act18d3

That won't happen.

You are way too different from them.

I hope my actions didn't put you two in harm's way.

Answer a few questions for me.

Ask away.

Is there Seaborn blood flowing in our veins?

Yes.

You are here to figure out the cause of the problems in Specter's body, and you took that blow to figure out why the Seaborn was looking for me.

Yes, that's right.

And you knew from the start the bishop wasn't the only Seaborn here?

Yes.

Do you know what I did after that final battle that was borderline suicide?

I don't.

Did we win?

I don't know. I lost contact with Ægir.

Are we abandoned by Ægir...?

Yes? The Abyssal Hunters are like bait.

Yes? The Abyssal Hunters are like a glow at the bottom of the sea.

Yes? The Abyssal Hunters are strong, yet their strength is but a tiny fraction of Ægir's power.

Yes? The only thing special about the Abyssal Hunters is that they are indeed related to the sea monsters somehow.

Anger rages in Skadi's crimson pupils, but there is that tiny bit of hope...

How much of it is real, and how much of it is fake...?

We're not.

Okay, let's go.

How snappy.

No reason to dawdle around. I'm an Abyssal Hunter.

Is it somehow different for you girls in your squad?

All Abyssal Hunters are like that.

This place is about to collapse. Besides...

As though lured here by the bishop's lifeless body, the Sea Terrors are boring into the cave through the fissures.

In huge numbers, no less.

Three hunters are walking on seacoast way♪

There's too many of them.

Skadi, I need you to apply yourself here! You are the only one whose arms and legs aren't all scrapped up!

What do you want me to do...? My hands are numb already. When was the last time you had to stick your hands into their mouths to tear them into two?

About three seconds ago.

Gladiia turns around and sticks her hand into the mouth of one of the monsters, piercing its entire body through its head. She quickly swings her arm, and, unable to withstand the force the hunter is exerting on its body, the monster is torn into two from the inside before being flung away.

Just now.

No, as long as its body is still there... there will be no end to the Sea Terrors. It's summoning them. It's an anchor!

We'll need to destroy the body, then... Burying it won't quite be enough...

I'll do it.

When you have a huge hole in you?

You two—

A figure appears before the Hunters, surprising Skadi when she sees her face.

Get moving, Hunters!

What are you doing there?!

We'll talk later! Mon3tr, do it!

Mon3tr crashes into the ceiling of the chapel. It tears the Sea Terrors apart with its sharp blades. A black sphere forms in its mouth before blasting away downwards.

It shakes the entire city and hill, sending what is left of the chapel crumbling down.

The bishop and its secrets have been destroyed forever, and no one will know any of it.

Now quick, come in, come in. I knew that you would make it here.

How?

What can I say...?

Hmph. No need.

Do you carry that case everywhere you go, wandering singer?

Yes.

Then would you mind if I asked another question?

Go ahead.

What is inside this case?

A saxophone.

Ah, very well, a saxophone... a wind instrument. Quite good.

May I have the fortune to hear it? Music... this city has not heard music for a swathe of years.

Oh, no, beg pardon... I realize asudden that a wandering singer takes coin for her song.

This does stump me. You see, I fear I cannot proffer much tip to speak of.

Yet look at this old building. Humph, taking care of it is quite the challenging task, when currency stands for little here, none will collect it, and none will use it.

But I can spare energy to prepare you a luncheon. Wandering singer, what say you? Would you will to perform a little something or other?

It is in my power, at least, to invite you to eat your fill, though it may not be any gourmet delicacy...

I see you are fallen silent... Ah, might I guess: you prefer dance, rather than song?

You see, you are wearing a dancer's dress... you are talented. It has been too long since last we had a friend with such brilliant luster as you.

(...Sickening.)

If you want to listen to something, you can let me sing for now.

I came to ask a question. The person standing by you probably knows. I don't think you can escape the issue anymore.

Were my—people, here, and you, once familiar?

We naturally were.

I was not asking you.

Gladiia turns her head away, and does not speak further.

We aren't.

Oh...?

Because I have no idea now if this person is the one I originally knew.

Oh, oh...

This, too, is normal. All people may change. Seawater beats against dry land, and can turn the coast into sand, given time.

So. Your arrival, was it not her who willed it?

—Wasn't it you who wanted me to come?

Were it merely my bidding, you would not show here, correct? I am only a stranger.

I simply ask; did she will you to come, or not?

She didn't. I came on my own.

Hmm, you are not lying. I can hear when lies are told... but you are honest.

You keep asking, and I still haven't even said anything. How can you be this obnoxious?

Be calm, be calm, singer. It was not my intention. A little prudence does us all good.

Then my turn to ask.

This city's people all have great trust in you, but what happens on the seashore—

—is absolutely not normal.

Scrap-begging. Sea Terrors. The ocean.

Where are you from? You know something, don't you? What have you and her hidden from me?

Ah, hah-hah. Yes, indeed, I know a good deal more than others.

Indeed, I know of one who wants to meet you.

Meet me? Since I'm a wandering singer?

The one who cares for music is me.

Though it may invite some disbelief, the one wanting to meet you is not me.

It is a friend of mine. I bid you here on his request.