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Enya, oh, Enya.

Come... child, look outside. Could you know the years it took, for the frost and snow to finally cover these mountains?

And could you know, how many years had to pass, for us to have this pure and holy summit where we stand?

...I understand.

But—'Her tears are the ice eternally unmelting, Her back the unbreaking mountain, Her breath the cold wind of winter, Her smile the warm light of spring.'

If everything was Kjeragandr's gift, then why must Kjeragandr's people still fear the blizzard?

...In that respect, you and him do seem alike... yet different, too...

Um, pardon me...?

Nothing, just an old man thinking aloud.

What you say is correct, Saintess.

You've spent all your time atop this summit, and the mountains have bowed to Kjeragandr's speaker in turn. To think so is quite right.

However, in snow this great, built up over so many years, how many of Kjeragandr's people would be buried, should it ever collapse?

To me, Kjerag's peace of mind has always come first and foremost.

I trust, Saintess, that you are the same.

Hum... it's about time.

The three are still in the hall awaiting you. You cannot appear too soon, but I wouldn't advise you be too late either. Now is the perfect time.

May you both come this way, please.

Alright.

Kjerag's peace of mind...

Letting this snow carry on building underfoot, without a place for us to clear a way... will that be peace for Kjerag?

Kjeragandr, I pray, watch over your people...

'The Saintess arrives.'

In the wake of the blizzard sweeping the mountain, the clear, sharp bell strokes come as if from the heavens to the ears of Kjeragandr's people.

Where she passes, no noble fails to stand, offering the most formal etiquette, chanting the most devout prayer.

'Frost and snow have fallen by your will, to bring to Kjerag blessings.'

Saintess, it's been long.

With your litany of occupations, you've neglected worship, Sir Enciodes. It truly has been long.

You requested an investigation of the valleys and mines prior, Saintess. I could not, of course, neglect that.

Once all this is settled and done with, I will personally lead a procession in worship to Karlan.

Your faith in Kjeragandr is apparent throughout. Why be so elaborate in proving it?

That's a fine jest, Great Saintess.

I hear a sister of yours has come back to Kjerag.

You're well-informed, Saintess. She should be on the path to Karlan with an honored guest at this very moment.

A guest?

Indeed. Up till now, my sister has been receiving treatment at a medical firm called Rhodes Island, for her Oripathy.

For the coming Grand Ceremony, I've invited one of said firm's leaders to visit Kjerag, as a gesture of thanks.

You care much for your sister, Sir Enciodes. Truly, it is admirable.

...You flatter me, Saintess.

I presume you already know of my proposal. What do you think of it?

What are Sir Arctosz and Lady Ratatos's considerations?

I, Arctosz, with my faith in Kjeragandr visible to all, say that let alone merely having the Saintess be the mediator of the three clans—

Hold it, Arctosz!

—I could hand my position as head to her, and what shame would it be?

And you, Lady Ratatos?

Who could possibly say no in this moment?

Who would dare say no in this moment?

For the Great Saintess to be the arbitrator of the three clans, in this present situation, is indeed the best option.

I understand.

As the three clans' heads all submit to this, and are willing to entrust themselves to me...

I shall—

Respond in kind to all, and assume the duty of guiding Kjerag.

Lara, you're a lovely one to your family, helping with work the second you're back.

No, I'm just doing what I should. I'd love to take a good look around too.

Ah, it really does change once you study outside. Far better head on you than my little brother.

What a wonderful girl you are. Shame.

Who knows if I'll ever find one as nice as you again after I move.

Wait, Sasa, you've been living fine here all this time, right? Why the move?

My dad, you know. Yesterday at the Tri-Clan Council, they announced the Saintess would lead the three, right?

Now Dad's all fired up.

Oh... Uncle Zoer was always against Sir Enciodes's open door policy...

Right? We all moved here from up north back then so my brother and I could get work.

And here, Dad pretty much got used to it, over the years.

And now they announce the resignation yesterday, and he's over the moons.

At dinner last night, he was going on and on, mad at Sir Enciodes for everything he'd done these years, and I was fed up hearing it. I even had an argument with him.

But you can't change his mind in the end. We might end up moving straight back to the Paleroches' territory.

So what about your brother's job?

Who knows? Once the resignation's through, it's up in the air if Turicum can still do business like before.

I heard the Paleroches say. See, in the first place, it was the Saintess last Council who wanted Sir Enciodes handing the valleys and mines over.

If she's going to govern Kjerag, Sir Enciodes probably isn't getting any favors.

That's true.

It's a good thing too, though.

You might've missed it, being outside so long, but the three clans got along fine at first. It's just lately, they've fallen out more and more with each other.

A lot of people were scared, after last Council, we'd get into a full-blown war.

Yeah, it's amazing how Sir Enciodes yielded on this. And he's putting power with the Saintess.

Yeah. Just, it should've happened long ago, if you ask me. I don't hate his open door policy, seeing as our family made a good living from it too.

But sometimes it really does feel like the old people say, how Kjerag's not like Kjerag anymore.

Him deciding to give way now and make less of a fuss, everyone approves of that.

It's just old grumps like your big brother against it.

My brother...

I'm back.

Oh, you silly kid. Told you to relax once you got home, but you just had to work.

(Softly) You and your ore-pathy thing. You might not feel bad about your health, but we still hurt over it.

It's alright, Sis. A bit of work like this won't get in the way.

Um, where's Bro?

He said he was heading to the factory just now, and went out all in a hurry. Said he wouldn't be back today, either.

The factory?

Is that the Captain?

Captain, is something up?

Vacation's over, Aurora.

The Doctor got nabbed at the station by the Paleroche family yesterday.

Huh?!

Doctor went with them, voluntarily. You should get what I mean. Likely some sort of plan ticking under that hood.

I took a rough look at the map. Takes some time from the station to the Paleroches'.

The Doctor should've gotten there by now, and we ought to be on our way.

I'm using the pretext to head to yours now to check the situation, then I'll come out and converge with you.

Got it.

I guess I'll go rendezvous with the Captain, then.

I see. So you're the one from Rhodes Island.

So you don't recognize me.;You didn't pick me out on purpose.

Correct.