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Alfonso, he... No, this can't be!

Sixty years? What torture is this? Even a criminal subjected to the harshest of punishment would not last for a year!

But he... he...

Carmen falls silent. He leans over and sits down on the reef.

Sea Terrors carcasses are piled high into a mountain. There is no trace of the eldritch beasts, only the remaining tendrils of the nethersea brand retreating back to sea. The ocean's surface emits a pale blue light, usurping the sky's privilege.

He should be enjoying this victory. He accomplished what the Inquisition set out to do. The Penal Battalion is about to arrive, and all things are about to reach a satisfactory conclusion.

But he can only remain silent.

Up until a steam whistle roars in the distance. The Penal Battalion has arrived at the Eye of Iberia.

You can see the corner of the town from here. If I remember right, it was called... Reconstruction Hill.

Thiago didn't pass peacefully, and I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing. But...

Still, thank you all.

Don't mention it.

I don't mind dedicating a song to a hero at a solemn funeral.

Seems like Frost is back.

Mhm. We'll head back too in a little bit.

What about you, Iberian? You've had a rough few days, haven't you?

Gran Faro is Thiago's hometown. Just as Ægir is home to all of you, as well as my Abyssal Hunter buddies.

Maybe I joke around too much normally, and forgot...

That Iberia is also my home. To be honest, this isn't cathartic at all.

Wasn't that doctor going to help you out with something? You've been working for her, haven't you?

No, that's already dealt with. That's why I'm willing to stay with Rhodes Island.

That said...

...I didn't do a damn thing.

Hurry, hurry! Move the supplies into the warehouse!

Huh, what about the number of tents? Didn't the old guy already explain it?! Ugh—

Um...

J-Jordi? You're back?

What? The Inquisition took you away and actually let you come back? Where did you go?

A bunch of people from the Penal Battalion took us away, but then brought us back into town. Seems like they're going to war with something, and now they want us setting up tents.

Jeez, what's going to happen to Gran Faro? Oh, and uh, have you seen Thiago?

Jordi Fontanarossa.

Ah... Lord Carmen, sir... And Madame Inquisitor!

...Mhm.

We'd like to have a private chat with this Ægir.

Ah, of course! Right away!

M-Me?

Come with me. Let's take a walk around town, shall we?

Irene made up her mind on the way back.

M-Made up her mind? About what?

Originally, High Inquisitor Dario intended to entrust Irene to me, so that I could cultivate her until she was prepared for the seat of High Inquisitor.

His death in battle was unexpected. Though the day would've come sooner or later, he did not have to accept his fate so soon.

But Irene has made up her mind.

She will give up her position as Inquisitor.

Huh? Wait, what? Why?!

This is a decision I've come to after a lot of thought.

It has nothing to do with you, though, so please just keep listening.

Oh, okay...

The problem is you, Ægir. You know too much. You're too deeply involved. And the Ægir in this town are too blasphemous.

You've also been of great help.

As frail and weak as you are, your death would've been but another grain of sand. But you have shown great strength. Even if it's nothing more than your own little spark, it is still valuable.

I... I keep thinking... Why am I still alive? I'm not as noble as you any of you, or as resolute.

Jordi, you will be... the first Ægir to join the Inquisition.

Huh? Wha–? Me? Join the Inquisition?

Strictly speaking, I won't give you a chance to refuse. Gran Faro needs more hands than ever, and you will play a pivotal role as an Ægir.

After that, hrmm. Maybe I could use a young secretary?

Wait, hold on, you want me? To join the Inquisition?

B-But I'm not sure if I want—

I know you don't. Many members of the Inquisition hold deeply-rooted prejudices against the Ægir, and wouldn't want you joining either.

But don't you want to see it? The future that Iberia once promised to Gran Faro, and to Thiago?

Joining the Inquisition will be a test. As an Ægir, you wouldn't be wrong to treat it as a trial by fire. Or as practice for enduring hardship.

Don't get the wrong idea.

I... I'll give it some thought.

Mhm.

Then, what about you, Doña Irene? Your maestro...

My status as an Inquisitor hasn't done me any favors in my relationship with the Abyssal Hunters, or even the Ægir, so I got rid of it.

But abandoning a faith that's supported me to this day, especially after the untimely demise of my maestro... has not been an easy decision.

Please... let's not talk about this now. Maybe if we meet again someday.

I'm sorry.

It's just...

Irene looks at the sculpture in the plaza. A scaled-down version of the Eye of Iberia.

In the chaos of battle, streets were torn up, houses were destroyed, and makeshift tents were erected.

And the statue has always looked out over all of it.

Even though our enemy is well beyond the reach of the law, Iberia must banish this blasphemy.

Victory will be ours.

I owe you my gratitude, Frost. You helped Jordi, as well as the Hunters.

Say no more, it was just a little workout. Those disobedient little rascals aren't the only ones who can change the direction of the tides.

Next time, make sure you come cheer for us though.

Sure.

Alrighty, I'm gonna go catch up with Aya and the others then.

Stepped out a second and they went and ghosted me.

(Riffs with slight dissatisfaction)

Oh right, Kal'tsit...

Since we came all this way, we can't just go back empty-handed. We can awaken whenever you're ready.

Aya would say the same.

...Thank you very much. Maybe, in time, we really will be able to form a working partnership.

(Riffs to signify her departure)

So, this is the truth that Breogan discovered.

'Feranmut' and 'Leviathan'. The connection between the two.

If these massive creatures had disappeared from the ocean long ago, yet continued to survive on land in this form—

They're not the same, Gladiia.

Great Yan, Sargon, Sami. These places have all faced grave situations caused by Feranmuts.

But remember.

The ocean as a catalyst of mutation is both unique and irreplaceable. Even I cannot comprehend its principles, or its trajectory.

All I can see are the results, and make deductions from that. And what I predict is a terrible, terrible future.

Also, I'd imagine Breogan discovered more than one truth. And as you said, if there is another Abyssal Hunter still alive—

There is more than one Leviathan. The one we slew is but a small part of what the Ægir civilization concealed.

Besides...

The one you killed still lives on inside Skadi's body.

Then my worst-case scenario came true. You made the right choice not to return to Ægir.

Rhodes Island has already done enough for us. You have your own work ahead of you. As for what comes next, we will take that step ourselves.