Guilty Gear XX Drama CD: Night of Knives Volumes 1-3
Translation by Blade (http://www.dustloop.com/forums/member.php?830-Blade)

3-1: "Opening"

Narrator 「The 22nd Century. Mankind succeeds in understanding the theory of magic, and thus unlocks limitless energy.
Science becomes regarded as a technology of the "Old World" and is forbidden worldwide.
But then, by the power of magic, the forbidden living weapons, Gears, were created.
The Gears, created for the purposes of fighting, bared their fangs against their controllers,
and thus began a battle between the two with the future at stake.
This brutal war had lasted for 100 years finally ended with the sealing of the Gears' leader, Justice.
*And now with the political strife having divided many nations, an Assassin's Organization is quickly assembled.
The mission to assassinate a young child is given to Millia, but in order to survive, she makes the choice to betray Zato.*

(*Cue "Feedback"*)

Guilty Gear XX Drama CD: Night of Knives Vol. 3: "Duel of the Wolves"」

3-2: "World of Murder, Hound's Afternoon"

Gottfried 「Venom you said your name was...such a dreadful duelist...rest in pea--BEGH! GUOOHGN!?
Nghgh--My body's burning--like it's going to explode!?
...My eyes are going dark...At a time like this!?...Hugh-blaouoww-ghblaragh!!
--Gahghug-not yet!!--His Royal Majesty's life is still being targeted after just being born--NRRGH-DERGH!!」

(*Gottfried, just prior to victory, has his body overtaken by vertigo and seizure-spasms.
He swallows his own vomit and blood just to speak and tries to stand.*)

*SHUNT* (Venom's Shaft #1 Stands)
Venom 「I had a feeling...that strength was artificial.」
Gottfried 「Gh--!」 *Shing*-*SHAKT* (Gottfried draws and points his halberd)
Gottfried 「VENOMM!!」
Venom 「There was a ball hidden beneath your armor, instant death.*」

(*Venom's referring to the sometimes-difficult 8-ball shots in Billiards.
Death is synonymous with hitting the 8-ball by accident.*)

Gottfried 「I thought my fatal blow tore off your head...Monster!!」
Venom 「That's my line...」
Gottfried 「Nghh..Wha!?」
Venom 「Now you're...no longer alone! I hate to admit it, but, your strength is now comparable to my Master's...
Though synthetic, your body has begun to cease adhering to the laws of nature!」
Gottfried 「Impossible! What you're saying to me is mistaken! On my pride as a knight, but, this body is still burning away--!!」
Venom 「In order for my Master to gain his power, the exchange of light was eternally lost. I fear it's likely...what's happened to you...」

(Gottfried's body continues to spasm further as he collapses, writhing in pain.)
Gottfried 「GUUA!! UAGHK!! GAH-GAHAAAGHHH!!!...M-My arm...MY LEFT ARRRM!!」
Venom 「Sudden nervous-system activity consumes protein, which causes violent stress on the body!
Large amounts of Calcium must be consumed to regenerate the cell damage! You chose to let this happen to your body, you yourself!」
Gottfried 「Impossible! Lord Maining was re-engineering all of us??」
Venom 「Now then...please step aside, Gottfried! I have something I absolutely must confirm! You won't be able to fight, with your body as it--」
Gottfried 「I CANNOT!! Any reason you possess, whatever tactical strategy becomes trivial,
when at the very VERY last, theory and experience yield before a COOL battle!! THAT IS THE WAY OF A KNIIIGHT!!!!」
(Gottfried once again raises his Halberd!)

Venom 「Pardon me. That's true. You and I are alike.」
Gottfried 「Even if my body breaks...!!」
Venom 「My loyalty shall never break!!」
Gottfried 「I offer my soul to this task!!」
Venom 「My hopes are like a knife!!」
Gottfried 「COCYTUS WHITE COMET!!」
Venom 「STINGER AIIIM!!」

(The two rush each other in a blazing flash.)

Gottfried 「Gyargh!--Gh...」
Venom 「Got him!」
Gottfried 「No...this is MY win...」
Venom 「BWARGH!?!」 (*Venom is stricken with a gout of bloodspray from the Halberd*)
Gottfried 「Even with my body bound, I broke through your intent...
It's shameful...to be hit by your strikes, but they cannot penetrate my muscles fully...」
Venom 「Yes...therefore...from the beginning it was not my aim to pierce them!」
Gottfried 「What...?」
Venom 「My ki* encircled the balls!...This is how...」 (*Venom's Forcebreak Ball-Freeze ability*)
Gottfried 「So I'm surrounded...
From the very beginning you planned to scatter your projectiles to surround me?」
Venom 「Precisely. 'Iron Whirlwind', your intentions shall advance no further!」
Gottfried 「Damn it! To be pulled into a world of death! Ugh--MOVE! MY FEET!!」
(Gottfried loses his footing, unable to escape from the surrounding pressure of kinetically charged motionless balls.)

Venom 「Farewell. DEIMMU BORGIR!!!」 (**DESTROYED!!**)
Gottfried 「C-Calroni...FOREVERRRR!!!」
Venom 「When the body is blown apart, your body shall feel no pain...」
Gottfried 「Ve...Venom...」
Venom 「Noh!?」
Gottfried 「I have a final request, though my limbs are gone...
From a fellow subordinate...I beg you...Lord Maining...please stop him!!
...His way...his plan will lead the country down a road to rui--KUWAAGOOGGH!!」
Venom 「Gottfried...very well. This request, without fail, this Venom shall grant it!」

(*Footsteps walk softly behind Venom.*)
? 「How kind of you.」
Venom 「Mi...Millia!?!」

3-3: "Child Room of Meditation"

(*Glass shatters and other objects scatter haphazardly as Zato stumbles from the Royal Bedroom, injured.*)

Zato 「...Unthinkable...for Millia to brood like this...」

(*Zato gets up from the glass.*)

Zato 「Now then...You hiding over there, show yourself! I will neither flee nor hide!」

(*A figure appears to melt into existence from the shadows.*)

? 「As expected of an Assassin of your caliber, Sir Zato...」

Zato 「To determine if nothing is something, or something is nothing is all part of being an Assassin, Lord Maining.
As you can see, your contract has been fulfilled. But why are you here?」
Leon 「Well, I just came by to thank you for all your hard work...」
Zato 「But such a thing...like the gunpowder I smell is taboo for use*, correct?」

(*He's referring to the use of guns as Blacktech, which he can smell on Maining, being blind and all.*)

Leon 「Very perceptive, as expected of a Forbidden Beast user like yourself in place like this...」

(*Lord Maining Snaps his fingers and a group of armed soldiers converge on their location.*)

Leon 「I greatly fear his Majesty the King has been grievously harmed by a rebel! Imperial Guards, shoot him down!!」
Zato 「Now I see...」

(*The soldiers open fire, shooting everywhere in the room.*)

Zato 「DRUNKARD SHADE!!」

(*Zato shields himself in a barrier of his own shadow which immediately absorbs and reflects all the bullets fired at him.*)

Leon 「What!? He's reflecting our strongest volley!! I can't believe what I'm seeing!」
Zato 「You've been exposed! You're no opponent of mine!!」 (*Zato phases into the fog*)
Leon 「Kh! That guy took the appearance of gunsmoke to get away! Stop! Stop shooting over there! There'll be friendly fire at this rate!!
After him, guards! The target's been injured, so he can't have gone far! Prep your bayonets!!」
Castle Guard 「Sir! Prepping bayonets!」

(*Zato begins running down a different hallway.*)

Zato 「(Gnehhh...missed my vital points...Millia...in the end she dared to stab me...Heh...I have to thank that woman for piercing me.
That Maining, his agreement was all just an elaborate trap...His aim was to obtain my Forbidden Beast all along.
And if he couldn't do that he'd just use me...That's why...)」

(*Door Opens*)

Zato 「...So the child wants a toy of his own, does he?」

3-4: "Gold and Silver"

Millia 「Could you please get out of my way, Venom?」
Venom 「Before that, I have something to ask you...」
Millia 「What would that be?」
Venom 「Master Zato...did he not go with you?」
Millia 「...He's dead.」
Venom 「Then...why are you still alive...!?」
Millia 「I...stabbed...him.」
Venom 「For the sake of the child...」
Millia 「Yes.」
Venom 「For that purpose, after trusting in the Syndicate, you betrayed Master Zato!!?」
Millia 「YES!」
Venom 「TO SO BRAZENLY--!!」

(*Venom runs towards her in a rage, only to get his throat ensnared by her hair.*)

Venom 「--Gehhihhh!」
Millia 「With such a worn-out body you can't hope to take me down...I'll say it again: Out of my way!」
Venom 「I can't, no exceptions. Why do you persist such foolishness with me?!」
Millia 「I don't want to kill you, Venom!」
Venom 「Nonsense...」
Millia 「I just want to protect this child. I don't want to kill this child. That's all.」
Venom 「I understand your feelings, Millia...in the old days I...no...even now I cannot assassinate this child!」
Millia 「Then you'll--!?」
Venom 「--BUT!」

(*Venom escapes her hair's grasp and brings about his Shaft #1.*)

Venom 「I was rescued out of the mires of my past and given new purpose by Master Zato! Whom also offered his hand to you!
This Venom will have you answer for your crime: For what purpose do YOU continue to live!?」
Millia 「Venom...」
Venom 「The failure of the Assassins to kill a man falls to me, even so I cannot hesitate!
Now...prepare yourself, Witch of the Blonde Hair! If you do not fight, I will kill this child!」
Millia 「Even if you're wounded you think you can beat me?」
Venom 「Even should you eviscerate me, it's insignificant!」
Millia 「I will protect this child! That's why...I now invoke the cursed power of my Forbidden Beast! Millia Rage: Stepping forward!」

(*Millia's hair forms a drawn sword*)

3-5: "In Poplar Roadside the Abandoned Dogs Rest"

(*Cue "Black Soul Arranged"*)

Zato 「How pathetic, for me to be wounded and driven into a corner like this...」

(*A Shadow suddenly dashes into view*)

Slayer 「Need some help...?」
Zato 「Founder...What's the real reason behind your excessive curiousity and meddling?」
Slayer 「I see...it's because you make me laugh.」
Zato 「What a bad joke...」
Slayer 「And Millia?」
Zato 「Stabbed me, snatched away the king and fled the castle. Thanks to not having that sense of virtue, I was humiliated.」
Slayer 「It's regrettable that your getting stabbed couldn't be avoided. Not so fortunate to be born a man, were you?」
Zato 「Thanks but, that clever commentary doesn't help.」
Slayer 「Did you even want to try this?」 (Slayer is looking at the night sky.)
Zato 「Counting stars, eh...well...when I lost my eyesight I gave up stargazing long ago...」
Slayer 「So because you can't hear the music, you refuse to dance?」
Zato 「Founder...you meddle far too much...Lord Slayer's opinion differs from mine. I am an Assassin...not a creature you pat on the head and comfort no matter what.
Dogs of sorrow don't travel in packs, please remember that.」
Slayer 「So you're the Master now?」
Zato 「No, I disagree...I'm a dog...just the leader of the pack. The Master of the House will never wait for an unsightly stray dog to return home.
Perhaps in the old days, you were called on, but now we no longer have a 'Master'.」
Slayer 「Where does this 'Alpha Wolf' plan to lead his pack?」
Zato 「We await the time our 'Master' will appear. And, until that day comes, we continue to strike at 'them'*.
To dwell within Darkness is our way of life. I believe that's my mission.」 (*He's referring to corrupt society.*)
Slayer 「And if this 'Master' were to pat you on the head...?」
Zato 「It's because we're all orphans......What a wonderful smell...is that a Poplar blossom?」
Slayer 「Ahh...you have a good nose. The streets are lined with White Poplar tree blossoms for sale.
They're so gentle and fluffy, it's like looking at a cloudy day after snow falls...」
Zato 「Poplars...remind me of my Birthday.」
Slayer 「Hm?」
Zato 「1-28 (January 28th), in the language of flowers...Poplars mean Courage.」
Slayer 「Really, to analyze everything to that extent, you are something else.」
Zato 「Aside from its definition though...Millia loves these flowers.」
Slayer 「Listen to you! There's a limit to how refined a young man like you is supposed to be!」
Zato 「Hehe...As for the definition of Easter Lilies--」

(*Gunshots Interrupt their conversation as armed Soldiers converge on their location.*)

Leon 「Assassin, you gave us a lot of trouble you know...」
Zato 「Well if it isn't Lord Maining...I got a little tired from running so I took a little break. Nice garden you have here.」
Leon 「Who's that man with you, Assassin?」
Slayer 「I'm retired now you know...Now then, where may I ask did you get that large mountain of guns?」
Leon 「On orders from Zepp, hmmhmmhmm~...Payment up front since you asked.」
Slayer 「Ohh...so that country does business here now?」
Leon 「This peaceful world continues to grow, even if a retiree runs a tight ship.」
Slayer 「Non-retiree* is what you mean...I see now. In that short amount of time they started cultivating imitation Forbidden Beasts...
Zepp somehow acquired cloning technology and put it to practical use.」

(*Slayer is referring to the idea that certain elected officials instead of simply
stepping down in Zepp became corrupt and ran illegal enterprises instead. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.*)

Leon 「Hm!? To know that is--YOU!! HOW DO YOU KNOW OLD WORLD KNOWLEDGE!!?」
Slayer 「I'm just an old man, I just happen to be well-informed.」
Zato 「Now then, Lord Maining, your greedy lust for power is limited to a single arm, as I figured. However, my Forbidden Beast dwells inside my entire body.」
Leon 「Hmph. Hah! Indeed. The war has ended, but it seems a stray pack of dogs is overrunning the streets.
As for me, a man has to eat* even bastards like you. You understand, don't you? It's a large-scale takeover.」

(*He's referring to taking all the power from Gear technology and taking Zepp over for himself.*)

Zato 「So you plan to turn Calroni Kingdom into a new Assassin's Guild, and take control of that World of Darkness for yourself?」
Leon 「Correct. And in that time, the Post-War World will fall under our prospering nation.
Gears may still bring conflict, but humans killing one another is inevitable.」
Slayer 「Quite insightful...However, if we were to follow that path, a World of Carnage will be the only thing born from that War.
Well...I think I'll leave this to you, Zato.」
Zato 「An oral exam...tormenting your Juniors by giving them all your homework?*」

(*Zato is making a joke about Sempais (Seniors) giving their Kouhais (Juniors) all their homework to do in High School.*)

Leon 「What are you saying! You...!」
Zato 「Lord Maining...it's expected of humanity to assume you are the 'Light'...」
Leon 「Such a creepy underhanded remark...I'm the light you say?」
Zato 「That's right. When rays of the sun's light burn, a deep shadow falls!
When Prosperity falls in to shadow, we Assassins thrive in the world!
So long as you seek prosperity by becoming the Light, we are eternally destined to confront one another!」
Leon 「Why you...!!」
Zato 「This is my declaration, Maining:
The World of Darkness shall grow under my Forbidden Beast's power!
Your weak thoughtlessness cannot be allowed to persist!
You can't even control a group of armed thugs, much less mislead a country to ruin! SHADOW!!!」

Eddie 「KUUUWEEEERRRGGGGHhhhh....Hrrrrrrsssshhhhhhhhhhhhr rrrrr.....」

(*Zato's Shadow Organism is summoned and its appearance alone strikes fear in the Soldiers.*)

Soldier A 「W-what the hell IS that!?!」
Soldier B 「A shadow with teeth appeared! It's gonna eat me!!」
Eddie 「Grrraaaghhhhrrr...」
Leon 「S-sh-shoot it! CAN'T YOU SHOOT!?」
Soldier 「It's no good! We can't fight a monster!! Mommy! MOMMY!!」

One of the Soldiers hits the ground trembling in fear.*)

Zato 「Now then...will you kindly step aside?」
Leon 「You think you can stop me!? I'll kill the King and capture this Country!
The cogs have already begun to turn and you can't stop them!
Your lips were sealed so why!? When I'm so close to grasping supremacy!!?」
Slayer 「But this is reality: Zato's power CAN stop you. You and your whole Imperial Army should just give up!
You should reconsider fighting altogether.」
Leon 「Not yet! God Series! You will show them your true power! UNSEAL!!」
Slayer 「Hn?」
Zato 「This sensation is--!」
Soldier A 「Ugh...UUUUNNNNGHHUUUUUUUUUUAAAAA!!!!」 *Bang*
Soldier B 「My body's explooodiiing!!!???」 *Bang*

(*Their bodies literally explode and begin to mutate.*)

Soldier A+B 「RRRUUUUUUUUUOOOOOOOOOOUUUUGHHHH....」

Slayer 「!! The Imperial Guards were drugged and changed into monsters! I see...so that's how the Forbidden Beasts' powers were released!
How can you be so stupid...They're probably completely Gears now!」
Leon 「Hehaahahahahahahehe~! Surpass humans! Surpass Gears! Make this devoted Assassin cease to exist!
You brats can't look down on me anymore! Zato!!」
Zato 「Understood. Discussions are over. Behold...my Shadow of Truth!! My...HEART OF DARKNESS!!」
Eddie 「RRRRRNNNNGGGAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH....」

3-6: "Clashing Angels"

(*Cue* "Existence")

Venom 「As expected of you, Millia. Even while carrying that child in your arms, you deflected 10 shots of my Red Hail without even once slowing down!」
Millia 「You as well, using long range tactics. Even despite a broken ribcage you're so determined to never miss targeting my vital points? Don't look down on my hair!」
Venom 「No doubt you are a sharpened edge of steel, with movement speed that exceeds human eyesight...」
Millia 「...While your cue tip movement exceeds the speed of sound, your field of vision is pushed to a limitless state of Infinite Aerial Ball Mastery*...」

(*The term she uses here is "Mugen no Seikuuken o motsu boru" 無限の制空権を持つボール, Seikuuken refers to a martial arts technique where one's field of attack range is in fact their field of defense range as well, so they can attack, counter, and deflect anything within their radius of influence, even beyond their own radius of vision. In this case Venom's ball targeting range can hit anything or deflect anything from any angle around him like a sphere of defense.*)

Venom 「Predicted--!」
Millia 「Guild Technique--!」
Venom + Millia 「--NUMBER TWO!!」

(The two strike one another using equally powerful techniques they learned while in the Assassin's Organization!)

Venom 「Gaaah-kih!」
Millia 「..kihiih!!」
Venom 「--Well, how was that!? You got slightly wounded, even though it wasn't fatal--!」

(Venom hits the ground having been slashed heavily once again.)

Millia 「Why you--you pulled your Cue back at the last second! And just now I was going to--!」
Venom 「Master Zato...wished to spare that child. My orders were absolute!」
Millia 「Venom--!!」

(The sound of Calroni Castle becoming rubble is heard in the distance)
Eddie 「RRRRRNNNNGGGAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH....」

Millia 「That was--!?」
Venom 「Master Zato's Forbidden Beast!!?」
Millia 「Zato...is still alive...?」
Venom 「I'm going, Millia.」
Millia 「Where are you going!?」
Venom 「What a foolish question...」
Millia 「To Zato's side...but...」
Venom 「I can never forgive you, but you did not kill Master Zato. That's just...how it is.」
Millia 「Understood.」

(Venom and Millia with Child run towards the looming Forbidden Beasts in the distance.)

3-7: "Strong Shadow, Following Light"

(The God Series Gears continue to battle Slayer and Zato amidst the chaotic debris...)

Slayer 「Oh dear...at this rate even my old self won't be able compete with something that massive.」
Zato 「Small talk aside, my Forbidden Beast isn't faring much better. My Shadow is growing weaker.」
Slayer 「Because of our small numbers, our total attack power is as poor as throwing a Sugar Cube into the sea...」
Zato 「If only my Forbidden Beast could strike at their cores...then the conflict would--」
Slayer 「Looks like a stalemate, then. Well, we'll just have to find a hiding place and patiently wait...」
Leon 「Khh--Hey! What the hell are you doing! Use your power! Use your powers to crush and consume them all, Imperial Knights!」
God Series 「...GRRRRHH...YAHRRR...GAH-GAHHRRR...SHHHIIIHHH...」
Slayer 「Stop that! Use any more magic and those soldiers truly won't return!
No, on the contrary, the Forbidden Beasts won't accept commands and begin to rampage!...It'll be just like Justice's second coming!」
Leon 「Hehehahaha~ You're bluffing! The powers of Science and Magic combined can control my God Series! My "Arm" cannot be severed!」
Slayer 「Give me a break...this brat is beyond help. In that case...Zato, let's head some distance away and let this guy do as he pleases!」

(Just as Slayer and Zato are about to flee, tentacles from the God Series snake out and grab them.)

Zato 「I'm not...so sure your idea is a very good one...」
Slayer 「But--...」
Millia 「Zato!」
Venom 「Master Zato!」

(Venom and Millia dive in and attack the tentacles and sever them, buying some time.)

God Series 「HUUUWWWAAAAAAAHHHHH....!」

Zato 「You two!?」
Slayer 「It seems you still have romance! It's just a tiny bit of light, but I wonder if someday that World of Shadows will shine with radiance!」
Zato 「Enough with the bad jokes!」
Millia 「Zato...I...」
Zato 「Missions can lead to accidents...don't worry. Whenever a contract is betrayed, no matter how complex the request it becomes scrap paper.
Your hair was ridiculed as a monstrosity, so vengeance is in order!」
Millia 「And this child...?」
Zato 「The contract is nulled. He's your responsibility, but...the moment you leave my "sight" you become an enemy. Venom!」
Venom 「Sir!」
Zato 「Millia and I are rushing in. Give us cover fire for 30 meters. Can you do it?」
Venom 「Though I've lost 20% of my blood and 8 of my bones are broken, this Venom's Soul shall remain flawless!!」
Zato 「Good! Millia! Once I expose the monsters' cores, I want you to use "Winger" and smash them!」
Millia 「Understood. Then there will be no more casualties. Not bad!」
Slayer 「Ahh...not to trouble you here...but my turn is over.」
Zato 「Please observe us, then.」
Slayer 「Oh?」
Zato 「For the seeds you scattered to blossom into flowers, obligation and heart are required to observe those seeds so that they blossom.」
Slayer 「Very well!」
Zato 「LET'S GO!」

(The four Assassins scatter.)

Venom 「HAAAAAAAA!!! RED HAIL!!!」 *Ptok-Ptok-Ptok-Ptok*
God Series 「--HUUUWWWAAAAAAAHHHHH!」
Zato 「Got it! DAMNED FANG!! TEAR THEM OPEN!!」
Eddie 「KUUWHHHWEHHHGRRRRrrr...」
God Series 「--GAH-GAHHRRR...YAHRRR!」
Zato 「--MILLIA RAGE!!」
Millia 「Yes, Zato=ONE!」 *Millia appears from the sky on Golden Wings of her hair*
Leon 「Aaaaaah!! St-st-Stop it you! At this rate my dream will be broken!!」
Millia 「LOOK HARD--UPON YOUR NIGHTMARE!」 *Her hair forms extra blades on each feather*
Millia 「Those are the cores...? WINGEEERRRRR!!!!」

*With the Baby in her arms, Millia swoops down and smashes through the God Series*
God Series 「--HUUUWWWAAAAAAAHHHHH!」

*After the cores are destroyed the God Series reverts back to normal dead soldiers.*

Leon 「Impossible...Impooossible!!」

*Millia lands and gently falls asleep with the baby in her arms*

Millia 「Boy...Boy your future...I'll protect it...just let me sleep a little bit...」

Venom 「With this, the Imperial Knights can return to dying as men...Gottfried...my promise has been fulfilled...」

*Venom collapses*

*Clap-Clap-Clap-Clap-Clap*

Slayer 「Such magnificent skill!」
Zato 「How you hang upside down without getting a nosebleed I have no idea, but did I at least get passing marks?」
Slayer 「That's right...this was a test!」
Zato 「That's harsh.」
Slayer 「The exam was to see how well you could handle an indecent proposal, which was pretty fun to watch.
With the end of the Holy War and the beginning of this Peaceful Era, all of you and Maining were on equal terms from the paths you chose.
I was the examiner.」
Zato 「At least give...Venom and Millia some time to rest. My subordinates need more time to think about their futures...」
Slayer 「That's the spirit!...And maybe you could...」
Zato 「You still need something?」
Slayer 「No, it's not that important but, I missed hearing you talk about Millia's favorite flower in flower language. I'd like to hear it.」
Zato 「Ah...the Easter Lily in flower language means "the desire to have children"...」
Slayer 「That desire and your desire clash you know. It might be troublesome to pray for such a wish. Farewell then, Young Assassin!」
Zato 「The next time we meet...I shall present you with your defeat, First Assassin!」

3-8: "Epilogue ~Golden Age~"

Millia 「Is it a good idea...to keep Lord Maining alive?」
Zato 「Do you want to kill him?」
Millia 「That's not what I mean...」
Zato 「This was Venom's advice: were that man to die, a civil war would certainly break out in Calronia.
The rivalling Lords of the people are incompetent, so even a scoundrel like him could peacefully unite and govern them, which benefits everyone. This is also in our best interests...」
Millia 「I see...and...about me?」
Zato 「Your mission was cancelled. Because you betrayed the mission in ignorance.」
Millia 「How sweet of you.」
Zato 「That's not all...I meant what I said about that child being your responsibility.」
Millia 「What are you planning?」
Zato 「That child will be raised within the Organization, until such time as Foster Parents can be found.」
Millia 「You think we can go back to how it was? I betrayed you! I'll say it again: I might betray you again!」
Zato 「If you leave the Organization now, there will be no negotiations. If you betray us: you can be certain someone will be dispatched to eliminate you.」
Millia 「I see. Venom will be pleased.」
Zato 「Millia...you're needed within the Organization...No...I find you ESSENTIAL as a human being! I beg you not to forget that!」
Millia 「Zato...」
Zato 「Three days...I will not permit any more!*」

(*He's giving her 3 days' absence to find foster parents on her own instead of having the Organization raise the child like an Assassin. Or else he'll pursue her.)

Millia 「Understood. But I won't run...」(Millia walks out of Zato's office and leaves, shutting the door behind her.)

Millia 「(I will never run, Zato...Someday I will come back here. And at that time...I will...surpass you.)」



~~Some time later~~

Salteria 「Waaaahaaaaa~~~!」
Millia 「Ahh geez, don't cry, don't cry I said!...You make ME want to cry...Giving me '3 days' to look is unreasonable!」
? 「Waiiiiiiit-wait-wait-wait-WAIT! Hold it right there, young lady~!」
Millia 「Who's there!? (Where did he come from!?)」
? 「Now-now you're supposed to hold him gently...Look, like this.*」 (*He takes the crying baby from her.)
Millia 「!」
? 「Bouncey-bounce-what-what-what-look-look-look! You need a diaper change? Hmmm?」
Salteria 「Hehehe, hahahah~!」
? 「Hahahaha! Good! You're a good kid! Worrying your mother like that's no good you know?」
Millia 「But I'm not his mother!」
? 「Oops, pardon me! So you mean you're just his caretaker, right?」
Millia 「...Yes...」
? 「Whatever sort of circumstances you might have, perhaps our meeting here is fated. Would you care to tell me?」
Millia 「I just found the child! I have to find someone else who can raise him.」
? 「Haah! Now I see! But even abandoned children need...a fresh pair of underwear!」
Millia 「...!」
? 「As luck would have it, I happen to know a nice family who can take him in...such are the times we live in...」
Millia 「That's true...」
? 「Well, those are the times, but at least this kid has a place to go and be looked after now...」
Millia 「Yes but...I hope that won't be a problem, though...」
? 「Yup! It's fine! This kid won't be trouble for me at all!」
Millia 「Ehh!?」
? 「The place I'm taking him to is a household of good people. They'll take in any child, it doesn't matter who!」
Millia 「I'm indebted to you.」
? 「Hahahaha~! I just think of it as an opportunity to meet a blooming young lady! Normally I'm taking applications*, so please remember me!」

(*He's talking about recruiting young pretty ladies into the Jellyfish Pirates!)

Millia 「I have to go home now. There's a man there who will be very upset if I don't. I'll be walking back on foot.」
? 「Mm, sounds like a wonderful guy, but...I would never tie down a woman like that. I love all ladies equally!!」
Millia 「Fufufu~ what an amusing fellow. What's your name?」
? 「Johnny! That...is my name!」

Narrator 「After this, the Calronian Monarch was lost and a new ruler was enthroned. Lord Maining then became the growing kingdom's Regent.
As for the King that vanished along with the Guild--」
Johnny 「Hold it! That's a SE-CR-ET! I guarantee everyone's happy with things as they are!」
Narrator 「--he disappeared from the pages of history. This incident within the Assassin's Guild would mark the radiant end to a Golden Era.
After this, a tragedy would begin: Zato, Venom, and Millia...the fate of these three would later become a chain of sorrow.
But, on that day...standing under a row of Poplar trees...at that moment, their three hearts touched...

Guilty Gear XX Drama CD: Night of Knives...End.」

Closing Notes by Blade:

The ending to this is a lot more conclusive than my earlier translation attempt, so I made a lot of baseless assumptions back then regarding May, bear in mind.

Salteria Calroni and Leon Maining's fates are currently unknown at this time. Though it wouldn't be surprising if Ky Kiske was given jurisdiction over Calronia when he took the throne of Illuriya, which is made up of a series of United Kingdoms, perhaps near that region.

I do not know if Salteria kept his name when he got adopted. It would be the ultimate hubris if he ended up being the boy "Eddie" that Venom met in one of his endings in Accent Core Plus.

There seems to be little difference between the methods used to create Gears and the God Series' itself, despite being clones of Kinjuu (Forbidden Beasts).

It's never said if Millia or Johnny remembered each other from this incident, either.

I was incorrect with my initial assumption regarding Millia and Zato at the end of this story. It seems that for the time being she is still part of the Guild, but most likely at some point later on, she meets with Ky Kiske and the IPF and betrays Zato, ultimately leading to his being imprisoned. I assume Venom managed to escape or wasn't present during that incident.

Also, I will try to translate Slayer's sidestories at another time, so I may make a separate thread for that.

And although it's never fully explained, Zato hints that the Poplar, a tree blossom, represents his Birthday in Flower Language. And although he says Millia liked his flower, she also liked Easter Lilies, which he later says represent her desire to have children (it's assumed that she sacrificed being able to become pregnant in order to gain the Forbidden Magic Angra). This can also imply that the Easter Lily represents her Birthday, which is unknown at this time, unless Zato somehow knew when her Birthday was, despite her being an orphan. Easter Lilies are assumed to represent Easter itself, or the first full moon of the season (Millia's profile suggests a Full Moon theme), so late March or Early April.

Lastly, no other information regarding the dagger OutRage that Slayer has is given. No name either, so it's assumed to be one of the two unnamed Sacred Treasures.

Anyways, thanks for reading!