act14side

So, what's next?

We're all done with work over here.

On to the next job.

How's the Great Elder doing?

It's not looking good.

Send the Great Elder back to the Vine-Bead Court. Sir Enciodes will arrange for a special doctor.

And, great Saintess, Sir Enciodes has invited you to return to the Vine-Bead Court and hold the coronation ceremony again after things have settled down.

...I know.

Enya does not resist. She knows that right now, she does not have the leeway to resist.

From a certain point onward, she has known that this was all staged farce.

And the one who set this farce in motion... was her very own brother.

He ruthlessly shattered all the mental preparations she made for this moment, as well as her vision for the future.

Even if she could take down everyone standing in front of her right now, the people would still ask her to take the position that Enciodes prepared for her in the Vine-Bead Court.

She looks all around her.

When she sees Matterhorn take notice of her gaze, she deliberately looks away.

She sees the combatants clad in modern, cutting-edge equipment tearing through the formation of Silverash warriors, escorting Arctosz and Ratatos away.

She sees the eyes of the people focused on Enciodes, like a rapt audience in front of a theater's master.

She sees the hope and fervor in their eyes.

She sees Kjarr, and she sees the person standing next to her–you.

Your eyes meet, and within them, you see sorrow, reluctance, and–– fury.

All fleeting emotions.

She finally averts her eyes, and takes a step forward.

Master! Rhodes Islanders suddenly rushed in to help Arctosz and Ratatos escape!

Dr. {@nickname}.

You... always keep me on my toes.

All this happened in the piddling amount of time it took me to suppress Gnosis?

I must say, Rhodes Island's attack indeed surpassed my expectations. I did consider the possibility of them intervening, but underestimated their strength. This time, it is I whose plans have been forcefully disrupted.

Should I go after them?

There's no need. I still have a backup plan.

Moreover, whether or not those two die here has no bearing on what I'm going to do next.

Dr. {@nickname} must've realized as much, to make a decision like this.

What do you think comes next?

Assuming this Doctor isn't an impulsive fool, then these two still have a role to play.

As for what comes next...

Since you seem to hold this person in such high regard, then it isn't surprising to me that your Doctor would take advantage of this opportunity to manipulate the two clans into an obstacle for you.

I do not take the Doctor for such a flamboyant daredevil.

You seem to really 'understand' this Doctor.

It's just my intuition. My intuition as a chessmaster.

However, an outsider has rescued the heads of the Paleroche and Browntail clans...

Even I cannot fathom what one can achieve in this situation.

So, I am most curious as to what comes next.

Of course, if what you said is true, then I eagerly await our match.

Let's just call it a day and shove those thoughts back in your head. You're the victor of today's mess.

Everyone is waiting to hear from the victor.

I know.

The scene left behind by the turmoil has not yet been cleaned up, and the people are heatedly discussing what just took place.

But as Enciodes slowly makes his way to center stage, everyone stops what they are doing, and they all turn to look at him.

The crowd is waiting for him to pen the denouement to this farce.

People of Kjerag, I am so sorry.

It pains my heart greatly to see such tragic events unfold on a holy day.

But this has given us an opportunity to see who the true traitors are in the land of Kjerag.

They are none other than Arctosz and Ratatos!

They were dissatisfied by the changes brought about by my proposal to relinquish our powers, and tried to assassinate me and poison the Great Elder to seize control of all Kjerag.

Without a doubt, there can be no greater blasphemy to Kjeragandr.

Though they managed to escape justice just now, I swear that this matter shall not end here.

Arctosz and Ratatos will be given fair trial, without fail!

Trial! Trial! Trial!!

Though in my heart, I truly wanted to see these individuals captured and brought to justice, I had no intention of starting a conflict.

Kjerag is the land of Kjeragandr, the land of all who dwell in the icy mountains. It does not belong to me.

As such, let it be known to all people of the Paleroche and Browntail clans – there shall be no civil war, as that is something we all are worried about.

Consequently, my Silverash warriors will only be deployed to protect the Vine-Bead Court. We will await the Great Elder's recovery, and then discuss Kjerag's future together with the Saintess.

But, I hope that the people of the Paleroche and Browntail clans can at least clearly see who the true enemies of Kjerag are.

I believe that we will surely find a better path forward when all our interests are aligned.

When that time comes, we will be able to usher in a better Kjerag.

Enciodes! Enciodes! Enciodes!!!

Silverash! Silverash! Silverash!!!

People start to chant Enciodes's name, with no concern for the fact that this celebration was meant to culminate in the Saintess's return to power.

From the mountain's summit and the direction of the Vine-Bead Court comes the melodious ringing of a bell.

Ding, ding, ding––

The bell was supposed to celebrate the coronation of the Saintess, but now, it seems to herald a coming revolution.