Scenario:A Ballad of Unbending Chivalry - Chapter 2: Means and Ends - Episode 1

A Ballad of Unbending Chivalry - Chapter 2: Means and Ends - Episode 1

On the way to Elsine's estate, a group of armed men target Yuisis and (Captain). Elsine orders Icas and other Luceria Knights to handle the disturbance, then moves on as if nothing had happened.

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After finishing their meal, the newly united group takes their leave of the restaurant.

The crew is invited to take up lodging for the night in Elsine's home.

Vyrn: Doesn't seem like many folks come to this part of town.

Elsine: It only seems that way because it's late. These streets are normally much more lively.

The crew follows Elsine through the dark city streets.

Two men emerge from the darkness and rush toward them.

Man 1: Your life is mine!

Man 2: Die!

Gran is the Main Character

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The men produce shivs from their pockets and fly toward both Yuisis and (Captain).

Djeeta is the Main Character

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The men produce shivs from their pockets and fly toward both Yuisis and (Captain).

Icas: ...!

Icas is quicker on the draw, however, and handily beats down the two thugs.

Elsine: Thank you, Icas.

Icas: Think nothing of it. Just doing my job.

Icas proceeds to bind the two men with rope.

Vyrn & Lyria: ...

Icas: What's wrong? Did I do something to offend?

Vyrn: No, I'm just amazed at how quickly you took those guys down. You're pretty strong, Dreamboat Guy.

Icas: Ha... Ahaha... Dreamboat? First time anyone's ever described me like that...

Elsine: Tee-hee, makes sense though, considering back then... Hehe!

Yuisis: Oh, that's right! Hehe...

Lyria: Yuisis? Elsine?

Elsine: Back when Icas was younger, you see—

Icas: E-El! Don't go telling them about my past!

Icas becomes visibly red in the face, clearly embarrassed.

Elsine: Hehe, oh fine. I'll give you a break just this once.

Elsine: We've got other stories to hear right now, anyway.

Elsine strides over toward the bound men.

Elsine: Listen up, because I'm only asking once.

Elsine: Who sent you, and what the hell were you hoping to accomplish? Actually, I want you to spill everything.

Elsine: Are you willing to do that? If so, I may just consider at least sparing your lives.

Man 1: ...!
You serious? No joking, now.

Elsine: Yes. You'd be a waste of my strength, frankly.

Man 2: A-all right, all right! I'll tell ya everything I know, so—

The sounds of gunshots ring through the air. Both men's heads go limp.

Vyrn: Huh?

Lyria: Oh... Oh no...

Startled by the attack, (Captain) and the others draw their weapons and begin to frantically check their surroundings.

More men emerge from the dark city streets.

Elsine: It's clear they didn't want those guys to talk... Pretty wise move.

Elsine: They were definitely unfit to lead the life of a gangster.

Man 3: Pretty bold of you to say, surrounded by so many of their brethren.

Man 3: You're right though. Looks like you know a thing or two about the mafia.

Weapons at the ready, the men eye both (Captain) and Yuisis.

Yuisis: So you were after (Captain) and I this whole time.

Yuisis: Safe to assume that you're Arrogante's goons, yeah?

Man 3: ...

Yuisis: Not gonna talk? Looks like I'll need to force the answer outta ya.

Man 3: You expectin' to beat us with your puny numbers?

Yuisis: Quality over quantity. You two-bit punks are nothing in the face of our combined strength.

Elsine: She's right, you know. I'm afraid you gentlemen also have one thing very, very wrong.

Man 3: Huh? What'd you just say?

Elsine: It's not just us here.

Elsine raises her arm.

The sounds of gunshots can be heard ringing from all directions.

Man 3: Gah!

Man 4: Urgh!

Elsine: Had quite enough?

The rain of bullets ceases as Elsine lowers her arm.

The very next moment, another group of men emerges from the shadows.

Lyria: Um... Who are these people?

Elsine: Don't worry. They're family.

Elsine: I wouldn't be much of a leader if I wasn't prepared for an attack or two during such an important meeting.

Elsine: We took the necessary precautions to ensure that we were prepared for anything.

Yuisis: I dunno, seems like a bit much to me. After all, we've got (Captain) and Icas here to boot...

Elsine: I'm doing everything in my power to make sure that no more of my precious family are hurt.

Yuisis: El...

Vyrn: The fact that "an attack or two" seems totally normal to you, though...

Vyrn: Just what kinda world do you and Crazy Girl live in!

Yuisis: I'm the daughter of the Ditoria Knights' boss. It's only natural they'd come after me.

Elsine: I'm also someone they'd be after, especially considering I took control of one of their subordinate families.

Lyria: Urgh... What passes as common sense is totally different back in our own sphere.

Elsine: Putting that aside, it seems you've emerged relatively unscathed despite the circumstances.

Man 3: Damn yous! The hell you even need all those guns for?

Man 4: Cowards, every one of ya! Why don't you take us head-on?

Elsine: Heh, that's rich. Looks like someone hasn't been down the block before.

Elsine: I've got no time for this. Icas, I leave them to you.

Elsine: Oh, but leave one or two of them alive. We'll get them to talk later.

Icas: Understood.

Elsine: Let's get going.

Vyrn: H-hey! You sure it's okay to just leave 'em behind?

Elsine: Of course. Icas is a professional, after all.

Yuisis: Your trust in him is as strong as it ever was, I see.

Elsine: Yes, and for good reason. A lot has happened between us.

Elsine begins to walk ahead.

The events that have transpired this night only serve to remind (Captain) and the crew that they are visitors in an unfamiliar world.