A Dublinn spy, one of Caster's lackeys, the leader of the workers, plus Wiš'adel... Fancy that, a full house? In any case, I take it I can rest while you handle my business? Since you did let me tuck myself back onto the ship.

What's this? It's one of those healthy meals they hand out outside the training grounds. 'Help yourselves', they say. What's that look for? It tastes good enough, better than the emergency ration handouts in Londinium by a country mile... Tell you something I know better now, Doctor. It's bloody hard, as it were, to keep a city's worth of bellies full.

My sword here has enough legends to fill a storybook. Even my teacher had his version to tell, flourishes and all. Yet, people only seem to remember those who wielded the sword, not the ones who forged it first... I won't stand for that, Doctor. I'll be there to tell the stories of the unsung heroes.

Sometimes, after a night of dotting Is and crossing Ts, I'll climb up onto the roof of Westhaleg and watch the sun come up. Down in the street, there'll be costermongers hollering, workers delivering goods. On occasion, you'll spot my boxing gym mates, all hungover. A few of them'll look up and see me, and we'll wave at each other. I love this city a lot, Doctor.

All this regalia's from an old friend. It's not the lightest thing ever... I'll tell you what she taught me: If you've got a noble 'calling' that pisses you off, then go on and get loud about it. Give it hell, and hold nothing back. I can't argue being Speaker now weighs on my shoulders, but my spirit will stand tall, and I'll have her as my witness.

'Victoria'... I know to a lot of people, it's not me that sticks out, it's my name. But so what? The things they're so desperate to scrounge from me are the things I'm off to smash to bits. It's in my power to force that through their heads, sooner or later. The fight's only just started.

Alright, I've been coming back aboard a bit much recently, I admit. Mm-mm-mm, I'm not skiving. It's just hard to meet some of the people here otherwise. Delphine's dead set on calling it 'diplomacy'... And I don't just drag you along as a safeguard, Doctor. I have to be honest, I do want to learn a little more from you.

My face? Just a blister, nothing big, helped Indra and the lot in a fight as I was passing through Norport. Heh, even the ones challenging our turf don't come half as strong as they used to. I've seen babies punch harder than... My clothes? Oh, flip, I forgot to change into my casuals!

Can you believe it? A simple trick like that and Dr. Kal'tsit's got the whole Glasgow Gangers on Rhodes Island. Wait, you knew all along? Haha! Come on, no need to dodge. There! A playful rap on the head, that's how we boxers respect our opponents after a match is done.

Wake up, Doctor, you've got tons of business to sort out still— hah, finally I get to tell someone else that.

Doctor, to be clear, this is not official business. What it is is two old friends, reuniting now the war's over. And about my old files... I think I'll finally fill in my name. Vina Victoria. No more hiding from it.

Can't help feeling the itch... I might go and file for time off with Parliament.

I lost a lot of mine, on the way back home. Parliament awarded them all these posthumous medals, and I still don't know who to even give them to... We weren't told how heavy glory weighs. I came out knowing.

I know clear as day what's up ahead. If I'm the only one left at the end of this all, so be it, I won't hesitate. But in my heart, drinking with her best mates until we drop in the sunset, that's the happy end to the story of Vina, the story of the Siege.

I fight alongside you once again, Doctor, with a sword that's not just for show.

I'll adjust my combat style to fit you all.

Recon, strategize, deploy… then, the siege.

I've been through crueler fights.

Finally I can limber up.

It's the frontline for me after all.

Wish I didn't scare you.

Get up! There'll be no bending of the knee!

I forbid your retreat.

Who says you can't hammer with a sword?

Negotiations are useless here.

Violence too, is an effective means.

My teacher was right. With each step forward, I still learn something new from you.

Getting to lump you with the thinking work feels bloody refreshing. It's been forever since I had a stress-free scrap!

The most precious lesson war taught me was this—there's never an absolute best-case. Regret is its own kind of mercy, and that goes for us and them both.

Not time to give up yet. Follow me, I'll bring you all home.

...Really calms you down here. Think I'll get my forty winks.

Um. My cape... you're stepping on it.

Eh? Did you say something, Gawain?

Arknights.

Doctor, if you're wondering about the prezzie pile in the cafeteria, that's from Londiniers all over. They had their local branch send them in, as thanks to Rhodes Island. Not one person who's alive will forget what we paid... Happy New Year, and do have a butcher's around the city when you can.

I always feel a bit awkward gamboling about Rhodes in this outfit. Need me to change back?

Ever since that upheaval, Rhodes Island has been on every central nation's watchlist. Each future step you take might well cause new turmoil, but clearly you lot have set your hearts on something. Doctor, when Rhodes Island is in its most crucial moments, Londinium will be there to aid.