act18d3

Dr. Kal'tsit, I would like an explanation.

I knew things weren't as simple as they seemed...

The Inquisition is simply keeping too many more secrets than the Iberian people deserve to know.

My lady, need I remind you that spreading rumors and hearsay is strictly forbidden in Iberia?

High Inquisitor, I'm only saying this because you already know those secrets.

The Church of the Deep has infiltrated Iberia and is taking root here in secret.

They took advantage of the relationship you once had with the sea. Abandoned Iberian cities have become the beachhead for the Church of the Deep's encroachment onto dry land.

They have their own interpretations of your scriptures, and they use them to bend your will. They also hide well. With so many irons in the fire, there was never any way for you to attend to all of it.

So... you should cry out for help. If you continue this pointless war of territory and faith, we will miss our one chance.

The Hunters and the Inquisitor find themselves in a peculiar face off with Kal'tsit. Skadi starts to think that perhaps Kal'tsit is actually on her side.

Your Honor, Iberians are different.

The skyline that you see every day is different from what everyone else who walks this world sees.

What do you call the place where you live every day and night? The coast.

Other peoples live on land, while Iberians live by the coast.

For the majority of the population, whether they live in the wilderness or the cities, their sightlines are the sky above and an endless swath of land and mountains ahead.

Anything above the clouds means nothing.

When they talk about 'the world', they refer to these lands alone.

The land on which they live is the world to them, because they've decided there is nothing in this world beyond these lands.

Whether residing in sealed-off cities, out-of-the-way villages, or hostile wilderness, they believe in what they see, and nothing else.

Now look at them again. These Abyssal Hunters. These Ægir.

The ocean is vast in ways beyond the land.

Iberia is not like other countries.

Those who reside on land are obsessed with their ways and their authorities. They overlook the infinite possibilities, and the opportunities to explore the boundaries that they blindly choose to ignore.

Your world is far more complete. You understand both the land and the sea. Iberia has a much better knowledge of its place in the world than anyone else.

This has given you a huge lead over everyone in the past.

That is enough.

This is all water under the bridge. The radiance of the cities has faded, and Iberia is nothing but a pile of rubble today.

What a surprise. I thought you would dodge the subject.

You are here, and you are certainly not blind. Look out and see for yourself.

Cities like Sal Viento line the entire Iberian coastline.

Iberia was once a prosperous nation, but how many of these ruins can be found here today?

Kal'tsit knows, and naturally the High Inquisitor knows too. However, with the High Inquisitor's steely composure, it is impossible to discern any kind of emotion from his expression whatsoever.

Furthermore, he is wearing a mask.

If they could cry, then the Iberians would definitely cry. If they could laugh, then the Iberians would definitely laugh out loud.

Yet here stands one such impassioned Iberian, who has since turned into the emotionless man before her.

Without expression and without emotion. Iberia's golden age has passed into a life of tranquility.

There are too many.

We cannot support them, and many cities are unable to support themselves.

Ever since the Profound Silence Iberia is not what it once was.

Then you need the support of others all the more.

No one knows what happened to Iberia, and no one may know.

Because Iberia was once on the brink of total destruction?

Even now, Iberia cannot be destroyed.

You are still here, and so are the Iberian people.

I believe that even if not a single city remained...

Kal'tsit looks at the three Abyssal Hunters. Of them, Skadi is walking toward some inhabitants exiting the buildings. Seems like she has something to say to them.

Iberia's citizens won't give up so easily.

High Inquisitor, please allow me.

Pride and prejudice have destroyed the Ægir. This land must not repeat the mistakes of the deep sea folk.

If Iberia falls to the aftershock of this disaster, then there will no longer be anyone who knows the true face of the sea, and the horror of the threat it poses.

Just like a certain hunt in the tundra roughly a century ago. It is the territory of mankind that we are guarding, not the honor and reputation of a nation, against the sea monsters, and against anything else.

Besides, if Iberia keeps lingering on with its last breath...

Kal'tsit looks into the High Inquisitor's eyes. His expression remains unchanged. He does not appear to be in denial, nor is he approving of her view.

Nonetheless, Kal'tsit will finish.

In that case, Iberia will one day meet its fate.

As of now, you can still rebuild your homeland, rebuild Iberia.

I don't believe that.

My objective isn't to get you to see things my way.

This question has to be answered, and a decision has to be made. It doesn't necessarily need to be answered by you, nor does it have to be now.

We still must resolve the Sal Viento affair.

The High Inquisitor looks at the hunters.

One of them will have to stay.

I will.

No.

You two need to go back.

Kal'tsit, we will do as we discussed. I won't be there to lead them, so you will have to take my place.

You...?

What's this supposed to mean?

High Inquisitor, perhaps I can take their place?

I can serve as a proxy for them in your interrogations. I can straighten out the details of the events that transpired here, and you will get the information that you need.

I can survive an Iberian prison.

If you insist.

Lady Kal'tsit?

Doctor...?

You want me to expel them from our territory?

For now at the very least.

The three of you—

Go back to Rhodes Island. Misery will pick you up near the northeastern border. Don't take the waterways this time.

The Inquisition will determine the route they will take.

As long as the destination remains unchanged, you may route them however you want.

When will you come back? I can't wait for you too long.

That is not for her to decide.

Let's not jump to conclusions yet, little birdie of Iberia. A prison's walls are as paper to me.

Gladiia, no.

So you want me to watch him take you away?

That's right.

Don't worry about me, Gladiia.

Now go, hunters. Surely a heart-to-heart with Specter must be on the agenda. Now that she's awake, she can give you the answers you've always wanted. Her own answers.

And you have nothing to say to me? This is a rare opportunity for everyone, yourself included.

Hmm...

I'm afraid I don't have any suitable advice for a hunter like you.

Am I too hasty for your liking?

No, but you understand your own situation far better than I.

In any case, I don't know how much longer you can maintain your current state... Though I suppose that's the least of your worries.

How do you know?

Just a hunch. You are in a good mood, after all. I'm sure it matters to you very little whether you are awake or not, Specter. After all, the way things are now is not that bad for you.

You needn't tell me. Nothing has ever been completely optimal for us.

And if I contemplate the future? That would be such a drag. My standards are much lower than yours. As long as things are decently sorted, they're good enough for me.

I suppose so.

I am not one to preach the Church of the Deep's words, but that was me as well. There is no point in hating myself.