act14side

What do you mean by that?

Now that we know that the perpetrator is a member of the Browntail clan, no one will believe the empty rhetoric that the Browntails have nothing to do with this matter.

Without providing some concrete evidence, or turning over the real perpetrator, even if I am willing to turn the other cheek... I'm afraid that the house of Browntail will be hard-pressed to convince the public.

Ratatos feels that she can understand the man's meaning, but the buzzing of those words inside her ears... is far too thunderous to bear.

The entire ceremony is awash with turmoil. She has never once felt the gaze of the surrounding people in such a way before - full of distrust and hostility, like barbs in her back.

Sciurus also seems to be saying something to her, and not in her usual sharp shouts, her lips are silently quivering.

Ratatos can tell from a glance what her voiceless words are. In the past, the two of them played similar tricks without the notice of adults.

Her sister says:

'But, I just wanted to do something for the Browntail clan!'

Great Elder, what is your opinion?

*cough*... Your words ring true, Enciodes... *cough* *cough*...

Great Elder, is there something wrong?

I'm fine... *gurgle*...

Great Elder, what's happening?!

There's some green liquid coming from the Great Elder's lips... He's been poisoned!

Someone poisoned the Great Elder!

Let me see.

Stay back, Saintess! There may be other poison!

I'm not afraid.

No... the poison is too potent and is suppressing my healing Arts. I can only barely maintain the Great Elder's life for a while.

Who would poison the Great Elder?! And, when...

Wine! It must've been that cup of wine that Arctosz offered to the Great Elder!

Bring the cup!

H-Here it is!

Without a doubt... there are traces of poison.

That's impossible!

...So that's your game.

Arctosz, I never could've imagined that you would dare poison the Great Elder in your bid to take over Kjerag!

What?! What reason would I possibly have to poison the Great Elder?!

Hmph. The Paleroche clan has always been on good terms with the Vine-Bead Court, but you leveraged this relationship to gain many privileges throughout Kjerag. The people gathered here are all witnesses to that.

Over these years, you have used this privilege to suppress me, something I endure to this day. You have all seen this with your own eyes.

And now, even as I have compromised by proposing to return temporal power to the Saintess, you still have to terrorize the house of Silverash.

Once the Saintess holds all the power and the three clans are equal under her leadership, will the Paleroche clan still enjoy its privileges as it does now?

Perhaps because the Great Elder was no longer willing to support you, you then chose to contact Madame Sciurus, plotting the scheme unfolding before our very eyes.

Madame Sciurus was responsible for assassinating me, you would poison the Great Elder, and the two of you would take advantage of the situation to seize power in Kjerag... Not a bad plan, Arctosz.

You dare slander me, Enciodes!

Slander?

It is a fact that your clan is on good terms with the Vine-Bead Court. It is a fact that the Browntail clan is now allied with yours. It is a fact that the Elders agreed to return temporal power to the Saintess.

And as of now, it is a fact that you poisoned the Great Elder.

I would ask all of you present to pass judgment – am I the one who slanders, or is Arctosz the one who deceives?!

But... Sir Arctosz isn't that kind of person...

Sir Enciodes was injured during the Holy Hunt, and a Browntail was responsible. Now, Arctosz poisoned the Great Elder. What is there to doubt?

I can't believe I had such a wrong impression of Arctosz! I never thought he was faking his piety all these years!

...I refuse to believe it!

Wake up already!

Pin down the murderer and Madame Sciurus.

Right away.

Get your hands off me, you bastard!

Sciurus!

Matriarch...!

Wait––

Guh...

Who's there?!

Ice Arts, and from such a long range? Could it be––

Who is it?!

Look over there!

Warriors, it's time to rescue your clan leader.

That's... Gnosis! Why is he here, and, why are the Browntails with him?!

I haven't heard from him since he was blacklisted from Karlan Trade. From the looks of things, he's defected to the Browntail clan?!

Enciodes, you've gone to such great lengths to paint yourself as some pious victim, making your high-and-mighty proclamations atop that stage of yours. Have you no sense of shame?

I was wondering where you were hiding, Gnosis. Turns out you fell in with Ratatos.

Hiding? No, I've been biding my time for this moment.

Ratatos, what are you hesitating for?

Gnosis, you––

Take a good look at the people around you, and the distrust they harbor for you in their eyes!

Ratatos has betrayed Kjeragandr! She must be punished!

Arctosz, I thought better of you!

Strike them down, Sir Enciodes! Strike them down!!

Get a good look at your sister. Enciodes is about to take her away!

Let go! Let go of me!!

Don't you dare hurt my wife!

Hmph!

Argh...

Yucatan!

Sciurus! Yucatan!

Now is your last chance.

Enciodes said that he trusted you. But did he ever actually trust you?

You should've seen through this long ago. He's just forcing you to make a decision. But do you really think you can protect your Browntail clan simply by turning over the 'assassin' that he wants?

Look around you. See how the people are looking at you.

Do you have any idea what will become of your clans should Enciodes take over Kjerag?

I...

Matriarch!

Ratatos, don't tell me that you intend to protect neither your clan nor your lands, and instead will simply relinquish your public image and privileges?

If you still choose to do nothing, even at this point...

Then allow me to help you.

Gnosis turns to look at Enciodes.

Ice-blue Arts condense in the palm of his hand, but Enciodes remains unfazed.

Gnosis, you disappoint me.

What a coincidence, Enciodes. I was just thinking the same thing.

––Degenbrecher.

Guh...

As you should know, these Arts are nothing to me.

Alright, don't waste my time.

Let's put you down, Gnosis.

How pathetic.

Pathetic?

Even if you strike me down here today, it won't do you any good.

You may be able to stop one person, or even a hundred people. But can you stop a thousand? Ten thousand?

Look behind me.

The flames have been lit.