Grandfather,
I will come back.
Looks like a prison photo...
Hey, guys, please smile.
This is going to be important propaganda for Section III.
Try to imagine all the readers looking at the front page.
Your image is what's important, your image.
Please give us your best smile.
Ah, oh well.
Cheese!
They say we're easy-going and whatnot,
but we're quite busy ourselves, too.
If the interview begins to interfere with our operations,
then the interview ends there.
Umm...
Die Welt Newspaper,
I'm Dalton from the social welfare section.
I completely understand what you mean.
It is not our intention to interfere with your work.
This article is part of a series called "Now, After Reconstruction",
and we would like to inform the public of the activities that Section III does.
So, it's finally time for my face to make a nation-wide debut, huh?
That photo we just took, it's going to appear in this paper.
It is a national paper after all.
And who was the one that didn't want the interview?
I was...
...because I still believe we're just a money-collecting machine for the government.
But if our photo is going to be in it,
then it's a whole different story.
"Easy-going," indeed.
We look forward to working with you today.
Same here, 2nd Lieutenant.
About that "image" you just mentioned,
I thought that was a great word.
That was a great word?
To imagine the future of this country after all the war relief.
In other words, after all the reconstruction has been completed,
to imagine a day where everyone can lead a steady life.
I am imagining the day when Section III can finally accomplish that goal.
The day when you can accomplish your goal, eh?
Of course, I am proud of Section III.
But as long as Section III stays busy,
one cannot say the rebuilding of the Empire has been completed.
The smiles that we see on our missions...
...are like medals of honor for us.
A future where this country will be filled with smiles...
If people can imagine a prosperous future where people aren't prejudiced by their personal interests...
...but instead have their own dreams to pursue...
...then the war relief will be expedited.
And that's a direct message to the readers, right?
Then, everyone, please give me comments one by one about your efforts in Section III.
What exactly is he expecting us to say after hearing such hot-blooded words?
Dr. Colt?
Are you there?
Who are you?
You, again?
What is it this time?
What do you want to know about tanks?
I saw this thing today.
Were there prototypes left behind in the army?
No, a soldier had this on him.
In fact, he had it right here, in a holster.
Really?
From our last interview,
you talked about the absolute point-blank range attack, right, Doctor?
You also said that it was so unrealistic that the project fell apart altogether.
But, today, I've seen it.
Thanks for your help, guys.
Ah, no problem.
Nice work, Mr. Dalton.
Heading home now?
Yes, although we can only sleep after we head back to the dormitory.
We have our meals and showers here.
That's a mighty big gun you got there.
Yeah, I mean, look at the size of this guy.
That's why a normal gun would be like a toy to him.
It's a custom-made gun.
That's all there is to it.
I only caught a slight glimpse of it,
but I believe it has been used frequently.
Section III has visited me once before.
Someone did express interest in the Door Knocker.
They should know the meaning of that gun.
I don't have any evidence,
but they appeared to run away from the subject.
Was the absolute point-blank range project really abandoned?
Perhaps there's something that even you don't know, Doctor.
Are you going to put this in an article?
Someday.
That's why I came to you, Doctor.
Please tell me the specifics again...
...about the Door Knocker.
Then, could you tell me more about the man who possessed the Door Knocker?
Yo, big man.
Ah, morning.
What's going on, getting together this early?
This is you, right?
Yeah...
I knew it.
You've got a really commendable job, my man.
Is there anything we can do for you?
Anything, just tell us.
And that blonde girl said some good things, too.
When I was young, I used to imagine a prosperous future, too.
If there were more of you guys,
this country might get a bit better.
Good morning, my fellow comrades.
You're early today.
I looked the best on the photo, right?
We can't tell because it's too small.
I wonder what kind of feedback it'll get.
Everyone's supporting Section III.
Everyone?
My neighbors...
They were especially touched by the Lieutenant's words.
I see.
To imagine the future...
It's a small thing...
But I think it's a big war relief.
Hey Cecile.
Two bottles of beer, please.
Pay up first.
Just put it on my tab.
It's way overdue.
The master's going to get mad at me.
Aww, come on, don't say that.
What're you reading?
This.
Ah, I read that, too.
What about it?
I saw this person before.
I see her a lot at the cemetery.
Ain't she a noble?
She's from the Malvin family, one of the Thirteen Appointed Families.
Such bullshit.
"We're working hard on war relief" is just the excuse of the higher-ups, right?
And for her, that's just a noble's way of self-satisfaction; it's just a game for her.
I am friggin' pissed at that article.
This is what I thought...
What?
I've finally found a way to use my brother's manuscript.
Manuscript? That one?
Sorry, I can't figure out what you're trying to say.
Good morning, dearest Alice.
Good morning, Lord Schultz.
Alice, please wait!
I am deeply moved by yesterday's article!
You are the most beautiful when you are doing your job at Section III.
At least, allow me to apologize for my earlier rudeness.
Let me give you a trip to the army HQ today.
I thank you, Lord Schultz.
But, as thankful as I am for your intentions,
I have decided that I walk there every day.
Excuse me, you're 2nd Lieutenant Alice L. Malvin, right?
Yes.
I've seen you several times at the cemetery.
Same here.
I knew it was you when I saw the photo in the paper.
Quiet!
I just want you to come with me for one day.
Quite a dangerous way of asking me...
Alice!
Lord Schultz.
What's the meaning of this?
Weren't you going to walk?
This is part of Section III's tasks.
I have to head to the scene now.
These people are cooperating with me in this task.
Wow...
This is only one part of it.
Everyone's counting on you guys.
More like we didn't get any coverage before.
But, this is criticism.
They're calling us the public facade of the government.
Well, it's the truth.
There are some of those in here.
I think it's just another way of showing their high expectations.
What's wrong?
I'm happy...
...that there's so many people supporting the Pumpkin Scissors unit.
And so, for the second part of my article,
I was thinking about giving you guys individual spotlights.
For example, Corporal Oland,
what missions left an impression on you, etc.
Hey, you're that...
The LT's self-proclaimed fiancé.
What? This person?
I'm not self-proclaimed!
Eventually I will be!
Please don't get your spit on us.
Calm down.
What do you want?
Was any mission given to Alice today?
No.
I knew it.
I thought it was strange.
Something happened to the lieutenant?
Some suspicious people...
Don't tell me that was... a kidnapping?
I understand.
I won't write about it yet.
I do feel sorry for resorting to violent means.
I just wanted to ask you...
Why did you come without resistance?
You could've asked for help from that nobleman.
I just wanted to know your intentions.
Even though you might get killed?
You aren't murderers.
Hmm, wanna see?
Stop it.
That's not why we brought her here.
But she's a noble and a soldier,
the types of people we despise the most!
She's the same type of person that killed your brother!
Killed?
This was the reason.
My brother was a writer for a small tabloid.
He went around the underground world of the Empire...
...and wrote about rumors he'd hear there.
That was a scoop that my brother found.
There's a scandal that the army you're in is trying to cover up.
But ever since he'd started investigating that scoop,
my brother said there was always someone following him.
What's this scandal about?
Just listen to me until the end.
That manuscript isn't complete...
...because my brother was killed before it could've been.
They said he fell into the river from being drunk, man.
It wasn't an accident like that!
They wanted to shut his mouth, basically.
He was obviously killed by your friends in the army.
Are you saying the army did this?
Because the manuscript disappeared...
...including all the interview memos...
And this is...
A copy.
He probably felt his life was in danger,
so he split it into three parts and hid it.
It was like treasure hunting for us.
You want to publish this manuscript, right?
I believe that was my brother's wish.
A manuscript is complete only when it is published.
Using me?
Yes.
Why must it be me?
"Imagine it."
Those were your words!
If you want to accomplish that war relief of yours,
I think you have to start by exposing the ugliness of this country.
What exactly can we see in the future with your whitewash?!
I know it's whitewash,
but changing that into reality is our task.
This is great.
Are you looking at reality?
Try to look around here.
The future that everyone's imagining...
...is just the food they need for the next few days!
If you want to bring us smiles,
then just fill our stomachs and let us live in warm houses!
To do that,
you need to change the very core of the government that ruined our cities!
There's no point in simply polishing the front of it.
Read this...
This manuscript has the power to change the government from the inside.
Invisible 9...
Looks like you're in shock.
I don't blame you for not knowing,
but the only reason you could say those words is because you were ignorant.
Shall we get Mer-kun to follow her scent?
That's pointless.
They moved by carriage.
We just found that carriage.
Then, can't we start from places where the carriage stopped?
Right...
We haven't had any contact from her, either.
Then we can only rely on Oreld now.
With all his acquaintances, we could probably find the man and woman that Schultz saw and-
Yes, it was this one! This carriage!
Where did you find it?
Where's Lady Alice?!
We still don't know where the LT is.
We found this carriage in the South sector of the capital,
but we couldn't find any clue to the whereabouts of the LT.
I see.
I knew I should've have forced her to get onto my carriage back then.
I'll go search for her.
Search? Where?
I don't know,
but we have to.
I'm sure the lieutenant is waiting for us, too.
I didn't expect you to come down to this scrap house personally.
You had something to tell me, no?
"That" is what I wanted to tell you about.
Tanks are the most powerful weapons on the face of this planet,
but I didn't expect a foot soldier to exceed their power.
With all the technology the Kauplan Institute possesses,
this sure was a ridiculous thing to do.
It was an experiment.
I just strengthened the "shield" and the "spear".
War was the place to advance our technologies.
You know that.
How unpleasant.
And exactly how much effect did those soldiers have in the war?
The war is past tense.
The experiment has reached its next stage.
What?
The war is over.
The way of war is gradually changing.
My experiment subject will evolve along with these changes, as well.
What do you mean?
Ah, let me ask some questions, too.
Who was the person that talked to you about my experiment subject?
A reporter from the newspaper.
He called himself Dalton from the Die Welt paper.
I thank you, Doctor.
You learned of something you shouldn't have.
Hey, keep watching outside.
I'm starving, man.
There's nothing in here.
How are things?
Miss Noble read the manuscript and is in shock.
How do you guys want to change the government with this?
You're the one that needs to think about that.
Imagine it.
We don't have any power.
We'll just be killed like my brother.
If you really want to carry out war relief,
you need to use any methods...
even if it means tainting yourself...
even if it means your life...
you have to do this, right?!
Will you do this? Or not?
There's also a way to not publish this.
We can just tell the higher-ups that we have this manuscript,
and it should be a big enough bomb for them.
That's not going to work!
We need to let the entire country know about this or else it's meaningless!
It would also be meaningless if they don't know whether this is the truth or not.
Looks like you're the same as all of those people in the government!
You're nothing but talk!
Then aren't the Pumpkin Scissors a war aggravator, too?
Wastefully giving people hope like that...
Hope won't fill our stomachs!
I only hear what you guys are saying as complaints while using the manuscript as an excuse.
If there's something you want to change,
you should change it with your own hands!
Just barking without doing anything,
people's hearts won't be moved.
Shut up...
Concerning your brother who lost his life before he could accomplish his task,
I wish to express my deepest regrets for him.
But you guys are just using this article to quickly find someone to voice your complaints to, no?
Enough of your preaching!!
You're just scared of the scandal.
You're just a soldier, after all.
You're just trying to protect the army's reputation!
Enough already.
But, it's irritating just seeing her!
You were expecting too much from her.
Listen, this is how you persuade people like her.
You know who they are, right?
You said what you wanted to say.
But while you were blabbering about your way, things that could happen to your sisters in the meantime...
...try to imagine it.
Mer-kun, I'm scared.
I think someone in this country is laughing at us while we work hard.
Our fight isn't useless, right?
Next time, "The Unseen Pain".
Come get us if you're not scared!