CB-10 1:11A.M.

Grandpa Rat~!

Why are you out here all alone, little one? And your face is filthy. Were you crawling through air ducts again?

Hehe, Uncle Ho gave this to me, Grandpa Rat! Uncle Ho said I'm small and I run fast, and if I got this to you quick enough he'd give me a yogurt. You have to tell him I did it!

Don't worry, Grandpa will tell him. Now you run along.

Thanks, Grandpa! Bye byee~!

......

Something wrong, Uncle?

Do you recall those Siracusans who came looking for us some time ago? The rest of their 'Family' has since come to Lungmen.

Should I contact our spy?

No need for that. Let us bide our time. They will come to us on their own.

What for?

To survive in Lungmen.

But it's not like they need anyone's permission for that. They might as well take a meeting with a Catastrophe.

If Catastrophes could speak, maybe we wouldn't need to fight each other.

...it's just like you said, Mr. Rat King.

It's Lungmen. Lungmen's got its own rules Wei Yenwu agreed to a decade ago. We ain't about to go breakin' 'em.

But you're the executive. That's why we're here to pay our respects.

...You want to wipe out Penguin Logistics, and take their place.

Exactly.

You don't know much about them, Sicilians. This deal would not be of benefit to you.

Hmph.

(Gambino!)

Are you tryin' to tell us we can't win? Mr. 'Rat King'?

Winning and losing are words that have no place in a business discussion. No wonder you had to flee Siracusa. You are no match for that woman.

You insult the Family?

Quiet, Gambino! We're after Penguin Logistics here...

You need only follow the rules. I am not here to protect Penguin Logistics.

What do you mean?

Penguin Logistics is on its face a legal entity. The only thing that can protect it is the ironclad law of Lungmen.

But they do, from time to time, cause offense to various stakeholders. And they never take it appropriately seriously.

But bear in mind, Sicilians, you must never overstep your bounds.

An unconventional order is not the same as disorder. Siracusans should understand this more than anyone. But you must never again bring trouble to these old bones of mine. Promise me that.

...I understand.

There are so many more stars in Lungmen this time of year. So many more than you'd think.

The tea on the table has gone cold, hasn't it?

This is Uncle's... Hey, we're on the clock.

I'm not deaf. I'm on it. Once I'm done let's go get tea.

Looks like it's our turn.

We paid our respects, put down our crossbows, and made sure not to hurt any civilians.

...all nice and proper-like under the new rules.

So we're surrounded? Six or so deep on all sides?

Oh, like a roll cake?

The Rat King is the boss of the slums. Of course his claws and teeth are everywhere.

Why didn't you say so earlier?

I thought he was just an urban legend. And I never imagined he'd actually be a rat. Who would take a nickname like that?

With all them people around, it's too hard to tell who's after us and who's a passerby!

We don't have a lot of room to act here.

What do we do?

You're always asking what to do. Don't you ever think for yourself?

......

Here they come.

Here you are. I think you can make out the situation from up here.

Your friends are locked in a life or death struggle. Aren't you going to help them?

From what I've heard of you, I never thought you'd be so heavy handed.

I don't share every last thought of mine with the young people.

Sure enough. I always forget what kind of person you are.

Many have forgotten as much. And they all ended up six feet deep in an unmarked grave. You're already among the luckiest.

You killed the boss. You think that'll just blow over?

Heh heh. It's all very clear to me.

The owner of Penguin Logistics has always acted so prideful, as if above everyone else. But Lungmen is changing. She cannot allow this to continue.

They needed to be taught a lesson. And a very harsh one at that.

There's always a comeuppance when you bite the hand that feeds.

You've done so much with the help of Penguin Logistics...

Wait, were you planning this from the very beginning?

Who knows?

Couldn't be. Your whole act is way too good. Or, at least it's better than mine.

Heh heh... you really are impressively clever.

The flames react to your will. Will you put me in the ground tonight?

How could I?

I respect my elders, and care for the young.

Mostima!

Woah, Exusiai! We're the ones who are surrounded. Don't break formation!

Hold on! I'm coming!

They're all mixed in with the normal folk. This ain't no way to fight!

What is going on...?

Bison, don't just sit there like a bump on a log. Yer in my way! Move it!

They're all... it's all... how can I...?

...I can't.

All right. If that's how it has to be, we'll do it their way.

Can you hear me?

A message? For who?

Careful.

Focus, Sora.

O- okay!

You're here, aren't you? You always have been.

Young Master... I...

I don't blame you. I'm sure it was all my father's machinations. But right here, right now, I need you to help me.

...Of course. Give me your instructions, Young Master.

You really think this is a time for instructions?

Just send them flying.

To hear such an order from the mouth of the Young Master...

Allow me to advocate for the Master of the House and ask: why?

Who gives a shit why? Out of my way, Croissant!

Huh?

Ooh...

Haaagh!

He- he knocked 'em into the air?! That ain't how I do things!

Hm... the Master of the House should be pleased with this result. But should the Young Master continue in this way... I worry he may find himself corrupted by Penguin Logistics.

No... I mustn't obstruct the Young Master any further. If this is the course he believes is correct, then so be it.

You little punk! I'll put you in the ground!

——

He dodged?!

Yowch! Something knocked my club away!

Careful, they got a sniper!

Outta my way!

...the intensity is under control, but you haven't moved a single step. Isn't that a little unreasonable?

When one stands unmoving, that does not mean one is relaxed.

Is there anything in Lungmen that can defeat you?

Yes. 'Lungmen' can.

Ooh, what a crafty answer.

I go to the park to exercise, every morning, without fail. It's important to stay active as I get older.

And are these morning exercises effective?

You have to add in a bit of life experience.

How are the two Siracusans?

How are they indeed.

...I really wonder how many of these invisible problems you quietly solve each and every day.

How many times have you tricked these people into massacring each other rather than let them dip their toes into Lungmen?

I don't recall. All I can tell you is that regardless of how many corpses piled up in the sewers, there are always far more people who strive to survive.

Mostima! I'm here to——

That's far enough. You guys, go help the Dai Lo.

Right!

You won't get away with this.

A sniper? The princeling's bodyguard?

Outta my way!

You're just a regular Messenger. You don't belong here.

Messenger? That's right, I'm a Messenger. But the ladies behind me and in front of me, making all that noise? They're Messengers too.

You're not like Texas and the others. You should leave this battle. Get yourself home safe.

...you done?

Nng——! You have some fight in you!

Just do it!

Right!

We're just... going to watch?

We're just going to watch. But I have no idea what's happening.

At least they're not hurting any civilians?

And there's so much good food going to waste...

I hate to see it too. But I guess a street fight is just part of the party.

It was planned?

Doesn't look like it. Oh, someone's coming.

Hm?

Agh...! I think... I hit the wrong person...

Isn't it kind of unsafe to stay here?

I could go back to the office, but what would I even do there?

Don't you have a test tomorrow? In the afternoon?

......

......Crap.

Those two seem as if they are uninvolved in this event.

We should ask them to leave. We would not want them to get hurt.

...Hold on, isn't that man up there with his belly cut open the Emperor of Penguin Logistics?

He's dead. And you seem not at all bothered?

Bothered? Why?

Mr. Emperor gets himself into such trouble several times a month. We have grown accustomed to this behavior.

His death?

Correct.

...Sounds like Mostima really shouldn't be getting close to you people.

You worry about her?

I'm just here to make sure she doesn't do anything out of line.

But, hm, it's a really clumsy act. Since she looks so relaxed over there, I guess there isn't anything worth worrying about.

I'm going for a walk. Don't tell her I came. I'll go see her myself when things quiet down.

...There she goes.

She shows up, asks her questions, and leaves just as suddenly as she appears.

Is this the way they do things in Laterano now?

...Heh. I suddenly find myself envious of you young people.

You always choose your own paths, thinking only of yourselves. You don't consider your places in the grand scheme of things.

I also work hard.

But no one has ever been able to get to the bottom of you.

If you ever really did, that would be the most frustrating of all.

Indeed. There are some things that should not be so thoroughly investigated. Especially those things that have to do with Mostima the Messenger.

What is this? Occupational discrimination?

I'm only speaking from experience.

Let's take a break for a moment now.

Huh.

My Arts are suppressed...?

So you were the one holding back your strength all this time?

As were you.

But you have wasted enough time.

This little punk, how can he keep fighting...? Grr...

*Pant pant* I can... keep going... all night...

Yep. You're doing great.

Good thing you were able to deal with so many bad guys so quickly.

Hey. We won't let you disappear on your own this time.

So this guy's the evil mastermind pulling the strings here? I definitely owe him a personal beating!

We got ourselves one helluva workout today. And the bill's gettin' mighty long too.

Texas, I'm thinkin' there's a lot we ain't gonna get to expense here tonight...

Don't ask me. That's a question for the boss.

But the boss is dead...

...Then it'll have to wait.

Speaking of, did anybody go deal with the boss's corpse? Leaving him up there to get trampled feels kind of...

There we are. The players are assembled.

...Young people always make their own choices.

Even if it means walking through a Catastrophe, leaving your bodies splattered and broken, you still proceed with such determination.

What is he talking about?

Just a grandpa's muttering. Don't worry about it.

Right then. Are you enjoying your Sauin?

S'all right. Kinda like a hangover. No way I can think about what I gotta do tomorrow.

So... nobody's going to take care of the boss?

...Penguin Logistics, you truly are unfathomable.

I think we don't need to worry about that, considering.

It's Penguin Logistics. The whole reason for this war was someone questioning the boss's tastes.

I'm sorry, what?

He gave his life to preserve his style. That's our Emperor.

But I must say, not one of you ever surprised me in the slightest.

Mmmff! What's this sand?!

He still has the strength?

Yes... everybody focus. This fight is going to be different.

If you let your guard down for even a split second,

You'll die.

Sauin must be a lively event!

Let me see with my own eyes the freaks that Emperor raised.

——

My blade broke the moment it touched the sand... that's a problem.

Mmm. In all my years, those bold enough to approach me with blade or bullet were few and far between.

I'll give him one of these!

Oof, no good! Croissant, you're up!

My hammer's already stuck in the quicksand! I can't move!

Hopeless. Is this all you have, Penguin Logistics?

That's not all.

...Hm?

His sand shield is broken. Now, Exusiai!

It's barrage time!

How many guns do you have? Troublesome angel.

Don't even think about it!

Oh? I've been blocked?

Thanks, Bison!

I'm up! Sorry fer the elder abuse!

Aagh! Couldn't get him! Texas, yer up!

Wishful thinking.

I got this, Texas!

Hmm, a voice-based Originium Art. What an interesting little girl.

How's your spatial awareness?

...Hm.

......

He even dodged from that angle...

At least you made him move. When he takes us on just standing in one place, I feel like he's looking down on us.

...Oh, Penguin Logistics.

That coat was a gift from my daughter.

In all these years, you are the first to even touch it.

How many young people like you are in Lungmen? What are you capable of, actually?

It's enough to just be yourself, isn't it? Or are you upset?

No, I just find myself with some... complex feelings...

But it's getting terribly late now, so it's time I——

Mmng?!

He- he's been shot?

It's that sniper from before. He's still here.

...Target down. Moving to confirm.

What have you done?!

Young Master, he was a threat.

You should never have gone so close to him. He has an affinity for Originium Arts. I could not guarantee your safety.

You must understand, the Young Master's safety is my number one priority.

...What you're saying is... I was bait?

My father knew this would happen, so he sent you to...

Young Master.

......

Young Master, some things are not as they seem. You will come to understand in time. And I promise, the Master of the House had no intention of exploiting you at any time.

And I believe Penguin Logistics will also be expecting an explanation. I must secure the Rat King's remains and confirm that he is deceased.

It's fine. The boss is gone. There's no one to hear you explain.

Thank you for your understanding. Now, Young Master, do take care.

......

Bison, now is not the time to dwell on this.

The Rat King promised us a 'gift', don't forget.

It might be a bomb. That Siracusan guy really liked bombs.

That wouldn't be very clever.

And there are still some enemies to worry about. It looks like they're waiting for us?

The Rat King is gone, and they don't seem to be reacting at all?

Right, no reaction whatsoever. Hm... I think I know what's happening...

Let's split up. Sora, Croissant, Exusiai, we'll take care of the remaining enemies.

Bison and Mostima, you deal with the 'gift.'

It's almost sunrise. We're running out of time.

Damn, where could it be...

You're all flustered. Try not to be so emotional.

I did just find out that I was being kept in the dark about my whole purpose here.

...Mostima, did we actually, maybe meet the Rat King before?

We did.

So you had it all figured out from the beginning?

Ahahaha...

Don't try to wriggle out of this one!

Hm. I couldn't have guessed what he was really up to.

But we really don't have much time. The LGD aren't going to sit on their hands.

As crazy as things have gotten around here, with them jumping in, there's no way we'd work it out.

...Victorian gumdrops, the candy box, maybe that was a clue.

But it's just common sense that using the same kind of trap over again would be really dumb.

Yeah, but, why?

If the Rat King really had everything planned out, then us running into him before couldn't be a coincidence.

He was communicating with us from the start.

It's his trap. Why would he want to give us clues? That doesn't make any sense.

I don't know either, maybe we've been too quick to consider him an enemy...? I just have a feeling.

It's not just a feeling. After we met the Rat King, he kept trying to hint at something... or something.

Mmm... Well, it's better than nothing.

Got it.

This is it..?

Looks like it's about 80cm by 40cm, but in an iron box... Yep, this definitely seems like a big gift box to me?

Could- could you explain?

Nope. I don't get it at all.

Then we better call up Texas, maybe she and the girls can——

There's not enough time. This looks like it's got a timer on it.

So it's a bomb?!

So it's a bomb. Pretty cliche. Both in shape and execution.

Right... Mostima, you get out of here.

And what are you going to do?

Take a chance.

This is a custom shield, and my body is pretty tough too. If I play this wrong, I might still survive.

Are you serious?

Yes.

Then I want to see how this plays out. And don't worry, I might be able to mitigate the damage from the explosion.

It's my job, after all.

I know. *Inhale*

*Exhale* Here I go!

......

......

You decided? That wire's the same color as my hair.

Erm! M- Mostima! Don't joke with me please! I'm almost——

Ah.

It hit zero! Get behind me!!

Okay, okay.

Nnnngg...

Why isn't it hot?

Wait, this is... candy?!

Pay attention to how you land. You don't want to break anything.

What's that sound?

Not sure, but... Woweee! There's people fallin' from the sky?!

Ow ow ow, why is this happening again... Agh! S- sorry!

S'all right. What're you two doin' up there? Playin' trapeze artist?

Yowch! Somethin' just hit me?

...Candy?

It's raining... candy?

Ugh, it's that sickly sweet smell in the air again.

I think it's about time we wrapped this up.

...Right.

Hm? Um? Texas, do you know something we don't know?

No. But I have a pretty solid idea.

Hey!! If you had a lead, you should've told us!

Sauin. It's long over.

...Wanna get dim sum?

So early? Let's go to the roof and watch the sunrise.

You mafia types are funny. Always with the sunrise on the roof...

Gah. This candy's smashed into my head so much I think I got brain damage. It's the signal to stop, and I stopped.

But boy, it's more like we just got beaten on. My whole body's so tender...

They... they all stopped. What's going on? This doesn't feel right.

We're all done, just like that? These fellers love candy so much?

The candy rain stopped.

Yes, so fleeting. If only it would truly rain candy someday.

So there was the candy...

But wait, what about the bomb?

You mean this?

Huh? You took the whole thing apart?

Just a minute.

Mostima?!

Whoops, lost control there for a second. Hope you didn't get burned.

This looks like an ordinary metal box?

...And there's one piece of candy inside. Ew, it melted. It's all sticky...

And this note? Is it from the Rat King...?

What does it say?

'Happy Sauin'...

......

......

.........Huh?