act17side

I, I'm not sure. I assumed the data loss was caused by a power outage, b-but—

If my hypothesis is right...

There's a ship that's been sending signals to this lighthouse for decades!

What...

How far away it is?

I know, I'm looking... Ugh, where are the navigation records—

What is it?

...It's very close.

How can it be... so close?

Waaaah!

Wh-What happened?!

I'm afraid the underground portion of the tower has been swallowed up by the nethersea brand.

We need to make our decision, now!

Decision? What decision? If we have the means to locate the ship, then we will go.

No! We should eradicate the Sea Terrors to ensure that the Penal Battalion's reinforcements can arrive safely!

Impossible. You will merely wear yourselves out before the stronger prey can even join the hunt.

Or do you mean to say that Iberia has hundreds upon thousands of people willing to hold the line to their dying breath, like the High Inquisitor below us?

No, but—

Opportunity waits for no one.

Have you confirmed the coordinates?

Ah, um, I can determine an approximate range, but I don't know why it's spinning around, or if that means—

It is being kept afloat by aberrant ocean currents. See that square surrounded by Seaborn? That's what the ship looks like now.

But, that ship is the only vessel we have.

You can have it. We don't need it.

No.

Go with them.

High Inquisitor?! What did you just say?

The Eye of Iberia has already been activated. There should still be some working safeguards in place.

Lord Carmen will arrive to purge the evil remaining along these shores. We don't have time to waste on these endless hordes.

Th-Then, I'll stay with you, sir!

No. You ought to accompany them.

You should go see the ocean.

I...

What saved your life, what let the rescuers find you... wasn't me. It was the Scriptures you hold in your hand.

Make the right choice. Do not bring shame to Iberia.

Understood, High Inquisitor.

I will become Iberia's eyes, and return the Stultifera to our country's embrace.

Then go.

I look forward to seeing the moment you pass down the correct verdict.

Yes, High Inquisitor!

You should leave too. Go with them.

Sir... I don't want to. I want to stay here.

It's too dangerous.

I don't know a single thing about that golden vessel. The best I could do is bask in its magnificence, but... I don't think that's where my duty lies.

I, um, this might be a strange thing to say, but I... I only felt my own worth when I was exploring this lighthouse, so—

Please, let me stay here.

Exactly one hundred down. But nothing has changed.

They're like stars in the sky.

Breaking the encirclement would be simple, but defending the lighthouse? How long would we be slashing away?

What a fine, colorful carpet they make as their carcasses dissolve.

A carpet of life... Ah, this must be the most beautiful carpet in the land.

(True, the nethersea brand is spreading, which means...)

Your weapons cannot burn them, but mine can.

That's only a temporary solution. Cauterizing the tips of the seagrass won't stop it from growing.

It's good enough. Grab your people and get out of here. Steer the ship out, or you won't be able to get your bearings.

You realize what that means.

You don't need to tell me, Ægir.

Very well. Do your best to survive, High Inquisitor.

Shark, Skadi!

That's the ship...

Yes.

After so long spent waiting on land, we are finally about to return to Ægir. We...

Gladiia's words slow to a halt.

Her hand caresses her neck. On her well-concealed skin is a patch that is rough to the touch.

The ship is right in front of her eyes. —No, don't be hasty, Gladiia. The ocean is still dangerous. Otherwise, it would not have trapped the three Hunters ashore.

But without a doubt, her heart is smoldering.

They've left.

That's right. Which means we're stranded here until the Penal Battalion's reinforcements arrive.

You've done well, Ægir, so you've earned the right to answer a question.

Ah, o-okay! I swear to answer truthfully!

Did you make your own decision to leave the shore, and come here with us?

You're just an ordinary person. Janitor or whatever, you are no warrior. Few can wander out to sea, let alone witness a battle against the Sea Terrors.

Yet... Look, your expression doesn't shake at all under the light of my lantern. What are you thinking? What do you want?

I can't even remember ever seeing my mother or father. Everyone always told me I'm an Ægir, and that we came here to repair the lighthouse. But it's all ruined.

I... Before all this, I didn't know a single thing. I was lost and confused. To be honest, when the Sea Terrors came, Thi— Someone told me to leave as soon as possible. But...

Truthfully, I didn't even know where I could go.

Because I'm an Ægir, all I can do is keep my head down as I trudge through life. And, um... just so you know, I'm actually a chapel nurse, not a janitor.

But that doesn't really count as work, does it? All the things Mr. Elysium talks about, the way he acts... Maybe that's what it really means to live life upon this land.

That's why... I felt like this was an opportunity.

Are you not afraid of death?

I don't think there's anyone who isn't, sir.

I should be frank with you. The nethersea brand has already completely engulfed the coastline. We don't have much time left.

Oh.

Lord Carmen and Dr. Kal'tsit may have their methods, but I'm not so optimistic.

When the others left, we were basically condemned to death.

Is... that why you insisted on me going with them?

It's too late to regret it now. You chose to defy me, of your own free will. But even if you die here, your death would be by no means meaningless.

You're not shaken.

Haha... Just a little bit, maybe. But even if I went with them, wouldn't I still have nine-to-one odds of dying?

As long as I stay here in this lighthouse, I can at least feel like I've already—

Don't be in such a hurry to give up.

The Eye of Iberia should have its own defenses. Go start them up.

Ah, alright. But, where will you go?

Now...

We are alone at sea, far from our homeland.

Again and again we arrive on this little reef, the weight of our lives and of our vessels so much heavier than the place itself.

...Hiss...

(Swarms of slithering sounds)

Between the ocean and Iberia, there is no such thing as justice... or evil.

Only sword and lantern—