Vol. 1 Ch. 2 Ep. 13: What Slipped Through the Cracks

To the Abydos Foreclosure Task Force,

Forgive me for doing this with a letter. It felt more old-fashioned this way, which suits me perfectly.

There's something I've been keeping from you.

A recruiter has been coming after me for a while now.

Become a Kaiser PMC mercenary for life in exchange for Abydos' debt being paid off. That's the long and short of the terms.

Heh. Not too bad a deal, eh? They must value the skills of a wily old veteran like me.

I'll take care of the debt somehow. Maybe not all of it, but I should be able to lighten the burden on you all.

I know I talked a big game at the Black Market. I'm sorry I couldn't keep my word.

This is it, right?

Yes. We have your signature on the contract, Miss Hoshino.

All of your rights as a student have been transferred to us.

With this, most of Abydos' debt is now considered settled.

So, with this...the Foreclosure Task Force will be fine.

I'll have to leave Abydos and Kivotos altogether, but it doesn't matter.

This is what I get for being a stubborn old mule.

But this...all of this...is my responsibility to bear.

...as the final member of Abydos' last Student Council.

So this is where it ends.

Dear Sensei,

To be honest, I've never liked adults. I didn't think they could be trusted.

Ever since I heard about Shiroko having to carry you on her back, I couldn't help but think, "Damn. They must be useless." Heh. Am I wrong?

But in the end, you turned out to be... Well, you know. Besides, some things are better left unsaid, aren't they?

Sensei.

I know it's selfish of me, but I have one last request. Shiroko's a good kid at heart, but without someone to keep her grounded, she'll run wherever the wind takes her.

Make sure she doesn't lose her way.

Please, look after her.

Come on. Get in the car.

Where are we headed?

The Abydos Desert.

To all of you,

Please look after our school.

It's just a desert now, but this is the only place left that has any meaning for me.

Also, if we ever end up facing each other as enemies...

...don't hesitate to destroy my halo.

Please.

HOSHINO!

Wh-What the-?! After all that talk, now you're the one making excuses?! Saying there was no other choice?!

You really think I can just accept this?!

Where is Hoshino? We have to go after her, now.

If I have to go alone, so be it. If helping her means burdening the Task Force, then I...

Everyone, be quiet! Now's not the time to fight amongst ourselves.

Wh-Wha...?!

What was that?! It sounded like an explosion!

T-Too close... This is...

...

What the...?!

Advance.

Advance.

A-Aaah!

Run!

An eviction order has been issued to this district.

Hahaha.

At last, at long last, the final condition has been met.

The last of the Student Council has dropped out, which means Abydos is no more!

All that's left is for Kaiser to annex the district!

Capture Abydos High School!

H-Hundreds of PMC troops are approaching!

What's happening?! Why is Kaiser attacking us?! I don't understand...

W-We have to stop them!! Whatever this means, we can't just stand by and watch them attack Abydos...!

You're right. There's no time to think. We have to act, now!

B-But there are too many of them! We can't take on this kind of force alone!

On top of that, they're attacking anything and everything. We should focus on evacuating whoever is left in the city!

A battle this big... How did it end up like this...? Why is this happening again...?

Foreclosure Task Force spotted! This way!

Guh?!

Enemy scout. They're already here.

Multiple Kaiser PMC scouts approaching Abydos! They've already breached the campus!

We need to take out the ones inside first! Ayane, I'm counting on you!

Got it! We'll engage the enemies infiltrating the school. Keeping Sensei safe is our top priority!

Once the academy is secure, we'll begin civilian evacuations!