act14side

Haha, Kjerag's snow is a challenge for outsiders like you.

No worries. All that matters is that you're here!

Heh, now that reinforcements are here, nothing can stop us!

Isn't it too early to celebrate, Arctosz?

Enciodes!

Long time no see, Doctor.

'Long time no see' indeed.;Has it really been that long?;So, you're finally willing to meet me.

Though there's a lot I want to talk to you about, now is not the time, unfortunately.

Just you wait, Enciodes. I'll break through your encirclement, rescue the Saintess, and prove to all of Kjerag that you're the real traitor!

I’m looking forward to it.

Warriors, what has been the house of Paleroche's duty since the beginning of time?

'Defend Kjerag from foreign enemies, and protect the peace of the land!'

Now, Enciodes seeks to work against the Saintess and use her as his tool.

Can we, the hosue of Paleroche, accept that?

'No! No! Absolutely not!!!'

Reinforcements have arrived. Follow me up Mount Karlan, topple Enciodes, and rescue the Saintess!

'Topple Enciodes, rescue the Saintess!'

'Topple Enciodes, rescue the Saintess!!'

'Topple Enciodes, rescue the Saintess!!!'

b

Saintess, what are you doing?!

I'm heading down the mountain.

Sir Enciodes said––

Since when do I need Enciodes's consent to do things?

'Ding ding', 'ding ding', 'ding ding––'

An otherworldly bell sounds throughout the court.

The next moment, everyone present except Ensia falls to the ground.

Wow... incredible...

Kjarr, Kjarr.

Saintess, how did you know I was here?

I can guess where a clever girl hides.

I need to make a trip down the mountain, so please look after things here.

Oh, are you leaving the hard work to me?

There are even more troublesome things waiting for me.

If that's the case, I suppose I can't object.

In fact, during each Saintess selection, I'd dress up as a maid and secretly observe the girls being tested.

You were the sixth one that year.

I didn't have very high expectations for you, at first, since the Saintesses have been more and more boring as of late.

They may have been strong of body, but none of them were sufficiently strong of will and all ended up puppets of the Elders.

I sometimes wonder if this is because Kjerag is too closed-off. They, and the people of this country too, stagnated.

But you're different.

You're very interesting, Enya.

You didn't come here because you wanted to be the Saintess, but because of your anger and disappointment.

You faced the unforgiving elements on the trail up the mountain, you refused to give up even when your body had reached its limits, the thing on your mind...

Was not becoming a Saintess, or becoming an envoy of Kjeragandr. Rather, you were thinking about how best to serve the Kjerag people.

You thought about how disappointed you were in your brother, how disgusted you were with the other two clans, and the rage you felt at becoming the Saintess.

But the real surprise was your attitude towards Kjerag.

Or more accurately, the surprise that your family brought me.

Your brother gave me his answer sheet very early on.

And you have been searching for your own answers this entire time.

Over the years, you've endured the indifference with which the Saintess is treated in the Vine-Bead Court, while actively searching for a way to help the people. These things have become your nourishment.

And now, all that nourishment has transformed into your strength. You have not lost yourself amidst the turmoil, and you have made your choice.

Congratulations, my child, my envoy, my friend, my sister.

Forgive me for not being able to guide you. I rashly branded this land with my mark, and still regret it to this day.

But at least, allow me to add some color to your journey.

Above the silent passageway, Kjarr smiles and gently pats her hands together.

'Clap, clap.'

After which, everything changes.

Just a scratch!

Ugh...

Valais, I'm not sure if Master Arctosz wronged you in some way––

But Enciodes isn't exactly a saint himself!

I already told you.

Kjerag needs change.

This is also so that excellent warriors like yourself will no longer make sacrifices in vain!

Don't force my hand, Valais.

That's my line, Gulo.

The two of them take a step back and assume a solid stance.

They know that today, one of them must fall.

What's that?

The dark cloud... cleared?

Gah... What a stubborn one. I underestimated you.

But, even if you manage to defeat us here, it won't make any difference.

You cannot stop the Master.

Like I care.

The Matriarch... Ratatos always had her own ideas about Kjerag.

She also wants people to move forward and hopes that everyone can have a better future.

Except, she doesn't have the power.

And so, she became Ratatos the schemer, as you people call her.

Maybe to you, my sister is just a bump in the road.

But to me, she'll always be my beloved sister!

Yucatan...

We don't hold any personal grudges against you. As long as you're willing to lay down your arms, we guarantee your safety.

I'm not going to let Rus and I become bargaining chips for Enciodes to use against the Matriarch.

Weiss of the Silverash clan, step aside, or I will kill you.

The same goes for you, Yucatan of the Browntail clan.

You must remain here.

You can do it, Yucatan!

Huh...?

Look, Mount Karlan! Are those dark clouds clearing up?!

Sharp turns and watches Degenbrecher slowly return her swordbreakers to her waist.

Around them, trees lie snapped in twain and rocks shattered as if a Catastrophe swept through the land.

He doesn't notice his knife slipping, because he has already lost feeling in his right hand.

He has lost.

Best not overuse your right hand for the next three months.

Thanks for the tip. Looks like it's time to take a brief medical leave.

You don't seem very upset about it.

The outcome of our fight here doesn't change anything.

I kept you occupied here until now, so I've done my job. The others will handle the rest.

Now that my job's done, it's time to clock out.