Selva Oscura |
| Year: 984 - 1 |
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Wolf |
Do you see now? You can't run from us. |
Dante |
<You dare… interrupt me just as I was engraving the ■■■■■■… You must be out of your…> |
Lion |
Ah~ If we’re being technical, what our master has planned apparently isn’t one of the City’s taboos. |
| Lion |
It’s just the kind of thing that… no one has ever dared to consider, you catch my drift? |
| Lion |
Huh, would you look at that… |
Panther |
You managed to get a different head in so fast. Do people like you always come prepared? |
| Dante |
<Kngh… Just wait ‘til I get the ■■■■■■… You’ll be no match for my…> |
| Lion |
Haha, I guess that new noggin doesn’t come with a mouth, huh? |
| Wolf |
Yep, ticking is all I can hear. You think they’re screaming on the inside? |
| Dante |
<Ghaagh…!> |
| Wolf |
Hmm. It’s ticking faster, so I guess they can still feel pain. |
| Dammit… Why… am I…! | |
| …Why am I being attacked? | |
| Not good… Memories are dissolving already… The ■■■ was done too quick… | |
| Wolf |
What, they’ve gone quiet already. Let’s get this over with. |
| Lion |
Wolf, this is a place no one visits and somewhere none can see. What’s the hurry? |
| Wolf |
We must follow her teachings. We can’t drag on any longer. |
| Lion |
Yeah, but… Haa, this is the moment of a lifetime. We’re not gonna get a second chance to kill someone of this caliber… |
| Panther |
Lion, you have a tendency to grow too emotional during your jobs. I hope you show some discretion. |
| Lion |
Pshaw… |
| Panther |
It’s a shame—I wanted to have a look at your face. I reckon you won’t tell us where your star is, right? |
| Dante |
<Like hell I am. I’m taking ■■■’s location to the grave with…> |
| Dante |
<……> |
| Dammit, where was ■■■ supposed to be again? My memories are escaping me too quickly… | |
| Panther |
…Right. No mouth. |
| Panther |
Which in turn means… we won’t learn how to acquire it from this person. |
| Wolf |
Can I end them now? |
| Panther |
Sure… Huh? |
| Lion |
Hey, what’s that noise? Don’t tell me, Panther… did you allow yourself to be tracked? |
| Panther |
No, there was no one that could’ve pursued me. Perhaps a wild animal? |
| Wolf |
This is not the sound a beast would make. It’s… |
| Wolf |
A bus…? |
| Panther |
How did it even end up here? |
| Lion |
Must’ve taken a wrong turn? |
| Lion |
Hoo, the price they’ll pay for taking the wrong road will be heavier than they expect… |
| Lion |
…! |
| Wolf |
…It bested Lion’s strength? |
| Panther |
…! |
Faust |
…… |
| Faust |
If my eyes are still right, then you will reach the harbor of glory. |
| Dante |
<Who… are you? That nameplate… says… Faust?> |
| Faust |
You’ve lost your way in a dark forest. |
| Dante |
<I’m… sorry, what?> |
| Faust |
Yet you were not overcome with fear. Why was that? |
| Dante |
<That’s…> |
| Dante |
<I could simply… lift my head to find the star.> |
| Faust |
That’s right. |
| Faust |
Now, repeat with the heart what I tell you aloud as you remind yourself of that image. |
| Faust |
Follow your star. |
| Dante |
<Follow… your star.> |
| At that moment… | |
| I felt a sudden thump in my head. | |
| Followed by the sting of several chains penetrating my chest. | |
| Dante |
<Hyag… Ah— Aaagh!!!> |
| Faust |
Relax. Though it may feel otherwise, your heart is still functional. |
| Faust |
With this, the pact has been sealed. |
| Faust |
Dante, from this day forth, we are bound to your time. |
| Dante |
<What do you…?> |
| Faust |
The beating of our hearts now depends on where your hands fall. |
| Faust |
I hope you’ll make a fine leader. |
| Dante |
<“Our”…?> |
Ishmael |
Is that really everything? |
Yi Sang |
A single apple has fallen. |
| Ishmael |
…This guy’s still not making any sense. |
Rodion |
Geeeez~ The wait was killing me! Finally some action now? |
Gregor |
Well, I guess we could use a little warm-up. |
Outis |
What is that wretch miserably writhing on the ground? Are they to be the newest addition to the team? |
| Gregor |
Uh… You might wanna watch your words… I heard that’s our soon-to-be boss… |
| Faust |
The attack must’ve happened in an instant—I’m impressed you managed to hide your head. |
| Dante |
<Who are you people? And what’s up with this bus?> |
| Faust |
We are bearers of justice who have come to aid you, and this is the magical bus that takes us wherever we wish to go. |
| Dante |
<Justice? Bus? I don’t…> |
| Faust |
Wasn’t that what you expected to hear? Either way, you’re better off believing us to be your saviors. |
| Faust |
We’re racing against time and the situation isn’t in our favor, so let me explain this once. |
| After some time passed… | |
| Dante |
<So… If I’m not mistaken here and I do as you’ve said, those total strangers will fight for me?> |
| Faust |
Correct. So long as you give them the right orders. |
| Dante |
<Alright, so we’ll kill these arrogant vandals dead…> |
| Dante |
<Then I’ll go back to where I was…> |
| Dante |
<Where I was, and…> |
| Dante |
<……> |
| Dante |
<What was I doing? Where was I when I did that?> |
| Dante |
<Something extremely important was upon me. Something I shouldn’t forget…> |
| Faust |
Calm down. It’s only natural to happen with your current head. |
| Faust |
You should focus on the struggle at hand, Dante. |
| Outis |
Clo… Pardon, I’m not sure how I should address you. |
| Outis |
Would Commander Clock suffice…? In any case, we await your orders! |
| Gregor |
Eh, do we really need orders? Seems like going one-on-one is the only way. |
| Ishmael |
Huh?! H-Hey! |
Heathcliff |
Quit running off your mouths! We just need to crush them all! |
| Faust |
…Please do your best, Dante. |
| Dante |
<…There’s no two ways about it, I suppose.> |
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| Gregor |
W-Whoa, hang on! |
| Gregor |
I know this is kinda weird coming from someone you were just fighting, but I’m pretty sure we can talk this o— |
| Gregor |
……! |
| Yi Sang |
This… |
| Yi Sang |
…is unideal. |
| Ishmael |
Haa… I knew it was a ridiculous idea to put up a fight against them. |
| Ishmael |
…… |
| Wolf |
How long are you going to lie there, Lion? We don’t have time. |
| Lion |
…You know, you’re right. No need to make this longer than it has to be. |
| Rodion |
Are y’all kidding? I haven’t even… |
| Rodion |
…… |
| Dante |
<What the hell is going on? You said you’ll fight in my stead!> |
| Faust |
We never promised to win said fights. |
| Dante |
<What…> |
| Faust |
And, it seems that I’m the only survivor. |
| Dante |
<Oookay. So you were waiting for this?> |
| Dante |
<You have some hidden card up your sleeve, right?> |
| Faust |
Not… necessarily a trump, no. Rather… |
| Faust |
It’s about following the star. |
| Panther |
What is this, some kind of suicidal performance? Not the funnest lives to end. |
| Dante |
<What… what am I supposed to do?> |
| Dante |
<They jumped in triumphantly only to die like flies…> |
| Dante |
<Gah… I can’t remember a thing about the past since I repeated what she said.> |
| Lion |
Aah~ I took my sweet time. Let’s finish this for real! |
| Dante |
<Is this… how I die?> |
Vergilius |
Tell the Serpent this, false lion. |
| Vergilius |
This flow cannot be stopped. |
| Lion |
Grh… GAAAH!! |
| Wolf |
Red…? But why? |
| Wolf |
Argh… |
| Vergilius |
Do you know why I only dismembered those two? |
| Vergilius |
Because at least one of you needs to be able to carry the rest out of here. |
| Vergilius |
And you’re the only one left to offer them any help. |
| Panther |
…The Red Gaze. |
| Vergilius |
Don’t glare at me like that. This is nothing compared to what you did. |
| Vergilius |
With wounds like those, I’m sure your boss will recognize that you did your part. Consider them a medal of honor. |
| Vergilius |
Unless… |
| Vergilius |
You want this to be the end of your life? |
| Panther |
…… |
| Dante |
<Who are… Are you one of them?> |
| Dante |
<You’re too late, they’re already…> |
| Vergilius |
No one is too late, Dante. |
| Vergilius |
There is only one thing we need… |
| Vergilius |
A little time to rewind. |
| Dante |
<…!> |
| I’m suddenly overwhelmed by a sharp pain in my chest, as though my heart were being torn asunder. | |
| Followed by flashes in the ribs, intestines, stomach, and lungs. | |
| Dante |
<GAAAAAAGH!!!> |
| Engulfed in a deluge of torment twisting and squeezing my entire body, I let out an agonizing scream. | |
| Dante |
<You… Grgh…> |
| In my fading consciousness, the only thing I could perceive… | |
| …Was the deceased’s flesh reconstructing in a bizarre manner. | |
| Vergilius |
You’ll suffer aplenty from now on, Dante. |
| And the voice of the man with red eyes. | |
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| I hear the howl of a beast somewhere. | |
| It cries ceaselessly. Is it wailing out of hunger? Or… | |
| Faust |
Awake at last. I would’ve been a tad bit disappointed if you croaked on us. |
Charon |
Fresh morning. This is Charon the Bus Driver. |
| Vergilius |
It’s not morning, but I could guess it’s refreshing. How do you feel, Dante? |
| Dante |
<Well I…> |
| Vergilius |
Tick-tocking like a clock… Sigh, some language barrier this is. |
| Vergilius |
You may call me Vergilius… If you can understand what I’m saying, give me some kind of reaction, Dante. |
| I gave him a quick nod since he didn’t seem hostile. | |
| Vergilius |
Good. At least your hearing is functional. Let’s ride, Charon. |
| Charon |
Now departing. Vroom-vroom. |
| There was a heavy roar and vibrations, as though they echoed from the bottom of a deep mire. | |
| It was then that I realized I was aboard a bus. | |
| A bus… I can’t be sure if I’ve ever ridden such a vehicle in the past. | |
| Vergilius |
Do you remember who you were? |
| I shook my head to say no. I had been reminded that my head was now a clinking mechanism. | |
| Vergilius |
I suppose you want your memory back. Am I right? |
| I nodded. I sure feel like an idiot. | |
| Vergilius |
Smooth as it gets. What’s to stop the rest of you from adopting this gesture-based communication? |
| Vergilius |
Any words of yours, Ms. Faust? |
| Faust |
Faust will kindly turn down the offer. |
| Faust |
I doubt we’ll have that much freedom over our own bodies most of the time. |
| She’s the one who spoke to me back in the forest. | |
| Her silver hair that glistens even without sunlight gives off a rather mysterious air. | |
| Faust |
Dante. |
| Dante |
<Dante?> |
| Come to think of it, the red-eyed man has been calling me that, too. | |
| Faust |
Dante is your name. The amnesia must be affecting you rather severely. |
| Dante |
<Sure looks like it… That doesn’t sound like a familiar word.> |
| Faust |
You’ll get used to it in time. |
| Dante |
<Wait… You can understand me?> |
| Dante |
<The group that attacked me earlier—and that Vergie or whatever he was called—seemed to hear nothing but ticking from me.> |
| Faust |
Faust can hear what you intend to speak. |
| Dante |
<You really can…? But how? I don’t even have a real mouth.> |
| Faust |
Outdated ideas must be one of the side effects that came with your head replacement. |
| Faust |
It’s anachronistic to think that vocal organs such as the cords or tongue are necessary to participate in conversation. |
| Dante |
<Anachronistic… Right. Never considered that.> |
| Faust |
…You can limit the recipient of your words to one person, or choose to speak to everyone at once. |
| Faust |
Ah, a little clarification: When I say “everyone”, I’m only referring to the Sinners. |
| Dante |
<Sinners?> |
| Faust |
The people who have taken seats behind you… |
| Faust |
And the ones who fought in your stead until moments ago. |
Don Quixote |
What hooo!!! So thou art the final piece that completes our journey’s cast! How I have yearned for this moment! |
| Gregor |
Say, pal, where’d you sell your old cranium off? |
| Ishmael |
So it was you. Thanks for putting my spine back into one piece. Were you a surgeon or something in the Nest? |
| Vergilius |
Everyone, quiet. Nothing is more displeasing than to hear a choir of noises. |
| Vergilius |
I suppose you all owe them a brief introduction. |
| Vergilius |
I’ll give you time to make yourselves known, starting with the closest one. Go on. |
| Gregor |
Why is it always the ones in front that go first… I’m sick of taking any sort of lead now. |
| Gregor |
I heard you were gonna be our boss, or… yeah, our manager. |
| Dante |
<Manager?> |
| Gregor |
Yep, which is why I was real curious to meet you, and… |
| Gregor |
Uhrm… Hmm, tsk. Forming the right sentences is tough work. |
| Gregor |
Dunno what you did with your old head, but I guess everyone has their story. |
| Gregor |
I’m Gregor. We’re in this together, Manager Bud. |
| Rodion |
Greg! They aren’t just your “bud” or “pal”~ You’re talking to the person who’ll make us filthy rich! |
| Gregor |
Greg…? |
| Dante |
<Rich? What’s that about?> |
| Rodion |
Let’s see, what’s better… Dante! Don’t mind me if I call you by name. You can call me Rodya~ |
| Rodion |
I think there’s a… well, good reason you became our manager. |
| Rodion |
I’m sure. You used to be a big deal back in the Nest, right? When your old habits start coming back, we’ll be that much closer to rolling in the dough… Fuhu… |
| …She does have sociability, I’ll give her that. | |
| Rodion |
Oh gosh, look at me keeping on. Hey, kid! It’s your turn next! |
Sinclair |
Good day… |
| Rodion |
Aw, boring~ That’s it? |
| Sinclair |
Oh! I am Sinclair… |
| This boy looks awfully unnerved; did he even join this company of his own accord? | |
| Sinclair |
…I—Is there anything else I need to say? I’ve never worked for a company before… |
| Rodion |
Well, you’ll learn the ropes in the coming days. |
| Rodion |
‘Kay then, how about you next, nerdy pal! |
| Yi Sang |
I am Yi Sang. |
| Dante |
<…That’s it?> |
| Yi Sang |
Mhm. No smoke or mirrors. |
| I waited for him to reveal that he was pulling a prank or something… | |
| But he just stared vacantly into the window, disinterested. | |
| Ishmael |
Haaa… I can’t believe you people. Aren’t proper introductions the first step to being a member of society? |
| Ishmael |
Call me Ishmael, if you please. |
| Ishmael |
I heard you glued our bodies back together from pieces. I look forward to working with you. |
| She gave a polite bow before returning to her seat. | |
| Although she emphasized sociality, she didn’t feel like the most amicable sort. | |
| Heathcliff |
Sorry to disappoint, ‘cause I don’t care too much for fitting in. |
| Heathcliff |
Name’s Heathcliff. Used to be a professional wrecker—for property and people alike. |
| Heathcliff |
Not under anyone’s orders, mind you. I only did it to buggers that got on my nerves. |
| Heathcliff |
So you’d better watch it. |
| Heathcliff |
I’m deathly allergic to cocky gaffers who think they can boss me around. |
| I don’t think I’ve done anything to give that impression yet. | |
| Don Quixote |
‘Tis my turn to speak! I am Don Quixote! |
| Don Quixote |
I am a Fixer who shall sprint for the dream side by side. A pleasure to have thee. |
| Dante |
<A Fixer…? That definitely feels like a term I used to know…> |
| Don Quixote |
Dost thou wish to know what it is? I can answer thy question! Fixers are protectors of the City! |
| Don Quixote |
Ah! Perchance thou mayst struggle to remember the City! ‘Tis— |
| Vergilius |
I believe I said this was for brief introductions. |
| Don Quixote |
Ngh… |
| Vergilius |
Don’t make me say it twice. Next. |
Hong Lu |
My name’s Hong Lu. I hope we can get along well. |
| Hong Lu |
Wow, and look at you! Isn’t that a fascinating head there? A popular model these days, I suppose? |
| Dante |
<No, this isn’t that kind of…> |
| Hong Lu |
It’s not of my interest, though. |
| Heathcliff |
…The hell’s wrong with your attitude? |
| Heathcliff looked to be just moments away from swinging his bat… | |
| But when he realized the red gaze laid on him, he grunted and sat back down. | |
Ryoshu |
It’s Ryōshū. |
| Ryoshu |
Shūre’s nice to meet ya. |
| Ryoshu |
…Pfht. |
| At what point was I supposed to laugh? | |
Meursault |
Meursault. Please refer to me as such. |
| Dante |
<You’re pretty polite.> |
| Meursault |
This isn’t anything special. I’m simply behaving normally. |
| Dante |
<I’m almost touched. Merci.> |
| Meursault |
Yes. |
| It felt as if something were gravely amiss with him, but I can’t seem to pin it down exactly. | |
| Outis |
…… |
| The way she scanned me up and down was a little daunting. | |
| Outis |
I… |
| I felt almost compelled to bow to her, but she stopped me with a motion of her hand. | |
| Outis |
Please, I would never make my manager grovel before me. |
| Outis |
My name is Outis. I would like to apologize for my rudeness earlier. |
| Dante |
<Rudeness…?> |
| Outis |
Haha, oh, please. Your generosity is a humbling sight. |
| Outis |
I knew at first glance that you have what it takes to lead us. |
| Dante |
<…Huh? Sorry?> |
| Outis |
While most humans cause noise and friction as a result of confrontation… |
| Outis |
Some are able to reap mutual benefit from coming head-to-head. |
| Outis |
It could be compared to the relationship between a blade and a whetstone. |
| Outis |
I vow to serve you with unrivaled devotion, Executive Manager. My blade is yours to wield. |
| Dante |
<Th-That’s reassuring… Thanks.> |
| I gave her an approving nod, even though I still don’t get what she meant by her “rudeness”. | |
| Ishmael |
I’m amazed at how you can sing such bold-faced high praise not too long after calling them a “miserably writhing wretch”. |
| …I think I see now. | |
| Faust |
It seems I am the last. Faust is the name. |
| Faust |
A genius with whom you’re lucky to cross paths even once in your life. |
| Dante |
<Mmh…> |
| Faust |
Sounds like you aren’t convinced, Dante. |
| Faust |
Well, it’s fine. You’ll come to learn, all in due time. |
| Dante |
<Learn what…?> |
| Faust |
That Faust is indeed a brilliant mind. |
| Faust |
When a proverbial tree falls, the fact of its sound cannot become truth when the outside observer fails to recognize it. |
| Dante |
<Okay…> |
| Vergilius |
That’s enough greetings. |
| Vergilius |
Dante, let me explain your new occupation. |
| Dante |
<You mean… as the manager?> |
| Faust |
They’re asking if the job you’re about to explain is that of a manager. |
| Come to think of it, that red-eyed man couldn’t hear me, unlike the Sinners. | |
| Vergilius |
That’s correct, Executive Manager Dante. You will embark on a trip to the Inferno with the twelve Sinners who’ve just introduced themselves. |
| Dante |
<The Inferno…? Why should I go to hell?> |
| Faust |
They’re asking why they need to travel to the Inferno. |
| Vergilius |
Hmm… How about this: Treasure awaits at the end of the road… Would that suffice? |
| Dante |
<I don’t… You mean I used to be a treasure hunter or something?> |
| Faust |
They can’t seem to get you at all. |
| Vergilius |
I did not ask for your understanding, Dante. Nor was this a question of your willingness. |
| Vergilius |
You’ll have to listen to me if you want to reclaim your memories and original head. |
| Dante |
<I mean… I do want them back, but…> |
| Faust |
They’re hesitant. |
| Vergilius |
Ms. Faust, what will we do if Dante keeps on refusing to cooperate? This was not a scenario we anticipated. |
| Faust |
Preposterous. Faust anticipates every possibility. |
| Faust |
Dante, once you’ve completed all your missions… |
| Faust |
You’ll be able to engrave the Aspect. |
| Faust |
I can promise you that. |
| Aspect. A word that strikes my mind intensely. Even though my memories are gone, my underlying instincts are responding strongly to it. | |
| Led by intuition, I make my choice… | |
| Faust |
See there? They’re nodding. |
| Vergilius |
Good. Then we can continue. |
| Vergilius |
By the way, Charon, why isn’t the bus moving? Were you dozing off? |
| Charon |
A bus driver only snoozes at rest spots, Verg. |
| Charon |
Weirdos were hanging around in front of Mephi. |
| Vergilius |
I told you, Charon. If anything happens with the bus, you’ve got to let me know right away. |
| Dante |
<Mephi? Who’s that?> |
| Faust |
Mephistopheles. The name of this bus and the engine that runs it. |
| Faust |
…And Faust’s magnum opus cordis. |
| Vergilius |
An ideal ferryboat to bear us across the Inferno. |
| Vergilius |
Wouldn’t you agree, Dante? |
| I wasn’t sure what he was getting at, so I turned away to look through the window instead of giving him a reply. | |
| Vergilius |
Looks like they’re just another pack of dirty Rats living in the Backstreets. |
| Vergilius |
This is just the right time, Dante. They should make perfect targets for practicing your command. |
| Faust |
Dante, I skipped over many details during our first battle. |
| Faust |
We were short on time, after all. |
| Faust |
However, we’ll be slaughtered frequently if no improvements are made to your strategy. |
| Faust |
And in turn, you’ll have to endure senseless pain over and over again to revive us. |
| Dante |
<Pain… Revive? You mean, what happened earlier was…> |
| Faust |
Yes, we were brought back to life because you “turned back the clock”. |
| Vergilius |
I don’t believe that much is necessary, Ms. Faust. |
| Vergilius |
Save the chatter for later. Sinners, off the bus. |
| Faust |
…Allow me to elaborate on combat. |
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| Vergilius |
You’re looking much more useful than before, Dante. |
| Dante |
<They all got away save for one, though. Shouldn’t we go after them?> |
| Faust |
They’re worried over the foes we lost. |
| Vergilius |
No need for concern… That’s the direction we were heading anyway. Charon? |
| Charon |
Pedal touches metal. Up for an exciting ride. |
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| Ishmael |
Give me a second. |
| Faust |
What is it? |
| Ishmael |
I joined this company because I was told that I’ll be able to advance my career without slowing down. |
| Ishmael |
But right now… it’s nothing but meaningless violence, like we’re Rats or something. |
| Don Quixote |
I object to its meaninglessness! Those were evildoers who attacked us! |
| Ishmael |
Please, just—be quiet for a moment. |
| Ishmael |
…Anyway, if all we’re gonna do is beat up people under orders like hired thugs, I’ll have to consider changing jobs sooner or later. |
| Faust |
Haven’t you read your contract? |
| Faust |
…Resignation is not permitted. |
| Ishmael |
…Do you think the contract has any sway if it’s based on lies? |
| Faust |
Of course it does. |
| Faust |
There were no lies on it. |
| Ishmael |
…Huh? |
| Faust |
You didn’t think Mephistopheles was built to be a mere means of transportation, did you? |
| Charon |
Mephi is always hungry. It keeps crying. |
| Dante |
<The bus gets hungry?> |
| Faust |
When the engine “ingests” fuel, it yields a byproduct… |
| Faust |
Using that, you can grow more powerful. |
| Faust |
I’m sure Yi Sang knows this well. When all possibilities are drawn from the mirror… |
| Yi Sang |
There is no limit to one’s growth. |
| Yi Sang |
Is the self in the mirror my reflection, or another being entirely? |
| Dante |
<Possibilities…? You draw what, exactly?> |
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| Ishmael |
I see… This is what that was about. |
| Faust |
There’s no need to get impatient, Ishmael. As the bus goes onward, you’ll naturally… |
| Vergilius |
You’ll naturally take on more important tasks than beating the life out of random crooks. |
| Vergilius |
I know you’re eager to achieve your goals… but do try to have patience. |
| Ishmael |
…Tch. |
| Faust |
Since this works by whisking out one of our limitless possibilities from the mirrored world, it’ll have overwritten a part of our memories. |
| Faust |
You’ll get used to it in no time. |
| Rodion |
Whoa, hang on… That sounds a bit dangerous, don’t it? |
| Rodion |
What if I’m no longer my old self by the end? Heheh. |
| Vergilius |
…… |
| Faust |
Don’t mistake yourselves for the Ship of Theseus. |
| Faust |
While it’s true that you borrow the identities and memories, the system is designed to ensure that you don’t lose control over your own existence. |
| Yi Sang |
Different though your reflection may be, it is bound to vanish once you walk away from the mirror. |
| Faust |
…How our capability grows ultimately depends on you, Manager Dante. |
| Faust |
It is up to you to place the most effective figment of possibility on us at the right times. |
| Outis |
I believe that’s what you call a metamorphosis. |
| Faust |
Yes, I suppose you could say that it’s a form of transformation. |
| Rodion |
Golly, where’d you learn big words like that? |
| Outis |
I picked it up. My prior profession required meeting people with various occupations. |
| Gregor |
Verwandlung, huh… |
| Vergilius |
Done chatting? |
| Vergilius |
Let’s make the way first. You’ll spend more time together than you’d ever ask for, so keep that convo for later. |
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| Charon |
Road’s clear. But Verg, Mephi could’ve run them over just fine. |
| Dante |
<…Huh?> |
| Dante |
<What did I fight for, then?> |
| Vergilius |
Calm yourself, Dante. |
| Vergilius |
It’s not right to ask a toddler to run when it has yet to take its first steps. |
| Vergilius |
You’ll need every opportunity to try and walk before you’re made to run. |
| Vergilius |
Furthermore… Dante. |
| Vergilius |
As the manager… it’s your job to “manage” your staff. |
| Vergilius |
And I… am the guide. I decide where we go and how we arrive there. |
| Vergilius |
Do you get it? |
| Vergilius |
Don’t argue with me. |
| Dante |
<…How am I supposed to not question a stranger who can’t even hear me?> |
| Faust |
…… |
| Vergilius |
I heard ticking, so what did they say, Ms. Faust? |
| Faust |
Nothing much. |
| Vergilius |
Some verbose agreement that was. A nod should be enough to let me know that you approve, Dante. |
| Charon |
Now, Mephi, off we go. Woohoo. |
| Vergilius |
How’re you feeling, Charon? |
| Charon |
Extreme. Excitement. About to walk on air, reports Charon. |
| Vergilius |
…Good. |
| Dante |
<So, where are we going?> |
| Faust |
Vergilius, they’d like to know the destination. |
| Vergilius |
Sigh… I believe I told you that already, Dante. |
| Dante |
<But just *where* are we going?> |
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