act17side

What a bunch of weirdos. Let's not get too close.

Didn't Old Pedri mention something like this before?

Don't get involved, lest the Inquisition take you away.

Sheesh, why are there all these outsiders lately? The Inquisition just doesn't care anymore, huh?

(I haven't seen any of them before... Look at the way they're dressed... Are they musicians?)

(Er, is she looking at me?)

H-Hello?

In the past, I wouldn't have batted an eye at seeing an Ægir near the coast, but it sure is a rare sight these days.

Do you know what's going on here?

W-What?

Oh, you wouldn't, huh? You aren't a child of the sea. You're land-born.

*Sigh*... Not that that's much of a surprise. Jeez.

Aya, over here!

Coming!

Oh, right... you... hmm...

I-Is something the matter?

Do you know what that sculpture is of? And do all the locals know?

Yes... It's a lighthouse. Apparently, they needed a lot of people to work on it way back when, and many of the workers' families ended up staying here.

Like yours?

Uh... Yes. I still keep some relics from that era back home. Like, blueprints and pictures.

Yep... lighthouses. Iberian lighthouses. In a country on the land. That's kinda funny.

Anyway, the scent doesn't seem to be coming from you. Alright, then, you be extra careful.

I've never seen those people... Are those instruments?

Maybe they're the ones Mr. Elysium has been waiting for?

Jordi.

Oh, Uncle Thiago. Sorry. I should've come back sooner—

Don't you get involved with them. I didn't see ears OR tails, and no feathers either. They might be Ægirs.

I—

Jordi, my boy. You know I don't have anything against the Ægir, but remember what everyone's been saying lately.

Don't get too involved with these outsiders. If you see an Ægir near the sea and there's no one from the Inquisition or Penal Battalion around, then they gotta be trouble.

I don't think they're bad people, but the Inquisition might not see things the same way, so... I'm sorry. I just don't want to see them take you away. Be a good boy and listen.

I get it. You don't have to apologize.

I get it...

I didn't expect you to agree so quickly.

I know of the events in Sal Viento, with the three Abyssal Hunters. Irene always writes the most detailed reports, after all.

And above all, I know that if you meant Iberia harm, you had other, much simpler options.

The Abyssal Hunters... Suppose they are as strong and swift as the report suggests. The three of them are still controllable by the Inquisition.

We retain the authority to sentence them to death. The only reason they are still allowed to walk Iberian lands is thanks to my curiosity towards your so-called truth.

I can't help but wonder if Iberia's current predicament is a result of its pride, then.

The truth is that no one knows pride better than us. Pride is like the shadow always lurking behind every man.

The two inquisitors with whom you're acquainted have already received orders. Should the need arise, they will appear before us.

It seems we have a few unidentified Ægirs in Gran Faro as well. You never mentioned them.

Who are they?

They aren't Ægir.

Iberia is rarely mentioned in the historical record, but that doesn’t mean our history is short. At the height of our prosperity, we crossed the entire continent, advancing troops to even Bolívar.

Both coin and knowledge flooded into our cities like streams pouring into a valley from a high cliff. Those glorious waterfalls roared so deafeningly loud that they could overcome even the waves of the sea.

(Sargonian) Those beings that arose... or rather, the 'Feranmut.'

Perhaps it is them that I should keep an eye on. They show no signs of hostility, yet they keep me on edge... Maybe they once belonged to the sea.

Kal'tsit, you are the doctor here. Could you do the Inquisition a favor?

...Ask away.

The Inquisition's command center is very close to the coastline. We are prepared to face destruction at any moment.

But I need you, an outsider, to be our eyes, gazing forward.

Seeing as we're in the same boat, I have no reason to refuse.

Please, Doctor, spare me the mysteriousness your long life has earned you. Show us where the evil that lurks within us sleeps.

I'll take that as a compliment... and it would be my honor.

Gladiia.

Our brief time together has you addressing me differently. On that point alone, you are quite different from before.

Captain, I have a question.

We've already shared all the information we have, in the time since we left that reeking coast.

Not all of it.

We alone are more than enough. I don't understand why we must also bring—

Look at her now. This is how she once was.

I looked into all her treatment records at Rhodes Island... You've never seen her this quiet before either, have you?

Don't you want to help her?

And this will help?

Perhaps.

She alone can defeat her illusions. She is her own key. She can break through the results of those filthy experiments. She's Laurentina, after all.

But until then, we need to prepare a warm bed for her.

It was only for a short while, but she woke up... Even so, I stared at her like that.

Don't be so sentimental. We aren't her. If she doesn't mind the way she is, we have no right to meddle in it.

You trust Dr. Kal'tsit more than I thought you would.

Maybe. She willingly stayed in Iberia and created this opportunity for us. I was surprised. And I have to thank her.

I can only hope it all goes well for her.

Look at the time.

Guess it's not happening today either. And here I thought I'd get to see them sooner or later just by waiting in the most conspicuous building in town.

This really is such an uneventful place, though. If I'd known it'd be so boring here, I would've brought along a few more books from Rhodes Island—

—A Lateran chapel! And in such a great shape, even right next to the sea! Unbelievable! This place's style really has a different vibe, though.

I mean, as long as there are Laterans in chapels, we can jam whenever, but this place just feels so gloomy... Hm?

Ahh—

—Alty?!

You'd best stay away from the sea, Jordi. The chapel is clean and safe. Just stay there.

Don't worry about anything else. Not a lot of the young ones came back this year. Most who left looked for ways to move to the big cities. And now we rely on the Inquisition's handouts to get by.

You should think about what I said and leave this place. The folks here are the families of the workmen who gathered here to maintain the lighthouse in the past, but times have changed. This place will be abandoned sooner or later.

Jordi?

I'm listening, Uncle.

It's just... where can an Ægir go?

Amaia told me that there are places outside, in other parts of Iberia, where they aren't so harsh on the Ægir.

But I'll need to find a home for myself eventually. I need resources, connections. I... can't make a decision that easily.

I... I'm not ready yet.

...If you say so.

Right, Amaia gave me another book, one she translated herself. Not like I'd understand it anyway, though. Take it with you to kill time over in the chapel.

Okay.

Jordi walks down the street quietly.

Seeing the old man in front of him hunching over more and more, he can't help but think back to how he looked just last year.

As if to prove how time slowly overtakes us all, senility is always silent. From the moment you wake up to when you fall asleep, every second is like a gasp for air.

But Jordi never complained. He's used to this life, after all.

Uncle...

Hmm?

I'm pretty happy with my life right now. I get to help out at the chapel. Sometimes I help take care of the children, and sometimes I help patch up the injured workmen.

I even got to know that Liberi who came from out of town the other day. He's so different from everyone else. He said his name is Elysium. You don't have to worry about me.