act14side

level_act14side_st04

Thousands of years ago, Kjeragandr descended into this land, naming it Kjerag and bestowing upon it Her eternal vigil.

For thousands of years, Her teachings have continued to pervade the lives of all of Kjerag's people.

She gave Her flesh to the Paleroche clan, Her hide to the Browntail clan, and Her bones to the Silverash clan.

But we all share a common name –– the people of Kjerag.

Our belief in Her is the foundation of Kjerag, and is also the reason why we stand here today and call ourselves the children of Kjerag.

We all harbor the greatest respect for Her in our hearts, and work together to survive in this land to this day.

However, as we all know now, Kjerag is not the only country in this world.

Beyond these snow-capped mountains lies a vast world filled with people who do not look like us, do not speak like us, and do not share our belief in Kjeragandr.

In the past, we've had terrible disagreements over how to deal with such people.

In reality, these disagreements are not an existential crisis. Rather, they are Her way of testing us, Her way of guiding us.

She is the object of faith for all the people of Kjerag, our mother and guardian.

And as a mother, she never wishes to see her children stagnate.

Therefore...

Do not let your desire to preserve the old prevent you from trying the new. You are Her children, and you should be full of courage.

Do not let your nostalgia for your homeland prevent you from exploring new places. No matter where you go, She will walk with you.

Do not let what you already possess prevent you from seeking greater ventures, for you have the right to more in life.

After all, She is tolerant. The land She protects should be tolerant, and Her people should also be tolerant.

By the authority She has vested in me, I solemnly declare:

The Vine-Bead Court will tolerate the beliefs of outsiders towards Kjeragandr.

Furthermore, the Vine-Bead Court encourages all citizens to pursue a better life in their own ways.

In the commemoration of the Saintess of Mount Karlan, the Illuminated One, known as the Blessed Enya Silverash, and the resounding speech she delivered to the people of Kjerag––

This day is officially designated a national religious day throughout the land.

(Chess pieces shift on the board.)

The incident in the valley began as just an idle move.

I needed someone to distract the Paleroche clan so I could dispatch supplies and personnel in secret.

If not you, it could've been anyone else.

I planned on apologizing to you after all was said and done.

But now, I should probably apologize for underestimating the impact you would have.

Enciodes speaks to himself while moving a chess piece.

(Chess pieces shift on the board.)

Gnosis is my good friend, as well as my collaborator.

He and I do not necessarily see eye to eye – he has his own ideas and methods.

But I understand him.

As long as we share the same purpose, he will not betray me, nor do I need to exchange any information with him while executing a plan.

I could sit back and let him employ all his resources in whatever way he deemed efficacious to stymieing the power of the Browntail clan.

Destroying the railroad tracks was just a clever trick. Gnosis gained Ratatos's trust, and also blocked access to spies and Messengers from other countries.

Enciodes looks you in the eye and makes another move.

(Chess pieces shift on the board.)

It's a draw.

As if foreshadowing the end result, Enciodes takes his hands off the pieces and spreads them out.

It means this round is over.

It would appear that my luck has been quite rotten lately.

I can't even win at chess anymore.

But you didn't lose.

Sometimes, a draw is a great victory. And other times, a draw is a crushing defeat.

In your case, which one is it?

In my case... anything other than a great victory is a crushing defeat.

But this time... is indeed an exception.

Without a doubt, I have won.

But what I didn't expect was that you opened up another possibility for my victory.

Another possibility?;I didn't have the means to persuade the Saintess to come down from the mountain.;I just wanted to prevent the loss of life.

Yes, another possibility.

I thought that outcome was impossible, but you managed to see through it and influence the situation even without knowing anything.

That doesn't change the fact that I won.

Perhaps it's been too long since I've had a worthy opponent, but such a close match truly made my heart swell.

The Saintess... does not need anyone making decisions for her.

But you nudged her at just the right moment, giving her a direction.

Furthermore, you set the stage for her.

And you would have me believe that you did all of this unintentionally?

You certainly achieved this objective.

You sought out Arctosz and Ratatos, made battle predictions for them preemptively, and provided a better plan to avoid war.

This very much fits your way of doing things, Doctor.

Even I could not predict that this situation could be resolved in such a peaceful manner.

Surely, you understand why I was so eager to unite Kjerag under one banner.

External concerns.

That's right.

I don't particularly hate the Vine-Bead Court, nor am I in any rush to eradicate religion from these lands.

Nor am I particularly dissatisfied with Arctosz's insularity or Ratatos's hesitation.

They don't know the things that happen outside, and thus will not hold the same views as me.

If I had enough time, I wouldn't mind spending five or ten years, or even longer, changing their minds and changing Kjerag in a gentler way.

But––

Kjerag doesn't have enough time. Even if we cannot be considered rich, there are bound to be neighboring countries eyeing this land undisturbed by Catastrophes.

I must push us forward, and if there are people who cannot accept that, then I can only deprive them of their right to object.

That is all.

You don't need to convince me.;These things are none of my business.

I am simply sharing some of my thoughts with people worthy of hearing them.

You saw these things as a bystander, which is the only reason I'm able to tell you this.

As far as I know, Arctosz will announce his responsibility for poisoning the Great Elder and resign as head of the clan.

As for why he decided to make this show of grace, he decided to make an oath with the Saintess so that the she would take control of the Paleroche lands.

Perhaps to cement the Saintess's status.

The Browntail clan has signed an agreement of subordination to the Silverash clan.

I can share some extra details with you. I have no desire to take over the Browntail clan; should Ratatos desire, her power would not be any less than it was in the past.

There are no longer any left who desire stagnation, who refuse to budge, or would fret over costs and benefits. None stand in the way of Karlan Trade and Kjerag's development.

This is an outcome I can accept, Doctor.

You and the Saintess aren't so different.

But we ended up walking separate paths.

And, this is the result of my past choices. I will take responsibility for it.

She, too, must bear the consequences of her choices, and lift the people of Kjerag out of this stagnation with her guidance, not my instigation.

You proved yourself to me and to Kjerag, but you also... proved Enya.

Mr. President, it's almost time for the meeting.

Of course.

Regardless, Kjerag is about to undergo massive changes, Doctor.

Next time, it may be difficult for me to meet with you.

But I can assure you that Rhodes Island is free to come and go anywhere in Kjerag.

Additionally, please accept this token of my goodwill as compensation for involving you and your operators in this incident.

Neither Rhodes Island's name nor yours will appear in any future official records related to this event.

Also, a new contract that will allow us to call each other allies is on its way to Rhodes Island.

After this is all over, I will visit Rhodes Island again.

And when that time comes, I hope to play another game of chess with you, Doctor.