act16side

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.

But, if we go back to where I saw you, Mister... I know where my house is from there.

Not a problem. We'll take a different route back to Stevonus.

Welcome back, Mostima.

Time sure does fly, Your Holiness.

What news do you bring this time?

Relax, it won't be as bad as that one time.

Here's the physical report I mentioned before... Last page is a brief from Stevonus Central's head doc.

...Considerably cautious wording.

Mostima, what is your view?

Going by the doctor who did the diagnosis and checkup, this report belongs to... an eight-year-old Sankta girl.

All the details point to her being a Sankta, anyway.

Empath index isn't too high, but considering her age and physical condition, it's within acceptable range.

Question is these few figures here... My own checkups report similar results.

But she's not even twelve yet. Never held a patron firearm. It's hard to imagine she's got the ability to violate any commandments. Outward appearances shoot down any chance she's fallen, either.

Doesn't leave very many possibilities. I think you'd have a better idea than me.

If she's not fallen, another possibility is...

No. It's just as at odds with her appearance. Progeny like that aren't able to obtain halos.

Right, normally they can't. But we don't have many cases to go by, anyway.

Where is this child currently located? Where's Fiammetta?

Kid's out of Stevonus Central Hospital. Fiammetta's tracing her.

Apparently, it was one of the Hall's trainee executors who checked her in. Velliv, Fiammetta wants you to order the Notarial Hall to cooperate. She's on her way there right now.

The Notarial Hall...

Silver linings, am I right?

She just wants an order to cooperate? Is Fiammetta alone going to be enough?

You forget that big conference in the Basilica? Thought you were more cautious than that, Velliv.

How much does this trainee executor know about the child?

No way to be sure. Hospital describes him as just a conscientious guy who 'saw a lost child and did the right thing,' at least when he admitted her.

Let Fiammetta handle it for now.

Yes, Your Holiness.