act14side

Monch, Monch!

Where'd you go! Come help take a look at my plan. This one will show Ratatos, for sure!

Oh, Monch, I knew you had my back. Everyone else's always calling me dumb. Hah, they think I don't know...

Monch, tell me. Do you think I make something of the Browntails? I can, right? Right...? Yep! I knew you wouldn't lie to me!

Monch...!

—I won't let you!

Her movement is swift as always, as though she is leaping across a river, and as though she is leaping off a tree.

In an instant, her black figure springs off the ground, before falling and disappearing below the cliffs.

She leapt off...

An unexpected choice.

You didn't stop her.

That's not part of my mission.

You don't seem so surprised either.

There aren't many who can properly set up the pieces on the hunting grounds. If we search for evidence, we're bound to find some.

Of course, having a witness would've saved us some trouble... Though whether the witness is alive or dead doesn't actually matter all that much.

Your underlings are absent...

Perhaps they are tied up with the beasts running amok.

About that, please be sure to thank the Doctor for me.

Master!

What's the situation?

All taken care of. Some of our men are hurt, but nothing major.

I just got some news from Weiss—

Sharp? What are you doing here...?

I'm on a mission.

Doctor's orders? Did the Doctor anticipate this...?

How did you know it was me?

It's not that hard at all.

I already told you. I'm very familiar with warriors who can break a deadlock.

Enciodes!

Are you alright? Where's the assassin?!

Arctosz, I never expected to see you here. Perhaps this is a portent of the Silverashes and Paleroches finally burying the hatchet?

Pfft! I'm here, but that's got nothing to do with you!

I'm only here to flush out the underhanded lowlife who dared to disrupt Kjeragandr's Grand Ceremony! They will pay for this!

You are truly Kjeragandr's most faithful follower, Arctosz.

I'm afraid you came too late, though.

What do you mean? You would never let an assassin go. Where are you hiding him?

Wait, this cliff... Don't tell me...!

Exactly, Arctosz. My men will look for any traces of her.

Let's continue our hunt.

There's blood on the ground. Are you hurt?

It's nothing major.

Master, we must treat your wounds immediately!

We must... We must at least stop the bleeding!

We're getting back to the hunt.

I refuse to ruin Kjeragandr's ceremony.

Send the word out that all is well.

Of course.

Before everyone's eyes, the young head of the Silverash clan takes a step forward.

The snow blows all around him, scattering as he gazes upward. There is not a single scripture that describes such a sight.

The patches of red behind him gradually turn fainter in color, before finally leaving nothing but pure white that blends into the mountainous scenery.

No one can stop him. No one dares to.

Enciodes keeps walking straight ahead.