Spring Report

Who goes there?!

I am Mockingbird, the Nebu Alliance's... envoy. I come for peace.

Envoy of the Nebu Alliance? General.

The Nebu Alliance is in the middle of a civil war now. Which tribe do you represent?

I represent myself.

Are you the new leader of the Nebu Alliance?

No.

Then are you the leader of the strongest tribe in Nebu, the Golden Marsh Tribe, or the largest tribe, the Kasi Tribe?

No, I represent only myself.

You say you are an envoy, but you do not represent the Nebu Alliance... Even if you are a liar, you should put some effort into it.

Take her down.

I am no liar. I have the approval of Nile, the former leader of Nebu!

...She is Lord Nile's envoy.

Thank you.

Do you think I'm the sort of person who believes whatever you say?

Take her down.

This fighting style... You should be a veteran of two invasions.

In Nebu, we usually call it the Northern Campaign.

A Nebu envoy representing just herself is bringing around a veteran of two invasions to ask around for peace. Interesting.

I believe that you are not a liar now, but people from Nebu are less welcome here than liars.

I understand. I came prepared.

Good. I'll ask you a few questions next. You can refuse to answer if you choose, but if you don't, our conversation is over.

You are gentler than I expected.

Who sent you to Bifrost?

The former leader Nile told me the way to cool the Nebu civil war, so I took it upon myself to come here bringing that method.

What is the situation in Nebu now?

After the failure of the second Northern Campaign, Nile abdicated, and the Golden Marsh Celestial Wadjet wants to unite Nebu. The other tribes do not want to sit idly by either.

The Golden Marsh Tribe has made enemies everywhere. The Kasi Tribe is fighting back, and the other tribes are fighting on their own. It's basically a mess.

...Speak the truth. Are you a spy I planted in Nebu?

My history is easily looked up. Unfortunately, I am not a spy for Bifrost.

I'm a little confused about what you're trying to do.

Then General, why don't you listen to my request?

You can talk about it.

I hope that Bifrost Industries and the Nebu Alliance can work together to develop the Don River Valley area, for which Nebu can publicly apologize and make reparations for the invasion.

Unlike the Empire, we don't care about the number of believers. We don't want to preach to the valley area, we just want the sacred land. That's all.

Joint development of the Don River Valley, and nothing more?

That's right. The Don River Valley area is the prophesized land of God's descent. It is the sacred land of Nebu.

You should know too that the two invasions the Nebu Alliance started were for the sacred land. It is of great significance to us, but to you it's an undeveloped wasteland.

This is an advantageous deal for Bifrost.

What a grand statement. I'm tempted.

Too bad you won't see such a day.

Watch out!

She exposed herself to kill you, but you avoided a fatal blow because you wanted to save me.

What is your answer?

About your request, I am really tempted, but it is unrealistic so I decline.

Not realistic?

Bifrost doesn't believe in having a faith, if you want to develop the Don River Valley with us.

Then on the day of God's descent, we will definitely prepare to do research, and capture your God to study them.

I have contacted the priests of Nebu. It's impossible for them to accept this sort of ''joint development.''

No, wait, we can still discuss details... Cough!

I... I must...

Huh? Hey! What's wrong?

This... The wound is festering. That spy's weapon has toxins that target Cases.

Soldier, inform the medical department that a patient has been poisoned and needs immediate treatment!

Yes!

General, you may want to have a physical examination as well.

The toxins used in Rasparta may have some residuals in the air. You might have been affected.

Okay. Please help me with the examination.

Yes, General.

How is it, doctor?

The patient was brought in on time, and there is still hope. Treatment must start right away.

The toxin has been cleared, but this patient is too weak.

What do you mean?

Even without being poisoned, this patient won't last long. Prepare for the worst, General.

General, you're here. Let's continue our previous conversation.

Lie back.

You have a lot of old wounds. I had some friends make an identification, and the result surprised me a lot. You fought Wadjet of the Golden Marsh Tribe.

That person inflicted some pretty vicious damage. You're nearing your limit.

I know. Those who lose to Lord Wadjet die in pain and remorse.

I might be taking advantage of your difficulties here, but I'd like to confirm that whatever I say, you won't agree to the proposal I made, right, General?

...Yes.

After I die, can you ask you to send news of my passing back to Nebu, General?

Someone might still be waiting foolishly for me to return.

Sure.

Thank you. You really are a very warm person.

Soldier, go get the Nebu veterans who were protecting Mockingbird when she arrived.

Yes!

No, forget it, better for me to look for them.

If I don't tell them in person, they might not believe me.

You've finished your conversation?

It's over.

I know you rejected that child's request from that look on your face.

If we could cooperate, the campaign, and even the Reconquista when the Calamities started up... All of those wouldn't have started.

Why are you the only one here? Where is the child?

...She's dead.

A Raspartan spy was hidden among my men...

And that spy just happened to be exposed in front of Mockingbird, and it just so happened that the child was caught in the crossfire, right?

I think there is a good expression you people have for this. Do you think we are the kind of people who believe whatever you say?

The Nebu spy came after me. Mockingbird was hurt while trying to protect me.

But that's not why she died. She fought with Wadjet, and you guys as Nebu veterans know what this means better than I do.

Can we see her body?

Sure.

Mockingbird's last wish was to have news of her death sent back to Nebu.

...It really is a wound left by Wadjet. Theres no doubting it.

This child actually endured this pain to come here with us. She has suffered.

Please leave after confirming the authenticity of the message.

Let's go.

This child's mission is complete. Ours isn't.

I didn't steal anything.

Then let us inspect you.

Yeah! Show us everything you took!

There must be something of mine in there!

Ahem.

General.

G-General?!

What happened here?

Nothing, General! Nothing at all!

We'll take our leave.

Halt.

Soldier, stop her.

...

Soldier?

Never mind, I'll do it myself.

Behave.

What in the world is going on?

General... I...

This thug falsely accused me of stealing from her...

General, don't listen to her nonsense. This girl is probably a spy for Eastrise. Everything she says can't be trusted!

Spy? Do you have proof?

The proof is here! This is a photo I took from her.

Who are the people in the photo?

My parents.

They died in the first invasion. This is what I have left of them.

...I was just about to ask her, General.

Enough. I'll get someone to restore the photo first.

The photo has nothing to do with you. That thug did it.

Is that so?

This girl could be an Eastrise spy! I was just being careful.

We can talk about your matter later. Where is the photo that needs fixing?

This is the Eastrise military uniform from the time of the Joint Council, but the insignia is the Bifrost insignia.

During that time, Eastrise was short on men, and Bifrost was short on supplies. We sent many people to support Eastrise, and this sort of mix-up was very common. She is not an Eastrise spy.

...

Thank you, General.

I was just telling it as it is. Can you tell me your story?

My parents died while supporting Eastrise, and left just this photo.

In the beginning, Eastrise and us here had compensation payment grants, until Bifrost and Eastrise split, and I lost the Eastrise compensation payment.

Later, those thugs saw that I was easy to bully, and had designs on the compensation payment from my parents.

I refused to give her anything, and she reported me for being a spy. She never succeeded in that due to a lack of evidence. But I had a mark on my record from then, and I lost my Bifrost compensation payment too.

That thug thinks it's all because I refused to give her money, so she often harasses me.

I've tried to report it, but just like that Bifrost trooper earlier, they suspect I'm a spy and ignore my reports.

That's my story.

Sorry, I'll send someone to verify this. If everything is true, the compensation payment will be distributed as normal.

No need, General. You've already gotten justice for me. I don't need any more.

I understand. If you encounter any trouble later, you can look for me.

I shall trouble you then, General.