Drying Up

This is the smell of war.

This is the smell of blood!

Lord Wadjet! All the living on the enemy's side have been wiped out!

Oh, really? Any loot?

We collected 1,300...

Shh, count the supplies later. I want to know of there's anything interesting.

There is nothing in the supplies, but someone among the captives said they came for their ideals and wanted to meet you in person.

Oh? Now that's interesting!

It's strange that someone would seek me out and ask me a question.

Has my reputation outside made me an approachable person?

L-Lord...

Don't be nervous. Where's that person? I'll take a look at her.

I am Mockingbird, Lord Wadjet.

I smell fresh blood on you, soldier. A lot of it.

I love this smell. Are you here to join the Golden Marsh Tribe?

No, Lord Wadjet, my aim in coming here...

Shh, you're not allowed.

You are not part of the Golden Marsh Tribe so you are enemy. Capture her and lock her away. I'll let her out when I'm ''hungry.''

Yes!

Oh right, I think she's quite interesting. Keep an eye on her.

...Yes.

I remember capturing an interesting person a few days ago.

What's the name... Moc-something bird?

It's Mockingbird, Lord.

Right, Mockingbird. Where did you lock her up?

The special prison.

Good, good, I just so happen to be a little ''hungry'' so I'll take a look.

We are prepared, my lord.

Hello, Mockingbird! How were the past few days?

Thank you for the hospitality. I have ever had such a comfortable life.

A luxurious room, beautiful clothes, and delicious food. I seem to have everything except freedom.

Is it different from what you'd imagined?

A little, even if my ''last supper'' was too generous.

You're mistaken. I do not intend to make you disappear from the world.

At least not before I'm done playing with you.

...Play?

Yep, I recall that you approached me with a goal in mind.

Yes, I'd like to...

Shh. You're not in a position to ask questions now. Release your last line of nonsense while I sill have some patience.

Just one condition. Whether you're a spy or whatever, I will give you what you want.

...What condition?

Simple, just let me have fun.

You get additional bonuses if you manage to hurt me. And there will be additional giveaways.

What should I do?

Defeat me!

Good, good! I haven't experienced such a power in a long time.

Wars taste exciting, but I still prefer the one-on-one fight. I'm so full.

It's really memorable.

You're injured...

What?

Hahahahaha! Good! Very good!

I was so engrossed that I didn't notice. You sure are very promising.

You managed to leave a wound on me, and as a reward, I perform a simple treatment on your wound...

But don't play too much, you probably won't live long, ask any questions quickly.

While I'm still in a good mood.

Reason.

Lord Wadjet, I would like to know your reasons for starting the war.

Just that?

Yes, just that.

Of course it's because I want to be the leader.

The Golden Marsh Tribe became the strongest tribe in the Nebu Alliance with their under my leadership. It can also become the strongest faction under my leadership.

I can let the Nebu Alliance get everything we should have had.

Those tribes that opposed me however, especially the Kasi Tribe. I don't understand their reasons for rejecting me.

If a person like Nile can become the leader of the alliance and launch the second Northern Campaign, why won't they let me become leader of the alliance?

...Maybe it's because...

I'm too cruel? My rule is too tyrannical?

Foolishness. The only thing needed to survive in a world after the Scourge is power.

The cruel and brutal rules of competition are the fastest way to help us awaken and become stronger. The world doesn't stop to wait for anyone to be mentally prepared.

You may be right, but this is not the time anymore when the Calamity first broke out.

Yes, if the Nebu Alliance didn't launch two Northern Campaigns but rather focused on diplomatic relations, we and the other factions wouldn't have a grudge...

Then no one needs to oppose. I will put Ifurito's name forward for the leader.

...I understand your intention.

Is there no way to restore peace?

Yes, let me be leader, and the war will end.

You can try to convince the Kasi Tribe Celestial, that stubborn woman.

If you can persuade her to just surrender, I might consider making you my toy.

Can you let me meet Lord Ifurito?

Huh? You really want to go?

Interesting, let's go see her.

As the messenger of the Golden Marsh Tribe Celestial.

Any cool news recently.

Diviner Hemetto seems to have lost a very important...

Interesting! It's so interesting.

...Let me see!

I got it! According to the information, Nile's former subordinates are back, but we did not find the soldier named Mockingbird...

Odds are, her proposal failed.

Even if she succeeds, no one will support the child.

But has the news gotten out? I'd love to see the expression on Nile and Nephthys' faces.

No, thinking of that child makes me ''hungry'' again.

I haven't stored any ''food'' recently either.

Ah, I want to fight, to smell fresh blood, to tear up flesh and blood...

You there, come up and fight me.

L-Lord...

Don't worry, so long as you grit your teeth like the first Mockingbird, you won't die.

No!!!

Ah, not moving anymore.

It's true that there's only one toy like Mockingbird.

Did I do something wrong...

Do people like you have regrets too?

It's you guys. Yep, I regret it. Can you bring Mockingbird back to life?

Lord ''Celestial,'' even if it's us, we cannot do everything...

Can't you tell I'm joking?

Even if I regret it, it's a toy I broke myself. You can resurrect it but I won't let you.

But you guys really have spies in Bifrost. Not bad!

I thought you guys were just tumbleweed in the Gobi, but you have some skill.

Lord, you are a tumbleweed in the Gobi now.

We helped you kill Mockingbird in Bifrost, and you join Rasparta as agreed.

I don't plan on breaking the deal, really.

Hope so.

Huh? What's this?

This is... [Bound].

Lord, we didn't want to do this either.

Are you kidding me... I'm being locked up by my own people?

Sorry, Lord. Just a few days. Too many of us have died recently because of your abuse...

Abuse? What abuse?

I give them the best shelter, they eat the best food, and fulfill all their requests.

Just let them play with me like Mockingbird did once, and it's abuse?

To us, this is abuse, Lord.

Bah.

Really... Enough.

You guys tie me up but aren't going to do anything?

Lord...

Didn't you guys call me abusive? Aren't you going to take this chance to get back at me?

We do not dare, Lord.

Trash!

Open the door.

But Lord, the Elders...

I just want to play a game, and see if anyone would retaliate against me.

But not one of you did. How boring. Don't bother the Elders, and let me out.

Yes!

...Tsk, these corpse guys have completely limited my power. [Bound]... is it a weapon from the Rasparta side?

Is this their way to verify my power?

That's right, they killed Mockingbird in exchange for me joining them. If they don't test me, they will also doubt if sacrificing their own people was worthwhile, right?

(Good thing I met a cute little kid before, or I really wouldn't know what to do.)

(She should be here by now. I gave a very obvious signal.)

...Lord Wadjet? You're looking for me?

Of course, the world's best medic.

I have a little problem and I need your help.

I'm not really a medic... You have helped me a lot, so if there is anything I can do, I'll try!

Maybe this feeling isn't bad either.

Lord?

Nothing. I was thinking if I should find you friends.

(Those Elders dare to imprison me today. Next time they will dare to expel me from the Golden Marsh Tribe. It's better to have more people like Aurora.)

Lord Wadjet, I have never seen a lock like this before. I can only break them by force, so please bear with it.

Ugh, !

Lord, are you okay?

I'm fine, I'm good, I'm great!

Wadjet is going too far. We can't control her at all. We should just do it once and for all!

If she's gone, who will be the Celestial of Golden Marsh?

Yeah, if I'm gone, who will be the Nebu Celestial?

W-Wadjet! How did you... Damn it, that group of Gobi tumbleweeds! They tricked me!

You guys joined forces with Rasparta to fight me, the Celestial of Nebu... I'm so excited!

N-No, it's not like that. Lord! Lord!!!

Don't cry so pitifully. The day is long.