

Old Isin can tell, dear traveler. You are in a hurry, and trouble follows in your footsteps... Old Isin simply hopes this won't lead to any more trouble for Sargon...

You are not from Sargon, no, but you carry a great burden...

What is he mumbling to himself about...? Let's not waste any more time on him, Kal'tsit. They'll catch up!

(Sargonian) You fraud! What are you still doing here?! Scram!

(Sargonian) You're mucking up our turf! Enough with your tricks! No one here's going to fall for that!

(Sargonian) Oh, right, of course. Don't be so violent now... Old Isin will leave. Old Isin is leaving.

(Sargonian) Is your master doing well? Has she taken Old Isin's advice and pulled out of that deal yet? It will mean nothing but trouble for her.

(Sargonian) My master? The chief would never listen to you jabbering types in the first place. If any lunatic in town could just waltz in and tell us how to do business, we might as well set up a suggestion box!

(Sargonian) Enough chit-chat! Get out of here!

Hmm!

......

Are you okay...?

Agh... It hurts... Please, don't worry. Old Isin's gotten used to it long ago...

Old Isin cannot save them. Old Isin cannot get them to come around... Old Isin can do nothing but watch as they draw ever closer to their destruction day after day.

Please accept Old Isin's apologies, but as you can see, Old Isin is being thrown out of this place. If there is anywhere willing to take in poor Old Isin, that's where Old Isin will go.

(Sargonian) Wait.

(Sargonian) Old Isin mustn't... Old Isin mustn't...

(Sargonian) Stay out of this. If he doesn't leave, it's gonna be on our heads. Just let him go!

(Sargonian) She's right. Her master calls the shots here, and she mustn't be trifled with. Let Old Isin leave, kind traveler. Let Old Isin return to his ice-cold home.

Why are we wasting our time here on this old conman again?

At least you can tell he's old.

What do you mean...?

But you can't imagine how old he is.

The sun has set long ago, traveler. You are in a hurry, and there are dangers abound. Why waste your time here with Old Isin?

(Sargonian) As time goes by, even the greatest Padishah will one day be lost to the sands. His achievements will at that point crumble, and his subjects will scatter across the lands.

(Sargonian) From the way you are dressed, you don't seem to be Sargonian. Is this perhaps the beginning to a narrative poem? Old Isin is far too old. Old Isin has long forgotten the appeal of poetry.

(Sargonian) But his servants remain ever dedicated to their duties. They guard the unpopulated desert until a new civilization is ready to stand atop its sands, until the time a new Padishah arrives with the will of Sargon to rebuild those lands.

(Sargonian) Ah, similar stories happen in all countries in the world time and again.

Catastrophes, diseases, war... There are a great many ways a city can meet its end... and to find itself conquered by a new, spirited ruler, thereby repeating the cycle once again.

(What are they saying... Is this how Sargonian sounds?)

(Sargonian) 150 years ago, before these golden sands were named Ibut, there stood a magnificent city here. Do you remember anything of it?

(Sargonian) Of course... Old Isin remembers. The city that disappeared in those great winds.

(Sargonian) The Padishah at the time gave these lands brimming with sand a name that might seem unfitting for a place in Sargon.

......

...Reefsteep...

(Sargonian) The only thing that remains of it is its name, passed down from one generation to the next, with none of them ever laying their eyes on its lush oases.

(Sargonian) Are you its gatekeeper, then?

......

Is there anything Old Isin can do for you?

We want to escape Sargon, leaving no tracks.

Ah... Old Isin understands. Whose attention are you trying to avoid?

Not even Padishah can know of our whereabouts.

Who are you?

Please call me Kal'tsit.

Kal'tsit... Lady Kal'tsit... As Old Isin gazed upon the sunrise this morning, Old Isin slipped back into my dreams in a trance. In Old Isin's dreams, Old Isin was told there would be a visitor who would revel in these secrets of antiquity with us.

You came early. The price is a single gold coin, my fair lady.

You deserve it.

(Just that much...?)

No, no... Not yet. Please hold on to it, my lady.

This is a price that you will pay—22 years later. Remember this promise well, for it is worth far more than this gold coin.

(Sargonian) You have lived in Sargon in its current form for the past hundred years. I suppose... not a single moment has gone by where you didn't look back and reminisce your homeland.

(Sargonian) You are correct, my lady, but today is different.

(Stranger Sargonian) You opened the door for us.