The interior of the Banská Mines is larger than expected and it was relatively easy to proceed to the rendezvous point with Batu. |
However, according to Putra, this was only because we were still in the 'entrance area', and we haven't even entered the mine yet. |
Putra |
"Banská is one of the most dangerous mines in the world. Once you see the intricate tunnels, it's a different world." |
Yakutsk |
"But you're talking about Banská in the Iris Cloud, right? Shouldn't the conditions be different on the other side of the universe?" |
Yoshino |
"There shouldn't be any altars in Iris Cloud's Banská." |
Putra |
"No, that's true, but..." |
Yakutsk |
"But what?" |
Putra |
"This place looks too much like Iris Cloud's Banská Mines." |
Putra |
"I only know the entrance area, but it really looks like this. My mother would be surprised if she saw this..." |
Queensway |
"Miss Putra, please be careful of the illusions that the Mist that may show you. Let's not forget that this is Iris Metro." |
Putra |
"?" |
Vivienne |
"Whatever you see, don't get affected, that's what Queensway is trying to say." |
Putra |
"Ah, I see. That can happen, can't it?" |
Putra |
"...Mhm, I'll keep that in mind. My mother is not here anymore." |
Vivienne |
"Putra..." |
Versailles |
"We can never know what can happen in the dark. Because I too saw my companions in the ever-darkness of the Metro Hole." |
Versailles |
"And that Canaria could be here too. We must be prepared not only for Phantom Mist, but also for her surprise attack." |
Queensway |
"The intricate interiors of the mine is a good place to hide." |
Yoshino |
"Canaria is a formidable opponent. We've fought her many times before, but she always comes back stronger." |
Miyako |
"It's difficult enough to navigate the misty tunnels, but now we have to be on the lookout for Canaria ambushes." |
Versailles |
"All units, halt! Hostile presence ahead. There's someone out there." |
Versailles, who was leading us in the front, signalled for a halt. She seemed to have detected the presence of someone in the dark tunnel. |
Versailles |
"This presence is not a demon. It's a person." |
Miyako |
"Could it be, Canaria?" |
Versailles |
"I don't know, but I can't rule out that possibility. It's very strong. If it's military personally, whoever that was is exceptionally well-trained." |
Versailles |
"It's approaching, Miyako, cover." |
Miyako |
"Affirmative. Keeping lights on." |
Versailles immediately raised her sword and assumed combat stance. Miyako followed suit and prepared for cover fire. As expected of Iris Metro's special unit, they are very reliable in dark combat. |
However, the presence of 'well-trained personnel' that Versailles sensed was probably not Canaria's. |
It was Putra, who noticed it, right behind Miyako. |
Putra |
"Two of you. Chill out. It's true that the person over there is strong, but she's not 'hostile'. She's one of us." |
Putra |
"Well, the Mist seems to have made us more cautious." |
Versailles |
"One of us? Meaning she's Batu, then? She has an awfully deadly aura for that..." |
Putra |
"She's been fighting here the whole time she's been waiting for us, yeah? And we haven't officially 'joined up' yet." |
Putra |
"...Password. 'Pulau Ketam'." |
??? |
"'Tangled Seaweed and Steel Ship'." |
??? |
"'Pengawal Rumah Api'." |
Putra |
"'My-Pace Monkey'." |
Batu |
"Yo Putra, you're a bit behind schedule." |
Putra |
"Sorry sorry. Mist was thicker than I expected lah." |
Versailles |
(It really was Batu. She was giving off such a dangerous aura...) |
Batu |
"Lay down your weapons, Versailles, that's what you're supposed to do once the passwords are verified." |
Versailles |
"Oh, I'm so sorry! I have been so rude to you, Miss Batu!" |
Batu |
"No disrespect at all. It's much better than having a coward walking in the front." |
Batu |
"That was a good response, you have a chance if you think I'm 'hostile' now. To tell you the truth, I was a bit gullible myself at times." |
Versailles |
"Let me introduce myself once again. I am Versailles of the Order of Metro St. Iris. Thank you for your hard work on your solo mission." |
Batu |
"Ah, nice to meet you Versailles, your sorceress is...?" |
Miyako |
"Miyako." |
Batu |
"Miyako, mhm, you don't look like the muscle type." |
Batu |
"Versailles and Miyako, you two used to be part of the Metro Special Task Force. You're survivors of the Metro Hole Investigation Unit." |
Versailles |
"Oui, Miyako and I have been working together for a long time. Our commander is Knight Commander Euston of the M. St. Iris Railway Knights." |
Batu |
"A select group from the subterranean, I've heard a lot about them from Khabarovsk, but I see. You're both pretty good at what you do. Very interesting." |
Batu |
"I think, I certainly prefer you." |
Versailles |
"Prefer?" |
Batu |
"You're petite, but you could use a spear." |
Versailles |
"Oui, I can handle a spear to some extent, as I was taught by Sir Knight Commander Euston..." |
Batu |
"If you like, let's have a duel with me sometime. The match of sword versus spear." |
Versailles |
"Ma-match, you mean...?" |
Putra |
"Yes stop, Batu has been warned." |
Batu |
"Oops, yellow card. I have to listen to Putra." |
Putra |
"No can do, Batu, don't try to challenge someone you just met into duels, you've already scared Versailles." |
Putra |
"...And why are you in such 'combat mode', a clash between two weapons? That's a bit serious." |
Batu |
"Sorry sorry. I've been in the Mist a bit too long." |
Putra |
"Mist?" |
Batu |
"Yes. The situation is bad. Prepare yourself." |
Putra |
"......" |
Batu |
"Everyone, be on the alert. The situation has changed since the initial investigations. This route is already a den of monsters. There's large volume of very thick Mist." |
Queensway |
"No way, but we're still at the entrance..." |
Versailles |
"You were waiting alone, weren't you, Miss Batu? How did you escape from the threat of the Phantom Mist in such cramped places?" |
Batu |
"Escape? Of course not, you're joking. If I did, the Mist would leak outside and everyone would be in trouble, wouldn't it?" |
Versailles |
"Then you don't mean..." |
Batu |
"Mhm. I've cleared it all up. I'm good at fighting in dark and cramped places." |
Yakutsk |
"Clearing the Mist in the tunnels by yourself... is still pretty impressive, although I thought it was already impressive enough that ya can buddy up with Instructor Khabarovsk." |
Queensway |
"I'm glad Miss Batu is the one who stayed here." |
Batu |
"It's still too early to be reassured. It looks like there's new Mist already. The altar is just beyond this Mist." |
Batu is a potential heir to the Skanda Mercenaries. A professional fighter, recognised by the most experienced and fiercest of warriors, she single-handedly defended this point from the threat of the Phantom Mist. |
Batu is strong. But there is enough Phantom Mist to make Batu seriously wary. At the very entrance to the Banská mine, we had to prepare to fight a strong enemy. |
Putra must have understood how tough the conditions were. Putra's expression had constantly stayed grim since joining up with Batu. |
Putra |
"Batu, you take the lead." |
Batu |
"Aah, I'll take care of it." |
Miyako |
"Um, Batu-san." |
Batu |
"What is it?" |
Miyako |
"I understand that the situation has changed, is it at a level where we can resume operations?" |
Batu |
"Yes, still possible. But I think it's pretty close to the borderline." |
Miyako |
"So what if the situation deteriorates further from here?' |
Batu |
"That's a good question." |
Batu calmly answered Miyako's question. |
Batu |
"To be honest, if the Mist gets any thicker, I'm not sure. It will be very difficult to strike the lower layers with this number of people, because the lower you descend into the Banská Mines, the more dangerous it is." |
Miyako |
"I see." |
Batu |
"Are you done with the questions, sorceress of M. Nishiki?" |
Miyako |
"Yes. That's all the questions I have." |
Miyako lit the surroundings with her sorcery and walked one step behind Batu, alongside Versailles. |