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But after Sir Enciodes founded Karlan Trade, he chose that land to use for siting factories.

The majority of Karlan Trade's manufacturing is built there, and it's extremely close to Mount Karlan, too.

On top of that, I exchanged some info with Kjerag merchants before we left—but everyone who comes outside to do business is related to Karlan Trade in some way.

A month ago, with the Great Saintess's backing, the Browntails and Paleroches requested and organized a team to investigate health and safety issues at the factories.

But the team met a surprise attack secretly ordered by Gnosis, who wouldn't play along at all. I don't know how that info came out, but everyone believes Gnosis was involved in it.

That led to the Paleroches' head, Arctosz, getting inspiration from the Vine-Bead Court to send troops to station in the valleys, and it's because of the consequences of Gnosis's extreme actions that he was finally removed.

At the meeting, the Doctor mentioned Enciodes's reason for making the invitation.

We do help construct Oripathy-related facilities for Karlan Trade, but he never mentioned having the Doctor manage anything in his place before.

Which is to say, the Doctor's actively climbed onto the scales of this conspiracy. Very Doctor-like to do.

That seems likely, but Karlan Trade and Rhodes Island have a perfectly fine relationship, and the Doctor would probably only accept because of that relationship.

For now, I can't imagine the reason why Sir Enciodes would want to set up the Doctor...

What do we do now? Contact Dr. Kal'tsit?

The landship's headed for Victoria. We'd need the use of a local large-scale comms station, because our handheld equipment's got no way to get in touch.

(Breathes a long sigh)

Captain...?

I surveyed for a stretch. Guard force at the Doctor's present placement is low-strength.

The Paleroche residence should have about two hundred in guards, training and arms not up to outside army standard. We can break through on a surprise raid.

I've checked surrounding terrain too. Alternate plan is we infiltrate, but that needs setting up explosives in multiple locations beforehand.

Going in and pulling out both need manufactured explosions to draw attention. There're some points in the wall structure that'll let...

Wait! Captain!

Hm?

I feel like... things aren't going to get to that point.

No matter what happens, we need to ensure the Doctor's safety. That's our first priority.

...I agree with that, but...

If we bring force against the house of Paleroche in the run-up to the Grand Ceremony, then I'm worried Rhodes Island will end up an enemy of Mount Karlan.

What will the Kjerag operators at Rhodes Island do?

I need to consider the worst-case scenario, and the least honorable way of solving things. The present outlook is pessimistic, and if I have to make a choice, you know I'll only choose the Doctor.

We all hope things won't go that far, but you know as well as I that it doesn't depend on us, and I have a responsibility to the Doctor and Rhodes Island.

I just can't shake the sense that... Sir Enciodes probably has his own plans.

The Doctor chose to play them at their own game, so some kind of clue must've been there long ago, and the Doctor's already prepped to deal with it...

I've never doubted the Doctor's abilities for a moment. I believe.

But I need to make my own preparations beforehand. The Doctor put me on standby, so there's a place for us in the plan.

We need to get in touch with the Doctor first.

Aurora.

Hm?

You respect Enciodes a lot.

Yes... Without him, I would've never been able to leave Kjerag, and come into contact with the outside world.

Understandable.

But for the moment, I want you to forget that. Starting now, you treat him as a hypothetical enemy. Can you do that?

If you feel like you can't, you can head back right now. I won't blame you.

But at the same time, I'm an employee of Rhodes Island too.

Remember what you've just said.

Understood.

But... do we have to watch out for Cliffheart and the rest too?

I trust Cliffheart, but have no confidence in Ensia Silverash.

For now. We figure how to meet up with the Doctor.

You're the Doctor's subordinates?

...(Slash)

In an instant, a hardened steel blade streaks through air, stopping just a hair's width from the woman's neck.

Wow, that's a rare way to use a sword here.

Who are you?

Well, there's no need to be this ferocious to an ordinary girl you've just met.

Pinning this position, and cracking a joke in this context? Does that make you an ordinary girl?

Put the blade down first! Your Rhodes Island Doctor sent me.

I was asked to bring you a message.

Well, well, you actually came to us Browntails' territory for a visit all by your lonesome. You got balls, Gnosis Edelweiss.

I've always been upright and honorable.

Hmph, that's rich coming from you after you were kicked out of Karlan Trade for your shady business.

I thought I'd see Ratatos here.

Anyone could bluff like that. Ratatos wasn't going to just take your word so easily.

As I said before, it takes two to cooperate. It seems my words have reached her, and that's more than enough to me.

Hmph, talk all you want.

So, since you came here all by yourself... You said last time 'things have come to this.' What's that all about?

What things have come to what?

*Sigh*.

Why do you think Enciodes proposed this transfer of powers?

Hmph, isn't that because he can't take on both the Paleroches and us, and so he figured to compromise?

Compromise?

Hoh, compromise.

Think again, Madame Sciurus. I dare say that your sister thinks otherwise.

Ever since Enciodes came back to Kjerag, was there any single thing he did that wasn't in pursuit of his ultimate victory? Is his proposal to put the Saintess back in power really a compromise?

Here's a hint—The Ceremony.

Hm...? What about the Ceremony? Don't tell me he's going to throw a fit there and refuse to turn over his powers.

The Ceremony is nigh, and there will be more trains coming in and out of the Silverashes' territory transporting both resources and people.

Take a guess, why did Enciodes himself propose to hand the Saintess his powers, even arranging for it to happen on the day of the Ceremony?

Arctosz's a short-sighted man. He thinks Enciodes will pull some kind of dirty trick once she's in control.

And so he reassigned his men to guard the valleys and the mines, even to keep an eye on the Doctor that Enciodes invited.

But the funny thing is that he doesn't know it's all pointless!

Sciurus looks to a corner of the room for a brief moment. There is nothing there, but Gnosis notices it.

Gnosis looks straight at the wall there.

Ratatos, you can't be that stupid.

I will tell you what Enciodes is planning.

But you'd better see me yourself next time.

Even if I have to see his schemes come to fruition and you two imprisoned—

I won't allow myself be made a fool of again.

Now excuse me.

Ratatos...

Hey, Ratatos! I know you're there!

Pipe down, Sciurus.

There is a rumbling noise, and the wallboard slowly moves to the side. Ratatos, sitting inside, slowly rises and steps out.

You believe in what he said?

Maybe I should say I'm shocked that you never considered the possibility, sister.

But even the Saintess is on our side now!

Can Enciodes really be so unscrupulous that he...

That he...?

Don't be silly, Sciurus.

From the moment he first trampled our faith, when he laid his train tracks straight to Kjerag and broke away from the Saintess...

No, ever since he so calmly agreed to let his sister become the Saintess in exchange for his seat in the Tri-Clan Council, he hasn't cared.

We all know how well those siblings got along in their earlier years. I also once thought that letting the devout Enya become the Vine-Bead Court's hostage was a brilliant move.

But now? Hmph, I wouldn't be surprised if he one day brought his men up the mountain to burn down the whole Vine-Bead Court.