act18side

Down!

In your dreams!

Fancy that, you can still struggle...

I'm not holding this one back, Dame Strollo!

You—read me?!

Who knew you could bite off more than you could chew?

Unripe. You're just relying on the Voice of Mundane... Your control of Arts is still in its infancy—

Hrragh!!

Huff, *pant*, *pant*...

D—Did that get her...?

Heh, I never thought you'd be one to best me, Graf Urtica.

So you admit defeat?

Hmph. A loss is a loss. What, does not admitting it make it my victory instead?

You... Why are you unperturbed?

Because... how exactly can you lay a finger on me?

I'm the Lehnsfrau of this city. It's night, you broke into a concert hall I administrate, and you attempted to tear down legitimate renovations ratified by my own person.

You even injured me as I did my best to stop you—

Graf Urtica, Rhodes Islander, and you, Czerny. You should be the worried ones, isn't that right?

As despicable as ever, Gertrude.

Despicable? Is that how you treat your patron, your back of over a decade?

Czerny, I allowed you to use this concert hall.

You're no more than a mere Infected. Your position? I gave you that too.

Your cherished Afterglow could only limp its way to the present day on MY benevolence.

Don't forget that.

How dare—!

All of you, kindly leave.

I wouldn't be so sure.

Graf Urtica—this title carries with it disgrace, all throughout Leithanien.

But it also means that wherever I go, the Empresses' informants are sure to be.

And what if they are? I told you, you're only making vain attempts to destroy my music hall.

Even if Their Majesties' agents were to show themselves, they would arrest you by all rights, not me.

Biegler! Biegler!

You have to have witnessed this all now, right?

Do you still intend to fold your arms and watch?!

I saw the grand Graf Urtica fall to breaking and entering a concert hall, in the dead of night, with a gang. Aside from that, I saw nothing.

Did you not hear her plot?!

Do you mean Gräfin Strollo's plot, or the Graf Urtica's plot jointly schemed with her?

Why you...

I did in fact hear.

However, even if I recorded your entire dialogue just now, that doesn't prove a thing.

Evidence, Graf. Everything needs carefully selected evidence. What proves Gräfin Strollo intended to act against the Empresses?

Proof. You come to me at this moment and raise the matter of proof...

Right. The Voice of Mundane!

We discovered there was research into the Voice of Mundane in the sewers!

What?

Heh.

Seems you're not off the ball after all, Graf Urtica.

What research? I know nothing about this.

Feigning stupidity at this point's passé, Gräfin Strollo.

You may not be directly linked to the notes and plans in that sewer laboratory, but we have our ways.

With our leads there, it'll be a walk in the park to find your other little bases.

You are presently suspected of launching research into the Voice of Mundane forbidden under Their Majesties' decree. I want you to come with me.

Wait, because she was researching the Voice and nothing else?!

Let me reiterate to you again, Graf Urtica, and the rest of you.

As long as you have no clear evidence, proof your 'foul product' is going to blow up like you say it does—

Every accusation you throw at her turns into slander, nothing else.

Let me take a look at those Voice of Mundane research files! I can give you exhaustive evidence!

Very sorry, but that's classified Leithanian information. I can't hand it over to a foreign organization.

You're just wishing it out of existence!

There's a lot in these lands that doesn't go the way you want it, Fräulein.

But...!

Let it go, Hibiscus.

He's made his point very clear. Our discoveries aren't enough to convict Gräfin Strollo.

And he only showed himself because he found other evidence to do so.

I should even be thanking you for deigning to show up in the wake of my hissy fit. Isn't that right, Biegler, my dear spy?

I'll be honest, if I had to compare you and Gräfin Strollo as nobles, I'd say you win out in my books, Graf Urtica.

And you, Herr Czerny.

Hm?

We have Gräfin Strollo contained now. Even if whatever your friends are worried about is real, either way, the concert's safe.

Of course, I still recommend you cancel it. Safest for settling this.

I thought the concert tomorrow had already been forbidden.

Whether you hold it remains up to you.

Okay, Gräfin Strollo, I believe your loyalty to the Empresses. I'd just like to take you for... breakfast. You wouldn't refuse my invitation, would you?

Hah. Breakfast in these early hours? Very well.

Graf Urtica, you will regret betraying me.

I'll regret many a thing, but that is the one matter I never will.

Well, we've just let them go.

Gertrude...

You still had a word waiting for her?

If profanity counts for a word.

Kreide still hasn't woken.

Leave him with me, I'll set off straight away and bring him to the Rhodes Island landship.

You're taking him away?

I am. He'll only get the proper treatment at Rhodes Island.

I won't allow it.

Why?

Even if you can pacify his condition, what will you do about the Voice of Mundane?

I don't doubt your medical prowess, but is that something you can truly solve?

I can't promise.

But we've got no other choice now.

Don't tell me you still hope Gertrude'll help you get rid of it through ensemble?

I can only hope.

You're—

How long will it take from Vyseheim to your landship, I ask you?

You won't say. Because you know Kreide isn't likely to make it there.

But even if what Gertrude says is true, are you really going to sacrifice yourself to do this?

As long as I can do it, why shouldn't I?

Hibiscus stares, blank, for a spell.

The look in his eyes now, compared to when she first met this young man—the difference is like black and white.

He's serious, she thinks.