act18d3

That should take care of it, I think? We should have enough for me, Grandma, and Bench...

Oh, and the singer too. She will come back, right? We can't let her go hungry.

We still have... some. We can put the rest in the box.

Uh, Uncle Fireplace, you wanted some? O-Okay, I can give you some first.

Whoa, I think that's seaweed on your arm! Let me have it! I'll make the... uh... seaweed alcohol that the singer taught me to make!

Huh? Where did Bench go? I only took my eyes off for a moment.

(Makes children noises)

A red-clad figure appears before him.

Ah... Songs... Ahhh...

Stop grabbing...

This is yours.

Whaa...

Stop chewing it... It's not something you can eat.

Woodframe... Woodframe...

Don't call her...

Yeah, give her my harp, will you?

Tell her... No, I guess you can't talk.

This isn't a goodbye.

I'll go ask a question. Then, I'll tell her myself.

Skadi looks at the chapel overlooking the town. She knows how to get to her destination.

High Inquisitor, are we planting explosives at the hill right now?

That is correct.

On another note, I saw someone entering the chapel.

She looks very much like that... outsider we met before.

So, High Inquisitor, who is she?

An Ægir.

I heard she fought the Sea Terrors.

I'm surprised there are others who not only know about these monsters... but specialize in fighting them as well...

If we blow up the chapel... Will she be affected?

If we don't strike the evil at its root, even destroying this place won't accomplish anything.

Is that so? So we still have to find out who caused this phenomenon... And you don't know who it is yourself, High Inquisitor?

You may not ask anything that has nothing to do with the mission.

Understood...

Also, while I'm aware you don't mind, I have to say this nonetheless... The load-bearing structure of this block probably won't withstand the intensity of the explosion.

The southern half of the city may crumble any moment, and the inhabitants here still don't know anything about this.

Proceed.

Uh...

I want to evacuate the inhabitants.

I mean, to you, they may seem peculiar and problematic...

...and also things that need to be cleansed.

Inquisitor!

Uhh...!

Tell me! What is your responsibility?!

Yes!

'For Iberia's prosperity, for Iberia's defense, and for Iberia's orderliness and integrity, I shall raise my sword and my light!'

In that case, you must lay down your judgment for these men!

You want me to... lay down judgment? To sentence them to death?

High Inquisitor, when was the last time you listened to a song? Your records have all gone bad, haven't they? Your player has been gathering dust for a long time too.

I heard that song. I heard the song the Ægir was singing for these people.

That's the kind of song that Iberia should have had.

Before we kill them, I want to know the truth. Just like you were trying to find who is behind this.

Perhaps they will still mutate, but when that time comes, I will cleanse them myself, but I would like to evacuate them right now.

High Inquisitor, if I have your permission, I will evacuate everyone right away!

Is that your decision?

I don't know!

Irene, you are not just laying down decisions for those you see in front of you. Your decisions affect much more!

By sentencing the monsters to live, you also sentence the citizens to die!

I understand! I've already made decisions like this one countless of times!

Your judgment can mitigate disasters or portend ill omens! You may kill hundreds merely to save one!

I understand that, Sir!

What's at stake behind this deal, the clashes between morals and scriptures... I understand it all!

That isn't what I'm asking you.

What I'm asking you, Irene, is if you can truly bear this responsibility.

If you bring them great pain, then you too must bear this pain as well, and it will be far graver than the sins you inflict on others combined.

Do you have the courage? Will your beliefs remain steadfast when your heart is tormented? If you fail, are you certain you can stay unflinching when you witness the outcome of your decision?

I can take it... and I won't waver.

That's what I've been doing all along ever since I joined the Inquisition. I can do it. If what I do proves to be wrong, then let me receive the proper punishment. This is something I must do.

High Inquisitor! I—

Very well.

Hm...?

This will do. Do your duty, Inquisitor.

—Yes, High Inquisitor! I will evacuate the local inhabitants right away!

Also... The explosives left in the cabinet should be enough to level the whole of Sal Viento.

That's right.

So...

If it comes to it, I will override your judgment.

Right...

I'll get going now.

Irene dashes off like the wind.

The High Inquisitor stands tall, unmoving, just like the reefs next to the sea.

It is only when the Inquisitors have doubts in their hearts that they have the chance to seek out the answer. However, for a young woman who has experienced little of the world's ugly side or its mirages...

She needs to be hammered and tempered. She needs to fail, to crumble.

She must first suffer. She must first abandon her unrealistic aspirations before she can truly be indomitable.

Wait.

Who is it?

Hello, High Inquisitor.

Oh, look who's here?

Welcome, wandering singer.