You can keep me in the shadows. My KIA status comes in handy, so no running your mouth about me being here.

...I'd put down that tray, if I were you. It's one of W's 'wake-up calls' she makes for all of us. The woman's brain's like those wilds around Kazdel, taken by her overgrown madness by the year. And anyone who trusts a lunatic like her... Heh, is probably just as insane.

There was one who hoped to flee the war, but only ended up sinking deeper and deeper into its quagmire. Heh, Pathetic, isn't it? But that's exactly how we live. We either give up and resign ourselves to death, or... we kill this very way of life.

Your eyes aren't deceiving you. Yes, it's a sewing kit. A needle drinks as much blood as a sword, in the hands of a merc. Besides… it's a tall order to look decent on battlefield, and a smart cookie like you should know that well, right?

On the northern side of Kazdel... is a birch forest. Those gray and white trees wither in the frigid wind, then struggle to regain their vitality the following year. But when the last trees died, they had no idea that spring would never come back.

For all the people to fall into peaceful slumber?' Not half bad for a fancy dream of yours. I only hope people could have a chance to struggle on in the face of war and death, and perhaps after that, some energy leftover to hold a grude. That is why I'm signing this agreement with Babel… with you, Rhodes Island.

Those faint lights out the window... They're campfires in the wilderness. W says I like campfires? Hehe, that's because the shadows under the fire don't lie. I see myself in them.

A merc who lived her life staring death in the face, but chose to die for a pipe dream in the end… Sounds like a bad joke, doesn't it? But if you had to make sense of it, the merc probably hopes her death could be more than a sneaky battlefield tactic. That's all.

My eyes tell me that this ship, that doctor, Her Majesty, and you... have all changed. W thinks you're too good of an actor. She doesn't want to admit it, but she's changed a lot too. It's not like there's anything we could do about it anyway. The shadows beneath our feet keep getting longer and longer.

...Your dreams are a lot more peaceful than I expected.

Ascalon showed you my files. Messenger or mercenary, you ask? Doesn't matter. I'm not after your life for now , 'Doctor.'

Are you sure I need to watch these? Back in Kazdel, you used to lead my people.

Hmph, great. Even in the middle of a war, you people still insist on these goddamned ceremonies.

For us mercs, life is war, and war is life. The only escape is death. Our struggle will never end, as long as we live.

Getting this crew together wasn't easy. You better make them count.

W, on my team? Whatever, I'm just wondering what crap she's up to this time.

Let's see... Which insect is falling into my trap?

The shadows are trembling.

I know what to do. Don't order me around.

Don't keep me waiting.

Picked out your bait yet?

I'm listening.

You can't hide your fear.

Nothing can mask the scent of despair.

Better watch your step.

I will sink your corpse into shadow. No one will find it.

You always win, just like the old days. But this time, your joy is real.

Take a breather and tally up your losses. Nothing worth celebrating here, we might be dead in a second or two.

Wow, you kept everyone alive. Congrats.

...An arm, an eye, or maybe something else. More than enough to trade for a few enemy heads. Or, would you rather bear the price of failure? Tch, suit yourself.

'Rhodes Island'... This landship sure has gotten a lot brighter.

Not the safest way to say hello.

If you want to make small talk, Hoederer's your guy. Or... I guess you'd rather stand here in silence with me for a while.

Arknights.

What? A New Year's gathering? Choosing a specific day to get together is basically begging the enemy to ambush you. I... Well, whatever. Tell Hoederer I'm going. I have to keep an eye on W, in case she decides to do something stupid again.

Ascalon forced me to take this 'bodyguard' gig. Pick your jaw up off the ground, Doctor. You'll be seeing a lot more of me for a while.

You've tied so many different kinds of landmines together, and you can barely keep them from exploding. Now that's something I have to hand to you. Rhodes Island is a whole lot crazier than any band of mercs I've ever known.