act16side

Cecelia, watch out!

Mister Ezell!

Guide... We have to hold our ground!

It's you! Cecelia isn't your bargaining chip!

Ezell, give her to me!

Hey, Ezell! What's the big idea? Don't tell me you're working with these...

Heretics? Terrorists? Apostates? Are those the only names that the Church can come up with?

Out of the way, Patia!

You were right, Fiammetta... It's not easy to change the way someone thinks.

That goes for both of us.

You look like you're doing well.

Much thanks to you. You look like you've aged a lot, though... 'Guide.'

Haha, I have you to thank for that, too. The gunshot wound took forever to heal.

Hahaha, not bad. Definitely better than having her shoot you.

That is true.

Lemuen almost died.

I know.

It was the better option, over her bullet.

Looks like that mental illness of yours hasn't gotten any better.

Hey, kid. You must be Ezell.

(Another Legata...? What should I...?)

A fallen angel?! Miss Fiammetta, what's going on?

Ah... you fell. Of course. You shot at me.

You can't feel anymore.

So I use my eyes to see and my mind to think.

The little girl there is Cecelia, right?

Miss, you have horns, but you also have a halo... Are you a Sankta?

Uh, maybe? I don't exactly know, actually.

Listen, Ezell. Bring Cecelia over here. She'll be fine.

I'm supposed to trust a fallen angel?

I've gotta be more trustworthy than a pissed-off Liberi.

Hey! You mean that bitch over there, right?!

Mostima... We haven't finished her mother's funeral yet.

Whoa, I almost bought into that. Are you really such a dutiful curate for this Ecclesia Requietum, Andoain?

Mostima! Did you follow me here just to catch up on old times?

Ezell, have you made up your mind yet?

Cecelia, we...

Miss...

Cecelia... You aren't done yet.

Right...

Andoain, you've got a decent crowd here.

You brought so many with you just to get Cecelia?

Oh, almost forgot. I have a message for you. It's from the guy in the Lock and Key—

Your bravery is commendable, but you won't like the final answer.

Thank you for that. I may not be fortunate enough to walk my path with it, but I benefited greatly from its opening my eyes all those years ago.

Look at you... Are you sure you 'benefited?'

Only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches.

—Not good! Ezell, stand back!

Ah...

Can you believe it—

I saw an ocean formed of faith.

That concludes the report for this operation. Some of my colleagues present were involved in the incident. If you have anything to add, please do.

Brothers and sisters, I propose we immediately declare a state of emergency across the entire city. Andoain is already enough trouble to deal with, but now we have a 'mixed-blood Sankta' on our hands too.

Gun-Knight Giovanni, the conference is set to open soon. Surely you know that a state of emergency would lead to panic among the envoys?

Your Eminence, we face a dangerous element. If a little panic could solve the problem at hand, I consider that an easy win.

His Holiness has been planning this conference for years... the 'Summit of Nations.' It could be the key to Laterano's primacy on land as we know it, but now... a panic threatens to destroy this key.

And how do you know that Andoain won't bring this conference to ruin if you leave him be?

No need to worry, Gun-Knight Giovanni. We're talking about a group of desperate people without a future and a small girl of unknown background.

Oren, how do you think we Laterans have enjoyed peace for a millennium? It's because we stayed vigilant, taking no chances with such uncertainties!

(Even though Laterans set off explosions on the streets day in and day out, huh?)

The way I see it, the Reverend Gun-Knight just might be looking for an opportunity to use that awe-inspiring but so often holstered gun of yours?

I take pride in my gun. Got a problem with that?!

Please, this is urgent. May I continue?

...You may.

I'm sure you all know that Mostima and I used to... work with Andoain.

The Andoain I know isn't one to go off half-cocked. He wouldn't start a war without preparing for it. So even though he could sow chaos in Laterano, he wouldn't do it without a reason.

The only clue the Astray have given us so far is their attempts on the mixed-blood girl called Cecelia.

We can surmise that taking her is their primary objective.

And since they already have her in their possession, I think Andoain's next step is very likely to be... exfiltrating Laterano.

Therefore, I suggest we focus on the two following points.

First, we need to step up our border controls and deploy more guards to the crossings. We should also form a special elite squad to locate their hideout and bring Andoain in.

Secondly, to be on the safe side, I would like the Seventh Tribunal to lead the investigation into whether the Astray have made contact with the visiting envoys to determine whether or not they are targeting the conference.

As for the conference itself...

Proceed according to plan, right? That's what you have in mind, isn't it? We're just testing the waters, anyway.

Oh, I've got to say, though. The cold buffet's desserts are disgusting. The cactus tarts are an atrocity. I would like to see some improvement there.

I think there's a certain charm to the taste.

I agree with Mostima on that point, and that point alone.

Blasphemy! I think they're delicious!

Gun-Knight Giovanni has spoken. I suppose we can all agree, then?

Agreed.

Anything that Giovanni likes, you know is bound to be terrible.

Mostima, belittling me again, are you?!

Please, my children, quiet down. I'm too old for all this bickering.

The laws instruct us to face the unknown with goodwill...

We mustn't treat fruit tarts with such scorn.

And why am I unfamiliar with this law?

I just thought of it this morning.

Your Holiness...

We'll go with your plan.

Vel, Giovanni, give Fiammetta all the help she needs.

Andoain... will make his way to his goal.

Phew... This is why I hate closed-door meetings...

We spent three minutes on the main topic! The rest of the meeting was everyone babbling their stupid side conversations!

Excuse me, Seniores? May I ask what the decision was?

You're still here.

I'm taking over the Andoain case. Thank you for your work the past couple days. You should head home to get some rest. I'll talk to the Notarial Hall later. Everything you've done will be written off as you helping us out.

Miss Fiammetta, I...

Anything that comes after this is way beyond the bounds of your authority and ability. Don't forget. You're still in training.

I know you're worried about Cecelia, but I'm taking over this case, and that's the best case scenario you could hope for.

Miss Fiammetta, are you friends with this... fallen angel? And the both of you are familiar with Andoain?