act16side

Already done.

Huh?

While I was talking to him just now.

Ooh—you wanted to hold him up so you could send word out...

He can't outrun us.

Why was the door to this ward open?

Wh... Is that you, Patia?

Was there an eight-year-old Sankta girl staying in this ward?

No.

I heard an explosion on the way here. Did you have something to do with that?

What's so weird about explosions in Laterano?

Are you really the Patia I know?

Fiammetta. The girl you're looking for's already out of hospital.

(She's definitely not here...)

Why are you here?

What, you get to show up in Stevonus Central Hospital, but I don't?

Are the Guard looking for this girl too? Where'd you get this information?

I left the Pontifica Cohors long ago. Weren't you off being a Legatus's bodyguard? What, now you're back in Laterano again looking for some Sankta girl?

Don't you just love being surrounded by Sankta?

Liberi like you are all...

Patia. What's happened to you since I left?

Don't ask that like you actually care.

Enough. You don't need to talk to me like that.

If the girl's not here, I don't need to waste any more time with you either.

Forget what happened to me. You should be wondering just what you're doing, Fiammetta... Miss Veteran.

Tsk-tsk, Patia. Here I thought you loved your precious Fiammetta. Here you are with her again of all the things, and this is how cruel you treat her?

What's it to you? And what about the Notarial Hall kid? What's your plan?

Don't get so gruff, Patia. I might have an even better solution.

But I'll need another small favor from you.

And you left, just like that?

There's no point bickering with her, and I'm half sure she was only there to hold me up anyway. If the girl's not in the hospital anymore, then we first need to confirm her whereabouts.

How's your end?

I took a shortcut. I'll be at the Basilica in a minute.

If the situation allows, send an order to cooperate from the Lateran Curia to the Notarial Hall.

I questioned the hospital staff. It was a trainee executor who admitted the girl, said he picked up a lost child and couldn't find her parents.

Procedure dictates he bring her back to the Notarial Hall.

Even if he's not there yet, I can find his location through the Hall's system.

I've gotta say, you being so capable isn't good news for me.

Oh, yeah, and after you report, stay there in the Basilica for now.

Oh? You don't need my help?

No. I feel like something's waiting to happen.

Didn't something already happen?

You know who I'm talking about.

Anyway, hang back there. You might be more useful to me that way.

Are you worried about me?

I just don't want you scampering all over the place. Let me... conserve my energy.

No problem, Shimmering Vigil.

Use my real name!

Phew...

There's so many people here...

Which makes it harder to find us.

This is Pagus Ambrosius. Have you been here before, Cecelia?

Mamma used to say she'd go to Ambrosius to buy things. Maybe she's here?

Tell me more about your mamma being taken. What exactly happened?

Mamma got ill... this morning, I was talking to Mamma. Then someone came... from the Notarial Hall, with white clothes on.

Then after he left, people with gowns came in, and took Mamma away.

(The Notarial Hall... Could this really be a kidnapping case...? Something doesn't feel right.)

Where were you then, Cecelia? Did they see you? Where did your papà go?

Is this going to help me find Mamma?

Er, not for certain... it's just, if you can tell me more, I might be able to find some leads.

Cecelia, my darling Cecelia... you have to hide. Don't let them find you...

In that case, please tell me her parents' family name, her home address, identity number, and your blood or legal relationship to her.

If you have proper grounds to leave with Cecelia, you can tell me, and I'll take it into account in my decision.

Eze...

Hold on, Cecelia.

Hello. It's me.

Yes, I'm in Pagus Ambrosius right now.

Right, I'm helping this child find her mother.

Return to the Hall? Alright, I was about to... I'll be roughly half an hour?

Right, copy that.

M... Mister Ezell, are you going to take me to the Notarial Hall?

That's right. Is something...

I'll give you a word of advice! If you truly care about Cecelia, then don't give her up to the Notarial Hall or the Lateran Curia! Or else, you'll regret it!

Cecelia... I'm guessing you don't want to go to the Hall?

Mamma said... I can't go there...

But! If they can tell me where Mamma is, then I will... I can go!

Mamma's got an illness... I'm really worried...

Cecelia... let me ask you one more thing. Had you seen that Liberi from just now?

No. I don't like her...

Just give me a moment to think and I'll be with you, okay?

Cecelia's mother forbade her from going to the Notarial Hall, or from approaching executors.

An executor showed up before Cecelia's mother went missing.

Cecelia's mother went missing.

Cecelia was almost abducted by a suspicious Liberi, whose name is likely 'Patia.'

Patia said Cecelia cannot be given over to the Notarial Hall or the Lateran Curia.

And finally, something's... wrong with Cecelia's halo.

Would it even be possible for me to extricate myself from this, at this point?

No...

Don't run away, Ezell...

Think...

What should you do?

Mister... Ezell, in the hospital, you said, you would help me find Mamma. Is that true?

Is that... still true, now?

This can't be the only solution.

It's true, Cecelia. I promised you.

We're not going to the Notarial Hall.

Do you still remember where your home is? I need to find someone else who knows your mother.

I'll help you find her. That's my promise.

Thank you, Mister Ezell!

I don't know how to get back home from here. I've never been here before.