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—Voice.

Unusually quiet, Specter gazes at the sky.

She closes her eyes. Waves brush against chaotic thoughts. This place is far from the coast, but something is touching her consciousness.

It is in the wind, among the clouds, through the land, from the sea.

A voice. I can hear it.

Hmm... I don't hear anything.

The music of the sea. The children of the sea are crying.

It is... a song.

The scent of Sea Terrors. Lots of them. The town is under attack.

H-Hey! How did you get in here?

A-Are you an Inquisitor?! The ones you're dragging are—

Go home.

These two are under suspicion of colluding with heretics. I am performing my duty as an Iberian Inquisitor.

Leave now, unless you want to be caught up in battle. Their blood will draw enemies.

A-An Inquisitor?! When did the Inquisition arrive? W-Were those outsiders your informants?

I, I'm not a cultist! I don't have anything to do with those guys!

Do you know these two?

Them? Juan...? It's Juan? I always thought he looked suspicious. He—

That's enough.

No need to torment yourself. Go home, and be sure your doors and windows are locked.

A-Alright...

You can come out now.

An Inquisitor... no, a High Inquisitor!

What's the Inquisition doing here?

Amaia and Thiago have gone missing. Do the Ægir have something to do with it?

You killed Juan, you bastard!

Not quite, he yet lives. I intend to extract some answers from him.

You are different from the enemies I know. Your minds are your own, and you are working under clear directions.

But if you're truly sane and awake, then you should understand—

—That you stand no chance against me, nor any other brave soldier of the Inquisition.

Tch...

Why give up your lives? What meaning is there in your futile sacrifice?

What have the accursed tides promised you? What are you scheming on this barren shore?

I have many questions, enemies of Iberia.

And I can only hope your god has answers.

Irene.

Yes, maestro... I mean, sir!

You seem distracted.

I... I'm fine.

Gran Faro is a tiny town, so small that most maps don't even bother to list it.

But this is a request from Lord Carmen himself, and it involves Dr. Kal'tsit and those Ægir.

I know, sir. I—

If you still haven't found your answer, I will not give you permission to join the mission.

I'd already made up my mind when I first decided to follow in your footsteps and become an Inquisitor.

Yes, before you even knew the question. An answer is worthless if it cannot explain what you see and hear.

Don't die a worthless death, Irene. You know what we're fighting against. And you must find your own answer.

I—

...Yes, sir.

Lady Kal'tsit.

Gladiia's tone does not change, but her footsteps reflect her mood.

A blink of the eye, and she is by Kal'tsit's side.

Good work, Gladiia.

The Inquisition didn't do anything to you, did they?

The fact that Iberia has not yet sunk into the sea is proof that they still retain a shred of humility and vigilance.

You found a way, as promised.

Yes. However...

Even if Iberia is willing to let go of their fears, what about Ægir?

What about you?

If this temporary cooperation is necessary to help us return to the ocean... so be it.

Finally, an Ægir with some sense, right? Like the waves themselves, like the rays and texture of the sea.

Hello there, special Ægir. I believe you've already met our other members?

Yes. You're also a member of AUS?

Alty, bassist. Nice to meet you.

How are things outside?

The cultists are out in force, but individually they're rather weak.

My Hunters can take care of everything.

The Inquisition will only work with us once we've taken care of the problems in Gran Faro.

Then there's no time to waste.

Gladiia raises her lance.

At the same time, she senses that something is not right.

There, among the Sea Terrors... but how could it be...?

Kal'tsit here.

Dr. Kal'tsit! Their goal is—

...Elysium?

What's the matter?

One of our operators is in trouble.

Something lurks here.

As we discussed, Alty, the members of AUS can stay ashore.

We'll handle this as quickly as possible.

Sure, we can wait.

And we'll be happy to provide some BGM for your campaign.

...Too weak.

They keep coming. Buying time?

Or spreading... something.

I must find the leader.

—Gkh—!

Specter.

...Hm?

Ah... Skadi. Long time no see.

Something the matter?

...Are you alright?

I'm fine, just a little tired.

Yes... We're fighting, right? The scent of the ocean... reminds me of home.

But, home? My home... huh...

Gkh—!

The sea.

The scent of the sea grows stronger. Are we home, Skadi? Is this the way home?

...It will be, Specter. Laurentina. I promise.

Tell me then... what's that before my eyes?

What?