3 3 301 DialogEnable Darkness dissipates, and I awake once more from my slumber.
4 4 301 This body no longer requires sleep, but I still try to keep to the normal schedule of humans.
5 5 301 Grinding gears reverberate in my ears. Making my way through this dark path through the stratum, I arrive at a familiar city that should have died out during the Golden Age.
6 6 301 The survivors of the battle built this unknown "cemetery" with bricks and tiles of the KCC.
7 7 301 It rests peacefully under the Kowloong Metropolis, where it should remain undisturbed.
8 8 301 An artificial sun hangs above this underground complex, creating a day and night cycle for the humans that reside here.
9 9 301 Faint blue shadows stroll in the street. They are the masters here. Several groups gather here talking amongst each other.
10 10 301 AniZhuanchangBegin As I walk along the path, my surroundings distort momentarily before a familiar face appears next to me.
13 13 301 AniZhuanchangEnd 1 Bai Gui Lady Qu, do you really want to accept that offer? 1
14 14 201 1 500150
15 15 301 1 Qu I have no reason not to accept. We must understand what each party seeks to gain. 1
16 16 201 1 500243
17 17 301 1 Bai Gui Yes, but... 1
18 18 201 1 500150
19 19 301 1 Qu Don't worry. If anything were to happen to me, then the last person with access to this place will be gone. Isn't it safer this way? 1
20 20 301 Qu Of course, I will not allow for any accidents. After all, my mission is not over yet. 1
21 21 201 1 500243
22 22 301 Bai Gui That's... 1
23 23 201 1 500150
24 24 301 1 Qu As the Supreme, it's my duty to provide shelter for my people and undertake risks on their behalf. 1
25 25 201 1 500243
26 26 301 1 Bai Gui Yes, I know you've always believed that... 1
27 1000 202 1 1
28 27 301 Bai Gui transforms into faint blue lights and dissipates around me.
29 28 201 1 500150
30 29 301 1 Qu I will return safely. 1
31 30 202 1 1
32 31 301 As I say this, I hear Bai Gui's voice all around me.
33 32 301 Bai Gui I know. The people of Kowloong all know.
34 33 301 AniZhuanchangBegin After saying farewell to Bai Gui, I walk aimlessly along the path. My vision module scans the buildings in front of me. Resting my hand on the guardrail, I close my eyes and follow it as my guide, letting memories fill my M.I.N.D.
37 36 301 AniZhuanchangEnd Training Partner A Left shoulder, chest, abdomen... Points valid! The winner is—Qu!
38 37 301 Martial Arts Instructor I expect nothing less from Lady Qu. You mastered the glaive in just a week, but now we can't find you a worthy opponent.
39 38 201 1 500220
40 39 301 1 Qu I owe it to your guidance. 1
41 40 202 1 1
42 41 301 Martial Arts Instructor You're too kind. I wasn't expecting such an assignment from the Pulao Crew after my retirement. It's our honor to have an opportunity to train you in our dojo.
43 42 301 RImgBg1Shake ??? Argh!
44 43 301 Flustered Male Voice Stop! He already forfeited after you broke his arm! Why continue to attack?!
45 44 301 The shouting from next door interrupts Qu and the instructor's exchange. Hearing this, the instructor rushes over. Qu puts away the training equipment, and follows the instructor to the corridor.
46 45 301 In the corridor, Qu sees Villier walking out of the room next door. He pats his clothes as he walks out, as if covered in filth.
47 46 201 1 500220
48 47 301 1 Qu Medic, Training Room 307. 1
49 48 202 1 1
50 49 301 Thirty seconds later, the elevator rings. Several medical staff wearing white robes exit with various medical equipment and file into Training Room 307.
51 50 301 A pale old man in a blue robe wheels out the elevator on his wheelchair accompanying the medical staff. The exposed scars on his torso indicate that he has had a traumatic experience.
52 51 301 After the medics close the training room door, Villier stands beside Qu and salutes the man in front of her.
53 52 201 1 500215
54 53 301 1 Villier Don't blame me. 1
55 54 202 1 1
56 55 301 ??? Villy, I don't want to blame you. I want to thank you.
57 56 301 The man's hoarse voice sounded like a gust of torrential wind ripping fabric to pieces. Such a voice seemed impossible for human vocal cords to create.
58 57 201 1 500215 5
59 58 301 1 Villier I told you a thousand times. Stop calling me Villy. My name is Villier now! 1
60 59 202 1 1
61 60 301 ??? (Chuckles)
62 61 301 ??? There are some things you just can't get rid of.
63 62 201 1 500215
64 63 301 1 Villier Tsk. 1
65 64 202 1
66 65 301 ??? Alright, you two get going now.
67 66 301 ??? I just came to meet an ol' friend today. I figured I'd let you know that you can begin studying the next course.
68 67 201 1 500220 400
69 68 201 2 500215 -400
70 69 301 1 Qu & Villier Understood. 1 2
71 70 202 1 2 1
72 71 301 Qu and Villier salute and proceed toward the elevator. Just as they pass the wheelchair, the man speaks again with his hoarse voice.
73 72 301 ??? Still remember what you were taught last class?
74 73 201 1 500215
75 74 301 1 Villier You mean the Imperial Doctrine? Want me to recite it for you? 1
76 75 202 1 1
77 76 301 ??? That won't be necessary.
78 77 201 1 500215
79 78 301 1 Villier The doctrine only defines one central dogma. Imperial learning is only a political tool of mankind. We should not restrict ourselves too much; results are of utmost priority. 1
80 79 201 1 500220
81 80 301 1 Qu Do not be swayed by emotions. Instead, act accordingly to the situation at hand. Grace should be given with purpose. 1
82 81 202 1 1
83 82 301 ??? That's right.
84 83 301 The man chuckles at Qu and Villier's answers. Pressing a button on his wheelchair, he proceeds to the end of the corridor.
85 84 301 ??? You both have embodied these principles during your recent public speeches. You bring hope to those in despair and impose sanctions on your opponents. Keep it up. The family looks favorably upon you.
86 85 301 AniZhuanchangBegin ??? As others have said, you two are the most capable members of our family.
88 86 301 AniZhuanchangEnd Qu and Villier walk out of the dojo. Qu stands quietly as she waits for the transport craft. Villier looks back at the dojo behind him.
89 89 201 1 500215
90 90 301 1 Villier How many times is this? 1
91 91 203 1 0.25 -400
92 92 201 2 500220 400
93 93 301 1 Qu Counting is meaningless. It may have caused a disturbance, but we got the job done for our family. 2
94 94 301 Villier Yeah, just the two of us. 1
95 95 301 Qu We were raised to use our surroundings. 2
96 96 301 Villier Hmph, good grief. 1
97 97 301 Villier Mutual interests are all that bring people together. 1
98 98 301 Villier Who would've thought that such an unsightly society of mutual exploitation could survive on this planet for so long. 1
99 100 301 As the rumble of the transport craft approaches, Villier ends the conversation and turns to face the landing zone.
100 500 301 Villier I hate this. 1
101 501 202 1 2
102 502 301 However, Qu just stands there looking out at Villier from behind.
103 101 201 1 500220
104 102 301 1 Qu ...Hate? 1
105 103 301 1 AniZhuanchangBegin Qu What sort of feeling is hate? 1
