﻿\setgamedatatitle("Shuka  \nThe Third City, Hakusha")

\text("Caym")
...Is that the detention center?
\endtext

\text
From a distance in Hakusha, Caym checks out the detention
center.
\endtext

\text
Beside him, Margaretta and Agri also turn their gaze toward
the facility.
\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
If Risbell's intel is correct. Don't you two dare stray from
me.
\endtext

\text("Agri")
You don't have to tell me that.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Indeed. To make sure we don't get separated, let's hold
hands. I request the lovers' grip.
\endtext

\text
Beneath the trio's feet―in the underground, monsters are
waiting, ready to burst out at any moment.
\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
Honestly... Don't draw too much attention. You're already...
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Don't worry. I know full well this is just a recon mission.

\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
...Right. But if you're saying it out loud, it's hardly
reconnaissance anymore.
\endtext

\text
For Caym, scouting out enemy positions right before an
assault is nothing unusual.
\endtext

\text
It's a job that should really be left to scouts, but he
often finds excuses to wander off on his own.

\endtext

\text
This time, he said he was curious about that detention
center... and Agri insisted on tagging along.
\endtext

\text
And so, at Risbell's request, Margaretta ended up coming
along as their chaperone.

\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
Still, scouting the detention center... If we're going to
take Hakusha anyway, it doesn't have to be now.

\endtext

\text("Agri")
Idiot, like I could just leave them!

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Indeed. There might be a beautiful woman among the
prisoners. If there is, my motivation will go up.
\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
...Caym aside. Are you planning to rescue them before the
battle?
\endtext

\text("Agri")
Huh? And what if I am?
\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
What will you do if they get caught up in it? Charging in
with just a few of us, we don't stand a chance.
\endtext

\text("Agri")
But still...!
\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
They might take the detainees as hostages. That would be a
problem for us.
\endtext

\text("Agri")
Ahh... The boss is gonna lose it again if that happens.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
............
\endtext

\text
The whole reason Margaretta came along was as insurance in
case things went south.
\endtext

\text("Risbell")
Just in case. If those two start to go wild, please stop
them.

\endtext

\text
Apparently, something like that happened once before
Margaretta joined the group.
\endtext

\text
Both Caym and Agri can't stand seeing the weak trampled on.

\endtext

\text
That's why Agri became strong to protect the weak, and Caym
once slaughtered all the soldiers.

\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
(I get Agri, but Caym... really...)

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Hm, what's wrong?
\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
You really aren't what you seem.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
What do you mean by that?
\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
You can't stand things like that, can you?
\endtext

\text
Margaretta turned her gaze to the horrors unfolding in front
of the detention center.
\endtext

\text("Shuka Soldier")
Trying to escape... You need to be punished for not knowing
your place!
\endtext

\text("Diabolica")
Stop...! I don't want to hurt anymore, no, ah...! Hii, gya!?

\endtext

\text("Diabolica")
Hiu... ugh...
\endtext

\text
A man who seemed to be a guard raised his sword and slashed
at the detainee.
\endtext

\text
He didn't kill, just slashed. It was as if he was enjoying
tormenting them.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Ah, I don't really care about that. Failing to escape is her
own fault.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Well, if there's anything in her favor, it's that she's a
pretty cute girl. If I save her, I'll have to get a reward.

\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
Hmm...?
\endtext

\text("Caym")
The weak are weeded out. Survival of the fittest is the law
of nature. But being weeded out and being trampled are two
different things.
\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
...I see. As long as you know where to draw the line, that's
fine.
\endtext

\text("Agri")
Boss...!
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Wait for the right time. From the looks of it, they won't
kill her yet. As long as she's not killed, her wounds can be
healed.
\endtext

\text("Agri")
...Tch. Got it.
\endtext

\text
Caym calmed the bloodthirsty Agri.
\endtext

\text
Meanwhile, Margaretta felt relieved.

\endtext

\text
With this, it probably won't turn out like Risbell was
worried about.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Hm!
\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
Is something wrong?
\endtext

\text("Caym")
I've got a little errand to run. You all stay here until I
give the signal.
\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
Caym?
\endtext

\text
Letting go of Margaretta's hand, Caym quickly headed over to
her.

\endtext

\text
To Magahime, who was watching the detention center with a
complicated expression.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
What are you doing in a place like this?
\endtext

\text
And as a greeting, he grabbed her round ass cheek with a
firm squeeze.
\endtext

\text("Magahime")
Hyaa!? Hey, what are you doing, you pervert... Ah, Caym!?
You little...!!

\endtext

\text("Caym")
What? It's just a greeting. A king shouldn't make a fuss
over grabbing an ass or two.

\endtext

\text("Magahime")
What kind of man greets people by grabbing their butt...?

\endtext

\text("Caym")
There's one standing right in front of you.
\endtext

\text("Magahime")
Yeah, yeah, I know... Geez, even when I'm feeling down...

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Is it about that?
\endtext

\text
Caym pointed his finger at the detention center.
\endtext

\text("Magahime")
......
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Wasn't the forced detention your order?
\endtext

\text("Magahime")
...I specifically told them not to harm anyone.

\endtext

\text("Magahime")
It was only supposed to be temporary, just until the war
with the Demon Lord's army was over...
\endtext

\text("Magahime")
...I never ordered this, and I never wanted it either.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
That's a rare thing to hear from a human. I thought you all
hated us.

\endtext

\text("Magahime")
I'm not like that. Besides, all that prejudice against
Diabolica has been around forever, hasn't it?

\endtext

\text("Magahime")
You know, I really hate those old, lingering values and ties
that just keep dragging on from the past.

\endtext

\text
With a snort, Magahime glared resentfully at the brutality
happening in front of the detention center.

\endtext

\text("Magahime")
...It's been about ten years, I think. I've been watching
this kind of thing all that time.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
............
\endtext

\text
Both sides stubbornly insisting on how things should be―

\endtext

\text
Even after escaping, the power struggles continue...
\endtext

\text
Magahime has learned that these endless cycles eventually
rot a country from within and lead it to collapse.

\endtext

\text("Magahime")
It really makes me sick. Once something rots, that's it.
There's just no fixing it anymore.

\endtext

\text("Magahime")
You have to pull it out from the roots. I can't do it
myself... Even if you cut out just one part, the rot will
just spread from somewhere else.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
...Couldn't you have relied on someone? I heard there are
plenty of Diabolica among the military officers.

\endtext

\text("Magahime")
If I got caught up in the power struggles too, that would
defeat the whole purpose, right? And if I showed any
weakness, Tsushin would...
\endtext

\text
At that, Magahime lowered her gaze.
\endtext

\text
The name Tsushin was familiar to Caym as well.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
(Tsushin... Tsushin... If I remember right, he was the head
of the civil officials. Every country is the same, huh.)
\endtext

\text
Or maybe it's just how things are in this Nilt region.
\endtext

\text
Maybe this lazy peace has rotted the country and produced
men like Tsushin and Rudol.

\endtext

\text("Magahime")
If that's the case, then maybe what we need is a huge
change... Like being taken over by the Demon Lord's army or
something...
\endtext

\text("Magahime")
Unless it's something that drastic, Shuka will never change,
no matter how much time passes.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Oh? So you're saying I should just take this country for
myself?
\endtext

\text("Magahime")
Sorry to disappoint you. I haven't given up yet. I don't
mind losing after I've done everything I can, but I have no
intention of giving up from the start.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Heh, I see. Do everything you can... In that case, let's get
started right away.

\endtext

\text("Magahime")
Get started? What are you planning to do?
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Come with me. You're my hostage now.

\endtext

\text("Magahime")
Hostage...? Kya!?
\endtext

\text
Caught off guard, Magahime let out a small scream.
\endtext

\text
Caym's thick, strong arms wrapped around her.

\endtext

\text
He pulled her close and started dragging her toward the
detention center.
\endtext

\text
It was something she hadn't expected at all, not even the
timing.
\endtext

\text
Margaretta and Agri hurriedly chased after Caym.

\endtext

\text("Magahime")
Hey, Caym! What the hell are you trying to do!?

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Don't worry. Once I'm done, I'll let you go.

\endtext

\text("Magahime")
That's not the point...
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Hey.
\endtext

\text("Shuka Soldier 1")
Huh?
\endtext

\text
Then, together with Magahime, he approached the soldier who
was tormenting the Diabolica―
\endtext

\text("Shuka Soldier 1")
Who the hell are you?
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Step aside.
\endtext

\text("Shuka Soldier 1")
Gah!?
\endtext

\text
He casually punched the soldier, sending him flying.
\endtext

\text("Shuka Soldier 2")
Hey, who the hell are you!?
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Don't move. I can't guarantee what'll happen to Magahime.
\endtext

\text("Magahime")
Ouch... agh...!?
\endtext

\text("Shuka Soldier 2")
Magahime-sama!? Why are you here...?
\endtext

\text("Caym")
I'm Caym of the Demon Lord's army. Disarm and surrender
immediately. If you don't, I'll kill Magahime.

\endtext

\text("Magahime")
Ugh... Caym...!
\endtext

\text
Caym used Magahime as a hostage to threaten the Shuka
soldiers.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Our goal is to take control of Hakusha... and free the
detainees. If you obey quietly, both you and Magahime will
remain unharmed...
\endtext

\text("Shuka Soldier 2")
Hmph... Is that all? Then go ahead and finish us off.
There's no way we'd ever bow to the likes of you.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
...What?
\endtext

\text("Magahime")
Cough... cough... What are you all... saying...?

\endtext

\text
Caym loosened his grip in shock, while Magahime stood there,
stunned.
\endtext

\text
The soldiers showed not even a hint of fear; instead, they
glared at Caym with open hostility.
\endtext

\text("Shuka Soldier 3")
If we can defeat the Demon Lord at the cost of Magahime's
life, it's a small price to pay.
\endtext

\text("Shuka Soldier 2")
There isn't a single supporter of the usurper here. You'll
die along with the Demon Lord.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
(...Usurper, huh?)
\endtext

\text("Magahime")
...I see. You're all on Tsushin's side, aren't you? In that
case, it can't be helped...

\endtext

\text
It wasn't just the words of the soldiers.
\endtext

\text
It was the fact that they had rejected Magahime as their
queen that cut deeper.
\endtext

\text
She never imagined they'd wish for her death.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
What do you mean, 'it can't be helped'? What about me, who
came here to take you away?
\endtext

\text("Magahime")
Huh...?
\endtext

\text
But there was no time to wallow in despair.
\endtext

\text
The words and strength of the man holding her close wouldn't
allow it.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
You're mine. I won't let you die. If they don't want you,
that's perfect for me. I'll take you right here and now.

\endtext

\text("Magahime")
Ah...
\endtext

\text
He pulled her into a powerful embrace, making her face burn
so hot her mind went blank.

\endtext

\text
―Won't let me die? Take me away?
\endtext

\text
He wants me... this much? He wants me?
\endtext

\text("Shuka Soldier 2")
Do as you please. Either way, this is where you both end!

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Then I'll leave the rest to you. Magahime is with me, so
don't make me get involved.

\endtext

\text("Monsters")
Gwoooooooo!!
\endtext

\text
With a roar, monsters appeared from the ground, from alleys,
from everywhere.
\endtext

\text
At the head of the pack stood Agri.
\endtext

\text("Agri")
The detention center! Rescue the Diabolica!!

\endtext

\text("Shuka Soldier 3")
Damn monsters... We'll throw you all in the detention center
too!!
\endtext