act14side

level_act14side_06_beg

He's not sending any men after the other clans. He's just guarding the Vine-Bead Court.

Right, he's guarding the Vine-Bead Court.

Now he's truly seized the Court.

On the surface, he's won.;History is written by the victor.

*Sigh*... You're right about that.

Even I understand the way Enciodes does things now.

Him handing back power is all a feint. He wanted to flip the whole table over all along.

The people of Kjerag still can't imagine life without their God.;Enciodes knows what life is like without God.;This isn't Kjeragandr's problem.

Right. Most of us thought he had no way to overcome the Kjerag people's faith for Kjeragandr. They thought he didn't have what it takes.

The Great Elder, Ratatos, Arctosz... even I thought so.

And he knew that.

That said, I've been wondering about one thing.

A life without God. Does that necessarily mean there should be no gods?

Oh, I'm just musing. I'm not depressed at all.

Faith is gradually becoming an obstacle... At the very least, that's how the Kjerag people's faith in Kjeragandr is. I've known that for a long time now.

Thank you, though.

*Sigh*... Not that this has anything to do with me, a lowly maid who serves the Saintess.

Speaking of which, I thought you'd ask me why I'm here with you.

There are many reasons to choose to be an observer.

Just like you have many reasons to choose to interfere, right?

Thank you, Doctor...

I will stand firm with my choice, and I hope you will too.

Doctor, the work is done.

Where are they?;Good work.

I couldn't keep the clan leaders. Ratatos asked me to give you her thanks, but it looks like she's got her own plans. She went back to her territory.

Arctosz's heading back to his place, too. Looks like he's gathering his forces to fight it out with Enciodes.

Doctor, if we let them go back to their lands, won't that lead inevitably to death?

Only they can control their people.;With the way things are, this is how we can keep casualties to a minimum.

What the Doctor's saying is that, with how furious the crowd was, they would most likely have gotten a death sentence right there and then if the two of them were caught.

And even if that wasn't the case, they would still no doubt stand trial.

The two of them may be labeled traitors, but the two families' subordinates, especially the Paleroches, won't buy that so easily.

And regardless of whether they take up arms or start infighting, Kjerag will fall into chaos.

But whichever it is, Enciodes will be the righteous one.

To him, even if things start out chaotic and there are considerable casualties during the process, the whole mess can be still be cleaned up in the end.

He's not the kind of man who'll just sit it out.

Right, Enciodes went through all that trouble to shape this situation. That means he cares about the masses.

When I bummed around Karlan Trade, I heard a thing or two about his methods. Most of the staff there thinks he's got foresight.

And now that he chose to stir the pot out in the open like that? You can tell it's his best option despite all the risks it comes with.

I... I sure hope so.

The Silverashes and the Browntails were on better terms in the past. Naturally, he's planted more than a few of his pawns who can help control the chaos.

The problem is still the Paleroches. Their equipment and combat prowess may be behind the times, but their numbers are no joke.

Right, and the Silverashes have always been on pretty bad terms with them.

Besides, the Paleroches' men are all very loyal. It's hard to say they'll betray the Paleroche clan even with everything that has transpired.

That's why I can understand why the Doctor decided to help the two of them.

A family can only come together if the family head's still alive, and as long as we can influence the leaders in some way, the Doctor can still pull off some rough plan.

Still though, Doctor, I guess I don't have to say it—

Kjerag's got some complex terrain. It's not easy to get around here. We don't have much time.

Let's meet with them first.

Sorry for the wait, Matriarch.

Sorry that you have to help me now, of all times.

Don't mention it. I am a Browntail. This is exactly the time I should stand with my Matriarch.

Do you believe anything Enciodes said?

Of course not. He has to be framing you.

How go the preparations?

It'll take some time to get back to the Browntail territory from Silverash lands, though I have a car ready, and I pulled a few strings.

Once you and Madame Sciurus are ready, I will make sure you two are taken back to the our land.

Any news from back home?

After word about the ceremony got out, a few towns near our territory's border started flying the Silverashes' flag.

There's nothing like that toward the center, but...

Enough. I have a decent idea of how many men he planted inside our family. With how many of them there are, I'm afraid I won't be able to count all of them when they're all gathered in one spot.

Has Enciodes been up to anything?

The Silverashes have set up camp at the foot of Mount Karlan and on the mountainside.

Hmph, at least he's a man of his word.

The populace there has been very receptive to him too. Absolutely shameless.

They saw Arctosz's betrayal at the ceremony with their own eyes, after all.

Hmph, out of everyone who doesn't trust Arctosz, it's gotta be those who saw his 'crimes' with their own eyes that don't trust him the most.

Let's not talk about him. What about you? What are you getting from Enciodes?

I... I don't follow...?

Drop it already. Your acting's terrible.

Come on out and... Arrest Ratatos.

Gah...

If I couldn't see through that trap of yours, then I had no business leading our clan.

Ratatos, I heard the car's...

What's going on here?!

Take a guess?

He was going to sell us out?!

Looks like you're not as stupid as I made you out to be, dear sister.

Do you have to mock me, even at a time like this?

How many are still on our side?

How many? Right, how many...?

Sciurus, do you understand what a big mess you've caused?

I...

I never thought...

*Sigh*... That's exactly the problem. You never thought. You never think.

What was I supposed to do?! I... I just wanted to show everyone that I can do something for the Browntails too!

I just...

I just wanted to help you...

You... You look tired, Ratatos. Are you okay?

And if I say I'm not?

Fine, I get it! This whole thing needs to end somehow, right?

I was the one who started all this. So I'll be the one to end it! And I still don't know how Yucatan and... and my subordinate are doing. I can't just sit here and wait any longer!

Wait! Where are you going?!

I'll find that prick Enciodes! I'll tell everyone that it was all a personal grudge between me and him, and none of this has anything to do with the Browntails!

He can take my life if he wants, but he has to hand my people back!

Sis, Sis! Why did Grandpa yell at you again? You've done so well!

Is it because you're going to lead the family? Is that why he keeps yelling at you?

I-In that case, I'll be the clan leader! I'll go to Grandpa and ask him to stop yelling at you all the time. I'll lead the family, so he can yell at me all he wants!

Hehe, it's okay. You don't need to worry about me, Sis. I've got Yucatan there for me. We promised each other we'll always play with each other! He'll help me. He's really good at studying too!

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